METHODS OF DAKWAH

METHODS OF DA’WAH

In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful.
Definition of Da’wah
Da’wah means an invitation or in term of the Islamic context it means an invitation to Islam. Thus Da’wah means conveying the message of Islam to Non-Muslims and inviting them to Islam.

Types of Da’wah

Da’wah can be classified into two types: i) live and direct without any media ii) indirect through means of media.

Nowadays, they are several types of media has been used to spread Islam
i) Print Media ii) Audio iii) Video iv) Electronic Media

Print Media:

i) Non-periodical consists of literature: pamphlets, booklets, books and many more that we can find easily. It describes how wonderful Islam in brief.

ii) Periodical consists of newspapers, magazines, newsletters and many more which are published periodically - either daily, weekly, fortnightly, monthly, quarterly or annually. For instance, Solusi(magazine) provides so many information about Islam and it describes every matter in Islam very well. It could attract non-muslim to convert to Islam based on the feedback by the person herself.

Audio:

The most popular audio media used today are:
i) Audio cassettes: it is a talk recorded in the form of audio so that people can play it while they are doing something else.

ii) Audio compact discs: this type of audio also has been used widely by many Islamic motivator and we can buy from bookstore.

Video:

The popular video media today are:

i) VCD

ii) DVD

iii)Streaming video

Video media too, like audio media, can be used to convey the message to an individual or to a group of people. It can also be used to convey the message to the public via streaming video from U Tube like Ustaz Azhar Idrus and Ustaz Kazim Elias spread their dakwah. This method of da’wah really successful this day to attract teenagers and adults to understand more about Islam.

Electronic Media:

Electronic Media or Computer Media is another media that can be used to convey the message to an individual or a group of people. It can also be used at a public level through the Internet by way of web sites, homepages, television, bulletin boards, e-mail messages, etc.

We can see many Islamic channels on television today like TV Al-Hijrah or any forms of Islamic programme such as Forum Perdana, Tanyalah Ustaz, Semanis Kurma and many more to educate people to learn the beauty of Islam.

Besides, the rapid growth of Islamic websites give ease to people to search information about Islam as long as they have internet connection. We can say “ information at finger tips”. For instances, Mufti Malaysia has their own website and make people easy to find any fatwa related to Islam and Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia(JAKIM) has their own website about halal or haram as described in Islam.

LIVE DA’WAH

Unlike Da’wah done through media, live and direct Da’wah is more of a dialogue than a monologue. It is interactive and involves two-way communication.

This type of da’wah must use proper way to approach people. The correct method in this type of da’wah determines the good outcomes.

This type of da’wah need high commitment and patience because we will deal directly with the person. Use proper way to talk and behave ourselves. If we use interesting method they will have interest to know more about Islam and we can show the true meaning of Islam and why we must choose Islam as our religion.

The people we want to give da’wah can be classified into several groups:

i) Relatives, friends, family

ii) Strangers

iii) Non-muslim

Another way of giving da`wah is through teaching, preaching, communication, engaging in dialogues, discussions and debates, writing books and articles, giving lectures, etc. Almighty Allah says: “Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious." (An-Nahl: 125) Of course this requires deep knowledge, preparation and training. Muslims should use the most effective and appropriate methods of da`wah in every place and time.

Carrying the da’wah demands frankness, courage, strength, thought and to challenge all that contradicts the Fikrah and Tareeqah (idea and method) of Islam by facing it and exposing its falsehood, irrespective of the situation and its consequences.

"And the believers should not all go out to fight. Of every troop of them, a party only should go forth, that they (who are left behind) may gain sound knowledge in religion, and that they may warn their folk when they return to them, so that they may beware." (At-Tawbah 9:122)

Giving da`wah with proper training and specialization is regarded as fard kifayah (collective obligation). That means in every community some people must take the proper da`wahtraining and should do this work in a systematic and methodical way on behalf of all other members of the community. If some people do this work, then there is no blame on others, but if no one does it, all Muslims of the community are considered sinners. It is the duty of all Muslims to support this work by providing facilities and funds so that it can be done in a proper manner.”

"It is He who has sent His Messenger with the guidance and deen of Haqq, to prevail over all other religions even though the idolaters may abhor it." (At-Tawbah 9:33)

The da’wah carriers have to carry this duty as an obligation from Allah (swt). They have to embark upon it enthusiastically and delightedly expecting the pleasure of Allah (swt). They must not seek for their work any worldly reward or expect praises from people. They must acknowledge nothing except the pursuit of the pleasure of Allah (swt).