Dawa Opportunity to Law Enforcement Agents

Since the Terrorist attack on America Law Enforcement Agents have been ‘visiting’ Muslim homes and asking ‘simple questions’. Due to the power given to them by Bill C-36 it is quite difficult to avoid such ‘visits’. Some of the Agents are nice and some are rude. Some know about Islam & Muslims and some are ignorant.

Most of the Agents had their lesson on Islam and Muslims from biased media news and articles. The magnitude of the ignorance can be understood when the Agents show surprise at knowing that one is a Muslim and not an Arab.

The ‘simple questions’ of the Agents revolve around the following:

• Which ‘version of Islam’ do you follow?
• What is your opinion on terrorism and terrorists?
• What do you think of people of other faith?
• What is your idea of ‘sacrifice’, ‘jihad’, punishment, hell-fire? etc.  

This shows how important it is to use the ‘visits’ as Dawa opportunities. The questions are all about two major misconceptions people have about Islam. Namely, Tolerance and Jihad.

We can tell the Agents about the beautiful way of life of Islam. How it tolerates people of other faiths, more than what the ‘developed nations’ of the world offer now. We can tell them the exemplary stories of Muslim rule in Spain, India and other places of the world. We can tell them how Muslims in Canada are involved in the welfare of their communities. The concept of Jihad can be clarified to them also. Most of them think of Jihad as a reaction to Crusade or licence to mass murder. We can tell them how it means more than fighting. Jihad means struggle in any form to please Allah, the Creator. We can tell them that Muslims fight only in self-defence and on request of oppressed nations.

We need to increase our knowledge of Islam in the area of tolerance, Jihad, and extremism. We need to learn how to articulate our words so that they touch the hearts. Dawa through behaviour is the best and most effective. Show them how clean, honest and patient Muslims are.

However, we should not be naive to think all of the Agents will ‘visit’ us with good intention and professional attitude. Some do violate the Fundamental Freedoms and Legal Rights. It is our duty as good citizens or immigrants to inform the authority of such violations. This will help the Agencies and in turn help make Canada a secure yet free country.

And strive in His cause as ye ought to strive, (with sincerity and under discipline). He has chosen you, and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion; it is the cult of your father Ibrahim. It is He Who has named you Muslims, both before and in this (Revelation); that the Messenger may be a witness for you, and ye be witnesses for mankind! So establish regular Prayer, give regular Charity, and hold fast to Allah! He is your Protector, the best to protect and the Best to help! [22:78]

Place and Context of Revelation:

• Revealed during the Madinan period; most probably in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah in 1 A.H.
• The migrants had just arrived in Madina. It’s Hajj time but they weren’t able to perform it.
• Muslims were granted the right to fight against oppressors.

Lessons:

Essence of Jihad

• To strive; to exert to the utmost.
• Should be for the sake of Allah.
• To remove the forces obstructing man from following the Way of God so that one may be able to serve God without persecution.

Targets of Jihad

• Self
• Other forces

Excelling in our struggle

• No room for half-hearted, poorly-planned struggle
• Struggle must be in an acceptable manner within the limits set.

The chosen ones!

• Praise for the Companions and those who take up the task
• Failure to fulfill this task is rejection of Allah’s favour

It’s not a burden

• Freedom from slavery to others.
• Simple, straightforward set of beliefs and practicable laws.

One Message, One Mission

• All the Prophets had one message, the message of monotheism, after-life, prophethood and scriptures.
• All of the followers of the prophets were named Muslims.
• Our mission is to be example for the rest of the world as the prophets were for their followers.
• We can be witnesses through our actions, words and by showing a living example of Islamic ideals (ie. Islamic State).

Tools for the task

• Prayer and Charity.
• Holding on to Allah’s guidance in the Quran and in the Sunnah of the Prophet.
• Trust that Allah will be there to help and protect us during this struggle.

Attendance at religious services has faced a dramatic decrease over the past 15 years. Nationally, 20% of individuals 15 and over attended religious services on a weekly basis in 2001 this number has decreased compared to 1986 when 28% of the population used to attend religious services.  In Canada 38% never attend a religious service.

These numbers are quite striking yet not shocking. In our everyday dealings we come across individuals who are not sure whether they want to follow a religion, who are not confident in their religion, who don’t have the time to think about religion.

Three factors lead to this rise of “No Religion”.

1. Ignorance
People are simply not aware how religion plays an active role in keeping our society peaceful. The massacres, oppression, aggression we see around us is due to lack of religiosity of modern individuals because without religion there is nothing to hold a person accountable for his/her deeds. The masses are so engulfed in materialism that they don’t get the time to know about other ways of life.

2. It isn’t KOOL any more
The religious community has failed to compete with the popular culture of consumerism and moral laxity. They have not mastered the effectiveness of media. They have failed to make religion appealing to the masses.

3. Religious Atheists
Majority of those who claim to be followers of a religion has failed to demonstrate their true religiosity mainly due to the ignorant following of forefathers and also, due to the fanaticism in most religions out there.

In order to bring back religion to its proper status the religious community needs to increase dialogue with the masses in a language they understand. They need to present it in a way that is most appealing to the mind and senses. They need to live their religion in its fullest. The quranic guideline “Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching” (Quran 16:125) reminds us of just that.

Taking It To The Streets

Following events such as the cartoon controversy or Pope Benedict’s comments, there have been many pictures and news articles of ranting, raging and angry Muslims filling streets and protesting world affairs, particularly from the Indian subcontinent.

There is also a lot of misunderstanding as to what that means. To Westerners, when we see streets brimming with people in protest, we think a people on the edge of tipping society. Images of people filling the streets of Belgrade as Milosevic’s regime toppled is a good example.

When we see images of Muslims filling the streets to protest world affairs, issues that we may have dealt with by writing a letter, we understandably ask, what’s wrong with these people? Why do they overreact to everything?

What we don’t see is the images of people filling the streets to celebrate religious festivals. We don’t see people of other faiths filling the streets to protest their issues. We don’t see people filling the streets to protest domestic political issues. We don’t see people filling the streets as they make a procession towards a marriage ceremony, as is the tradition in the sub continent. When we see people filling the streets, we judge them by our Western standards not theirs.

In the Indian sub continent, taking to the streets is a norm. While such gatherings may seem rebellious, dangerous or uncivilized to us, to others, it is the most direct form of democracy – the people having their say – or simply even the best way to publicize the joy on ones wedding day.

As citizens of a democracy, it’s vital for us to read deeper and be open minded enough to look beyond what we are being shown and told. It’s our responsibility to get the whole story, but to look at the whole story from different angles as well. This is necessary in order to make informed decisions. After all, what’s the point of having a voice, if we’ve been unconsciously directed on how to use it?

Saving Our Family

For a believer one of the most hurtful feelings is when he or she watches their own family going astray from the path of Islam. Most of the time, we do not know how to react. Here are some points to keep in mind when we are in such situations:

1. Do Not Give Up on Your Family

This should never be an option. The Prophets (‘alayhim salaatu was-salaam) never gave up on their families because of the latter’s disobedience to Allah. They did not consider the task of inviting one’s family to Allah as an ‘extra duty’ performed by them, but as part of their own salvation. They kept reminding their families of dedication and obedience to One God, Allah till their natural death came or the punishment of Allah overtoke them. And we ask Allah’s protection from that.

2. Show them Your Love and Care

Your family needs to realize that you care for them deeply and it hurts you seeing them going astray. They need to see that your concern for them stems from your genuine love and not a sense of superiority or self-righteousness. They don’t need emotional black-mail or repeated nagging, but sincere advice in everyday matters and guidance in any doubts and questions they may have. Give gifts, help them in their day-to-day tasks, and be there in their times of distress and need, whether they be practising or not.

3. Take it One Step at a Time

Do not expect your family to completely change overnight, just because you did! Some, in fact most, people take time to change. Think about the fact that the majority of the Makkan people during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) became Muslim after having been with him, the Prophet of God, for 13 years!

Do not jump into telling them what they have to do or what not. Tell them why it is good or bad, your own reasoning process, and prepare their mind before mentioning what Allah wants them to do. For example, instead of lecturing or ordering them to wear Hijab, explain why it is such an important part of Islam and Muslim identity, its benefits and rewards. Whenever you say such-and-such is Halal or Haram, prepare to answer why!

And be careful about what you lay emphasis on. There is a wisdom in priorities. For example, it does little good to speak about watching too much TV when the person does not even pray. For every Haram, you must provide a better Halal alternative or it will be replaced with more Haram or idleness.

4. Have regular Family Gatherings

How about one weeknight after dinner? Or spending a weekend morning together? You can use these opportunities to talk about your family issues, discuss Islamic teachings, and where you as a family should be headed, etc. This gathering will bring your family members close to each other, allow them to express their thoughts and feelings openly and realize that they are one mutually-supporting entity.

5. Do Not Coerce but Pray for them

We should know that guidance comes from Allah alone, no matter how hard we try. Our duty is to present Allah’s message in a loving and wise manner so they can help themselves make up their mind. But throughout all this, we turn to Allah alone for guidance, for ourselves and our loved ones, and put our trust in Him alone, lest we lost heart in our own efforts.

6. Be True to Yourself

They know you too well and love you, so be yourself! Your greatest duty is to be a shining example of a sincere, trying, albeit naturally imperfect, Muslim not to give the impression of a ‘super-Momin’ who is never wrong. That natural and simple way of living and thinking will insha-Allah be an irresistable attraction that will draw you and your family closer to Allah.

Tests in Our Lives

“It is Allah who has created death and life so that he may test who among you is best in deed. And He is the All-Mighty, Oft-Forgiving”. [al-Mulk 67:2]

The Prophet (saw) used to recite the whole surah before going to bed. He said about this surah: “This, containing thirty verses, intercedes for a person till his/her sins are forgiven” [Ahmad, Tirmidhi]. He has also said, “I love that it be in the heart of every believer” [Hakim]. This surah is also recited while putting down the dead in the grave.

Some explanations of this ayah suggest that this ayah means that our lives will be full of tests and trials till death (the final test). The rest of the surah talks about the consequences of failing or passing the tests and concepts that will help us ace those tests.

To benefit from this surah we need to understand the nature and characteristics of test and trials that Allah will put us through.

Nature of the tests

First of all, we should know that Allah does not only put non-believers through tests but also the believers. Otherwise the prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, would not have gone through numerous tests throughout his life. We will be no exception. Allah tests His beloved servants the most.

Secondly, we should know that Allah tests us through both hardship and ease. Allah tests us using things that we like to possess and also with things that we do not. Allah tests us using hardships like death, financial, physical, and academic difficulties. He tests us through luxury, good health, and academics successes.

When Allah tests us using hardships He wants to see if we ask Him alone for help and relief or do we turn to others beside Him. He tests us through ease to see if we thank Him for the blessings or do we claim that it was because of our own doing.

We should know that our eyes, hands, legs, strength, and beauty are all means to test who among us is good in deeds. If we use our eyes to look at nakedness, if we use our hands to touch things that we are not supposed to touch, if we use our feet to go to places that we are not supposed to go, if we use our strength to oppress others, if we use our beauty to lure others to commit sins then we surely have failed the test. But if we use our eyes to read the Qur’an, Hadith, and Islamic literature, if we use our hands to help others, if we use our feet to go to masajid, if we use our strength to work in the way of Allah like doing Da’wah, if we preserve our beauty by adorning the hijab and loose dresses and thank Allah for all his bounties on us, then we have aced the test and will be rewarded both in this world and the hereafter.

Thirdly, we should know that tests are not always direct i.e. they do not always affect us personally. For example, what is happening in places like Palestine, Chechnya, Kashmir, Turkey in fact in almost all of the Muslims lands like oppression, killing may not necessarily affect us Muslims who live in the luxuries of the West. But nonetheless what is happening to them is also a test for us. But most of the time we fail to realize that.

That is why we hear Muslims in the West making comments like “Those Palestinians deserve it, they have deviated from Islam”, “They aren’t good Muslims”, etc. We fail to realize that the condition of our brothers and sisters in Palestine is like it is now because of the 50 years of oppressive occupation. And we are to blame for it. Just ask yourselves how much have you done to end the occupation so that they could focus on improving their understanding and practice of Islam.

Through these indirect tests Allah wants to test how much pain we feel for those brothers and sisters, how much we spend for them, how much have we done to end their miseries. He wants to see if we speak out in their support or not.

Most important of all Allah wants to test if we learn lessons from their situation or not. We need to learn lessons of sacrifice, patience, sincerity, and determination from them. We also need to learn from their mistakes so that we do not repeat them.

When we look at the struggles they go through, both young and old, we cannot say we’re too young to work for Allah’s cause. We cannot say we are too busy to spend time or too poor to spend money. Because if young children of Palestine can sacrifice their lives then what excuse do we have? If the poor people of Bangladesh can donate money for the cause of Islam then what excuse do we have?

Fourthly, we should know that tests are not always tangible. Tests can also be through mediums that we cannot touch like our knowledge, intellect, wisdom, and time. Allah gives those to some of us to see how well we use them, if we do at all. He wants to see if we use our knowledge to help improve the conditions of the Muslims or not. He wants to see if we use our wisdom and intellect to invite others to follow Islam completely or not. He wants to see if we spend time for His cause or not.

Those of us who possess any knowledge of Islam should propagate it to others. It is our responsibility. If we fail to do that then we have failed the test.

Lastly, we should keep in mind that we always have the opportunity to ask Allah’s forgiveness if we fail any of those tests. That is what the last portion of the ayah points to that “Allah is the All-Mighty and Oft-Forgiving”. Do not despair of Allah’s Mercy. Indeed, Allah forgives sins abundantly.

Test preparation

After knowing the nature of the tests that Allah puts us through, we need to equip ourselves with the tools and methods that will enable us to ace those tests, insha-Allah:

The first and foremost beneficial tool is the Qur’an. We need to understand it as much as we can. We should study it every day because we face tests from Allah every day. The Qur’an is the textbook to prepare us for the tests.

The second tool is the history of the prophets, especially Muhammad, peace be upon him, since we have almost all of his life recorded and the history of Sahabas (companions) and the rightly-guided Muslims. Reading and pondering over their lives will give us ideas on how to deal with the tests that Allah puts us through. They are like past exams. They have been through the tests and have passed them.

The third tool is ‘Ibaadah (worship) through Salah (prayers), Sawm (fasting), Hajj (pilgrimage),  Zakah (charity), etc. They are like homework to prepare us for the tests. They give us the moral strength to pass the tests Allah puts us through.

The fourth tool is our company of righteous people. They will comfort us when we face calamities and will remind us of our duties when we are relatively comfortable. It is very difficult to go through some tests alone. Like we do with academic tests, we need to be with those who remind us of Allah and of our responsibilities. Righteous companions are like study groups to help us pass the tests.

May Allah help us all to pass the tests He puts us through so that we may be successful in this world and in the hereafter.

Watch out for that arrow

Nature of the Arrow

• Poisoned with satanic ailments
• It is aimed towards your heart
• It moves very fast

Why should you worry about the arrow?

• It severs your relationship with Allah
• It infects your heart and leaves it vulnerable for the Satan to take over
• It paves the way for fornication

How is it triggered?

• Lustful look towards opposite gender triggers it
• Even if the opposite gender is a bearded brother or a veiled sister
• Even if it is in flesh, or in artificial form like images, films, books, etc

What are your defenses?

• Make Du’a. Do not underestimate Du’a. It is the most powerful of all the defenses. If you feel overwhelmed, one suggested Du’a to read is: “I seek the refuge of Allah who is the Hearer and Who is the Knower from the Shaytan the accursed.” [Quran 41:36].
• In general, seek refuge in Allah. It has also been suggested to say “La hawla wa la Quwwata illa billah” (there is no authority or power except with Allah). If we sincerely make Du’a, insha-Allah, we can succeed in turning our eyes away.
• Always walk with your gaze lowered. But make sure you do not bump into a hydro post. Lowering your gaze does not mean you do not look where you are going. It means that you keep control of your gaze.
• Always remember that the beauty of this world and everything in it is temporary and the life hereafter and everything in it is everlasting. No wise person would sacrifice the happiness of hereafter for temporary pleasure of this world.
• Keep voluntary fast. It makes your willpower stronger.
• If you are able and responsible then get married for the sake of Allah.

What to do if you are already hit?

• Ask Allah’s forgiveness
• Give charity
• Good deeds work like a charm as a medicine for this wound

Allah, our Creator, who knows our weaknesses has told us in the Qur’an:

“Tell the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them;

And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. 

And tell the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty…” [Qur'an 24:30-31]

Principles of Islamic Leadership

What is Islamic Leadership?

• a person or a group that will lead humanity from the brink of destruction to the way of Allah the Almighty.

Importance of Islamic Leadership

• Every movement has a need for leadership.
• Importance of leadership is like the engine of a train. The train doesn’t move anywhere without the engine moving.
• Only Islamic leadership can solve the problems of humanity.

Difference between Islamic and secular leadership

• Secular leadership’s target is self-establishment. Islamic Leadership’s target is Jannatul Firdaws (Highest position in Paradise)
• Secular leaderships work for the respect of people. Islamic Leaderships work for the pleasure of Allah.

Why is there scarcity of Islamic Leadership?

• The basic qualities of leadership are inherited by birth. Allah creates few people like the engine.
• Most of those who are born leaders do not want to sacrifice for any ideology. They spend their intellect and ability for self-establishment.
• Most of those among them who come to Islamic Movement also try to establish themselves.

How to overcome this problem?

• Those born leaders are to be searched and organized while they are young and haven’t acquired the addiction to self-establishment. They should be encouraged to follow Islam.

A LEADER IS AN IDEAL WORKER

Primary assets of an Ideal worker

1. I’lm (Knowledge): al-Qur’an, al-Hadith, Islamic Literature
2. Iman (Faith): taqwa (consciousness of Allah)
3. A’mal (Deeds): salah with khushoo (humility), night prayers, remembrance of Allah, du’a (supplication), infaaq (spending in the way of Allah), voluntary fasting, etc.

Basic qualities of an ideal worker

1. Courageous
2. Sincere (ikhlaas)
3. Humane
4. Organized
5. Determined
6. Hard-working
7. Punctual
8. Good conduct
9. Good habit
10. Good in lecture and writing

Assets to improve qualities of an ideal worker

1. Sabr (Patience)
2. Hikmah (Wisdom)
3. Tawakkul (Reliance on Allah)
4. Bai’yah (Allegiance)
5. Ihtisab (Accountability)

QUALITIES OF ISLAMIC LEADERSHIP

Basic Qualities

1. Ability to command with respect
2. Trusted on sincerity of purpose
3. Confidence on ability
4. Approachable for suggestion
5. Acceptability as a leader
6. Ready to sacrifice
7. Open-minded
8. Understanding of responsibilities
9. Optimism

Practical Qualities

1. Ability to help understand efficiently
2. Ability to answer questions adequately
3. Ability to acquire love and affection of the members
4. Habit of making decisions after consultation
5. Courage to encourage criticism
6. Dynamic
7. Serious
8. Keen perception

Technical Qualities

1. Planning – balance between idealism and realism, target and resource
2. Organizing – utilizing the resources to achieve target
3. Implementing – guidance, supervision, and control

Special Qualities of Islamic Leadership

1. Example for Iman (faith), I’lm (knowledge), and A’mal (action)
2. Awareness of the responsibilities of the Deen
3. Give preference to the task of iqaamat-ad-Deen (establishment of Islam) over others.

Scale to measure the increase of the qualities

1. Ability to increase the number of people with the qualities of Islamic Leadership in the Jama’ah (organization)
2. Selection as a rightful person for higher responsibilities of the Jama’ah (WARNING: One should never aspire to it)

RESPONSIBILITIES OF ISLAMIC LEADERSHIP

Search for Leaderships

• Those who already have the responsibilities of leadership must look for people more suitable for their position.

Self-development

• Should try to increase / improve the qualities of leadership in himself.

Area-development

• Should try to organize the area he is responsible for.

Leadership-development

• Should try to develop more people for Islamic leadership.

Establish Bait-ul-Maal

• Should strengthen finance of the organization.

Community-Development

• Should help out in the community with proper planning.

Establish Unity

• Should have good relation with all Islamic personalities of his locality.
• Should try to unite Muslims.

Islamic Leadership should be aware of the diseases that affect Islamic Workers

Diseases

1. Pride and arrogance
2. Boast
3. Faulty Intention
4. Self-worship
   1. Self-love
   2. Jealousies
   3. Suspicion
   4. Backbiting (Gheebah)
   5. Slander
5. Imbalance of attitude
   1. stubborn
6. Narrow-mindedness
7. Weak determination

Cure

1. Repentance
2. Disclosure of truth

What about those who are not born leaders but have responsibilities?

• They should try to acquire the required qualities of leadership.
• We don’t ask for position, yet it’s not allowed to escape from the responsibility.
• We know that the position is not attractive, but full of responsibilities.
• We should have firm faith in Allah. He is the one who gave us this responsibility and he will help us to fulfill it.

Sources:

“Movement, Organization, and Workers” (Bengali) by Sayyid Abul ‘Ala Mawdudi
“Study Circle” (Bengali) by Ghulam Azam
“Islamic Organisation” (Bengali) by Sirajul Islam
“Self-development, Worker-development, and Leadership” (Bengali) by Nazeer Ahmed
“Problems faced by the Da’wah and the Da’yiah” by Fathi Yakun