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（www.dawahinamericas.com/bookspdf/MethodologyofDawah.pdf）
"Methodology of Dawah Elallah In American Perspective"
by Shamim A Siddiqi
Ramadan 23, 1409 H /April 2, 1989
New York
Copyright 1989 The Forum For Islamic Work
141pp
p.98
i. English/Spanish As The Only Means Of Communication
Means of expression or the language of communication is a very important part of Dawah. A Da'ee must have fluency not only in English or Spanish, the language of his addressees but he must have sound sense of understanding the accent, the similes, and metaphors of the spoken language and the slang that are frequently used by the common-folk.
A Da'ee, therefore, must be well versed in English or Spanish (as the case may be), a soft-spoken person and have complete knowledge about the etiquette of conversation with others.
p.99
In his individual capacity, the immigrant can study Islamic literature in his mother tongue but he must adopt English/Spanish as the medium of expression and communication both in discussion and writing. Producing efficiency and proficiency in English/Spanish should be the compulsory part of the training program of a Da'ee. Special classes should be conducted by the Islamic Movement and different Muslim organizations to remove the deficiency in the spoken languages of this country.
ii. Availability Of Dawah Literature
In the present context of the world, literature is the primary tool or the weapon of the Da'ee Ilallah. He must carry with him Dawah literature wherever he goes.
It silently prepares a person gradually to give up his false ideals and accept the authority of Allah and Islam as the only way of life.
p.99-100
1. Literature that addresses the people of America in their own language, keeping in the forefront the mood, the temperament, the psychology of the people and the needs of this country.
p.100
2. A team of movement oriented workers to take the initiative, work among the indigenous population and build the future Islamic leadership from among those who respond to Dawah work.
iii. Physical Fitness
As the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (S) says, a strong Mumin is better than a weak one. Da'ee Ilallah must be physically fit, active and be able to sustain the hardships and strains of Dawah work against the odd circumstances that are inevitable with the progress of time.
Riding, swimming, sharp-shooting and outdoor camping will help him to be fit and confident of his abilities to meet the difficult situations in the field of Dawah. Training in the martial arts of self-defense will generate selfconfidence in the Da'ee.
p.101
iv. The Best Weapon
Besides all that I have discussed so far, the best weapon of a Da'ee Ilallah is his supplication to his Creator Allah (SWT).
v. Mobility
Mobility and availability are also important prerequisites for a Da'ee to attain. He should be available to all who want to meet him and discuss their queries about Islam and the Movement.
pp.101-102
A Da’ee presents himself as a symbol of a well-disciplined life and as a person who always keep his words and time with love and affection for all who come in contact with him.
p.104
METHODOLOGY OF DAWAH ILALLAH
p.105
1. WHAT TO PRESENT
America is a predominantly secular cum permissive society. People are mostly dominated and dictated by their physical urges.
"In God We Trust" is simply a slogan coined by their forefathers. It has no bearing on their living condition. Religion is a personal affair between God and individual. It is limited within the four walls of the church, the synagogue and the temple. It is nowhere visible in the life pattern of the people, except in very small pockets of conservative Jews and Christians. Churches have become more like social institutions than religious meeting places, offering various cultural needs of the Christian community.
The Judeo-Christian God is powerless, keeps away from the people's lives and has nothing to do with their social, economic and political activities.
p.106
We, therefore, have to introduce Islam to the people of the land in a positive sense and strictly maintain the priorities that Prophet Muhammad (S) did in presenting his mission to the idolaters of Makkah.
we have to proceed patiently, cautiously and diligently with Hikmah (wisdom) in the presentation of the message of Islam to the American people.
p.107
i. Oneness Of God – Tawheed
ii. Concept Of Akhirah
p.108
iii. Prophethood/Guidance
p.109
The Christian community of America will need a special approach to make them understand their misguided concept about Jesus (PBUH). Prophet Jesus (PBUH) was also a messenger of God, as others were.
By their misconstrued conception innovated by St. Paul, Christians have made Jesus (PBUH) into a "human-God."
iv.Presentation Of Islam
p.110
v. Presenting Literature.
This literature would reject communism, capitalism, socialism and other totalitarian Isms and secular cults as a way of life with convincing arguments. Besides these topics, papers on various issues/problems that this country and its people are facing, showing how Islam addresses them, should be presented.
p.111
vi. Dawah Magazine
The Islamic Movement of America will essentially publish regular quarterly/monthly/weekly magazine to express its views on different current issues - policies of the Federal/State governments, global strategies, East-West tension, the contemporary world and its problems/shortcomings, ideological movements and their state of affairs, the Muslim world and its malaise, survey of the developments at nervecenters of the world politics, the clash of interest of the superpowers and their hegemony and the future of mankind that lies only in accepting Islam as the only way of life.
p.115
ii. Through Mailing Literature
In 1982-83, when the crisis of national debt and budget deficit was very acute, I wrote a detailed article viz, "Economic Problems of the USA and their solution." I mailed it to President Reagan. He personally acknowledged it in a long letter with very moving words of appreciation and handed over the article to his select committee for review.
In 1986, I wrote another article, "ISLAM VERSUS TERRORIS” and mailed it to the President, senators, congressmen and tri-state legislators. It generated a good response from leading senators, congressmen and journalists.
p.116
iv. Through Open Dawah Meetings And Get Together
The Islamic Movement at regular intervals will especially invite the people (non-Muslims) to its open Dawah meetings, well organized symposiums, seminars and theme oriented conferences and deliver the message through effect speeches followed by discussion by the participants. Such public programs will be arranged at different places at different intervals and followed by question/answer sessions.
The Da'ee will have a very convenient atmosphere to talk out each issue coolly and calmly and continue implanting the message of Islam subconsciously in the minds of the participants.
p.117
Islam will thus be presented to them, not as something new but as the historical development of Judeo-Christian Islam which is neither traceable in the Torah nor in the Bible. The Qur'an will thus emerge as the only book of Guidance that bears the correct and up-to-date teachings of Islam and the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the only model to humanity to follow. This will also provide the valuable opportunity to portray the life and teachings of all the previous prophets, whose life and teachings had been distorted in the Old and New Testaments, correctly. The version of the Qur'an about these prophets is the only authentic account of their lives now available to mankind.
The display materials and the short Dawah speeches will be based on the topics that I have discussed under "What to present" and on the pattern adopted by the late Hassan Al-Banna Shaheed (May Allah Bless his soul) when he started the Islamic Movement of Muslim Brotherhood in the late 1920's in Egypt.
p.118
This campaign of the display of posters and distribution of literature will be followed by corner meetings, public meetings, rallies, press conferences, radio/TV ads/talks protest meetings, demonstrations, peaceful picketing and organizing delegations to meet-the media, senators and congressmen to raise a great clamor and tempo against the evil-doings (Munkar) prevailing in this country.
p.119
ix. Through Contacts With Churches, Synagogues, Colleges And Universities
These are very important public platforms that must be used for the spread of Dawah when available, either on the invitation or by offering the services of the Da'ee to these institutions for presenting the viewpoint of Islam on various issues of the time.
The I.M.O.A will open dialogues with dignitaries of the religious institutions, presenting Islam as the common legacy of Judeo-Christian religions and as the only Guidance now available to mankind in its most perfect form for its Falah (Deliverance and Salvation).
The religious dignitaries and the learned teachers of Universities and colleges will also be invited to speak in the arranged open Dawah programs of the Movement on various issues and topics of common interest. The speeches will be followed by open discussions and Question/Answer sessions.
These dialogues, speeches and discussions will pave the way in reducing their hard-line-stand against Islam. It will provide the opportunity to present Islam to those who influence and formulate the opinions of the youth on campuses and grown ups from among the masses.
(To be continued)
