As a Muslim majority country, Pakistan has the population of non-Muslims roughly around 4% only. Adhan reminds us about prayers, shops serve us only Halal foods, and generally, we do not need to worry about displays of immodesty in public. So, we lead pretty comfortable lives, since practicing Islam in a Muslim country is relatively easy, Alhamdulillah. Should we, however, feel complacent with the guidance we have and take the back seat, when it comes to such order of Allah (swt) as doing Dawah? Should we leave it up to the scholars to do the work, since the communal duty requirement gets fulfilled by it? Can our hearts truly rest at peace, observing how the invasion of western culture gradually but steadily gnaws away at our values, customs and religion?
When thinking of Dawah work, we may often visualize Sheikhs giving lectures or teams of volunteers attending Dawah stalls. However, these are not the only ways of spreading the message. Depending on our personal capabilities and opportunities, we may find much softer ways to conveying the spirit of Islam through everyday dealings, acts of kindness and even our personal behaviour. The Prophet (sa) said: “Convey from me, even if it is only one verse.” (Bukhari) With this invitation of the Prophet (sa) in mind, let us look at some ways of how we can do Dawah in a Muslim country and reap some of the wonderful Sunnah rewards for it.
- Join Islamic Missionary Efforts
If you are ready to dedicate your time to active Dawah efforts, then joining some Islamic missionary organization can be a way to go. This is a vast field of work, starting from activities at your local Masjids to counter the western influences on youngsters, for example, and up to visiting remote areas of Pakistan, where Muslims are often lacking even such basic guidance even as how to perform Salah. Sadly, many have been born into a Muslim culture but raised without much awareness of how to practice their religion.
Doing such active Dawah work may bring multifold benefits: you will be providing guidance to those who are in need of it, as well as grooming your own self and improving your religion by being in company of like-minded Muslims. Even more, calling people to Allah (swt) is a virtuous deed, which brings great reward. The Prophet (sa) said: “Whoever calls others to guidance will have a reward like the rewards of those who follow him, without that detracting from their reward in any way. And whoever calls others to misguidance will have a burden of sin like the burden of those who follow him, without that detracting from their burden in any way.” (Muslim)
- Share the Knowledge
Those who have chosen to acquired Islamic education through degrees or shorter courses may have done so for personal reasons of improving their Deen, which indeed is a noble effort. However, I encourage you not stopping at that – if you have a wealth of knowledge in your hands, find ways of passing it on to others. If you are an outgoing personality, you could, for example, arrange a neighbourhood Quran study circle, which may serve not only as a source of learning for the participants but also as means of establishing friendships with like-minded people. If, however, you are more of an introvert, pick up the pen and groom your writing skills by contributing to local Dawah publications or even setting up your own blog, where you can write about issues you feel strongly about. Be aware that “Jihad of the pen” will become an ongoing source of Sadaqah-e-Jariyah for you with every next person, who may benefit from your written words even many years down the road.
- Focus on Your Surroundings
People around you – your family, friends, work colleagues – are a fruitful ground for continuous encouragements to improve in religious practices. We have to be mindful, however, where and what tactics of Dawah may be the most appropriate. If your young child will eagerly learn from you what you teach him about the religion, then your teens might just shut the door on you. For older kids, leading by example may work better: instead of nagging them to pray day in and day out, complete your own ones on time and ensure your teens know you trust them about completing theirs – empower them to take control of their own Salah.
Likewise, look for ways to give soft reminders to your other family members, friends and work colleagues – depending on their characters and life situations, you may choose to be gentle or sterner, when encouraging them to improve in Deen. You may be helping your over-committed work colleague to overcome his hesitation for joining Jamat for prayers by inviting him to come along with you. Or you may just give the needed boost of confidence to your friend, who has finally opted for putting on Abaya, if you comment that the colour suits her so well.
Keep in mind the powerful order of Allah (swt) in the Quran: “O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe…” (At-Tahrim 66:6)
- Focus on Non-Muslims
Although very few in Pakistan, there are non-Muslim communities among us. We may assume that by living in a Muslim environment, they know enough about Islam already and thus do not need to be told more. Indeed, there are non-Muslims, who are very well-versed in Islamic teachings and may have even memorized Surahs of Quran, yet the true guidance has not entered their hearts – truly it is only Allah (swt), Who can grant the gift of faith. However, there are also those whose families may have such a strong hold of them faith-wise that they are reluctant to learn about Islam, even if they may be attracted towards it. Or it may simply be that nobody has approached them with the idea of why accepting Islam is the best choice for them. This, then, may be a good field for Dawah.
Often, we are too quick to pre-assume that non-Muslims do not want to be bothered, as they have done their choice of faith already. Sadly, some Muslims choose to behave like non-Muslims themselves, when they refuse to take food served by a non-Muslim or drink from a cup that may have previously been used by a non-Muslim. Such behaviour will only push them further away from Islam. The other extreme is when Muslims start congratulating non-Muslims on their religious occasions (which is clearly forbidden in Islam), in the name of facilitating friendly relations. Once again this achieves the opposite effect – non-Muslims feel acknowledged and more confident about their religion and do not see a reason to change.
Wherever you may meet non-Muslims in your daily life situations, do try to get to know them and their reasons for choosing a different faith. Look for subtle opportunities to start giving Dawah – establish good relation, show them kindness, and give gifts on Eids. If you feel a person is open up for conversation, use the chance to discuss the importance of pure Tawheed, which is the first building block of our beliefs. Educate yourself on what it actually takes to convert, so you may be at a loss, if suddenly someone shows readiness to accept Islam: learn what basics a person should know about Islam, what the conversion process is like and what the most important steps are after conversion. Hearing someone say Shahadah under your guidance will be an experience you will never forget!
I hope above tips have sparked some motivation for action. May Allah (swt) use us as His tools for spreading and maintaining the message of Islam, Ameen!
“And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah (swt) and does righteousness and says, ‘Indeed, I am of the Muslims.’” (Fussilat 41:33)
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