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today - Challenges
and thought share
Mirza Yawar Baig
Preface
All praise and thanks are due to Allah the Rabb of the
universe. Peace and blessings on His Messenger our Master
Muhammad and on his family and Companions and those
who follow them in excellence until the Final Day.
This short booklet is to share some thoughts about the
challenges that face us today in the most important of all our
duties presenting Islam to the world. We see many people
doing many things, adopting tactics and strategies from sources
as diverse as Christian Evangelists, the film and TV industries,
event managers, the world of communication, internet and
information technology. You name it and someone somewhere
is doing it.
When looking at it the question which one of my teachers asked
me, comes to mind. He asked me, Where do we draw a line?
In my view the complexity and decision point has to do with
which technology to use but much more importantly it has to do
with the underlying premises which lead to the decisions. It has
to do with our own connection with Allah, love for His
Messenger, our belief that his Sunnah is actually applicable in
this world today. It has to do with the purity of our own
intention - Al Ikhlaas-un-Niyyah, the single-minded pursuit of
the pleasure of Allah alone. And finally and most
importantlyit has to do with a strong awareness that Shaytaan
the Great Corruptor will do his best to corrupt us and the
humility to accept that we are NOT immune to corruption. It
has to do with realizing the insidious corrupting influence of
M. Yawar Baig
Table of Contents
Daawa is about winning hearts, not arguments ................................ 10
The myth of talent in the work of Deen .............................................. 26
Problems with using Corporate Strategy for Islamic Da'awa ........... 49
Keep Islam Free ...................................................................................... 80
Enjoining Right and Forbidding Wrong ........................................... 106
Teaching Islam in the modern world ................................................. 116
Integrated Teaching ............................................................................. 129
Differentiating between a Scholar of Islam and a Muslim Scholar 152
Media on the internet .......................................................................... 162
Nahl 16: 125. Invite (mankind, O Muhammad) to the Way of your
Rabb (Islam) with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them in
a way that is Ahsan (Best). Truly, your Rabb knows best who has gone
astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are
guided.
Allahtaught us how to present Islam especially to People of
the Book. And advised Rasoolullahto use first Hikma
(wisdom) and then after that Mau-idhatul Hasana (best way of
explaining). Mauidha is from Waadh (speech, lecture). And
then mentioned especially the way this is to be done i.e. argue
with the best of Akhlaaq (Jaadilhum billati hiya Ahsan).
There is no speech which is more truthful than the speech of
Allahand no advice that is better than the advice of
Allahto His Nabiwhose very purpose of existence was
Daawa.
There is not a single instance in the Shariah where it is
permissible to publicly humiliate people in the name of
presenting Islam and not a single instance in the Sunnah where
10
capable
of
doing
so.
It
was
because
liked him all that much, but when they witness his public
humiliation they become sympathetic to him and feel sorry for
him and will now start listening to him and supporting him,
which they may not have done earlier. So this public
humiliation strategy works amazingly well to strengthen your
enemy and to create more and more enemies to you and your
message. But if you use the method of Rasoolullahs Daawa
which I will reiterate here, see what happens.
1. Be good to them. Smile, be a generous host, make
friends, dont antagonize.
2. Present Tawheed. Dont argue. Dont even mention
whatever their belief is. Simply present Islam.
3. When they accept, give them a spiritual gift that has no
equal As-Salah.
4. When they start praying help their rich to feel good by
giving a miniscule amount in charity (2.5% per annum
on spare wealth compared to the tithe that Christians
used to pay i.e. 10% on income)
5. And win the hearts of the poor, who are always the
majority in any nation, by giving that money to them
which they need. They know that you and your message
is the reason they are getting it.
6. Ensure that you take nothing yourself take it from their
rich and give to their poor.
The benefits of this prophetic method are as follows:
1. Takes the wind of opposition out of their sails. Who can
be against someone who is nice, smiles, respects and
honors you, and is kind to you, and feeds you and is
15
what
do
you
say.
He
is
asking
what
Islam and will always have a good word for you. That is our
way. That is the way of Rasoolullahlong before Sun-Tzu
came on the scene. Praise in public, criticism in private.
Remember, the bravest man is the one who has nothing to lose.
You cant fight against him and you cant win against him,
because he has nothing to lose while you have much to lose.
And how did he become so powerful? Because you stripped
him naked in public. He lost everything and emerged from the
fire you kindled to burn him as an avenging spirit that will not
rest until you are destroyed. What sense does this make?
What is the effect of honoring him? He already came to listen to
you speak about Islam. So he is already half in your corner. Do
you want to pull him completely in your corner or drive him
away? What will pull him in? Honor, good manners and
generosity or disgrace and humiliation? Is he your friend and
someone you love? Or is he your opponent, adversary and
enemy. Decide, because that will direct your approach and
define your results.
The reality about debates is as follows:
1. The two people in a debate who are going to argue the
two sides of the argument are called opponents and
adversaries. They are not called guest and host. Or
partners trying to find the truth.
2. A person enters a debate only with one aim to win.
Nobody goes to a debate to listen to, consider carefully
and accept the argument of the opponent. He goes there
to refute, deny and destroy the argument of the
19
spread
after
Sulah
Hudaybiyya
(The
Treaty
of
20
Khazraj
of
Madina
because
the
Daayee
of
say?
Musab
bin
Umairsaid,
24
25
Al Baqara 2:282
Ta-Ha 20:13. "And I have chosen you. So listen to that which is
inspired to you. 14. "Verily! I am Allah! La ilaha illa Ana (none has
the right to be worshipped but I), so worship Me, and perform As-Salat
(Iqamat-as-Salat) for My Remembrance. 15. "Verily, the Hour is
coming and My Will is to keep it hidden that every person may be
rewarded for that which he strives. 16. "Therefore, let not the one who
believes not therein (i.e. in the Day of Resurrection, Reckoning,
Paradise and Hell, etc.), but follows his own lusts, divert you
therefrom, lest you perish. 17. "And what is that in your right hand, O
Musa (Moses)?"18. He said: "This is my stick, whereon I lean, and
wherewith I beat down branches for my sheep, and wherein I find other
uses."
27
(Pharaoh) said: "Verily, your Messenger who has been sent to you is a
madman!"28. Musa (Moses) said: "Lord of the east and the west, and
all that is between them, if you did but understand!"
Musa (AS) had learnt his lesson well. After all his teacher was
Allah himself. So though he was brought up in the palace of
the Pharaoh and should have been intimidated by his splendor
and power, he wasnt. It is clear from this conversation that
Musa (AS) is not listening to the Pharaoh but to another voice
that is speaking to him in his heart and the majesty and power
of which far out-shadows the temporal, worldly power of the
Pharaoh and his kingdom. In the end the Pharaoh calls him
mad, but Musa (AS) only speaks of the majesty of his Rabb, the
Rabb of everything and says those words which are in the heart
of every Daaee of Islam If you did but understand!
Allah did the same with Rasoolullah. He cut off all his
worldly sources of support and then supported him directly.
Allah taught him to rely only on Himself and not look to
anything in the world for support. He mentioned:
Ad-Duha 93: 6 Did He not find you (O Muhammad) an orphan and
gave you a refuge? 7. And He found you unaware (Qur'an, its laws,
and Prophethood) and guided you? 8. And He found you poor, and
made you rich (self-sufficient with self-contentment)?
Allah also taught Rasoolullah how to maintain this
29
Muzzammil 73: 1.
O you wrapped in garments (i.e.
30
Tawba 9: 25. Truly Allah has given you victory on many battle fields,
and on the Day of Hunain (battle) when you rejoiced at your great
number but it availed you nothing and the earth, vast as it is, was
straitened for you, then you turned back in flight. 26. Then Allah did
send down His Sakinah (calmness, tranquility and reassurance, etc.)
on the Messenger (Muhammad), and on the believers, and sent down
forces (angels) which you saw not, and punished the disbelievers. Such
is the recompense of disbelievers. 27. Then after that Allah will accept
the repentance of whom He will. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most
Merciful.
Allah converted their victory into a rout and then when the
core group of Sahaba rallied around Rasoolullah , responding
to his call, Allah sent down the angels to help them and reconverted defeat into victory. And then Allah revealed the
Ayaat which spelled out clearly what had happened and why so
that the lesson would be learnt well. The Sahaba learnt that
lesson very well. In the battle of Moata Abu Hurayrah (RA)
who became Muslim during Khaybar was in the army. He said,
I attended the battle of Muata. When they came close we saw
what nobody can face, weapons, preparation, silk, brocade, gold
and my eyes became dazzled (bariqa basari). This showed on
his face and Thabit bin Arqam (RA) who was next to him saw it.
This was an experienced and senior Muslim handing down his
experience to his junior. He said to Abu Hurayrah (RA), It
seems you are seeing a huge force. Abu Hurayrah said, Yes,
just look at them. He smiled and said, You were not with us in
Badr. We are not given victory because of our numbers. Allah
said, You did not throw, it was Allah who threw. Victory for
Muslims comes on the basis of their piety from Allah and
31
defies all laws of strategy and tactics. That is the power of being
accepted by Allah because only then will one be guided,
protected and supported with forces not visible to the eyes.
32
said, "Between a
"Al-'ahd-ulladhi baynanaa wa baynahum assalaatu, fa man
tarakahaa faqad kafara"
The covenant between us and them (the kuffar) is the
prayer. So whoever leaves it has committed kufr.
33
'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'Aas (RA) reported that the Prophet,
(SAS) one day mentioned the prayer and said, "Whoever guards
and observes his prayer, they will be a light and a proof and
asavior for him on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever does not
guard and observe them, they will not be a light or a proof or a
savior for him. On the Day of Resurrection, he will be with
Qarun, Fir'aun, Haman and Ubayy ibn Khalf." (Related by
Ahmad, at-Tabarani and Ibn Hibban)
That one who does not pray will be with the leaders of the
unbelievers in the Hereafter makes it evident that such a person
is an unbeliever.
Says Ibn al-Qayyim (RA), "The one who does not pray may be
preoccupied with his wealth, kingdom, position or business. If
one is kept away from his prayers by his wealth, he will be with
Qarun. One whose kingdom keeps him away from the prayers
will be with Haman, and one whose business keeps him away
from the prayers will be with Ubayy ibn Khalf."
Says 'Abdullah ibn Shaqiq al-'Aqeely (RA), "The companions of
Muhammad, (SAS) did not consider the abandonment of any
act, with the exception of prayer, as being disbelief." (Related by
at-Tirmidhi and al-Hakim, who said it met al-Bukahri's and
Muslim's conditions.)
Says Muhammad ibn Nasr al-Mirwazi (RA), "I heard Ishaq say,
'It is authentic (that) the Prophet (SAS) (said or ruled): One who
does not pray is an unbeliever." It is from the Prophet (SAS)
himself that one who intentionally does not pray until the time
for the prayer is over is an unbeliever."
34
Says Ibn Hazm (RA), "It has come from 'Umar, 'Abdurahman
ibn 'Auf, Mu'adh ibn Jabal, Abu Hurairah and other companions
that anyone who skips one obligatory prayer until its time has
finished becomes an apostate. We find no difference of opinion
among them on this point." This was mentioned by al-Mundhiri
in at-Targheeb wa atTarheeb. Then he comments, "A group of
companions and those who came after them believed that an
intentional decision to skip one prayer until its time is
completely finished makes one an unbeliever. The people of this
opinion incude 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud,
'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas, Mu'adh ibn Jabal, Jabir ibn 'Abdullah and
Abu ad-Darda'. Among the non-companions who shared this
view were Ibn Hanbal, Ishaq ibn Rahwaih, 'Abdullah ibn alMubarak, an-Nakha'i, al-Hakim ibn 'Utaibah, Abu Ayyub asSakhtiyani, Abu Dawud at-Tayalisi, Abu Bakr ibn Abu Shaibah,
Zuhair ibn Harb, and others.
There are also Ayaat of Quran which testify to the fact that
leaving Salah is Kufr and will lead the individual to the
Jahannam. Allah said:
Muddathir 74: 42-43
They will say, We were not of those who used to pray ( Salah).
fulfills all Faraaidh, observes Halaal and Haraam and then look
for other things like the amount of Quran a person knows,
whether he does Nawaafil Ibaadah and so on.
Among both men and women, observance of the dress code is
among the Faraaidh most often neglected. The Hijab is Fardh
for the woman and one who does not do Hijab is deliberately
disobeying the order of Allah and is committing Haraam.
Then one must look to see his attitude towards the Sunnah. The
beard is the first thing to check in the Sunnah because anyone
who deliberately chooses a style that not only differs from the
style of Rasoolullah
Al Ahzaab 33:21.
Indeed
in
the
Messenger
of
Allah
(Muhammad) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in
(the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah
much.
Allah made obedience to Rasoolullah a condition of Imaan
and swore an oath.
36
Nisa 44:65.
Nur 24:51.
called to Allah (His Words, the Qur'an) and His Messenger, to judge
between them, is that they say: "We hear and we obey." And such are
the prosperous ones (who will live forever in Paradise).
Al Ahzaab 33: 36
when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should
have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His
Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error.
For those who refuse to obey Rasoolullah, Allah threatened
to wipe out their deeds.
37
Muhammad 47:33.
Hashr 59: 7
gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it) and
fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment.
It must be abundantly clear to anyone with a modicum of
intelligence
and
Taqwa
that
to
deliberately
disobey
Islam.
Naturally one who disobeys Allah and Rasoolullah cant
claim to have the acceptance of Allah for the work of His
Deen and so would have failed the most basic and first test until
he/she corrects their wrong Aqeeda and Aamaal.
2. Akhlaaq
The second most important element to look for is Akhlaaq
(Manners). In this I include the other two elements of Akhlaaq;
Muamilaat (Dealings) and Muaashirat (Society). This is the
element that others can see and which influences others towards
or away from Islam and Muslims. Very often we see Muslims
who observe the outward aspects of the Shariah and Sunnah
but whose manners, dealings and social environment leaves
much to be desired. They cheat, lie, speak ill of others, laugh at
people behind their backs, expose the weaknesses of others, and
behave in ways that lack dignity, honor and integrity. Such
people are very harmful for the organization to have because
they are an example of evil that drives people away from Islam.
Such people reinforce stereotypes and give ammunition to those
who want to attack Islam. Once again, we go by what we can
see and dont delve into or speculate on anyone intentions. We
are not aware of the hidden so we can only go by what we can
see. For anyone intending to do the work of Islam it is essential
that they deport themselves as Standard Bearers of Islam and
constantly live with the awareness that Allah is watching
them.
3. Ikhlaas
39
Asr 103: 3
and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth
(i.e. order one another to perform all kinds of good deeds (Al40
MA'RUF) which Allah has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins
and evil deeds (Al-Munkar) which Allah has forbidden), and
recommend one another to patience (for the suffering which one may
encounter in Allah's Cause)
Sabr is that which leads to a person building a connection with
Allah. Sabr in Islam is not the listless acceptance of status quo
but to make every effort to achieve ones goal and then to leave
the result in the hands of Allah. Sabr is not to complain in
hardship and to be thankful in plenty (Shukr). Sabr is not to
retaliate in response to bad behavior or to attacks on yourself
when you invite people to Allah. Sabr is to accept without
complaint the hardship that comes with inviting to Islam
knowing that it is the means of great goodness in the Duniya
wal Aakhira.
Taha 20: 44. "And speak to him mildly, perhaps he may accept
admonition or fear Allah."
The instruction to Musa (AS) was for his own training and not
because of any doubt or hope about the Pharaoh. Allah knew
what the Pharaoh would do but the intention was to train Musa
(AS) to work with his own people whose guidance was the main
purpose of Musa (AS)s mission. It shows us the importance of
softness and humility in the conduct and deportment of the
Daaee as a pre-requisite of success in his mission.
Nahl 16:125
Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the
Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is
42
better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His
Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.
Allah specifically warned us against ascribing purity to
ourselves and imagining that we are superior to others. He said:
Najm 53:32
Hashr 59:10
Forgive us and our brethren who have preceded us in Faith, and put
not in our hearts any hatred against those who have believed. Our
Lord! You are indeed full of kindness, Most Merciful.
Those who are constantly focused on the faults of others and
have a tendency to run them down and to try to show
themselves up as superior in comparison must reflect on this
and other Ayaat of the Quran and on numerous incidents from
the Seerah of Rasoolullah and the lives of the Sahaba and
compare their conduct to the standard of conduct that Allah
held up for us to emulate. Self-righteousness leads to arrogance
and arrogance leads to destruction.
44
Conclusion
When we look for and recruit such people, who have these
qualities then InshaAllah we would have recruited someone
who has the acceptance of Allah for His work. For such a
person Allah then makes the work easy and opens doors for
him and provides for him from sources he couldnt imagine.
Allah said:
Talaaq 65:2 .And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him,
He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). 3. And
He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And
whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily,
Allah will accomplish his purpose.
Such people are the ones who know how to take from the
treasures of Allah. They dedicate their lives for Allah, never
disobey Him, love Him and His Messenger above all else,
follow the Sunnah of His Messenger closely and dont care
about anyone elses opinion in the matter of obeying Allah or
following the Sunnah of Rasoolullah. Allah praised this
attitude and called it a favor from Him and said that He would
be sufficient for such people.
It is clear from this Ayat that it is to be accepted by Allah for
the work of His Deen that one must strive for. All the rest will
follow. Allah will then guide such a person and protect him
from harm and ease his difficulty and make him successful in
his work. Allah made it clear that He accepts only such
45
people.
Maaida 5: 54. O you who believe! Whoever from among you turns
back from his religion (Islam), Allah will bring a people whom He will
love and they will love Him; humble towards the believers, stern
towards the disbelievers, fighting in the Way of Allah, and never afraid
of the blame of the blamers. That is the Grace of Allah which He
bestows on whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His
creatures' needs, All-Knower.
Finally I would like to remind myself and you that in our search
for suitable people let us not forget that we need to measure
ourselves also against the same standards and ask ourselves,
How can I become accepted by Allah?
When Sayyidina Omar bin Abdul Aziz (RA) was dying, his
brother in law, the son of Malik bin Marwan came to him and
said, You have left nothing for your children. If you allow me, I
will give each of them some money (and he mentioned a large
sum) so that they can take care of themselves.
Omar bin Abdul Aziz (RA) said, I have taught them how to
take from the treasures of Allah. If they need anything they
will ask Him and He will give them. They dont need you or
anyone else.
46
47
48
Mumtahina 60:4. 4. Indeed there has been an excellent example for
you in Ibrahim (Abraham) and those with him, when they said to their
people: "Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides
Allah, we have rejected you, and there has started between us and you,
hostility and hatred for ever, until you believe in Allah Alone," except
the saying of Ibrahim (Abraham) to his father: "Verily, I will ask for
forgiveness (from Allah) for you, but I have no power to do anything
for you before Allah . Our Rabb! In You (Alone) we put our trust,
and to You (Alone) we turn in repentance, and to You (Alone) is
(our) final Return
Anam 6: 90.
guidance. Say: "No reward I ask of you for this (the Qur'an). It is only
a reminder for the 'Alamin (worlds)."
Allah said to His Messenger about his work:
Yusuf 12: 108. Say (O Muhammad): "This is my way; I invite unto
Allah with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me (also must
invite others to Allah with sure knowledge). And Glorified and Exalted
be Allah (above all that they associate as partners with Him). And I am
not of the Mushrikun (polytheists)."
I want to first state some basic premises that I hold to be true.
51
Maaida 5:23. and put your trust in Allah if you are believers
indeed
He also said:
Ibrahim 14:11 And in Allah (Alone) let the believers put their trust.
Talaaq 65:3.
could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will
suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allah
has set a measure for all things.
Tawakkul is to take risk; to bet on Allah and to do it from a
position of absolute Yaqeen (faith) and not simply knowledge.
The most reliable criterion of Yaqeen is the ability to take risk.
To be able to cut the rope. To discard Al-Asbaab-ul-Adna
(lower means - resources, worldly means) in favour of AlAsbaab-ul-Aala (highest means - Sabr was Salah). Because those
are the Asbaab (means) that Allah told us to seek when faced
55
with difficulty.
How much more, when this difficulty is in the cause of His
Deen? He said:
Baqara 2:153. O you who believe! Seek help in patience and As-Salat
(the prayer). Truly! Allah is with As-Sabirin (the patient)
He also said:
Haj 22:35. Whose hearts are filled with fear when Allah is mentioned;
who patiently bear whatever may befall them (of calamities); and who
establish As-Salat, and who spend (in Allahs Cause) out of what We
have provided them.
Remember when I am talking about taking risk and discarding
Al-Asbaab-ul-Adna I am not saying that you have to completely
reject all worldly means forever. I mean that for our worldly
work to succeed we need the connection with Allah. It was
the order of Allah which made Musas stick, a snake and
an Ayah from Allah. Musa then didnt leave the stick
behind. He took it with him but now with a different
perspective. Having understood the lesson; that all good and
harm can only come from Allah and that any means in itself is
powerless to do anything for us, Musa picked up his stick
and used it as ordered by Allah.
However as the Kalima Tayyiba begins with Nafi (denial) of all
those who are considered worthy of worship and then goes on
to the Isbaath (affirmation) that Allah alone is worthy of
56
58
Muzammil 73:1-6
1. O you wrapped in garments (i.e. Prophet
Nasr 110: 1-3 When comes the Help of Allah (to you, O
Muhammad against your enemies; conquest of Makkah), 2. And you
see that the people enter Allah's religion (Islam) in crowds, 3. So
glorify the Praises of your Lord, and ask for His Forgiveness. Verily,
He is the One Who accepts the repentance and forgives.
Ask forgiveness when you are winning? No shouting from the
rooftops? No prancing stallions, waving battle standards,
62
Anam 6: 90.
guidance. Say: "No reward I ask of you for this (the Qur'an). It is
only a reminder for the 'Alamin (worlds)."
Hud 11: 51.
(the Message). My reward is only from Him, Who created me. Will
you not then understand?
64
Shura 42: 23. That is (the Paradise) whereof Allah gives glad tidings
to His slaves who believe and do righteous good deeds. Say (O
Muhammad): "No reward do I ask of you for this except to be
kind to me for my kinship with you." And whoever earns a good
righteous deed, We shall give him an increase of good in respect
thereof. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most ready to appreciate
(deeds).
Yunus 10:72.
Saba 34: 47.
Hud 11: 29.
for it, my reward is from none but Allah. I am not going to drive
away those who have believed. Surely, they are going to meet their
Lord, but I see that you are a people that are ignorant.
The Anbiya came to be obeyed and followed in all aspects of life
and even more especially in their own work. Allah said about
this:
65
Anam 6: 90
their guidance.
So whose guidance are we following when we call our work
Commercial Daawa? Whose guidance are we following when
we take money to do the work of Daawa? I mean especially
those who take money to teach or speak at Islamic conferences.
We have become like other motivational speakers on the socalled Speakers Circuit (may Allah forgive us, we even call it
that) and charge fees to talk about the Glory of our Rabb. Isnt
this shameful to put it politely? Organizations we work for
charge others fees to allow us to speak at their functions. And all
of us, who claim to have an Islamic education, fail to see how we
are doing this work of Daawa directly against the basic
foundational principle of Daawa which Allah mentioned so
many times in different ways but with the same meaning:
"And O my people! I ask of you no wealth for it, my reward is from
none but Allah.
Money brings with it greed. And believe it or not, we are not
protected from Shaytaan and so we compete like people selling
Coke and Pepsi and use their language. Thus is the work of the
Anbiya reduced to a commercial activity to be judged by the
same standards that the sellers of bottled toilet cleaners use to
judge themselves.
66
who stand in Tahajjud every day and cry for the Hidaya of the
world.
So what about Fund Raising? you ask. After all fund raising
has become a major activity in itself with more and more
innovative ways being invented to delve into the reluctant
pocket. People are quick to quote from the Seerah the incident of
Rasoolullah raising money for Tabuk. Before I say something
about that let me hasten to warn those who take examples from
the Seerah to be very careful not to cherry-pick and then mould
incidents from the Seerah to support their own activity. Rather
to convert their activity to conform to the Seerah. The Seerah is
for us to follow, not to use at will to justify ourselves and our
actions. Cherry picking from the Seerah is dangerous because
Allah told us to follow it entirely, not to cherry-pick as we
wish.
Tabuk
is
not
good
example
simply
because
will
sing
your
praises
from
the
rooftops.
Then first make the biggest contribution yourself before you ask
anyone. Allah wants to see how much you believe in what
you plan to say about the value of giving for His sake. If you
believe in it then prove it by giving first. Then offer them the
opportunity - never ask, never beg, don't lower your prestige
because you are asking for Allahs work. Offer them the
69
Muhammad 47:7.
of) Allah, He will help you, and make your foothold firm.
Believe in His promise because His promise is always true. Just
check to see if it is indeed His work that you are doing. This is
important. Not everything we call His work is actually His
work. So dont be wedded to your own bright idea. Seek for
answers in the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His
Messenger because there is no better guidance. Do only what
pleases Allah, not what is most popular or has the greatest
demands. Peoples fads and likes and dislikes have no meaning
before Allah. Do what is pleasing to Allah and He will help
you. Shut down all the rest because Allah will not help you in
those activities.
Inviting towards self; versus inviting towards Allah
In the corporate world inviting towards yourself is a given.
Inviting towards yourself is the basis of differentiation. It is the
philosophy of branding. You dont ask people to clean their
teeth; you tell them to buy Colgate. You dont ask people to use
air travel; you tell them to fly Emirates.
Allah on the other hand said to His Messenger:
Yusuf 12: 108. Say (O Muhammad): "This is my way; I invite unto
70
Dhariyaat 51: 22-23 And in the heaven is your provision, and that
which you are promised. 23. Then, by the Lord of the heaven and the
earth, it is the truth (i.e. what has been promised to you), just as it is
the truth that you can speak.
Allah taught this lesson of not relying on resources but
relying on Him alone for the work of Deen to the Sahaba. When
the Sahaba tended to veer off-track and rely on material
strength, Allah immediately corrected them.
Tawba 9: 25. Truly Allah has given you victory on many battle fields,
and on the Day of Hunain (battle) when you rejoiced at your great
number but it availed you nothing and the earth, vast as it is, was
straitened for you, then you turned back in flight. 26. Then Allah did
send down His Sakinah (calmness, tranquility and reassurance, etc.)
73
74
Anfal 8:17.
You killed them not, but Allah killed them. And you
(Muhammad) threw not when you did throw but Allah threw, that
He might test the believers by a fair trial from Him. Verily, Allah is
All-Hearer, All-Knower.
That is the power of being accepted by Allah because only
then will one be guided, protected and supported with forces
not visible to the eyes. Victory for Muslims comes from Allah
on the basis of their piety and defies all laws of strategy and
tactics. We are people who were sent to take from the treasures
of Allah and give to the world. This was our true brand. Our
real differentiation. We were the givers to the world and the
world loves those who give.
Going forward
As I write this I am aware that one must also provide solutions
if possible. Many organizations are immersed in the corporate
model and have also found their niche in the market. Now
what do they do?
First of all, I suggest that you read what I have written and see
how much of it applies to you. After all you only need to correct
75
So I say, take what you must from the Islamic organization. But
only what is essential to your basic needs. Nothing more. Seek
the Fadhl of Allah elsewhere and InshaAllah he will give it to
you. There are many modern examples of people doing that. It
is not my purpose to list them here but those who are interested
may write to me and I will tell you about them.
76
78
79
are
confused
ask
questions.
Additionally,
this
and
critics
no
matter
how
sincerely
that
Ahzab 33:21. Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) you
have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with)
Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.
And what was the way of Rasoolullah? Did he take money?
Did he tell anyone to take money? Quite to the contrary he
prohibited Duaat from taking money for Daawa.
It was narrated that 'Uthman bin Abul-As said: The last
instruction that the Messenger of Allah gave to me was that I should
not appoint a Mu'adh-dhin who took payment for the Adhan." (Sahih)
Sunan Ibn Majah 714, Book 3, Hadith 9
It was narrated that 'Uthman bin Abi Al-As said: "I said: 'O
Messenger of Allah, make me the Imam of my people.' He said: 'You
are their Imam, so consider the weakest among them and choose a
84
Mu'adhdhin who does not accept any payment for his Adhan.'"
(Sahih) Sunan An-Nasai Vol. 1, Book 7, Hadith 673
.
"
"
Adhaan is the essence of Daawa and Rasoolullah specifically
prohibited taking money for it. Wake up people! Before it is too
late and you have to answer to Allah.
The Sahih hadith from Bukhari that people quote in support of
charging a fee to teach Quran and by inference all Islamic
subjects, refers to the incident when a battalion was passing by
the habitation of a tribe and a woman came out and told them
that their leader had been bitten by a scorpion and asked if
anyone had a cure. One of the Sahaba recited Sura Al-Fatiha on
the man and he was cured. The tribe gave them some sheep as a
gift. They brought the sheep to Rasoolullah who asked the
man how he knew what to recite. He replied that he had heard
about the quality of Al-Fatiha as a cure from the Prophet and
so had done it. Rasoolullah accepted this explanation and told
them to give one share to himself.
In my view, this cant be called payment as the Sahabi didnt
negotiate a price before he recited Al-Fatiha. What he received
was a gift from grateful people. Secondly, that gift was not for
teaching them the Quran. It was for doing Ruqya to alleviate
physical suffering. Yet, using this hadith as the Daleel today
85
people demand huge fees even to make one speech about the
Glory of Allah and about His Kalaam and refuse to speak
unless they are paid up front. Is that right or wrong? You
decide.
Ask those who extend the meanings of Ahadith why they dont
extend the meanings of the Ahadith I mentioned earlier to
prohibit taking money for Daawa when it is so clearly
prohibited. After all, if you can extend the meaning of the hadith
related to accepting a gift for relief from pain after reciting
Ruqya and apply it to making the teaching of Islam into a
commercial business activity, whats the problem with doing the
same exercise with the opposite?
To give the due to the Ulama who permitted taking money to
teach Quran one has to go back into history where due to the
disappearance of official patronage for Daawatul Islam poor
Qurra and Huffadh were left with no means of livelihood except
to give private tuitions. That is why Ulama in various countries,
using this hadith legalized taking money to teach Quran. It was
never their intention for their Fatwa to be used to create and run
the kind of international businesses that we see today
pandering to the likes and dislikes of audiences and denying
entry to those who cant pay but may be very interested in
learning.
Ideally, what should have been done even in those early days
was to get Muslim leaders to set up funds Baytul Maal to
support activities of Daawa. Who said that such activities must
be supported only by the State? Where the State doesnt support
Daawa it becomes the responsibility of the local community to
86
Aal Imraan 3:31. Say (O Muhammad to mankind): "If you (really)
love Allah then follow me (imitate me do my ittiba), Allah will love
you and forgive your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most
Merciful."
Let us ask if this Ittiba also extends to teaching Islam and
Daawa. If it does then it is clear that Rasoolullah didnt make
teaching Islam into a business. He didnt feed his family from its
87
Anfal 8:64. O Prophet (Muhammad)! Allah is Sufficient for you and
for the believers who (make your Ittiba) imitate you.
The real question is, Do I believe this? Do I truly believe that
Allah will provide from sources that I cant even imagine as
He promised? Remember that this promise is for those who do
the Ittiba of Rasoolullah exclusively. I believe that each of us
will have to answer that question ourselves, for one day we will
be asked that question by the One who made that promise, Did
you believe my promise?.
88
Anam 6:151 .kill not your children because of poverty - We provide
sustenance for you and for them
He said this and you fear poverty when you claim to do His
work? And that is Imaan?
He also said for those who may need more clarity:
89
Ta-ha 20: 132. And enjoin As-Salat on your family, and be patient in
offering them [i.e. the Salat]. We ask not of you provision; We provide
for you. And the good end (i.e. Paradise) is for the Muttaqun
But then for those who dont want to look at obvious meanings
and create explanations to justify their own actions, there is no
hope.
My Rabb is Ghayoor He is the owner of honor and gives it to
whoever He wants. He doesnt take any favors from anyone. He
needs nothing. He is the owner of everything including you and
your family, my dear champions of Aqeeda who are ready to
pronounce Kufr over small matters. Ask yourself what your
Aqeeda is about your Rabb. Can He or cant He feed you
without your help? Will He allow you to starve when you are
doing His work? You cant answer these questions until you
temper the metal of your faith in the fire of tests. You wont
know whether theres a safety net until you take the leap the
leap of faith. That is the whole meaning of Imaan bil Ghaib for
gods sake! And that is why Tarbiyya wa Tazkiyya is so critical
especially for anyone in the work of Daawa without it the
essence of the Quran will never be understood.
You will never understand the principles of flight and
aerodynamics until you sit in the cockpit of a plane, open the
throttle, release the brake and let it race down the runway until
your Instructor gives the command, and then you pull back the
joystick and the plane leaps into the air. It is when this happens
and your belly falls down around your ankles and your heart
skips several beats that the principles of flight are finally
understood. Until then you can memorize all the books of flight
but you will never fly a plane. That is why they give you a
90
license only when you have the required air-miles on your card,
not when you memorize books on flight principles. Islam, like
flying or cardiac surgery, is a practice, not a theory. And that is
why it also needs practical training, through working under a
teacher who can correct you (Islaah) and clean your heart and
enable the theory to come to life in your heart. The proof that
you are ready is not your Sanad from your Madrassa but your
behavior, the choices you make; the state of your heart and the
fears in it, which only you and your Rabb know. That is why
Allah made Khashiyatullah the only criterion of being an
Aalim.
Let me give another example for those who may still not have
understood. You dont work for IBM and ask the clients of IBM
to pay your salary. If you did, IBM would fire you instantly not
because you stole anything but because they would rightfully
consider your action to be a slur on their honor. Apply the same
simile to the work of Allah if you really believe that you are
doing it. Why is this so difficult to understand? Or is it that what
we are seeing in these Islamic businesses is not a lack of
understanding people doing something by mistake but
people who have deliberately chosen to make careers out of
selling Islam because it is tax free, easy and has no real
competition. Raw material is free and clients are easily satisfied
and swayed by sob stories during fund raisers and shell out
cash. Fall in Sujood and make Tawba for seeking reward from
others. It is not a matter of your honor we have none it is a
matter of violating the Majesty and Honor of Allah. Fear
Allah people. Fear Allah. That is why Allah described this
characteristic of not taking anything from the people as the
common quality of all His Anbiya.
91
Allah told us about the way of the Anbiya (who all taught
Islam and did Daawa):
Anam 6: 90.
guidance. Say: "No reward I ask of you for this (the Qur'an). It is only
a reminder for the 'Alamin (worlds)."
There are many more Ayaat where Allah mentioned the
characteristic of His Anbiya that they dont sell Islam. Yet we
take money to teach Quran and justify it. It would be far more
honest if one simply said, I charge so much to teach. Take it or
leave it. No need to try to find non-existent justifications for
going against the Sunnah of Rasoolullah. Nobody can claim
that it is the Sunnah of Rasoolullah or any of the Anbiya or of
the Sahaba or those who followed them in Ihsaan among the
later scholars, including the four Imaams, to take money to
teach; deny entry to those who cant pay the fee; compete with
other contemporary teachers and try to steal their students or
disrupt their classes or attempt to discredit them. None of them
considered Muslims who are eager to learn a market, the share
of which they had to garner and compete for with other
scholars, methods be damned. Yet we do all of the above. For
the one who seeks clarity there is no confusion and for the one
who seeks confusion there is no clarity.
The question still remains, how must one do social work (to use
a broad expression) and Daawa of Islam, if one is not to take
money meaning, How should those involved in Daawa and
92
Aal Imraan 3:164. Indeed Allah conferred a great favor on the
believers when He sent among them a Messenger (Muhammad)
from among themselves, reciting unto them His Ayaat (the
Qur'an), and purifying them (Tazkiyya), and instructing them
(in) the Book (Taaleem) and Al-Hikmah [the Sunnah of the
Prophet], while before that they had been in manifest error.
93
organizations
is
based
on
self-proclamation,
Local
communities
must
support
such
efforts
Re. 1 then was equal to Rs. 1000 today, you can see how
meager that salary was. His raises were with Allah and we
ask for him the highest reward with his Rabb. Please note
that Maulana Qasim Nanotwi didnt turn Islam into a
business. He took a subsistence salary from Deoband which
taught students free of cost. Taking a modest salary from an
institution is not the same as charging a lucrative entry fee to
a course on Quran or Islam. Taking a salary from an
institution would be similar to taking payment from the
Government or Baytul Maal to perform this public service of
teaching Islam. Making it into a business and a source of
income for oneself is what must not be done at all.
Qari Siddique Bandhwi used to clean the toilets of his
Madrassa before Tahajjud so that the children would find
them clean when they woke up for Fajr.
Maulana Syed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi lived in self-imposed
simplicity bordering on poverty despite being highly
respected globally and an advisor to the Prime Ministers of
India and to the Kings of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Sharjah and
on the Boards of Jamia Islamiya Madina Munawwarah,
Rabita and many others. When he was awarded the King
Faisal Award in 1980, HM Malik Faisal bin Abdul Aziz sent
his personal aircraft to pick him up from Lucknow for which
the Government of India had to extend the runway. When
he was given the award, which included a cash prize of
$200,000, he immediately donated the entire amount to
charity.
These stories are by no means unique. I can narrate story
after story like this with respect to every one of those who
we are honored to call our teachers and elders. They
100
believed that the less you have the less you have to give
account for. We will be questioned about what we leave
behind and rewarded for what we send ahead. Of course we
all talk about this. But it is necessary to practice it and
demonstrate this faith in our own lives.
12. Daawa organizations must separate their work in two parts
Daawa & Teaching Islam and Social Work. Daawa &
Teaching Islam must remain pure purely voluntary, free
from any taint of money (and believe me, it is a taint). Duat
dont have to give all their time but if they have the
dedication and connection with Allah, they will give
enough. The finest example of that in todays world that
proves that it is a workable model is the Tablighi Jamat. It
is by far the largest organization in the work of Islaah wa
Tabligh in the world bigger by far than all other
organizations put together. And it runs purely on a
voluntary basis.
13. The Social Work wing can pay workers who are specialized
for that work for example, nurses, drivers of vehicles,
cooks, construction people, and so on, if they are not
available on a voluntary basis. Even here it is possible to find
people who will be willing to work purely for the pleasure
of Allah and one must look for them. Their dedication and
quality of work is always superior. Those who believe that
well paid Daawa workers are necessary dont understand
either Daawa or organizations.
101
people
must
support
this
and
demand
104
105
Tawba 9:71. The believers, men and women, are Auliya' (helpers,
supporters, friends, protectors) of one another, they enjoin (on the
people) Al-Ma'ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders
one to do), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and
disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); they perform
As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and give the Zakat, and obey Allah and His
Messenger. Allah will have His Mercy on them. Surely Allah is AllMighty, All-Wise.
Aal Imraan 3:104. Let there arise out of you a group of people
inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma'ruf (i.e. Islamic
Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al107
Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden).
And it is they who are the successful.
Aal Imraan 3:110. You [Muslims] are the best of peoples ever raised
up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma'ruf (all that Islam ordains) and
forbid Al-Munkar (all that Islam forbids), and you believe in Allah.
There are many Ayaat which speak of enjoining what is good
and forbidding what is evil; that is because of the importance of
this issue and the great need that exists for it.
Abu Sa"id al-Khudri (RA), reported that the Messenger said:
"Whoever amongst you sees anything objectionable, let him change it
with his hand, if he is not able, then with his tongue, and if he is not
even able to do so, then with his heart, and the latter is a sign of the
weakness of his Imaan." Saheeh Muslim
This Hadith was also transmitted in another form on the
authority of Abdullah bin Masud (RA) who narrated that the
Messenger said:
"Never before me had a Prophet been sent by Allah to his nation
who had not among his people disciples and companions who followed
his ways and obeyed his command. Then there came after them their
successors who said whatever they did not practice, and practiced
whatever they were not commanded to do. He who strove against them
with his hand was a believer; he who strove against them with his
tongue was a believer; and he who strove against them with his heart
108
was a believer; and beyond that there is no faith, not even as minute as
a mustard seed." Saheeh Muslim
Further evidence that the one who does not enjoin what is good
is not following true guidance is the fact that Allah swears
that such a person is lost, as He says
Asr 103:1 By Al-'Asr (the time). 2. Verily! Man is in loss, 3. Except
those who believe (in Islam) and do righteous good deeds, and
recommend one another to the truth (Al-Ma'ruf) which Allah has
ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds (AlMunkar) which Allah has forbidden), and recommend one another to
patience (when faced with difficulties)
The truth of the matter is that it is obligatory to enjoin what is good
and forbid what is evil, and once he has done his duty, the one who
enjoins good cannot be harmed by the misguidance of those who have
gone astray. This is indicated by several Ayaat such as:
Anfaal 8:25
affects not in particular (only) those of you who do wrong (but it may
afflict all the good and the bad people), and know that Allah is Severe
109
in punishment.
Some ahadith which indicate that if people do not enjoin what is
good and forbid what is evil, then Allah will include them in
His punishment.
It was narrated that Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq (RA) said: O people, you
recite this Ayah:
Maaida 5:105 O you who believe! Take care of your own selves, [do
righteous deeds and love Allah much]. If you follow the right guidance
and enjoin what is right (all that Islam orders one to do) and forbid
what is wrong (all that Islam has forbidden) no hurt can come to you
from those who are in error. The return of you all is to Allah, then He
will inform you about (all) that which you used to do.
But I heard the Messenger of Allah say, If the people see an evildoer
and do not take him by the hand [to put a stop to his evil], soon
Allah will punish all of them. Narrated by Abu Dawood, 4338; alTirmidhi, 2168; and al-Nasaai. Sunan Abu Dawood Book 37, Number
4330:
There is no contradiction between the Ayah and the Hadith
because the Ayah specifically mentions Amr bil Maarof wa
Nahi anil Munkar and that is what is meant by taking a wrong
doer by his hand. When people dont do that and believe that
110
personal piety will suffice, then they will also be punished when
the wrongdoers are punished, as mentioned in the Hadith.
Narrated Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (RA): Rasoolullah said: The best
fighting (jihad) in the path of Allah is (to speak) a word of
justice to an oppressive ruler. Sunan Abu Dawood Book 37,
Number 4324:
Khalid's version has: We heard Rasoolullah say: When the
people see a wrongdoer and do not prevent him, Allah will
soon punish them all. Amr ibn Hushaym's version has: I heard
Rasoolullah say: If acts of disobedience are done among any
people and the people do not change them though they are able
to do so, Allah will soon punish them all.
Sunan Abu
111
Maaida 5: 78
were cursed by the tongue of Dawud (David) and 'Iesa (Jesus), son of
Maryam (Mary). That was because they disobeyed (Allah and the
Messengers) and were ever transgressing beyond bounds. 79. They
used not to forbid one another from the Munkar (evil-doing, sins)
which they committed. Vile indeed was what they used to do.
red flag, we make a noise and we call the cops. Why then dont
we apply the same standard when it comes to sin and the
disobedience of Allah? The actions of people are the cause of
all forms of hardship which everyone suffers. Allah said:
Rum 30:41. Evil (sins and disobedience of Allah, etc.) has appeared on
land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by
oppression and evil deeds, etc.), that Allah may make them taste a part
of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by
repenting to Allah, and begging His Pardon). 42. Say (O
Muhammad): "Travel in the land and see what was the end of those
before (you)! Most of them were Mushrikun
And He said:
Shuara 42:30. And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of
what your hands have earned. And He pardons much.
Just as water and air pollution and drugs and crime affect
everyone and must be stopped, so should all forms of sin and
disobedience because they draw upon us the punishment of
Allah.
I ask Allah to give us the tawfeeq to continue to do what is
right and to enjoin good fearlessly in the face of any and all
113
114
115
this
beautiful
Ayah,
Allah
described
the
entire
4. Demonstrate
The problems with teaching and learning Islam started when we
fractured this process and people started to do one at the
expense of the others. The results of this are sadly visible all
over the world. We created people who have book knowledge
but without any Tazkiyya or Tarbiyya. The knowledge sits in
their chests like undigested food does no good to them, even
though they have it. Their behavior is characterized by all that is
the anti-thesis of Islamic knowledge arrogance, impatience,
quick anger, a marked inability to look at themselves or to take
any adverse feedback and an exaggerated sense of selfimportance and holiness but a marked absence of humility
(Tawadhuh) and personal piety (Zuhud).
Thus today we have reciters who recite beautifully something
which they dont understand. We have people who claim to
work on Tazkiyya exclusively but who are very weak on
knowledge. We have people who are like walking libraries of
books of knowledge but with the love of Duniya and fear of
death in their hearts; visible from their decisions and actions.
We have people who explain the Kalaam of Allah very
eloquently but in whose life you cant see any reflection of their
explanations and we have a serious shortage, almost to the point
of the exception, of those who actually demonstrate the message
of Rasoolullah in their lives. At most we have some people
who focus on one or other aspect of the external and visible
aspects of the Sunnah but not illuminated with the inner light of
knowledge which was the character of the Sahaba the
generation which was the beneficiary of this complete 4-step
118
120
Anam 6: 90.
their guidance. Say: "No reward I ask of you for this (Qur'an). It
is only a reminder for the 'Alamin (worlds)."
Hud 11: 51. "O my people I ask of you no reward for it (the
Message). My reward is only from Him, Who created me. Will you not
then understand?
Ash-Shuaara 42: 23. That is (the Paradise) whereof Allah gives glad
tidings to His slaves who believe (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic
Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds. Say (O Muhammad): "No
reward do I ask of you for this except to be kind to me for my kinship
with you." And whoever earns a good righteous deed, We shall give
him an increase of good in respect thereof. Verily, Allah is OftForgiving, Most Ready to appreciate (the deeds of those who are
obedient to Him).
The hallmark, the brand of the Anbiya of Allah was that they
121
people to come to the masjid and pray and go out for Tabligh.
They actively shun publicity, have no ranks (though they have a
hierarchy, it is subtle and more visible in action than in
grandiose titles), are strict about Faraaidh and following the
Sunnah in all matters, try to practice as much of the Akhlaaq
from the Seerah as possible and about following their own
methodology. They dont deviate from their method and are
strict to the point of being dogmatic about it. That is why they
succeed. You can join any Jamat in any part of the world and
you see the same process.
Anyone who has been in a Jamat in any part of the world feels
instantly at home in the Jamat anywhere else in the world. There
is a camaraderie and brotherhood which is hard to find
elsewhere. In the Jamat there are no levels and a sheep herder
will sit and eat with a king without either of them even
considering it worthy of mention. They stay in masaajid during
their tours, talk only about Allah, His Messenger and the
Aakhira, are very particular about personal piety and observing
Nawaafil, especially Tahajjud and about simply being nice to
one another. In all these matters they mirror the Sunnah of
Rasoolullah and follow the method of Daawa of the Anbiya.
Akhlaaq and most importantly to break the back of selfaggrandizement and arrogance. Their teachings focus on the
Seerah and the lives of the Sahaba and Salaf-us-Saliheen and on
trying to apply their ways in our lives. They focus almost
exclusively on worship, sacrifice for Islam and leaving home
and business for the sake of Allah, which were among the
most prominent of the actions of those first generations. Like all
human beings, there are obviously areas of improvement in the
Jamat Tabligh but I am not talking about that here because it is
not they but modern internet/commercial Daawa organizations
that are the focus of this paper.
I believe that there are huge lessons to be learnt from them but
for which modern internet/commercial Daawa organizations
which are mostly run by young Salafi Shuyookh need to
develop some humility first. You cant learn from those whose
few faults overshadow in your mind, their many virtues. And
you cant learn unless you are humble. Anyone who feels free
from the need for Islah is unfit for the work of Daawa; no
matter how learned he may believe himself to be. It was not
lack of knowledge but lack of humility that was the downfall of
Iblis.
Tazkiyya wa Tarbiyya is critical for the success of Daawa and
all Daawa organizations must have a program for their
members which must include every single one of them. Those
who are involved in Daawa must focus on this first before they
can think of teaching anyone. Aspects of Tazkiyya wa Tarbiyya
must be built into the courses but first they must be visible in
the lives and ways of those who run those courses. The spiritual
125
Taqwa wa Sunnah
Willing to tell you what you need to hear; not only what you
want to hear
It is not for nothing that the mother of Imam Malik (R) said to
him, Take from the Akhlaaq of Rabeea before you take from
his knowledge. It is our lack of Akhlaaq which is our downfall,
not our lack of knowledge. We are like walking libraries with
books stacked in our heads but without any of the knowledge
of those books visible in our Akhlaaq. I remind myself about the
example that Allah gave of those who merely carry books on
their backs. We need to focus on Tarbiyya because when
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Integrated Teaching
Teaching and learning the Quran is an activity about which
Rasoolullah said: (approximate meaning) Narrated by Othman
ibn Affan (RA): The best among you is the one who teaches and/or
learns the Quran. (and / or are used in two different narrations
and so I have used both in the quote above)
The first thing to understand and remember is that the Quran
came for one purpose only and that is to be understood clearly
so that it would help the Muslim to do two things:
1. Connect with Allah and instill His Power and Glory in
the heart.
2. Make him/her obedient to its injunctions and live their
life by it.
Everything we do, memorizing, Tajweed, recitation, studying,
analysis, Tafseer are all means of achieving the real purpose
which is to understand the Quran. Naturally because it is
impossible to either feel the majesty of the Kalaam of Allah or
to obey its injunctions and live by them unless we understand
what we are reading, everything we do while teaching the
Quran must be measured against this standard and must
answer one simple question: Do we/they understand it?
That is not only the first step, it is the opening gateway without
which one cant enter the world of Hidaya, of right guidance.
How can we logically claim to be guided by something that we
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dont understand?
Strangely today we seem to teach the Quran, concentrating on
all of the supplementary matters while ignoring the real
purpose of instilling the power and glory of Allah in the heart.
Ask yourself, When was the last time I asked my student as he
was reciting some Ayah of the Quran in the Tahfeez class,
What does that do to you in your heart? Or, What do you feel
in your heart as you recite that Ayah? Ask yourself, When was
the last time I asked myself this question?
I say this is a strange thing that we dont ask these questions as
we teach or as we ourselves read and recite the Quran because
the Quran itself clearly describes physiological changes that
happen as a result of listening to the recitation. Listening means
to listen with understanding, not simply listening to the tune of
the voice of the reciter, even though it is a fact that simply
listening to the tune of the reciters voice also has an effect on
the heart. That is the power of the Kalaam of Allah but it is
essential for Muslims to do more than simply listening to the
tune without which they would not be doing justice to the right
of the Quran to be understood.
So when teaching and learning the Quran it is essential to
monitor the change in our hearts and to be very concerned and
worried if positive changes as described by Allah are not
happening. Hardness of the heart is a fatal cardiac disease.
Allah says:
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Zumar 39: 22. Is he whose breast Allh has opened to Islm, so that he
is in light from His Rabb (equal to the one who is non-Muslim)? So,
woe to those whose hearts are hardened against remembrance of Allh!
They are in plain error! 23. Allh has sent down the best statement, a
Book (this Qur'n), its parts resembling each other in goodness and
truth, oft-repeated. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it
(when they recite it or hear it). Then their skin and their heart soften to
the remembrance of Allh. That is the guidance of Allh. He Guides
there-with whom He pleases and whomever Allh sends astray, for him
there is no guide.
Anfaal 8: 2. The believers are only those who, when Allh is
mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Ayaat (Qur'n) are
recited unto them, they (Ayaat & Signs) increase their Faith; and they
put their trust in their Rabb (Alone)
I want to begin with these questions because I dont want the
teaching of the Quran to become even more mechanical and
soulless than it already is in the name of using technology. I am
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going to try to show in this paper how one can use technology
to help the student to connect with Allah in such a way that
the purpose of the revelation is achieved.
We need to remember that the Quran is in Arabic. Only the
Arabic is the Word of Allah. Everything else is the word of
man. So it is absolutely essential to understand it in Arabic.
Many Ayaat of the Quran are impactful only if you understand
the use of Arabic grammar in the construction of the sentence. If
you dont understand grammar and the subtlety of the use of
certain words then the impact is lost even though you may be
reading an accurate translation of the words. No language can
ever replace the Arabic because only the Arabic is the Word of
Allah. How tragic that generally speaking, in the Indian subcontinent and among our people living elsewhere today, we are
not even interested in understanding the Word of Allah in its
original form. We are content with reading translations. And
then to make matters worse we claim expertise in the Quran
when we cant even understand it in its original form. What can
be more misguided than that?
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133
Al Haaqqa 69:41.
believe!
He was shocked and thought to himself, These must be the
words of a Kaahin (sorcerer, fortune-teller). At that moment
Rasoolullah recited:
Al Haaqqa 69:42.
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better to let the listeners hear the Word of Allah first so that
the Glory and Majesty of the Kalaam in the original can enter
their hearts. Then by all means explain its meaning but first let
the original do its work for we can never better the original, no
matter how good our translations. The original is the speech of
Allah. The translation is the speech of man.
Quran and Science
There is no conflict in the Quran between theology and science
because Islamic theology supports and confirms scientific
discovery. The scientist who can recognize the signs of the
Creator becomes ever more firmly grounded in his faith with
every discovery. Allah specifically mentioned this link and
emphasized the need to teach with this perspective in terms of
the sequence of learning when He said:
Aal Imraan 3:190. Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the
earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs
for people of understanding. 191. Those who remember Allah (always,
and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and
think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying):
"Our Rabb! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to
You! (Exalted are You above all that they associate with You as
partners). Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire.
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The Quran invites the scientist, the seeker of knowledge and the
one in search of truth to look around him and to research the
universe and assures him that Allah will show him His signs
until he is convinced that the Quran is Divine. Allah then
describes the qualities of people of understanding (Al Ulul
Albaab).
Al Hashr 59:21. Had We sent down this Qur'an on a mountain, you
would surely have seen it humbling itself and rending asunder by the
fear of Allah. Such are the parables which We put forward to mankind
that they may reflect.
Knowledge of Islam must produce an effect. And that effect is
the Khashiya of Allah. If the knowledge of Islam (Quran) had
been given to a mountain, it would have humbled itself and
crumbled to dust with the Khashiya of Allah. If the mountain
remained standing it would indicate that the Quran was simply
sitting on it and had not been understood and internalized.
Fatir 35:28
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Furqan 25: 53. And it is He Who has let free the two seas (kinds of
water), one palatable and sweet, and the other salt and bitter, and He
has set a barrier and a complete partition between them.
Students will study maps of the oceans and study all the ports
that the early Muslims sailed to, their politics, economics,
history and society. They will see how maritime nations built
empires by means of their control of the seas. They will study
how it was trade routes across the oceans which were the means
of the greatest spread of Islam in the world. They will learn how
it was the conduct of the Sahaba and those who came after
them; ordinary traders and seamen; which inclined the hearts of
people towards Islam.
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trade
They
will
of
build
Dhows
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They will learn how to find the Qibla to pray when you are on
the ocean at night. They will learn how to catch fish while
sailing and how to cook it. They will eat what they cook while
sailing on the ocean or camped in the moonlight on a beach.
They will learn and learn and learn. And they will have lots of
fun doing it.
They
will
learn
lessons
of
life,
history,
geography,
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While learning about Fiqh and Hadith and other subjects, ask
them what they would have done in a similar situation if they
had been in the position of the Sahaba and the Salaf. Let them
appreciate the challenges that Rasoolullah faced and let them
think about what they would have done in such a situation.
Bring the Messenger of Allah alive for them so that they can
truly
begin
appreciate
to
what
remarkable person he
was.
Use maps
The Quran mentions
stories
kings
of
prophets,
and
countries.
stories
in
the
the Saee of Hajar (AS) and the sacrifice of Ismael (AS) which
Allah loved so much that not only did He tell us the whole
story in His Book but He made them the Arkaan of Hajj.
Tell them the story of Musa (AS) and his people. Let students
see ancient Egypt, the Upper and Lower kingdoms, the
civilization which built the pyramids in all its majesty and glory.
Let them experience what the power of such people must have
been. Let them see how habitation in Egypt was dependent on
the Nile. Let them trace the course of the Nile from its origin in
the
highlands
of
Rwanda
until
it
empties
into
the
Mediterranean.
Only then will they be able to appreciate what it must have felt
like for Musa (AS) to stand alone in the majestic court of Ramses
IV and tell him that he was merely a man and not god as he
claimed and that it was Allah who was his Rabb and the Rabb
of the heavens and the earth and everything between them. Let
them first appreciate the power and wealth of a kingdom which
could build the pyramids so that they can appreciate the
courage of the Nabi of Allah who was not awed by it. What
better way to understand the meaning of Tawakkul or reliance
on Allah alone? What better way to remove the fear of the
world from the heart and replace it with the awe and majesty of
Allah. Only then will they appreciate the Ayaat where Allah
reports this conversation between Ramses and Musa (AS) which
is a classic lesson in the methodology of giving Daawa.
Allah describes the scene thus:
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Ash-Shuara 26: 23. Fir'aun (Pharaoh) said: "And what is the Lord of
the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)?" 24. Musa (Moses)
said: "Lord of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them,
if you seek to be convinced with certainty." 25. Fir'aun (Pharaoh) said
to those around: "Do you not hear (what he says)?" 26. Musa (Moses)
said: "Your Rabb and the Rabb of your ancient fathers!" 27. Fir'aun
(Pharaoh) said: "Verily, your Messenger who has been sent to you is a
madman!" 28. Musa (Moses) said: "Rabb of the east and the west, and
all that is between them, if you did but understand!"
So as they are studying the Egyptian civilization and the story of
Musa (AS) they are doing Tafseer of the Quran and working on
strengthening their Imaan and studying Usool of Aqeeda and
how to connect with Allah and ask for His help. They are
learning the Usool of Daawa and its importance in their lives.
Do the same with all the prophets. Bring them alive in time and
space. Technology makes this easy to do.
today. But what would be the reaction of people who had never
seen anything so big or strange looking, especially when it was
Let them trace the Hijra of Rasoolullah from Makkah to
Madina. Not simply say, He made Hijra, but the experience of
what it means to walk 450 km through the desert in the heat of
summer. What did Rasoolullah see as he walked? What
topography of land and so on. Let them role play that journey
and experience the tension, the fear and the danger. Let them
feel what it means to sit in a small cave with the enemy
hovering overhead. Show them the map of Badr and analyze the
placement of the camps and why the camp of the Muslims was
at an advantage. Tell them the story of the Sahabi who
suggested a different camping place and ask, What is the lesson
we learn about having the courage to give your opinion if you
believe it to be good for the people? Draw attention also to the
quality of the leader who would accept the advice of a
subordinate even when he was receiving Wahi from Allah
and didnt really need anyones advice. Ask them to discuss the
advantage of such a style of leadership and build on that.
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Do the same with all the major ghazawaat. Put all the Ayaat of
Sura Aal Imraan, Anfaal, Tawba, Ahzaab, Fath, Muhammad
and others into perspective with respect to the ghazawaat in
which they were revealed. Let them experience the defeat of
Uhud on account of disobedience and drive home the lesson of
obedience to the Messenger. Similarly about Khandaq,
Hudaibiya, Fatha Makkah, Hunain, Moata, Tabuk. Put the
Quran in perspective of its Asbaab-un-Nuzool through lessons
of history that are supported by multimedia, maps and videos.
Take them on excursions to those locations virtually through
Google Earth satellite imagery.
605647
Kanauj, on the River Ganges, brings most of northern India under his
control. He is the last Indian king to rule a more than purely regional
state until the 13th century.
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622627
We teach Islamic history as if the rest of the world did not exist.
This must change and technology gives us an opportunity to
make this change fairly easily and at the same time make it a
source of fun and learning.
In Conclusion
It is not my purpose to go into great detail on each of these
matters, but rather to show how technology can be used to make
learning fun, exciting and very beneficial. One of the benefits of
technological
149
development
is
that
technology
becomes
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151
Differentiating between a
Scholar of Islam and a Muslim
Scholar
Often today we are faced with Scholars of Islam from the West,
who are not Muslim, doing original research into Islam and
Islamic theology, history and the Quran itself. Then they
publish their conclusions and are applauded for their approach.
We on the other hand seem to be caught up in our traditional
methods of teaching and learning which are primarily focused
on preservation of knowledge and not necessarily in its
understanding, interpretation, application or contextualization
for the modern world. We treat all that comes under the banner
of
Islamic
knowledge,
be
it
history,
biography,
legal
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153
Al Hashr 59:21. Had We sent down this Qur'an on a mountain, you
would surely have seen it humbling itself and rending asunder by the
fear of Allah. Such are the parables which We put forward to mankind
that they may reflect.
Knowledge of Islam must produce an effect. And that effect is
the Khashiya (awe of the Majesty) of Allah. Allah quoted an
example and said in effect that if the knowledge of Islam
(Quran) had been given to a mountain, it would have humbled
itself and crumbled to dust with the Khashiya of Allah. If the
mountain remained standing it would indicate that the Quran
was simply sitting on it and had not been understood and
internalized. Allah called this fear of Allah a sign of
knowledge. It is the essence, the result and the purpose of all
knowledge. Enthusiastic students of knowledge of Islam must
ask themselves if the knowledge they are acquiring is producing
this effect. And if not they need to be critically concerned and
take steps to correct the way they are learning.
Allah also said:
154
Fatir 35:28 It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that
fear Allah.
Wael Hallaq of McGill who is a Christian Scholar of Islam,
writes extensively on Islamic law. Sometimes we are asked, Do
you say that Wael Hallaq has nothing to contribute because he is
Christian?
Al Kahf 18: 4. And to warn those (Jews, Christians, and pagans) who
say, "Allah has begotten a son (or offspring or children)." 5. No
knowledge have they of such a thing, nor had their fathers. Mighty is
the word that comes out of their mouths . They utter nothing but a lie.
I agree that the students who learn by rote and are unwilling to
critically analyze the writings of this or that classical scholar are
a bit narrow-minded and this approach is not helpful. However
let us not lose sight of the fact that even with their narrow
mindedness they will stand before Allah on the Day of
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156
That you worship Allah as if you are seeing Him, for though you
don't see Him, He, verily, sees you.
The biggest problem with the Western approach to Islam is that
they study Islam like they study any other religion. They study
the Quran as they study any other book. And there lies the
problem.
Islam is unique. The Quran cant be read like any other book
because its author is not like any other author. The Quran came
to be listened to, read, understood and obeyed. It did not come
to be read, critiqued and put aside. Those who do that, how can
we call them scholars of the Quran; when they have not even
understood the most basic of principle of the Revelation that it
is meant to shake the foundations of your being and open your
eyes to your Rabb. If all their reading and critical analysis
doesnt open their eyes to the majesty of their Rabb how good is
that analysis?
That is what I mean by the difference between a Scholar of
Islam and a Muslim Scholar. Without the Taalluq Maa Allah
there is no Islam, no matter how much data you have
accumulated in your mind your heart is vacant and barren and
dark without the Noor of the love of Allah. A man dead and a
man asleep look the same. Except that one is alive and the other
isnt. Big difference, no?
As Sayyidina Omar ibn al Khattab (R) is reported to have said:
157
,
,
( )
, , ,
,
:
" :
,
"Wrote Omar Bin Al Khattab may Allah be pleased with him, to Abu
Musa al-Ash'ari, may Allah have mercy on him: "The FIQH is not a
heavy narrative and broad SPEECH and NARRATION, but FIQH IS
the fear of ALLAH Azza wa Jalla.
Indeed we can and should benefit from the research
methodology of these people but must never allow ourselves to
become
overawed
by them
and
their
scholarship.
As
158
The one who studies the Quran like any other book and has
never tasted the pleasure of standing before His Rabb and
reciting His Kalaam to Him can never understand the Quran in
the way in which it was meant to be understood, no matter how
much analysis he may do. All this leads us to the essential
matter of Tarbiyya the preparation of the person to receive
159
160
161
162
Author,
Life
Coach,
Corporate
by
drawing
on
his
extensive
Yawar speaks
Books Include
The Business of Family Business
Hiring Winners
Journey of Faith
An Entrepreneurs Diary
Leadership Lessons from the Life
of Rasoolullah
Understanding Islam
Islam for Beginners
Leadership is a Personal Choice
163
Clients Include
GE, Microsoft, Motorola, AMKA,
Unilever, Siemens, Accenture, JP
Morgan, Olam, Reuters, J&J,
Verizon, Mars, Expolanka,
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