The Fortress of Iman

Wherever I listen to a speaker at an Islamic lecture talk about spirituality and in particular the heart I get this warm fuzzy feeling inside. I yearn for that connection with Allah (swt) and I think about the beauty of just imagining how strong the connection must be for someone with a pure heart. To reach the state of attaining a heart that is 100% pure, might be impossible, for we are always, whether we know it or not, engaging in something throughout our daily lives that can potentially hurt the pureness of our hearts and/or intentions. When I think of internalizing Islam to the degree of working towards purifying our hearts I start to grin inside because a thought that comes across my mind is sufism. I don’t know too much about Sufism except that I think its a way to internalize ones spirituality in order to strengthen their connection between themselves and there creator. If someone knows what it actually means to be Sufi, let me know, I’m quite curious. In all truth however, don’t think for a moment that I’m trying to divide up the muslim population into groups. I’m not. We’re all Muslim and we should all be one – united. But the rational behind making Islam One and making yourself One with Islam is the essential essence of the religion. Actually just calling Islam a religion is quite misleading because its more then that – its a ‘complete’ way of life. Tawheed (aka oneness) is the essential core of Islam.

I feel like I might be deviating, my intial intention of writing was to focus on the Heart itself. Many of the thoughts above just come along in my mind to reinforce the bigger picture. Anyways, imagine this – I want you to think of your heart as the capital of the Kingdom (your body). It is absolutely of utmost importance for us to take care of our hearts for it rules the very nature of our beings (if it is the one and only aspect of control – I can not say for I’m no scholar, the soul may be another aspect we can contemplate upon at another time).  Each time we sin, I have heard that a black spec (symbolic of uncleanliness) appears upon our hearts. As we purify our hearts through prayer and asking Allah(Swt) for forgiveness, slowly the black specs disappear.

The Heart is the Fortress of our Iman - we need to keep it strong because Shatan is always trying to whisper bad thoughts that affect our hearts and can weaken our Iman

There are Seven Gates to our Hearts

1. Tongue

2. Eyes

3. Ears

4. Stomach

5. Private Parts

6. Hands

7. Feet

Watch what you say, see, hear, eat, feel or walk towards because if it is something bad, no matter how small, it can have a direct impact on your heart and in turn your Iman. For example, if there is a t.v. show that you watch and you see something that is inappropriate figuratively it is like you are stabbing yourself in your heart because your eyes are literally one of the most direct paths to your heart. You may not feel any effects of watching something inappropriate, and you might just brush it off; however, you need to be aware that anything and everything, no matter how small has an effect upon our hearts. Protect your ‘Fortress of Iman’.

Da’wah Workshop – How to call People to Islam Pt2

“In one sentence, Da’wah is basically talking to others about Islam.”

It’s so important for Muslims today to step up and talk to others about Islam; the truth and the basic practices that Muslims follow; because if they don’t do it, who will?

Date: September 12th, 2008

Workshop: “Da’wah – tips, tools, and training – effective methods of giving da’wah”

Speaker: Br. Farooq Yusaf (ex. MSA President of GMU)

——-

Outline:

5. How to approach people: Indirect vs. Direct.

6. Other Tips: Common Reasons Why Non-Muslims Don’t Take the Shahadah

7. Other Tips: How to Approach Christians

8. Other Tips: How to Approach Atheists

——-

5. How to approach people: Indirect vs. Direct.

• How to approach people
  • Indirect
    • Da’wah through your actions, manners and behaviors
    • Perform act of worship in public
    • Have a discussion with a friend intended for a non-muslim to hear
    • Leave pamphlets in buses, train, on benches, etc
  • Direct
    • Da’wah table
    • Street Da’wah

6. Other Tips: Common Reasons Why Non-Muslims Don’t Take the Shahadah

• Common Reasons why Non-Muslims don’t take the “Shahadah”
  • They are looking for a ’sign’
  • Misconceptions about Islam/ Muslims/ Religion
  • Influences of Family & Society

7. Other Tips: How to Approach Christians

• How to Approach Christians
  • The Trinity concept: Christians believe in the ‘three in one’ approach – God, Jesus (peace be upon him), and the Holy Spirit
    • They compare this to Water (in three states: solid, liquid, gas) or an Egg (the shell, yolk, white)
    • Trinity is not mentioned in the Bible. Ask them about this.
  • How did the people before Jesus (pbuh) reach salvation? There were many prophets that came before Jesus (pbuh) what about them?
  • Who do you pray to..Jesus (pbuh)? or God?
  • Christians believe that Jesus (pbuh) is God/ he is God’s son. How is this possible? God is above human creation.
  • God is self-sufficient and does not need food or water. Why did Jesus (pbuh) drink and eat when he was on this earth? If you believe he is God, then God doesn’t need to drink or eat.
  • God is eternal, self sufficient, and infinite. Whereas humans are needy and temporary. Jesus was born -lived – died (according to Christians). Therefore he can not be God because God can not be both infinite and finite.
  • Trinity does not support the idea of monotheism. There cannot be three parts/ multiple creators because there would be chaos in the universe
  • One cannot compare the ‘CREATOR’ to the creation
  • Christians believe that Jesus (pbuh) is on God’s right hand. If he is God then why would he be on his own right hand?

8. Other Tips: How to Approach Atheists

How to Approach Atheists

• Its simple. Everything on earth was created by a CREATOR – Allah (swt).
• Analogy: If you have a junkyard and a tornado rips through it, and afterwards a fully functional car remains. How did that car come to be there?

Da’wah Workshop – How to call People to Islam Pt1

Date: September 12th, 2008

Workshop: “Da’wah – tips, tools, and training – effective methods of giving da’wah”

Speaker: Br. Farooq Yusaf (ex. MSA President of GMU)

——-

Outline:

1. The Facts: What is Da’wah? Why is Da’wah important? What can I gain from it? Who usually participates?

2. Obstacles Muslims Face when giving Da’wah

3. Three Ways to Give Da’wah

4. The Do’s & Don’ts of Giving Da’wah

——-

1. The Facts: What is Da’wah? Why is Da’wah important? What can I gain from it? Who usually participates?

• What is Da’wah?
  • “Calling Non-Muslims and Muslims to Islam”

• Why is Da’wah important? (Why should you do it?)
  • Reward is tremendous – don’t hesitate, volunteer whenever there is an opportunity!!
    • Job of the Prophets was to give Da’wah. They went threw so much more then what we will experience.
    • “Calling people to Allah (swt) for Allah’s sake” will yield many rewards.
    • It is our responsibility as Muslims to tell others about Islam and make the message clear
    • When you give da’wah you feel empowered & strengthened
      

  “Whoever guides [another] to a good deed will get a reward similar to the one who performs it” [Saheeh Muslim]

• Two Types of Guidance (Hidaya) – Basically convey the message and leave the rest to Allah (swt)
  • Hidayat ul irshaad
    • Our duty to tell others directly about Islam
  • Hidayat ul tawfiq
    • From Allah (swt) – When Allah (swt) opens a persons heart to Islam

2. Obstacles Muslims Face when giving Da’wah

• Obstacles – That keep people from giving Da’wah
  • Expect Instant Results
  • “I don’t have enough knowledge!”
    • Basic knowledge of Islam is ALL you need!
  • Too Shy
    • Once you get into a routine it becomes easy
  • Not Knowing who you are talking to

3. Three Ways to Give Da’wah

• Three Ways to Give Da’wah
  • Pamphlet Pushing
    • Keep it to the same days at the same times
    • Hand out as many pamphlets as possible (and know what you are handing out)
    • Use a catch phrase to break the ice
  • Street Da’wah
    • Walk in groups
    • Always be polite
  • One-on- One
    • 1st begin with what the person knows (likes/ dislikes of Islam)
    • LISTEN!
    • If the person has studied Islam, find the core issue that is holding them back.

4. The Do’s & Don’ts of Giving Da’wah

• Do’s and Don’ts of Giving Da’wah
  • Smile!
  • Be patient & straightforward by using simple language
  • Avoid unnecessary arguments
  • Keep going with the message & ALWAYS bring it back to tawheed (the oneness of Islam) if you get stuck
  • Have a partner with you to help
  • Show that you are listening to them: nod, open gestures, lean forward
  • Ask for a Name to make it personal
  • Go for the Gold! Ask for the Shadaha.
    • Basically if they agree with the basics, ask them what’s holding them back. There’s nothing to lose.
  • Don’t be aggressive
  • Don’t be evasive
  • Don’t interrupt someone else who is giving da’wah
  • Don’t negotiate (especially keep this in mind when you are at interfaith get togethers)- Islam is the TRUTH. It can not be negotiated!