1. Take a Short Da’wah Course

You can contact a da’wah organisation that can guide you on how to give da’wah to individuals from various backgrounds in a variety of situations. These courses are not particularly time consuming and most organisations will provide it for free as well, so cost is not a problem.

For those based in the UK, I highly recommend IERA, which specialises in offering free and focused training for Muslims in different parts of the UK. It offers sharp techniques that involve using logic, common sense, reasoning and evidence from the Qur’an and authentic hadith.

For my brothers and sisters outside the UK, it is worth spending a few minutes on the Internet researching for organisations in your area or country that offer a similar service. If there really is nothing available, then you can always look for online courses where there is plenty of material accessible.

2. Pass on a CD or Book

This is an easy and effective solution to those who feel they do not have sufficient knowledge or even know where to start when having a conversation about Islam. Giving a CD of an experienced Da’ee (caller to Islam) who is able to break down the fundamentals of Islam in a logical manner may be better for you. Without the necessary skills and application of giving da’wah, we may actually hinder the effort of bringing someone towards Islam and trip ourselves up and more importantly, say something we may regret. If you are worried about this, direct them to someone more knowledgeable. Nevertheless, do not let this put you off from speaking to someone by giving da’wah and telling others about the greatness of Allah .

Offering a translated copy of the Qur’an is probably the most effective device you can give to someone. You will not find a better read in the world than the Qur’an (and you can tell them that too!).

There may be times when you engage in da’wah using excellent logic and examples, but the other person is just not interested. The Qur’an is very powerful and it will have an effect on a person’s heart and therefore it is something we should not underestimate. Consequently, it is a good idea to let people have a copy of the Qur’an and read at their leisure.

3. Inform Others About an Upcoming Class or Conference

This can be achieved through various means, for example word of mouth. You can tell people, Muslims or non-Muslims, about a local event that is taking place or the upcoming visit of a famous sheikh. This is something that can be done through modern means i.e. reminders sent by text messages, posting information on your Facebook/Twitter account, and any other means which you feel is effective in reaching people.

More traditional methods can be used if you prefer those. For example, you can distribute leaflets to different Islamic centres where they can hand them out to big crowds of people, such as at Jumu’ah prayers. Most large conferences will also have special invites for non-Muslims. Try to encourage a non-Muslim to go along with you by promoting it as a pleasant evening out with plenty of free food available!

4. Look at Improving Your Character

Improving your character would be one of the most effective ways of indirectly giving da’wah. By showing high excellence, manners and conduct at all times, those around you are likely to be drawn to you as a person, and therefore, towards Islam. A person with poor character is not likely to have any credibility, despite you telling them how beautiful and wonderful Islam is. Many rewards of a good character can be acquired not only in this life but more importantly, the next. As the Prophet Muhammad said:

“Nothing is heavier on the Scale of Deeds than one’s good manners.” [Tirmidhi]

A tip to help you improve your character is to study the seerah of Prophet Muhammad , where you will find the best of examples. We can also study the behaviour and mannerisms of the companions of the Prophet , as well as the pious people of the previous generations. It is also worth looking online for lectures regarding improving your character and how significant and pleasing to Allah having a good character is. Additionally, we should supplicate to Allah to help us work on our weaknesses and to positively develop our character.

5. Arrange to Post Lectures Online/Live Stream from Your Local Islamic Centre

This largely applies to centres that do not already have this facility. You would be able to create a stronger link between the local Islamic centre and the local community by providing materials to those who may not be able to regularly attend gatherings. This is also an effective tool to help prevent you from being of those that withhold knowledge, as the Prophet Muhammad said:

“Whoever hides knowledge, Allah will brand him with the branding iron from the hellfire.” [Tirmidhi]

This may take a bit of your time initially, but if there is anything you can think of starting that will benefit the people then, In sha Allah, this will be a sound investment of your time.

6. Engage Yourself in Charity Work

A great benefit of this is that it will count as sadaqah for you In sha Allah. I am sure there are many forms of charity work you can get involved in your local area e.g. the old and disadvantaged, or working with causes supporting the environment, animals, individuals with physical and mental disabilities etc. Taking part in noble causes is also an effective way of helping to remove misconceptions about Islam.

Moreover, this is something that was part of the Prophet Muhammad’s life, as he fought for people’s rights before becoming a prophet. This made the acceptance of his message easier among his people as they were well aware of his true nobility, exalted character and mannerisms prior to his message.

People are likely to respond positively to your da’wah and have an open mind about your message. Those witnessing your upright character may become curious about Islam and then research about the teachings of Islam themselves. Finally, getting involved in charity work should provide you with great opportunities within your career and thus providing you with success in this life and the hereafter.

7. Try to Integrate Islam into Your Life as Much as You Can

This means that you live and breathe Islam. So whether you are at the park, in the masjid or workplace, you have a consciousness of Allah and what you should and should not be doing. This can be achieved by making sure you maintain the physical appearance of a believer e.g. maintaining a beard, wearing a hijab etc. This is important because how you dress and look will impact greatly on how you feel. Consequently, how you feel will affect your speech and conduct.

Studies have shown that clothing affects how we think about ourselves as well as how others perceive us. If you are in clothing that indicates modesty, the chances are your thoughts and actions will be modest, which can help improve your character.

Having Islam in your life continuously will make it easy for you to do that which is pleasing to Allah and consequently, this will impact positively on your character. As a result, you can indirectly give da’wah and help to leave a positive impression of Islam and also remain alert to potential da’wah opportunities.

To practically help you integrate Islam into your daily life at the workplace, for example, is by keeping Islamic material with you at all times such as books or an Islamic calendar that you can keep at your desk and are visible to others. This makes your job of giving da’wah easier, as this allows others to initiate a conversation and ask about Islam. A great advantage of allowing somebody else to start a conversation is you do not have to start the conversation, which can be difficult to do with some people and therefore seen to be simply ‘preaching’. Little things such as these allow opportunities to be created and therefore making the da’wah easier.

Another idea is to bring food into the workplace/class on a special Islamic occasion e.g. Eid. People will naturally ask what the occasion is and therefore create an opportunity to give da’wah. This is a very useful tool as people always respond positively to food!

Furthermore, ensure you are praying in the workplace/class when the time for salah arrives. Try to speak to a manager/senior staff member to arrange for a room where you can pray if there is not already one there and let them know salah is very important to you. By highlighting this, those around you are likely to respect you more In sha Allah and hopefully it will open their hearts to Islam.

Lastly, if you are using public transport, be sure to have reading material with you. You will be using your time productively by seeking knowledge as well as potentially creating a da’wah situation where other passengers may be curious about what you are reading.

8. Obtain a Small Booklet About Common Questions About Islam

If it is not practical for you to attend a da’wah course, then having a booklet is a quick and easy way to know the types of questions running through the minds of non-Muslims about Islam. In sha Allah, this will provide you with confidence and the start-up knowledge in the field of da’wah. You can usually find them from local Islamic centres and also, for those in the UK, IDCI can provide cheap and effective da’wah material to help get you started.

9. Keep it Simple!

If you are speaking to a non-Muslim, try to mention the simplicity of the religion and what it requires to be a Muslim e.g. believing in one God, acknowledging the Qur’an as a direct revelation from God, and recognising Muhammad as the Messenger of God.

People may try to ask you lots of questions regarding Islam. For example, “Why does Islam allow such and such?” An effective response is to say, “I can answer that, but you need to understand Islam as a package. So if you have a few minutes I can answer that for you.” This is when you can start giving da’wah about the Creator and the greatness of Allah and create the beautiful picture of Islam.

Additionally, this approach applies to Muslims. When giving da’wah, it may suffice to remind others about the greatness of Allah , His names and attributes and to remind others of His favours and blessings. Keeping a simple approach makes your job easier and helps to avoid conflicts and philosophical debates.

What other effective ways do you know of to give da’wah? What da’wah organisations do you know of that can support our brothers and sisters in giving da’wah? What concerns do you have about giving da’wah? Please share your knowledge in the comments section below so we may inspire each other to take part in this blessed act.

The post [Da’wah Series] 9 Practical Tips on Giving Da’wah appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

Now this da’wah can take a variety of forms including directly though a conversation with someone about Islam, and indirectly through distributing a leaflet, CD, or book about Islam. Therefore, it is not limited to one format or group of people. This is something we will, In sha Allah, address in a second article about how we as productive Muslims can give da’wah.

But first, I thought it would be good idea to look at some of the many benefits we can derive from taking part in giving da’wah to help boost our participation in this great act.

1. Fulfill an Obligation Upon Us

Da’wah is recognised by the majority of scholars as being obligatory upon every Muslim. Therefore, we can interpret that the act of da’wah is something of great importance within Islam and more importantly to Allah . Consequently, by fulfilling our obligatory acts we can look to achieve the pleasure of Allah and get close to Him. As it states in a hadith, Allah says:

“…And My slave does not come close to Me with anything more beloved to Me than what I have made obligatory upon him. My slave continues to come nearer to Me through voluntary deeds until I love him, and when I love him, I become his ears with which he hears, I become his sight with which he sees, I become his hands with which he strikes, I become his legs with which he strides. If he asks Me, I shall surely grant his request.” [Bukhari]

This beautiful hadith highlights the massive reward of completing the obligatory acts that can motivate us to carry out this important duty. In contrast, it is worth considering the consequences of neglecting something that is obligatory upon us. For example, we understand Allah has prescribed 5 daily prayers and the severe consequences we may face for missing just one of those prayers. Consequently, we should give great consideration to da’wah before abandoning or even neglecting this and therefore look to making it part of our lives in some way, shape or form.

2. Doing the Job of our Beloved Prophet Muhammad

The occupation of the Prophet Muhammad along with all other prophets was to be a Da’ee (caller to Islam). For us to be given the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the greatest man to have ever lived is a huge honour and favour given to us by Allah .

As we are followers of Muhammad , the responsibility of continuing this work falls on our shoulders, which is something worth remembering. So we should try to keep in mind of whom we are imitating by giving da’wah. In sha Allah, this will inspire us to continue with this important duty by following the one who should be more beloved to us than ourselves.

As stated in a hadith:

“None of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father, his children and all mankind.” [Bukhari]

It can be easy to say ‘I like or love that person’, but proving that affection can only be done through actions which can involve telling others about the qualities of that person and emulating the ways of that person. As they say: actions speak louder than words.

3. Be From Those Who are Remembered in the Supplication of Others

Through helping someone revert to Islam or return to practising Islam, In sha Allah you will find that person being a happier individual than before. As an expression of gratitude, it is often likely that a person will personally thank you. Hopefully they will also remember you in their supplications for being there to give them valuable advice, offer support and pass on beneficial knowledge to help direct them to the straight path.

Also, as the Prophet says:

“God, His angels and all those in the Heavens and on Earth, even ants in their ant-hills and fish in the water, call down blessings on those who instruct others in beneficial knowledge.” [Tirmidhi]

This highlights the great rewards that can be achieved through giving da’wah and passing on useful knowledge to others. Being remembered in the supplication of others is something we should all want to have.

4. Be Part of the Change You Wish to See

It is a bit of a cliché when people talk about the state of the Muslim world and the attacks by the media etc. But for change to come about, we would need to change ourselves and look at what we realistically are able to achieve.

As Allah says:

“Verily! Allah will not change the good condition of a people as long as they do not change their state of goodness themselves.” [Qur’an: Chapter 13, Verse 11]

This can involve little changes for example giving da’wah to a non-Muslim colleague about Islam or looking at our own areas of weakness as individuals and looking to rectify those weaknesses with the help and grace of Allah . We cannot change the world individually and Allah is not expecting us to either. However, we should try to strive and impact positively on our local environment and society with whatever skills and abilities He has blessed us with.

I am sure we would wish to see those around us, such as our friends, family and neighbours, from being of those that are pious and righteous. In sha Allah sharing this beautiful way of life with others will go a long way to making this happen.

5. Strengthen Your Faith and Relationship with Allah the Almighty

It is commonly mentioned by those involved in da’wah that the first person to benefit from the knowledge passed on is yourself. Through continuously passing on the message of Islam and reminding others of the greatness of Allah , In sha Allah you indeed strengthen your belief and relationship with Allah and His chosen way of life. Consequently, this helps to prevent you from becoming neglectful of Him.

Many Muslims are excellent when it comes to performing the rituals of Islam e.g. fasting, zakat and salah etc., which is great. However, continuously performing rituals without adding to them can cause you to become stagnant and possibly act as a barrier to strengthening your relationship with Allah .

Take the example of a person who always lifts 10kg with the same amount of repetitions each time. Is that person likely to get stronger?

The person may not become weak, but he will not become stronger either. We as Muslims should strive to push ourselves to do better. A higher level of faith is likely to lead us closer to Allah and therefore offer us greater rewards and as a result, make us winners in this life as well as the hereafter.

Furthermore, we can have a look at those who were strongest in faith in Allah which includes the Prophets and the companions of Muhammad for proof of this. Their lives were full of sacrifices for Allah in terms of their time, health and wealth and this contributed to them being of the closest to Allah , and not necessarily due to the quantity of prayers performed and Qur’an read.

Just adding to the point of not being stagnant, a sheikh recently mentioned how the shaytan always looks to come close and catch up to us. To avoid being stuck on the same level of faith or have our faith decline, we need to continuously do good deeds to distance ourselves from him.

Giving da’wah should help us to avoid his clutches as not only are we performing good deeds, we are encouraging others towards good, presenting a real blow to the shaytan.

6. Find Yourself Leading a Happier Life

This is likely to be achieved through knowing you have helped somebody else to feel happier, which is a result of them coming close to Allah and following the way of his beloved Prophet Muhammad . Giving da’wah can include giving advice to a fellow Muslim who is going through a difficult time and reminding them how Allah is near and always there for them to turn to. Therefore, the da’wah given does not require you to be a specialist beforehand, as the Prophet said:

“Convey from me, even one verse.” [Bukhari]

Also, if you are blessed enough to be used as a tool by Allah to guide someone to Islam then that should provide you with a warm glow inside knowing you have helped to save a person from shirk.

Think about a non-Muslim neighbour or colleague you have and how you would feel if they accepted Islam on your hands with the grace of Allah . Again, it is worth thinking about that person and if they died in that state of disbelief. As Muslims, since we know where those that disbelief will dwell forever, would we wish that for them or any of the non-Muslims around us?

The Prophet in relation to this says:

“By Allah, if a single person is guided by Allah through you, it will be better for you than the best of camels.” [Bukhari]

Additionally, Allah says Himself about the people that are successful:

“Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining Al-Ma’roof (Islamic monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (Polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are successful.” [Qur’an: Chapter 3, Verse 104]

Who would know better than Our Creator about what is success and those that are successful?

7. Continue to Achieve Good Deeds After You Have Passed Away

This would occur through the good deeds committed by others as a result of the knowledge you have passed on. This can be knowledge you pass on to your children, for example how to make wudu. Also, the knowledge you have passed on to a non-Muslim who has reverted as a result of your da’wah will offer enormous rewards In sha Allah.

Think of the following situation: you give da’wah to a non-Muslim friend who at the age of 19 or 20 becomes a Muslim with the guidance of Allah . After a few years, that friend may settle down with another Muslim and In sha Allah have children who are raised on this deen as well as themselves having a long and pious life. Then a portion of the reward achieved by all these individuals would come back into your book of deeds.

It does not stop there because this friend may become a scholar, or his/her children may become scholars or they themselves may invite many others towards Islam. In sha Allah, all of these actions will find a portion of the reward into your account for the initial da’wah you gave.

We know about the uncertainty of death and our short stay in this world. Unfortunately, some people miss the opportunity to do good deeds before passing away, after which it is too late to go back. This requires us to make an investment now for the hereafter so that we pick up good deeds in the grave even when we physically do not have the capacity to do good deeds.

As the Prophet perfectly says:

“When a man dies, his good deeds come to an end except three: on going charity, beneficial knowledge and righteous offspring who will pray for him.” [Muslim]

8. Help Your Cause Against the Questioning in the Hereafter

We understand as Muslims we will be asked about how we lived our lives e.g. whether it was in obedience to Allah or not. We are also going to be asked about the knowledge we possess, which can include basic knowledge such as the shahadah.

The Prophet talked about the consequences of those who do not spread possessed knowledge:

“Whoever is asked about some knowledge that he knows, then he conceals it, he will be bridled with bridle of fire.” [Tirmidhi]

Consequently, by giving da’wah and passing on whatever authentic knowledge we have, In sha Allah we can protect ourselves in the hereafter from the wrath of Allah . By engaging in da’wah, we can help our cause in this world by protecting ourselves against the punishment of Allah , as the Prophet says:

“By Allah, in who’s Hands is my soul, you will enjoin the good and prohibit the evil (or else), Allah will soon send upon you a punishment from Him, then you will call upon Him and He will not answer you.” [Tirmidhi]
Dear Brothers and Sisters, the different points mentioned are just some of the benefits of being involved in da’wah. It is also worth reflecting on the potential pitfalls of neglecting this important duty. A point to consider is that with so many statements relating to da’wah, they provide strong evidence about the importance of da’wah to Allah and how it should also be a feature in our lives. In my next article, I will discuss how we can do da’wah.

What other benefits can be achieved through taking part in da’wah? If you are involved in da’wah, how has it impacted your life? Please share your knowledge in the comments section below, so we may inspire one another to take part in this blessed act!

The post [Da’wah Series] 8 Benefits to be Achieved from Da’wah appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

Alhamdulillah, we have been informed by many sources about the importance of seeking knowledge and knowing more about our beautiful deen.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could sit down and dedicate ourselves fully to acquiring knowledge about Islam so we can reap some of the vast benefits that can be achieved? (refer to a previous article: (‘6 Outcomes of Acquiring Knowledge about Islam’)

The Prophet said:

“Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every muslim” [Sunan Ibn Majah].

We know we have to seek knowledge, but how exactly do we do it? The majority of us just don’t have the time to dedicate ourselves to seeking knowledge (or so it seems). Therefore, we have compiled a few tips to help you acquire knowledge about our beautiful deen.

1. Time management

This is a classic and common theme for Productive Muslims but it’s used often because it is so EFFECTIVE! This involves firstly looking at your schedule to determine where you can allocate time for seeking knowledge.

For example, it may be that on Saturday afternoons you have a few hours free. If this is the case, then fill that time by attending a course, listening to a lecture or two, spending time with a knowledgeable person of Islam, etc. If you simply ‘go with the flow’ and ‘see what happens’ then it’s very likely that seeking knowledge will be pushed to the side and you will find it difficult to make any progress with this. Therefore, planning is very important (just as is the case with other activities in life). As they commonly say in the business world, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”. A point to remember: If you have free time, the Shaitaan will be more than happy to fill that time with something frivolous; so, it’s better you fill your time with something beneficial before Shaitaan gets a chance to distract you.

If you have many responsibilities and are struggling to find time, then it’s a good idea to look at your weekly schedule, scrutinise it and be honest with yourself. For example, if you use up a whole day for shopping and socialising and find no energy to do anything else later, then the day is not likely to be a productive one. Ask yourself, “Do I really need so much time for this activity?” Insha-Allah, after cleaning up your schedule with this exercise, you should find free time to utilise for seeking knowledge.

Furthermore, we can take a look at the life of the Prophet who is the greatest example for us including in time management. This can be seen from how he allocated time to his wives, children, grandchildren, sahabas, being a general and fighting in the way of Allah , giving da’wah, managing the different Islamic states, etc. Despite these many responsibilities and more, he was the best in every aspect of his life and was able to give his full attention and never neglected any of his duties.

2. Invest in a CD or other electronic device

This is a very practical method of increasing your knowledge about the deen with little effort. ‘Other electronic device’ can be an mp3 player or your mobile phone that allows you to download lectures and programmes that you can listen to on the go. This is very useful for those who have little time available. Invest in some earphones if you don’t have any already. This also helps with your time management as you look to free up some time. For example, if you travel to work/university, read Commuting Productive Muslim Style for tips.

Alhamdulillah, there are also many reliable websites that offer download services so take advantage of those. If you’re not able to find any then resort to Youtube and use a Youtube converter download files. Things that you can look to download are inspirational lectures, history stories like The Great Men and Women of Islam and even a series of a particular topic. Look for a beautiful recitation of the Qur’an to listen to regularly. This should increase your love for the Qur’an, help correct your recitation of Qur’an and help prevent us from sin. Sakeenah and contentment is one of the greatest blessings we can receive through the recitation of the Qur’an.

3. Pick out a small area to focus on

This means focusing on the one part you are seeking knowledge of and not trying to master all the different topics on Islam. This will be especially important if you’ve just set foot on the path of knowledge. Islam really is like an ocean that has no depths and knows no boundaries. Therefore, take your time and take small, baby steps if you are a beginner, as you could find trying to understand lots of different information overwhelming and this may cause you to give up. Thus, remain consistent in seeking knowledge even by just a little bit on a regular basis and Allah will Insha-Allah increase your love for knowledge, His deen and you will be of those that are loved by Him and the angels. This is supported by a hadith narrated by Aisha ,

“The Prophet was asked, “What deeds are loved most by Allah?” He said, “The most regular constant deeds even though they may be few.” He added, “Don’t take upon yourselves, except the deeds which are within your ability” [Sahih Al-Bukhari].

Therefore, keep at it and DON’T GIVE UP!

4. Stay connected with the Muslim world

This entails signing up to different websites/media that can give you regular emails and advice, for example Productivemuslim.com. You may also receive information from a regular service such as a hadith for the day, a Quran verse of the day, zikr or an interesting fact about Islam which you didn’t know before.

This is useful as you can quickly and easily access your emails anywhere these days with the latest technology. Now your lunch break and travel time can be used for valuable knowledge seeking. The benefits from this are that it allows you to keep yourself close to Islam through hearing and seeing it in different media and thus Allah will never be far from your mind. This is especially important for those of us not living in an Islamic society.

Furthermore, this point can also be applied to life offline. This means ensuring you’re with good company and those that are likely to remind you of Islam. This can be done informally when you see your friend eating with three fingers only. Insha-Allah, if he is a righteous companion, he will relate to you that is a Sunnah.

I saw the Messenger of Allah eating with three fingers (i.e., the thumb, the index finger and the middle finger) and licking them after having finished the food. [Muslim]

5. Dedicate a specific time for acquiring knowledge

This can be done daily or a few selected days in the week, depending on your schedule e.g. the weekend. However, be realistic about how much time you can give but try to ensure you are constant with this. If you’re a beginner with seeking knowledge then it’s a good idea to start with about 15-30 minutes and build yourself up from there.

Seeking knowledge will take a variety of forms so you may prefer to listen to a lecture for a little while or alternatively read a book but try to have this fixed in a routine. A practical way of carrying this out is reading a book aloud in group. The first person can read for about 10 minutes before letting someone else have a go. This method of gaining knowledge offers many benefits for the household; not only does it create unity and strengthen relations between family members, it also prevents you from feeling alone in seeking knowledge. If you are seeking knowledge with others, you can feed off their energy when your own motivation level dips.

6. Pick an entertaining topic to start with

This is particularly aimed at those who are starting to seek knowledge. This is to help you find enjoyment in seeking knowledge and keep you interested in learning about Islam.

Personally, I find learning about the prophets entertaining and beneficial. Not only will you learn about the miracles that they experienced, you will also learn about the great abilities and attributes Allah gave His different prophets i.e. the great size of Prophet Adam , the way Prophet Ibrahim was saved from the heat of the fire he was thrown into, etc. Insha-Allah, from this, we hope Allah will give us a thirst for knowledge which brings us closer to Him and Islam.

Children’s story books are small and informative with many colours and pictures. They are designed this way, on purpose, to attract readers and to help retain their interest; so this may also be a useful place to start (if you don’t find them too childlike).

7. Keep on making dua to Allah to help you achieve this objective

This is vital for the believer in every aspect of his life. Subsequently, it is important you keep on making duaa to Allah that He helps you to seek knowledge, understand it correctly, retain that knowledge (whether you have a weak memory or not) as well as make the path of knowledge easy for you. This will be significant as without the help and will of Allah you will not be able to achieve anything. For those blessed to be on the path of knowledge already, always thank Him for what He has allowed you to do.

Also, try to be specific and honest in your duaa; for example you may not have a desire for seeking knowledge. If this is the case then call on Allah by His beautiful names and attributes to remove your block and to bless you with an enthusiasm for seeking knowledge. A dua you can constantly recite to help with this is:

“Allahumma inni aoothubika minal hammi wal hazni, wal ajzi wal kasali, wal bukhli, wal Jubni, wa dala’id-dayni wa ghalabatir-rijal”
(‘O Allah, I take refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, weakness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, the burden of debts and from being overpowered by men’).

Another Duaa which will offer great benefit is:

“Rabbi Zidni Ilma” (“O my Lord! Increase me in Knowledge”).

These are just a few techniques that can allow us to productively seek knowledge. There are many alternatives to obtaining knowledge, which include: sitting in the circles of knowledge, enrolling into a course, etc. but not all of us have the capacity to do this. I hope Insha-Allah from these points mentioned, you’ve gained a better idea on how to bring this noble task of seeking knowledge into your life. May Allah give us the blessing to walk on the path of knowledge and stay on that path until we meet Him Insha-Allah. Ameen.

If you have more suggestions, please share them in the Comments section.

The post 7 Practical Ways to Acquiring Knowledge about Islam appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

Alhamdulillah, today, we as Muslims have it easy when it comes to acquiring knowledge about Islam.

There are many different methods of increasing our knowledge as we have the glorious Quran, a range of books available that have been simplified to become an ‘easy read’, dynamic speakers who are specialists in different languages and fields whom you can listen to at the touch of a button and even online Islamic courses. So the knowledge about our deen is very accessible to us in a range of formats.

Ideally, we would like to have more knowledge about Islam as it would be useful for us but is it important to gain knowledge? The answer is YES! The Prophet said,

“Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every muslim” [Sunan Ibn Majah].

So we know we have to seek knowledge but what are the benefits of gaining knowledge? Below are some points that can help motivate and steer us towards acquiring knowledge about Islam.

1. Know your Lord

This means we know who Allah is. Gaining knowledge about the religion means we are able to understand a little bit about the greatness, attributes of Allah as well as what pleases and displeases Him.

Sources such as the Quran and the stories of the different prophets [peace be upon them] help illustrate some of the greatness of Allah . If we look at the different prophets [peace be upon them] for example Moosa with the parting of the seas by Allah’s grace, this shows how the seemingly impossible was made possible and therefore giving us a little idea of the greatness of Allah and how He is able to do All things.

Also, different stories of people during the lifetimes of the prophets where the gravest of sins were committed by people who were still forgiven after repenting, allows us to understand a little about the mercy of Allah . This knowledge will allow us to understand that we should never despair of the mercy of Allah despite what we have done.

Additionally, learning and knowing the attributes of Allah will allow us to understand a bit about Him, so we will learn to put our trust in and depend on Him. Hence, we will not worry when things are not going well for us and we can remain calm and patient. 

2. Love the Prophet as he should be loved 

It is narrated in a hadith,

…Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said to the Prophet ,“You are more beloved to me than everything except my own self”. The Prophet said, “No, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is (you will not have complete faith) till I am dearer to you than your own self”. Then Umar said, “However, now, by Allah, you are dearer to me than my own self”. The Prophet said, “Now, O’Umar, (you are a believer)” [Bukhari].

This shows the importance of loving the Prophet Muhammad and the extent to which we should love him . Achieving this may seem difficult because we are not able to listen to his lectures but a way to help us achieve this love includes studying the biography of the Prophet .

We can learn about the constant trials and challenges he faced, the love he had for the people (both Muslims and non-Muslims), the way he behaved with friends and his wives, his dealings in business, and how he dealt with his neighbours. With a little understanding of this, we are surely going to have love, affection and admiration for him and therefore following him and his way should insha Allah become easier for us.

The more we try to follow him , the closer we will become to Allah insha Allah. As a result, we are going to achieve great success in all aspects of this life and the hereafter.

3. Shield against your opposition – Shaitaan

Knowing about the shaitaan and how he tricks people, what he will use against people and his aims and objectives should help us to put blocks and protect ourselves against the enemy.

Take the example of footballers, though a more effective example is boxers. They study their opponents continuously to look for their habits, strengths etc. so they can gain an idea of their opponents’ next move and how their opposition would look to defeat them. With this knowledge, they are looking to prevent themselves from being defeated by their opponent.

Similarly, by knowing the different habits and whispers of the shaitaan, we can look to put preventative measures in place to protect our imaan and be the Muslims we aspire to be.

In different situations such as chatting with friends and when you feel like ‘getting things off your chest’, you may find yourself letting your tongue loose and unintentionally backbiting against someone, you will be able to recognise this is one of the tricks shaitaan uses to encourage you to disobey Allah . Insha Allah, having the knowledge of the implications of this act, you can stop and say to yourself, “No, I’m not going to do what shaitaan wants me to do”.

Also, with knowledge, you will be able to prevent yourself from even placing yourself in that situation in future by, for example, changing the subject or thinking about something else beforehand. Therefore, the knowledge of the different traps of shaitaan will allow us to avoid them.

This awareness alone is a powerful technique for building a productive lifestyle.

4. Allow yourself to positively impact the lives of others

This is through passing on the knowledge we have to others. This can also be a simple thing such as mentioning a single hadith of the Prophet which can be approximately one line long. The Prophet said,

“Convey (my teachings) to the people even if it were a single sentence…” [Bukhari].

Therefore, it may just be mentioning a brief point/incident that occurred during the life of the Prophet which means you don’t have to be a scholar or have an excellent memory to impact positively on others. The other person may pass also on that information also for which you will pick up a portion of their reward insha Allah. Furthermore, studying about the Prophet will give us the knowledge of manners, character, behaviours etc. we should have. When we look to imitate him in our character through for example our kindness, generosity, etc. we will positively impact others through this. Therefore, we are able to give Da’wah indirectly.

Who said giving Da’wah is difficult?!

5. Understand how to react to different situations in life 

This is in particular reference to trials, calamities and seemingly hopeless situations. Having knowledge of Allah , should allow us to understand why we are faced with trials and insha Allah allow us to cope, remain patient and ultimately become closer to Allah .

“Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: ‘We believe,’ and will not be tested” [29:2].

Some of us may feel or say in times of trials and calamities, “Why has this happened to me?” or just start bawling our eyes out. But with the knowledge and understanding that ultimately Allah wants to bring out the best in us and achieve nearness to him, we can react by saying ‘Alhamdulillah’ and thanking Allah in the difficult times.

Having a basic understanding of Allah and how we should react makes it easier to thank Allah in these testing circumstances that He has not allowed the situation to become much worse than what it actually is. Understanding how to react to the tests and trials in life can be easily understood by looking at the lives of the Prophets (peace be upon them) who faced the most trials in life and looking at how they bore with patience.

Also, having knowledge should allow us to react in a correct manner when we feel like things are going well for us. This may be with wealth, health, excellent job, etc., which is also part of the tests set by Allah to see how we react. Therefore, with knowledge, we can react how Allah wants us to by praising him more, giving more away in charity etc. as opposed to perhaps being neglectful of Allah ’s bounties and feeling proud of ourselves.

The different situations that we may face include marriage, setting up a business, calculating our zakat, etc. Having knowledge of this (which is given in the Qur’an and Hadith) should allow us to deal with the different situations in a way that is pleasing to Allah (by following the Sunnah) and help to prevent us from being ignorant in the various matters.

6. Motivate yourself to increase your good deeds and refrain from bad deeds 

There are many actions and deeds that are part of our lives e.g. salaah, zakaat, fasting etc. which are obligatory upon us. But what virtues/benefits can we name about our good deeds? Alhamdulillah, there are many benefits given by Allah for example for salaah. Understanding some of these benefits should allow us to not only increase our motivation and spirit to perform our salaah more attentively but also enable us to comprehend, Why do we do this? What benefit will it bring me in this life and the hereafter? What reward has Allah promised me for this action? Once we have answered these questions to some effect, we will insha Allah feel peace and tranquility from doing these good deeds as well as feel encouraged to increase and carry on doing them.

Also, the things we regard little and not important have a reward such as eating with your right hand and entering the toilet with your left foot. It’s narrated by Abu Dharr that, ‘Allah’s Prophet said to me’:

“Don’t consider anything insignificant out of good things even if is that you meet your brother with a cheerful countenance” [Muslim].

Smiling is probably something we do all the time and are unaware of its reward. However, knowledge of the deen would allow us to understand the benefits of our actions and what actions of ours are pleasing to Allah .

Just as knowledge will motivate us to increase our good deeds, insha Allah, this will support us in refraining from bad deeds. Having an understanding of why a particular action is displeasing to Allah , how it affects us in this life and the hereafter, the impact the action has on society etc. will encourage us to not take the sins lightly. Consequently, we will dislike the bad deeds by understanding the consequences/results of committing these actions and therefore making it difficult for ourselves to disobey Allah and easy for us to obey Him instead.

The abovementioned six points do not  do any justice to the great bounties and the results that can be achieved by gaining knowledge about Islam. But, I hope this gives you a little insight as to how your life and productivity can be positively affected through seeking and acquiring knowledge.

I apologise for any mistakes made and I humbly request you to make duaa for the author and those who have contributed.

How about you? What methods do you use to gain knowledge? What other results do you know of from acquiring knowledge about our deen? Pass on your knowledge so that we may learn from each other!

The post 6 Outcomes of Acquiring Knowledge about Islam appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

Alhamdulillah, achieving a quality salah is something we, as Productive Muslims, are all striving towards. None of us likes to recite Quran during our salah without having our faith refreshed. We would all like for us to feel that peace from showing our obedience to Allah .

We’re all leading busy lives and this can affect the time we spend in worship to Allah . Therefore, in the little time we spend worshiping Him, we want to make sure this is done right and in a way that is pleasing to Allah . This will help benefit us in this life and our worldly duties, as well as the hereafter.

Here are a few points which, inshallah, will help you improve the quality of your salah in terms of improving the prayer itself and also bearing in mind what can harm it.

1. Focus on your technique.

 This relates to each position you take during salah. For example, you can focus on how your feet are positioned during sajdah (prostration) e.g. making sure they do not come off the ground whilst in prostration. Another example can be making sure you’re standing upright after ruku’ before going into sajdah, etc. I don’t want to go into the fine details of each position as salah is practiced slightly differently amongst people, but according to how you are told to conduct your salah, try to follow it EXACTLY like that.

A way of achieving this is to slow down in each position. This would be especially important if you’re naturally a quick reader and your salah normally finishes quickly. Slowing down can mean reciting the Quran a bit more slowly or just holding your position i.e. in sajdah for a few seconds more than normal after you have finished reciting. Inshallah, this will allow you to relax and get that piece of mind and sakinah/peace inside of you that you have completed THAT position in a way that is pleasing to Allah as opposed to perhaps rushing the salah.

Additionally, you will find slowing down allows the salah to run smoothly in a beautiful manner.

2. Understand what you’re reciting.

You don’t have to be a scholar to understand what you’re reciting. We should make the effort to understand at least some of what is read during salah.
For example, Surah al-Fatihah is something we all read during salah but do we know what, “Iyyaka na’a budu wa-iyyaka nasta aeen” means? (You {Alone} we worship, and You {Alone} we ask for help [for each and everything]. This Surah is also fairly short and therefore not difficult to remember.

Once we understand what we are reading during salah even if it’s not all of what is read, then we will find that sweetness you obtain from salah {with Allah’s grace} through understanding what we are saying. This can only allow us to become closer to Him.

Also, understanding the different chapters and verses we read and their translation during salah e.g. Surah An-Nas, Al-Falaq, Al-‘Asr etc., is something that will allow us to achieve a better focused salah. Those mentioned are very short and are about a couple of lines long but are packed with meaning.
You will find that, in the majority of English translations, these Surahs mentioned with the translation but also their background – for example, where the Surah was revealed and after which incident in the Prophet ’s life the verses were revealed.

That is why it is highly recommended to get a copy of the translation of the Quran (the more recent translations include backgrounds) so you understand what you’re reading as well as the story behind it. This will, inshallah, increase the enjoyment we receive from our recitation during Salah.

3. Know your opposition.

This is our enemy, Shaitaan. We are blessed by Allah that we are in a position to be performing salah but this doesn’t stop Shaitaan in our salah who is ever busy trying to distract us from our worship.
It is said in a hadith that shaitaan called ‘Khinzab’ sits on your shoulder in salah. As soon as you start the salah, it whispers and does everything to disturb you. That’s why if you find yourself running through your shopping list or what you have to do for the rest of the day then know that this is the shaitaan working its magic.

‘Uthan b. Abu al-‘As reported that he came to the Allah’s Messenger and said:“Allah’s Messenger, the Satan intervenes between me and my prayer and my reciting of the Qur’an and he confounds me”. Thereupon, Allah’s Messenger said, “That is (the doing of the Satan) who is known as Khinzab and when you perceive its effect, seek refuge with Allah from it and spit three times to your left”. [Muslim].

If we understand the different tricks of the shaitaan, we can avoid falling into its traps and letting our minds wander in salah.

4. ‘Get in the zone’.

This is a reference to getting ourselves focused. When we are doing something important for example completing an assignment, project for work, college or university, what do we do to make sure we are not distracted? This may be isolating ourselves and going in a quiet place which can and should be applied to our salah. Anything that allows us to focus, concentrate and block out the world during salah can only benefit us.

Many people find sitting in wait for the salah, doing zikr (remembrance) for a few minutes is very useful. This will inshallah allow you to forget about the world and the various things you have to do for a few minutes. Therefore, when the salah begins, you will be fully focused.

5. Increase the significance/importance of THIS salah.

Try to think of the salah you are about to perform as the one in which Allah will question you about on the Day of Judgement. This should help us to perform the salah with the devotion, concentration and care we are looking for.

Also, it may help to think of the salah as something we will be marked on like in an interview. Therefore, questions may arise from the salah such as, ‘Did the person read with care?’ ‘Where was their mind during salah?’ We should try to truthfully answer and evaluate ourselves after the salah.

Additionally, consider that this salah may be your last. I’m sure if we were told this would be our last salah, we would perform it with extreme devotion, avoid anything and anyone that distracted us and make it the longest salah possible. This is something to reflect on.

6. Continuously make duaa.

 This is a vital point to consider for everyone. Duaa should constantly be made to Allah as without the help of Allah and His willing, we will not be able to perform the salah as required. We should continuously ask Him to send blessings on us and if for example we are struggling with remembering the Quran, or concentrating then we should continuously seek help from Allah .

Also, duaa should be made asking for forgiveness from Allah for not achieving the standards required of us even if we feel we possess some levels of devotion, care and quality during our salah.

Finally, duaa should be made thanking Allah for all His bounties and giving us the blessings to be able to perform salah and pray to him despite our many faults.

A duaa that should, therefore, be read constantly after salah is, ‘Allahumma innee ala zikrika wa shukrika wa husni ibaadatik’ (O’Allah, help me remember You, to be grateful to You, and to worship You in an excellent manner).

I sincerely hope this offers you some use which you can subsequently apply in your salah. I apologise for any mistakes made and I humbly request you to make duaa for me. Jazakhallah khair.

How about you? How do you focus in your Salah? Leave your tips in the comments section so that we may learn from one another!

The post 6 Steps to Achieve a Quality Salah appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.