ONE TOOL A DAY
based on Dr. Mansoor's talks "The Toolbox of a Daa'i" for volunteers in the Masjid Tour Program of Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan. Kuala Lumpur
1. Self Identity
Make this paradigm shift from being just a volunteer to serving as a HOST to tourist visitors to this House of ALLAH.
Think of all the things a good host would do to receive guests.
Internalize and act with this new identity. In shaa Allah you'll experience a dramatic shift in the way you approach your duty.
May Allah The Exalted make it easy for all of us, Ameen.
Make this paradigm shift from being just a volunteer to serving as a HOST to tourist visitors to this House of ALLAH.
Think of all the things a good host would do to receive guests.
Internalize and act with this new identity. In shaa Allah you'll experience a dramatic shift in the way you approach your duty.
May Allah The Exalted make it easy for all of us, Ameen.
2. Covenant
Filling the form to become a member of MTP should be viewed as a noble act of entering into a covenant with Allah (azza wa jall).
Every aspect of our duty must be viewed as honouring with utmost sincerity our commitment to Allah The Exalted to be the best host to the visitors to His House.
When you internalize this covenant, you wouldn't accept being late for duty even by a minute!
Allah loves those who keep their promises. May He make it easy for all of us, Ameen.
Filling the form to become a member of MTP should be viewed as a noble act of entering into a covenant with Allah (azza wa jall).
Every aspect of our duty must be viewed as honouring with utmost sincerity our commitment to Allah The Exalted to be the best host to the visitors to His House.
When you internalize this covenant, you wouldn't accept being late for duty even by a minute!
Allah loves those who keep their promises. May He make it easy for all of us, Ameen.
3. Identity of the Visitor
Is he/she non-Muslim, potential Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, ... ?
Avoid labelling our guests. Labels create barriers.
Accept them as being born on the same "fitrah" as us.
Regard them as brothers and sisters in humanity.
Take this approach and experience the love and compassion that flow in your interaction with the visitors.
They will see in you the beautiful face of Islam, In shaa Allah.
Is he/she non-Muslim, potential Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, ... ?
Avoid labelling our guests. Labels create barriers.
Accept them as being born on the same "fitrah" as us.
Regard them as brothers and sisters in humanity.
Take this approach and experience the love and compassion that flow in your interaction with the visitors.
They will see in you the beautiful face of Islam, In shaa Allah.
4. Inclusion
Words matter a lot in briefing our visitors.
Not just about being precise and correct but about speaking the language of inclusion that moves them closer to The Truth.
Instead of saying, "Muslims pray here five times daily," tell the visitor, "I pray here to The One Who created you and me," and observe the reaction!
Another example: "the Muslim holy book" vs "the Book of guidance for all of us"
Use the Easy Voice Recorder app to record everything you say to the visitor. Sit with an expert to identity where you have used words of exclusion that distance the visitor from The Truth.
May Allah make it easy for all of us to be inclusive in our briefing, Ameen.
Words matter a lot in briefing our visitors.
Not just about being precise and correct but about speaking the language of inclusion that moves them closer to The Truth.
Instead of saying, "Muslims pray here five times daily," tell the visitor, "I pray here to The One Who created you and me," and observe the reaction!
Another example: "the Muslim holy book" vs "the Book of guidance for all of us"
Use the Easy Voice Recorder app to record everything you say to the visitor. Sit with an expert to identity where you have used words of exclusion that distance the visitor from The Truth.
May Allah make it easy for all of us to be inclusive in our briefing, Ameen.
5. First question
No, it not about their names, country or what made them choose this Masjid to visit.
It is about where they left their footwear! Despite several incidents and reminders, many are still negligent. Be fully satisfied the visitors' footwear are in a secure place.
After a very satisfied visit, a visitor asked for a copy of the translation of The Qur'an.
When he discovered later that his shoes had been stolen, he returned The Qur'an.
As in many matters, in da'wah too, success is in the details. May Allah make us mindful of all details in hosting the visitors to His House. Ameen.
No, it not about their names, country or what made them choose this Masjid to visit.
It is about where they left their footwear! Despite several incidents and reminders, many are still negligent. Be fully satisfied the visitors' footwear are in a secure place.
After a very satisfied visit, a visitor asked for a copy of the translation of The Qur'an.
When he discovered later that his shoes had been stolen, he returned The Qur'an.
As in many matters, in da'wah too, success is in the details. May Allah make us mindful of all details in hosting the visitors to His House. Ameen.
6. The Personal Touch
After self-introduction, we ask for their names. To some this is just a courtesy request. It is never used in the interaction that follows.
Effort must be made to remember their names, pronounce them correctly, and address them by their names as much as possible throughout their visit.
This personal touch will help immensely in bonding with the visitors.
Compare this to referring to them as "you" all the time. The conclusion is obvious.
See the videos in YouTube about "Remembering Names" for some good tips.
After self-introduction, we ask for their names. To some this is just a courtesy request. It is never used in the interaction that follows.
Effort must be made to remember their names, pronounce them correctly, and address them by their names as much as possible throughout their visit.
This personal touch will help immensely in bonding with the visitors.
Compare this to referring to them as "you" all the time. The conclusion is obvious.
See the videos in YouTube about "Remembering Names" for some good tips.
7. The Acid Test
Fasting, charity, prayer and pilgrimage exist in all religions in various forms.
It is 'La ilaha illallah' that distinguishes Islam from every other religion.
After the tour ends, take a few minutes to reflect: Are the visitors leaving with at least a basic understanding of the shahadah (not just the literal translation)?
This is the acid test of the entire tour. Your success in this test will be a witness FOR you on the Day of Judgment, In shaa Allah.
Fasting, charity, prayer and pilgrimage exist in all religions in various forms.
It is 'La ilaha illallah' that distinguishes Islam from every other religion.
After the tour ends, take a few minutes to reflect: Are the visitors leaving with at least a basic understanding of the shahadah (not just the literal translation)?
This is the acid test of the entire tour. Your success in this test will be a witness FOR you on the Day of Judgment, In shaa Allah.
8. Greeting the Visitors
Greeting practices vary. Getting the "first gesture impression" correct sets the right mood for the interaction.
Greeting them in their own language makes them feel welcome immediately.
Correct body language - appropriate eye contact, body posture and smile - is an important part of the greeting.
Learning foreign terms and cultural nuances must be part of the training module.
Training by role playing is an excellent way to transform the greeting into a da’wah tool.
“Arigatou gozaimasu”
Greeting practices vary. Getting the "first gesture impression" correct sets the right mood for the interaction.
Greeting them in their own language makes them feel welcome immediately.
Correct body language - appropriate eye contact, body posture and smile - is an important part of the greeting.
Learning foreign terms and cultural nuances must be part of the training module.
Training by role playing is an excellent way to transform the greeting into a da’wah tool.
“Arigatou gozaimasu”
9. Micro to Macro
Most questions are about specific aspects: hijab, pork, four wives, suicide bombings, Sunni-Shia, Islam in Malaysia ...
We are not here just to clarify the misconceptions about the micro aspects.
Beyond saying, "Interesting," they would not have moved an inch closer to Islam.
Learn the technique of raising the specific queries to the macro level, the Source of the Shariah.
Remain focussed on the higher obligation to convey the message of Tawheed.
Most questions are about specific aspects: hijab, pork, four wives, suicide bombings, Sunni-Shia, Islam in Malaysia ...
We are not here just to clarify the misconceptions about the micro aspects.
Beyond saying, "Interesting," they would not have moved an inch closer to Islam.
Learn the technique of raising the specific queries to the macro level, the Source of the Shariah.
Remain focussed on the higher obligation to convey the message of Tawheed.
10. Humour
Show the visitors what you have written on a piece of paper: "I laugh a lot. I am a FUNdamentalist Muslim."
Humour and joking are permitted in da'wah.
Red line that must not be crossed - no jokes about Allah, His Messengers, The Qur'an and Islam. Crossing this line is regarded as an act of 'kufr'.
Rules: no lies (no "I was only joking"), no ridiculing (individuals and other religions), no 'haram' elements (eg, backbiting), and no excessive laughter (hadith: hardens the heart).
Videos of Muslim stand-up comedians, websites like "the laughing Muslim" and blogs that have lots of Islamic one-liners have materials that you can use to do da’wah in a fun way.
Show the visitors what you have written on a piece of paper: "I laugh a lot. I am a FUNdamentalist Muslim."
Humour and joking are permitted in da'wah.
Red line that must not be crossed - no jokes about Allah, His Messengers, The Qur'an and Islam. Crossing this line is regarded as an act of 'kufr'.
Rules: no lies (no "I was only joking"), no ridiculing (individuals and other religions), no 'haram' elements (eg, backbiting), and no excessive laughter (hadith: hardens the heart).
Videos of Muslim stand-up comedians, websites like "the laughing Muslim" and blogs that have lots of Islamic one-liners have materials that you can use to do da’wah in a fun way.
11. Dependence and Gratefulness
At different locations in your presentations to the visitors, make Du'a (not in Arabic) to convey to them the dependence on the Mercy of Allah.
At the beginning say, "Allow me to start our tour 'In The Name of Allah, The Merciful, The Compassionate' to seek His blessings and protection for the tour."
At another location say, "May The One Who created all of us make it easy for us."
At the end say "All praise to the Almighty for the opportunity to be your host. If you benefited from the tour, it is by His Mercy. If there were any shortcomings, I seek your forgiveness."
Above wordings are examples. Feel free to adapt.
Rabbuna yusahhil.
At different locations in your presentations to the visitors, make Du'a (not in Arabic) to convey to them the dependence on the Mercy of Allah.
At the beginning say, "Allow me to start our tour 'In The Name of Allah, The Merciful, The Compassionate' to seek His blessings and protection for the tour."
At another location say, "May The One Who created all of us make it easy for us."
At the end say "All praise to the Almighty for the opportunity to be your host. If you benefited from the tour, it is by His Mercy. If there were any shortcomings, I seek your forgiveness."
Above wordings are examples. Feel free to adapt.
Rabbuna yusahhil.
12. Precision in Presentation
In sitcom TV programs, the conversation appears casual and spontaneous. The reality is the opposite. Every line is crafted by specialist writers, rehearsed and tested.
We must aspire for precision in everything we say to the visitors about Islam and the Masjid.
Don't say "We face the Ka'bah" when The Qur'an commands the Believers to face "The Sacred Mosque" (2:144). It is about being precise and not just about being 'not wrong.'
Think of five things to tell the visitor about The Qur'an. Write them in clear statements. Apply the test of precision to these statements. Gradually expand this exercise to everything you'll be saying during your presentation.
In da'wah, precision is a basic necessity, not a dispensable luxury!
In sitcom TV programs, the conversation appears casual and spontaneous. The reality is the opposite. Every line is crafted by specialist writers, rehearsed and tested.
We must aspire for precision in everything we say to the visitors about Islam and the Masjid.
Don't say "We face the Ka'bah" when The Qur'an commands the Believers to face "The Sacred Mosque" (2:144). It is about being precise and not just about being 'not wrong.'
Think of five things to tell the visitor about The Qur'an. Write them in clear statements. Apply the test of precision to these statements. Gradually expand this exercise to everything you'll be saying during your presentation.
In da'wah, precision is a basic necessity, not a dispensable luxury!
13. The Sunnah of Concise Speech (Sahih Muslim, #523)
To have impact, say it with fewer words: Compare "this is where we are at, right now" with "we are here." To say less, you have to prepare more!
Concise speech begins with the most important point. You can say many things about the main prayer hall - Mimbar, Mihrab, prayer, calligraphy, ... but what is the most important point to tell the visitors about the prayer hall?
To make them "feel" Islam is "for" them, put your trust in the RIGHT word! Many know the right argument but don't know the right words!
You are having a "conversation" with the visitors to the Masjid, not giving them a "speech." Know the difference. Google "conversation etiquette."
Concise speech is not a nicety, but a necessity in da'wah.
To have impact, say it with fewer words: Compare "this is where we are at, right now" with "we are here." To say less, you have to prepare more!
Concise speech begins with the most important point. You can say many things about the main prayer hall - Mimbar, Mihrab, prayer, calligraphy, ... but what is the most important point to tell the visitors about the prayer hall?
To make them "feel" Islam is "for" them, put your trust in the RIGHT word! Many know the right argument but don't know the right words!
You are having a "conversation" with the visitors to the Masjid, not giving them a "speech." Know the difference. Google "conversation etiquette."
Concise speech is not a nicety, but a necessity in da'wah.
14. The Da'wah of "Agreement-Building"
"Information downloading" is what many do in da'wah. It doesn't bring the visitors closer to the Truth.
A better approach - agreement-building - involves organizing the information and presenting it in a logical sequence.
You have to start from the beginning ("Can we agree that something cannot come out of nothing?")
(To get the discussion started, sometimes I ask, "What was God doing before He created?")
"Can we now talk about what was this "something" at the beginning?" You must be prepared to handle responses like "matter" or "infinity".
You must reach agreement before moving to the next step.
Have to be flexible. Some sub-steps may be necessary before the next step.
The "agreement" approach will help to clarify their thoughts and bring them closer to the Truth. In shaa Allah.
Requires patience and creative skills. If they reach agreement with you up to step 8, you may be looking at a Shahadah. In shaa Allah.
"Information downloading" is what many do in da'wah. It doesn't bring the visitors closer to the Truth.
A better approach - agreement-building - involves organizing the information and presenting it in a logical sequence.
You have to start from the beginning ("Can we agree that something cannot come out of nothing?")
(To get the discussion started, sometimes I ask, "What was God doing before He created?")
"Can we now talk about what was this "something" at the beginning?" You must be prepared to handle responses like "matter" or "infinity".
You must reach agreement before moving to the next step.
Have to be flexible. Some sub-steps may be necessary before the next step.
The "agreement" approach will help to clarify their thoughts and bring them closer to the Truth. In shaa Allah.
Requires patience and creative skills. If they reach agreement with you up to step 8, you may be looking at a Shahadah. In shaa Allah.