Being a Dawah Warrior

Dawah? What's that some foreign guy's name?

So if you're Muslim you will know Dawah to mean inviting people to the beautiful religion of Islam, and thats exactly what the word Dawah in Arabic is translated to mean "to invite" or "to summon".

Invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and good advice. (An-Nahl 16:125)

Let there be a group of people among you who invite to goodness, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong. (Aal `Imran 3:104)

Who is better in speech than the one who invites to God. (Fussilat 41:33)

As you can see from these Quran verses, inviting people to Islam is of high importance in our religion. Not just inviting them to the straight path but with kindness and understanding. You can't force someone to become Muslim, their heart has to be willing to be open to the idea , when you announce to the world you are Muslim- you proclaim there is no God but God, and Muhammed is his Prophet and Messenger. Someone has to say that and truly mean it, so if they are being forced it is not a true conversion to Islam.

So like are you a Convert?

ahahahha so i do get this question sometimes because of my last name which is Sanchez, so I do have some experience receiving Dawah from other people! Mainly my own grandmother but I have gotten Dawah from friends as well. The thing about Dawah is that its not just about guiding those who are from different religions or don't believe in God at all, you can guide those who were raised Muslim or those new to Islam.

So my parents are not Muslim, I moved to Washington D.C when I was five and that was when i met my grandmother on my mom's side. She was Muslim and I believe when I was 7 she starting teaching me about Islam and i started attending weekend Religious school.

Alas everyone's spiritual joinery is different and hits bumps in the road. When i was in high school is when i stopped practicing Islam because I went to a school where I was one of four Muslims, so the pressure to conform was strong as well as the bullying of looking different by wearing hijab. 

I remember it was Ramadan 2012 when i finally came back to practicing and wearing hijab. Being influenced and surrounded by those who shared my beliefs, and who spent the days fasting and the nights praying together and sharing food made me love my religion again.

How do I give Dawah?

The biggest way to give Dawah to others especially family it to show them through your own actions, meaning pray in front of them , watch Islamic lectures when they are around, read and listen to Quran to show them how peaceful and beautiful it is. Show them your manners and character, that your religion teaches you kindness to all people, animals and nature. You don't have to change what you believe in to please others but explain that there are many similarities between your religion and religions like Christianity and Judaism. Sometimes people will question your beliefs or try to argue with you but don't waste your time trying to convince someone who hates what you believe or doesn't want to change their mind.

You were invited to faith and you refuse. And God invites to the abode of peace, and guides those whom He pleases to the straight path. (Ghafir 40:10)

Dawah in MSA 

So being a college student you can join a student group called Muslim Student Association (MSA) , When I started college I remember joining MSA because it was a chance for me to make Muslim friends, be surrounded by people who I share the same beliefs with and who can help guide me. I went to a college in a new city Bloomington actually (where the Mosque bombing happened) and it was a great experience for me because no one knew me and I could wear hijab without judgement or ridicule. Starting over in a new city really helped me and being a part of MSA is part of the reason I am so strong in my faith and I've met so many amazing friends that I've known since MSA.

I do think MSA's need to do a better job of doing more Dawah, in Minnesota we have many different colleges and some have stronger MSA's than others. Each MSA once a school year does a week long event called Islamic Awareness Week letting those know what Islam is all about through different events about various topics like women in Islam, Jesus in Islam, and extremism in Islam. But outside that one week there aren't many events encouraging people of different faiths to come and learn about Islam.

I mean to be as an individual I think I have much to learn about giving Dawah and I often don't give Dawah as much as I should. May Allah make us strong and knowledgable about our faith and help guide others.

Key Point: Don't think that you need to be a Sheikh to give Dawah, you can teach others the little you do know. Also don't ever be discouraged that when you give Dawah , you won't change people's minds and hearts right away. It takes time! And Remember Allah guides Whom He Wills!