Gift of Dawa

We should always be looking for new and innovative ways of giving Dawa.
We certainly generated a few ideas in this section already. See 101 ways to give dawa.
Well I just heard of two excellent ideas in Croydon Mosque this evening.
First was a collection they had made for the Mayday hospital's children section. This has to rank high amoungst great dawa ideas, contributing to the community in a manner that benefits the whole community.
The other idea really impressed me. They were asking for a collection so the could give a gift box on Eid to each of the neighbors around the mosque by way of apology for any inconvenience and annoyance that the musalees might have caused over the previous year!
I don't know what they plan to put in the box, but I hope its as well thought out as the idea itself.
Please suggest this to your local masjid. There is nothing like the giving of gifts to soften hearts and create affection between people.

Comments

[Adnan Mole]

Salaam

I didn't know you had a blog! Subhaan Allah.

How does the idea about collecting the money stand up, Islamically? I mean, did the Prophet do it? Is it worship? If not, how can we?

Salaam

ARGcomment: The Prophet collected money frequently!

[bint_matlib]

salam brother dawa is knowledge the best kind of knowledge is about ISLAM.every time i think of dawa i think of this poem i onece read.

IF KNOWLEDGE HAD A PHYSICAL IMAGE IT WOULD BE MORE
BEAUTIFUL THAN THE SUN THE MOON, THE STARS,
THE SKY AND A MAGNIFICENT THRONE.

Subhaan Allah.
This how i feel when i listen to brothers ans sisters like you giving dawa and sharing your knowlege may allah(swt)bless you for what your doing for are deen(islam).may he bless you and your family in this world and the one to come InShAllah.
enjoy going to your talks all the time.
wasalam.

[Muslim]

Assalamu Alaykum,

Nice website bro ARG, I would like to see evidence for what you state with regards Prophet regularly collecting money.

With regards collecting money, one should avoid begging or as some people often do during Eid Khutbah or Juma Khutba, spend ages trying to squeeze as much out of the people sitting in the talks. Also, people need to make sure that money collected is actually pure for dawah and not going to any wages. Although, people can have wages, they should make sure people who donate Money know where it is going!

ARGcomment: The shabah were different people, deeply embibed with the knowledge of Islam and iman. When they were told that Allah had forbidden alchohol they spat it from their mouths and spilled it on the street. Who behaves like that now amoungst the Muslims? People need encouragement and there is nothing wrong with that. If they need squeezing, squeez them. I like a good squeez myslef every now and then. Of course if it puts people off coming to the mosque or seeking knowledge then that is different.
As for evidence..well I suggest reading some books of hadith. It really won't be that hard to find! Riyaadus Saliheed would be a good place to start. ok THEN SPECIFICALLY chaper 19 "Inventing new ways of virtue and vice." If you read hadith number 171.
Also 173, 174
"A person who invites others to good gets the same reward as those who follow him.."
Please recall also the Prophet saws collecting money from the women and his encouraging them and warning them, and they took their jewlry off and gave it! As far I recall this was during eid.
And the Prophet encouraging the people to donate for the expedition to Tabuk, so Omar gave half his wealth and AbuBark all of it. Please add to this numberous ayaat and hadith on the virtues of giving sadaka.
This should be sufficient examples for a thoughtful person of the Prophet's encouraging people to give.
As for "not knowing where the money is going", did you not read in Allah's book:
"Oh you who believe avoid suspicion as much as possible for suspicion in some cases is a sin: And spy not on eahc other, not speak ill of each other behind their backs..." Al Hujurat 12

[Fatima Barkatulla]

I'm sure that on the Day of Judgement, those people who are being encouraged to give will be thanking those who convinced them to give, because we're all gonna need every good deed we can muster up! In the Qur'an, one of the categories of people to give sadaqa to, are 'as-saa'il' The One Who Asks. So those who ask also have a right to be given to. Once a very genuine looking man (maybe I'm naive) asked me for money in Egypt (not in the tourist areas!). He was looking around in a flustered way and in tears and said his child was in hospital and he needed to pay for her treatment. I remember thinking to myself...if he's lying, then insha Allah, Allah will reward me for my intention and if he is telling the truth, then what will I say to Allah if I just walk away? So I gave him what I could. From the givers point of view, it can only be good for you. I think that is the important thing to remember...just give what you can, even 20p.