ACKOWLEDGEMENT

DAWAH TRAINING COURSE NOTES [22-25]

SHAHADAH
DEVELOPING & SUPPORTING
CALL TO ACTION
 TOPIC 22: SHAHADAH

If we’ve gone through the GORAP and we’ve had an agreement from the non-Muslim in each of
these sections, we’re really left with one more stage — the Shahadah; or rather, the invitation to
accept Islam.

SUMMARISE GO-RAP
Before you finish, summarise the GO-RAP with them. Go over the points that we’ve covered briefly.

SUMMARISE ISLAM
Once you’ve done that, the next step is to summarise Islam. Show them that Islam is not something
that is extremely overcomplicated or difficult! It’s easy, but more importantly, it’s a life that is
pleasing to God because it is how God wants us to live our lives. Mention the five pillars:
- To accept there is only One God worthy of worship, without partners or rivals, and that
Prophet Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬is the final messenger of God. Explain that, in order to worship
God, we should follow the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬as his path is the path of
God.
- This guidance tells us to pray five times a day
- Give in charity to those less fortunate.
- Fast in the month of Ramadan.
- Perform the pilgrimage (or Hajj) to Makkah

We can also explain that Islam teaches us to have good character and good qualities, such as speak
the truth and not lie, keeping our promises, fulfilling our trusts, always be just, even against your
own family or even yourself, respect your parents and to be kind to them, especially in old age, be
good to one’s neighbour, and encourage what is good and discourage what is wrong. These are all
essential characteristics of the true believer.

MAKE THE INVITATION

If they’ve understood and agreed what everything you’ve told them, make the invitation. Invite
them to join Islam. It is so important to do this - many people have shown an interest and believed
in Islam, but no one has ever invited them to be Muslim! It can be as simple as “David, after
having this discussion on Islam, and now you know much more about this religion, I’d like to
know your thoughts. Does it make sense to you? Does it make more sense than what you
currently believe in? If it does, then I would sincerely ask you to think about it and I invite you
to accept Islam as your religion and way of life” Remember, whether they do or not accept, is not
in your hands. Guidance is in the hands of Allah.
IF THEY DO NOT ACCEPT
If they are willing to accept Islam, then get ready to take their shahadah. If they do not accept,
don’t think your dawah ends there. Give them space and time. Inform them of your local dawah
organisation or masjid if they have any follow-up questions. Give them your contact information.
We also have a specific course on New Muslim Mentorship, so be sure to enrol on this to learn how
to effectively support new Muslims.

IF THEY DO ACCEPT
Anyone accepting Islam should also understand what the shahadah entails and that they should
recognise the truthfulness of this statement of faith. Does he or she truly understand what it means
and entails? By saying the shahadah, what they are doing is:

- Entering into a covenant with Allah: A commitment to worship Him alone, and not worship
anyone or anything else but Him.
- It means Taking the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬as our role-model: Our example of guidance in terms of
worshipping Allah and living a life pleasing to Him.
- Proclaiming (publically) that he has now joined the fold of Muslims, accepting all of the
rights and responsibilities that this implies.

It is vital that the shahadah is an informed decision! Do not try and manipulate people into taking
the shahadah or tricking them into it! It’s their choice and they should know what they are getting
themselves into. That said, our duty is not over!
 TOPIC 24: DEVELOPING & SUPPORTING NEW MUSLIMS

It is highly important that everyone involved in dawah understands the following —The dawah does
not end at the shahadah! It is necessary to establish a support system for those that accept Islam.
it’s very sad to see how active dawah is on both a national and international scale, with thousands
of people coming to Islam every year; but, there is not an effective follow-up system or plan for
new Muslims.

ACTIVITY: After a lengthy discussion with David and after you invite him to accept Islam,
David agrees and is ready to take the shahadah. Alhamdulillah – he is now a Muslim!
Now it is time to think about your new Muslim plan for David. Put a plan in place to help
David on his new journey as a Muslim. Also consider what type of advice you would give
him
NEW MUSLIM PLAN
Once someone accepts Islam, the focus should shift onto that new Muslim. Support and mentorship
for the new Muslim should begin. If you’re out on the street giving dawah, for example, drop that
and take care of the new Muslim.

We need to offer some initial advice — tell them to take it slow and steady. This is a journey, not a
race. Like on any journey, we need to be well-prepared. We need to know that we will encounter
hardships, difficulties, moments of ease and pleasure. But it’s all worth it, because this journey is
to Allah and to His Paradise. Also assure them that they will have the support and help off us on
this journey.

Other ideas include: Connecting them with a mentor, to the masjid, stay in regular contacts with
them and make du’a for them.
DISCUSSION
You take David to the local masjid, and introduce him to the local brothers and the
imam. You even pair him up with a New Muslim mentor. David is still a new Muslim. He is
still going through situations where he would need support at any odd time. Who should
you make David’s first point of contact?

One of the most important things to do is connect the new Muslim to Allah — through Salah and
Du’a. While it is important to connect a new Muslim to the masjid and other mentors, the most
important focus is to connect them to Allah and build their spiritual relationship. Therefore, the
first thing you focus on is the salah! Salah! Salah! Practically, everything else is secondary. The
most important thing is to get the new Muslim to establish a relationship with their Creator, with
their Lord. It is only through connecting with Allah will life’s problems be dealt with. Salah also
prevents evil and wrongdoing.

Use the P.R.A.Y. with E.A.S.E. methodology to teach the salah (discussed during the New Muslim
Success Course)
 TOPIC 25: CALL TO ACTION

Allah tells us: “Call to the way of your Lord…” Allah is talking to us and telling us to make the call
to Him and give to dawah. Imagine if this was our parents or our boss – how quickly would we do it?
If you know something is true, then you should share it.

If we reflect over our Ummah today, we can sometimes be quite saddened or demotivated by our
situation! But there is hope. The Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬spoke the truth: “This matter (Islam) will reach
where the night and day reach, and Allah will enter it into every home, even if they were made
from mud or hair, by the might of those who are mighty, and the disgrace of those who are
disgraced; with glory that Allah glorifies Islam, and disgrace that He will disgrace disbelief
with.” [Ahmad]

This is a guarantee from Allah. It’s going to happen – with or without us! The question is — will you
be part of it or not?