Dawah often brings many questions—some asked out loud, some quietly carried in the heart. Questions like “What if people don’t listen?”, “How do I even start?” or “What if I get angry?” are more common than we admit.
On 7th December, an interactive FAQs session was held where these very real and practical concerns were discussed openly. The session wasn’t about theories or ideal situations; it was about what actually happens on the ground. Sir Nadeem Ashraf addressed these questions with calmness, clarity, and lived experience, offering simple yet deeply practical guidance.
Remember, Dawah is not just about delivering knowledge—it’s about connecting, inspiring, and guiding hearts with patience and wisdom. Below are some frequently asked questions along with practical tips, based entirely on experience and the Sunnah.
Bid‘ah falls under a category in Shari’ah called mubbah. In practice, when you encounter someone practicing bid‘ah or hear about it, it can be a challenge. People rarely say, “We’ve done research, so we follow this.” Most often, they follow it because:
It is not evidence-based.
So here’s the key: evidence alone doesn’t work in such situations. If you start quoting hadith immediately, people may shut down. Instead, move to the foundation first—the purpose of life.
To keep the conversation light and relatable, you can use simple examples. For instance: if someone says, “If I hit my head on a mountain, my sins will be forgiven,” would you believe them? Clearly, no.
Points to remember:
This is dawah. Winning hearts comes first, through kindness, compliments, small gestures, or gifts.
Ask yourself honestly: did I start my dawah harshly or in a forbidden way? Did I focus on scolding or proving someone wrong? If yes, people obviously won’t listen.
Approach matters. Always plan your conversation, adjust your strategy, and be patient. If after multiple attempts someone doesn’t listen or change, move on. Your effort is valuable, but guidance comes from Allah, not you. Focus on someone else who is ready to hear.
Of course people will judge. Even the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and Nuh A.S faced judgment.
The key question: do you give dawah for your ego or for Allah?
Always remain humble. Don’t worry about people’s opinions. Focus on what Allah will say about your effort. Remember, the purpose of dawah is to save others from the Hellfire and guide them toward Allah.
Starting a conversation can feel intimidating, but don’t worry. Knowing the reward of dawah is enough motivation and remember
The key is genuine intention—speak from your heart, not from obligation.
If someone tries to start a discussion about sects, avoid getting drawn into arguments. You can redirect:
“Shouldn’t we focus on how we can save the youth?”
Instead of debating sects, focus on the bigger goal: guiding people and preventing harm. Even disagreements are acceptable; the priority is to fight bigger challenges together rather than splitting over minor differences.
With family, approach with curiosity and sincerity. Show that you are learning alongside them:
“I’m confused and want to understand. What do you think is the purpose of life?”
Hearts take time to open. Share good points, focus on motivation, and avoid turning conversations into debates. Patience and gentle guidance are key.
Anger can undermine dawah. Even if people laugh, tease, or provoke, a da‘i must control their emotions.
If you feel overwhelmed during an argument or repeated teasing:
“Oh yes, where were we?”
Remember, a da‘i’s power lies in patience, composure, and sincerity—not in anger or force.
This session served as a reminder that dawah is not about winning arguments, but about winning hearts. It requires patience, humility, strategy, and sincere intention. The focus must always remain on the purpose of life and pleasing Allah — not on reactions, judgments, or instant results.
Written by: Mehwish Shafi. Final year Psychology Student at IIUI. Core Member of Management of Dawah Motivation
