Campaign Against Draw Muhammad Day

I’m sure many of you have heard of this campaign and even though the woman who originally thought of the idea regrets ever bringing it up, some people are using the idea to defend their hatred by trying to hurt Muslims. Instead of targeting and opposing violent acts committed by a few, a facebook group & website is promoting open hatred against Muslim’s beloved Prophet (saw).

Unfortunately, we cannot remove the hatred from the hearts of everyone but we can try to enlighten people and remove their ignorance and one sided view about Islam and Prophet Muhammad (saw) and let Allah (swt) guide their hearts and their conscience.

There is campaign started by some Muslims and I found the following videos on youtube.

It is very beautiful, mashaallah.

Also read this response from CAIR regarding this day.

It is important to understand that by joining these groups and stooping to their level, we would not be achieving anything but inspiring more to try and annoy us. Recollect the hadith that the one who controls is the stronger person and the following:
Abu Umamah al-Bahili reports: Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
I guarantee a house in the lower portion of Jannah for whoever gives up arguing even if he is right, and a house in the middle of Jannah for whoever gives up lying even if he is joking, and a house for in the highest level of Jannah for whoever perfects their akhlaq. [Abu Dawood]

Instead of reacting, we should increase our efforts to promote the truth behind Islam and become more active in dawah.

Ahmed Deedat’s Debate With American Soldiers

Ahmed Deedat was a South African Muslim daee (Islamic worker/preacher/speaker) who passed away in 2005. I was researching about him and came across this interesting video. It’s a video where he debates with the American soldiers of the First Gulf War in Saudi Arabia and has 11 parts in total.

One of the things that was interesting was his way of talking which I believe is very important in dawah. It is very important to be polite and I also understand how easy it is to lose one’s patience when something hurtful is said about one’s religion or about oneself. Which is all the more why I really appreciate and respect those who manage to maintain patience and remain calm and continue the work of dawah. And if one reflects upon the word dawah which means “invitation (to Islam)” then one should understand naturally that the gesture of inviting someone should be filled with kindness, gentleness, and of brotherhood.

The second thing I truly appreciate about spearkers like Ahmed Deedat and Dr. Zakir Naik is that they have not simply studied the Quran but also other religious scriptures. It is easier to invite others to Islam when you understand their religion and them better.

InshaAllah, we can take examples from such Muslims in our community and aim to be better Muslims.