Why should you, a young Muslim,
be helping to bring your friends closer to ALLAH?
After all, you've got your own struggles to deal with: trying to explain why you
pray to hostile teachers, Hijab discrimination, standing up in class when the
professor attacks Islam, dealing with parents who think you've gone nuts because
you're growing a beard, or all the other difficulties faced by a number of
practicing Muslim youth?
Islam was never meant to be an individualistic faith, reserved for the "chosen
few". Muslims have a duty to spread the Deen, and practicing Muslim youth,
whether beginners, activists or leaders have a crucial role to play.
"ALLAH has put them in a position that perhaps no one else is in," notes Sheema
Khan, former Muslim Youth of North America (MYNA) advisor for eastern Canada.
"They have the means to communicate with their peers, they have an understanding
of what they're going through plus they have the guidance of Islam."
Who is your childhood friend, who would rather spend Fridays at MacDonald's than
the Masjid, or your classmate who is Muslim in name and only knows that "Muslims
don't eat pork" going to listen to: the nice Imam of the Masjid who would freak
out if he saw the way they were dressed and talked or you who may have grown up
with them, joked with them, or see them everyday in school?
The answer is obvious: you.
Don't panic. Here are some tips and advice which can help from other Muslims,
many of whom have been there and done that:
Tip #1: Make your intention sincere
All work we do should ideally be for the sake of ALLAH. That includes the task
of bringing someone closer to ALLAH. That of course means this should not be
connected to arrogance, thinking you're the teacher and everyone else should be
lucky you've embarked on a crusade to save them. Guidance is from ALLAH. Make
Dua and make sincere efforts and remember ALLAH can also misguide you if He
wills (we seek refuge in ALLAH from that).
Tip #2: Practice what you preach
Not practicing what you preach is wrong and you will lose the confidence of
anyone, young or old, once they figure you out. Don't do it.
Tip #3: Use the Qur'an and Seerah (biography of the Prophet) as Dawa guides
Read and understand those chapters of the Qur'an which talk about how the
Prophets presented the message of Islam to their people. Read the Seerah to see
especially how the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) brought
Islam to so many different people, including young people.
As well, talk to Dawa workers, and check out books that have been written on
introducing dawa to non Muslims
Tip #4: Talk to people as if you really don't know them
Don't assume you know someone just by looking at them. You don't know that the
Muslim girl in your homeroom who walks through the school's hallways as if they
were fashion show catwalks is not someone you can talk to about ALLAH because
she looks like a snob. Or that the Muslim guy who you've never seen at Jumah at
your university is a "bad Muslim". Maybe he was never really taught Islam and
has no idea what importance Friday prayers have in Islam, especially for Muslim
men.
Tip #5: Smile
Did you know the Prophet was big on smiling? But many "practicing" Muslims seem
to have "their faces on upside down" as one speaker once said-frowning and
serious.
Smiling, being polite and kind are all part of the manners of the Prophet, which
we must exercise in our daily lives. If we want to approach others with Islam,
we have to make ourselves approachable. Smiling is key to this.
But note that being approachable does not mean being flirtations with the other
gender. There are Islamic rules for how men and women should deal with each
other which have to be respected. Dawa is no excuse to have long and private
conversations and meetings with the other sex, for example. Set up a system
where someone expressing an interest in Islam is referred to someone of the same
sex.
Tip #6: Take the initiative and hang out with them
Take the first step and invite someone you may have spoken to a couple of times
to sit at lunch together, to check out a hockey game or invite them over for
Iftar in Ramadan. Also, share difficulties, sorrows and frustrations. Help with
homework, be a shoulder to cry on when depression hits, or just plain listen
when your friend is upset, discuss common problems and KEEP THEIR SECRETS. There
are few things as annoying as a snitch and backstabber. But an important note:
if the problem is of a serious nature, (i.e. your friend is thinking of
committing suicide or is taking drugs), notify and consult an adult immediately.
Tip #7: Show them Islam is relevant today, right here, right now
Young people may think Islam is too "old fashioned" and not in tune with the
modern age. Prove this wrong. Show how Islam is really about relating to ALLAH,
which any human being can do, anywhere, anytime. ALLAH is always closer to you
than your jugular vein and He hears and knows everything. Encourage friends to
ask ALLAH's help during tests, exams, and in dealing with problems at home with
parents and siblings. Also point out how Islam relates to teenagers: Islam gives
you focus and an understanding of who you are and where you are going, which
most of "teen culture" does not.
Tip #8: Get them involved in volunteer work with you
If you are already involved in the community, get your friend to help out. Ask
them to make a flyer for one of your youth group's events or brainstorm for
ideas about activities to hold this school year. This involvement makes them
feel part of the Muslim community and deepens your friendship, since you are now
working together on something beneficial for both of you. Make sure you thank
them for their contribution.
Tip #9: Ask them 4 fundamental questions
As your friendship develops, you will notice the topics you discuss may become
more serious. You may be discussing, for instance, future goals and plans. Khan
recommends four questions to ask that can steer the topic to ALLAH and Islam:
a. Where am I going in life and what would make me really happy deep down
inside?
b. What do I believe?
c. Who should I be grateful to?
d. Did I get to where I am today without the help of anyone?
Tip #10: Emphasize praying five times a day before any other aspect of Islam
A person's main connection with ALLAH, on a daily basis, is through the prayer
five times a day. Don't emphasize any other aspect of Islam until your friend
starts making a real effort to pray five times a day. Emphasize the direct
connection one has with ALLAH in prayer. If they are facing a problem, tell them
to pray, and to ask ALLAH for help in Salah and outside this time. When
possible, make it a point to pray together during your "hang out time". If your
friend begins to pray, that is the first step to other aspects of Islam like
giving up swearing, treating parents with respect or dressing Islamically.
Tip# 11: Help instil confidence in adults
Adults, like Bart Simpson's dad Homer, are considered bumbling idiots in the
eyes of "teen culture". Your job as a young Muslim is to help turn the tables on
this false and unIslamic belief. All you have to do is this: when a Muslim adult
does something good (i.e. saving someone's life, donating money to a worthy
cause, the Imam gives a good speech, taking good care of his/her family) bring
it up in the course of your conversations with your friend and praise the adult
in question. Doing this regularly may not only change your friend's perspective,
but could lead to them seeing their own parents in a more respectful way.
Tip #12: Support them even when they become more practicing
Remember, just because a person starts practicing Islam more regularly, this
does not mean everything will be okay from this point onwards. There will still
be hard times, difficulties. There may be times when your friend may have doubts
about his or her newfound practice of Islam. Be there to reassure them.