My opinion columns turned into a speech. That speech turned into a script. And that script has been turned into a dawah, public service announcement video. (To see the video, keep reading…)
Last year, I wrote and delivered a five minute speech to my public relations class. I decided to take the easy way out of the assignment and decided to take the opportunity for dawah and picked the subject of prejudice to talk about. I chose excerpts from my past opinion columns in The Daily Reveille and made them into my speech.
After delivering the speech one girl came up to me and said, “It really does make me see how ignorant we really are. Especially seeing how it’s only the actions of few that get attributed to your religion.” Others told me it was a successful PR speech because it made them look at their own beliefs about Islam and compare them to my words. I didn’t expect that feedback. Alhamdulillah it was successful, all by the will of Allah. And only Allah has allowed me such opportunities, walhamdulillah.
Meanwhile, I was working on a media kit for Leechon and particularly the upcoming documentary, “Tufaan.” During that time, we came up with the idea of shooting public service announcement videos to put at the beginning of every documentary that Leechon would produce — especially Tufaan, since its primary target audience is non-Muslims. Hence, the idea to use my speech as a script for the PSA emerged.
So we decided to do it much like the format of the “Bear Witness” video that Br. Belal Khan had produced a while back, where every person would read two lines from the script. Here’s the Bear Witness video, which in my opinion is an really nice dawah video:
*video removed because sisters shown in video
Anyway, Br. Ahmed Eid, a brother from NJ who has been working with me and the PR team for quite a while took up the challenge of shooting and editing the video for Leechon. MashaAllah, it turned out great. Although I don’t personally know anyone in the video, I wanted to give a big jazakum Allahu Khairan katheeran for the work and effort you guys put into it. May Allah make it heavy on your scales, ameeeeen. And inshaAllah I look forward to working with you all in the future, bi’ithnillahi ta’ala.
So without further adeiu, our PSA: FREEDOM FROM FEAR
(video removed)
Lastly, in the future I would like to write dawah videos that are not on the defense. Sure there are people who hate Islam, sure there is still a lot of anti-Islamic sentiment around, but I would like to move away from being on the defense to speaking to people in general about Islam. A PSA about “Islam” why they see us prostrating on the floor when we pray, etc.
Good things to come inshaAllah. Give us your feedback and if you like it spread it around inshaAllah.
Stumble it!
July 8th, 2008 at 2:45 am
That was hot mashaAllah!
July 8th, 2008 at 4:08 am
Assalamualaikum,
Another thing that always helps is talking about the meaning, rules & regulations of Jihaad.
With my experience in conducting Non-Muslim Da’wah lectures (at Masjids & Universities)I’ve noticed that Jihaad, Women in Islam, Jesus in Islam, What do Muslims believe in/worship…are the “hot topics” that people want to learn about.
Regardless of the topic, everything revolves around Tawheed which is the core foundation of Islam that many times Muslims mistakenly forget or intentionally leave out…
Also at the same time I’ve noticed that a topic like Jihaad makes our brothers and sisters (i.e. the Muslims) feel uncomfortable. Many Muslims are driven by emotions rather than knowledge & evidence from the texts of Qur’an & authentic Hadeeth.
How many Masjids across USA will allow a da’ee/sheikh to come and explain this topic in detail? How many MSAs will organize it?
A statement of Ibn al-Qayyim comes to my mind everytime people make that face (we all know what face i’m talking about!) at me when I talk about Jihaad…”how can a man who is not fulfilling a Fard for which he has to do nothing, defend Islam?”
For those who may not understand the statement…the beard is Fard and to fulfill this Fard, what does a man have to do? Absolutely nothing. And defending the Religion of Allah is also Fard and in reality a Fard in which a lot of effort must be put in, lot of sacrifices must be made, and a lot of patience is required…
I’m sure you brothers/sisters must have done such things but a reminder never hurts [as Allah says - And remind for verily, the reminding profits the believers. (51:55)]…you can make 10 min, 20 min or 1hr lectures…invite people who are qualified to speak on such topics, spread the word of the event and then make these da’wah videos.
Some people may only give 20 min to know what Islam is, so make something for them…others are more serious and want to learn things in depth; they won’t mind 40min/1hr video lectures…this way you meet the needs of everyone.
Not everyone can be a Sheikh/Taalibul ‘Ilm/Da’ee but that does not mean that everyone can not get a share of the reward. Truly, Allah is Al-’Adl (the Most Just). The speaker will get his reward, those who spend to support the cause will get their reward, those who make flyers will get their reward, those who record/edit the video will get their reward and finally those who post it on their sites/blogs will get their reward…everyone will be rewarded based on their level of sincerity & adherence to the Sunnah…
Every Companion had a role. Some Companions were chosen by the Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam to be Scholars of the Qur’an, others were Scholars of Hadeeth, some were Scholars of both, some were Generals of the Army, etc…a great example of what division of labor based on the individual’s skill can achieve.
But a question that all of us Muslims must ask ourselves - do I really know what is my role -
When you do discover that role of yours, stick to it and don’t try to snatch someone else’s role…stick to your role, follow the guidelines of Allah & His Messenger in that specific role and help those who are playing other roles and also abiding by the Sunnah…
Having said all that, I’m happy to see a video without Music or any of those wrong Nasheeds in the background. Maybe someday soon InshAllah, we (i.e. the men) will have more gheerah and not allow our sisters to be seen all over the world. Things won’t change over night but Alhamdulillah as long as their are improvements…
Allah will bless your efforts as long as you take the Right Path.
People say “ends justify means” but in the sight of Allah, “means justify ends”…
Jazak Allah Khair,
July 8th, 2008 at 9:01 am
[...] Shirien explain more about the background of the development of this PSA on her blog post titled, “Why do you wear that rag on your head?” [...]
July 8th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Amazing PSA!
Masha’Allah
July 8th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
yo Tawfiq…why did you give a mini khutbah? lol
July 8th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
(edited… be nice guys)
July 8th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Hey i really like the advise br Tawfique gives, masha’Allah!
July 8th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
bro tawfique thanks for the advice but i wish u can make your posts a little shorter because you lose people with a long post , and again remember ibn taymiyah and all scholars say that jhad can be done with ” kool baar wa fajiir” meaning the person that is carring the banner doesnot have to be a great practicing muslm as long as he is still in the folds of islam thats all the requirement he needs he can even be a fajiiir “immoral sinner” and thats ijma3 of all the scholars and their are numerous hadith to back that is the saying u have to be fulfiling all the forood ” obligation” because pracing that type of 3abadah is bataal wrong and have no backing from the sunnah. just wanted to comment on that but what you said other than that is right.
July 9th, 2008 at 5:58 am
Assalamualaikum,
I don’t think I can keep your wish in this specific post…
Brothers, if I ever show up in your blogs (which is never going to happen InshAllah) you can complain against me publicly or whatever way makes you happy. Until then, you have 2 options:
1) e-mail the owner of this blog, sister Shirien…tell her whatever you find wrong in me and she will InshAllah e-mail me and let me know.
2) e-mail sister Shirien and ask her for the address of the Masjid where I’m the Imaam and we can peacefully discuss what problems you have against me… salafi/wahabi and whatever other names you would like to call me…and apparently I seem to be different from other human beings…everyone by the permission of Allah comes out from the womb of a woman but brother Abdullah (I edited his statement above so there is no need to put it here inshaAllah.)
I don’t think in any of my posts I attacked anybody. Brother Abdullah, if you can’t sit down face 2 face and talk about things, I will meet you during Qisas on the Day of Resurrection and both of us will get what we deserve from that comment of yours, InshAllah.
The owner of this blog, sister Shirien, has given me permission to post things. So InshAllah pass your concerns on to her and she can decide what to say to me. I have rights just like all of you too.
And if you don’t like what I write, simply don’t read it. What’s the problem in that? And people like sister Alima, who don’t seem to mind, can continue reading them.
Now onto what brother Abo alnoom said -
Firstly, a Faajir is someone who will be in Hell. As Allah says - and indeed the Fujjaar will be in the blazing Fire. [82:14]
The word “faajir” means a disbeliever or an immoral/wicked Muslim.
So you say there are numerous Hadeeth that give permission to a Faajir to participate in Jihaad? Can you InshAllah bring me just one.
Do you know Jihaad is Fard Kifayah (generally speaking, but it can become Fard ‘Ayn in 3 cases) where as following the obligations of religion is Fard on every single Muslim?
So what comes first..something that is an individual Fard or something that is a communal Fard?
Surprisingly, Salahuddin left behind hundreds (if not a thousand) simply because they didn’t pray Qiyaam ul Layl (which by the way isn’t Fard).
I wonder what ‘Umar bin al-Khattab would have said if he ever heard “a faajir can fight too”. Why don’t you read the letter he sent to Sa’ad ibn Abi Waqqas when Sa’ad had asked for more soldiers.
Allah says - If there are twenty steadfast persons amongst you, they will overcome two hundred, and if there be a hundred steadfast persons they will overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve, because they (the disbelievers) are people who do not understand. [8:65]
So Allah says victory comes by “steadfast” people fighting and you are saying that a Faajir can also fight…no wonder we’re not seeing any victory.
The Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam refused the man from participating in a battle who’s mother was old and said your Jannah lies under her feet (i.e. by taking care of her). [Bukhari]
The Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam refused a man who’s wife was travelling without a Mahram for Hajj and told him to go with her. [Bukhari]
A man came to Abdullah ibn Mubarak and was all puffed about going for Jihaad. Abdullah ibn Mubarak sent that man back because he wasn’t even taking care of his wife!
Jihaad is not a joke in which every tom dick and harry can particapate in without any Deen behind his back.
On top of that you are saying “ijma3a of the Scholars”.
What are you talking about, akhee?
And please bring just one hadeeth where the Prophet sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam allowed a Faajir (i.e. a wicked person) to particapte in the battles.
I don’t argue with people like this but since the brother said something publicly about a very important issue of the Deen, I had no other choice but to counter his statements, so that the lay-man doesn’t get confused.
We do not deny Jihaad at all. But there are rules & regulations that MUST be followed. For 50 yrs these Muslims haven’t achieved anything and only Allah knows when they will wake up and realize “maybe we need to follow the Sunnah guidelines of fighting inorder to be successful”.
And Abo alNoom please know that you are my brother in Islam. I did not call you any names so please do not call me any names if you wish to reply to what I said. Please provide proof for what you said. If you are right, InshAllah I will learn something new and say Jazak Allah Khair.
Assalamualaikum
July 9th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
in general anyone can post unless it’s directly attacking someone or it’s inappropriate.
let’s calm down everyone. Also Br. Taufique, if you would like make another email address just for people who want to contact you directly if they have concerns. There’s really no need for a middle person inshaAllah.
July 9th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
it’s alright, InshAllah I’ll keep things short unless someone writes something that needs to be explained.
assalamualaikum
July 9th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
salam alikom brother tawfiq i never called u any names at all all i said is i agree with everything that u said except one thing and this is not the place for this discussion but inshallah if u read arabic u can go to books of fatawa of abn taymiyah vol 28 and read it , or u can go to shiek abn othymen shar7 of 3omdah al a7kaam or zaad al mostaqna3 on this subject
and finally akhi a fajiir is a muslm that is doing big sins he is still a muslm what u said about a fajiir he will go to hell and is not muslm that the 3aqeedah of al khawariij who make takfeer of muslm with big sins inshallah u can talk to ur shieks about that and they will tell u because a fajiir is still a muslm but he indulged in big sins. and think about it if u ever read in islamic history u will see that alot of the kings or umara2 even though they were rulling by sharia law unlike today but alot of them were fujaar but scholars still fought with them like al izz abn 3abd al salam with al mamaliik and same with abn taymiyah and even during the othymen khilafa.
July 9th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
akhee Abu alNoom. I clearly said Faajir means a disbeliever or an immoral/wicked Muslim.
And the ruling on a Faajir Muslim (i.e. Major Sinner) is they may be forgiven by Allah (as long as they are free from Shirk) or they will be in the Fire for a time only known to Allah b4 they are granted Jannah. So my ‘Aqeedah is not of Khawarij but of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah, InshAllah.
But as you said this is not the place to discuss Jihaad, nor was did I make my comment about Jihaad, it was just general issues…but because you put something up, I replied back asking for a clear Hadeeth which I still did not get…
And I also said generally speaking Jihaad is Fard Kifayah but can become Fard ‘Ayn in 3 cases and things need to be looked at and certain conditions are open to change…but akhee this is a long topic…so let’s forget it and not irritate others who come here.
However if anyone is interested please read - “Holy Wars Crusades Jihad” by Jalal Abu alRub. or you can visit the Sheikh’s site - http://www.islamlife.com and ask all the Jihaad questions you want…
Jazak Allah Khair
July 9th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
salam alikom these are some of evidence that back what i said
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??? ????? ?????? ??? ??? ?????????? -???? ???? ?????- ?? ???? ?????? ??? ?????:
“????? ???? ?????? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ???? ??? ??? ?? ?????? ??? ???? -?? ???- ??? ?????? ???? ???????? ???? ?????? ?? ???? -?????- ??? ???????? ???? ???? ?????? ???????? ??? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ??? ???? ??????? ?????? ??? ???.
????? ???? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ???????? ?????? ??? ?????? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ????? ??? ?????? ?? ??????.
????? ???? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ????? ??? ??? ???? ??? ????? ?? ???.
????? ????? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ??? ???? ????????? ?? ??? ?????? ??????? ???????? ??? ??????? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????
http://www.taimiah.org/Display.asp?ID=11&t=book19&pid=1&f=akeda0010.htm#?????29334
this is the explanation of shiek abn jibreen on this topic of 3aqedah and also if u like english
here it is from islamic q and a
Hence they said concerning ‘aqeedah: He should offer Jumu’ah and Eid prayers behind any imam, whether he is righteous or an evildoer. Similarly, if there is only one imam in a village, then the prayers in congregation should be offered behind him, because praying in congregation is better than praying alone, even if the imam is an evildoer. This is the view of the majority of scholars, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, al-Shaafa’i and others. Prayer in congregation is obligatory for individuals according to the view of Ahmad. Whoever abandons Jumu’ah prayer and prayer in congregation behind an imam who is an evildoer is an innovator according to Imam Ahmad and other imams of al-Sunnah
http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/72441/???%20???%20??%20????
i think that should be enough akhi like u said this is nto the place to talk about this stuff just wanted to clearify something important jazak allah khair and may allah guide is to the rightous path ameen
thanks shirien for your Patience
July 9th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
also if someone is intersted to understand more about the meaning of a fajir from sunnah prostective this is a good post
http://www.motheer.net/dar/uae27437.html
sorry i dont have the translation in english
July 9th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
You know brother, I think you didn’t understand what I said.
I know the ruling that you mentioned here…if there is no good Imaam, praying in Jama’ah in the Masjid is better even if you’re praying behind an evil Imaam.
How is that related to anything I was talking about?
Just like a person can eat pig if there is absolutely no food available (ya3ni a dharoorah). So when you have no good person to act as an Imaam, you can pray behind an evil person (also a case of dharoorah).
And this is the 3rd time I’m saying - when Jihaad becomes Fard ‘Ayn certain things are open to change from when it is Fard Kifayah. Bcoz my original comment was never about this issue I chose not to get into the details of all this.
But anyways akhee, let’s stop talking about this and not prolong it anymore because I don’t want people to miss out the whole point of my orignial comment, which was — use the proper means for propogating Islam and Allah will bless your efforts and some suggestions to what sort of topics always attract the Non-Muslims, and I’m sure people already knew that but I was just reminding —
So again I’m saying akhee, Jazak Allah Khair for giving the links but do not post further things about this and I ask you sincerely to read what I wrote properly. I ask Allah to accept your efforts…
And I appologize to everyone for having caused this discussion.
Assalamualaikum
July 9th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
br. Taufique, just make an email address that you wont mind posting publicly. that way if people want to ask you questions or continue discussion they can do so straight to you. I really don’t know much information about you to tell them anyway.
July 10th, 2008 at 2:49 am
Lots of tension & hate in here … typical.
God bless you all with sincere love and happiness.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
http://www.itsmenotyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/duty_calls.jpg
July 10th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
i think its important to point out that there was no argument or anythign and this was a friendly debat on a subject and there is nothing in my heart and im sure nothing in brother tawfiq heart for each other other than respect , mashallah u seem like u have a decent amount of knowlege may allah grant u sinserity ekhlas to you it in the best of matter, i think unfortunetly people these days cant seperate between a friendly debate vs. tension and hate islamic scholars from past and present have debate which there was some disagreements and at the end of it they come out of it with nothing but love and respect as long as the debate is carried out by people that have a decent back ground on what they are talking about and not just being defensive with nothing to back their words , and as long as both sides their main intension is finding the truth then allah willing there is no tension or hate and by god i rather have the truth be with my opponent so that i can learn something new from him
at the end brother tawfiq may allah give u barakah in ur ilm and guide u to use it in the best of manner and make it something in your favor in the day of judgement not against you
ameen
salam alikm
July 10th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
jazak Allah Khair brother and i wish the same for you too InshAllah.
and like you said, people these days don’t understand the difference between a good debate and hateful attacks. may Allah make us among those who accept the Truth when it comes to them. ameen.
Assalamualaikum
July 11th, 2008 at 5:07 am
well done, ma sha Allah.