DA‘WAH IN THE NON-MUSLIM SOCIETIES IN IN THE MODERN ERA

Mohammad Abul Kalam Asst. Prof. & Head Dept. of Da'wah & Islamic Studies International Islamic University Chittagong E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Islam is a complete code of life. This religion leaves nothing untouched necessary to run the affairs of human being. The desire of Almighty Allah is that every people not only will leave the world simply as a Muslim but as a complete Muslim. With this end in view, this has been made one of the sacred duties of every Muslim to preach to every one of every religion so that they embrace Islam. Bangladesh though is Muslim dominated country still has a good percentage of people of different faiths and religions. It is the center point of discussion of this research work that some steps should be taken so that people of other religions accept Islam and go for ultimate peace in both the worlds. To this end in view this Article tenders some suggestions which will be effective and motivating to reach the goal.

Key Word: Da'wah, Non-Muslim, Society, Bangladesh, Traditional, Modern.

preach Islam to the members of the society he lives in. Almighty Allah, in this respect, has sent 1. Introduction uncountable number of His Messengers (prophet) on Almighty Allah has endowed upon the human being the earth to preach the oneness of Allah and the the religion of Islam as the best of all religions and Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (SW) is the last of all of given it completeness in every contexts of human them "I am the last (end) of the prophets" (Al necessities since its inception to the last of human asqalani, Abul Fajal ibn hazar, 1379, Vol: 8, p: 150). existence "I have perfected your religion for you, The Prophet (SW) is the best of all the Prophets sent completed My Favor upon you, and have chosen for on earth and he endeavored to the best of his abilities you Islam as your religion" (Al Quran, 5:3). Merciful to preach, propagate, establish and implement the Allah warns every human being not be engraved until religion of Islam throughout his life to every parts of he is a Muslim in the true sense of the term "O you the society he lived in. His adventures in this respect who believe! Fear Allah (by doing all that He ordered were not confined in the Arab Non-Muslims only and by abstaining from all that He has forbidden) as rather it surpassed the Arab desserts to the territory of He should be feared. And die not except in a state of Europe and Africa. Prophet Mohammad (SW) started Islam (as Muslims)" (Al Quran, 3:102) and at the his da‘wah first to the Kafirs of Mecca. To make same time Allah advises a Muslim to save himself clear of the importance and gravity of da‘wah, the first from the fire of the hell and then the members of last Prophet of Islam(SW) orders his followers to his societies "O you who believe! Ward off preach and propagate even a single verse is known in yourselves and families against a Fire" (Al Quran, his behalf "Convey from me, even one verse". 66:6). So it is mandatory for every Muslim to observe Ahmad ibn Hambal, (1999), Ed: 2, Vol: 11, p: 583. the tenets of Islam to the maximum level. Similarly With his great demise such a duty to preach and it is a one of the sacred duties of every Muslim to propagate Islam to the non-Muslim communities

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vests upon the members of the Muslim community. Muslim carries out one of his religious Given this background, this paper aims to highlight responsibilities to call upon the members of human the necessity of da‘wah with its importance in the society to the path of Allah and His Messenger. The non-Muslim communities as an obligation of every essence of da‘wah is in short to invite people to Muslim particularly in Bangladesh. Besides this embrace Islam not only as a complete code of life but research work ventures articulate the means and also at the chosen path for mankind prescribed by methods of da‘wah in the non-Muslim societies and Allah Himself. finally it concludes with some recommendations to effectuate da‘wah among the non-Muslims in 3. Concept of Non-Muslim Society Bangladesh. In Islam, in the strictest sense of the term, a Muslim is one who believes in the oneness of Allah and roots 2. Definition of Da‘wah the foundation of his belief that Hazrat Mohammad Da‘wah is Arabic word which means to invite, (SM) is the last Messenger of Him. In another sense, preach, call to something, request etc. (Ba'labakki, a Muslim is one who concentrates his beliefs in the Munir, 2002, P: 480). In Islamic terminology the basics like oneness of Allah, His Angels, His concept of Da‘wah implies to invite mankind to the Revelations, His Messengers, Day of Resurrection, path of Allah (SW) voluntarily. In another sense Fate and Death. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said: da‘wah is used to mean to coal upon human being "What faith said to believe in God and His angels, worship Allah(SW) alone, to follow His straight path His Books, His Messengers and the Last Day , and and keep away from all sorts of disbeliefs and evils. much good and evil". (Tirmizi, Abu Isa (Ashry, Jainab Hasan, p: 11). Metaphorically, the ibn Isa, 1975, Vol: 9, p: 192). So in the light of this word is used to indicate the process of calling or concept of a Muslim, a non-Muslim in one who does inviting humankind towards the truth or to the right not belief in the oneness of Allah and His Messenger path prescribed by Allah (SWT) for all humanity. Hazrat Mohammad (SW) as His last prophet. Also a (Puthige, Shafi Abdussalam, 1997, p: 17). In Islam person who does not keep faith in all the pillars as da‘wah is said to be synonymous with tabligh which mentioned in the foregoing sentence. So in general connotes the view to spread some good or virtuous term, a non-Muslim society is one which consists of and particularly religious among people or nations persons who do not fall within the category of and to call upon them to embrace the message (Alvi, Muslims. Bangladesh is a land where people of Dr. Khalid, 2001, p: 5). The essence of Da‘wah religions and sects live from time immemorial. In includes some initiatives which involve to ancient Bengal, the people of Hindu religion formed consolidate the Muslims as well as to invite the non- majority but with the advent of the Muslims in this Muslims the holy path of Islam (Racius, Egdunas. territory, the Hindus started to convert into Islam. 2004, p: 31). In another sense da‘wah can be defined Thereafter, with the passage of time, the number of Zin, the Muslims went on increasing rapidly, thereby) .(رغبت إلى هللا) as to direct to the desire for Allah Muhammad Abdullah, 1991, p: 1). Every Muslim, turning them into majority in the territory of Bengal within the purview of Islam, is a missionary of Islam which subsequently was divided into two parts East (DAWAH & IRSHAD, 1986. P: 12). In accordance Bengal and West Bengal. With the partition of India with Muhammad al-Ghazali, a great Muslim scholar, in 1947 the East Bengal where the Muslims were in da‘wah is a perfect program which consists of all majority formed a province of newly emerged required knowledge of mankind needed in order to Pakistan whereas the West Bengal where the Hindus know the purpose of their life and trace his path in were majority fell into the sovereignty of the light of the experience of the guided people. (, Independent India. In 1971 East Bengal, the then East Dr. Md. Yusuf & Abu Sadat Nurullah, 2007, p: 89). Pakistan, (in the Constitution of Pakistan of 1956, So in short da‘wah can be defined some initiatives, East Bengal was named as East Pakistan and since activities and programmes by means of which a then this territory was known as East Pakistan until it

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achieved independence) emerged as Bangladesh it is the holy Quran which addresses the entire human through a nine month liberation war starting from 25 community and making its effect and importance to March 1971 to 16 December 1971. So though in every member of all human races for all time. Hazrat Bangladesh the Muslims form majority, there also Mohammad (SW) was sent as the symbol of mercy exist people of other religions and beliefs like the not only for the Muslims but also for all human kind Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and different tribes of (Al- Qur’an, 21:107). The holy Quran is meant for all different faiths are some to mention. members of entire human community since its revelation irrespective of their religious beliefs (Al- Sl Religious group Population Qur’an, 38:87), (Al-Qur’an, 12:104), (Al-Qur’an, 7:158), (Al-Qur’an, 2-21). Regarding the all 1 Muslims 86.6% embracing character of the holy Quran, Almighty Allah declares: 2 Hindus 12.1% “Say: “O mankind! Surely I am the Messenger of 3 Buddhists 0.6% Allah to you all, of Him whose is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth; there is no god but He; He 4 Christians 0.4%

5 Others 0.3% Mary, and bestowed on him the Gospel; and We ordained in the hearts of those who followed him (See the Bangladesh National Web Portal, Online Compassion and Mercy. (Al Quran: 57:27) This term "Zabur" is the :(زبور :Directory of Peoples Republic of Bangladesh). The Zabur (Arabic Arabic equivalent of the Hebrew zimra. The Hebrew 4. Importance and Obligation of Da‘wah word has the meaning "song, music, The Lord is my in Non-Muslim Societies strength and song". It along with zamir (song) Importance and obligation of da‘wah lies in the and mizmor (psalm) is a derivative of zamar , universal character of Islam. Before the revelation of meaning "sing, sing praise, make music". the holy Quran, there were as many as 103 divine (Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, vol. 1, scriptures ordained by Allah for the guidance of the pg. 245). This book came down on Daud (David) people on the earth. Each of those scriptures was sent from Almighty Allah. In the Quran, the Zabur is on the earth to the respective Messenger and mentioned by name only three times. addressed only his own community thereby limiting * their effect and importance for them only. However, Nowhere in the Quran are these three books mentioned together. They are not even mentioned in Tawrat is the Arabic the same surah. To find all three together, you have :(توراة :The Tawrat (Arabic * word. Muslims believe it as a holy book of Islam to go to the Hadith: Abu Huraira told that when God's revealed by Allah upon Hazrat Musa (Moses). The messenger once asked Ubai ibn Ka'b how he recited Hebrew word for their scripture, the Torah means in the course of the prayer and he recited Umm al- instructions, that is why Tawrat does not refer to the Qur'an [the first surah of the Quran], he said, "By entire Tanakh or Old Testament. Him in whose hand my soul is, nothing like it has Injil is Arabic been sent down in the Tawrat, the Injil, the Zabur, or :(إنجيل :The Injil (Arabic for euaggelion in Greek, evangel or gospel in the Quran, and it is seven of the oft-repeated verses English. It was a holy book of Islam revealed by and the mighty Quran which I have been Allah upon Hazrat Isa alaihissalam (Jesus) from given." (Tabriji, Muhammad ibn Abdullah, (1985), Almighty Allah (swt). The term occurs twelve times Vol: 2, p: 454). in the holy Quran: We sent after them Jesus son of

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gives life and causes death; therefore believe in Allah researcher in this field finds that the ancient Bengal and His Messenger, the illiterate Prophet who finds the advent of the Muslims before the eleventh believes in Allah and His words, and follow him so century when some da'ee Ila Allah step landed in that you may be rightly guided" (Al- Qur’an, 7:158). Sandhwip, Chittagong". (Talib, Abdul Mannan, 1994, p: 14). To Omar ibn Abdul Aziz Quraishee claims So in broad area the solid concept that emerges from that invitation to embrace Islam of the non-Muslims the abovementioned discussion is that Islam that in Chittagong formerly known as Islamabad of generates its origin from the revelation of the holy Bengal saw its beginning during reign of Umr bin al- Quran and Prophet Mohammad (SM) being the last Khattab (R) (Quraishee, Omar B A Aziz, 2001, p: of all Messengers of Allah is of universal character. It 79). He specifically underpins the names of some does not limit its application and suitability to some Tabe'i such as Al Mamun, Al Muhaimen, Abu followers of a particular religion, Islam but stresses talib, Abdullah who were sent by the second Khalifa its necessity and adoptability to people of all other of Islam to preach Islam on the soil of Bangladesh religions. Hence it becomes obligatory to every (Ibid, p: 80). member of the Muslim community to convey messages from the holy Quran and holy Hadith However, from political point of view, ancient regarding the all embracing nature of Islam. To Ibn Bengal saw the advent of Islam, as a political Katheer, performing da‘wah is a responsibility of all ideology, in the beginning of thirteenth century when Muslims and every Muslim should carry out this Ikhtiyar Uddin Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji invaded responsibility in accordance to his own ability (Ibn Bengal in 1203 AD during the reign of Qutub Uddin Katheer, Tafsir, 231). Abu Zahrah thinks that Aibek of (Khan, Abbas Ali, 2000, p: 22-23). contribution to da‘wah is mandatory for each Subsequently, Tughlaq Shah of Delhi is found to members of Muslim community (Shafiq, spread his rule in Bengal having his capitals in Muhammad, 1996, p: 16). Satgaon and Sonargaon around 1330 AD (Ibid, p: 13). So it can be concluded saying that though the 5. Advent of Muslims and Da‘wah in Muslim started to step in the land of Bengal from the Bangladesh ------Muslims came to power as a political force Mentioned earlier, ancient Bengal was a land of pioneered by Ikhtiyar Uddin Muhammad Bakhtiyar people of different religions other than the Islam Khalji. Thus establishment of the Muslim rule in this dominated by the Hindus and Buddhists. The territory removed the political barriers which stood Muslims started to step in this land for numerous against the programmes to spread Islam among the reasons during sixth centuries with the spread of people of other religions. The later stage of the in the Indian sub-continent (Talib, Abdul history of Bengal witnessed that the Sufis and other Mannan, 1994, p: 81). Hazrat (RA), Muslims dedicated to the cause of da‘wah found Hazrat Shah Paran (RA), Hazrat Sultan Mahmud themselves in a free environment which they spent Balkhi (RA), Hazrat Shah Makhdoom (RA), Hazrat properly to spread Islam. As a result the non-Muslims Bayezid Bostami (RA) and their followers landed in embraced Islam and the number of Muslims grew Bangladesh for the august cause of propagating the higher than the non-Muslims. So, undoubtedly, one holy messages of Islam to the people here. On the can reach in a conclusion to the fact that other hand, the Arab traders began to come in ancient establishment of Muslim rule in Bengal Bengal basically for business purpose but did not overwhelmingly facilitated the spread of da‘wah here limit their functions to trade and commerce only. Simultaneously they also took part in spreading Islam here along with their business purposes when they harboured at the port city of Chittagong of . Bangladesh (Ahmad, Nazir, p: 20). Abdul Mannan a

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6. Art of Da‘wah in the Non-Muslim will then circulate the messages of it to their Societies in Bangladesh followers. Such a method of da‘wah was adopted by This section of the paper makes an effort to focus on the prophet (SW) himself as he was found sending the ways and means of da‘wah in Bengal currently letters to the fractions and to Caesar and to the Bangladesh in the way call the people of other Negus, and to all Jabbar inviting them to the path of religions to the road to Islam. With this end in view, Allah (Nisapuri, Abul Hasan Muslim ibn Hajjaj, P: this section of the research work manifests the arts, 237). i.e. the techniques of da‘wah to circulate the message of Islam to convince the people of other faiths in (iii) Individual Contact: Individual contact is one of august aim of congregating them under the flag of the highly appreciable methods of da'wah. It's mean Islam, the universal religion. So to do, this sections door to door calling or contacting people on a person- outlines the traditional and modern methods of to- person basis. It is one of the most important and da‘wah around the world particularly in Bangladesh. effective means to deliver the message. Individual contacts can be arranged by various ways and a da'ee 6.1. Traditional Method (preacher of Islam) can address and request to call Traditional method of da‘wah includes the following back for additional information or discussion on means and methods: points which may not be clear. This method is thought to be the most useful and appropriate means (i) Speech: Public speech is treated as one of the of da'wah Ilallah. A preacher of Islam can always oldest methods of da‘wah for the purpose to convince prefer this method as it gives him a direct opportunity the people to come under the shelter of Islam. Still to make him acquainted with the person in detail and this is one of the most effecting methods of impress upon the person contacted about message delivering religious sermons addressing people of all and its genuineness. He can convince the person walks and all religions. Through this process of contacted better and more efficiently when an da‘wah a congregation of thousands of people can individual talk on a person-to-person basis and easily be addressed. In Bangladesh, this method is nobody else is around him. In this circumstance, the believed to be very much effective to serve the duty contacted person feels free and expresses his feelings of a Muslim to convey the messages of Islam to all with no reservation. Thus the preacher of Islam gets throughout the year. Premises of , madrasah, the opportunity to study him well and work on his schools, the shrines of holy persons etc are still being strategy of presenting da'wah in a systematic order. used as the common grounds for calling the people of (Siddiqi, Shamim A, 1989, P: 92). all religions of Bangladesh particularly in winter season. 6.2. Modern Method However, with the advance of time, science and (ii) Letter: Inviting people to the path of Allah by technology have offered human kind many means of sending letter of invitation, is and was sophisticated means and methods to serve to the another effective method of discharging cause of da'wah. The modern methods of da'wah responsibility arising out of da‘wah. A follower of include the following: different religion can be urged to embrace the (i) Subject-wise Lecture followed by Question and magnanimity of Islam through sending him/her a Answer: In the modern era, this method of da'wah has letter containing the horrible consequences of acclaimed world-wide appreciation and popularity. A meeting death as a non-Muslim. At the same time, scholar in Islam can successfully use this method to the letter may include the heavenly picture of the convince the followers of a different religion to the permanent happiness guaranteed to a true Muslim in path of Islam by making him intimated with the the next world. Such a letter may be addressed to the positive elements of the religion of Islam. In this rulers and leaders of non-Muslim communities who

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context, Muslim cleric can welcome questions and and Hadith can be displayed on the roadside to attract convince them to accept Islam through presenting the attention of the passersby when move around. satisfactory and authentic answers to those questions. The messages should contain something thought However, while conducting such programmes, some provoking and be placed at the significant areas of arts and techniques like confidence of the cleric in the the towns and dwelling places. subject matter, loudness in while answering, unequivocal answer and openness and alert while (v) Islamic Projects: Islamic projects to serve the answering can make the programme successful (How cause of da‘wah may another initiative in this respect. to call people to Islam, P: 49). Programmes conducted The non-Muslim areas may be taken as target zone under the leadership of Dr Zakir Nayek and Ahmed and some projects can be designed to implement in Deedat are spectacular examples in this regard. those areas where non-Muslims form majority of the residents. Interest free microcredit loans, swallow tube (ii) Seminar and Symposium: A seminar or well, construction of village paths and embankments symposium is an integrated method to realize a theme etc are some those which can be taken to circulate the or a fact. So a seminar or symposium can help message of Islam to the non-Muslims in the guise of promote the programmes leading to da‘wah. In this these programmes. context, discussion may be held on the true identity of Allah, religious personalities, fundamental beliefs of (vi) Stickers. Programmes like arrangements for religion, holy scriptures, fundamental basis to identify stickers to be posted at the appropriate locations like the true religion, religion and science, predictions in buses, airplanes and other vehicles used as human about the arrival of the last prophet (sw) in different trafficker. These stickers shall include supplications scriptures etc (How to call people to Islam, P: 63). like prayer while leaving or entering home, toilet etc. This will enlighten the sense of Islam in the mind of (iii) Debate: Debate on religions issues yet can be the people of various religions and will generate a another tool to facilitate the programme of da'wah. sense to welcome and embrace Islam. The du'aat ilallah may establish as an academic forum (vi) Translation of Friday Khutbah. It is very to facilitate the annual gatherings of Muslim and non- fruitful method to arrange for the translation of the Muslim scholars to debate social issues from an Friday sermon into the Bangla. While doing this loud Islamic perspective in the country. speaker should should be used so that the message in the Khutbah can reach the doors of the non-Muslim. (iv) Islamic Library: Library is the reservoir of The Imam of Bangladesh in rural and urban areas are knowledge of different societies of different ages. doing this on the holy occasion of Friday prayer in a Knowledge of successive generations are accumulated conscious and conscious manner. However, if it is in the leaves of the books which take their ultimate done in a planned way, it will serve from both ends. destination in the shelves of libraries. Libraries exclusively consisting of, and dominated by the (vii) Islamic Slogans: Mind blowing and catchy Islamic reference books on Islamic stories, novels, life Islamic sayings or slogans can be printed on of the great Muslim rulers including the companions calendars, agendas, car sunscreens, plastic shopping of the prophet (sw) can be of great help to spread bags and other similar items that are commonly Islam. People of other religions may be enlightened circulated among the common masses. This can be with the divine blessings of Allah and convert to done in agreement with the respective manufacturers Islam. and by providing those sayings or slogans to those (iv) Da‘wah Posters: Posters can be another responsible with task of manufacturing those items. effective tool to serve the cause of Da‘wah. Posters In this way message to embrace Islam can be served containing fundamental messages of the holy Quran to the people of all religions.

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(xi) Da'wah Literature: Literature is the tool of a (viii) Open Letters: Open letters may create an preacher of Islam to Islam understood by the people. opportunity to sever the cause of da‘wah to the non- Equally, the other important tools are his behavior, Muslims. To this end in view, letters may written character and love for the individual in contact and addressing people of different profession of the the humanity at large. A cleric of Islam must be society like the neighbour of a , the public equipped with both to win him over to the fold of speaker, doctor, teacher, student, publisher, guardian, Allah (sw). There is a inadequacy of da'wah literature employer, trader, consumer, security guard, a both in Bangla and English. So the scholars of Islam prisoner or a traveler etc. should contribute through composing Islamic literature to be communicated to all sections of (ix) Public Competitions: Public competition like people (Siddiqi, Shamim A, 1993, p: 53). debate on Islamic issues can be used as a platform to air the message of to the targeted people. A strategy (xii) Large Bill Boards, Da‘wah Website and may be preferred in this case to the fact that awards Da‘wah Warehouse: Neon signs or bill boards with in such competitions should be based on Islamic messages of Islam may be set in the appropriate values. So books, tapes, CDs, DVDs, videos, etc., locations. Besides, da‘wah website and da‘wah based on Islamic values can be chosen to award the warehouse are some of the ways which to serve the winners of these competitions. This will largely cause of da‘wah in the modern era. facilitate the circulation of Islam to people of all faiths. 7. Recommendations To serve Islam is one of the fundamental duties of (x) Establishing Strong Media Network: In all ages every Muslim. Da‘wah is synonymous with the of human society, media of any form, either print or concept of serving Islam and contribution to serve electronic is believed to be the strongest tool to Islam through da‘wah to non-Muslim communities is circulate message of any kind to the reach of one of the basic responsibilities of every Muslim. To everybody. In the perspective of modern era, this is effectuate this, the following recommendations can more effective than any other form of circulation. be taken care of: Radio, television, internet, face book, blog and other related media can reduce the length of time and (i) There shall be arrangements for interaction of the distance to preach Islam to all. Electronic media like Muslims with the non-Muslims. In so doing, the non- television can play superb and significant role in this Muslim students and youth should be invited to share field. There exists no residence which does not own a their thoughts and opinions with the Muslim youth. television set and there is not a single family which Inter religious activities such as sports, camps, does not watch television. So if Islamic programmes workshop, or public services and charitable projects are aired through televisions channels, family are to be initiated in this respect. members will get a scope to watch it sitting at their residence and ultimately get convinced to embrace (ii) The Muslims should build up their career and life Islam. Islamic thinkers should establish strong and style in such a way so that the members of non- powerful television networks which shall be dedicated Muslim community get allured and tempted at the to serve Islam through circulating the messages of behavior and activities of them. Accordingly the Islam far and near to all. Peace TV is the most Muslims who would like to serve for the cause of outstanding example in this regard and coverage da‘wah should be trained properly. For example a power shall be like BBC, CNN, Al Zazeera etc. preacher of Islam or Da'ee must possess a clear understanding of cross-cultural outlook, Da‘wah methodology, exemplary qualities, Islamic religious education, practical aspects and values of Islam etc.

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(iii) Non-Muslims, particularly public figures in the da‘wah obligation. It is an established fact that community, should be invited to local Muslim women can easily reach the women of other religions communities on regular basis. For example, a and can contribute significantly to the expansion of monthly open day meeting in local mosques, Islamic Islam. centers, or Muslim schools can take place so that interreligious thoughts can be communicated and (x) Open integrated institutions to train up the ventilated to the communities. The Da'ee also can Muslim youth as well as to facilitate acquisition of take the opportunity of the Islamic occasions, such as opportunities and facilities which will enable the holy month Ramadan and feasts, to share with the children to learn Islamic knowledge should be neighboring non-Muslims the celebration, and chalked out. distribute treats and small gifts. 8. Conclusion (iv) Arrangement should be made for ‘door-to-door’ Islam as a universal religion has left nothing visits to non-Muslims in the neighborhood. As a part untouched to meet the needs of people of every of this process, the Islamic workers should pay visit religion. Side by side, it is a religious obligation to schools, churches, public libraries, prisons, and of every true Muslim to preach, propagate and rehabilitation centers to present the true Islam. circulate Islam to people of all religions. If the members of Muslim community discharges their (v) Print and electronic media should be used for individual as well as collective obligation to spread of Islamic. So a Da'ee should therefore da‘wah, it is expected that many of non-Muslims emphasize on the publication of newspapers, will embrace Islam and thereby will be magazines, bulletin, journals, and books. This should benefitted in both the worlds. As to the holistic be accompanied by electronic media such as radio, approach of da‘wah, the holy Quran says that a television, video, CD, DVD, audio cassettes, internet person is better than the other who invites people etc. so that can see the reality of Islam. to the path of Allah, works righteousness and says that he is Muslim (Al Quran, 41:33). So it is (vi) Programmes to provide free essential services, an obligation of every Muslim to be responsive such as education, health, water, roads etc. to the to the call of this verse of the holy Quran and much people, especially non-Muslims regardless of should preach, propagate and establish Islam in their religious background should be undertaken. every aspect of human life including convincing the people of other faiths to embrace Islam. If (vii) There should be introduced more Islamic this is so, it can be expected that Bangladesh will financial institutions e.g. Islamic Bank, Baitul- Maal, be a country where Islam will be established in Endowments, Zakat collection etc. These shall assist every nook and corner and everybody attached the Ummah to fight poverty in the country and with this noble work of da‘wah will be rewarded simultaneously help circulate Islam. by the ultimate Authority of Almighty Allah in both the worlds. (viii) Schemes should be adopted to encourage Bangladeshi traditional institutions that are similar to Reference: Islamic Institutions, as well as study of Bangladeshi 1. Al Quran. cultures leading to the establishment of a common 2. Ahmad ibn Hambal, 1999, Musnad ground between Islam and these cultures to the cause Ahmad, Bairut: Al Risalah Foundation, Ed: of da‘wah . 2, Vol: 11 3. Ahmad, Nazir, Bangladeshe Islamer (ix) There shall be plan to explore and exploit the Agomon (The advent of Islam in Muslim women section in the activities to perform Bangladesh).

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