“Inspiration and

Motivation
– the driven force”
Presentation by
Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail
For Youth Leadership Seminar
Theme: Da’wahpreneur: “Incubating Social
Initiatives”
15 May 2005
RELC International Hotel
Singapore

©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 1
 Theme: Da’wahpreneur:
“Incubating Social Initiatives”

Reflecting the Theme ……point to

ponder…..!

 What are we incubating?

“Social initiatives in Da’wah or

Da’wah in Social initiatives?”
©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail 2
 Inspirational for
Da’wah
 Truth and Beauty of Islam
 The model of our Prophet s.a.w.
 “Rah-matan lil- ‘aa-la-
meen”
 Exemplary personalities in
Islamic history
 Personal encounters
©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 3
 Motivational for
Da’wah

“.. Shu-hadaa-a ‘alan-naas”
 Shahadahtain – self-activation

“ ..ma-’aas-Saa-diqeen” -
peers and like-minded Muslims
 My teachers and our own
Ulama’
 Appreciating our history

©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 4
 Motivational for
Da’wah
IMPORTANT LESSONS:
 Knowledge – “parable of the

circle”.
White space represents
Infinite Knowledge
“We don’t even know
that we don’t know them”
Black line indicates
our encounter with knowledge
which we now realize we do not know;
The green area represents whatever Which motivates us to acquire them.
Knowledge that we have.

The beginning of Wisdom is when you realize you do not know!

©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 5
 Motivational for
Da’wah
IMPORTANT LESSONS:
 Knowledge – “parable of the

circle”.
White space represents
Infinite Knowledge
“We don’t even know
that we don’t know them”
When new knowledge gain, the circle
expands. But with this expansion the
circumference, black line, also increases.
The green area represents whatever Remember: Black line indicates
Knowledge that we have. our encounter with knowledge
which we now realize we do not know

“The more we know, the more will we encounter aspects of knowledge which
we do not know. And only realization of this which motivates us to grow in learning”

©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 6
 Motivational for
Da’wah
IMPORTANT LESSONS:
 What I learn from the ways of my

teachers: “Sometimes a way to

motivate action in students is to
tolerate their childish fantasy in
regard to their having high sense of
self-esteem; but do not overlook to
remind them of Adab*”
* “Adab” – sense of proportion and knowledge of placing things in
their rightful place. Absence of which indicates injustice (zulm).
©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 7
 Motivational for
Da’wah
IMPORTANT LESSONS:
“Da’wah has 3 pillars:
 - ‘ilm (knowledge);

 tarbiyyah / ta’dibiyyah

(training/education); and
 Jihaad (striving with utmost).”

©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 8
 ‫‪“Da’wah” – what it means to‬‬
‫‪me….‬‬

‫ة‬
‫م ِ‬‫َ‬ ‫ۡ‬ ‫حك‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ۡ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ٱ‬‫ب‬ ‫َ‬
‫ك‬
‫ِ ِ َ ِ ِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫سب‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫ى‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ع إِل‬ ‫ٱد ۡ ُ‬
‫هم‬ ‫دل ۡ ُ‬ ‫جل ٰ ِ‬ ‫و َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ۖ‬ ‫‌‬ ‫ة‬
‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫س‬
‫َ‬ ‫ح‬
‫َ‬ ‫ۡ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ة‬
‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫عظ‬ ‫مو ۡ ِ‬ ‫و ٱل ۡ َ‬ ‫َ‬
‫َ‬ ‫َّ‬
‫و‬
‫ه َ‬ ‫َ‬
‫ن َرب ّك ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن‌ۚ إِ ّ‬ ‫س ُ‬ ‫ى أح ۡ َ‬ ‫ه َ‬ ‫ِبٱللتِى ِ‬
‫هۦ‌ۖ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ ۡ‬ ‫َ‬
‫سبِيل ِ ِ‬ ‫عن َ‬ ‫ضل َ‬ ‫من َ‬ ‫م بِ َ‬ ‫عل ُ‬
‫َ‬
‫ن‬
‫دي َ‬ ‫مه ۡت َ ِ‬ ‫م ِبٱلل ۡ ُ‬ ‫و أع ۡ ل ُ‬
‫َ‬ ‫ه َ‬ ‫و ُ‬ ‫َ‬
‫‪©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail.‬‬ ‫‪9‬‬
 “Da’wah” – what it means to
me….

“Call thou (all mankind) unto the way

of Thy Lord, with wisdom and
goodly exhortation, and argue with
them in the most kindly manner:
for behold, thy Lord knows best as
to who strays from His path, and
best knows He as to who are the
right-guided”

(Q: an-Nahl
©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. : 16 : 125) 10
 “Da’wah” – what it means to
me….
Conditions:

 With Wisdom,
 With goodly exhortation,

 If argument must be in the must

kindly manner.

©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 11
 ‫‪“Da’wah” – what it means to‬‬
‫‪me….‬‬

‫من ۡ‬ ‫ل ۬ ِّ‬‫سو ٌ‬ ‫ڪلللم ۡ َر ُ‬ ‫قد ۡ َ‬

‫جآء َ ُ‬ ‫لَ َ‬
‫عنِت ّم ۡ‬ ‫َ‬
‫ُ‬ ‫ما َ‬ ‫ه َ‬ ‫علي ۡ ِ‬
‫َ‬ ‫زيٌز َ‬ ‫س ڪُم ۡ َ‬
‫ع ِ‬ ‫ف ِ‬ ‫أن ُ‬
‫ن‬ ‫منِي َ‬ ‫مؤ ۡ ِ‬‫علَي ۡڪ ُم ِبٱلل ۡ ُ‬ ‫ص َ‬ ‫ري ٌ‬ ‫ح ِ‬‫َ‬
‫م۬‬‫حي ٌ‬ ‫ف ۬ َّر ِ‬
‫َرءُو ٌ‬
‫‪©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail.‬‬ ‫‪12‬‬
 “Da’wah” – what it means to
me….
“Indeed, there has come unto you (O
mankind) a Messenger (Prophet
Muhammad) from among
yourselves: heavily weighs upon
him [the thought] that you might
suffer [in the life to come]; full of
concern for you [is he, and] full of
compassion and mercy towards the
believers”
(Q: at-Tawbah : 9 : 128)
©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 13
 ‫‪“Da’wah” – what it means to‬‬
‫‪me….‬‬

‫َّ‬ ‫َّ‬
‫ن‬‫ذي َ‬ ‫و ٱل ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ۚ‬ ‫‌‬ ‫ه‬‫ِ‬ ‫لل‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫سو‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬
‫۬‬
‫مد‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ح‬‫َ‬ ‫م‬‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬
‫َ‬
‫على ٱل ۡكفا ِ‬
‫ر‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫شدّاءُ َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ه‪  ‬ۥ ۤ أ ِ‬ ‫ع ُ‬
‫م َ‬ ‫َ‬
‫مآءُ بَي ۡ َن ُہللم ۡ ‌ ۖ‬ ‫ح َ‬ ‫ُر َ‬
‫جد يَب ۡت َ ُ‬ ‫س ّ ً۬ا‬ ‫َ‬
‫ن‬ ‫غو َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ع۬ ا َ ُ‬ ‫هم ۡ ُرك ّ ً‬ ‫تََرٮ ٰ ُ‬
‫و ٲ ً ۬نا ‌ ۖ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ۡ‬ ‫رض‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫و‬‫َ‬ ‫ه‬
‫ِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫لل‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫َ‬ ‫م‬‫ِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫۬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫فض ۡ‬ ‫َ‬
‫َ‬
‫من ۡ أث ِ‬
‫ر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫هم ِّ‬ ‫ه ِ‬ ‫جو ِ‬ ‫و ُ‬ ‫فى ُ‬ ‫هم ۡ ِ‬ ‫ما ُ‬ ‫سي َ‬ ‫ِ‬
‫جوِد ‌ ۚ‬ ‫س ُ‬ ‫ٱل ُّ‬
‫‪(Q:‬‬
‫‪©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail.‬‬ ‫)‪al-Fath : 48 : 29‬‬ ‫‪14‬‬
 “Da’wah” – what it means to
me….
“Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger;
and those who are [truly] with him
are firm and unyielding towards all
deniers of the truth, [yet] full of
mercy towards one another. You
can see them bowing down,
prostrating themselves [in prayer],
seeking favor with Allah and [for
His] goodly acceptance: their marks
are on their faces, traced by
prostration”
(Q: al-Fath : 48 : 29)
©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 15
 The title or appellation of “Da-’i” –
a reflection …………..

PROPHET MUHAMMAD s.a.w. :

the (exemplary) DA-’I (par
excellence)

“ …ad-Daa-’iyan ilaAllaaha bi-idz-nihi….”

©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 16
 The title or appellation of “Da-’i” –
a reflection …………..
 “Da-’i” – title indicating a high station
in the hierarchy of ranks amongst
‘ulama’ of Islam.
 title accorded with certain criteria.
 “the title or appellation of a “Da-’i”
should not be carelessly used just
because a Muslim is doing or helping
in work of Da’wah”

©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 17
 AD-DA-‘I WAD-DA’WAH
(THE CALLER AND THE CALL)

MUBALLIGH

MUDAR-RIS WA MU-‘AL-LIM

MURAB-BI’ - MU-AD-DIB - MURSHID

MUS-LIH AD-DEEN WAL-UMMAH

MUJAD-DID

MUJAHID - DA’WAH

BIL-LISAAN BIL-QALAAM BIL-HAAL BIS-SAYF

QUDWAH HASANAH MUNAZARAH

©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 18
 ADVICE FOR THE LEARNED AND THE WISE

“The learned and wise among Muslims

must use constant vigilance in detecting
erroneous usage in language which
impinges upon semantic change in major
key elements and creates general
confusion and error in the understanding
of Islam and of its worldview.”

Quote: S M Naquib al-Attas “The Concept of Education

in Islam” pp. 37-38

©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 19
 MEANINGS OF TERMS BETWEEN
GENERAL AND DETAIL

 DA’AWAH – today, has been

understood generally, to refer
to every initiatives to call
people towards adhering to
every teachings of Islam,
without any distinction with
regards to the audience
concerned (al-mad’uun).
©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 20
 MEANING OF TERMS - BETWEEN
GENERAL AND DETAIL
 DA’WAH – in the original sense
refers to the calling of mankind
(unbelievers).
 For Muslims, DA’WAH (the call) is

still continuously done but more

towards their gradual improvement
and perfection in Islam. This,
technically is regarded as “ISLAH”
– to distinguish it from the original
meaning of Da’wah which is
©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail.
directed to non-Muslims. 21
 IMPORTANT !

Muslim activists’ understanding of meaning of

DA’WAH should not be only the general, but
must know its detail connotation, so as to be
able to distinguish between:

DA’WAH – directed towards non-Muslims,

which primarily this term is meant for.
Unfortunately this aspect has now been almost
totally neglected. Some called it “direct
da’wah”
ISLAH – for every initiatives to bring about
improvements towards Muslims, through
calling, educating and carrying out their social
duties. Those who know, regards these efforts
as “indirect da’wah”
©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 22
 ISLAH DA’WAH
 Objectives are  Objectives are
towards our own towards non-
people; we can Muslims; we have
easily determine to develop their
their needs which need for Islam;
usually are of programs usually
immediate have to be long-
nature, short term and prioritize
term; tends to towards a long-
become seasonal. term objective and
require
commitment for
‘long hauls’.
©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 23
 ISLAH DA’WAH

 “Clients”  “Clients” are

generally diverse with
homogeneous, differing values
with many similar and may even
values and they have ‘hostile’
may already be attitude. Need to
ready to receive be sensitive and
intervention and we cannot assume
easily supportive receptivity.
of program.
©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 24
 ISLAH DA’WAH
 Exclusive (i.e. tends  Inclusive (i.e. must
to be inward looking look outside our
primarily for Muslim community). Thus
community.) Thus activists’ knowledge,
activists’ knowledge, comfort level and
comfort level and confidence in dealing
confidence in dealing with their clients
with their clients cannot be assumed
easily developed to but require specific
suit their work with and intensive
clients or audience. preparation,
especially their
knowledge of other
communities.
©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 25
 ISLAH DA’WAH
 Activists’  Activists’
developmental needs developmental needs
can be only focused must all be focused on
on the project at Da’wah and therefore
hand; need not have require commitment
to know bigger for continuous
picture. Can have training. Need to
different activist. utilize same activists’
Can harness their involvement in various
personal projects. Relatively
professional high level of religious
expertise, as high knowledge is crucial.
level of religious
knowledge need not
be so crucial a
©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 26
requirement.
 ISLAH DA’WAH

 Program can  Program must

have a general be carefully
approach; can planned,
assume wide specific and
catchments of must be
audience. sensitive in
approach; no
ready audience
for our
©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail.
program. 27
 ISLAH DA’WAH
* these are just only some of the
examples (not exhaustive),
important to be considered …..
without which there may be
possible occurrence of : over
or under utilization of human
resources; blurring
specific/general needs into
one; mismatch; etc.

©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 28
 What is the real concern?
- Suggestions :

(A) Lack of social initiatives

(B) Lack of effective Da’wah

©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 29
 Themes for Social initiatives which falls
under improving the lives of Muslim -
“Islah”

 Um-matan wa-so-taa
“Building a balanced and just society”
 Ee-man wa -amal-Swo-li-h
“Moulding of a citizen : upon conviction
and good deeds”
 Al-birr- wat-taq-waa
“Let us help in every good works and in
piety”
 Al-khay-raat
“Let us compete in charity and good
works”
©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 30
 Themes for Social initiatives which falls
under improving the lives of Muslim -
“Islah”

 Al-Ihsan
“A Society that exudes benevolence and
righteous conduct”
 ‘Amr ma’ruf Nahi munkar
“ Vigilance through community service”
 Taw-Swi bil-Haqq was-
Swobr
“A civil society that up hold Truth and
display steadfastness with Patience.”
©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 31
 A reflection and suggestions …..

DA’WAH IN SOCIAL INITIATIVES

©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 32
 REMINDER….
“Whosoever has no concern
for the affairs of this
ummah, then he is not from
amongst them .”
(Hadith reported by Abu
Dawud)

©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 33
 REMINDER….
“When the affair is given to one
who is not its rightful person for
it (ah-liha), then wait for the
time (of its destruction).”
(Hadith reported by Bukhary)

©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 34
 ‫‪REMINDER….‬‬
‫سينَآ‬ ‫خذ ۡنَا ٓ إِن ن َّ ِ‬ ‫ؤا ِ‬ ‫َربَّنَا َل ت ُ َ‬
‫َ‬ ‫َ‬
‫خطأ ۡنَا ‌ ۚ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أو ۡ أ ۡ‬
‫علَي ۡنَآ‬ ‫مل ۡ َ‬ ‫وَل تَح ۡ ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ا‬‫َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َرب ّ‬
‫ه‪  ‬ۥ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ۡ‬ ‫مل‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ما‬ ‫ك َ‬ ‫َ‬
‫َ‬ ‫را‬‫۬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ۡ‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫إ‬
‫قب ۡلِنَا ‌ ۚ‬‫من َ‬ ‫ن ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ذي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ى‬ ‫َ‬ ‫عل‬ ‫َ‬
‫ما َل‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ۡ‬ ‫مل‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ ّ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ل‬ ‫َ‬ ‫و‬
‫َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َرب ّ‬
‫ف‬‫و ٱع ۡ ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ۖ‬ ‫‌‬ ‫ۦ‬ ‫ه‬
‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ا‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ة‬‫َ‬ ‫َ‬
‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ط‬
‫فر ۡ لَنَا‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫و ٱغ ۡ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫عن‬ ‫َ‬
‫‪©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail.‬‬
‫َ‬ ‫‪35‬‬
 REMINDER….
“Ya Allaah!”
O our Lord! Take us not to task if we
forget or unwittingly fall into error,
O our Lord! Lay not on us a burden such
as Thou didst lay upon those who
lived before us!
O our Lord! Make us not bear burdens
which we have no strength to bear!
And efface Thou our sins and grant us
forgiveness, and be merciful to us!
Thou art our Lord Supreme: Help us
against people who deny the truth!

©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 36
 This is not the end ……… we must
continue to discuss and exhort
one another to the Truth, exhort
one another towards patience and
steadfastness!

WaAllaahu a’-lam
Wa-billaahi taufiq wal-Hidaayah

Was-salaam.

©2005ZhulkefleeHjIsmail. 37