Calling towards the path of truth – a motivational way.

Calling towards the path of truth – a motivational way.

And who is better in speech than he who invites to Allah, and does righteous deeds, and says: “I am one of the Muslims.”
[Al-Quran, 41:33]

When we feel that Allah (swt) has blessed us as a Muslim and given us hidayah, and then we realize many around us are still wandering around, without realizing what their real goal is to be in this world. This includes non-Muslims and well as many non-practicing Muslims who are born in a Muslim family. In such cases it becomes the duty of a rightly guided person to motivate these people to come towards the right path.
The path shown by our Lord, the path of salvation… As Allah (swt) says in Quran: “Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al- Ma`ruf (all that Islam orders) and forbidding Al-Munkar (all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful.” [3: 104]
Now the question comes how to motivate them?? Will they listen to us?? What if they think we are fools and talking something imaginary??
This needs some right management skills and little patience. Remember, everybody has a motivational fuse i.e. everybody can be motivated. Whenever we feel the task is difficult, all we have to do is to go 1400 years back and recall the life history of the Noble Prophet – a perfect example. Some points which should be taken care are as follows:

Manners and conduct:

First of all, Muslims should set best example in manners and conduct, justice, equality, and protection of people’s rights. They should show an ideal picture of Islam with the help of their conducts and manners by following the path of our beloved Prophet (pbuh). Remember, many non-Muslims in the life span of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) accepted Islam just by getting inspired by the Ideal way of living of many Muslims around them. As Allah (swt) says in Quran: “The good deed and the evil deed cannot be equal. Repel (the evil) with one which is better, then verily he, between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend”. [41:34]
Also, Muslims should be sure that they never fail to follow for what they advise for. Means, he himself follows that which he says, so it benefits him as well as others. He is not one of those who enjoin good but do not do it themselves, or who forbid evil yet commits. Allah says in the Quran: “O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allah that you say that which you do not do.”[61:2-3]

Different people different needs:

Different people can be motivated in different ways. Thus, before we start our work, we need to know the psychology and background of the person we are motivating. Their mind set, their thoughts, their way of living and their problems should be known properly.
Most of the people are ignorant, following the cultures and rituals of their forefathers. They don’t know for what they are living. We will find many ignorant people around us which are in search of the truth. They get so much distracted from the outer picture of religion that they don’t know where to go and how to find their Lord. Muslims have to recognize these types of people and have to show them the true picture of religion and God. These are the people who are waiting for the truth to come. As soon as they see the truth, they accept it without any hesitation. Then it becomes the duty of the Muslims to give them what they need when they ask for it.
Most of the non-practicing Muslims know the basic concept of ‘Oneness-of-God’. They believe their Lord is one, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as the last Messenger and about the next birth. The problem with them is, they are so much involved in problems faced in this world and they don’t realize the importance of the life after death. In such cases, we have to make them realize the importance of the religion. Show them the right view of the religion and motivate them to follow that. Make them recognize the meaning of the verse of the Quran which says: “O you who believe! Enter Silm (Islam) perfectly, and follow not the footsteps of Shaytan. Verily, he is to you a plain enemy.” [2:208]. Tell them that Allah commands His servants who believe in Him and have faith in His Messenger to implement all of Islam’s legislation and law, to adhere to all of its commandments, as much as they can, and to refrain from all of its prohibitions. Allah says: “O you who believe, Obey Allah and Obey the Messenger and do not waste your deeds” [47:33].

Concentrate on teaching the basics:

We have to make sure that when we are motivating anybody, we should only concentrate on the basics of the religion. When the foundation is right then the whole structure will be right. As for non-muslims, the first thing which we want them to realize is the importance of Islam. Without going into the details and touching the differences, if the person has some knowledge and asks questions then reply according to the conditions with examples if possible. Once the person is inspired by it and accepts the oneness of God, the rest of the path is easy.
While motivating non-practicing muslims, try not to touch the sensitive issues regarding differences. Always equip your points with the references of Quran and Sunnah. Be plain in your explanation and humble yourself. The more humble you are, the more you can convince people.

Present them Quran:

This is the Book, wherein there is no doubt, guidance for the Muttaqin.
[Al Quran, 2:2]

What our beloved Prophet (pbuh) used to do when he calls anybody towards Islam? He (pbuh) used to read Quran. Remember, Quran is the book of Allah (swt). It has got a miraculous power. Not only non-muslims, most of the Muslims also don’t understand the real purpose of the Quran. Many of them have never read the translation of the Quran. So both of the Muslims and non-Muslims need to read them by understanding. Present them the translation of Quran in their local language.
Ask them to read it and if they seem to take interest, then clear their doubts which they get while reading them.

Be polite and fair:

We have to make sure that when we call anybody towards the right path; it should be done in polite manner. As Allah (swt) says in the Quran

“Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better” [16:125]

While motivating a non-practicing Muslim, our speech should not be insulting. Don’t show them that we are better than you, rather help them to understand why they need to follow the religion totally, and partial understanding and partial following is not going to help them.
While motivating a non-Muslim, try not to abuse their Lords. As Allah (swt) says in the Quran “And insult not those whom they worship besides Allah, lest they insult Allah wrongfully without knowledge.” [6:108]. Thus, Allah prohibits His Messenger and the believers from insulting the false deities of the idolaters. Insulting their deities will lead to a bigger evil, for the idolaters might retaliate by insulting the God of the believers. Moreover, direct insult to their belief will make them arrogant, and they will even stop listening to the truth.

Motivation should be repeated:

Remember, Motivation once established, does not last if not repeated. Thus, once we recognize that the person is progressing, we need to repeat our motivational process again and again. Keep visiting them time to time. Invite them to your places and have a small talk of the things based on religion. If they are busy and don’t get much time then we can have a simple review of the things while having a coffee or while walking. “Weaker men wait for an opportunity, while the stronger creates them”

Our job is only to convey:

Allah says in the Quran “So remind them, you are only a one who reminds. You are not a dictator over them.” [88:21-22]. we should only convey the message of Allah to the people; rest is in the hands of Allah.

Finally it’s the will of Allah:

Don’t get disappointed, if you feel it is not working. Our work is just to motivate them. Giving them hidayah is to the will of Allah. As Allah (swt) says in the Quran: “Verily, you guide not whom you like but Allah guides whom He wills….” [28:56] which means: Allah knows best who deserves to be guided and who deserves to be misguided. Allah declares that even after this clear, plain and unequivocal explanation, most men will still not believe, due to their rebellion, stubbornness and hypocrisy.

“And whomsoever Allah wills to guide, He opens his breast to Islam; and whomsoever He wills to send astray, He makes his breast closed and constricted, as if he is climbing up to the sky.”
[Al-Quran, Al-Anaam (6), Verse 125]