** * Da’wah on the go: Muhammad Al-Areefi *
**
Throughout the centuries, Allah has continued to bless this Ummah with
servants of His, who give up their time and energy for the service of this
religion. It is always inspirational to reflect on the experiences of these
du’aat whilst working for their noble cause.
One of these du’at, who we think of as successful, yet we do not praise
anyone before Allah, is our Sheikh Muhammad Al-Areefi, may Allah preserve
him, who is a famous Saudi da’ee. In his eloquently delivered Arabic
lectures, he sometimes shares with the audience his experiences in da’wah.
In an effort to inspire our non-Arabic speaking readers with the unique and
motivating style of this da’ee, we share a gem from his da’wah experience.
**
*In the Taxi*
In a powerful lecture discussing some of the lessons derived from the story
of Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) and his da’wah in prison, our Sheikh
emphasized the importance of beginning with Tawheed in calling to Allah
based on the verses:
“O two companions of the prison! Are many different lords (gods) better or
Allah, the One, the Irresistible? You do not worship besides Him but only
names which you have named (forged), you and your fathers, for which Allah
has sent down no authority. The command (or the judgement) is for none but
Allah. He has commanded that you worship none but Him, that is the (true)
straight religion, but most men know not.” *(Qur’an, 12:39-40)*
The Sheikh then shared a story from his own experience. One early morning he
was about to take a taxi from his hotel to the airport following a visit to
Qatar. He learned that another man would be sharing the ride with him.
Riding in the back seat with the man, he started a conversation with him.
Sheikh: “Where are you from?”
Man: “Korea.”
Sheikh: “What do you do?”
Man: “I am a businessman.”
Sheikh: “What’s your name?”
Man: “Si Ki Tu (See Kee Tu).”
Sheikh: “Where do you work?”
Man: “Jubail, Saudi Arabia.”
Sheikh: “If you live in Jubail, then your name should be Muhammad or
Abdullah (meaning, you should have been a Muslim by now).”
The man laughs.
Sheikh: “How long have you been there?”
Man: “15 years.”
Sheikh: “Did anyone invite you to the religion of Islam in all these years?”
Man: “Actually, I don’t really care about religion. The most important thing
to me is money. Once there is money behind something, I’m all for it. But
give me a book, CD or tell me to listen to a talk... I don’t really care for
all of this.”
Sheikh: “OK, so you don’t worship anything?”
Man: “No, no, I just live.”
Sheikh: “No, you do worship. In Korea, they worship the idol Buddha?”
Man: “Yes, but I don’t really care much about Buddha.”
The Sheikh continues the conversation, trying to revive some life and
thought into the man, saying: “So, if someone passed by this idol, Buddha,
and kicked him with his foot, can he defend himself?
Man: “No.”
Sheikh: “If someone were to spit on him as he walked by his statue, would he
be able to respond in defense of himself?”
Man: “No.”
Sheikh: “So how is it that he is worshipped, called upon for help, for cure
in illness, for wealth in poverty, to remove oppression…”
Man: “Yes, you’re right. Besides, I am not really convinced about Buddha
anyhow.”
Sheikh: “So… what do you worship?”
Man: “I just live like that, I don’t worship anyone.”
There was then a period of silence between them.
The man then turned to the Sheikh and said, “You know what?”
Sheikh: “Yes?”
Man: “When I am touched by worry and grief, you know what I do? I raise my
eyes to the sky and say: ‘Allah Kareem’ (Allah is Generous). Once I say
this, I feel completely at peace.”
Sheikh: “Subhan Allah. When you called upon Him alone, although you do not
believe, it helped you and brought you peace! So, how then would it be if
you actually worshipped Him, without any partners?”
Man (agreeing): “Yes, you are right.”
Sheikh: “I invite you now to bear witness that there is no god worthy of
worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
Man: “How? When we are in the taxi?!”
Sheikh: “Yes! In the taxi, airplane, under the sea, in the sky, Islam does
not require that you go to mosque in order to accept it as your religion.
Now, say Ashhadu an La ilaaha illa Allah wa anna Muhammadan rasool Allah.”
Man: “What about Salah?” (The man was concerned that he didn’t know how to
pray.)
Sheikh: “It will come. Say the Shahadatayn (the two testimonies) first.”
Man: “Ash-hadu an La ilaha illa Allah wa anna Muhammadan rasul Allah (I bear
witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah and that
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah).”
After help and guidance from Allah, it takes a brave caller to Allah with a
sincere heart, who truly desires to guide others to the path of bliss in
this life and the hereafter.
All he did was take advantage of his time with him to allow him to reflect
on the meaning of worship in his life.
Perhaps through a simple effort, armed with sincerity and help from Allah,
it may result as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said after learning of the
death of a young Jewish boy who had entered the religion only moments
before: “Praise be to Allah, Who has saved him from the Fire.” *(Al-Bukhari)
*
– Muslim Matters
* *
.
__,_._,___
--
Faizan Shaikh,
Servant of Allah subhanau taa'la
“O Allah! Guide me to have beautiful manners and characteristics, no one can
guide me to beautify them except You. And turn me away from all evil actions
and characteristics, no one can turn them away from me except You.”
--
Nor can Goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (evil) with what is better; then the
enmity between him and you will become as if it were your friend and intimate!
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