sabeel ahmed, islamic circle of north america, chicago reverts follow-up dr.sabeel ahmed why-islam...
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Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
Reverts Follow-upReverts Follow-up
Dr.Sabeel AhmedWHY-Islam
Chicago
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
How this material came into How this material came into beingbeing
Research into Quran & SunnahInterviewing revertsInteracting with revertsReading about reverts
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
Consequence of Negligence of Consequence of Negligence of RevertsReverts
New-Muslims ‘Revert’ back to their old faith New-Muslims stay Muslim but cease to associate with
Muslims A incident by new-Muslim - One thing I would liked
discussed is the exclusion of new muslims by arab muslims and the arab muslims insistence that only arabs and arab speakers are going to jennah. My children attend a predominately muslim academy and we often have situations where children as young as 5-6 years old spew this garbage as told by others. This is a serious division amongst the ummah and is discouraging to many new reverts. This is just one of many issues that should be addressed,
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
A New-Muslim Reciting A New-Muslim Reciting ShahadaShahada
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
Revert Follow-Up During Revert Follow-Up During Prophet’s (s) TimeProphet’s (s) Time
Amr bin Absa: was taught by Prophet (s) how to make wudu and do salaat.
Musab ibn Umair – Sent to teach new-Muslims and perform Da’wah on people of Madinah.
Kaab bin Malik – ‘We already learned our prayers and knew our religion before we met Rasulullah (saw)’.
Jafar ibn Abu Talib was the teacher of the new-Muslim, Negus of Abyssinia
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
Why Revert Follow-up?Why Revert Follow-up?
Its our obligation to assist new-Muslims in knowledge and support
WITHOUTWITHOUT proper support ~60% of reverts, revert back to their previous faith
WITHWITH proper follow-up, we can transform a revert into a dynamic, Da’wah and movement oriented practicing Muslim, insha Allah.
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
Mentoring Reverts:Mentoring Reverts:criteria for being a mentorcriteria for being a mentor
MarriedPast experience with revertsRevert himself/herselfFluent in the language of the revertsSame cultural background as the revertsSame previous faith (ex. Lutherian)Same gender
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
Mentoring RevertsMentoring Revertscriteria for being a mentorcriteria for being a mentor
Comparative religion knowledgeGood in Arabic pronunciationFluent in EnglishSame ageSame educational backgroundSame geographic area for easy face to face
sharing of knowledge
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
Hardships Faced By Hardships Faced By New-MuslimsNew-Muslims
How We Can Assist…
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
Tell your family that you are still worshipping the same God. Allah is the ‘The God’ of the whole creation and not a ‘different’ God of
Arabs and Muslims Show them the difference between Islam Vs. what is shown via media or
seen in some Muslim cultures Discuss similarities between Islam & their faith Convey the high respect & belief in Jesus (s) and Mariam (s). Have your family meet your muslim friends. Take your family to masjid If you are going to change name, retain last name (if it is not unislamic) Fulfill obligation/rights of parents, children, spouse,siblings, relatives etc. BEST DAWAH: If they see how Islam changed you for the better,
tensions will be eased and they will be receptive to the message of Islam, insha Allah
FAMILYFAMILY
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
FINANCESFINANCESExample of Salman FarsiInquire about their financial condition and
as needed assist personally or via community to meet basic needs.
Don’t make him/her dependent on others for finances
Assist in education or technical specialtyAssist in job placement
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
MARRIAGEMARRIAGE Single and looking
– Advise of Prophet Muhammad (s) in seeking marriage partner.
– Seek partner is also a revert and of similar background ?
– Seek partner from the immigrant community?
Married– Spouse still non-Muslim Jew or Christian– Spouse still non-Muslim polytheist
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
ChildrenChildren Try best to accommodate kids of reverts into Islamic
schools. Second option Sunday schools. Provide a mentor to associate with reverts’ children. The above mentor should be of about the same age and
gender as the children of reverts. Muslims should find out the needs of their kids and assist
in every which way possible Involve reverts’ children in Islamic clubs, MCNA, YM,
MSAs etc. Involve reverts’ children in Islamic summer camps and
Islamic activities with other Muslim children.
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
LODGINGLODGING
Some problems in living with non-Muslim family members.
Drinking
Pork consumption
Free mixing with friends & guests
It is important that the new-Muslim live in an Islamic environment.
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
EDUCATIONEDUCATION Inform him that the main source of guidance are
the Quran and the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh).
Teach the importance of prayer and the way to offer them.
Importance of prayer on time and with jam’ah. Educate him about personal cleanliness: Ablution,
Ghusl, hair, nails etc) See slides on ‘Resources for new Muslims.
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
Dealing with Islamically Dealing with Islamically unacceptable baggage of unacceptable baggage of
RevertsReverts Physical baggage: Tattoo, drinking, smoking, drugs, ear ring etc. Use hikmah in weaning reverts off from their pre-
Islamic habits. DON’T critique them in each and every time you
discover any un-Islamic activity by reverts. DO choose the best time, place and environment
to share with them the Islamic injunction of that specific un-Islamic act and the wisdom of Allah in discouraging or prohibiting that act.
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
Dealing with Islamically Dealing with Islamically unacceptable baggage of unacceptable baggage of
revertsreverts DO assist them in the weaning process. Eg. Alcohol, smoking. DO remind them that other Muslims may criticize
them (even harshly) and that they should remain patient.
DO provide examples of early reverts and other reverts who had similar problems and how they tackled them.
DO advise them to pray to Allah (SWT) in assisting them in giving-up undesirable acts/behavior.
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
Accommodating Reverts into Accommodating Reverts into NNs NNs (Neighbor Nets – Study Circle)(Neighbor Nets – Study Circle)
Go out of your way to assist reverts in your NNs and social circle
Time – Start & Finish on time and at suitable time Place – Suitable & comfortable for all Contents – Interesting, interactive and examples
relevant and understood by revert Set aside more time (than other members of NN)
for reverts for their comments and questions.
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
Accommodating Reverts into Accommodating Reverts into NNsNNs
Conduct NNs in English If using Arabic terms (or terms in other languages),
then translate them. (during and outside of NNs). Use examples and analogies understandable by
reverts When NN personnel are holding other islamic
events, make sure to invite all reverts and accommodate them.
Periodically, take turns to invite revert and their families over for snack or meal.
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
Email List For RevertsEmail List For Reverts
Compile data base of Reverts Send them periodic and relevant emails
– Article– Announcements– Practicle tips on tackling situations– Examples:
Website on How to Pray Islamic Q & A: www.irf.net by Dr. Zakir Naik Article of Tauheed – Bilal Philips
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
New Muslim ClassesNew Muslim Classes
Start & Finish on timeSome like formal, classroom type structure,
some like informal random Q & A sessions. To accommodate both, have half and half.
Provide transportation if neededAssist in baby-sittingSome may not be used to sitting on ground,
have access to chairs.
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
New Muslim ClassesNew Muslim Classes
Set Syllabus– Sound knowledge of tawheed– Prayer– Zakat– Fasting– Hajj– Other faraid– Sunnah– Relate all of the above in practicality to every day life.Homework and assignment (audio, video, books etc)Have fun with quizzes and prizes.
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
Resources for new muslimsResources for new muslims
Books– Common questions asked by new-Muslims– Islam in Focus
Audios– Juz Amma’ with English translation - CD
Videos– Pray like the way you see me pray – DVD
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
Resources for new muslimsResources for new muslims
Magazines– The Message– Al-Jumma– Islamic Horizons
Websites:– www.whyislam.org– Convertstoislam.org– www.beconvinced.com– http://www.latinodawah.org/
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
Do’s & Don’ts Do’s & Don’ts In Revers Follow-upIn Revers Follow-up
DO’s Immediately welcome her with embraces and
smiles Offer her useful gifts: New Muslim Package Exchange phone number and email address etc.
Then actually CALL her Give her a schedule of all classes, services, special
sessions. Immediately assign a ‘mentor’ to guidance and
support.
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
Do’s & Don’ts Do’s & Don’ts In Revers Follow-upIn Revers Follow-up
DO’s Let her know you understand the peer pressure
and encourage her to be strong Recognize and introduce her and make her feel
special in the presence of other Muslims. Invite her to socialize with other sisters. Be very patient with her Islamic Growth Compliment and encourage her often
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
Do’s & Don’ts Do’s & Don’ts In Revers Follow-upIn Revers Follow-up
DON’TCritique the religion that she left, nor of the
religion of her relatives and old friends.Critique her clothingCriticize her bad habitsLeave her alone in the masjid or an Islamic
functionsAssume that she knows how to pray
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
Do’s & Don’ts Do’s & Don’ts In Revers Follow-upIn Revers Follow-up
DON’TAssume that she knows how to prayMake conversation with others in a foreign
language in front of herExpect too many instant changesOverwhelm her with too much ‘deep’
informationBreak any promises
Sabeel Ahmed, Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
CONTACTCONTACT
ISLAMIC CIRCLE OF NORTH AMERICA
1-877-WHY-Islam
1-800-662-ISLAM
CHICAGO@WHYISLAM.ORG
WWW.WHYISLAM.ORG
Sabeel Ahmed
Sabeeldawah@yahoo.com
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