Volume I, Issue 3 March 10, 2007

An important matter for Mus-

lims to realize is that da`wah

is an obligation upon them.

Allah (SWT) says in the

Qur'an:

"Invite to the Way of your

Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom

and fair preaching, and argue

with them in a way that is

better. Truly, your Lord knows

best who has gone astray

from His Path, and He is the

Best Aware of those who are

guided." [al-Qur'an, an-

Nisaa', 16:125]

"Let there arise out of you a

group of people inviting to

all that is good, enjoining al-

ma`roof [i.e. Islamic Mono-

theism and all that Islam or-

ders one to do] and forbid-

ding al-Munkar [polytheism

and disbelief and all that Is-

lam has forbidden]. And it is

they who are successful." [al-

Qur'an, Aal `Imraan, 3:104]

The second verse may seem

to be restricting the general

obligation given in the first

verse, but a close look at the

Sunnah of the Prophet Mu-

hammad (S) reveals that call-

ing to Allah is an individual

obligation, rather than a col-

lective one. The Prophet (S)

has said: "Convey from me,

even one verse." [al-Bukhari]

Conveying the message

therefore does not require a

high level of scholarship, it is

in fact a responsibility of each

and every Muslim, according

to his or her ability.

The obligation is further em-

phasized by the following

verse which explains that not

conveying the message -

hiding knowledge - is dis-

obedience to Allah that

causes Allah's curse to de-

scend upon such people,

which shows that such a sin

leads to the Hellfire.

"Verily, those who conceal

the clear proofs, evidences

and the guidance, which We

have sent down, after We

have made it clear for the

people in the book, they are

the ones cursed by Allah and

cursed by the cursers." [al-

Qur'an, al-Baqara, 2:159]

In the same connection, the

Prophet (S) has stated,

"Whoever hides knowledge,

Allah will brand him with the

branding iron from the hell-

fire." [Ahmad]

Calling people to Allah also

means completing our own

worship, the reason for which

we are created. It is one of

the noblest acts that entails a

high reward.

"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-Qur'an, Fussi-

lat, 41:33]

With regards to the reward,

the Prophet (S) has said:

"Whoever guides [another] to

a good deed will get a re-

ward similar to the one who

performs it." [Saheeh Muslim]

Also, "By Allah, if Allah were

to guide one man through

you it would be better for

you than the best type of

camels." [al-Bukhari, Muslim]

[source: www.islaam.com]

Da`wah - An Obligation By Abu `Abdil Kareem

youth.muslimummah.net

A MUNA Youth Publication Page 1

Agenda for YDPAgenda for YDP 10:00A.M.—10:05A.M. Introduction: Br. Manzur/President

10:06A.M.—10:20A.M. Dars al-Quran: Br. A. Awal/Assistant Executive Director

10:21A.M.—10:26A.M. Question & Answer 10:27A.M.—10:35A.M. Conversation/Snack 10:36A.M.—10:40A.M. NYC Youth Chapter Portfolio Presentation: Br. Manzur/President

10:41A.M.—11:41A.M. NYC Youth Sub-chapter Portfolio Presentation: Br. Manzur/President 11:42A.M.—11:50A.M. Conversation/Snack 11:51A.M.—12:21P.M. Da'wah Workshop: Br. Farid/Director of Treasury

12:22P.M.—12:42P.M. Appeal: Web/Database/Newsletter Teams 12:43P.M.—12:55P.M. MUNA Announcements: Br. Manzur/President 12:56P.M.—1:00P.M. Du’a: Br. Manzur/President

Volume I, Issue 3 March 10, 2007

Surah of the Month Surah Fil (Chapter 30, Surah 105, Ayats 1-5)

A MUNA Youth Publication Page 2

1. Don't you see how your Lord dealt with

the Companions of the Elephant?

2. Did He not make their treacherous plan

go astray?

3. And He sent against them flights of

birds,

4. Striking them with stones of backed

clay.

5. Then He made them like an empty field

of stalks and straw, (of which the corn)

has been eaten up.

Ayat of the Month Surah Ha-Mim Sajdah (Surah 41, Ayat 33)

“Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah, works

righteousness, and says, I am of those who bow in Islam?”

Hadith of the Month Narrated by Hudifah (RA)

Prophet Muhammad (S) said “I swear by the lord who has power over

my life; surely (mentioned twice) you will call people towards the

good and forbid them from bad. If not, in the near future Allah (SWT)

will curse you and afterwards you will supplicate (Du’a) to Him but

your supplication will not be accepted.”

[source: Collection of Thirmidhi]

Book of the Month The Sealed Nectar by Ar-Rahequl Al-Maktum

Visit the new MUNA Youth Website

youth.muslimummah.net

MUNA Youth is looking for people who are mo-tivated in maintaining a newsletter and/or web-site. Please email Br. Abdullah al-Ma’mun at amamun19@yahoo.com for all inquiries.

Receive great reward from Allah (SWT) by reading the Qur'an every day.

Tidbits of InterestTidbits of Interest

Volume I, Issue 3 March 10, 2007

A MUNA Youth Publication Page 3

Volume I, Issue 3 March 10, 2007

A MUNA Youth Publication Page 4

Newsletter Designed and Created by Ashraf Ali, Aminul Islam, and Rakibul Mazumder

Seerah Essay Competition, 2007 Muslim Ummah of North America

Organized By: MUNA Da’wah Department

Rules: 1. Essay must be typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman, size 12 font and one (1) inch margins. 2. Essay must be completed with a statement of position (agree or disagree), followed by examples, quotations, and logics to support the position of the essay. Essay can be submitted in Bengali or English. 3. Follow a standard bibliographical reference protocol. 4. Email your essay to rufyda@aol.com or mail them to the following address: Seerah Essay Competition P.O. Box 411 Brooklyn, NY 11208 5. Provide full name, home address, telephone number, school name, level of education and the chapter (if any) that you are affiliated with as the heading of your essay.

Fifth (5th) and Below grades: (500 to 800 words) The Holy Qur’an honored Prophet Muhammad (S) as a mercy to the entire human race. How was Prophet Muhammad (S) a mercy to both Muslims and non-Muslims alike? Mention specific examples from the life of Prophet Muhammad (S).

Sixth (6th) through Eighth (8th) grades: (800 to 1000 words) In the history books of Islam, it states that when the beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) first started receiving revelations from Allah (SWT), He (SAW) called his immediate family members to accept Islam first. From the above practice, Muslims can learn the importance of da’wah towards family members. Is it possible for current day Muslims to practice the same type of da’wah methods that the beloved Prophet (SAW) used towards family members?

Ninth (9th) through Twelfth (12th) grades: (1000 to 1500 words) In Islamic history, “the first pledge of Aqabah,” played a crucial role in the movement of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Explain the vital significance of the pledge and the development of Islam due to the pledge. Why is the event so noteworthy?

College & Beyond: (2000 to 2500 words) Many contemporary Islamic literatures support the concept of “infallibility” of the Prophets (AS). Explain from the Sunnah and contemporary studies how the above theory and concept is applicable; can a person truly be “infallible” even today?

Prizes: 1st Place: $150 voucher from MUNA Da’wah Department 2nd Place: $100 voucher from MUNA Da’wah Department. 3rd Place: $50 voucher from MUNA Da’wah Department

Your Essay is due on or before: April 15, 2007 Winners will be announced in MUNA NYC Regional Conference on May 27, 2006

All participants will receive gifts from MUNA Da’wah Department