Booklet On Dawah to the World

Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim
In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful

Contact: Phone 1-800-662-Islam

The following is the material which was distributed at the recent ICNA Workshop, entitled "Dawah to the World," which was given by Br. Sabeel Ahmad, a student of Shaykh Ahmed Deedat.

                  Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem
"Invite all to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching
and reason with them in ways that are best and most gracious..."
(16:125)

DAWAH TO THE WORLD USING HIKMA (WISDOM)

Islamic Dawah Line, ICNA
Muslim Students Association, Illinois
Phone: 312-829-2255 (ICNA, Chicago)
Email: Islam_662@hotmail.com

Contents
Topics

Dawa & Points of Clarification
Excuses for not performing Dawa
Dai's character
Basic knowledge of a good Dai
Things a good Dai carries on himself
Breaking the silence
In the thick of the conversation
Follow this chart during Dawa
Quran is from Allah
Quran concilliates science
Muhammad (pbuh) was a real Prophet
Didn't Muhammad (pbuh) copy Quran from Bible?
Islam - a complete way of life
Clear picture of Islam
Overview of Christian Doctrines
Formulation of the Bible
Words not found in the Bible
Jesus (pbuh) was a Prophet of Allah
Jesus (pbuh) - Prophet only for Children of Israel
Jesus (pbuh) was not God
Jesus (pbuh) was not son of God
All Prophets worshipped Allah as Muslims do
Muhammad (pbuh) is prophesied in the Bible
Bible got corrupted
Bible contradicts scientific facts
How to disprove Trinity
How to disprove Original Sin
Jesus (pbuh) was not Crucified
Beliefs of Judaism
Jewish Festivals
Persuading Jews about Islam's Truth
What is Hinduism?
Persuading Hindus about Islam's Truth
Dealing with an Atheist
So you can marry up to four wives?
Why do Muslim pray five times a day?
Why are Muslims so violent?
Why don't Muslim males shake hands with females?
Why do Muslim women have to cover themselves?
Why do you call Him Allah?
After Dawa, five categories of people

POINTS OF CLARIFICATION

Dawah=invitation...to Islam

Dawah is a Fard (obligatory) on all Muslims
   Sura Asr (103)
   16:125 - Invite all to the way...
   3:104 - Let there arise...
   2:143 - Witnesses
   3:110
   41:33-35 - Who is better in speech...

Dawah NOT limited to scholars

Many ways to do, not just one
1. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) dictated about 300 letters  of Dawah to various heads of states.
2.Prophet used to invite people over for food and preach to them Islam.
3. Prophet used to run up to the caravans which used to come from various cities of the Middle East and gave Dawah to them.
4. And of course his silent Dawah is through his personality, and his honest and truthful nature.

Having knowledge NOT most important...but presenting it IS.
It is many times more effective to explain one single concept of Islam,
like the Tawhid (Oneness of Allah) in an eloquent way than to discuss
many different Islamic subjects in an incoherent way.

EXCUSES FOR NOT DOING DAWA

I am not knowledgeable
First we should make ourselves and fellow Muslims better, then we should work on non-Muslims.
   Hadith by Anas, collected in Al-Tabarani.
"Anas relates that, "We asked the Prophet, 'O Messenger of Allah,
shouldn't we refrain from calling others to goodness if we don't
practice all good things ourselves, and shouldn't we refrain from
forbidding wrong things until we ourselves have abatained from all the
bad?' 'No,' he replied, 'You should call others to goodness even if you
don't do all good, and you should forbid bad things even if you don't
abstain from all of them yourselves.'"

Religion is a personal thing.
Not enough time
I may lose friends/job/customers
I feel embarrassed
I'll start doing it when I become old

DAI'S CHARACTER
Non-Muslims look at People not Religion
Intention to please Allah...no personal gain
Good listener
Never curses/lies or breaks promises/trust
Good student/employee/employer/customer/citizen
Kindness and gentleness
"And by the mercy of Allah, you dealt with them kindly. And had you been sever and harsh-hearted, they would have certainly broken away from you" (3:159)
Patience
Is optimistic about problems
Goes out of the way to help

BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF A GOOD DAI

Holds clear concept of tawheed and is able to explain it
Able to prove Quran's Divine Origin
Prove Oneness of Allah from Quran and Bible and logic
Prove Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) Prophethood
Able to give a clear picture of Islam
Memorizes references from the Quran/Bible/Vedas
Islamic History, World History, current events, statistics on moral decline of the western society
Be able to prove that Islam is a complete Guidance for all walks of life

THINGS A GOOD DAI CARRIES ON HIMSELF

Suppose your Biology teacher tells you at the beginning of the semester that she may give a pop quiz any time in the class and it will be an open book quiz. Won't it be smart for all students to carry their biology textbook and notes to all the biology classes in anticipation of the pop quiz? Likewise it is wise to carry...

Pocket Quran - Nobe Quran recommended
Pocket Bible
Islamic literature
Carry cards with toll free number (1-800-662-Islam): Dawah hotline
Carry mini-notebook to write down person's info
Audios
Videos
Folder with relevant references

BREAKING THE SILENCE

Pray to Allah for success
Appearance invites questions
In conversation see issues religiously
Do/say things that invite questions
   If the Dai sneezes he/she says: Al Hamdulillah audibly and clearly
   If Non-Muslim sneezes, the Dai says: May Allah guide you
   Say Insha Allah when talking about the future
   At prayer time say: I now have to go for prayer
   Say: 'Assalaamu alaikum' upon meeting a fellow Muslim audibly and clearly.

IN THE THICK OF THE CONVERSATION

Basic Rule:
   "Invite all to the way of your Lord with Hikmah (wisdom) and beautiful preaching, and argue with them in ways which are best..." (Quran 16:125)

Before answering always ask: What do you mean?

Neutralize

Don't answer questions directly, give brief background of the issue

Be extraordinarily polite

Don't get sidetracked

Remember your purpose: convey Islam and NOT get trapped with Biblical or social issues.

Know answers to 20 frequently asked questions

Follow the chart during conversation:

FOLLOW THIS CHART DURING DAWA

>From Islamic Issues and Biblical issues to Tawheed (Oneness of Allah)
>From Biblical issues to Rational issues to Islamic issues to Tawheed
>From Biblical issues to Islamic Issues to Tawheed

HOW TO PROVE...QURAN IS FROM ALLAH

1. Quran says it is from Allah:
   The revelation of the Book (Quran) is from the Lord of the Alamin (21:2)
2. Challenges:
   Produce a Quran like it (17:88)
   Produce 10 Suras like it (11:13)
   Produce One Sura like it (10:38)
   Produce One Sura somewhat comparable to it (2:23)
3. Preserved for all time:
   "It is We who have sent down the Zikr (Quran) and surely We will surely preserve it." (15:9)
4. No Contradictions:
   "Don't they ponder over the Quran, had it been from anyone besides Allah, they would surely have found therein many contradictions (4:82)
5. No crookedness:
     An Arabic Quran without any crookedness...(39:28)
6. Easy to memorize: Made easy to remember (44:58)
7. Prophecies fulfilled:
   Victory of Rome over Persia (30:2-4)
   Allah makes superpower of those Muslims who believe and do good works (24:55)
   Islam will prevail over all other religions (48:28)
8. Complete Guidance:
   "This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed my favors upon you and chosen Islam as your Deen. (5:3)
9. Scientific facts: See page on Quran and Science

HOW TO PROVE...QURAN CONCILIATES SCIENCE

Sun's and Moon's orbits, rotation and revolution (Quran 21:33)
Sun=light (Siraj), Moon=reflects light (Nur) (Quran 25:61)
Big Bang: 'don't the unbelievers see that the heavens and earth were
joined together as one united piece then We parted them?' (21:30)
Embryology in the Quran
Space travel: "Oh assembly of the Jinns and humans, if you could penetrate the regions of the heavens and the earth, then penetrate, you will never be able to do it except with the power (from Allah) Quran 55:33)

HOW TO PROVE...MUHAMMAD (PBUH) WAS A REAL PROPHET

Allah's attribute as being the Guide to the Alamin (mankind, Jinns and all creatures)
Previous messages corrupted / time bound - Need for complete guidance for all time - need for a new prophet

Quran mentions Muhammad's (pbuh) Prophethood (33:40)
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) mentioned that he was the Last Prophet and Last Messenger.
Never lied in his life. Why now?
   Material gain?
   Women?
   Status?
   Power?
Why would a person criticize himself? He frowned (80:1)
Biblical prophecies about a prophet after Jesus - See page "Muhammad (pbuh) in the Bible"

DIDN'T MUHAMMAD (PBUH) COPY QURAN FROM THE BIBLE?

Logically a person who copies has lesser knowledge than the source he is copying. But: Quran has new information not present in the Bible But: How come he didn't incorporate the errors found in the Bible?

He was illiterate (Quran 7:157)

First Arabic Translation of Old Testament - 900 CE by R. Saadias Gaon
First Arabic Translation of New Testament - 1616 CE Published by Erpenius

Show one single verse which is copied

That may also mean that Jesus and his disciples copied the New Testament from the Old Testament

How come same stories are scientifically correct in the Quran but incorrect in the Bible?

HOW TO PROVE... ISLAM - COMPLETE WAY OF LIFE

Their argument: Well, all religions preach goodness, if all people follow any religion, problems would be solved.

Our response #1: OK. Suppose we all decided to follow Christianity. Now the whole world is Christian (will never happen, insha Allah), and now we have to implement Christianity in all walks of life. Tell me in detail, giving references from the Bible, how the education system should be set up, political system, legal system, economic system, etc.

Our response #2: Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has set a precedence for us on how to follow his example in all human endeavors. Only time in the history of humanity that a State was run totally based upon a Revealed Scripture (Quran). No other religions has this precedence before them.

Political
Educational
Economic
Matrimonial
Social
Moral
Legal

CLEAR PICTURE OF ISLAM

OVERVIEW OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINES

Monotheism: Christians claim to believe in One God.

Trinity: God is made of three aspects or personalities, Father, the son and the Holy Ghost. Three in one and one in three. Father is God, Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God, there are not three Gods but One God!

Original Sin: Christian doctrine teaches that because Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate of the tree of knowledge, all of their descendants bear the stigma of sin and are condemned to doom.

Atonement and Redemption: the crucifixion of man-god Jesus on the Cross paid the price of original sin. Just by believing in this doctrine is enough to attain salvation.

Second Coming: All true believers in Christ will disappear from the earth and enter into spiritual realm - Rapture. Then comes the time for Tribulation marked by wars and oppression will then take place leading up to the appearance of the Anti-Christ. When the Anti-Christ tries to invade Israel with his armies, Jesus will return with hosts of angels and defeat him in the great battle called Armageddon. A thousand years of peace will follow, with Jesus acting as a King.

FORMULATION OF THE BIBLE

40-45 CE - Letters of Paul
50 CE Gospel of Mark written
60 CE Gospel of Matthew written
65 CE Gospel of Luke written
90-120 CE Gospel of John written
120-325 Hundreds of Gospels in circulation

325 Council of Nicea - Organized by Roman Emporer Constantine to settle doctrinal disputes. Emporer was from a Pagan background and favored Trinitarian view of Christianity. Therefore the four Gospels which supported his views were chosen by a majority vote.

367 CE - The Final Version of the Bible was accepted - contained over 70 books.

382 CE - All other Gospels supporting Oneness of God and original teachings of Jesus were banned, including Gospel of Barnabas and Gospel of Thomas (discovered in 1945 in Egypt)

500+ CE - Unitarian church broke off

1000 CE - Western and Eastern church broke off - The Great Schism
          Western Church: Catholic churches
          Eastern church: Eastern Orthodox church
1600 CE - Protestants broke off - led by Martin Luther and John Calvin
1611 CE - King James Version of the Bible was made - most widely used today

1952 CE - Major revision of the King James Version was made because of its great errors

Important points to Note:
   Oldest New Testament available - dates back to fourth century. Three centures after Jesus Christ left the world.
   Bible not available in the language of Jesus (Aramaic) in which it was originally revealed - The oldest New Testament present now is in Greek.
   Bible was not written down during the time of Jesus
   Bible was not memorized in the time of Jesus or any other time.
   Many versions of the Bible available - differing in many passages.

OVERVIEW OF THE BIBLE

Old Testament - 39 Books
       First five Books - Pentateuch - Torah, according to the Jews.
New Testament - 27 Books
       First four are called gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)
Protestant Bible - 66 books
Catholic Bible - 73 books (7 extra books - Apocrypha=doubtful)

Was the Old Testament Written During Moses' Lifetime?

Deut. 34:5-10:'So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, accordin gto the word of the Lord. And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab over against Bethpeor: But no man knows of this sepulcher unto this day...and the people of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days...and there arose not a prophet since
in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord know face to face.'

Oldest copy of the Old Testament: 10th century CE - Not in the same classical Hebrew spoken during Moses' time.

Was the New Testament Written During Jesus' Lifetime?

Jesus spoke Aramaic and Hebrew and not Greek, but the current and ancient Bibles are in Greek.

Can't be the actual disciples: True disciples of Jesus, who are described in the Quran as Muslims, would never write any blasphemous statements about Jesus and God.

Conclusion: Has to be aome other source unrelated to Jesus.

Is the whole Bible inspired?

At one place the Bible says that all Scripture is inspired (II Timothy 3:16), but Paul says in his writing "And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord...But to the rest I speak, not the Lord, Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, yet I give my judgement." (I Corinth. 7:10,12,25). Also see II Timothy 4:9: "Do your diligence to come shortly unto me...The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when you come, bring it with you, and the books, but specially the parchments."

Words NOT found in the Bible

Bible
Torah
Christianity
Judaism
Original Sin
Trinity

HOW TO PROVE...JESUS (PBUH) WAS A PROPHET OF ALLAH

Jesus said he is a Prophet. Jesus referring to himself said "...a Prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house" (Matthew 13:57)

Mark 6:4
Luke 13:33
John 4:44

People areound him said he is a Prophet
"And the multitude said, this is Jesus, the Prophet of Nazareth of Galilee (Matt. 21:11)

Luke 24:19
John 6:14
John 7:40

Jesus lived as a Muslim

Submitted to the will of Allah - Luke 22:42, John 5:30
Fasted forty days and forty nights - Matt 4:2
He prayed on his forehead to One God - (Matt 26:39)
He greeted his disciples eith the greeting of peace be unto you
(as-salaamu alaikum)

Luke 24:36
John 20:10
John 20:21
John 20:26

Quranic references of his Prophethood

The Messiah (Jesus) son of Mary, was no more than a messenger. (5:75)
Quran 61:6
Quran 3:59
Quran 19:30

HOW TO PROVE...JESUS - PROPHET SENT ONLY FOR THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL

Came for his own people to save them from their sins (his people were the Jews)- Matthew 1:21

Jesus said he came not to destroy the law of Moses, but to fulfill it - Matt. 5:17-19

Said he came only for the lost sheep of Israel - Matt. 15:23,24

Told his disciples to preach only to the people of Israel and not the the non-Jews (gentiles) - Matt. 10:6

Told his disciples that the Comforter (Prohet Mohammad, pbuh) will come after him to show them all things. John 16:7,12,13,14

Bible mentioned that after Jesus left, his disciples were preaching only to the Jews. Acts 11:19

Muhammad (pbuh) was a Messenger for the whole Mankind

'Say(O Muhammad) 'O mankind! I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah - to Whom belongs the domain of the heavens and the earth.' 7:158

'And We have sent you (Muhammad) not but as a mercy for the Alamin (Mankind, Jinns and all that exists)' 21:107

HOW TO PROVE...JESUS (PBUH) WAS NOT GOD

Start with the Attributes of God: All-Mighty, All-Knowing, Eternal, Independent. Then apply these attributes to Jesus and see if he qualifies...

God is All-Mighty...Jesus was not
  'I can do nothing on my own authority; as I hear, I judge; and my judgement is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of Him who sent me' (John 5:30)

God is All-Knowing...Jesus was not
   Speaking of the last day Jesus said: 'But of that day or that hour knows no man, neither the angels, nor the son, but only the father' (Mark 13:32)

God has no Beginning...Jesus was born
   ...'She brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus' (Matt. 1:25)

God doesn't have a God...Jesus did
   Jesus said: 'And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.' (John 17:3)

God doesn't pray to anyone...Jesus did
   'And he (Jesus) went a little farther, and fell on his face (sujud) and paryed.' (Matt.26:39)

God is immortal...But not Jesus
Jesus was supposedly crucified according to the Christians. God died!!! The whole world will utterly collapse if that happens!!!

Jesus never said 'I am God, worship me.'

Quran

Surely they disbelieve who say Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary.
5:72

Surely disbelieves are those who said Allah is the third of the three.
5:73

HOW TO PROVE...JESUS WAS NOT SON OF GOD
Ask them where did he ever explicitly say 'I am the son of God'? He never did.
Like father like son? Son of God should be like God. Does Jesus have the attributes of God?
What about John 3:16

Other sons of God in the Bible

Adam - Luke 3:38
Solomon - II Samuel 7:13,14
Israel - Exodus 4:22
Angels - Job 1:6, 2:1, 38:7
David - Psalms 2:7

Jesus refused to be called son of God

Luke 4:41
Luke 9:20

Said he is the son of man about 84 times in the gospels

'Chosen one' is replaced by 'son of God' John 1:34 and Mark 1:1

'your God, my God, Your Father, My Father' John 20:17

Melchizedek: 'No father, no mother, no ascendants, no descendants, no beginning of days or end of life...' (Hebrews 7:3)

Quran

Similarity to Adam (3:59)

19:88,89 'And they say: Allah has begotten a son...indeed you have brought forth a terrible evil thing.'

19:35 'It befits not Allah that he begets a son.'

ALL PROPHETS WORSHIPPED ALLAH AS MUSLIMS DO
Wudu: Moses and Aaron: 'And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat: when they went into the tent of the congregation and when they came near unto the altar, they washed, as the lord commanded Moses' (Exodus 40:31-32

Women must cover their hair while praying: But every woman that prays or prophesizes with her head uncovered dishonors her head.' (I Corinthians 11:5,6,13)

Ruku: 'O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.' Psalms 95:5

Sajdah:
Jesus - Matt. 26:39
Elijah - I Kings 18:42
Moses and Aaron - Numbers 20:6
Abraham Genesis - 17:3

HOW TO PROVE...MUHAMMAD (PBUH) IS PROPHESIED IN THE BIBLE

Quran 61:6 'Isa (Jesus) son of Mary said 'O children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allah unto you confirming the Taurat which came before me, and giving glad tiding of a messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmed (The praised one)' (Quran 61:6)

New Testament

'...comforter, that he may abide with you forever' (Matt.28:20) John 14:16, John 14:26. 'And I will pray the father, and He shall give you another'

John 16:7 Jesus said that he has to go away for the comforter to come in to the world. Can't be the Holy Ghost because the Holy Ghost was already present before and during Jesus' presence (Luke 1:41, Luke 1:67, John 20:22)

John 16:13 'However when he, the spirit of thruth, is come, he will guide you into all truth for he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak, and he will show you things to come.'

Why not Holy Ghost: Ghost=pneuma (Greek)=neutral word=it (Romans 8:16,26). The words 'which is the holy ghost' in John 14:26 are a later addition. Holy ghost=holy spirit=holy prophet (I John 4:1)

Old Testament

The illiterate prophet mentioned in the Torah

Isaiah 29:12 'And the book is delivered to him that is not learned saying, read this, I pray thee, and he said, I am not learned.'

Deut. 18:18,19 'I (God) will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in  his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.'

The only prophet who came after Moses who fits this description was prophet Muhammad (pbuh) - Brethren (Gen.16:11,12 and Gen.25:18)

Ishmael was blessed by God: Gen21:13,18 - a great nation
Hijra, battle of Badr and victory
Isaiah 21:13-17

HOW TO PROVE...BIBLE GOT CORRUPTED
Set up criteria for a Book from Allah - Does any other Book besides Quran fulfull this criteria?

Divinely inspired?
At one place the Bible says that all Scripture is inspired (II Timothy 3:16), but Paul says in his writing: And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord... But to the rest I speak, not the Lord, Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, yet I give my judgement (I Corinthians 7:10,12,25).

Also see II Timothy 4:9,13: 'Do your diligence to come shortly unto me. The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when you come, bring it with you, and the books, but specially the parchments.'

No contradictions? See pages on Contradictions

All prophesies fulfilled as prophesied?

Jesus was supposed to rule the throne of David forever - Luke 1:32,33

Second coming was to take place in the life of the Disciples - Matt. 16:27,28

Paul said that second coming will be in his lifetime - I Thess. 4:16,17.

Jesus would be buried three days and three nights - Matt. 12:40
Supposedly buried on Friday (Mark 14:42), and risen on Sunday - how 3 days and 3 nights?!

Preserved from corruption? see pages on contradictions, unscientific facts, etc.

Preserved from perishment?
'And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying: Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousand of his saints to execute judgement upon all...' (Jude 1:14,15)

Book of Enoch once existed and was accepted by early church fathers and had the right of a canonical book. -Encyclopedia Biblica.

So where is that book now? And where is the original Gospel preached by Jesus?

Unembarrassed to read it - I am too embarrassed to talk about it!

HOW TO PROVE...BIBLE CONTRADICTS SCIENTIFIC FACTS
Bible: Age of first human, Adam=5757 years ago (Genesis 4,5,11,21,25)
Science: Homo sapiencs - at least 40,000 years old

Bible: Universal flood, all life perished except the Ark (Gen. 6,7,8)
Science: Civilizations existed before, during and after the supposed universal flood.
How possible? Flood around 2100 BC.
Egypt-Middle Kingdom-11th dynasty
Babylonia-3rd dynasty at Ur.
Therefore no break in civilizations.

Bible: Heavens and earth created in 6 days (Yom), 24-hour days - Genesis
Chaptl 1
Bible: Light created first day - Gen. 1:3-5
       Source of light created Third day. Gen. 1:14.

Bible:
Morning and evening created 2nd day - Gen. 1:6-8
Earth created 3rd day - Gen. 1:10
Sun created fourth day - Gen.1:14-19
Vegetable kingdom 3rd day - Gen.1:9-13

Bible: God created 2 great lights - Sunlight and moonlight - Gen. 1:16
Science: Moon has no light of its own Also Quran (25:61)

Bible: God rested on the 7th day. Gen.2:2,3 and Exodus 31:17 (refreshed)
Logic: God never gets tired (Quran 2:255) neither sleep nor slumber
overtakes him.

Bible: All the people of the earth will see the son of man coming in the clouds. Matt. 24:30
Logic: Only possible if the earth is flat
Science: Earth is not flat, but somewhat spherical.

Bible: Mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds - Matt.13:31-32
Science: Seed of the Orchid flower is smaller than the Mustard seed.

HOW TO DISPROVE TRINITY
The word 'Trinity' is not mentioned in the Bible

Holy ghost is angel Gabriel!!! Compare Matt. 1:18 and Luke 1:26

Verses on the Oneness of God

Trinity = Jesus is also a 'god' = disproved earlier

Trinity was formulated in the year 325 by Athanasius, an Egyption deacon from Alexandria at the Council of Nicea presided by Emporer Constantine
- Three century after Jesus gone.

Pagan influence

Jesus and Moses and all prophets proclaimed the Oneness of God:
   Moses - Deut. 6:4 'Hear O Israel: the Lord, our God is one Lord'
   Jesus - Mark 12:29 hear O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord'

See Trinity flyer

HOW TO DISPROVE ORIGINAL SIN
God is All-Loving, compassionate, merciful and forgiving

Start with a practical example e.g... a father who is displeased with his son and punished him and then goes on to punish the children of his son, and then his great grandchildren, etc. Will you consider this father a loving, caring and forgiving father?

Then how can you credit God such a heinous injustice of ascribing Adam's and Eve's sin to the progeny born even after thousands of years?

Children: kingdom of God belongs to the children: Mark 10:14, Matthew 19:14. How possible if the children are born sinners?!

A son doesn't bear his father's sin, nor vice versa. 7 verses from the
Bible:
Ezekiel 18:20, 33:20
Deut. 24:16
II Chron. 25:4
Jeremiah 31:29,30
II Kings 14:6
Roman 2:6
People who were described as perfect in the Bible:
Noah (Gen.6:9, 7:1)
Job (Job 1:1)

So how can they be sinners and be perfect at the same time?!

Quran
Every soul shall be paid in full what it has earned.
3:25
2:286
4:164
53:38
17:15

HOW TO PROVE... JESUS WAS NOT CRUCIFIED
Mention the attributes of God - Just, Forgiver, Merciful
Once the concept of Original Sin is dismantled, then the question of
Crucifixion does not occur.
Jesus prayed to God not to die - Matt 26:39
Prayer was heard - Hebrews 5:7
Miracle of Jonas - Matt.12:40
Suffering is often exaggerated as death - I Cor.14:31
Resurrected bodies become spiritualized - Luke 20:34-36
Jesus was not. He ate honeycomb and broiled fish - Luke 24:36-41
Crucifixion and atonement of sins is contrary to logic - see flyer on
atonement.
Jesus said he came for mercy and not sacrificed - Matt.12:7,
Matt.9:10-13
Why forgiveness came so late, thousands of years
All disciples fled - no eyewitness - Matt. 26:56
Salvation by crucifixion is contrary to Jesus' sayings - Matt.19:16

Quran
Jesus was not crucified: 'And because of their saying (in boast), 'We killed Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah,' - but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but the resemblence of Jesus was put over another man and those who differ therein are full of doubts. They have no certain knowledge, they follow nothing but conjecture. For
surely, they killed him not' (Quran 4:157)

BELIEFS OF JUDAISM
Belief in One God - the God of Israel
Required to follow the laws as outlined in the Torah
The superiority of Moses over all other Prophets
The revelation of the law to Moses at Mount Sinai and the establishment of a special covenant, or agreement with God.
A belief in the future coming of a Messiah or great leader - Jews reject Jesus as their Messiah.
A belief that God chose the Jews as His own people above all other
A belief in the Old Testament as the final Scripture.

Talmud: 'Teachings.' Somewhat similar to commentaries of the old Testament, sayings of Rabbis. First written down during the third and fourth century AD. Before that, oral transmission.

JEWISH FESTIVALS

Passover - Commemorates the flight of the Israelites from Egypt and the wicked Pharaoh.

New Year (Rosh Hashanah) - The symbolic new beginning of the Jewish calendar

Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) - The tenth day of the Jewish New Year. Jews observe a 24 hour fast from food and water as a sign of penitence to God. It is considered the most holy day.

Hanukkah (Dedication) - A winter festival marking the purification of the second Jewish temple in Jerusalem after the occuppying Greeks had ransicked it in 165 BC. Menorahs [with candles] are lit.

Tabernacles (Succoth) - An autumn harvest celebration. Tents are erected and prayers are recited making reference to the Jews wandering in the desert during the time of the Prophet Moses (pbuh) - Quran 2:57,58

Pentecost (Shavurot) - Seven weeks after Passover a festival is held to celebrate the corn harvest and the revelation of the Law to Prophet Moses (pbuh) at Sinai. - Quran 2:51-53

HOW TO PERSUADE JEWS ABOUT ISLAM'S TRUTH

Don't discuss politics

Discuss similarities:
Belief in One God: Bible: Moses (pbuh) said: 'The Lord, our God, is One Lord (Deut.6:4). See also Isaiah 45:5,5,21,11; Jeremiah 10:6,10. Belief in One God: Quran: your God is One God, there is none who has the right to be worshipped but He, the Beneficent, the Merciful (2:163)

Prophecies of Muhammad (pbuh) in the Old Testament: See page on prophecies

Prove that Hagar was a real wife and not bondswoman or concubine:
Genesis 16:3 says that Hagar was Abraham's wife. Hagar was Abraham's 2nd wife (first was Sara), and Ishmael was born. Through his descendants came the last Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Use Science in the Quran as proof: most of them are highly educated.

Hindu: The word "Hindu" is a corrupt form of the word "sindhu," a region watered by river Indus.
Hinduism: A fusion of Aryan (Fair-Skinned Indo-European race which entered India from the north-east) and Non-Aryan religious ideas.
Founder of Hinduism: None
Major Beliefs:
Belief in Vedas
Practice of Caste system
Sanctity of Cow and other animals
Belief in One or many gods.
Reincarnation
Incarnation of gods

Scriptures:
Vedas: Supreme authority. Written about 2000 BC in Sanskrit, a collection of hymns, prayers, etc.
   Rig Veda
   Sama Veda
   Yajur Veda
   Atharva Veda
Bhagavat Gita: Legends, romance, heroes in deities, etc.
Ramayana and Mahabharata

Caste System: Rig Veda 10:90, 'The cosmic man was sacrificed, Brahmins were made from his mouth, Kshatriyas from his arms, Vaishyas from his thighs and Shudras from his feet.'
No inter-marriages between castes.
No fixed days of the week are set apart for religious duties.

Holidays:
Holi: Fertility festival
Dashera: Ten days of festival celebrates the triumph of Rama
Divali: Celebration of victories of their gods, heroes over demons, etc.

Polygamy is allowed: 'If after one damsel has been shown, another be given to the bridegroom, he may marry them both' (Law of Manu 8:204)

Pilgrimage: Ganges river and the city next to it, Barnabas, are sacred places. Hindus bathe and pray, ashes of dead are scattered there.

Women in Hinduism: 'The husband is the wife's god, and he is her refuge. Indeed there is no other refuge for her' - Mahabharata 3:231. See also Mahabharata 1:174

Sects in Hinduism:
Vaishnavism - Sophisticated, urband and moderate in its approach to Hinduism.
Shaivism - Primitive, rural and extreme in beliefs. Shiva's penis worship.

HOW TO PERSUADE A HINDU OF ISLAM'S TRUTH...
Hindu Scriptural evidence against making and worshipping idols!!!

Bhagavat Gita 7-24: "The ignorant believe that un-manifest Para Brahma (One God) incarnates or takes manifestations, because they do not completely understand My highest, immutable, incomparable, and transcendental existence."

Bhagavat Gita 7:19-21: "All those who do idol worship, All those who worship demigods are materialistic people."

Yajur Veda 3:32: "...Of that God you cannot make any images."

Yajur Veda 32:3: "God is formless and bodiless"

Yajur Veda 40:8: "All those who worship the uncreated things, they are in darkness, and you'll enter more into darkness if you worship the created things."

Rig Veda, Vol.8,1:1: "All Praise are to Him alone"

Rig Veda, Vol.6,45:16: "There is only One God, worship Him."

Illogic of God coming down in a physical form - Proven later, inshallah
Illogic of more than One God: analogy of 2 Principals or 2 heads of state running the country.
Illogic of reincarnation: Tell them it is the Mercy of One God Allah that he sent Islam as a guidance for seekers and He promises paradise to those who have the right beliefs (Islam) and do righteousness, after one's life, instead of suffering life after life.
Illogic of vegetarian diet: Humans have both sharp (for meat) and smooth teeth (vegetables) for a purpose. Allah created humans with the ability to digest both meat and vegetables for a purpose.
Meat of animals is allowed in Hindu Scriptures! Law of Manu 5:22.
Deal with educated Hindus with scientific facts from the Quran.

Explain them Islam.
Drill them the idea of Oneness of God and illogic of multiple Gods made of stones and wood who can't speak, move, help anyone or themselves. Mention the Attributes of Allah from the Quran; specially read them Sura Ikhlas ( Qul Hu wallah hu ahad...) Memorize the meaning with Arabic.

Prophesies of Muhammad (pbuh) in Hindu Scriptures:

1. 'A Malechha (belonging to a foreign country and speaking a foreign language) spiritual tacher will appear with his companions. His name will be Mohammed. Raja (Bhoj) after giving this Maha Dev Arab (of angelic dispostion) a bath in the Panchgavya and the Ganges water (i.e. purging him of all sins) offered him the presents of his sincere
devotion and showing him all reverence said, 'I make obeisance to thee. O ye! The pride of mankind, the dweller in Arabia, Ye have collected a great force to kill the Devil and you yourself have been protected from the malechha opponents.' (Puranas - Bhavishya Puran - Prati Sarg Part III: 3.3.5-8. Compiled by Mahrishi Vyasa, the writer of Gita and Maha Bharat and Puranas)

2. 'Ahmad acquired Shariah (religious law) from his Lord. This Shariah is full of wisdom. I receive light from him just as from the sun.' (Sama Veda, 2:6,8)

HOW TO DEAL WITH AN ATHEIST
See separate flier, 'Does God Exist?'
They believe in science, therefore prove Islam's validity through science

Facts of Quran -
Audio tapes
Quran and Science by Zakr Naik
The Amazing Quran by Gary Miller - excellent

Video Tapes
Is Quran God's Word? By Zakir Naik - excellent
Quran and Science By Zakir Naik

Darwin on Evolution: Darwin's Letter to his friend, Sir Thomas Thompton, 1861: 'I believe in the theory of evolution, not because I have proof, but because it helps me in classification, Morphology, Embryology, and rudimentary organs..."

Differentiate Islam from Muslims and all other religions that worship idols/humans/nature etc.

SO YOU CAN MARRY FOUR WIVES?
Islam came as a final and complete revelation from Allah
Came to solve all problems of the past,present and future
Deals with all situations, both general and specific
Polygamy is an exception not a rule/obligation
Most Muslims are monogamous compared to Hindus, Mormons and even Christians, who practice illicit polygamy.

Situations where polygamy is needed to preserve society's chastity

More women than men (especially after wars)
Wife barren, can't produce children or satisfy husband - option - have a mistress or marry a second wife with full responsibility. Islam prohibits first option, prefers 2nd option. Not all men can control their urges when their wife is menstruating or during some stages of pregnancy. These may raise his chances of committing adultery. And the punishment for adultery is death.

Islam provided the best alternative - marry a second wife

Criteria for marrying more than one:
Do justice between all wives with regard to wealth, food, time, intimacy, etc.

No other religion sets a limit on # of wives, only Islam does.

Polygamy in the Bible:
Abraham had 2 wives - Sarah and Hagar - Gen.16:1-3
Jacob, son of Isaac had 4 wives - Gen.26:34, 28:9
Saul had a wife and a concubine - I Sam.14:50, II Sam.3:7
David had 8 wives - I Sam.18:27,25:42,43, II Sam.3:2-5,11:27,12:8
Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines - I Kings 11:3

Neither Jesus Christ nor God ever prohibited polygamy in the Bible.

WHY DO MUSLIMS PRAY 5 TIMES A DAY?
Guidance revealed by Allah, there is wisdom in it.

Spiritual discipline: E.g. A body builder needs to exercise at specific periods of time. He can't work-out once a week to maintain optimum physique.

E.g. If we love someone we like to talk to them every time we get a chance on the phone. Muslims love Allah more than anyone, therefore Muslims pray - talk to - Allah so many times.

Since a person has both body and spirit, he uses both in praying.

Constant rememberance of Allah will help us keep His Divine presence in our conscience - prevents many sins.

E.g. We eat three meals a day to nourish our body, we pray 5 times to nourish our soul. Can your body be fit to fuction if you ate only once on Sundays?

Feeling of peace and closeness to our creator, thanking the Being who created us.

Many scientific benefits.

Refer to 'All prophets worshipped like Muslims do' page.

WHY ARE MUSLIMS SO VIOLENT
Distinguish Islam and actions of some Muslims
   e.g. New car and a drunk driver
Ask: which is the most violent country in the world?
Ask: What religion do the majority of its people follow?

Taking up arms is required only under certain conditions:
To preserve Law and Order in the society or else the world would be taken over by the lawless
When all attempts fail for reconciliation
Preventing attack
Defense

To remove obstacles of tyranny in spreading and preserving the Truth.
E.g. Suppose President Clinton ordered the police to give money to a certain widow in an inner city neighborhood. Suppose the drug dealers and gang members try to oppose the entry of the police into the neighborhood of the widow. It is only proper and moral for the police and the army to suppress the gangsters to reach to that widow.
Muslims are the police or witnesses (Sura 2:143) and gangsters are the polytheists and unbelievers.

Rules during war:
Don't fight with non-combatants (Quran 60:8)
No unnecessary destruction of property
No cutting of trees or killing animals
Not to disturb those worshipping in religious places

No compulsion in religion...(Quran 2:256)

Jihad in the Bible
Jesus - Matt.10:34 - Came to spread the sword
Hebrews 11:32-34

WHY DON'T MUSLIM MALES SHAKE HANDS WITH FEMALES (OR VICE VERSA)?

Islam was revealed as a Final and complete Guidance to preserve utmost chastity in the society.

Dating, premarital sex, hugging, shaking hands are all prohibited by Islam due to their potential for dire consequences for the individual and for the society at large.

Any factor that tends to uproot the moral fabric of the society is prohibited/discouraged, and all things that preserve decency and chastity are encouraged e.g. Modest dressing, lowering the gaze, no free intermingling between the sexes, etc.

Consequences of loose relationships between sexes in the U.S.:
1.5 million abortions/year
500,000 abortions to unmarried teenagers
500,000 + rapes / year

Separated families, divorces, jealousy, deptrived children, etc.

Single families=children deprived of best upbringing=fall into gangs, etc.=cycle repeated=society goes down.

WHY DO WOMEN HAVE TO COVER THEMSELVES?
Dress code for both males and females

Islam as a complete guidance came to preserve chastity in the society; once chastity is lost, society goes down, eg. US.

Ask: Does modest dressing decrease or increase society's chastity?
Ask: Does revealing or no clothes increase or decrease society's chastity?

Islamic dress decreases immorality.

Statistics on rapes from the US:
500,000+ rapes in 1993

Two twin sisters example (if one dressed modestly and other revealingly, who more likely is to be harrassed while walking down the street?)

Nuns dress modestly too.

See a supposed picture of Mary, the mother of Jesus. She is properly covered too.

Animals don't cover themselves, therefore the more we take off, the more we are behaving like animals.

Tell stories of how women who wear Hijab and proper attire get more respect, etc.

WHY DO YOU CALL HIM ALLAH?
All beautiful names belong to Him (Quran 17:111)
Allah is a purer and better word to use that the English word God.

To God you can add "dess" = Goddess. To Allah can't add "dess." No such thing as Allahdess.
 

God with a smal 'g' - god - may cause confusion. Allah can't be written with a small 'g.'

God with mother or father added becomes = Godmother, Godfather, etc. To Allah nothing can be added.

English word 'God' could be ambiguous, confusing, manipulated, etc., but the pure word 'Allah' could never be confusing because it always refers to the One God, our Creator, with no male and female gender, and no partners..

AFTER DAWA
Five categories of people - And how to deal with them

Ready to take Shahada
Give Shahada
Give him/her 'New Muslim Package' (Quran, Understanding Islam, hijab)
Form a group of new converts, for a smooth transition of new Muslims into the Ummah.

Leaning Towards Islam
Supply him/her with persuasive Islamic literature: eg "Towards Understanding Islam"
Show them videos, eg 'Choosing Islam,' 'A Closer Look at Islam'
Quran and Science brochure
Stories of famous new Muslims
Never put them in a position to defend their faith

Neutral
Sensitize them to the beliefs and teaching of Islam. Share with them any new Islamic literature which may interest them
Invite them for meal and show them Islamic courtesy.  Always leave the door of communication open

Unbeliever
You have tried. Now leave their fate up to Allah. Be courteous and helpful to them. Remember prophet's example of the women who used to throw garbage at him. Sensitize them to the beliefs and teachings of Islam: Remember the
Makkan people. Always leave the door of communication open

Atheist
Similar to the above points, plus deal with them through the brochure
"Does God Exist"