on taking the first step

'1st times' are memorable. The first time tasting the most scrumdiddlyumptious nasi briyani at Restoran Insaf in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. The first time failing a JPJ test (the words of the JPJ officer still ring loudly in my ears: awak ni dah teruk sangat dah ni (you are awful)).

But there's one 'first time' that trumps all the rest: FIRST TIME DOING D&T.

Everyone has his or her own unique story. I am telling mine, and you can then do one of three things:
1) gain some insights into how you might start this awesome journey.
2) read, be amused, and move on to another blog on another tab.
3) feel disgusted ("ishh, why do you have to sibuk-sibuk in other people's affairs?!!"). in that case, i wish you all the best in this earthly life.

Question #1: what made me decide to pursue D&T?

it's simple, really. It's what we were made for.

It's the reason Allah sent down prophets and messengers.

رَبَّنَا وَابْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
"Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own, who shall recite unto them Your Verses and instruct them in the Book (this Qur'ân) and Al-Hikmah, and sanctify them. Verily! You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise." (Al Baqarah:129)

وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ قَوْلًا مِمَّنْ دَعَا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا وَقَالَ إِنَّنِي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ
And who is better in speech than he who invites (men) to Allâh, and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims." (41:33)



and when people neglect D&T, it's the reason Allah sends down punishments upon them.

كَانُوا لَا يَتَنَاهَوْنَ عَنْ مُنْكَرٍ فَعَلُوهُ لَبِئْسَ مَا كَانُوا يَفْعَلُونَThey used not to forbid one another from the Munkar (wrong, evil­doing, sins, polytheism, disbelief, etc.) which they committed. Vile indeed was what they used to do. (Al Maidah:79)

I could go on and on, spouting verses upon verses. It is, i believe, clear. And when this realisation dawned upon me,  it was like carrying a 60kg bag. it is a heavy responsibility, trying to save people from Hell. And one of my friends said

 

"We are now carrying a heavy bag. How do we make it lighter? By taking out the load and sharing it with others."

 

So i decided to do exactly that. Now i've shared the load with you. Now you can regret the fact that you read this blog. Teehee. Anyways, that was why i chose to do D&T.

 

 

Yes, yes. we're getting to that. Be patient brader.

 

Question #2: who do we go to first?

 

This is a baffling question. We're all fired up to spread the truth, but then can't think of anyone to talk to.

 

 



Do what our prophet did. He went to members of his household first, and then among his companions, he chose the one closest to him: Abu Bakr ra. Its pure logic. We know what our close friends like, we know what they hate, we know the best way to touch their hearts.

So i went to two of my closest friends. It's kinda funny really. Before this, i used to go to their place because they often cook, so dinner was taken care of. But because the first step in D&T is to

WIN THE HEART

This time i brought along a tub of ice-cream. Ben & Jerry's, nothing less.

Which brings us to Question #3:

"I don't know much. I am not an ustaz. What am i supposed to talk about???"

What did the earliest companions know? That time, the Qur'an was not yet complete. The verses that came down were short and sweet, and the message was simple: There is only one God, and Muhammad is His messenger. Leave other things that you worship besides Allah. (in those days, they worshipped stone and wood idols. These days, people worship money, women, themselves, etc).

At that time, we just went through a book called "Shahadatul Haq" (Witness to the truth). That was all i knew, so that was all i delivered to them.

And it turned out..well, it felt really awkward at first, but hey, the least we can do is try. Allah rewards us for effort, regardless whether people accept our message or not.