After my Transformers’ article, some readers have highlighted the need to write about how some ‘da’wah’ organizations have contributed to the celebrity-fan culture in the da’wah space and the retrogression of Islamic learning in their marketing, branding and organisational direction.
Upon reflecting, I feel there is some truth in this & the matter requires urgent introspection.
There is no doubt that people today are more Islamically aware than the last few decades, and this naturally produces a market in the eyes of some opportunists.
Unfortunately solving this issue requires the pushing of certain sensitive buttons and the costly process of educating people towards respecting their own self worth. However it is still a cause worth supporting.
Don’t be a victim of anyone’s desire to prefer form over substance. You are worth more than that and you deserve to be in control of that which constitutes progress in your life.
If a seminar is advertised only mentioning the visiting lecturer, without mentioning the topic, and you don’t feel there is an issue with this; then you require, in some sense, some education about you and your own self’s worth, unless you are only attending due to the hype of the lecturer, or the showmanship of the performer. In that case, you are only interested in being entertained, and are excused from this discussion point.
Attending an event due to pure form on the part of the organisers, without any concern for substance, should not be supported by those looking to truly benefit themselves and their communities.
By not supporting the culture of form over substance; will you become a means of fixing some of the ills we find polluting the noble concept of da’wah today.
This topic is no doubt a long one, and perhaps this reflection will be a means of positive discussion within our communities and da’wah efforts.
May Allah grant us steadfastness, protect the duaat, and preserve the da’wah upon righteousness and sincerity. Ameen.
And in Allah Almighty do we place all trust.
For those who missed the Transformers’ article; please access it here:
Shaikh Sajid Umar
JazakaLlaah khair. It hurts really, it really hurts to find this ‘craze’ amongst us today. One time, there was this workshop organized by a masjid in my community. Really solid group of facilitators were expected to be there but as Allah wanted it, the ‘headlining shaikh’ was unable to attend for some reason. Unfortunately, quite unfortunate indeed to find people turning around and leaving the venue upon hearing that this person wouldn’t be there! Even those that came miles and miles away rolled their eyes and turned back! It was devastating to see cos these other imams and shuyookh were there. Few stayed but many left. This got me asking lots of questions like; did they come for the sake of Allah or for the sake of the shaikh? Is this love for the shaikh getting out of hand? Do people not know where to draw the line? This isn’t a music festival where anyone can feel pained by the absence of a headlining performer, but then…. Some of my girlfriends made it worse by leaving too and i made sure i let them know it’s not right to do so. May Allah grant us ease and guide us always. Aamin. May Allah also open our hearts to understand that we seek knowledge,we learn, we know and we do simply for the sake of seeking Allah’s pleasure and nothing else. Aamin