Some Tips on Da'wah
Firstly, make sure you have both ikhlaas and i'tibaa - sincerity in intention and correction of action. Is your intention truly to bring the person (or the group of people) closer to the Truth? Or is it to prove him (or them) wrong? Or to show off your oratory skills? Or for ant other worldly gains? Make sure that your intention is solely for pleasing ALLAH (SWT). To bring the person (or the group of people) closer to the Truth and to guide him/them to the Religion of ALLAH (SWT) - Islam.
Know what you're talking about –
Make sure you have a sound and deep knowledge of what you say. Remember that Prophet (PBUH) promised a seat in the Hell fire for whoever says a lie about him. Make sure what you say is absolutely correct. Be honest if you don't know. If you do not have a solid knowledge of what you are saying, your contribution may be negative instead of positive.
Have complete faith in what you're saying with no doubt –
It is said that what comes from the mouth goes to the ear, but what comes from the heart goes to the heart. The Arabic saying goes, if you do not have it, you cannot give it. Your sincerity and certainty in your faith plays a large part in your successfulness at da’wah.
Practice what you preach –
The best da’wah is by way of example. Don't discuss the importance of truth and honesty in Islam when you lie and cheat constantly. Make sure your actions express the beautiful beliefs and commands of Islam. Hypocrisy turns people away.
Don't compromise Islam or it's beliefs –
Don't feel the need to hedge around the truth because it will turn people away. Don't be apologetic about any aspect of Islam. Explain it in a way people can understand, but don't change it or act like it's incorrect or archaic.
Do not become angry –
Don't let people affect you or cause you to change your conduct. If someone refuses to hear you, walk away. Don't sink to their level. ALLAH (SWT) says what means in the Holy Qur’an, "Hold to forgiveness; command what is right; but turn away from the ignorant". HE also says what means, "And when they hear vain talk, they turn away there from and say: 'To us our deeds, and to you yours; peace be to you: we seek not the ignorant.' It is true thou wilt not be able to guide every one whom thou love; but ALLAH guides those whom HE will and He knows best those who receive guidance." Don't waste your time or energy with those who refuse to listen.
Use proper functions –
Go to interfaith programs and open discussions.
Don't insult the other person's faith –
ALLAH (SWT) says in the Holy Qur’an in Surah Aanam, Chp # 06, Verse # 108: “Do not abuse that which they worship besides Allah, lest they will abuse Allah in their ignorance.” No matter how tempting it would be to talk about the errors and inconsistencies in other people's beliefs, don't do it. It offends people, and will possibly give them a bad impression of Islam. Talk about how Islam is different, and in that perhaps exposing the other belief's errors, but do not insult another person's faith. Be respectful. A da’wah horror story: a Muslim was speaking at a local high school, and began his speech with: "You're all going to Hell." With that, he lost his whole audience before he even started his speech.
Discuss what makes Islam beautiful to you –
Da’wah doesn't have to mean repeating the five pillars. Sometimes we are so busy discussing the pillars of Islam we forget the actual building itself. Islam plays a part in every aspect of our lives. Talk about how it plays a role in how you sleep, how you dress, how you speak, how you marry, how you deal with parents, elders, children, the opposite sex, animals. Talk about Islam's respect for women, the concepts of purity or modesty, it's call to reflect and think about the world around us. Islam is a Religion, a whole way of life.
And lastly, have patience. Your job is not to revert people - it is not an obligation in Islam to make a certain amount of people Muslim. But it is your obligation to call people to Islam, to distinguish between right and wrong. Who is guided and who is not, however, is solely up to ALLAH (SWT).