Let's Become Effective Da'ees - International Da'wah Training Programme - Part 78 | by Dr Zakir Naik
Dr. Zakir Naik conducts a live training session where participants practice reciting the names, chapter numbers, and meanings of the first 25 Surahs of the Quran. The session emphasizes memorization to the level of 'permanent memory,' speed, and following a specific recitation format during the training phase. Dr. Naik also motivates participants by discussing trust in Allah and the importance of honest effort.
Summary
The session opens with Dr. Zakir Naik making personal remarks about the role of his wife as a supportive mirror and fortress ('musana') in his life and da'wah work, crediting her with helping increase his level of faith and striving. He expresses that his intent in the training program is to push participants to their limits — metaphorically 'grilling' them — so that they grow stronger in their da'wah abilities. He references the idea that Allah's help is supreme, and that if one is sincere and puts in genuine effort, Allah will assist them regardless of the outcome.
Dr. Naik then transitions into a live testing exercise, calling on participants to recite the first 25 Surahs of the Quran with their chapter numbers and English meanings. He emphasizes a very specific format to follow during training: first the Surah name, then the chapter number, then the meaning. He stresses that during the training phase, participants must not deviate even 1% from this prescribed format, reserving stylistic flexibility for after expertise is achieved.
The concept of 'permanent memory' is highlighted through the example of Surah Al-Fatiha — because it is recited in every prayer, it is stored in permanent memory and can be recalled even when woken from sleep. Dr. Naik uses this as the benchmark for the level of memorization expected for all 114 Surahs.
Two participants — Brother Atiq and Brother Saboo — are called upon to recite the first 25 Surahs. Their performances are evaluated on accuracy, order, and speed. Brother Saboo completes the first 25 Surahs in approximately two minutes and three seconds, which Dr. Naik praises with takbir (Allahu Akbar), while also noting that the prescribed order (name, chapter number, meaning) was not strictly followed. The session reinforces that 94% accuracy, which would be considered excellent at the start of training, becomes insufficient as one progresses — standards are expected to rise over time.
Key Insights
- Dr. Naik argues that 94% accuracy is excellent at the start of training but becomes unacceptable as the training progresses, illustrating that performance benchmarks must continuously rise over time.
- Dr. Naik insists that during the training phase, participants must follow the prescribed recitation format exactly — Surah name, then chapter number, then meaning — with zero deviation, reserving flexibility only for after expertise is attained.
- Dr. Naik uses Surah Al-Fatiha as the model for the level of memorization required, arguing that because it is recited in every salah, it has entered permanent memory and can be recalled even when woken from sleep — this is the standard expected for all Surahs.
- Dr. Naik credits his wife as being instrumental to his da'wah success, describing her as a 'musana' (fortress against the devil) and stating that his level of iman and striving increased after marriage.
- Brother Saboo recites the names, chapter numbers, and meanings of the first 25 Surahs in approximately two minutes and three seconds, which Dr. Naik praises but also critiques for not following the prescribed order of name, chapter number, then meaning.
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