Let's Become Effective Da'ees - International Da'wah Training Programme - Part 82 | by Dr Zakir Naik
In this session of the International Da'wah Training Programme, Dr. Zakir Naik oversees participants practicing rapid recitation of Quran Surah names and discusses the importance of striving, rehearsal, and humility in the path of da'wah. He encourages participants to practice at home, time themselves, and maintain reliance on Allah while avoiding arrogance.
Summary
The session opens with Dr. Zakir Naik facilitating a competitive exercise among participants to rapidly recite the names and meanings of Quranic Surahs. He explains that he demonstrated the exercise himself not out of desire for the spotlight, but to show participants that it was achievable. He notes that competition can be motivating for some but discouraging for others, and encourages each participant to strive to break their own personal records.
Several participants attempt the exercise, reciting Surah names from Chapter 1 (Al-Fatiha) through Chapter 25 (Al-Furqan) as quickly as possible. A participant of Chinese-Malaysian origin clocks in at 49.4 seconds, earning praise from Dr. Naik, who notes that this sets three benchmark targets: 26 seconds, 46 seconds, and 49 seconds. He encourages participants to practice at home, including with family members, and to time themselves regularly.
Dr. Naik transitions into a broader motivational discussion about the importance of preparation and rehearsal in da'wah. He shares that even he, despite his experience, still rehearses new lectures before delivering them and that preparation builds confidence. He uses the analogy of his sister serving as a 'guinea pig' early in his career to illustrate the value of trial runs.
He then delivers a spiritual reflection on striving in the way of Allah, citing Surah Baqarah (2:155) about Allah testing believers through fear, loss of life, and wealth. He argues that the more one strives, the more success follows, and with success comes the responsibility to remain humble and grateful. He warns that arrogance — believing oneself to be self-sufficient — leads to Allah's forsaking, after which no one can help. He emphasizes that reaching a level of excellence is difficult, but maintaining it is even harder.
The session concludes with Dr. Naik assigning the next Quranic verse homework to Brother Kaleem, reminding participants that 50 Surahs must be memorized by day after tomorrow, and encouraging everyone to practice and time themselves before the next meeting.
Key Insights
- Dr. Naik explains that he demonstrated the Surah-naming exercise himself not because he wanted to be in the spotlight, but to show participants it was achievable — he states his intention was to motivate, not to compete.
- Dr. Naik argues that even experienced speakers must rehearse new lectures, stating 'The more you prepare, the more confident you are' and sharing that he personally gives trial runs before any new talk when time permits.
- Dr. Naik cites Surah Baqarah (2:155) to argue that Allah has promised to test believers with fear, death, and loss of wealth, and that striving through these tests is the mechanism by which faith and Allah's help are earned.
- Dr. Naik warns that the moment a da'ee begins to think they have reached the ultimate level — that they are like a 'computer' needing no further effort — Allah will forsake them, leading to a greater fall proportional to how high they had risen.
- Dr. Naik asserts that reaching a level of excellence is very difficult, but maintaining that level is even more difficult, implying that sustained humility and effort are more demanding than initial achievement.
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