Working in da’wah is never easy; you will be wounded a lot when approaching the public with the truth, but you’ll get used to it after a while if you don’t give up. My personal experience was no different.

My journey into the creation of AAT, had its ups and downs, lows and highs. There were times when I felt exhausted and wanted it all to end, and others when my imaan was sky high and there was no stopping me.

I was disliked by many da’ees when I entered this field of work, Islamic centre admins were hateful to me, and close friends would go on Da’wah trips and wouldn’t invite me.

I tasted a lot of rejection, and endured much pain, but Allah kept me patient and gave me the courage to carry on.

I started by delivering Bi-weekly speeches to up to 300 people (face to face not online). I was criticized quite often and was requested to stop. In 2011, I took a walk with Dr. Zakir Naik and sought his advice, he shook my hand and was very polite. Soon after, I submitted my Tawheed book to Dr. Bilal Phillips in 2012, he advised me not to publish it until it was edited. I then contacted the translator of SAHEEH INT’L Interpretation, a 70 year old gentle lady; she took all my books and wanted nothing in return. I enjoyed the company of Sheikh Assim Al Hakeem in 2013 for about 4 hours, he showed me some love and gave me reasons to persevere with my efforts. These were some of my positive experiences. However, Allah sends us tests in all forms and shapes, and my positive encounters were overshadowed with negative ones.

I was kicked out of Islamic Education Foundation and was prevented from presenting and giving speeches to their audience for 7 months. It was really hard because I was highly motivated, and optimistic about spreading the message of Islam. All of this for no reason mentioned, it was never explained to me why. I asked the reason so that I could rectify my mistake-if any, but all I was told is, ‘I don’t need you right now’.

After 7 long months, I decided to return and deliver a lecture.  Before, I went back, I raised my hands to Allah, asking Him to do justice to me. I asked that the individual, who for no reason had me removed; ‘O Allah, kick him out just as he kicked me out’, one week later the man was out!

Perhaps that was one of my worst encounters, though I have borne many similar ones. The hurt you feel when your own brother/sister in the deen, striving for the same end as you rejects you, is unbearable. Nevertheless, when following the footsteps of the prophets, hurt and pain is to be expected. We must simply withstand it all with patience, forbearance and persist in our efforts.

Allah works in the most amazing ways; once you put your trust in Him, He will look after you in ways you never expected. Allah, not only removed the person, but He also granted me sincerity and gave me large audiences, no need to mention the numbers, he allowed them to benefit from me and allowed me to benefit from them, and he replaced my bad days with a lot of good.

When entering the world of Da’wah you get the complete package depending on how far you want to go, so whenever you get wounded remember our dear Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him and the pains he went through and that will give you reasons for you to proceed and never to stop.

May Allah preserve you and help you in the field of Da’wah. This is all temporary, one day you’ll feel like you’re on your own, but keep your faith high and Allah will make you strong.

Your brother,

Rayan Arab