The morning sun cast a warm, golden glow across the quiet courtyard where Annet, a 30-year-old woman, sat soaking in the early morning vitamin D. It was a serene routine, a moment of stillness before the day’s demands took over. But on this particular morning, the quiet rhythm of her routine met a different kind of warmth—the resolute, tireless energy of iERA daees entering the final stretch of their intense 25 Days of Dawah campaign.
Seeing Annet enjoying the morning light, the daees approached with gentle courtesy, requesting just a few minutes of her time. They began by drawing a simple parallel: just as the sun faithfully provides warmth and life to the world under a precise design, there is only One God who created and sustains everything. They spoke softly about the oneness of God (Tawheed) and what it truly means to direct one’s devotion solely to the Creator in the most authentic way.
Annet listened, her interest piqued, but a lingering doubt soon surfaced. Looking at the daees, she voiced a question that had long weighed on her mind: Does Islam permit Muslims to kill people of other faiths, as seems so frequent in the Arab world?
Rather than being defensive, the daees responded with patience and deep empathy. They gently uncoupled the pure teachings of Islam from the tragic actions of individuals or geopolitical conflicts. They explained that Islam derives its very name from peace and commands its followers to uphold justice, preserve human life, and show kindness to all. Verse by verse, they showed her that taking an innocent life is strictly forbidden in Islam, and that bad practices by individuals do not define the divine guidance of the faith.
