Abu Ahmad is the president of IDCA (the Islamic Dawah Centre of Australia), a well respected Daee and motivational speaker in Sydney. A man on a mission, whose passion for Islam drives him to share the message of this wonderful deen (way of life) with Muslims and non-Muslims alike, not only in Sydney, but Australia wide.
Abu Ahmad (Ihssan Wehbe) was born in Paddington, Sydney Australia in 1974 to Lebanese parents who migrated to Australia. He was raised with his two siblings in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. Abu Ahmad describes his experience in the public schools as 'not the best' as there were limited role models and guidance about and thus application of Islamic principles;however he gained an appreciation of the many ethnicities and cultures around him.
Abu Ahmad recalls during his younger years 'had a limited understanding of religion,' not even knowing the five pillars of Islam. Being a Muslim, in his mind, meant fasting in the holy month of Ramadan and abstaining from eating pork and drinking alcohol and that was it. He was passionate about sports while growing up, in particular basketball and the martial arts. He idolised the likes of Michael Jordan and felt a spiritual connection with Bruce Lee, so much so, he admits to actually saying prayers to the deceased Kung Fu legend for assistance and success in upcoming tournaments (May Allah forgive him for those years). Abu Ahmad's disassociation with Islam and remembrance of the Almighty Allah was an all too familiar consequence of the Muslim youth growing up in the west. He had become a product of society.
Feeling disillusioned with what direction to take in life, Abu Ahmad left school in year 11 and entered into a carpentry apprenticeship. But after 2 years the company went bankrupt, so again he had to find another career path, meanwhile marching time in the field of security.
Alhamdulillah, in 1994 life began to change for the better; at the age of 19 he married a practising Muslim sister, he also moved to the western suburbs and Subhan'Allah that is where he found Islam. Thus began Abu Ahmad's journey to understanding the religion he loves and wants to share, which he stated he was 'denied for many years,' as there were no callers to Islam during his youth.
Abu Ahmad pursued his own study of Islam, and attended lessons with locals Sheikhs and Imams.Coupled with the passion to learn and the enthusiasm to teach, Abu Ahmad debuted in the field of Dawah in the year 1995, which involved transporting and teaching children and the youth at a mosque in Western Sydney.
In 1996, Alhamdulillah, Abu Ahmad embarked upon the journey of a lifetime, travelling to the two holy cities of Mecca and Madinah in Saudia Arabia, thus fulfilling the fifth pillar of Islam, Hajj ul Bait. This is where his desire to learn and teach Islam to the youth and the community at large was conceived. That concept developed into what is known today under the acronym of IDCA (Islamic Dawah Centre of Australia).
The Islamic Dawah centre of Australia (IDCA) is a non-profit organisation which was formed in 1998, and aimed to provide education, counselling, and support for community members by promoting the true understanding of Islam through weekly classes and lectures, as well as recreational activities. Abu Ahmad was one of the founders of IDCA.
Compelled to strengthen his own knowledge in order to share with others in Australia, Abu Ahmad pursued further studies abroad. He lived and studied in Jordan in 2000-2001 where he studied Arabic, and also attended Islamic classes under Sheikh Abu Al-Yusr (one of Sheikh Muhammad Nasir-ud-Deen al-Albani students).
Abu Ahmad says that 'dawah is my life,' as he recalls his time spent in Jordan. On his daily 45 minute walk to his Islamic college, he would be rehearsing khutbahs and lessons over and over in his head. Having all these thoughts continuously popping up in his mind, he stated 'I could not wait till I got back to Sydney so that I could recommence my work in dawah.'
With his motivation renewed and more passionate than ever, Abu Ahmad returned to Sydney and continued in this field. With the needs of the community growing at a rapid pace in 2002, much time and effort was required by Abu Ahmad and IDCA. He then made the decision of putting his studies in Jordan on hold to devote his time to the work of Dawah.
IDCA continued to expand beyond its humble beginnings in a house, and a bookshop was opened in Auburn in 2002. The overwhelming demand for dawah and counselling services in the Muslim community then led Abu Ahmad to leave his wholesale merchant business for the greater purpose of becoming full time Daee (Caller to Islam),'which is no easy task.'
Dawah is the 'hardest job of all,' as Daee's are tested and tested. He quotes the hadith by:
Sa'ad bin Abi Waqqas who reported that he asked the Messenger of Allah (SAW): "Which of the people are tested most severely?" Rasulullah (SAW) replied: "The Prophets, then the righteous, then those who are most like them, then those who are most like them from the people. A man is tested according to his religious commitment. So, if his religious practice is sound, then his testing is increased, and if his religious practice is weak, then his testing is reduced. A servant continues to be tested until he walks the Earth without a single sin on him." (Ahmad, Tirmidhi).
Abu Ahmad states, 'Working in the way of Allah is the most rewarding in this life and the next'.
The various aspects in Dawah are:
1. Guiding people back to Islam.
2. Guiding Muslims back to the path of Allah.
3. Spreading dawah by means of producing lectures, dawah material: DVD's CD's Flyers etc.
In 1997 Abu Ahmad and Abu Siraj (one of the brothers who helped establish IDCA) hosted renowned Daee Yahya Ibrahim on his first Australian tour, at a time when there were no substantial English dawah associations in Sydney. After Yahya's tour, Abu Ahmad and a group of sincere brothers recognised then the importance of establishing one.
Since then IDCA has welcomed and hosted many internationally renowned Muslim speakers and sheikhs such as:
- Abdul Raheem Green (UK)
- Sh. Yusuf Estes (USA)
- Mutah Beale (Napolean) (USA)
- Dr. Abdul Hakim Quick (South Africa)
- Zakir Naik (India)
- Sh. Muhammed Al Jabali (Saudi Arabia)
- Muhammad Alshareef (Canada)
- Abu Hafsah
- Yusha Evans & many more.
Abu Ahmad has given various lectures at local Masjid's and Centres in Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne and Adelaide. Some of his lecture titles include:
My True Love
Evil Injections of the Dunya
The Evils of the Tongue
Tears of a Believer (4 part series)
Major Sins (10 Part series)
Where Are You, Have You Seen My Imaan?
I want to be like?
Abu Ahmad explains, 'I love giving lectures to the youth. Looking into their eyes and seeing that they want help. They want guidance but they just need some direction. And the fruit for the daee is when we take a shahaadah from a revert, it makes my day'.
'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it'.
(Sahih Bukhari ~ Hadith 545)
Abu Ahmad has also been a part of developing the curriculum and establishing the IDCA Quran School in 2003, as well as the IDCA Children's Shariah Course and another for adults alike. IDCA also offers, Quran and Shariah classes for adults, hosts regular lectures by local and international speakers, organises weekly Friday prayers, taraweeh prayers during Ramadan and an annual eid festival. All of which have benefited 1000's of children and adults over a number of years.
In 2009 Abu Ahmad and IDCA's shurah took on 'The Build the Masjid Project or Masjid Abu Bakr Al-Siddeeq.' This is one of Abu Ahmad's personal endeavours to build his hereafter, but is also a project to educate Muslim brothers and sisters about this beautiful deen and to build true men and women that will uphold this religion and spread Islam all over the world and into future generations, insha'Allah.
The Muslim community of Australia has been greatly marginalised as a result of various international events. Thus building the proposed Mosque and Dawah centre would help the Muslim community have a strong voice and a refuge from the sometimes unfriendly atmosphere faced by our community. Furthermore, the centre will be an important point of reference for the non-Muslim community, raising awareness of the peaceful nature of Islam and clear the many flawed notions held by the often misinformed community. Hence, the centre would act as an important bridge between the Muslim and Non Muslim communities, and allow a wonderful and much needed opportunity for preaching Islam.
As 'today's youth are tomorrow's future'.It is Abu Ahmad's strong belief that taking part in the nurturing our children and families is essential and demanded by Islam. The centre would enable many of the youth on the streets to return to Islam and contribute to its propagation and true understanding.
The Mosque and Dawah Centre will accommodate varying facilities including; a prayer area, library and information outlet, computing and internet area, a meeting place, dedicated rooms for Quranic and Islamic Studies, as well as a large auditorium.
Abu Ahmad's vision for the future of Islam is not limited to Sydney alone, but is planned for the whole of Australia. Abu Ahmad has started working with Muslim organisations in other states, such as the ACT, SA, VIC and QLD and even New Zealand offering his services and experience to various Muslim communities.
Abu Ahmad (Ihssan Wehbe) was born in Paddington, Sydney Australia in 1974 to Lebanese parents who migrated to Australia. He was raised with his two siblings in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. Abu Ahmad describes his experience in the public schools as 'not the best' as there were limited role models and guidance about and thus application of Islamic principles;however he gained an appreciation of the many ethnicities and cultures around him.
Abu Ahmad recalls during his younger years 'had a limited understanding of religion,' not even knowing the five pillars of Islam. Being a Muslim, in his mind, meant fasting in the holy month of Ramadan and abstaining from eating pork and drinking alcohol and that was it. He was passionate about sports while growing up, in particular basketball and the martial arts. He idolised the likes of Michael Jordan and felt a spiritual connection with Bruce Lee, so much so, he admits to actually saying prayers to the deceased Kung Fu legend for assistance and success in upcoming tournaments (May Allah forgive him for those years). Abu Ahmad's disassociation with Islam and remembrance of the Almighty Allah was an all too familiar consequence of the Muslim youth growing up in the west. He had become a product of society.
Feeling disillusioned with what direction to take in life, Abu Ahmad left school in year 11 and entered into a carpentry apprenticeship. But after 2 years the company went bankrupt, so again he had to find another career path, meanwhile marching time in the field of security.
Alhamdulillah, in 1994 life began to change for the better; at the age of 19 he married a practising Muslim sister, he also moved to the western suburbs and Subhan'Allah that is where he found Islam. Thus began Abu Ahmad's journey to understanding the religion he loves and wants to share, which he stated he was 'denied for many years,' as there were no callers to Islam during his youth.
Abu Ahmad pursued his own study of Islam, and attended lessons with locals Sheikhs and Imams.Coupled with the passion to learn and the enthusiasm to teach, Abu Ahmad debuted in the field of Dawah in the year 1995, which involved transporting and teaching children and the youth at a mosque in Western Sydney.
In 1996, Alhamdulillah, Abu Ahmad embarked upon the journey of a lifetime, travelling to the two holy cities of Mecca and Madinah in Saudia Arabia, thus fulfilling the fifth pillar of Islam, Hajj ul Bait. This is where his desire to learn and teach Islam to the youth and the community at large was conceived. That concept developed into what is known today under the acronym of IDCA (Islamic Dawah Centre of Australia).
The Islamic Dawah centre of Australia (IDCA) is a non-profit organisation which was formed in 1998, and aimed to provide education, counselling, and support for community members by promoting the true understanding of Islam through weekly classes and lectures, as well as recreational activities. Abu Ahmad was one of the founders of IDCA.
Compelled to strengthen his own knowledge in order to share with others in Australia, Abu Ahmad pursued further studies abroad. He lived and studied in Jordan in 2000-2001 where he studied Arabic, and also attended Islamic classes under Sheikh Abu Al-Yusr (one of Sheikh Muhammad Nasir-ud-Deen al-Albani students).
Abu Ahmad says that 'dawah is my life,' as he recalls his time spent in Jordan. On his daily 45 minute walk to his Islamic college, he would be rehearsing khutbahs and lessons over and over in his head. Having all these thoughts continuously popping up in his mind, he stated 'I could not wait till I got back to Sydney so that I could recommence my work in dawah.'
With his motivation renewed and more passionate than ever, Abu Ahmad returned to Sydney and continued in this field. With the needs of the community growing at a rapid pace in 2002, much time and effort was required by Abu Ahmad and IDCA. He then made the decision of putting his studies in Jordan on hold to devote his time to the work of Dawah.
IDCA continued to expand beyond its humble beginnings in a house, and a bookshop was opened in Auburn in 2002. The overwhelming demand for dawah and counselling services in the Muslim community then led Abu Ahmad to leave his wholesale merchant business for the greater purpose of becoming full time Daee (Caller to Islam),'which is no easy task.'
Dawah is the 'hardest job of all,' as Daee's are tested and tested. He quotes the hadith by:
Sa'ad bin Abi Waqqas who reported that he asked the Messenger of Allah (SAW): "Which of the people are tested most severely?" Rasulullah (SAW) replied: "The Prophets, then the righteous, then those who are most like them, then those who are most like them from the people. A man is tested according to his religious commitment. So, if his religious practice is sound, then his testing is increased, and if his religious practice is weak, then his testing is reduced. A servant continues to be tested until he walks the Earth without a single sin on him." (Ahmad, Tirmidhi).
Abu Ahmad states, 'Working in the way of Allah is the most rewarding in this life and the next'.
The various aspects in Dawah are:
1. Guiding people back to Islam.
2. Guiding Muslims back to the path of Allah.
3. Spreading dawah by means of producing lectures, dawah material: DVD's CD's Flyers etc.
In 1997 Abu Ahmad and Abu Siraj (one of the brothers who helped establish IDCA) hosted renowned Daee Yahya Ibrahim on his first Australian tour, at a time when there were no substantial English dawah associations in Sydney. After Yahya's tour, Abu Ahmad and a group of sincere brothers recognised then the importance of establishing one.
Since then IDCA has welcomed and hosted many internationally renowned Muslim speakers and sheikhs such as:
- Abdul Raheem Green (UK)
- Sh. Yusuf Estes (USA)
- Mutah Beale (Napolean) (USA)
- Dr. Abdul Hakim Quick (South Africa)
- Zakir Naik (India)
- Sh. Muhammed Al Jabali (Saudi Arabia)
- Muhammad Alshareef (Canada)
- Abu Hafsah
- Yusha Evans & many more.
Abu Ahmad has given various lectures at local Masjid's and Centres in Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne and Adelaide. Some of his lecture titles include:
My True Love
Evil Injections of the Dunya
The Evils of the Tongue
Tears of a Believer (4 part series)
Major Sins (10 Part series)
Where Are You, Have You Seen My Imaan?
I want to be like?
Abu Ahmad explains, 'I love giving lectures to the youth. Looking into their eyes and seeing that they want help. They want guidance but they just need some direction. And the fruit for the daee is when we take a shahaadah from a revert, it makes my day'.
'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it'.
(Sahih Bukhari ~ Hadith 545)
Abu Ahmad has also been a part of developing the curriculum and establishing the IDCA Quran School in 2003, as well as the IDCA Children's Shariah Course and another for adults alike. IDCA also offers, Quran and Shariah classes for adults, hosts regular lectures by local and international speakers, organises weekly Friday prayers, taraweeh prayers during Ramadan and an annual eid festival. All of which have benefited 1000's of children and adults over a number of years.
In 2009 Abu Ahmad and IDCA's shurah took on 'The Build the Masjid Project or Masjid Abu Bakr Al-Siddeeq.' This is one of Abu Ahmad's personal endeavours to build his hereafter, but is also a project to educate Muslim brothers and sisters about this beautiful deen and to build true men and women that will uphold this religion and spread Islam all over the world and into future generations, insha'Allah.
The Muslim community of Australia has been greatly marginalised as a result of various international events. Thus building the proposed Mosque and Dawah centre would help the Muslim community have a strong voice and a refuge from the sometimes unfriendly atmosphere faced by our community. Furthermore, the centre will be an important point of reference for the non-Muslim community, raising awareness of the peaceful nature of Islam and clear the many flawed notions held by the often misinformed community. Hence, the centre would act as an important bridge between the Muslim and Non Muslim communities, and allow a wonderful and much needed opportunity for preaching Islam.
As 'today's youth are tomorrow's future'.It is Abu Ahmad's strong belief that taking part in the nurturing our children and families is essential and demanded by Islam. The centre would enable many of the youth on the streets to return to Islam and contribute to its propagation and true understanding.
The Mosque and Dawah Centre will accommodate varying facilities including; a prayer area, library and information outlet, computing and internet area, a meeting place, dedicated rooms for Quranic and Islamic Studies, as well as a large auditorium.
Abu Ahmad's vision for the future of Islam is not limited to Sydney alone, but is planned for the whole of Australia. Abu Ahmad has started working with Muslim organisations in other states, such as the ACT, SA, VIC and QLD and even New Zealand offering his services and experience to various Muslim communities.
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