Originally Posted by Keltoi

If one is truly concerned with creating improved relations and fostering friendship between faiths it would seem prudent and logical to be seen honoring the other faith's places of worship. Would it be more insulting for the Pope to state he would not pray in a mosque because it would be sinful to do so, or more insulting that he views a mosque as a place Christians should feel comfortable in worshipping their own faith? Not that Christians are suddenly going to start trying to worship at mosques, but that Christians may grow to feel more comfortable with the Islamic faith. The mentality I've read about this issue by many on this thread is a repitition of what has divided us over the past 1,000 years.

The Pope prayed to someone other than Allah in a mosque, I don't think that is right.

salam aleykum all,
brothers if the problem is getting into a mosque as a nonmuslim;pope is not the first,,blue mosque is one of the most famous mosques in the world and every tourist(including atheists,polyteists,jews,whatever) who visits istanbul,goes into this mosque,,,and this mosque has been visited by 6 million tourists last year,,..


and once a hindu prayed there(actually he prayyed in islamic way,but he is not a muslim,i am a guide and im guiding in istanbul,i was his guide)

wassalamu aleykum

Mosques, Gurdwaras, Churches, Mandirs, Synagogues are places of worship of God, so we souldn't be throwing our toys out of the pram.

Originally Posted by Keltoi

If the Pope is praying to Jesus Christ he is praying to God. I know that is difficult for some Muslims to understand(seemingly), but one could think of it as a triangle, three sides of the same figure. In any event, from what I understand the Prophet Mohammed(PBUH) allowed Christians to pray at his Masjid after a meeting he had with a group of Christian leaders. So if the Prophet Mohammed(PBUH) didn't find a problem with allowing Christians to pray at a Mosque why should you second guess that decision now?

Although i agree we should all be allowed to pray where we want.

Also bear in mind. Christians then did no beleive in this trinity theory as strongly that's come to the surface recently as you do now. Jesus was never percieved to be God, but the SON of God, who wanted to direct all people to that one God. Somewhere Christians lost there way and decided Jesus was God. Not what he came on this earth to do!

If a man says he is going to pray to Allah(swt) is it not more right for us to accept him on his word and let it be his own sin if he does different? Isn't it much better for us to allow someone to pray then risk denying a person who's intent is to pray to Allah(swt).

The Catholic Church has long taught it's members that Allah(swt) is the same God(swt) of the prophets that is revealed to them. I do believe the Catholic church is in error over the nature of Isa, but they will accept the oneness of Allah(swt)

I am certain that the Popes prayer was said aloud and I am also certain that if the words spoke of anyone besides Allah(swt) there would have been a loud uproar at the Mosque.

We can not know a person's thoughts or their intentions all we can do is see that the outward actions are not Haram.

Originally Posted by AvarAllahNoor

Although i agree we should all be allowed to pray where we want.

Also bear in mind. Christians then did no beleive in this trinity theory as strongly that's come to the surface recently as you do now. Jesus was never percieved to be God, but the SON of God, who wanted to direct all people to that one God. Somewhere Christians lost there way and decided Jesus was God. Not what he came on this earth to do!

Actually the Christians the Prophet Mohammed(PBUH) had this meeting with believed in the concept of the Trinity. This was actually a topic of conversation according to the sources I've encountered on the subject. I don't want to get bogged down in debating this subject though as it has been discussed numerous times with much detail in the comparative religion section.

It was supposed to be a sign of respect and an attempting at mending relations. Guess that didn't quite work out like planned!

Btw, the blue mosque is as much a tourist attraction as a Mosque. I even visited it a year or so ago. If they let in a completely unbelieving kafir like me, surely they couldn't bar the pope ;).

Originally Posted by Keltoi

Actually the Christians the Prophet Mohammed(PBUH) had this meeting with believed in the concept of the Trinity. This was actually a topic of conversation according to the sources I've encountered on the subject. I don't want to get bogged down in debating this subject though as it has been discussed numerous times with much detail in the comparative religion section.

I'll read up on it then. It's odd how it's only recently or some groups who see Jesus as God.

I'll remain on topic though!

Originally Posted by IsaAbdullah

Did The Prophet, peace be upon him, allow Christians to pray in his masjid?

Yes offcourse......... but he ordered them that they should clean their body and enter the mosque thats it.......