Converting

format_quote Originally Posted by Skye Ephémérine

I am not defensive at all, it is a legitimate question which you've posed, but I think it misdirected in fact given that the term missionaries is a term almost exclusively synonymous with Christian evangelists not Muslims!

I find it interesting that you think that glo's question is misdirected because the term missionaries is a term that you preceive as being linked with Christianity. But I can't see what that has to do with glo's question. Below are all of glo's posts in this thread, and I don't find that term used once, at least not by her.

format_quote Originally Posted by glo

I am interested to hear whether a forced or coerced conversion to Islam (basically any conversion which does not come from one's own conviction and desire) be valid at all in the eyes of God? Or whether it would be meaningless?

Peace

format_quote Originally Posted by glo

Thank you for your replies. I had forgotten that I has asked the question!


I don't think it is difficult to force somebody to follow a certain religion at all.
If not my physical force, then by coercion and persuasion, by excluding people if they don't comply, or simply by not allowing people to explore other ways of life.
People may convert to (any) religion to benefit socially, to be accepted into society, to be allowed to marry somebody they love ...

So I think there are many reasons why people may convert, which are not necessarily based on love and dedication to God ...


I understand this (and the comments made by the other posters).
However, it is possible to follow all necessary religious rules to fit in with people around you and gain their acceptance and respect, rather than out of submission to God.

I suppose none of us can tell how sincere any of our fellow believers are - not even by observing how much they adhere to religious rulings.
I guess God alone knows!

I guess my question really is this:
If somebody followed Islam for all the wrong reasons (such as the examples given above); and not as a sign of submission and dedication to Allah ... would his/her actions (which are still right and good Islamically, even if the intention isn't) still count in his favour on the Day of Judgement? Or would they be entirely meaningless?

format_quote Originally Posted by glo

Thank you for your replies, all.
It's much appreciated!

format_quote Originally Posted by glo

I personally think that would be very bad practice indeed.

I wonder why you are so defensive, Skye?
I am neither seeking religious debate here, nor am I accusing Islam of using deliberate force and coercion to convert people ...
Instead I am seeking knowledge about Islam.
My question was merely whether people who convert for the 'wrong reasons' (i.e. not out of true belief and love for Allah) will be rewarded by Allah for their conversion or not?

Nobody else has read my question is the light that you seem to have. Why is that?
Thank you to all who answered my question with patience and knowledge.


I also think this kind of post would be better placed in the Comparative Religions section and has no place in 'Discover Islam' ... :X
Perhaps the mods can made any amendments to our posts, as they see fit.

salaam

Does anyone else see something I don't see? I see a simple question, one that is not connected with missionary efforts of any kind by any group. Indeed the initial question does not seem to be about Islamic practices, but a search for better understanding of Islamic perceptions regarding how Allah would view things.

Only one person in this thread even bothered to mention missionaries:

format_quote Originally Posted by Skye Ephémérine

Coercion by persuasion is more an evangelist style.. we are not familiar with it. For instance, missionaries in Africa passing out bikes to Muslim and Hindu children to get them to become christian.

Can you explain how that comment is even relevant to this thread since it doesn't address glo's question nor is an issue raised by any other poster except yourself? Please, tell glo that HER question is misdirected, when it is YOUR OWN comment that you are actually responding to.