i face a lot of problems wen non-muslim strangers walk up to me at my university and ask me the most diverse questions about islam. plus, im an extreme introvert, so dis adds to my woes as i feel extremely guilty abt not being able to answer their questions in the light of current happenings. n since i dont see any thread abt dawah (surprising) i posted dis. if there already is a thread, plz do tel me.
n someone plz tel me how i can tackle dis situation.
wassalam,
start off with the 5 Pillars of Islam... then explain the 6 Pillars of Faith (Belief in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, that fate & destiny is decided by Him, and the Day of Judgement).
tell them what "Allah" means. "Allah" is derived from "Al Ilah" which means "The God". so, "Allah" is not a name that was invented or something, but literally means "God" or "The God". even the Arabic Bibles have "Allah" in it.
then u can tell them how Islam, Christianity, and Judaism are similar... they are all part of the Abrahamic Faiths... u can tell them Islam's viewpoint of Prophets... they all preached the same message (Islamic monotheism) ... they were sinless (Christians believes they were NOT sinless), Jesus (pbuh) is not the son but the messenger of Allah and tell them how he was more like a Muslim than a Christian... he had a beard, he was circumcised, he never ate pork, he put his face on the ground and bowed to Allah (did sajdah), etc
and then tell them about the Quran.. how it has remained exactly how it was word by word 1400 years ago.. its still the Word of Allah, unlike Bibles that were revised and led to contradiction by the followers (so its unreliable as the "Word of Allah"). tell them that Muhammad NEVER wrote or knew how to read a single thing in his life.. so it was impossible for him to come up with the Quran with such poetry that was superior to all others, and has no grammar mistakes, and the prophecies the Quran and the Hadith says (i.e. sex, violence, alcohol is widespread, people compete in construction for tall buildings, people act like the opposite gender, etc), the scientific facts in the Quran (i.e. the Big Bang creation of the universe, the expansion of the universe, air pressure changing as u climb the sky, each person has a unique fingerprint of their own, etc) ... and also the mathematical miracles of the Quran
when they ask u about what Islam says about terrorism, tell them that Islam denounces the killing of innocents, and there is a ayat that says if u save 1 life it will be as if u saved mankind, but if u kill 1 innocent life, it will be as if u killed mankind. ...and these extreme Muslims dont represent the true Islam...
dont forget to mention that, if Islam is such a bad religion, then why are there OVER 1.5 billion Muslims around the world and why is it the fastest growing religion in the world?
thats pretty much what u should say to explain Islam to them... do u want me to type out too how i would answer to questions about why particular things are forbidden (i.e. pork) or how does Allah deal with punishment?
Air pressure - [6:125] And whomsoever Allâh wills to guide, He opens his breast to Islâm, and whomsoever He wills to send astray, He makes his breast closed and constricted, as if he is climbing up to the sky. Thus Allâh puts the wrath on those who believe not.
The Big Bang - [21:30] Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were joined together as one united piece, then We parted them? And We have made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?
Sky protecting from meteoroids and sun's rays - [21:32] And We have made the heaven a roof, safe and well guarded. Yet they turn away from its signs (i.e. sun, moon, winds, clouds, etc.).
The Big Crunch (opposite of Big Bang), astronomers say one day the universe might stop expanding and start contracting towards itself - [21:104] And (remember) the Day when We shall roll up the heavens like a scroll rolled up for books, as We began the first creation, We shall repeat it, (it is) a promise binding upon Us. Truly, We shall do it.
Expansion of the universe - [51:47] With power did We construct the heaven. Verily, We are Able to extend the vastness of space thereof.
Fingerprints (will be same in Day of Resurrection) - [75:4] Yes, We are Able to put together in perfect order the tips of his fingers.
Salaam sis
Take a deep breath before you start. I know how you feel being an introvert. Think about what they asked, formulate an answer in your head. Then speak.
The main point is: You need to read up on, and be familiar with the topic they are asking about. Keep reading and learning and keep reviewing.
If you cant answer a particular question, just think for a bit. If you cant think of an answer, just say, "Oh, I cant answer you right now. I'll find out for you and tell you tomorrow."
If you find yourself getting hot and red, just calm down by breathing slowly. Don't ever shout or yell, or get worked up. Always maintain your composure.
I hope that helps a bit.
jazakullahu kaseeran kaseera for the varied replies...esp. bro who provided those links...and sis, for such a focussed n precise rep...
its not like i dont have a storehouse of information about islam to draw from wen talking about things like this...i do... but...somehow...i feel i mess up the whole thing...
i can pinpoint this to the fact that there are alot of things dat we take for granted...like the concept of Allah, for eg...we so defintitely believe dat He's there...but wat do u say to someone who asks u "where did Allah com from?"...i mean, how do u phrase an answer to a question as simple n as complicated as dat??becoz ur not just relaying info, ryt?ur talkin abt somthing u BELIEVE in...so u hav to precise n confident...not fumbling 4 words...
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