Being approached about Christianity

[MustafaMc]

They believe that God expects perfection from humans which humans can never achieve (partly because of the aforementioned sin), thus to atone for our imperfection and inability to meet God's exacting demand, and to reconcile people to God and repair the severed relationship, and to forgive (but in reality atone) people's sins, the sacrifice of an innocent man (who also happens to be God) and his slow, bloody, painful and humiliating death comes into play.

The concept of God forgiving sins is a basic teaching of Jesus as exemplified by parable of the prayers of Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18 where the tax collector says, "God, be merciful to me a sinner!" Yet the fundamental teaching of Christianity is as you wrote with the concept of 'atonement' replacing that of 'forgiveness', but Christians seem unable to distinguish between the two. I have not encountered missionary types such as noted in the OP, but I can imagine they are trained quite well at argumentation and to listen much less than they talk. If the conversation seems to be going no where then it is probably best to end it diplomatically. For those Muslims who live in a country that is not predominantly Muslim it is a good idea to have some understanding of the majority religion so they can discuss religion and share their faith. We have a most precious gift in our Islamic faith and looking for opportunities to share it is a good thing.

 

[Scimitar]

you carry a backpack, and there is not a single piece of Islamic literature in it? not a one??? not a cd or a dvd? why are you in America??????????????

why do you think Allah has placed you here?

seriously, why don't you grow up? i'm not saying that you need to reach out to others, but if they come to you and start preaching paganism then at the least tell them why they are wrong and offer to get them some information.

don't get me wrong, i AGREE with you on I believe in preaching through action and conduct. well said, as well.

me? i would say, "i'm a Muslim, are you sure you want to continue?" right at the git-go. if they start to proceed, i would say, "i'm not an uneducated Muslim. i can rebut anything you say, and i know more about the history of your books then you do. i recommend that you stop while you are ahead. if you are looking for some gullible moron, continue looking elsewhere."

but that's only cuz you didn't have time. i blow Mormons off like that, but give other Christians a little more room.

or you could try. "look i'm a Muslim and i don't have time right now. we can meet after exams and chat if you like, but to me, your book would be totally worthless."

you could regroup then.

at a College? any other Muslims there? do you pray together? Jummu'ah there?

sorry if i sound mean. i'm old and mean. so, it's not personal!

are you west coast?

:wa:

Whoa there horsey

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
Because the followers of the Prophets are people of knowledge and justice, when the followers of Islam and the Sunnah speak with the kuffaar and followers of bid‘ah, they speak with knowledge and justice, not with speculation and whims. Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ’Judges are of three types, two of whom will be in the Fire and one in Paradise. A man who knows the truth and judges accordingly will be in Paradise. A man who knows the truth and judges otherwise will be in the Fire. And a man who judges among people on the basis of ignorance, will be in the Fire.“ Narrated by Abu Dawood and others [and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami‘]. If he is one of those who pass judgment among people concerning their wealth, lives and honour, and he is neither knowledgeable nor just, then he will be in Hell, so how about one who judges concerning sects and religions, and the basic principles of faith, knowledge of the divine and other fundamental pricnples, with no knowledge or justice, like the followers of innovation and whims and desires. [Al-Jawaab al-Saheeh li man baddala Deen al-maseeh, 1/107-108.]

Because of what Shaykh al-Islam mentioned here about the etiquette of debate, Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): ’And argue not with the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), unless it be in (a way) that is better (with good words and in good manner, inviting them to Islamic Monotheism with His Verses), except with such of them as do wrong; and say (to them): …We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you; our Ilaah (God) and your Ilaah (God) is One (i.e. Allaah), and to Him we have submitted (as Muslims)“ [al-…Ankaboot 29:46]


Shaykh Ibn Sa‘di (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in his Tafseer:

Here Allaah is forbidding arguing with the People of the Book, if it is done with no knowledge of argument or with no appropriate basis, and He says that we should not argue with them except in a way that is better, with a good attitude, kindness and gentle speech, calling to the truth and making it attractive, and refuting falsehood and making it unattractive, in the most effective manner. The purpose behind it should not simply be to debate and argue, and loving to win, rather the purpose should be to demonstrate the truth and guide people. End quote. [Tafseer al-Sa‘di 743]
You should also focus on seeking knowledge. Before a Muslim learns about what others believe, he has to learn his own religion and its rulings. So look for sisters who are seekers of knowledge and start to learn your religion with them. You can also make use of tapes by the scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah who promote the way of the righteous salaf, especially if there is no one available who can teach you.
Your primary concern should be to learn that which will correct your belief and worship. Study the meanings of the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
This is the sound way with which you should begin. Forget about debating with Christians and other followers of misguidance and leave that to those who are specialized in that field, for they are more able to debate with them and point out where they have gone wrong. There are still people in the Muslim ummah who can do this duty – praise be to Allaah.
If you think that the Christian proselytizing is having some impact on your Muslim sisters, then you must warn them against making friends with these kaafir women or listening to them. You can also provide them with books and tapes which explain true Islam, and warn against false sects and religions.
We ask Allaah to help you to do that which pleases Him, and to enable you to gain beneficial knowledge and do righteous deeds.
And Allaah knows best.


Islam Q&A: http://www.qsep.com/modules.php?name=ilm&d_op=article&sid=240

Scimi

 

[YusufNoor]

horsey??? ;D

you KNOW it is inappropriate to speak to an elder this way, right?

why do you assume that refuting someone is "poor manners?"

if you KNOW the topic thoroughly, you can respond to EVERYTHING they say. why is telling the truth bad manners?

and why do you ASSUME that i do it with bad manners? eh? (kettle, pot...black)

i'm NOT saying that they don't aggravate me, at times (cuz i'd be lying). but i am VERY WELL VERSED on the topic. they want to preach, i'd rather not hear it. so IF they want to discuss it, i'll not sit there like a potted plant. IF they start to get upset, i'll back off. like i said, i warn them first. i'm way old, i look even older, but in real life people view me as a rabbi or minister. i have a beautiful smile and a grandfather like demeanor (handsome to boot! ). people enjoy talking to me. i have a wealth of knowledge on many topics AND i have dvds that make to give away. i ALWAYS have Qur'ans that i can give away. if i run out of the ones i purchase for that purpose, i'll give one of my personal ones. i keep a stack of study Bibles as well, and use them to to show changes in them. if they want, they can take that too. i'm only cranky at home.

to be honest, i am sure that there are a few people that walk away thinking, "****, next time you see that dude, just keep your mouth shut!" but that is usually related to other issues, fluoride, 9-11. etc; which i also keep dvds on the topic and they a free to take some. my copier can burn a dvd in 6 minutes or less if i am missing a title. they can take extras to give to their friends. but people learn, "don't talk to that guy unless you REALLY want to know. but IF you WANT to know, he IS the guy to talk too."

perhaps you could show me an hadith that says, "yes, go ahead and think the worst of your Muslim brother"

one time I was ambushed by two of them, and one of them started with ''Are you saved?'' and I said yes, yes I am that's my bus I thought the bus arriving then was perfect comedic timing.. I wish I had that moment to commemorated on camera

lol!

ma salaama

 

[Signor]

 

[MightyFeathers]

Okay as a Christian I think I can offer a perspective, that is well... different. Obviously your Muslim brothers and sisters gave you some advice about how to do da'wah to thing should the opportunity ever come up again. Since that isn't my expertise I won't say anything on that, but I will give you some advice. Be prepared, from what you posted they sound like those non-denominational Evangelical Christian types. The thing about those people is that basically believe that Muslims, Jews, and pretty much every single Christian denomination that doesn't believe in their 'accept Jesus into your heart and pray a prayer thing' (aka the vast majority of Christian denominations) is trying to earn heaven. So honestly, do not be surprised if and when you try and say something to them that they just sort of shut down and say 'well you're trying to earn heaven, God doesn't like it if we try to earn heaven.' Once that happens they will likely not listen to single word you say afterward.

 

[Muhaba]

Jazak-Allaho khairan for this excellent video.

 

[Daris]

Rather than trying to be rude or funny, I always try to turn the situation around, where others end up asking me about my own faith, rather than telling me about their own. I cannot say I have witnessed any conversions as a result, but I prefer to be talking about what I believe, rather than listening to others talk about what they believe.

If I feel someone is suddenly shifting gears and becoming too overbearing, I simply excuse myself from the conversation.