Educating non-muslims about Islam

[سيف الله]

Salaam

Uhmm... I really don't think Zakir Naik or his colleagues would be the right people to engage in any kind of debate with these men... i'm not even sure a debate would be of any benefit to anyone, but if someone were to do it, it should be an American. Zakir Naik, as far as I know, isn't even a trained scholar, and from what I've heard from his talks/debates, he's not qualified to really be debating about social problems or the intricacies of Islam... It's important that any dialog that takes place be done by someone who is from this country and is familiar with it's culture/society/policies/history/issues, as well as someone who is trained in Islam... People like Hamza Yusuf, Suhaib Webb, or even Muslim Professors from our Universities would be far more qualified for something like this...

But the general idea of educating the masses isn't a bad one, but neither is it new. We've had and continue to have lectures on Islam here in America, but the problem is getting people to come and listen... Perhaps it's more important for the Muslims in general to try harder to reach out to the rest of the country. As others have mentioned, more effort to open the doors of our masaajid to the community could be a start. Being active in our cities/communities is also a good chance for us to teach other about Islam through example, and we can also try and make more (and promote) events that can familiarize the public on the Muslim position on certain issues, etc...

I agree on the whole with being qualified and having an good understanding of the society your speaking too, respecting its conventions, ways of doing things etc, but the idea you have to be an 'American' (or British, Irish etc etc) Muslim to speak on issues in any given country is distrubing because it shows influence of nationalism which has little place in Islamic thinking, after all arent we meant to be a international community?

Hope this kind of thinking doesnt become prevalent, because it will weaken our bonds to one another.

 

[Sunnie Ameena]

I am a non-Muslim for now, and I think that people should educate themselves about the Muslim Faith. Christians are taught not to judge others based on race, religion, or ethnic background, but yet they judge all the time. If a person wanted to unfairly judge, then they could accuse all Catholics of doing ugly things to children, based on the fact that some Catholics have done that, and they could accuse all Baptists of being soldier haters, based on a Baptist family that actually does that. So to be fair, not all Catholics are doing ugly things to children, and not all Baptists are soldier haters, so therefore, they should not accuse Muslims of being ter-**-ists. I always tell people when they ask why I want to convert to Islam, is that Muslim is a religion, not a race and being a Muslim will bring me and keep me closer to Allah. Thank you for letting me voice my thoughts. Sunnie

 

[Sunnie Ameena]

Sorry for posting twice in a row. I forgot something I wanted to say. It would be great if a leader of a Mosque could get on National T.V. and tell people about the Musllim faith, kinda like when the President does the State of the Union Address, or they have a program on Sunday called Face the Nation. Education is key. And also, people should have an open mind. Sunnie

 

[Tyrion]

I agree on the whole with being qualified and having an good understanding of the society your speaking too, respecting its conventions, ways of doing things etc, but the idea you have to be an 'American' (or British, Irish etc etc) Muslim to speak on issues in any given country is distrubing because it shows influence of nationalism which has little place in Islamic thinking, after all arent we meant to be a international community?

Hope this kind of thinking doesnt become prevalent, because it will weaken our bonds to one another.

Nationalism? There's no nationalism here... I think you're misunderstanding... It's important for the speaker in this case to be from the country in question (or at least to have spent enough time there to be familiar with its ways and culture) because it would be an absolute mess if the Sheikh/speaker in this case was not familiar with the details of America/Living in America/policies, etc... This isn't nationalism, just common sense.

 

[Fivesolas]

i think by default we already get to know non- Muslims such as them being our neighbors and co-workers and co-students and so on... so dawah is really easy already becuase you can give dawah in an indirect way....like not annoy your neighbors unnecessarily.

but the above that i mentioned, is concerned with giving dawah thorough ones actions but giving dawah through ones speech/being in direct contact is important as-well. but what goes hand-in-hand with this, is that its really important that we know what we are talking about when giving dawah and speaking to non-Muslims as 1) you dont want to give them the wrong knowledge and 2) unfortunately there are some sicko's [(sorry, i have to advise-and i know someone who has had this happen to them)] who will take advantage of a Muslim who doesn't have knowledge about their deen and may try confuse them in some matters that the Muslim may not be strong in...they dont usually target people who they know wont listen to them. some people will to try to invent lies against our deen as to deceive and trick us...

now the point of this is NOT to oppress non-Muslims and be suspicious of them, rather it is to remind the Muslim to be knowledge so that your faith remains strong in not falling to the deceit of some people who may have ill intentions.

most non-Muslims who are interested in Islam i personally find are courteous but just a reminder to ensure that your heart is strong as being in presence of someone is much more persuasive then trying to get some message across indirectly...that's why some people like to be "friends" with you becuase they know that they can deceive you easier that way...may Allah protect us...

All Muslims are commanded by Allah to perform Da'wa. Christians are commanded and sent by God to preach the Gospel, et. In my experience, each side seeks to be persuasive. Someone that tries to befriend another person out of pretense, be it religious reasons or otherwise, is a deceitful and pernicious person. None of us should pretend to be or do one thing, when we are or mean another thing. This is hypocrisy.

In a discussion with a Muslim I was asked of him, "Is your intention to convert me?" Because I do not believe I have the power to "convert" anyone, only God does, I answered him this way, "While it is not within my power to convert you, this is the act of God alone, I know that God has ordained to save many through the preaching of the Gospel. Is it my desire to see you repent and turn to faith in Jesus Christ for the remission of sins? ABSOLUTELY."

The Muslim was a bit offended by this. But why should he be? Do not Muslims want to see me become a Muslim? Do not Muslims want to see me abandon my faith in Christ Jesus and declare the Shahada? Do not Muslims want to see me convert from Christianity to Islam? Of course they do. Do they study to be persusaive to me? Of course they do. Am I worried about this? Not in the least. Nor do I feel threatened by it. Rather, I expect them to do it because I know what the Qur'an has commanded them to do.

 

[AishaRayann]

I have a story to tell.It actually happened today.I was on another website. There was this teenager that was looking for a path...Paganism.I messaged him I said I see that you reject Christianity. Have you ever thought about Islam. They replied saying I don't want to follow a religion that is about extremism, over population, making wars,etc
I replied..Islam is about peace..We don't go out to make wars.The Quran says that if your enemy makes business in peace with you do not strike. But, if someone attack you ..you have the right to defend yourself..if someone who dislike you goes and hits you in the back of the head..do you stand there doing nothing..or do you defend yourself? I said Muslims care about people..we care about the poor..we make Zakat give to the poor. I explained many other things...they told me some things they believed..I related it to Islam. Well after only knowing what the Western media and books said about Islam. I completely changed this persons view point..By making conversation by asking them about Islam..I asked about their beliefs..why they thought that...i listened because I geninuely cared..I respected this person..I was nice..even offered my friendship even through we are different and that we didnt have to talk about religion. This is the best way to teach a non-muslim about Islam in my opinion.

 

[maryambintjared]

As someone who only just became a Muslim this week, I'd say what persuaded me was a combination of actually reading the Quraan, and reading about the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him.) I'd always been told that Mohommed, (pbuh) was a charlatan, possibly schizophrenic or epileptic, or even demon possessed. Seriously, that's what most of the churches I've attended have said about him.

Actually reading about his life was a revelation to me. So, if you want to persuade someone to consider Islam, I'd suggest you talk to them about themes and unity in the Quraan, but especially introduce them to the character of Mohommed (pbuh) because I honestly think he's been so hideously misrepresented in the Western consciousness that most of us find it impossible to see him as anything other than a crook. You can imagine how horrified and ashamed I was when I discovered the truth! When you read about him it's hard not to love his combination of courage and gentleness. That's what you should strive to share, I think.

 

[maryambintjared]

Oh... and talking about sharing Quraan and stories of the time of the Prophet (pbuh), my son has been listening to stories and responding with a great deal of interest. Being a boy, of course, he quite likes tales of derring do and heroism, so I've talked to him about the time the Quraysh came riding out to Mecca, and stopped short in their tracks because all of a sudden there was a huge ditch in front of them, which their camels couldn't jump. He thought that was really funny and clever... and I pointed out that this had never happened in Arabian warfare before. Then I was telling him about how, a little later, the Prophet (pbuh) and some of his companions road out to Mecca on pilgrimage, and therefore challenged the Quraysh peaceably... and how that direct peaceful action led to, within a year, Muslims being allowed back to Hajj.

It's interesting for him I think to see the Prophet (pbuh) as a fully rounded human being... someone who fought when he had to, including the use of pacifist means when appropriate, but also who was kind to children and animals... he loves the story of the cat asleep on the Prophet's coat (pbuh) and how he stepped carefully over the nest of a rock dove when he was departing a cave after fleeing his enemies.

There's a great deal to share in the life of the Prophet, and it does startle Westerners, I think, to realise just what a well rounded, courageous and compassionate man the Prophet was.

The other thing that's worth pointing out is that the affect the Quraan had on society was nothing short of miraculous. In just over twenty years it destroyed the old pagan ways, and forged a society under Allah. No other sacred text has changed the world in two short decades.

 

[Considering]

Rep. King is not interested in debate - he is from a long line of politicians (in many countries) who appeal to people's baser instincts as a way of winning support.

 

[Mister Agenda]

Here is an article about the source of much misinformation about Muslims in the USA. The bad information the people described here are putting out is what, in my humble opinion, needs to be countered, at least in my country.

http://www.splcenter.org/get-inform...se-all-issues/2011/summer/jihad-against-islam