[vpb]

Please post here, about :

What are the Responsibilities of a Believer with Regards to an Unbeliever?.

 

[Woodrow]

This can be a very good topic and serve as a reminder to all of us. I believe it would be nice for our non-Muslim members to add in their input as to what they believe we should do to help them understand Islam without feeling forced or intimidated.

We do have many responsibilities to Non-Muslims and sadly we over look then all too often.

I am going to refrain from posting what I see as our responsibilities at the moment.

 

[IbnAbdulHakim]

i agree, it would be nice to see non-muslim members openly state how they would like us muslims to treat them within the boundaries of islamic law ofcourse.

ive never had problems with a kaafir, infact im good friends with quite a lot of them, so i dont see any problems yet but perhaps non-believers have found problems with certain actions of muslims in the past? :?

 

[vpb]

just to mention, the credits for the idea of this thread go to Grace Seeker.

 

[Woodrow]

I would say that one major responsibility is to show our selves as true Muslims so that non-Muslims can see the Beauty of Islam and want to learn more because of what they have seen in us. We need to show that Islam truly is a goal worth seeking and that Muslims have found much value in it and honestly do strive to serve Allah(swt).

I think we all need to keep in mind that our words and actions are often the only views of Islam many people will ever have. Think YOU and I can very well be what becomes a persons lifetime concept as to what a Muslim is. What non-Muslims see in us is how they view Islam.

This world is growing and there is a very good chance that YOU are the only Muslim some people have ever seen. You are what Islam is, to some people.

 

[carpetguy]

it is our responsibility to peacefully introduce them to islam, and not throw ourselves on to them, tell them about the positive things 1stly to show our way of life is beautiful. also make dua for them and also be an exapmple with the things u do.

but in islam it is our respeonsibility to tell them all about islam is the true way of life, on the day of judgment allah will ask them why they did not submit, and theyu will say your people never told us, and then we will be brought forward to be questioned.

 

[IbnAbdulHakim]

This world is growing and there is a very good chance that YOU are the only Muslim some people have ever seen. You are what Islam is, to some people.

SUBHANALLAH!!!!

i never thought of it in this way before...

 

[czgibson]

Greetings,

Here are my thoughts on this:

I have to say I've encountered relatively few upsetting situations on the forum regarding the way Muslim members treat non-Muslims. Most people here are very tolerant and happy to discuss their beliefs in a way which could easily be seen by others as unsuitable or offensive. For that, I would like to thank the people who have given their time to engage in interesting discussions with us, the unbelievers.

Sometimes, though, critical discussions of Islam can lead to frayed tempers, and occasionally some members have responded with anger and hatred, with talk of 'filthy kaffirs' and so on. This is to be expected, I suppose, and I am sure that most of the faithful know that such behaviour is really unproductive. I haven't seen it happen here for a while, though.

One thing that is annoying for unbelievers is when someone goes into a long description of the hellfire that awaits us. Muslims must realise that, for an atheist like me, threatening me with hell is utterly pointless. I feel certain that hell does not exist; I believe it is an invention used to scare people into conformity. I am no more scared of hell than I am scared of Godzilla. For a Muslim, though, I suppose this counts as giving a fair warning, but there is really no point in doing it. Someone who comes to faith because they're scared doesn't have a faith worth having, in my view.

That's my biggest gripe. There are other things, such as the persistent misunderstandings of evolution and science in general that seem to be rife among the community here, and the unusual use of the word 'proof' that also seems to exist, but these are topics that could have whole threads devoted to them.

I've learned a lot about Islam here on the forum, and that learning has been only mildly impeded by the things I've just mentioned, so well done everyone - overall, you're doing a great job!

Peace

 

[Woodrow]

We may have to constantly remind ourselves that because we believe a person's faith is in grave error, that does not always mean that they are speaking to us out of malice.

We need to keep in mind that the Non-Muslims here have come to try to understand Islam. Most are sincere in wanting to know the truth about us.

It is true that on occasion some people do come only for the purpose of causing arguments. For that we do have the report button. although us Mods do seem to be slow, we do take all reports seriously and we try to understand all that led up to the problem. use the report button as a first choice rather than answering from anger.

We also need to be mindful that there are people from many different age and Language backgrounds. Sometimes what seems like a problem is a misunderstanding of what was said.

 

[wilberhum]

Really an interesting question. Not one that I can take a 30 second jab to remind someone there are two sides to a coin.
But then there are two sides to this coin. I know the question was posed from a Muslim perspective but my answer is from a non-Muslim perspective. Well at least my perspective.

If I ask an honest question, I think it is your responsibility to give me an honest answer.

I might add that the last time I did that I was met with ridicule and derogatory remarks.
Left me cold and angry until Ra`eesah came and tried to answer my question.

That is really the end of you religious responsibility, at least as far as I am concerned.

As far as a little advice, Woodrow, as usual, said it best:

I think we all need to keep in mind that our words and actions are often the only views of Islam many people will ever have.

And there are some that have left a very negative impression.

Truly,
Wilber

 

[Walter]

Hi Everyone:

There seems to be more than one question asked.

1. What are the responsibilities of a believer with regards to an unbeliever?

A believer has a responsibility to show the unbeliever the way and not by force. However, what is a believer? Both Christians and Muslims believe that there is one God who is identified as the friend of Abraham, and that Jesus is the Messiah.

2. What are the responsibilities between Christians and Muslims?

Christians and Muslims have a responsibility to cooperate with each other and with the God of Abraham in His plan for mankind. Cooperation with each other can be facilitated by effective communication on both sides. Effective communication can be accomplished if each side would read all of the Books containing God’s revelation to mankind.

It should be noted that miscommunication, and the attendant non-cooperation is guaranteed if one side continues to speculate about what the other side believes.

Regards,
Grenville

 

[Philosopher]

The only responsibility is to use logic and reason to verify God's existence.

 

[vpb]

Christians and Muslims have a responsibility to cooperate with each other and with the God of Abraham in His plan for mankind. Cooperation with each other can be facilitated by effective communication on both sides. Effective communication can be accomplished if each side would read all of the Books containing God’s revelation to mankind.

It should be noted that miscommunication, and the attendant non-cooperation is guaranteed if one side continues to speculate about what the other side believes.

We can be respectful to each other, but not cooperate at the level that you think. We don't compromise Islam in anyway. this is my opinion of course.

 

[vpb]

The only responsibility is to use logic and reason to verify God's existence.

We already assume God exists so we are not talking here about proving wether God exists or not, we are talking here about the responsebilites towards a non-believer.

 

[MTAFFI]

I would find it helpful many times that rather than talking down to a non muslim, it would be good to simply treat them as an equal. Many times I find that Muslims (obviously not all of them) tend to think of themselves as "better" people than others and that thought is conveyed through the way they speak to non muslims.

It would also be nice to hear the words Kuffar or kafir less, I am not a kafir by islams own definition, I used to be or rather should have been called a "dhimmi" or a "person of the book", however the word Kuffar seems in many cases to have turned into a derrogatory comment towards those who are not muslims, when the Quran, at least in my opinion, points to apostates, hindus, buddhists, or atheists as kuffar. I think the use of this word also puts non muslims off to the religion because as said by Woodrow, to many people, this forum is a persons perception of a Muslim, and if a word that, in a cultural sense, is used so frequently and demeaningly it tends to put other people off because it makes some muslims look like bigots.

Another good thing to do would be to try to look at things open minded. I find many times that when having a discussion with some Muslims, they are so close minded about religion, foreign affairs, etc. that there is no point in speaking with them because there can be no understanding but their own. I am not saying to change your beliefs or compromise them, but at least try to take a step and understand where and why the other side is coming from where they are rather than saying "Well I am Muslim, this is Islam and you are wrong". If everyone did this there would be no solution to anything because everyone would think they already know it all.

Anyways I think that is really all I have to offer for now, really good thread and thank you for posting.

 

[Trumble]

Debate, don't preach unless people want to be preached at. Which amounts to no more than the 'golden rule, really.

Remember that while you may think another person's faith "is in grave error", they may well think think the same of yours, and may have just as much justification for doing so. Judge a person on who they are, and how they behave with regard to others, not their religious label. If there is a God, that is how He will judge, not on the basis of who "accepts" who as what.

 

[Walter]

Hi VPB:

We can be respectful to each other, but not cooperate at the level that you think. We don't compromise Islam in anyway. this is my opinion of course.

A major problem seems to appear when we decide to place our traditions, whether Islamic or Christian, before an Abrahamic relationship with God. As previously explained in another thread, our traditions are supposed to lead us to a personal relationship with God. Our goal should be friendship with God and not the protection of our religious traditions.

What is it that you do not intend to compromise? Is it your belief in God, or your Islamic religious tradition? If it is your belief in God, then we can certainly cooperate. If it is your Islamic traditions, then obviously some of them may conflict with my Christian traditions. If we both dug in our heels and refused to compromise on traditions, then it will be difficult for us to work together in our desire to cooperate with God.

What do you think God wants you to do?

Regards,
Grenville

 

[vpb]

It would also be nice to hear the words Kuffar or kafir less, I am not a kafir by islams own definition, I used to be or rather should have been called a "dhimmi" or a "person of the book", however the word Kuffar seems in many cases to have turned into a derrogatory comment towards those who are not muslims, when the Quran, at least in my opinion, points to apostates, hindus, buddhists, or atheists as kuffar. I think the use of this word also puts non muslims off to the religion because as said by Woodrow, to many people, this forum is a persons perception of a Muslim, and if a word that, in a cultural sense, is used so frequently and demeaningly it tends to put other people off because it makes some muslims look like bigots.

who told u that people of the book are not considered kuffar?

do u know what is the definition of 'kufr' ????

A major problem seems to appear when we decide to place our traditions, whether Islamic or Christian, before an Abrahamic relationship with God. As previously explained in another thread, our traditions are supposed to lead us to a personal relationship with God. Our goal should be friendship with God and not the protection of our religious traditions.

What is it that you do not intend to compromise? Is it your belief in God, or your Islamic religious tradition? If it is your belief in God, then we can certainly cooperate. If it is your Islamic traditions, then obviously some of them may conflict with my Christian traditions. If we both dug in our heels and refused to compromise on traditions, then it will be difficult for us to work together in our desire to cooperate with God.

What do you think God wants you to do?

when I say we don't compromise Islam, I mean that we don't give up Islamic values, just bc to please someone in order to have good relation with them. We see many muslims, in order to please non-muslims, they do things which are anti-islamic, just to have that "relationship". Of course we can cooporate, but within certain limits, so I don't give up my Islamic values.

Another good thing to do would be to try to look at things open minded. I find many times that when having a discussion with some Muslims, they are so close minded about religion, foreign affairs, etc. that there is no point in speaking with them because there can be no understanding but their own. I am not saying to change your beliefs or compromise them, but at least try to take a step and understand where and why the other side is coming from where they are rather than saying "Well I am Muslim, this is Islam and you are wrong". If everyone did this there would be no solution to anything because everyone would think they already know it all.

it depends on what solution we are looking for. If we are looking for a daily life solution ,that's different things, but if we are looking for a religious solution, than there is no compromise there. Allah az has made truth clear from error, and I wouldn't wish to change that in order to please someone.

 

[Pygoscelis]

I see very few special responsibilities that muslims have here and non muslims don't. General forum good behaviour is something we should all have. In general I'd say it is very good here.

I'm one of the more inflamatory posters here, because my views are pretty much the polar opposite of islam (I find religion dangerous, I support legal prostitution, public nudity, and marijuana, etc for some extreme examples). I never make personal attacks but sometimes my views get people riled. That is to be expected. And I must say it is impressive how rarely I get attacked.

As Woodrow noted, you folks are the only muslims many nonmuslims here will ever have long conversations with. Like it or not, you represent muslims in general to many of us, so if you snap and start calling people names etc it reflects badly on your faith.

I think the only special responsibilities muslims here have is to honestly answer questions and to make it clear that they are just one person and do not represent islam as a whole. In all fairness they shouldn't have to remind nonmuslims of this, but given the nature of the forum and the fact that most nonmuslims won't know much about islam, it is something that muslims should keep in mind.

 

[vpb]

I support legal prostitution, public nudity, and marijuana, etc for some extreme examples). I never make personal attacks but sometimes my views get people riled.

\

;D ;D ;D ...lollllll

we don't usually call non-muslims kuffar, but some of them just deserve to be called like that. as muslims we are supposed to behave good with muslims and non-muslims. to be kind. it's just that sometimes some people don't appriciate it , so we have to change our faces a little bit and we say that to poeple who we know for a quiet long time