Some Advice for Conveying Islam to Non-Muslim Friends and Acquaintances

Some Advice for Conveying Islam to Non-Muslim Friends and Acquaintances

Sheikh Khâlid al-Sayf, professor at al-Imâm University

Many of us have contact with people of other faiths in our daily lives. They might be friends, acquaintances, or

Some Advice for Conveying Islam to Non-Muslim Friends and Acquaintances Collapse_tcat

leagues.
However, some of us find it difficult to approach them about Islam. We
wonder: What can I possibly say? How can I tell him that his religion is
wrong? This bewilderment causes us to fail to teach these good people
about Islam.

As Muslims, we
should naturally desire to teach others about Islam. We know that this
was the work of the Prophets. Allah says: “Say: This is my way; I call
to Allah upon clear knowledge, I and those who follow me. Glory be to
Allah! And I am not of those who engage in polytheism.” [Sûrah Yûsuf:
108]

We know that
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said to `Alî b. Abî Tâlib: “I swear
by Allah! That Allah guides by your hand a single person is better for
you than all the finest camels.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (2724) and Sahîh
Muslim (4423)]

The following are just a few points of advice for those of us who wish to approach this noble effort:

1. Make sure to pick an appropriate time to bring up the subject of Islam. Make sure that the other person is n the right frame of mind to talk about it.

2. Avoid things that will make the other person uncomfortable. You should be gentle and accommodating in your attitude and approach various issues and questions as a seeker of the truth.

3. Never criticize or attack the other person’s beliefs. That
is a very indiscrete and unwise thing to do. This might make the other
person more adamant about his beliefs as well as spoil the good
relationship that you have with him.

4. Avoid getting into discussions about secondary issues.
No matter how much the other person insists upon doing so, stress to
him that essential matters and principles should be discussed first and
it is not going to get us anywhere to delve into secondary matters when
the primary issues are not fully understood.

For example, it
is wrong to talk about why the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had
the number of wives that he had before discussing the concept of
prophethood and what it means for him to be a Prophet.

5. Get acquainted with the standard misconceptions about Islam that are being circulated and how to answer them. Many
of these misconceptions are well known. If he is Christian, acquaint
yourself with the claims about Islam being circulated by Christian
groups to their followers. Many of these misconceptions have been around
for generations.

6. If the
person is from the People of the ******ure, it is often good to start
with the topic of the earlier Prophets and how we know that they are
Prophets. Talk about Moses (peace be upon him) and the other
prophets of Israel. After that, bring up Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon
him) and discuss how his prophethood is established in the same way
that theirs is. Once it is accepted that he is a Prophet, then it
follows that everything that he says about God is true.

This is far
better – in my opinion – than trying to argue concepts like the Trinity,
especially with people who are not well-versed in their faith, which is
the case with most people today.

And Allah knows best.

__________________
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ALLAH SAID IN THE QURAN :“...The only religion in the sight of God is Islam...” (Quran 3:19)AND

“If anyone
desires a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted of him;
and in the Hereafter, he will be in the ranks of those who have lost
(their selves in the Hellfire).”
(Quran 3:85)

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In another saying, Muhammad, the Prophet of God(SAAW), said:
“Whoever
testifies that there in none worthy of being worshipped but God, Who has
no partner, and that Muhammad is His slave and Prophet, and that Jesus
is the Slave of God, His Prophet, and His word which He bestowed in
Mary and a spirit created from Him; and that Paradise (Heaven) is true,
and that the Hellfire is true, God will eventually admit him into
Paradise, according to his deeds.”(Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

“Indeed
God has forbidden to reside eternally in Hell the person who says: “I
testify that none has the right to worship except Allah (God),’ seeking
thereby the Face of God.”Saheeh Al-Bukhari)