Good Relations with People of Other Religions
Islam is a religion of peace and good will. As Muslims, we believe that Allah (s.w.t) is the Creator of everyone, and He sent His guidance to all the people of the world. Our Prophet Muhammad (saws) was sent as a messenger for all humanity, and he is "Rahmat al-li al Alameen," which means, "Mercy to all human kind." We believe that all humanity, no matter what color, origin, or faith, is one family and must learn to coexist peacefully. Allah (s.w.t) says in the Quran:
Indeed! this Ummah (Community) of yours is one Ummah and I am your Lord, so worship Me. (21:92).
Allah (s.w.t) sent many prophets and messengers before Rasulullah (saws). Unfortunately, many of their teachings were changed by misled people. Finally, Allah (s.w.t) sent his last messenger with His final, perfect message, the Quran. He promised to protect it from human distortion for the rest of eternity. The Quran teaches us how to live as Muslims in submission to Allah (s.w.t). Muslims have a duty to invite others to Islam. We must learn how to present our way of life in a way that they can understand and appreciate it. The Quran teaches us to practice what we preach and our own example can be the best teaching method in itself.
Inviting people to Islam, or Da'wah, is a very important part of being a Muslim. Allah (s.w.t) has provided us with some guidelines of the best ways of doing Da'wah:
Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue with them in the ways that are best (16:25).
Before we can invite anyone to Islam, we must be certain that we have our own facts straight. Because if we sound uncertain, we can discourage people from joining us and do more harm than good.
And argue not with the People of the Book, except in the best way, unless it be with them who do wrong. And say to them we believe in the revelation which has come down to us and that which has come down to you, and your God and our God is One: and it is to Him that we submit to…. (29:46).
Allah (s.w.t) teaches us to talk with other human beings kindly and seek common ground when speaking to them. While talking to people of other faiths we must start with what is common amongst us and not where we differ. We can discuss important matters of faith when we have established common ground and confidence. It is also wrong to belittle the beliefs of others and ridicule their idols and gods:
Revile ye not whom they call upon besides Allah, in case they out of spite revile Allah in their ignorance….(6:108).
When we feel strongly about something so important as faith, it is easy to get excited during discussion with someone holding an opposing view. It is important to remember that you cannot force someone to see the truth if their mind is not open to the truth. The ability to see the truth with an open mind comes from Allah (s.w.t), and not everyone exercises this capacity. Using any form of compulsion is clearly prohibited. As the Quran says:
Let there be no compulsion in religion: truth stands out clear from error…..(2:256).
When speaking to people of other religions, we should point out that all the religions share certain ideologies. Islam shares the basic truth of Tawhid and its moral teachings with all the major religions of the world. Allah (s.w.t) is the source of all truth. When people of any religion go back to their original teachings, they find that in fact, Tawhid is the basis of their earlier revelations. However, much of the truth of the earlier revelations is lost. Islam is closest to Christianity and Judaism because these two religions, more than others, have preserved the truth of their revelations, and their books clearly prophesized the coming of Rasulullah (saws). When speaking to Christians and Jews, we should make it clear that we all believe in the same one God and that we acknowledge them as the People of the Book, revealed to them by earlier prophets. The only difference is that we also believe that Rasulullah (saws) was sent to clarify and complete the truth of Allah's earlier revelations to human kind.
One of the best ways of keeping good relations with non-Muslims, while at the same time inviting them to Islam, is to treat them with respect. If people see that a Muslim is kind and helpful, fair and trustworthy, they will like him or her. Moreover, they will be interested to know more about the faith that guides this person to be and do good.
Therefore, every Muslim should try to behave in an appropriate manner and show how Islam is the best religion in the sight of God. A good example often carries more emphasis than words. The Quran teaches us fairness, justice, good speech, righteous actions and cooperation in all good deeds and forbids, ridicule, bad language, injury, injustice, and backbiting. Also, a Muslim must always remember that while he or she is responsible for bringing the message of Islam before those who have not yet been enlightened, guidance is ultimately in the hands of Allah (s.w.t).
Islam is a religion of peace and good will. As Muslims, we believe that Allah (s.w.t) is the Creator of everyone, and He sent His guidance to all the people of the world. Our Prophet Muhammad (saws) was sent as a messenger for all humanity, and he is "Rahmat al-li al Alameen," which means, "Mercy to all human kind." We believe that all humanity, no matter what color, origin, or faith, is one family and must learn to coexist peacefully. Allah (s.w.t) says in the Quran:
Indeed! this Ummah (Community) of yours is one Ummah and I am your Lord, so worship Me. (21:92).
Allah (s.w.t) sent many prophets and messengers before Rasulullah (saws). Unfortunately, many of their teachings were changed by misled people. Finally, Allah (s.w.t) sent his last messenger with His final, perfect message, the Quran. He promised to protect it from human distortion for the rest of eternity. The Quran teaches us how to live as Muslims in submission to Allah (s.w.t). Muslims have a duty to invite others to Islam. We must learn how to present our way of life in a way that they can understand and appreciate it. The Quran teaches us to practice what we preach and our own example can be the best teaching method in itself.
Inviting people to Islam, or Da'wah, is a very important part of being a Muslim. Allah (s.w.t) has provided us with some guidelines of the best ways of doing Da'wah:
Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue with them in the ways that are best (16:25).
Before we can invite anyone to Islam, we must be certain that we have our own facts straight. Because if we sound uncertain, we can discourage people from joining us and do more harm than good.
And argue not with the People of the Book, except in the best way, unless it be with them who do wrong. And say to them we believe in the revelation which has come down to us and that which has come down to you, and your God and our God is One: and it is to Him that we submit to…. (29:46).
Allah (s.w.t) teaches us to talk with other human beings kindly and seek common ground when speaking to them. While talking to people of other faiths we must start with what is common amongst us and not where we differ. We can discuss important matters of faith when we have established common ground and confidence. It is also wrong to belittle the beliefs of others and ridicule their idols and gods:
Revile ye not whom they call upon besides Allah, in case they out of spite revile Allah in their ignorance….(6:108).
When we feel strongly about something so important as faith, it is easy to get excited during discussion with someone holding an opposing view. It is important to remember that you cannot force someone to see the truth if their mind is not open to the truth. The ability to see the truth with an open mind comes from Allah (s.w.t), and not everyone exercises this capacity. Using any form of compulsion is clearly prohibited. As the Quran says:
Let there be no compulsion in religion: truth stands out clear from error…..(2:256).
When speaking to people of other religions, we should point out that all the religions share certain ideologies. Islam shares the basic truth of Tawhid and its moral teachings with all the major religions of the world. Allah (s.w.t) is the source of all truth. When people of any religion go back to their original teachings, they find that in fact, Tawhid is the basis of their earlier revelations. However, much of the truth of the earlier revelations is lost. Islam is closest to Christianity and Judaism because these two religions, more than others, have preserved the truth of their revelations, and their books clearly prophesized the coming of Rasulullah (saws). When speaking to Christians and Jews, we should make it clear that we all believe in the same one God and that we acknowledge them as the People of the Book, revealed to them by earlier prophets. The only difference is that we also believe that Rasulullah (saws) was sent to clarify and complete the truth of Allah's earlier revelations to human kind.
One of the best ways of keeping good relations with non-Muslims, while at the same time inviting them to Islam, is to treat them with respect. If people see that a Muslim is kind and helpful, fair and trustworthy, they will like him or her. Moreover, they will be interested to know more about the faith that guides this person to be and do good.
Therefore, every Muslim should try to behave in an appropriate manner and show how Islam is the best religion in the sight of God. A good example often carries more emphasis than words. The Quran teaches us fairness, justice, good speech, righteous actions and cooperation in all good deeds and forbids, ridicule, bad language, injury, injustice, and backbiting. Also, a Muslim must always remember that while he or she is responsible for bringing the message of Islam before those who have not yet been enlightened, guidance is ultimately in the hands of Allah (s.w.t).
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