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A Few Questions from A Catholic Friend

01 April, 2017
Q I am a Catholic who is very interested in the Islamic faith. I have no intentions of converting, as I love my own religion, but I very much respect the Islamic religion. I do, though, have a few questions I would like to have clarified: • In the Qur’an, Allah often refers to Himself as “We” or “Us”. Why is this? I understand that Muslims do not believe in the Blessed Trinity, so this terminology confuses me. • As I have been exploring this website, a demeaning feeling toward Christians seems to come across. Would you please enlighten me as to this attitude? • I read an article written by a former Muslim woman who had converted to Christianity. She claimed that the Qur’an allowed and even instructed men to beat their wives. Is this true? • Are non-Muslims treated with the same respect and privileges as Muslims - e.g. greetings, praying in mosques, associating with? I hope this will defray some of my confusion. I know that the Western media puts a negative light on Muslims, and that only the negative aspects of the faith are mentioned. I would like to know what the real truth is about Islam. Thank you.

Answer

Salam (Peace) Amy,

I commend your efforts to get the correct information about Islam from the source. May Allah (God in Arabic) guide us all to the truth.

Allah sometimes refers to Himself in the plural – ‘We’ or ‘Us’ – to emphasize His majesty or might. This is a rhetorical device in Arabic to indicate honor or respect.

You will sometimes see a similar device in English when a monarch or another leader uses “we” instead of “I” when making a proclamation.

This linguistic device is called “the royal we”. In no way does it imply that Allah has partners or “persons” like the Christian Trinity.

As for your remark that this website has a demeaning tone towards Christians, I myself don’t see that. That may be because, being Muslim for so long, I’m not so sensitive as I once was. We do try to respect other religions.

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In fact, this is what Islam orders us to do. It is only the doctrines that we disagree with.

Muslims are to respect all people, no matter their religion – or lack of one – and to treat them with kindness and justice, so long as they do not fight us for our religion. Perhaps you saw some remarks or implications about people who do not follow the teachings of their religion?

It would help me if you could quote some specific sentences or paragraphs that you find demeaning, so that I can better answer you and we can make any needed adjustments here.

You are most welcome to help us amend our approach, if you have specific facts. This is if your judgment is devoid of natural sensitivity, which I see as being a normal reflection of your love to your faith.

The Qur’an does not instruct men to beat their wives. The Qur’an and Traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) tell husbands and wives to live together in harmony, with mercy and love between them.

There is one verse of the Qur’an which detractors of Islam love to misinterpret. For a clarification of this, please see: Bonds of Love and Mercy

As for how non-Muslims should be treated, they should be treated with respect, sincerity, kindness, and justice, as I said before. They can even visit mosques to learn more about Islam and Muslims, but not to pray there.

Muslims are allowed to associate with their non-Muslim colleagues and to have non-Muslims friends. This is as long as these relationships do not compromise Islamic principles.

You may find, sadly, that some Muslims do not treat non-Muslims well and avoid them outside of purely business contacts. But this is out of their own ignorance, not out of what Islam teaches.

I hope that I have answered your questions sufficiently. Don’t be shy to ask more! May Allah guide us all to the Truth.

Salam.

Please continue feeding your curiosity, and find more info in the following links:

Discover the Many Beauties of Islam

Common Misconceptions About Islam (Folder)

Muslims and Non-Muslims Relations: The Basic Rule