Ads by Muslim Ad Network

What to Focus on When Conversing with a Christian?

22 November, 2016
Q Salaam, I have been having some arguments with some Christians, and a particular boy in school who claims to come from a planet named Iglam! When we engage in any debates, it is very difficult to get him to realize this is a figment of his own imagination. What can I possibly do to put sense in him. Also, what – briefly – can I focus on when conversing with the Christians? Please answer my question, though it might be less important than other questions you deal with. Thank you.

Answer

Salam Dear Hasnet,

Thank you for your question. Your question is as important to us as any other question.

First let me tell you about the boy who claims to hail from a planet called: Iglam. From what you have written about him, it seems that he has a psychological problem.

Ordinary people like you and me may not be able to solve his problem; he might need a psychotherapist. Yet, we can use some of the simple techniques used by psychotherapists to deal with such a case.

To begin with, you should sympathetically associate with him and try to understand how he came to have this illusion. Then try to impress upon him the idea that the source of this belief is unreliable; and that there is no one else who holds this belief.

Ads by Muslim Ad Network

The third point is to convince him that there is no such place called ‘Iglam’ and he is like everyone else living on earth. Of course I understand the difficulty of the whole scheme. But this is the only way we may disabuse the boy of his illusions.

As for your point about Christians, here we need to simply use the methods mentioned by Allah Almighty in Surah 3, verse 64:

{Say: “O People of the Book! Come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but God; that we associate no partners with him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, lords and patrons other than God.” If then they turn back, say ye: “Bear witness that we [at least] are Muslims [bowing to God’s will].}

Here what we are asked to do is to seek common grounds for mutual understanding to facilitate proper dialogue between Christians and Muslims. And in the case of the People of the Book [Jews and Christians], there are a number of concepts and beliefs, common to them and us. As for the Christians, the first point is their professed belief in One God – though in the details they go off at a tangent towards Trinity.

We can point out to them how we honor their scriptures and prophets. We can tell them that outside of Christianity, only Muslims believe Jesus to be the Messiah and to have been born miraculously without a father.

We may also tell them that Mary the mother of Christ is the most honored of the women of all the worlds, according to our belief. Here we can quote the Quran, Surah 3, verses 42 – 50:

{Behold! the angels said: “O Mary! Allah hath chosen thee and purified thee – chosen thee above the women of all nations.

O Mary! worship Thy Lord devoutly: Prostrate thyself, and bow down [in prayer] with those who bow down.”
This is part of the tidings of the things unseen, which We reveal unto thee [O Messenger!] by inspiration: Thou wast not with them when they cast lots with arrows, as to which of them should be charged with the care of Mary: Nor wast thou with them when they disputed [the point.

Behold! the angels said: “O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and of [the company of] those nearest to Allah;
He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. And he shall be [of the company] of the righteous.”
She said: “O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?” He said: “Even so: Allah createth what He willeth: When He hath decreed a plan, He but saith to it, ‘Be,’ and it is!”

And Allah will teach him the Book and wisdom, the Law and the Gospel,

And [appoint him] a messenger to the Children of Israel, [with this message]: ‘I have come to you, with a sign from your Lord, in that I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah’s leave: And I heal those born blind, and the lepers, and I quicken the dead, by Allah’s leave; and I declare to you what ye eat, and what ye store in your houses.

Surely therein is a sign for you if ye did believe;”

“[I have come to you], to attest the law, which was before me. And to make lawful to you part of what was [before] forbidden to you; I have come to you with a sign from your Lord. So fear Allah, and obey me.”}

You can also refer to Surah 19, verses 16 – 35. There are many other points in this connection, worthy of study as well. You might find use in visiting the following sites:

IslamiCity

Basic Beliefs of Christians and Muslims

Thank you again for contacting us and please, do not ever hesitate to contact us.

Salaam.

About Professor Shahul Hameed
Professor Shahul Hameed is an Islamic consultant. He also held the position of the President of the Kerala Islamic Mission, Calicut, India. He is the author of three books on Islam published in the Malayalam language. His books are on comparative religion, the status of women, and science and human values.