Easy Answers to Harsh Questions

Easy Answers to Harsh Questions

Muslims everywhere are being asked difficult and harsh questions about Islam, Muslims, Quran, Muhammad (peace be upon him), Jihad, fasting, pilgrimage and the list goes on. We want to know - "What is the best way to answer them?""Why do you pray to a black box in the desert?" - "Why can men marry four wives?" - "Jesus Preached Peace - But Islam Spread by the Sword" - "Arranged Marriages?" - "The Quran is Just a Copy of an Old Bible" - "Oppressing Women?" - "Muslims Worship the Moon God" - "Does Quran Say Kill Jews & Christians?" - and many more . . .

You as a Muslim, immediately know these questions are not right. We don't worship a box in the desert, we are forbidden to harm our wives or anyone else for that matter, we do not preach violence or hatred - and Islam is against all oppression and aggression - but "HOW" do we prepare to give proper answers to these questions?

Before we begin to offer information we have to be prepared for the discussion. Here are some important points to keep in mind and these should be used when you are answering questions about Islam:

1. Be kind and gentle with them and keep in mind, they don't really know about real Islam, only what they have heard from enemies of Islam and the media.
Tell them that we are pleased they are asking about Islam. Say, "Thank you for asking me about my religion" As simple as that.
We should always begin with this anytime someone gives us a question about our faith.

2. Tell them about the "Truth & Proof of Islam": Islam is based on two very important principles:

1st - Truth. We cannot lie, if we do we might go to Hell forever; and 2nd - Proof. Everything about Islam is preserved and can easily be found to verify what ever is being said about Islam.

The Quran still exists in the original language (Arabic) and all of the teachings of Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) are not only preserved, but also categorized as to levels of authenticity - something never done before the advent of Islam." "As Muslims, we cannot lie about anything, especially about our religion."

We have original recorded sources of our religion. The two sources in Islam are:
- The Quran
- Teachings of Muhammad

3. Say to them, "Before trying to answer any specific question, it is best to first begin with Basics Of Islam".

4. Then - Explain to them, sometimes "questions" contain misinformation. "We must qualify what it is that someone is saying against what they are implying. We will need to straighten out the questions before giving answers."

5. Now - Ask them; "If during the answer, you hear yourself saying, "I didn't know that" or "This is something good," then are you ready to worship your God and your Lord without and partners?

6. Finally Say; “This what Islam is really all about. The most important subject is the worship of Almighty God, without any partners or associates or "gods" besides Almighty God."

After going through the above steps we are much better prepared to share the correct answers about Islam.

For more information we suggest the following points:

Remember the main goal is the message.
The message is "La ilaha illal-Lah, Muhammadur-Rasulullah"
Do not enter chatrooms (like pal talk) to debate about Islam.
Do not argue about non-important issues
Fiqh issues are for scholars
When you don't know - say "I don't know"
Give the gift of patience (be a good listener)
Do not pretend to be a scholar

May Allah guide all of us to His Truth, Ameen.

Sheikh Yusuf Estes