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First the cartoon then pope's remarks.
What should we do to prevent such things?
I read a good thing about islam that when somebody says wrong, you don't react negatively. Can we ignore or say good?
could you add from the Quran or sunnah?
Moreover, I was told that our rights should not affect others and that it will stop when it affects others.
Answer
Offending Islam is not that new in history, and the Qur'an tells us examples of people, since the beginning of the revelation ,who look at Islam with contempt. The reaction of the Qur'an is only to illustrate the right and refutes controversial questions raised by its enemies. So, we Muslims also have to follow the steps of the Qur'an and show the right to the people with wisdom and good consultation as Allah ordained us to do.
We are ordered to act wisely and justly without resorting to attacking others. We only show the bright portrait of our religion without going to extremes or use of violence . In this respect Allah says what means: "... Reply to the wrong with the best manners and morals, and soon your enemy will turn to be a friend" (Qur'an 41:34)
Name
Abbs Yusuff
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Profession
Education
Question
Referring to what happened in Pope's speech, it is not deniable that the inability or reluctance of some people to read about Islam or to enter into dialogue with Muslims was the cause of this misinterpretation and can still repeat. Or shall we relate the cause to the fewer or inadequate of competent Islamic scholars in some certain angles around the world? But in clear reflection in many places, other religions (mostly Xian) are so indifferent to having dialogue with Muslims. Probably because of impregnability of Islamic virtues and history. See Sheikh Ahmed Deedat (May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace) for instance, he always conquered all of his conversant in any interfaith dialogue. Should this continue, what do you think would be the way out to educate people more about Islam or to correct the misconceptions, or how do you think the future of Interfaith dialogue would look like?
Answer
No doubt that misunderstanding Islam and lack of touch with Muslims to know the real picture of their religion is one of the main reasons behind the spread of the negative portrait on Islam in the sight of non-Muslims . No doubt also that we Muslims are responsible for spreading our religion since this is a religious duty.
We also have to learn to show our religion to others in a good way and in a way that fits their minds and reply to their questions. But unfortunately our efforts in this aspect fall short and our media still fall short of promoting for Islam, even though there are good efforts made by some Muslims such as our brothers in IslamOnline.net.
As regards the debates of sheikh Ahmed Didat, I respect the man greatly but I don’t see arguments as the best way because God ordained that when we debate with anyone, we must not try to expose the weak points in their religion but to exhibit our religion in the best way.
On the future of the interfaith dialogue, I believe that we have to open dialogue with all those who advocate it regardless of their cultures or religions, because the relations between nations and civilizations must be based on communication, coexistence and respect. Otherwise, the alternative of dialogue is conflict and clashes, and of course Islam enjoins us from clashing with the Other but rather it enjoins us to promote voices of dialogue which will be a push in the right direction toward respect of beliefs and peculiarities of every nation and society.
Name
Muslimah
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Profession
Question
Asalaam u alaikum
I have heard that The quotation that the Pope quoted, was not complete because he never quoted the response that the other person in the conversation gave. WHat was the response that the other peson gave.
Answer
It seems that the Pope quoted the Byzantine emperor's accusations to Islam but he didn’t quote the Muslim's reply to these accusations because I unfortunately didn’t read the text of the debate, if any, to know the answer of the Muslim man then.
Name
Muslimah..
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Profession
Question
Asalamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu,
I wanted to ask what is the best way to talk to those non-Muslims
that do not understand the negative reaction of Muslims to the pope's
comments on Islam, and also to those who actually agree with what the pope quoted?
How do we as Muslims dialogue with them without getting into
an emotional argument and lead them to the light of Islam out of the darkness of ignorance? Also, what is a good source of historic text or
Islamic text that we can refer them to to learn about the nature of the spread of Islam? Thank you.
Answer
The most proper way which we must know before speaking to the non-Muslims on our religion is that we must first know which Islamic issues we are talking about. We should not also be hostage to our emotions and sentiments. If we do so, we then confirm the commonly believed notion in the west that says Muslims are narrow minded and fanatics and do not accept dialogue and criticism.
So we have to prove to those people that we are able to open a successful dialogue, but we also have to draw the non-Muslims' attention that there is difference between objection to a religion and insulting it, with the former is accepted but the latter is not. Those who back the Pope's opinion on Islam, we have to discuss with them and draw their attention to the mistaken claims they embrace toward Islam. We should call on them to go back from such wrong ideas on Islam , and then it is up to them to get convinced or not.
As regards the most proper way to help us persuade others of our religion, this must be done through the clear rhetoric and good example. We are in need of good examples of Muslims through whom the people, especially the sages, could get convinced of Islam. But those who are opposing Islam just for opposition, we only pray that God guide them to the right path.
On the good Islamic and historical sources that help us to communicate Islam to others , there is a host of books on the prophet's life and books of other contemporary Muslim scholars such as Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi and sheikh Mohamed Al-Ghazali and other Muslim scholars and thinkers .
We don’t forget here the Western thinkers who speak well of Islam such as Ghostav Lobon in his book the Sun of Arabs Shines In the West, and literature of other European thinkers who have proved unbiased and fair.
There are other books of some European people who embraced Islam like Ambassador Murad Hoffman and others. There are also many pieces of literature on the internet that contain material helping a Muslim know a lot about Islam and how to promote for it.
Name
Mohsin Khan
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Profession
Scientist
Question
Salam Dr. Ahmed,
These days many Non Muslims have started attacking Islam and our beloved Prophet(peace be upon him). The most recent example is the remarks of the current Pope. I want to know is it possible for Inter-faith Dialogue Committee of the International Islamic Forum For Dialogue to invite these critics of Islam to participate in a debate to clarify any misconceptions they may have about Islam and our prophet?
Thanks in advance.
Answer
Yes, the international inter-faith conference is held annually with the Vatican's inter-faith section representatives, and a specific issue is presented to be the subject matter of the dialogue, in which Muslims and Christians express the points of view of their respective religions toward this issue in question and the dialogue runs accordingly. There are also a number of bodies in the west that manage religious dialogues at specific levels.
Such dialogues are launched by some western people who see coexistences among different religions and civilizations as important. But the problem lies in those who don’t believe in dialogue and who may not even believe basically in dialogues. This is the challenge facing us and we have to rise to the challenge.
I believe that those pro dialogue are responsible for encouraging their co-nationals to start dialogue and communication with others. For our part, we have to exert our utmost effort to let people, through peaceful means, know about our religion.
Name
David Ottsi
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Profession
Question
Thanks Dr Ahmed for this good chance to ask you.
What do think is the benefit of such faith dialogues? Do the Vatican people accept Islam as a heavenly faith? and What are the results of these dialogues so far?
Thank you our beloved Sheikh.
Answer
Thank you for this important question. There are so many benefits from the dialogue only if this dialogue is launched by devout Muslims who understand the reality of Islam and can address others well.
One of the benefits of the dialogue is that it serves as a good opportunity for Muslims to let non-Muslims know about Islam and helps communicate with people of different faiths, which eventually helps achieve coexistence. The dialogue is important, so God ordained Muslims to stage dialogue with others. On whether the Vatican recognizes Islam as a heavenly religion, I don’t think so but they regard Muslims with respect as they worship the only one God, and this was registered in the Vatican's document.No.2.
On the results of the dialogue, I think they are still limited , but dialogues need time before they bear fruit, and I think it is time for Muslims not to be backbench participators in the dialogue, i.e. the Muslims must not settle for replying to accusations, but they should take the initiative to present approaches for dialogue with others.
Name
Babu
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Profession
Question
Dear Scholar, Assalamu aleykum.
I think it is possible that Ratzinger deliberately created the present crisis, with a view to widening the gap between Christians and Muslims: Judging from the consequences of the present standoff, which must have been foreseen by him, that is a possible conclusion we can arrive at. And you know this Pope is a Zionist sympathizer, who would be eager to do what he can to help Bush-Blair's war on Islam too. What do you think? And how has the present crisis affected the Interfaith initiative begun by the previous Pope?
Thank you.
Answer
Every one has the right to read the Pope's remarks as he or she wishes, but we should, I think, discuss and refute what is said irrespective of whatever the intention of the speaker is. We heard the pope when he said the remarks had not been deliberately intended to be offensive. But, on the other side, good intentions are not enough for sparing him from being accountable for what he said. The pope should have said in his very controversial lecture that the quotes did not reflect his views on Islam or it would be very logically understood that the quotes represent his point of view.
On will this crisis affect the future of the inter-faith dialogue initiative the late pope called for, I underscore yes. But it would also be a good chance to underline the importance of the respect among religions notion. What should be called for now is shoring up the links and ties of knowing one another, not the concept of clash and dispute.
Name
Begum Shofiq
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Profession
Question
salaam;
do you think Muslims scholars should invite the Pope to have an inter-faith dialogue ? From Muslims side , who can be the representatives ?
Answer
The Muslim scholars called on the Pope to join a dialogue, and a host of those scholars have participated in the interfaith dialogue. Those who represent Muslims in this dialogue must be those who have great amount of Islamic knowledge and have ability to address others properly.
Therefore, the International Association of Muslim Scholars formed a committee for the dialogue which is entrusted with some duties, foremost among which is to push forward the dialogue to the right direction , in addition that the International Islamic Forum has achieved good steps in this aspect, and Muslims in each multi-religion country have to prepare Muslims from among them to speak for them in such dialogues and forums.
Name
Anupama
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Profession
HR Executive
Question
Why did the pope condemned Islam & Jihad ... is it illegal? What does Quran says about it?
Answer
The pope's derogatory remarks depicting Islam as violent and war- orientated religion and that it spread with sword collide with the facts that establish that Islam has always enjoined Muslims from forcing anyone to embrace Islam, and if there are some few and rare incidents happened at the hands of some Muslims to force others to embrace Islam or to attack others, these are few and not accepted by the majority of Muslims as well as the tolerant teachings of Islam.
As for jihad and what the Qur'an says about it, it is a lengthy issue but I will give the meaning of jihad as it comes in the Qur'an. Jihad includes the control of the self and the promotion of the word of Islam and also it includes fighting but with its restrictions foremost among which is that jihad is allowed for the ruler to repel aggression on the country, as the Qur'an says "Fight those who fight you and don’t be the first aggressors, otherwise God will not love those who start aggression".
What Islam says is the same as the articles of the international law which provide that defending the land and the people against aggression is a legitimate right.
Name
new muslim
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Profession
Question
When this inter faith dialogue started and why ?
I think there are some reasons behind his statement ( popes remarks ) ..in your opinion what could be the reasons ?
Not only he wanted to give pad impression about Islam to others but also to warn the non Muslims . Stop the word of Allah SWT and prevent the human from their rights .All the prophets peace be upon them had faced problem from the nonbelievers who tries to out obstacles against them to stop the word of the creator.
Answer
Thank you first. Similar questions have been answered, You can kindly refer to them.
Name
Editor
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Profession
Question
The session has ended. We would like to thank both Dr. Ahmed Jaballah for taking the time to answer the questions of IslamOnline viewers, and all those who have participated in this live dialogue.
We are sorry for not being able to answer all the questions due to time limitatins.
