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Introduction | The Answers (Summary)
Introduction
Bismillaah al Rahmaan Al Raheem
- Muslim-Christian
dialogs:
Several Muslim-Christian "dialogs" of the highest quality have
occurred, where both parties have exchanged their common views and
cares, in commendable efforts toward understanding and cooperation on
our most important goals.
Muslims, Christians and several other religions share fundamental
issues: The belief in one God, in the duty to respect Him, and
to act best toward His other creatures.
These goals can indeed present guidelines for world peace and
understanding.
Such dialogs are necessary especially due to the explosion of
information in our age, fostered especially through the internet and
international television satellites. Man can no longer act in seclusion,
and if world-wide peace is to be fostered, an understanding of other
religions is imperative. This is more so true because all Muslims
believe in the actual coming of Jesus, Peace and Blessings be upon him,
and that the whole world would then be united under one faith. For many
Muslims, it is important to build bridges between religions, and such
"dialogs" are the best ways toward that end, no matter how long in the
future it may occur.
- Attacks against
Islam.
Despite the great benefit from inter-religious "dialogs", several
attacks have been aimed at Islam, which, to the uninformed person,
present a totally false impression about that religion. It is therefore
necessary to discuss these issues and present Islam's answer about them.
A special parable describes the story of two brothers who lost each
other in the wilderness. One of them sees a shape in a distance and,
thinking it is wild animal, he prepares his weapon. As he gets closer,
he realizes this is a man, but holds stronger onto his weapon, preparing
for an enemy or a bandit. As he gets closer, his fears diminish until he
recognizes his lost brother.
Such is the case for Muslims and Christians: Alienated by centuries of
lies, mistrust, and rejection of the basic truth that man's nature is
essentially good. If we accept our own good intentions, we must give
credit to others of being capable of the same.
Our answers will therefore address attacks against Islam from various
sources, all aiming at non-informed people. If Islam is to be examined,
it must be examined as taught by its own people, not as deformed by its
attackers or claimants.
Some "attacks" are very well known "stereotypes", whereby their sources
do not need to be mentioned.
Other attacks are specific, such as Grammatical issues, and we will
simply include the text of such attacks to the best of our ability.
- Abrasiveness?
We have attempted to select the least abrasive terms when writing our
answers, yet we noticed that sometimes the mere description of facts can
hurt more than words.
For such instances we offer the well known advice: If you don't like
the heat, don't stay in the kitchen.
- Concerning Christians.
Since most attacks we are answering are from Christian theologians, a
special mention must be made concerning the majority of Christians:
They are praised in our Holy Quran and by our beloved prophet (PBUH) for
several important features, and all Muslims accept their praise in their
hearts. Human nature is basically good, and several among us have met
Christians of the highest integrity and morals.
Any negative comments we may include apply specifically only to people
who willfully conceal the truth and corrupt God's revealed messages, not
against the average impartial and honest Christian.
- Conclusion:
To conclude this section, the following summary is presented concerning
these attacks, and the features they share in common:
- Several written
attacks almost "shout"
in a surprising display of hatred. Surprising not only because the
hatred is hard to explain, but especially for what they claim to
stand for: The religion of loving one's enemy, and "turning the
other cheek". You can almost hear the same
personality shouting
from some book and another video taped debate.
- Several are totally ignorant of the
subject in point (as will be shown for example for the topic of the
Arabic language inshaa'a llaah - God Willing).
- Several contain blatant refusal of
historical facts.
- Several contain fundamental violations
of logic and common sense.
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