Question (dated): 2003 - In a message dated 2/26/2004 11:29:54 PM Pacific Standard Time, deleted name writes concerning a Christian friend at work who islearning Islam. He is telling us what happened after trying to argue with him and showing videos of"debaters" against Christianity:

Question (dated): 2003 - In a message dated 2/26/2004 11:29:54 PM Pacific Standard Time, writes concerning a Christian friend at work who islearning Islam. He is telling us what happened after trying to argue with him and showing videos of"debaters" against Christianity:

Now(myco-worker)is somewhat convinced about the corruption in bible, but he says that he has very strong sentiments towards Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) and says he believes that Jesus is his savior (although the basis of this is Bible, which he also accept to be corrupted). He accepts that bible in our hands is not the word of God.

Can you please guide me how to proceed further with my Christian fellow. I had shown him video movies of Ahmad Deedat and Dr. Zakir Naik. If you have any more recommendations in this regard, please tell me.

Bismillah Rahman Raheem

Thank you for writing and for your questions concerning helping someone come into Islam from Christianity. I am happy and honored that Allah has guided you to write to me about this most important subject. We have been able to help thousands come into Islam, by the Mercy of Allah. Al Hamdulilah.

I would like to begin bymentioning that debating and arguing with them is one of the worst ways to introduce the beauty of Islam. This is actually forbidden in Islam and those who debate with the Christians are known for making more trouble between us and them than any war ever has. I am sorry to tell you that we are not at all impressed with this type of "dawah." It is not fitting for good Muslims to attack any other religion in this form. Those who are attacking Islam love to use these tapes and books as a way to put us down and show us as being intolerant and rude. They also sell these videos to promote further division between us and them. This is the opposite of what we are instructed to do with the Christians.

I have spoken with Dr. Zakir Naik about this and warned him against continuing in this way. You see I have been a Christian and I would not have appreciated this type of approach being used by Naik and Dedat. I would have become a bigger enemy to them and to Islam. Al Hamdulilah that the one who did call me to Islam used the formula mentioned by Allah in His Book. That is to say, that we should approach them in the best way with the best of words and speech, arguing in a way that is 'better', meaning that we don't insult and attack them, rather we show them the good things of Islam that appeal to the believers of the Book.

Let me give you an example of how we generally reply to the Christians who write to us on a daily basis. Suppose they ask a very harsh or even insulting question, like; "Why do you Muslims have to kill all the Christians?" (Of course, we do not have such notions and this is not what Islam is all about - but this is the type of question that comes to us from time to time)

So, what would be the best reply to such a question? Shall we open a debate about the verses in the Quran that deal with "kiling the disbelievers?" Debating is what got us into the discourse to start with. Let us examine the methodology of the prophet, peace be upon him, in dealing with these types of people. We should also add that we have had a tremendous success ratio in presenting Islam and having many of these same people enter into Islam, Al Hamdulilah. Allah is the One who Guided them to Islam, but He let us be there and let us be the reason for them to enter into Islam. Al Hamdulilah.

Now, here is a sample of how we present Islam to the people:

Thank you for asking about my religion. We do believe in One God, and that we are created by Him in a test, to see if we would worship and praise and thank Him for all that we have and ask only Him for what we need, or if we would deny Him or set up partners with Him in worship from what He has created. This is the message of Islam: "Laa elaha illa lah" (There is none worthy of any worship except the only One worthy of worship, Allah).

This may sound a bit over simplified, but it is the essential of Islam. We would now like to offer a few basics of Islam to help you see how we come to this conclusion. First let us begin with Basics Of Islam [click].

Now here are some important points to keep in mind:

1. As Muslims we cannot lie about anything, especially about our religion.

2. We have original recorded sources of our religion:

o A) The Quran [click]

o B) Teachings of Muhammad [click]
This is a unique part of Islam, not available in any other ancient religions.

3. Sometimes "questions" contain misinformation. We must qualify what it is that someone is saying against what they are implying.

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

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.

5. Answer:
(this is the area where we answer their particular questions in details with the references)

More important links re: Islam - Research - Answers - Audio

Thanks again for your question. All good is from Allah mistakes were from myself.
May Allah guide us in Truth, ameen.
Salam alaykum - Yusuf Estes

LIVE Broadcasts * Real Scholars
www.IslamTomorrow.com

Fatwah? http://www.islam-qa.com

Answers from Sheik Yusuf Estes, National Muslim chaplain. American born former Christian, student of many scholars, he offers help with authentic information about ISLAM in easy English.