Author: Imam Ma
Assalamualaikum.
Recently, there have been a lot of Christians coming to mosque, asking questions relating to faith (in fact, they are here to evangelise). Their language and behavior have caused me to think a lot……
Of course, our faith in the Great Allah SWT and in the last prophet, Muhammad SAW is unswerving and we are working very hard to put our faith into practice. At the same time, we told them clearly about the outdated nature of Christianity and the substitution nature of Saint Isa, especially pointing out the treatment of God in ‘Trinity’ by Christianity which is forever one of the unpardonable sins.
In answering to their questions, at the same time I firmly rejected what they had preached. This is because Allah SWT had sent Nabi Muhammad SAW, using Islam to take over the mission of Nabi Isa and this is one of the central beliefs in Islam.
<Quran> Surah 10:37 This Qur’an is not such as can be produced by other than Allah; on the contrary it is a confirmation of (revelations) that went before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book – wherein there is no doubt – from the Lord of the worlds.
<Quran> Surah 59:7 .…So take what the Messenger assigns to you, and deny yourselves that which he withholds from you….
<Quran> Surah 2:256 Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error….
<Quran> Surah 41:33 Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah, works righteousness, and says, “I am of those who bow in Islam”?
However, Christians whom I had come into contact with (most of them are not scholars) gave people the feeling of closeness, their patience and good guidance in preaching were just like talking to our father and mother! We Muslims even Imams cannot catch up with their confidence and openness. We are very ashamed! We must repent! I really hope and pray sincerely that Allah SWT will lead them to the broad road of Islam. Amen!
They are using methods of teaching in the Quran to preach their religion but we do not!
<Quran> Surah 16:125 Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance.
They see preaching as a glorious way to practise faith and we do not!
We should know clearly that:
- There arises an unprecedented crisis of faith in the Muslim society. Majority of the believers know nothing about Islam and their own faith! They were silent and speechless when people asked them questions about Islamic faith! So much so that some leaders of mosque would rudely chase the inquirers out of the mosque just to cover up their own ignorance! This suffice to say that crisis of faith inevitably happens among people from the upper class of Muslim religion!
- Apparently, Christians have discovered this crisis of faith in the Muslim society and have come out with a detailed planning and deployment in order to start preaching to the Muslim society in China! They want to liberate and rescue Chinese Muslims! And yet until now, we are completely unaware of it, even still focus on some minor issues that cause internal strife! Religious problems at the upper level in particular worry us!
- There are only a few Muslims who will undertake to spread Islam as their own mission. Some will go to worship in the mosque themselves but pamper their own daughters and sons, never question about their religious beliefs and their lives, allow them to accept so-called Western ‘civilization’! Their students’ gathering has become the mass of Western Christianity; during their birthday parties, they will sing English songs, clap hands and then snuff out candles! There is this couple dolls wearing newly-wed Christian attire on the wedding car!…. Christian culture has been fully manifested by the younger generation of Muslims! And we only respond with a faint smile saying this is the trend of the young people!!
How should we think? How should we do? I will leave these questions to the online friends, let everyone express their views.
Oh Lord! Show us the straight way, the way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.
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Note:
All Al-Quran verses are sourced from English Translation of Al-Quran by Abdullah Yusuf Ali, with thanks.