Druweid said:
Greetings Raja,
I have a question that would involve more of a personal opinion than a text-book answer. Since you seem to be encouraging an exchange of ideas rather than a debate, I thought this would be the best place to ask.
I have spoken to Muslims many, many times about ideas concerning religious philosophy, spirituality, and the ideals of Islam in general. They, knowing I am non-muslim, some knowing that I am Pagan, have been very kind and generous in keeping most of the discussion on a spiritual level, rather than drawing it into a "this is right/this is wrong" sort of discussion.
Now, have I been lucky so far, that I am meeting Muslims able to discuss spirituality without the need to proselytize? Or is there something in the ideals in Islam that encourages such an open-minded discussion?
Kindest regards,
-- Druweid
Salam dear Druweid
First of all let me thank you and other members who honored me by participating in my thread . I am glad that you and others asked serious questions and take this discussion seriously without any attempt to abuse or defame each other .
You could understand me good when you said that I am encouraging an exchange of ideas rather than a debate . in fact what I want is not a sophisticated debate , what I want is just an amicably exchange of each other's ideas .
I like you dislike that kind of discussion which is "this is right/this is wrong"!
And now let me answer you frankly . yes you were lucky my friend to find those open minded Muslims and share ideas with them . I am saying this because regrettably- many muslims nowadays have distort the meaning and the essence of real Islam by their irresponsible behaviors !
I am a Muslim but this does not mean that I am going to praise Muslims whatever they do . our Qura'an teaches us to say the truth whatever the situation is . I am not saying that all Muslims today are bad , but unfortunately the majority of them have harmed Islam more than its enemies ! there are , of course , good Muslims around the world but this is not enough or sufficient . our ancestors were better than us and because of them Islam has spread and entered to Asia , Africa , Europe .
So I always- in any discussion- prefer to point to a very important matter, that we have to distinguish between Islam and Muslims .
Islam is a great religion and it is perfect , no one can find any fault or vice in its principles and concepts . what some Muslims or most may do now is not the measurement that we should follow to judge on Islam .
The same thing with other religions , we all know that alcoholic , adultery , cheating , stealing etc all are forbidden in Christianity , Judaism and Islam . but if there are people from any of these religions doing such things this does not mean that the fault is in the religion . Hint it ?
Let me tell you about a very important concept in Islam , which is the tolerance and respect for others whatever those others may be different .
Islam is not only encourages open-minded discussion , rather it supports this concept and orders all Muslims to adopt it in any treatment with people from other religion or culture .
If you read the historic books about Islamic conquests you will notice that there were firm and rigid instructions always are told to the armies before they move to any land . they were ordered to not kill any woman , child or old people , not destroy a tree or a house , and which is our point here not disturb any one who was involved in his worship ( doesn't matter if he adopts another religion ) .
And during the Islamic rule , many people had lived under the Islamic rule without any annoyance . the very clear and wonderful example we can take was Egypt . for many centuries Egypt was under the Christian rule of Roman and at that time Egyptian Christians were oppressed and they could not feel free in doing their rites . when Islam has dominated, Egyptian Christians enjoyed the absolute freedom to be as they were and make their rites as they want . and because of this tolerance by Islam , huge numbers of them converted into Islam . and in this present moment Islam still the first religion in Egypt and Christians are just a minority .
Same things happened in Asian countries , Islam never spread by sword as many people in west have said . what made many people converted to Islam is its great tolerance with other .
Consider these verses from the Holly Qura'an :
Call unto the way of thy Lord with wisdom and fair exhortation, and reason with them in the better way. Lo! thy Lord is best aware of him who strayeth from His way, and He is Best Aware of those who go aright.
16:125
This is a guidance for every Muslim to be always polite and tolerant with non-Muslims . we are ordered to argue with other in a very polite manner whatever they may act against us :
Say: O People of the Scripture. Come to an agreement between us and you: that we shall worship none but Allah, and that we shall ascribe no partners unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for lords beside Allah. And if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are they who have surrendered (unto Him).
3:64
And consider what Qura'an says about non-Muslims , people of the scripture :
Among the People of the Scripture there is he who, if thou trust him with a weight of treasure, will return it to thee. And among them there is he who, if thou trust him with a piece of gold, will not return it to thee unless thou keep standing over him.
3:75
to be follow....
