By: Abdur-Rahmaan Mirza

You know, I keep hearing about all these non-muslims converting to islaam, especially after 9/11. It makes me really happy and at the same time, very sad. “Sad? Are you okay brother, you may ask? Why would it make you sad?” I am sad because out of all of those thousands who have converted to Islam, I have not helped with even one. I am sad because I have a beard and I look and try to act like a Muslim around others. I am sad because I know I am supposed to treat my friends and neighbors well and I do. Yet they may have asked me questions on Islam but nothing has led them to conversion.

The part of our class on manners that really caught my attention was this part. It was taught to us that Islam provides us with guidelines for dealing with non-Muslims and this is an important topic for those living in the midst of a non-Muslim society. Shaikh Muhammad taught us that our way of life teaches us that we must have good character and respect for fundamental rights when we deal with non-Muslims. Allah says:

Allâh does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion and did not drive you out of your homes. Verily, Allâh loves those who deal with equity.

He also taught us that Islam is a universal message and not something that we keep in our shelves all to ourselves. Allah says:

“Indeed, we sent you not except as a mercy to the worlds. (Anbiya 17:107)

The Prophet (S.A.W) also encouraged us to realize the good qualities of those who were good people even before they became Muslim. He said:

“…the best of them in ignorance are the best of them in Islam, when they acquire knowledge.” (al-Bukhaari and Muslim)

Even today we have seen many people convert to Islam and become the leading figures in the teaching and propagation of our faith. Justice and kindness with others are qualities that are good to maintain and prescribed by our faith. Allah says:

“…and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety…” (al-Maa’idah 5:8)

Our default with non-Muslims is that we hate them as people because of their Kufr that they practice and propogate. Even the non-Muslims who attack Islaam, we have to be just with them though we hate them with a passion. Yet Allah says that hatred and enmity must not reach such a level with a human being where it affects justice and kind treatment. So what do you think Allah (S.W.A) thinks of those Muslims who don’t even treat each others with justice?

Allah gives us one of the most common obligations that we find all over the Qur’aan. This is of the obligation of Da’wah or spreading the message of our faith to others. If Christians, with their faith of darkness, are spreading their faith to others, what about us Muslims, who have light upon light? Allah says:

Call unto the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair exhortation, and reason with them in the better way…” (an-Nahl 16:125)

A lot of Muslims today feel that Da’wah is hanging up posters and doing interactvies on the streets in loud and annoying voices. Interestingly, Allah says in a wise way and a good form along with reasoning. Muhammad as-Shareef commented on this verse and said, notice that argumentation does not come first but is a last resort. And even when it comes in propagation, Allah says to do it in a better way. We have lost these guidelines of the Qur’aan. Today, our Da’wah is composed of interfaith and saying we are all going to heaven and making up lies that may please people but will never please Allah. And our spreading of the message contains calling people to Islam and letting them know that they are stupid and dumb for not knowing about it. And our spreading of the message contains Friday sermons which make people turn away from Islam rather than come towards it. The way the Prophet (S.A.W) called the people to the religion was quite different and may Allah (S.W.A) help us follow his way.