"This is the third letter I have sent you" ( A reply to an anonymous Christian missionary)

 

Introduction

Over the years, in every Muslim community I have been active in, the mosque would receive phone calls, messages via various channels, and occasionally anonymous letters from Christian sources wanting to "save our souls". Sometimes, the letters will have packages that are actually useful for me as an individual with interests in religion (one example is a copy of the New Testament in Arabic), while other times will be deceptively packaged content (such as polemical literature disguised as Islamic literature, complete with Arabic or Quranic style font), and, more often than one may think, insulting messages on the answering machine. 

The image above arrived this morning. It is the 1st page of a three-page letter, filled with religious rhetoric and disparaging remarks. There was no return address or contact information for the writer. The postmark is from out of state, and I suspect the letter was sent to every mosque the writer could find.  It is not of a professional nature, the writer is clearly more emotionally-oriented than factual, nonetheless I have decided to make a reply here. It is unlikely the author of the letter will ever come across my reply, and of course the author did not intend myself specifically to be the recipient, however for the purpose of this composition, we will reply as if I was the intended person to receive the author's message. After all, I do work as a Muslim Imam, in a Muslim communal context, so it is reasonable to share a reply. The heading in bold print is from the letter. 

"This is the third letter I have sent you."

Thank you for taking the time to write to me.  I have seen similar letters to this one, but since you have never left your contact information, I cannot in fact verify if I have indeed received your messages. It may be prudent to actually engage your audience in a respectful fashion, in a professional manner. Think of it as marketing. You wish to sell me a product, to convince me to buy it. Leaving a letter on my door, without a return address, phone number, email or even a name, will ensure that I am never even given an opportunity to purchase the product you are selling.

"Islam is completely demonic. I have given you much more information than you need..you have been a slave to doctrines of demons as well as your congregation."

Interesting comment, but contrast that to the Qur'an. It is a book which actually tells its readers to supplicate God before its reading by the words "I seek refuge with God from Satan the rejected enemy." ( See Q16:98).

It is a faith that teaches regular prayer and Charity, discipline and sobriety, honest dealings in business and a generous nature.  This does not mean Muslims are angels, but it does mean that your description of our faith as being "completely demonic" is simply a false, hyperbolic statement not even closely related to reality.

"I have studied more than you...I have looked at it close enough and studied for and against..."

I understand that you don't know me that well, but in all honesty, I doubt you have studied Islam "more than me". What books have you read? What teachers have you engaged with? What degree have you attained? Have you been able to study the primary sources in the primary language ( Arabic)?  Please answer these questions, that way we can determine if you have in fact studied Islam more than I have. 

Just for your information, I have studied other religions, their doctrines and texts as well.  We will get into that later in this article. 

" I have gone much deeper in my search for truth than you have ever contemplated...you have never looked for truth or proof, or you would not be a Muslim. Islam is guilty and you are guilty by association."

I can say with honesty that I am a student of truth. I try my best to understand and present truths, even about other religions, philosophies, even political views. I don't intentionally misrepresent what others think, and I try to understand from the primary sources. To go further, those whom I have been blessed to encounter in my life, from Non-Muslim backgrounds, I can say that at least 85% of them are people highly educated in religious matters, some of whom having even been pastors, monks and other Christian clergy, who, upon their own study of Islam, became convinced of its veracity and subsequently its most dedicated and vocal defenders. 

Since your assertion is about "me", seemingly you hold the view that I have never really studied the Bible, for example, please see the images below, which has only one of the shelves in my home with Bibles, Bible commentaries and the like. Other places within my home have even more works on the Bible, Jewish and Christian theology, history, and so forth. I also have many Christian friends, some of whom are clergy, with whom I have engaged in deep discussions. In addition, I have engaged the polemics and often even the antagonistic missionaries, directly. Face to face. Not through anonymous letters or internet debates. In public and private, these interactions have taken place. Moreover, again referencing converts to Islam, in general they are people who have engaged religious texts and doctrines on a deeper level, and their research has led them to view Islam as the path of guidance that emanates from God. 

You assign "guilt " to me, followed by me being "guilty by association", but you don't make clear what I am guilty of. 

'"No one can win me to Islam"

I have never tried to win you to Islam, and I doubt any other Muslim has tried either. This is because that while we freely admit that Islam is a missionary religion, the fact is is that the majority of Muslims, even active, religious Muslims, are frankly too busy with our own issues, with no time and no interest to chase after you, seeking your conversion. Ultimately, guidance is God's job (Qur'an  6:71), not mine!

"The Quran says Jesus is not God in the flesh, that Jesus was a Prophet, Jesus never claimed to be a Prophet.." 

True, Islam teaches that God is alone and cannot be conceived in human terms. However, the Bible contains many passages using the term "prophet" to refer to Jesus, for whom (as a Muslim) we ask God to grant him peace. Matthew 21:11 (NIV) asserts that the people of Jerusalem referred to him as "Jesus the Prophet". Even the Arabic language N.T. that I own, provided by a missionary package to a mosque, uses the same term "haadhaa Yasoo'un Nabi" ("This is Jesus the Prophet"). Other places where this title is used include Luke 7:16,  John 6:14, Luke 4:24, as well as in the writings attributed to Paul. 

"Islam says Jesus was not crucified, but another took his place: ridiculous, childish tales. You have to be a moron to believe that."

Insulting us won't win us over. Yes, Qur'an (Q 4:171) says that Jesus was not crucified, but it does NOT claim another took his place. Some people think that, but that is not what the Qur'an says. For more information on this, I would kindly refer you to the following discussion, which took place between Christian YouTube personalities Brian Davilla, Evan Raugust and myself

Click here (Why trust the Qur'an)

In short, Islam teaches that all of us are responsible before God for our actions, no one can pay for our sins, let alone the "son of God" as portrayed in mainstream Christianity.

Conclusion

This reply is not meant to be polemical in nature, nor does it intend to be insulting. Despite our differences, we respect Christians and have no problems with them believing and practicing their faith as they see fit. The purpose of this reply is to generate food for thought, for all readers. We hope that will be accomplished. Unlike the author of the anonymous letter, we are very transparent and accessible. In fact, my image is below, just to show that we have no fear in these regards.  We welcome dialogue, be it in the comment section of this article or elsewhere. Our contact information is widely available. May God deliver guidance to us all. 

                                                                                               

Towards creating a balanced personality: brief reflections on the role of Prophet Muhammad)

( Note: the following is an article that is based on reflections shared in our Friday Khutbah 8/23/19. Both that khutbah and this article  should be viewed as a follow up on our Khutbah entitled " The Islamic Formula for Happiness: A Quranic perspective", which can be found part 1 as well as Part 2 . We recommend, in the interest of viewing the whole context, that  the above referenced Khutbah be viewed.)



Why Prophet Muhammad?

لَقَدۡ کَانَ لَکُمۡ فِیۡ رَسُوۡلِ اللّٰہِ اُسۡوَۃٌ حَسَنَۃٌ لِّمَنۡ کَانَ یَرۡجُوا اللّٰہَ وَ الۡیَوۡمَ الۡاٰخِرَ وَ ذَکَرَ اللّٰہَ کَثِیۡرًا

" Indeed, you have in the Messenger of Allah, a goodly model, for any who has hope in Allah, the final day, and who recall Allah abundantly." ( Q 33:21)

While the above quotation is often viewed superficially(ft.1), this Quranic verse tells us to look at the Prophet as an example of real success. He functions as an example for those who have hope in the future, hope in God's designs and plan.

While the Qur'an does tell us ( Q 9:129) that the core characteristics of the Prophet was that of kindness and compassion, there is another side that is present.

Another characteristic of the Prophet

"Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and those with him display strength(ashidda) with those who reject, yet display mercy with each other. You see them, in rukoo' (bowing), in sajdah (prostration), seeking bounty from Allah and His pleasure, in their faces ( i.e. the core of their being) are the traces of that submission ( min atharis sujood)" ( Q 48:29).
 
 مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُوۡلُ اللّٰہِ ؕ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ مَعَہٗۤ اَشِدَّآءُ عَلَی الۡکُفَّارِ رُحَمَآءُ بَیۡنَہُمۡ تَرٰٮہُمۡ رُکَّعًا سُجَّدًا یَّبۡتَغُوۡنَ فَضۡلًا مِّنَ اللّٰہِ وَ رِضۡوَانًا ۫ سِیۡمَاہُمۡ فِیۡ وُجُوۡہِہِمۡ مِّنۡ اَثَرِ السُّجُوۡدِ ؕ
The above verse highlights the characteristics of strength and resolve. That requires working hard to accomplish necessary goals. The Prophet was not so "merciful" as to be passive!

The idea of passivity, of surrendering to tyranny (of whatever form) in the name of "surrender to God's will" exists within every religious community in some form or another, but what we learn from the Prophet Muhammad is that he had to face those who sought to destroy him, his followers and his community, and he faced those challenges by being proactive.

Both texts (33:21 and 48:29) have connecting to God in common. In Soorah 9:128-129 we see not only that the Prophet was kindly and compassionate, we  read therein a formula that he was to recite, to seek out God's presence and protection.

Some people believe that a passive, weak personality, is necessary for a healthy spirituality and even assert that such have moral superiority over Prophet Muhammad. Christian apologists cite Jesus's supposed passivity in the face of opposition as an example of his moral superiority over Muhammad.(ft.2).

When a personality is both spiritual and displaying strength, it can breed jealousy, opposition as well as slander. Worldly motivations are projected unto the Prophet, as well as the creation of stories of atrocities.

This happens to Prophets as well as Non Prophets. Good people, who want to see good within themselves and their societies, become targets by those opponents with jealousy within their hearts, or by those who themselves derive some power or benefit from an evil status quo.  It can be disheartening to those trying to do good.

When feeling like this, the Qur'an says to look to the Prophet Muhammad, upon whom be peace.  The Qur'an says, in essence, to the modern reader, "Look at what the Prophet was able to accomplish."

Arabian society had so much serious baggage in those days, well known social and religious ills, and the Prophet was largely successful in removing those bad elements, turning rough people into brave, yet contemplative, personalities, such as 'Umar b.Al-Khattab. His followers became people who looked inward, who worked hard on themselves. They did so by following the Prophet's example, by prayers, contemplation upon Allah (ft.3), discipline, and cultivation of the self.

Thus, the Prophet Muhammad is a model of success, not simply in the religious realm, but in the worldly life as well. The teaching that he conveyed-from Allah-has within it things which we could all use to create happiness and security in life. It is true that not all that he conveyed ("allowed" is perhaps a better term) is always to our pleasing, being as we all come with our own personal and cultural baggage, nonetheless those options are there.

More importantly, the personality of the Prophet is that of a balanced human being. He can be strong when fighting is necessary, but he can likewise be calm, kind and compassionate at those other times when strive is not present.

There are exaggerations and outright slanders against him. These things are brought up as attempts to indicate that the Prophet was a vicious and petty criminal. If such accusations were valid, Islam would have never went anywhere! It would have died out or become of marginal affect.

Yet, the contrast is the reality. Islam is here to stay. It is here to benefit all humanity. It is not here to be imposed by force, but it functions as a blessing.


 

Footnotes

(1)  It is to our dismay that Muslims tend to quote this verse as evidence of a superficial following of the Prophet, taking only things such as dress and eating style from him. Muslim scholarship has wisely stated that there are things we follow of the Prophet when it has religious impact, but that there are things of the Prophet that exist only due to his place and time, such as the dressing style and other things common to all Arabs.  A superficial reading of the Quranic verse does a disservice to the Prophet.

(2) Other assertions made by Christian critics assert that the Prophet's married life was governed by sensual concerns, whereas Jesus was a higher moral code due to being celibate. These type of accusations have been addressed elsewhere by this writer See Here .

(3) The Hadeeth literature is full of examples of individuals coming to the Prophet, seeking out advice on making themselves better. There are even accounts of a self-accusatory nature, wherein people would even embarrass themselves in public by sharing their shortcomings, yet the Prophet would generally find ways to make them feel better about themselves. One example is found in both Al-Bukhari and Muslim, summarized thusly: A man wanted to confess to an indiscretion, the Prophet kept pretending not to hear him. After prayers, the man repeated the confession, the Prophet asked him if he had just prayed with him, the man replies in the affirmative. The Prophet replies that God had already forgiven him (i.e. the questioner).

Study notes: Brief thoughts on Quranic texts [Soorah Al Hijr 15:1-10]

Note: Below is a summary of some thoughts generated upon study of verses from the Qur'an's fifteenth chapter, known as Soorah Al Hijr. The Arabic text is given below, and we have not included translation, except where noted within the article. This encourages the English language reader-if necessary- to read the translation of their choice for themselves. This article is not intended to be an authoritative Tafseer [commentary or explanation], but rather, an example of Tafheem [attempt at understanding] and Tadabbur, pondering upon the Quranic text. This also functions as an edited version  of our 7/2/17  presentation at our weekly Quranic discussion in the Mosque.










[15:1]

الَرَ تِلْكَ آيَاتُ الْكِتَابِ وَقُرْآنٍ مُّبِينٍ

As in many Soowar, we find rather odd letter combinations starting out the verse. Anyone acquainted with the Qur'an and the traditional Tafseer literature will know that there has been many theories expressed as to what these letter combinations [known as Al Muqata'aat] mean, as well as explanations that have been given in unorthodox writings [such as Rashad Khalifa's view that they are actually letters with numerical value [in the Abjad system], with a code that points to the world ending in the year 2280! (ft.1)

The more authoritative Tafaseer will usually have the expression "God knows best the meaning" in connection with Al Muqata'aat. It is the view of this writer that the meaning is actually rather simple and summarized as follows: [1] With only the exception of Soorah Maryam [19:1], the letter combinations [or "initals" if you wish] always precede a mention of something regading the Qur'an itself, and here is no different. "Alif-Laam, Raa, These are the signs of the Scripture, and a reading that is perfectly clear [Qur'aanin Mubeen]" . (2) Therefore, the Muqata'aat are Attention getters, taking our attention to that which follows it, in this case, to the value of the Qur'an itself!

This is not a new speculation, Ibn Katheer in his commentary [Tafseer Al Qur'aan Al 'Adheem] mentions this was an explanation advanced by some scholars in his own time [he died in 1373 CE]. While it is true that he does not appear to endorse this view, the fact that he encountered it does tell us that this is not a novel opinion! In our own times, organiztions of importance are better known by their initials, it is the initials in their name which generate the most and quickest attention. FBI, rather than "Federal Bureau of Investigation", CIA, rather than "Central Intelligence Agency" and so forth.


[15:2-4]

رُّبَمَا يَوَدُّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَوْ كَانُواْ مُسْلِمِينَ
ذَرْهُمْ يَأْكُلُواْ وَيَتَمَتَّعُواْ وَيُلْهِهِمُ الأَمَلُ فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ
وَمَا أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَرْيَةٍ إِلاَّ وَلَهَا كِتَابٌ مَّعْلُومٌ


As in many places within this scripture, the term Kuffar [or here Alladheena Kafaroo] does not speak to each and every single Non Muslim, but rather, to what the Qur'an calls "elites" [Al Mala'a] or "The leadership of Kufr" [A-immat al Kufr] [Q 9:12].

The winds of change always, atleast eventually, change in the favor of truth and justice. "Probably, those who reject wish they had been submissive, so let them consume ( Ya'kulu) and enjoy.."

The mission of the Prophets, with almost no exception, is always filled with persecution, slander, killlings, etc, in its initial stages. The Prophets are victims of all the above terrible things, but the tides change over time, in favor of the Prophets.

The term "Known decree" [Kitaabin Ma'loom] shows that when Allah does, in fact, punish a social order, He [Jalla wa 'Alaaa] does so because their crimes are so well known and established that their guilt is beyond doubt.


[15:5]

مَّا تَسْبِقُ مِنْ أُمَّةٍ أَجَلَهَا وَمَا يَسْتَأْخِرُونَ


The Qur'an almost always looks at the big picture. No power can remain longer than God has permitted. This is something shown repeatedly in the Qur'an, and should be an axiomatic truth to a person familiar with the Quranic texts. It is worth noting that the term Ummah, used here, is also used in the Qur'an elsewhere as referring to a single person [as opposed to an entire group. The example of Abraham is in Q 16:120] and even to a time period ( Q 12:45).(FT,2)

[15:6-9]

وَقَالُواْ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِي نُزِّلَ عَلَيْهِ الذِّكْرُ إِنَّكَ لَمَجْنُونٌ
لَّوْ مَا تَأْتِينَا بِالْمَلائِكَةِ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ الصَّادِقِينَ
مَا نُنَزِّلُ الْمَلائِكَةَ إِلاَّ بِالحَقِّ وَمَا كَانُواْ إِذًا مُّنظَرِينَ
إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ

The Leaders of Rejection//Tyranny [A-Immat al Kufr] are always demanding magic tricks from the Prophets and Messengers of Allah.

The most important issue to remember in this discussion is that the mission and the message of the Prophets are not limited to "religion", but rather, they have social and political implications, Asking for magic tricks is simply a demeaning of the Divine message.

15:8 teaches us that if-in fact- angels would come down, they would not come for the whims of the rejectors, rather, they would come as God's agents of punishment.

15:9 is perhaps the most famous verse in this Soorah. "Indeed, it is We [i.e. Allah] who has sent the Reminder [Adh-Dhikr], and it is We [i.e. Allah] who guard it". It is the most famous ayah in this chapter because it speaks on the status of the Qur'an, and Muslims always quote it to show the textual preservation of the Qur'an.

The context [in particular with verse 6, which also has the word Adh-dhikr] seems to suggest an even deeper meaning, and that is that God's Message has been ever-consistent. The manifestation of God's message may have had differing emphasis depending on time, place and audience, nonethelss it has been consistent in overall point and overall philosophy.

Thus, universally, people of faith find muder to be repulsive, theft to be a criminal act, and have the same overall attitudes on issues relating to social and political order.(ft.3)

This goes along with other Quranic verses, such as "There is no change in the words of Allah" ( Q 6:34).

[15:10]

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ فِي شِيَعِ الأَوَّلِينَ

The thoughts expressed in connection with verse 9 above provides a basis for which to understand this verse, as well as vv 11-15. Just as God's message has been consistent, the response of the leadership of Rejection has, likewise, been consistent. It has consisted of ridicule, slander, and eventually violence at some levels. Yet, God protects His overall message, and has especially done so with the Last of the Scriptures, given to the Last of the Prophets, the Universal Messenger, Muhammad ibn 'Abdullah, Sall Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam.

Notes

(1) Rashad Khalifa (1935-1990), an Egyptian Biochemist, advanced an idea that the entire Quranic corpus was all based on multiples of the number 19, thus, in his view, proving the Divine origin of the Qur'an. However, the text on which he derives his notion (Q 74:30) clearly speaks of Hell, and not the Qur'an. Moreover, it uses feminine pronoun ['Alayhaa] whereas "Qur'an" and words relating to it are masculine pronoun. Khalifa eventually declared himself as a Messenger of God [even signing his letters with the Farsi  term Rasool-e Khuda]. His views on the letter combinations in the Qur'an are to be found in his translation Quran: The Final Testament [1989, Tuscon, Arizona, Islamic Productions, pp613-625].

(2) Shaikh Akram Nadwi explains that the term in Q 12:45, ad-dakara, should be tadhakkara, but here has been changed in addakara because it has the meaning "to make effort to remember". In this case, Joseph's cell-mate, released, took a long time to recall his promise to Joseph to tell the ruler of his status. For more information, see Qur'an 12:42-46.

(3) As an example to prove this assertion, see the Qur'an 17:23-39. The basic moral code of life is given in those verses, a code that-broadly speaking- can be agreed upon by followers of every religion.