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
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.
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