woman was waiting at the airport one night,
With several long hours before her flight.
She hunted for a book in the airport shop,
Bought a bag of cookies and found a place to drop.
She was engrossed in her book, but happened to see,
That the man beside her, as bold as could be,
Grabbed a cookie or two from the bag between,
Which she tried to ignore to avoid a scene
She read, munched cookies, and watched the clock,
As the gustly "cookie thief" diminished her stock
She was getting more irritated as the minutes ticked by,
Thinking, "If I wasn't so nice, I'd blacken his eye!"
With each cookie she took, he took one too.
When only one was left, she wondered what he'd do.
with a smile on his face and a nervous laugh,
He took the last cookie and broke it in half.
He offered her half, and he ate the other.
She snatched it from him and thought, "Oh brother,
This guy has some nerve, and he's also so rude,
Why, he didn't even show any gratitude!"
She had never known when she had been so galled,
And sighed with relief when her flight was called.
She gathered her belongings and headed for the gate,
Refusing to look at the "thieving ingrate".
She boarded the plane and sank in her seat,
Then sought her book, which was almost complete.
As she reached in her baggage, she gasped with surprise.
There were her bag of cookies in front of her eyes!
"If mine are here," she moaned with despair.
"Then the others were his and he tried to share!"
Too late to apologize, she realized with grief,
That she was the rude one, the ingrate, the thief!!!!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Answer to a Q. on what to do after things went too far in a dorm room
Assalaamu alaikum.
First of all, before I jump into my problem, I want to give you a little background info. I am 19 years old, and I come from a religious family. I attend college and live on campus. There are no other Muslim girls at my college that stay on campus so all of my friends are Christian. This is my second year at college. Last year was my first time away from home for such a long time. I took advantage of my parents trust. I went to a few parties, I never actually drank, but I did try alcohol. I never felt bad for what I did, I thought it was just a phase I was going through. This year things got out of hand. I met a guy at a dance club. We were kissing and I let him touch me in places he shouldn't have been. He called me and came over to my room (my roommate had gone home for the weekend) I ended up sleeping with him that night. I didn't really want to and I don't know why I did. I said no at first and he said that was fine but I felt pressured and I gave in. I worry about myself because I think I might do it again, and I know its wrong. I don't know why I feel like this. I feel so far from being Muslim now. Its strange because I eat only halal meat, and while I don't cover my head, I don't wear shorts or anything like that, and yet I committed a sin like this I asked for forgiveness from Allah, but it didn't feel like it was coming from my heart. I am so confused and I don't know who to talk to. I've told my friends and they don't know what to say. I could never talk to my parents about this and I am afraid to talk to someone from my area in case they recognize me.
Please help me to know what to do next, I feel so lost. Can I ask you also to please keep this or at least my name confidential.
Thank you.
********************************************************************
This is a situation that requires honesty with yourself in order for you to be true to Allah. For when you are true to Allah, He will help you to overcome any obstacle, if He so wills it. Below are a series of steps to help you back onto the right path Insha' Allah.
Step 1: To believe that what you have done is wrong
Honesty is the firstep to everything. It is linked to sincerity of intentions. That is, you have to believe, without a doubt, that what you have done is wrong. Then when you have achieved this you will find that your intention to repent to Allah will be sincere. Ask yourself now if you think and believe that having sex with that guy was wrong and, therefore, a sin. Truthfully answer this question.
From what we understand of the situation, you do not seem to be able to achieve true repentance. So perhaps you do not truly believe that what you have done is wrong. You may think it but you do not believe it.
To help you to believe that it was wrong, say to yourself every morning, every hour and whenever you feel doubt about your action, "I have committed one of the biggest sins in Islam. I must repent sincerely to Allah for He is Most- Forgiving." When you have really believed this then the next step will come easy to you.
Step 2: To feel sincere regret & repentance over what you have done
As we have said, this step is linked to the first - without believing that you have done wrong, you cannot feel regret, and therefore, repentance. Allah only forgives and helps those who are sincerely regretting and repenting:
"O believers, turn to Allah in sincere repentance that perchance your Lord may grant you pardon for your sins and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow." [66:8]
Let us now illustrate sincere regret and repentance, and Allah's forgiveness with a well-known true story. Our Prophet (s.a.w) said that from amongst the men of Bani Israel there was a man who had murdered 99 persons. Then he set out asking whether his repentance could be accepted or not. He came upon a monk and asked him if his repentance could be accepted. The monk replied in the negative and so the man killed him. He kept asking till a scholar said yes but advised him to go to another land where the people were devoted to prayer and worship. So he left for that land but death overtook him on the way. While dying he turned his chest towards that village and so the angels of mercy and the angels of punishment quarrelled amongst themselves regarding him. Allah ordered the village towards which he was going to come closer to him and ordered the village which he left to go far away, and then He ordered the angels to measure the distances between his body and the two villages. When he was found to be one span closer to the village he was going to, he was forgiven [Bukhari & Muslim]. Note that this story illustrates that:
a) Allah forgave the man, even though he had killed 100 people, because he had sincere repentance.
b) To change your ways you must remove yourself from the source of evil and surround yourself with good practising Muslims (more on this later).
Now, you must reach down to the depths of your soul and find that remorse over what you have done. With this remorse must also come shame. Remember Adam and his wife when they listened to Shaytan and ate from the forbidden tree? Immediately afterwards they felt remorse and shame for what they did. And they said: "Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers." [7:23]. This is the same remorse and shame that you need to feel.
The Prophet (s.a.w) said, "Among the words people obtained from the First Prophecy (i.e. from those Prophets before Muhammad) are: if you feel no shame, then do as you wish." That is, if a person has no shame then she will do whatever she likes - she will commit zina (illegal sex) and have no shame over it. This is why it is important to feel shame, so that it will stop you from doing that wrongful act again.
Step 3: To ask Allah for forgiveness
When true repentance comes to you, you must ask Allah to forgive you. Below are some Dua (supplications) that come from the Quran and Sunnah:
a) "There is no god but You. Glory to You, I was indeed wrong!" [21:87]
b) "My Lord! I have indeed wronged my soul." [28:16]
c) Other Duas in the Quran are (3:16), (68:29), (2:285-286), (59:10), (23:118), (7:143).
d) Our Prophet (s.a.w) taught us numerous duas for forgiveness, such as: "I seek forgiveness from Allah, besides Whom there is no god, The Eternal, The Self-subsisting and I turn to Him in repentance."
There is no shortage of Duas for forgiveness. Choose from among them (and learn them in Arabic) and also say some of your own. You must say them during prayers, after prayers and whenever you feel true repentance.
Step 4: To remove yourself from the source of evil
Remember the man who killed 100 people? The second lesson from that story is to remove yourself from this evil. In your case, this applies in two ways:
a) Do not ever see this guy again. Tell him that unless he sincerely converts to Islam (if he is non-Muslim) or starts practising Islam (if he is a 'Muslim') and marries you, then the two of you have no business to be together, even for one second.
There are two reasons for this. Firstly, you want to be as far away from this person as possible. Because the next time he sees you, he will think that you are 'easy' and therefore will have his way with you again.
Secondly, never be alone with any guy because the third presence will be Shaytan. Amr ibn Rabiah (r.a.a) narrated that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day must never be in private with a woman without there being a mahram of hers (a male relation to whom she cannot marry), otherwise Shaytan will be the third person with them." [Ahmad]. Thus Shaytan will whisper and tempt them with the forbidden. Hence, their sexual desires will be awakened and before they know it, both will be doing things that are not permissible between unmarried people. This has been clearly demonstrated in your case: first being alone together in your room, then the touching and the kissing and finally, the sexual act itself!
b) Remove yourself from your current living arrangements and surround yourself with practising Muslim friends. The danger with living with non-Muslims and having non-Muslims as everyday friends, no matter how well-intentioned they are, is that they either dray you down with them or they let you pave your own path to hell. However, if you have practising Muslim friends then when they do good, they pull you along with them to do good. Or, when you become confused and lost, they remind and guide you back onto the right path. Remember, Allah says, "Friends on that Day (of Judgement) will be enemies one to another, except those who have taqwah (fear and consciousness of ". [43:67]
And our Prophet (s.a.w) said, "A person is likely to follow the path of his friend, so look at whom you befriend." [Related by Abu Daud and at-Tirmidhi]
Therefore, start searching around for practising Muslim females to share a flat with. A good place to look is at the University's Muslim Students Association. Or, what about overseas Muslim students? If your parents ask you why you want to move, tell them the truth - that you want to be around Muslims.
Step 5: To never, ever do it again
Finally, never, ever again have sex with anyone whom you are not married to!!! For this is sincere repentance - to regret your action, ask forgiveness and never do it again.
If you truly understand the reasons why zina is prohibited and the punishments for each, you will never ever again commit it.
As to the reasons why it is prohibited, it destroy families, there will be unmarried single mothers, illegitimate children, fatherless children, abandoned children, promiscuous children, promiscuous adults, broken homes, abortions, sexual diseases and many many more, leading to a degeneration of society.
As to the punishment, the Prophet (s.a.w) said, "...when the parties are unmarried they shall receive a hundred lashes and be banished for a year. When they commit fornication after marriage they shall receive a hundred lashes and be stones to death." [Muslim]. These are the punishments in this life but the punishment in the Hereafter is much more horrendous. It was narrated by Samura bin Jundab that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) had a dream that two angels came to him and showed him some t. From among the things that he (s.a.w) saw was a baking oven and in it were naked men and women making horrible noises. He (s.a.w) was later told that the naked men and women in the oven are adulterers. [Related by Bukhari]
Remember, Zina (i.e. adultry) is one of the major sins. It is on the same level as murder. As such, the stigma to offenders and the act itself should both be regarded as repulsive. The companions of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) were one of the best believers but among them were some who fell into error. Here is a story of an adulteress, however, like the man who killed 100 people, she had sincere repentance. A woman of Juhaina came to the Prophet (s.a.w) when she was pregnant owing to fornication, and said, "O Allah's Prophet, I have committed something for which a prescribed punishment is due, so execute it on me." Allah's Messenger (s.a.w) called her guardian and said, "Treat her well and when she delivers bring her to me." and he did so. Then He gave the command regarding her and her clothes were tied around her body and then He gave command regarding her and she was stoned to deaas stoned to deth. He then prayed over her. Umar thereupon said, "Do you pray over her, O Allah's Prophet, yet she has committed fornication?" He replied, "She has repented to such an extent that if it were divided among seventy people of al-Madina, it would be enough for them all. Have you found any repentance better than she having sacrificed herself for the sake of Allah the Most High?" [Related by Muslim]. Of course, these days, we cannot hope to reach this level of repentance. But what we can do is try our best to reach our own repentance potential.
These, then, are the five steps that you need to follow to help you onto the right track. Please follow them and, for you will be Allah's Mercy now and in the Hereafter, Insha' Allah.
First of all, before I jump into my problem, I want to give you a little background info. I am 19 years old, and I come from a religious family. I attend college and live on campus. There are no other Muslim girls at my college that stay on campus so all of my friends are Christian. This is my second year at college. Last year was my first time away from home for such a long time. I took advantage of my parents trust. I went to a few parties, I never actually drank, but I did try alcohol. I never felt bad for what I did, I thought it was just a phase I was going through. This year things got out of hand. I met a guy at a dance club. We were kissing and I let him touch me in places he shouldn't have been. He called me and came over to my room (my roommate had gone home for the weekend) I ended up sleeping with him that night. I didn't really want to and I don't know why I did. I said no at first and he said that was fine but I felt pressured and I gave in. I worry about myself because I think I might do it again, and I know its wrong. I don't know why I feel like this. I feel so far from being Muslim now. Its strange because I eat only halal meat, and while I don't cover my head, I don't wear shorts or anything like that, and yet I committed a sin like this I asked for forgiveness from Allah, but it didn't feel like it was coming from my heart. I am so confused and I don't know who to talk to. I've told my friends and they don't know what to say. I could never talk to my parents about this and I am afraid to talk to someone from my area in case they recognize me.
Please help me to know what to do next, I feel so lost. Can I ask you also to please keep this or at least my name confidential.
Thank you.
********************************************************************
This is a situation that requires honesty with yourself in order for you to be true to Allah. For when you are true to Allah, He will help you to overcome any obstacle, if He so wills it. Below are a series of steps to help you back onto the right path Insha' Allah.
Step 1: To believe that what you have done is wrong
Honesty is the firstep to everything. It is linked to sincerity of intentions. That is, you have to believe, without a doubt, that what you have done is wrong. Then when you have achieved this you will find that your intention to repent to Allah will be sincere. Ask yourself now if you think and believe that having sex with that guy was wrong and, therefore, a sin. Truthfully answer this question.
From what we understand of the situation, you do not seem to be able to achieve true repentance. So perhaps you do not truly believe that what you have done is wrong. You may think it but you do not believe it.
To help you to believe that it was wrong, say to yourself every morning, every hour and whenever you feel doubt about your action, "I have committed one of the biggest sins in Islam. I must repent sincerely to Allah for He is Most- Forgiving." When you have really believed this then the next step will come easy to you.
Step 2: To feel sincere regret & repentance over what you have done
As we have said, this step is linked to the first - without believing that you have done wrong, you cannot feel regret, and therefore, repentance. Allah only forgives and helps those who are sincerely regretting and repenting:
"O believers, turn to Allah in sincere repentance that perchance your Lord may grant you pardon for your sins and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow." [66:8]
Let us now illustrate sincere regret and repentance, and Allah's forgiveness with a well-known true story. Our Prophet (s.a.w) said that from amongst the men of Bani Israel there was a man who had murdered 99 persons. Then he set out asking whether his repentance could be accepted or not. He came upon a monk and asked him if his repentance could be accepted. The monk replied in the negative and so the man killed him. He kept asking till a scholar said yes but advised him to go to another land where the people were devoted to prayer and worship. So he left for that land but death overtook him on the way. While dying he turned his chest towards that village and so the angels of mercy and the angels of punishment quarrelled amongst themselves regarding him. Allah ordered the village towards which he was going to come closer to him and ordered the village which he left to go far away, and then He ordered the angels to measure the distances between his body and the two villages. When he was found to be one span closer to the village he was going to, he was forgiven [Bukhari & Muslim]. Note that this story illustrates that:
a) Allah forgave the man, even though he had killed 100 people, because he had sincere repentance.
b) To change your ways you must remove yourself from the source of evil and surround yourself with good practising Muslims (more on this later).
Now, you must reach down to the depths of your soul and find that remorse over what you have done. With this remorse must also come shame. Remember Adam and his wife when they listened to Shaytan and ate from the forbidden tree? Immediately afterwards they felt remorse and shame for what they did. And they said: "Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers." [7:23]. This is the same remorse and shame that you need to feel.
The Prophet (s.a.w) said, "Among the words people obtained from the First Prophecy (i.e. from those Prophets before Muhammad) are: if you feel no shame, then do as you wish." That is, if a person has no shame then she will do whatever she likes - she will commit zina (illegal sex) and have no shame over it. This is why it is important to feel shame, so that it will stop you from doing that wrongful act again.
Step 3: To ask Allah for forgiveness
When true repentance comes to you, you must ask Allah to forgive you. Below are some Dua (supplications) that come from the Quran and Sunnah:
a) "There is no god but You. Glory to You, I was indeed wrong!" [21:87]
b) "My Lord! I have indeed wronged my soul." [28:16]
c) Other Duas in the Quran are (3:16), (68:29), (2:285-286), (59:10), (23:118), (7:143).
d) Our Prophet (s.a.w) taught us numerous duas for forgiveness, such as: "I seek forgiveness from Allah, besides Whom there is no god, The Eternal, The Self-subsisting and I turn to Him in repentance."
There is no shortage of Duas for forgiveness. Choose from among them (and learn them in Arabic) and also say some of your own. You must say them during prayers, after prayers and whenever you feel true repentance.
Step 4: To remove yourself from the source of evil
Remember the man who killed 100 people? The second lesson from that story is to remove yourself from this evil. In your case, this applies in two ways:
a) Do not ever see this guy again. Tell him that unless he sincerely converts to Islam (if he is non-Muslim) or starts practising Islam (if he is a 'Muslim') and marries you, then the two of you have no business to be together, even for one second.
There are two reasons for this. Firstly, you want to be as far away from this person as possible. Because the next time he sees you, he will think that you are 'easy' and therefore will have his way with you again.
Secondly, never be alone with any guy because the third presence will be Shaytan. Amr ibn Rabiah (r.a.a) narrated that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day must never be in private with a woman without there being a mahram of hers (a male relation to whom she cannot marry), otherwise Shaytan will be the third person with them." [Ahmad]. Thus Shaytan will whisper and tempt them with the forbidden. Hence, their sexual desires will be awakened and before they know it, both will be doing things that are not permissible between unmarried people. This has been clearly demonstrated in your case: first being alone together in your room, then the touching and the kissing and finally, the sexual act itself!
b) Remove yourself from your current living arrangements and surround yourself with practising Muslim friends. The danger with living with non-Muslims and having non-Muslims as everyday friends, no matter how well-intentioned they are, is that they either dray you down with them or they let you pave your own path to hell. However, if you have practising Muslim friends then when they do good, they pull you along with them to do good. Or, when you become confused and lost, they remind and guide you back onto the right path. Remember, Allah says, "Friends on that Day (of Judgement) will be enemies one to another, except those who have taqwah (fear and consciousness of ". [43:67]
And our Prophet (s.a.w) said, "A person is likely to follow the path of his friend, so look at whom you befriend." [Related by Abu Daud and at-Tirmidhi]
Therefore, start searching around for practising Muslim females to share a flat with. A good place to look is at the University's Muslim Students Association. Or, what about overseas Muslim students? If your parents ask you why you want to move, tell them the truth - that you want to be around Muslims.
Step 5: To never, ever do it again
Finally, never, ever again have sex with anyone whom you are not married to!!! For this is sincere repentance - to regret your action, ask forgiveness and never do it again.
If you truly understand the reasons why zina is prohibited and the punishments for each, you will never ever again commit it.
As to the reasons why it is prohibited, it destroy families, there will be unmarried single mothers, illegitimate children, fatherless children, abandoned children, promiscuous children, promiscuous adults, broken homes, abortions, sexual diseases and many many more, leading to a degeneration of society.
As to the punishment, the Prophet (s.a.w) said, "...when the parties are unmarried they shall receive a hundred lashes and be banished for a year. When they commit fornication after marriage they shall receive a hundred lashes and be stones to death." [Muslim]. These are the punishments in this life but the punishment in the Hereafter is much more horrendous. It was narrated by Samura bin Jundab that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) had a dream that two angels came to him and showed him some t. From among the things that he (s.a.w) saw was a baking oven and in it were naked men and women making horrible noises. He (s.a.w) was later told that the naked men and women in the oven are adulterers. [Related by Bukhari]
Remember, Zina (i.e. adultry) is one of the major sins. It is on the same level as murder. As such, the stigma to offenders and the act itself should both be regarded as repulsive. The companions of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) were one of the best believers but among them were some who fell into error. Here is a story of an adulteress, however, like the man who killed 100 people, she had sincere repentance. A woman of Juhaina came to the Prophet (s.a.w) when she was pregnant owing to fornication, and said, "O Allah's Prophet, I have committed something for which a prescribed punishment is due, so execute it on me." Allah's Messenger (s.a.w) called her guardian and said, "Treat her well and when she delivers bring her to me." and he did so. Then He gave the command regarding her and her clothes were tied around her body and then He gave command regarding her and she was stoned to deaas stoned to deth. He then prayed over her. Umar thereupon said, "Do you pray over her, O Allah's Prophet, yet she has committed fornication?" He replied, "She has repented to such an extent that if it were divided among seventy people of al-Madina, it would be enough for them all. Have you found any repentance better than she having sacrificed herself for the sake of Allah the Most High?" [Related by Muslim]. Of course, these days, we cannot hope to reach this level of repentance. But what we can do is try our best to reach our own repentance potential.
These, then, are the five steps that you need to follow to help you onto the right track. Please follow them and, for you will be Allah's Mercy now and in the Hereafter, Insha' Allah.
FAQ ON ISLAM AND THE MUSLIMS
FAQ ON ISLAM AND THE MUSLIMS
What is Islam?
Islam is not a new religion, but the same truth that God
revealed through all His prophets to every people. For a
fifth of the world's population, Islam is both a religion and
a complete way of life. Muslims follow a religion of peace,
mercy, and forgiveness, and the majority have nothing to do
with the extremely grave events which have come to be
associated with their faith.
_________________________________________________________________
Who are Muslim?
One billion people form a vast range of races, nationalities
and cultures across the globe, from the southern Philippines
to Nigeria, are united by their common Islamic faith. About
18% live in the Arab world; the world's largest Muslim
community is in Indonesia; substantial parts of Asia and most
of the Africa are Muslim, while significant minorities are to
be found in the Soviet Union, China, North and South America,
and Europe.
_________________________________________________________________
What do Muslims Believe?
Muslims believe in One, Unique, Incomparable God' in the
Angels created by Him, in the prophets through whom His
revelations were brought to mankind; in God's complete
authority over human destiny and in life after death. Muslims
believe in a chain of prophets starting with Adam and
including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Issac, Jacob, Joseph, Job,
Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias, Jonah, John the Baptist
and Jesus, peace be upon them. But God's final message to
man, a reconfirmation of the eternal message and a summing-up
of all that has gone before was revealed to the Prophet
Muhammad peace be upon him through Gabriel.
_________________________________________________________________
How does someone become a Muslim?
Simply by saying "there is no god apart from God, and
Muhammad is the Messenger of God." By this declaration the
believer announces his or her faith in all God's messengers,
and the scriptures they brought. What does `Islam" mean? The
Arabic word `Islam' simply means `submission,' and drives
from a word meaning `peace.' In a religious context it means
complete submission to the will of God. `Mohammedianism' is
thus a misnomer because it suggests that Muslims worship
Muhammad peace be upon him rather than God. `Allah' is the
Arabic name for God, which is used by Arab Muslims and
Christians alike. Why does Islam often seem strange? Islam my
seem exotic or even extreme in the modern world. Perhaps this
is because religion does not dominate everyday life in the
West today, whereas Muslims have religion always uppermost in
their minds, and make no division between secular and sacred.
They believe that the Divine Law, the Shari'a, should be
taken very seriously, which is why issues related to religion
are still so important.
_________________________________________________________________
Do Islam and Christianity have different origins?
No. Together with Judaism, they go back to the prophet and
patriarch Abraham, and their three prophets are directly
descended form his son--Muhammad `peace be upon him' from the
eldest, Ishmael, and Moses and Jesus `peace be upon them'
from the Issac. Abraham established the settlement which
today is the holy city of Makkah, and built the Ka'ba towards
which all Muslims turn when they pray.
_________________________________________________________________
What is the Ka'ba?
The Ka'ba is the place of worship which God commanded Abraham
and Ishmael to build cover four thousand years ago. The
building was constructed of stone on what many believe was
the original site of a sanctuary established by Adam. God
commanded Abraham to summon all mankind to visit this place,
and when pilgrims go there today they say ` At The service, O
Lord', in response to Abraham's summons.
_________________________________________________________________
Who is Muhammad?
Muhammad `peace be upon him' was born in Makkah in the year
570, at a time when Christianity was not yet fully
established in Europe. Since his father died before his
birth, and his mother shortly afterwards, he was raised by
his uncle from the respected tribe of Quraysh. As he grew up,
he became known for his truthfulness, generosity and
sincerity, so that he was sought after for his ability to
arbitrate in disputes. The historians describe him s calm and
meditative.
Muhammad `peace be upon him' was of a deeply religious
nature, and had long detested the decadence of his society.
It became his habit to meditate from time to time in the Cave
of Hira near the summit of Jabal al-Nur, the `Mountain of
Light' near Makkah.
_________________________________________________________________
How did he become a prophet and a messenger of God?
At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat,
Muhammad `peace be upon him' received his first revelation
from God through the Angel Gabriel, this revelation, which
continued for twenty-three years, is known as the Quran.
As soon as he began to recite the words he heard from
Gabriel, and to preach the truth, which God had revealed to
him, he and his small group of followers suffered bitter
persecution, which grew so fierce that in the year 622 God
gave them the command to emigrate. This event, the Hijra,
`migration', in which they left Makkah for the city of
Madinah some 260 miles to the north, marks the beginning of
the Muslim calendar.
After several years, the prophet `peace be upon him' and his
followers were able to return to Makkah, where they forgave
their enemies and established Islam definitively. Before the
Prophet `peace be upon him' died at the age of 63, the
greater part of Arabia was Muslim, and within a century of
his death Islam had spread to Spain the West and as far East
as China.
_________________________________________________________________
What is the Quran?
The Quran is a record of the exact words revealed by God
through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad `peace be
upon him.' It was memorized by Muhammad `peace be upon him'
and then dictated to his Companions, and written down by
scribes, who cross-checked it during his lifetime. Not one
word of its 114 chapters, Suras, has been changed over the
centuries, so that the Quran is in every detail the unique
and miraculous text which was revealed to Muhammad `peace be
upon him' fourteen centuries ago.
_________________________________________________________________
What is Quran about?
The Quran, the last revealed Word of God, is the prime source
of every Muslim's faith and practice. It deals with all the
subjects which concern us as human beings: wisdom, doctrine,
worship and law, but its basic theme is the relationship
between God and His creatures. At the same time it provides
guidelines for a just society, proper human conduct and an
equitable economic system.
_________________________________________________________________
Are there any other sacred sources?
Yes, the `sunna,' the practice and example of the Prophet
`peace be upon him,' is the second authority for Muslim. A
hadith is a reliably transmitted report of what the prophet
`peace be upon him' said, did, or approved. Belief in the
`sunna' is part of the Islamic faith.
Examples of the Prophet sayings:
The Prophet `peace be upon him' said:
`God has no mercy on one who has no mercy for others.'
`None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother
what he wishes for himself."
`He who eats his fill while his neighbor goes without food is
not a believer.'
`The truthful and trusty businessman is associated with the
prophets, the saints, and the martyrs.'
`Powerful is not he who knocks the other down, indeed
powerful is he who controls himself in a fit of anger.'
`God does not judge according to your bodies and appearances
but He scans your hearts and looks into your deeds.'
`A man walking along a path felt very thirsty. Reaching a
well he descended into it, drank his fill and came up. Then
he saw a dog with its tongue hanging out, trying to lick up
mud to quench its thirst. The man saw that the dog was
feeling the same thirst as he had felt so he went down into
the well again and filled his shoe with water and gave the
dog a drink. God forgave his sins for this action.' The
Prophet `peace be upon him,' was asked: `Messenger of God,
are we rewarded for kindness towards animals?' He said,
`There is a reward for kindness to every living thing.'
(From the hadith collections of Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi and
Bayhaqi)
What are the `Five Pillars' of Islam?
They are the framework of the Muslim life: faith, prayer,
concern for the needy, self-purification, and the pilgrimage
to Makkah for those who are able.
_________________________________________________________________
Does Islam tolerate other beliefs?
The Quran says: "God forbids you not, with regards to those
who fight you not for [your] faith nor drive you out of your
homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them; for God
loves those who are just." (Quran, 60:8)
It is one function of Islamic law to protect the privileged
status of minorities, and this is why non-Muslim places of
worship have flourished all over the Islamic world. History
provides many examples of Muslim tolerance towards other
faiths: when the caliph Omar entered Jerusalem in the year
634, Islam granted freedom of worship to all religious
communities in he city.
Islamic law also permits non-Muslim minorities to set up
their own courts, which implement family laws drawn up by the
minorities themselves.
_________________________________________________________________
What do Muslims think about Jesus?
Muslims respect and revere Jesus `peace be upon him,' and
await his Second Coming. They consider him one of the
greatest of God's messengers to mankind. A Muslim never
refers to him simply as `Jesus', but always adds the phrase
``peace be upon him.' The Quran confirms his virgin birth (a
chapter of the Quran is entitled `Mary'), and Mary is
considered the purest woman in all creation. The Quran
describes the Annunciation as follows:
"`Be hold!' the Angel said, `God has chosen you, and purified
you, and chosen you above the women of all nations. O Mary,
God gives you good news of a word from Him, whose name shall
be the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, honored in this world and
the Hereafter, and one shall speak to the people from his
cardle and in maturity, and shall be of the righteous.'
She said: `O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has
touched me?' He said: `Even so; God creates what He will.
When He decrees a thing, He says to it, "Be!" and it is.'
(Quran, 3:42-7)
Jesus `peace be upon him,' was born miraculously through the
same power which had brought Adam `peace be upon him,' into
being without father:
"Truly, the likeness of Jesus with God is as the likeness of
Adam. He created him of dust, and then said to him, `Be!' and
he was. (3:59)
During his prophetic mission Jesus `peace be upon him,'
performed many miracles. The Quran tells us that he said:
I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I make for you
out of the clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and
breathe into it and it becomes a bird by God's leave. And I
heal the blind and the lepers, and I raise the dead by God's
leave. (3:49)
Neither Muhammad `peace be upon him,' nor Jesus `peace be
upon him,' cam to change the basic doctrine of the belief in
on God, brought by earlier prophets, but to confirm and renew
it. In the Quran Jesus `peace be upon him,' is reported as
saying that he came: " To attest the law which was before me.
And to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden you; I
have come to you with a sign form your Lord, so fear God and
obey Me." (3:50)
The prophet Muhammad `peace be upon him,' said: "Whoever
believes there is no god but God, alone without partner, that
Muhammad `peace be upon him,' is His messenger, that Jesus is
the servant and messenger of God, His word breathed into Mary
and a spirit emanating form Him, and that ~Paradise and Hell
are true, shall be received by God into Heaven. (Hadith from
Bukhari)
See also Christ In Islam
_________________________________________________________________
What about Muslim women?
Islam sees a woman, whether single or married, as an
individual in her own right, with the right to own and
dispose of her property and earnings. A marriage dowry is
given by the groom to the bride for her own personal use, and
she keeps her own family name rather than taking her
husband's. Both men and women are expected to dress in a way
which is modest and dignified; the traditions of female dress
found in some Muslim countries are often the expression of
local customs.
The Messenger of God `peace be upon him,' said: "The most
perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best in
manner and kindest to his wife."
_________________________________________________________________
Can a Muslim have more than one wife?
The religion of Islam was revealed for all societies and all
time and so accommodates widely differing social
requirements. Circumstances may warrant the taking of another
wife but the right is granted, according to the Quran, only
on condition that the husband is scrupulously fair.
_________________________________________________________________
Is Islamic marriage like Christian marriage?
A Muslim marriage is not a `sacrament', but a simple, legal
agreement include conditions. Marriage customs thus vary
widely from country to country. As a result, divorce is not
common., although it is not forbidden as a last resort.
According to Islam, no Muslim girl can be forced to marry
against her will: her parents will simply suggest young men
they think may be suitable.
* Source: "Understanding Islam and the Muslims," published
by: The Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Washington DC, 1989
What is Islam?
Islam is not a new religion, but the same truth that God
revealed through all His prophets to every people. For a
fifth of the world's population, Islam is both a religion and
a complete way of life. Muslims follow a religion of peace,
mercy, and forgiveness, and the majority have nothing to do
with the extremely grave events which have come to be
associated with their faith.
_________________________________________________________________
Who are Muslim?
One billion people form a vast range of races, nationalities
and cultures across the globe, from the southern Philippines
to Nigeria, are united by their common Islamic faith. About
18% live in the Arab world; the world's largest Muslim
community is in Indonesia; substantial parts of Asia and most
of the Africa are Muslim, while significant minorities are to
be found in the Soviet Union, China, North and South America,
and Europe.
_________________________________________________________________
What do Muslims Believe?
Muslims believe in One, Unique, Incomparable God' in the
Angels created by Him, in the prophets through whom His
revelations were brought to mankind; in God's complete
authority over human destiny and in life after death. Muslims
believe in a chain of prophets starting with Adam and
including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Issac, Jacob, Joseph, Job,
Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias, Jonah, John the Baptist
and Jesus, peace be upon them. But God's final message to
man, a reconfirmation of the eternal message and a summing-up
of all that has gone before was revealed to the Prophet
Muhammad peace be upon him through Gabriel.
_________________________________________________________________
How does someone become a Muslim?
Simply by saying "there is no god apart from God, and
Muhammad is the Messenger of God." By this declaration the
believer announces his or her faith in all God's messengers,
and the scriptures they brought. What does `Islam" mean? The
Arabic word `Islam' simply means `submission,' and drives
from a word meaning `peace.' In a religious context it means
complete submission to the will of God. `Mohammedianism' is
thus a misnomer because it suggests that Muslims worship
Muhammad peace be upon him rather than God. `Allah' is the
Arabic name for God, which is used by Arab Muslims and
Christians alike. Why does Islam often seem strange? Islam my
seem exotic or even extreme in the modern world. Perhaps this
is because religion does not dominate everyday life in the
West today, whereas Muslims have religion always uppermost in
their minds, and make no division between secular and sacred.
They believe that the Divine Law, the Shari'a, should be
taken very seriously, which is why issues related to religion
are still so important.
_________________________________________________________________
Do Islam and Christianity have different origins?
No. Together with Judaism, they go back to the prophet and
patriarch Abraham, and their three prophets are directly
descended form his son--Muhammad `peace be upon him' from the
eldest, Ishmael, and Moses and Jesus `peace be upon them'
from the Issac. Abraham established the settlement which
today is the holy city of Makkah, and built the Ka'ba towards
which all Muslims turn when they pray.
_________________________________________________________________
What is the Ka'ba?
The Ka'ba is the place of worship which God commanded Abraham
and Ishmael to build cover four thousand years ago. The
building was constructed of stone on what many believe was
the original site of a sanctuary established by Adam. God
commanded Abraham to summon all mankind to visit this place,
and when pilgrims go there today they say ` At The service, O
Lord', in response to Abraham's summons.
_________________________________________________________________
Who is Muhammad?
Muhammad `peace be upon him' was born in Makkah in the year
570, at a time when Christianity was not yet fully
established in Europe. Since his father died before his
birth, and his mother shortly afterwards, he was raised by
his uncle from the respected tribe of Quraysh. As he grew up,
he became known for his truthfulness, generosity and
sincerity, so that he was sought after for his ability to
arbitrate in disputes. The historians describe him s calm and
meditative.
Muhammad `peace be upon him' was of a deeply religious
nature, and had long detested the decadence of his society.
It became his habit to meditate from time to time in the Cave
of Hira near the summit of Jabal al-Nur, the `Mountain of
Light' near Makkah.
_________________________________________________________________
How did he become a prophet and a messenger of God?
At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat,
Muhammad `peace be upon him' received his first revelation
from God through the Angel Gabriel, this revelation, which
continued for twenty-three years, is known as the Quran.
As soon as he began to recite the words he heard from
Gabriel, and to preach the truth, which God had revealed to
him, he and his small group of followers suffered bitter
persecution, which grew so fierce that in the year 622 God
gave them the command to emigrate. This event, the Hijra,
`migration', in which they left Makkah for the city of
Madinah some 260 miles to the north, marks the beginning of
the Muslim calendar.
After several years, the prophet `peace be upon him' and his
followers were able to return to Makkah, where they forgave
their enemies and established Islam definitively. Before the
Prophet `peace be upon him' died at the age of 63, the
greater part of Arabia was Muslim, and within a century of
his death Islam had spread to Spain the West and as far East
as China.
_________________________________________________________________
What is the Quran?
The Quran is a record of the exact words revealed by God
through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad `peace be
upon him.' It was memorized by Muhammad `peace be upon him'
and then dictated to his Companions, and written down by
scribes, who cross-checked it during his lifetime. Not one
word of its 114 chapters, Suras, has been changed over the
centuries, so that the Quran is in every detail the unique
and miraculous text which was revealed to Muhammad `peace be
upon him' fourteen centuries ago.
_________________________________________________________________
What is Quran about?
The Quran, the last revealed Word of God, is the prime source
of every Muslim's faith and practice. It deals with all the
subjects which concern us as human beings: wisdom, doctrine,
worship and law, but its basic theme is the relationship
between God and His creatures. At the same time it provides
guidelines for a just society, proper human conduct and an
equitable economic system.
_________________________________________________________________
Are there any other sacred sources?
Yes, the `sunna,' the practice and example of the Prophet
`peace be upon him,' is the second authority for Muslim. A
hadith is a reliably transmitted report of what the prophet
`peace be upon him' said, did, or approved. Belief in the
`sunna' is part of the Islamic faith.
Examples of the Prophet sayings:
The Prophet `peace be upon him' said:
`God has no mercy on one who has no mercy for others.'
`None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother
what he wishes for himself."
`He who eats his fill while his neighbor goes without food is
not a believer.'
`The truthful and trusty businessman is associated with the
prophets, the saints, and the martyrs.'
`Powerful is not he who knocks the other down, indeed
powerful is he who controls himself in a fit of anger.'
`God does not judge according to your bodies and appearances
but He scans your hearts and looks into your deeds.'
`A man walking along a path felt very thirsty. Reaching a
well he descended into it, drank his fill and came up. Then
he saw a dog with its tongue hanging out, trying to lick up
mud to quench its thirst. The man saw that the dog was
feeling the same thirst as he had felt so he went down into
the well again and filled his shoe with water and gave the
dog a drink. God forgave his sins for this action.' The
Prophet `peace be upon him,' was asked: `Messenger of God,
are we rewarded for kindness towards animals?' He said,
`There is a reward for kindness to every living thing.'
(From the hadith collections of Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi and
Bayhaqi)
What are the `Five Pillars' of Islam?
They are the framework of the Muslim life: faith, prayer,
concern for the needy, self-purification, and the pilgrimage
to Makkah for those who are able.
_________________________________________________________________
Does Islam tolerate other beliefs?
The Quran says: "God forbids you not, with regards to those
who fight you not for [your] faith nor drive you out of your
homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them; for God
loves those who are just." (Quran, 60:8)
It is one function of Islamic law to protect the privileged
status of minorities, and this is why non-Muslim places of
worship have flourished all over the Islamic world. History
provides many examples of Muslim tolerance towards other
faiths: when the caliph Omar entered Jerusalem in the year
634, Islam granted freedom of worship to all religious
communities in he city.
Islamic law also permits non-Muslim minorities to set up
their own courts, which implement family laws drawn up by the
minorities themselves.
_________________________________________________________________
What do Muslims think about Jesus?
Muslims respect and revere Jesus `peace be upon him,' and
await his Second Coming. They consider him one of the
greatest of God's messengers to mankind. A Muslim never
refers to him simply as `Jesus', but always adds the phrase
``peace be upon him.' The Quran confirms his virgin birth (a
chapter of the Quran is entitled `Mary'), and Mary is
considered the purest woman in all creation. The Quran
describes the Annunciation as follows:
"`Be hold!' the Angel said, `God has chosen you, and purified
you, and chosen you above the women of all nations. O Mary,
God gives you good news of a word from Him, whose name shall
be the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, honored in this world and
the Hereafter, and one shall speak to the people from his
cardle and in maturity, and shall be of the righteous.'
She said: `O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has
touched me?' He said: `Even so; God creates what He will.
When He decrees a thing, He says to it, "Be!" and it is.'
(Quran, 3:42-7)
Jesus `peace be upon him,' was born miraculously through the
same power which had brought Adam `peace be upon him,' into
being without father:
"Truly, the likeness of Jesus with God is as the likeness of
Adam. He created him of dust, and then said to him, `Be!' and
he was. (3:59)
During his prophetic mission Jesus `peace be upon him,'
performed many miracles. The Quran tells us that he said:
I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I make for you
out of the clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and
breathe into it and it becomes a bird by God's leave. And I
heal the blind and the lepers, and I raise the dead by God's
leave. (3:49)
Neither Muhammad `peace be upon him,' nor Jesus `peace be
upon him,' cam to change the basic doctrine of the belief in
on God, brought by earlier prophets, but to confirm and renew
it. In the Quran Jesus `peace be upon him,' is reported as
saying that he came: " To attest the law which was before me.
And to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden you; I
have come to you with a sign form your Lord, so fear God and
obey Me." (3:50)
The prophet Muhammad `peace be upon him,' said: "Whoever
believes there is no god but God, alone without partner, that
Muhammad `peace be upon him,' is His messenger, that Jesus is
the servant and messenger of God, His word breathed into Mary
and a spirit emanating form Him, and that ~Paradise and Hell
are true, shall be received by God into Heaven. (Hadith from
Bukhari)
See also Christ In Islam
_________________________________________________________________
What about Muslim women?
Islam sees a woman, whether single or married, as an
individual in her own right, with the right to own and
dispose of her property and earnings. A marriage dowry is
given by the groom to the bride for her own personal use, and
she keeps her own family name rather than taking her
husband's. Both men and women are expected to dress in a way
which is modest and dignified; the traditions of female dress
found in some Muslim countries are often the expression of
local customs.
The Messenger of God `peace be upon him,' said: "The most
perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best in
manner and kindest to his wife."
_________________________________________________________________
Can a Muslim have more than one wife?
The religion of Islam was revealed for all societies and all
time and so accommodates widely differing social
requirements. Circumstances may warrant the taking of another
wife but the right is granted, according to the Quran, only
on condition that the husband is scrupulously fair.
_________________________________________________________________
Is Islamic marriage like Christian marriage?
A Muslim marriage is not a `sacrament', but a simple, legal
agreement include conditions. Marriage customs thus vary
widely from country to country. As a result, divorce is not
common., although it is not forbidden as a last resort.
According to Islam, no Muslim girl can be forced to marry
against her will: her parents will simply suggest young men
they think may be suitable.
* Source: "Understanding Islam and the Muslims," published
by: The Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Washington DC, 1989
FAQ ON ISLAM AND THE MUSLIMS
FAQ ON ISLAM AND THE MUSLIMS
What is Islam?
Islam is not a new religion, but the same truth that God
revealed through all His prophets to every people. For a
fifth of the world's population, Islam is both a religion and
a complete way of life. Muslims follow a religion of peace,
mercy, and forgiveness, and the majority have nothing to do
with the extremely grave events which have come to be
associated with their faith.
_________________________________________________________________
Who are Muslim?
One billion people form a vast range of races, nationalities
and cultures across the globe, from the southern Philippines
to Nigeria, are united by their common Islamic faith. About
18% live in the Arab world; the world's largest Muslim
community is in Indonesia; substantial parts of Asia and most
of the Africa are Muslim, while significant minorities are to
be found in the Soviet Union, China, North and South America,
and Europe.
_________________________________________________________________
What do Muslims Believe?
Muslims believe in One, Unique, Incomparable God' in the
Angels created by Him, in the prophets through whom His
revelations were brought to mankind; in God's complete
authority over human destiny and in life after death. Muslims
believe in a chain of prophets starting with Adam and
including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Issac, Jacob, Joseph, Job,
Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias, Jonah, John the Baptist
and Jesus, peace be upon them. But God's final message to
man, a reconfirmation of the eternal message and a summing-up
of all that has gone before was revealed to the Prophet
Muhammad peace be upon him through Gabriel.
_________________________________________________________________
How does someone become a Muslim?
Simply by saying "there is no god apart from God, and
Muhammad is the Messenger of God." By this declaration the
believer announces his or her faith in all God's messengers,
and the scriptures they brought. What does `Islam" mean? The
Arabic word `Islam' simply means `submission,' and drives
from a word meaning `peace.' In a religious context it means
complete submission to the will of God. `Mohammedianism' is
thus a misnomer because it suggests that Muslims worship
Muhammad peace be upon him rather than God. `Allah' is the
Arabic name for God, which is used by Arab Muslims and
Christians alike. Why does Islam often seem strange? Islam my
seem exotic or even extreme in the modern world. Perhaps this
is because religion does not dominate everyday life in the
West today, whereas Muslims have religion always uppermost in
their minds, and make no division between secular and sacred.
They believe that the Divine Law, the Shari'a, should be
taken very seriously, which is why issues related to religion
are still so important.
_________________________________________________________________
Do Islam and Christianity have different origins?
No. Together with Judaism, they go back to the prophet and
patriarch Abraham, and their three prophets are directly
descended form his son--Muhammad `peace be upon him' from the
eldest, Ishmael, and Moses and Jesus `peace be upon them'
from the Issac. Abraham established the settlement which
today is the holy city of Makkah, and built the Ka'ba towards
which all Muslims turn when they pray.
_________________________________________________________________
What is the Ka'ba?
The Ka'ba is the place of worship which God commanded Abraham
and Ishmael to build cover four thousand years ago. The
building was constructed of stone on what many believe was
the original site of a sanctuary established by Adam. God
commanded Abraham to summon all mankind to visit this place,
and when pilgrims go there today they say ` At The service, O
Lord', in response to Abraham's summons.
_________________________________________________________________
Who is Muhammad?
Muhammad `peace be upon him' was born in Makkah in the year
570, at a time when Christianity was not yet fully
established in Europe. Since his father died before his
birth, and his mother shortly afterwards, he was raised by
his uncle from the respected tribe of Quraysh. As he grew up,
he became known for his truthfulness, generosity and
sincerity, so that he was sought after for his ability to
arbitrate in disputes. The historians describe him s calm and
meditative.
Muhammad `peace be upon him' was of a deeply religious
nature, and had long detested the decadence of his society.
It became his habit to meditate from time to time in the Cave
of Hira near the summit of Jabal al-Nur, the `Mountain of
Light' near Makkah.
_________________________________________________________________
How did he become a prophet and a messenger of God?
At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat,
Muhammad `peace be upon him' received his first revelation
from God through the Angel Gabriel, this revelation, which
continued for twenty-three years, is known as the Quran.
As soon as he began to recite the words he heard from
Gabriel, and to preach the truth, which God had revealed to
him, he and his small group of followers suffered bitter
persecution, which grew so fierce that in the year 622 God
gave them the command to emigrate. This event, the Hijra,
`migration', in which they left Makkah for the city of
Madinah some 260 miles to the north, marks the beginning of
the Muslim calendar.
After several years, the prophet `peace be upon him' and his
followers were able to return to Makkah, where they forgave
their enemies and established Islam definitively. Before the
Prophet `peace be upon him' died at the age of 63, the
greater part of Arabia was Muslim, and within a century of
his death Islam had spread to Spain the West and as far East
as China.
_________________________________________________________________
What is the Quran?
The Quran is a record of the exact words revealed by God
through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad `peace be
upon him.' It was memorized by Muhammad `peace be upon him'
and then dictated to his Companions, and written down by
scribes, who cross-checked it during his lifetime. Not one
word of its 114 chapters, Suras, has been changed over the
centuries, so that the Quran is in every detail the unique
and miraculous text which was revealed to Muhammad `peace be
upon him' fourteen centuries ago.
_________________________________________________________________
What is Quran about?
The Quran, the last revealed Word of God, is the prime source
of every Muslim's faith and practice. It deals with all the
subjects which concern us as human beings: wisdom, doctrine,
worship and law, but its basic theme is the relationship
between God and His creatures. At the same time it provides
guidelines for a just society, proper human conduct and an
equitable economic system.
_________________________________________________________________
Are there any other sacred sources?
Yes, the `sunna,' the practice and example of the Prophet
`peace be upon him,' is the second authority for Muslim. A
hadith is a reliably transmitted report of what the prophet
`peace be upon him' said, did, or approved. Belief in the
`sunna' is part of the Islamic faith.
Examples of the Prophet sayings:
The Prophet `peace be upon him' said:
`God has no mercy on one who has no mercy for others.'
`None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother
what he wishes for himself."
`He who eats his fill while his neighbor goes without food is
not a believer.'
`The truthful and trusty businessman is associated with the
prophets, the saints, and the martyrs.'
`Powerful is not he who knocks the other down, indeed
powerful is he who controls himself in a fit of anger.'
`God does not judge according to your bodies and appearances
but He scans your hearts and looks into your deeds.'
`A man walking along a path felt very thirsty. Reaching a
well he descended into it, drank his fill and came up. Then
he saw a dog with its tongue hanging out, trying to lick up
mud to quench its thirst. The man saw that the dog was
feeling the same thirst as he had felt so he went down into
the well again and filled his shoe with water and gave the
dog a drink. God forgave his sins for this action.' The
Prophet `peace be upon him,' was asked: `Messenger of God,
are we rewarded for kindness towards animals?' He said,
`There is a reward for kindness to every living thing.'
(From the hadith collections of Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi and
Bayhaqi)
What are the `Five Pillars' of Islam?
They are the framework of the Muslim life: faith, prayer,
concern for the needy, self-purification, and the pilgrimage
to Makkah for those who are able.
_________________________________________________________________
Does Islam tolerate other beliefs?
The Quran says: "God forbids you not, with regards to those
who fight you not for [your] faith nor drive you out of your
homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them; for God
loves those who are just." (Quran, 60:8)
It is one function of Islamic law to protect the privileged
status of minorities, and this is why non-Muslim places of
worship have flourished all over the Islamic world. History
provides many examples of Muslim tolerance towards other
faiths: when the caliph Omar entered Jerusalem in the year
634, Islam granted freedom of worship to all religious
communities in he city.
Islamic law also permits non-Muslim minorities to set up
their own courts, which implement family laws drawn up by the
minorities themselves.
_________________________________________________________________
What do Muslims think about Jesus?
Muslims respect and revere Jesus `peace be upon him,' and
await his Second Coming. They consider him one of the
greatest of God's messengers to mankind. A Muslim never
refers to him simply as `Jesus', but always adds the phrase
``peace be upon him.' The Quran confirms his virgin birth (a
chapter of the Quran is entitled `Mary'), and Mary is
considered the purest woman in all creation. The Quran
describes the Annunciation as follows:
"`Be hold!' the Angel said, `God has chosen you, and purified
you, and chosen you above the women of all nations. O Mary,
God gives you good news of a word from Him, whose name shall
be the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, honored in this world and
the Hereafter, and one shall speak to the people from his
cardle and in maturity, and shall be of the righteous.'
She said: `O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has
touched me?' He said: `Even so; God creates what He will.
When He decrees a thing, He says to it, "Be!" and it is.'
(Quran, 3:42-7)
Jesus `peace be upon him,' was born miraculously through the
same power which had brought Adam `peace be upon him,' into
being without father:
"Truly, the likeness of Jesus with God is as the likeness of
Adam. He created him of dust, and then said to him, `Be!' and
he was. (3:59)
During his prophetic mission Jesus `peace be upon him,'
performed many miracles. The Quran tells us that he said:
I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I make for you
out of the clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and
breathe into it and it becomes a bird by God's leave. And I
heal the blind and the lepers, and I raise the dead by God's
leave. (3:49)
Neither Muhammad `peace be upon him,' nor Jesus `peace be
upon him,' cam to change the basic doctrine of the belief in
on God, brought by earlier prophets, but to confirm and renew
it. In the Quran Jesus `peace be upon him,' is reported as
saying that he came: " To attest the law which was before me.
And to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden you; I
have come to you with a sign form your Lord, so fear God and
obey Me." (3:50)
The prophet Muhammad `peace be upon him,' said: "Whoever
believes there is no god but God, alone without partner, that
Muhammad `peace be upon him,' is His messenger, that Jesus is
the servant and messenger of God, His word breathed into Mary
and a spirit emanating form Him, and that ~Paradise and Hell
are true, shall be received by God into Heaven. (Hadith from
Bukhari)
See also Christ In Islam
_________________________________________________________________
What about Muslim women?
Islam sees a woman, whether single or married, as an
individual in her own right, with the right to own and
dispose of her property and earnings. A marriage dowry is
given by the groom to the bride for her own personal use, and
she keeps her own family name rather than taking her
husband's. Both men and women are expected to dress in a way
which is modest and dignified; the traditions of female dress
found in some Muslim countries are often the expression of
local customs.
The Messenger of God `peace be upon him,' said: "The most
perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best in
manner and kindest to his wife."
_________________________________________________________________
Can a Muslim have more than one wife?
The religion of Islam was revealed for all societies and all
time and so accommodates widely differing social
requirements. Circumstances may warrant the taking of another
wife but the right is granted, according to the Quran, only
on condition that the husband is scrupulously fair.
_________________________________________________________________
Is Islamic marriage like Christian marriage?
A Muslim marriage is not a `sacrament', but a simple, legal
agreement include conditions. Marriage customs thus vary
widely from country to country. As a result, divorce is not
common., although it is not forbidden as a last resort.
According to Islam, no Muslim girl can be forced to marry
against her will: her parents will simply suggest young men
they think may be suitable.
* Source: "Understanding Islam and the Muslims," published
by: The Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Washington DC, 1989
What is Islam?
Islam is not a new religion, but the same truth that God
revealed through all His prophets to every people. For a
fifth of the world's population, Islam is both a religion and
a complete way of life. Muslims follow a religion of peace,
mercy, and forgiveness, and the majority have nothing to do
with the extremely grave events which have come to be
associated with their faith.
_________________________________________________________________
Who are Muslim?
One billion people form a vast range of races, nationalities
and cultures across the globe, from the southern Philippines
to Nigeria, are united by their common Islamic faith. About
18% live in the Arab world; the world's largest Muslim
community is in Indonesia; substantial parts of Asia and most
of the Africa are Muslim, while significant minorities are to
be found in the Soviet Union, China, North and South America,
and Europe.
_________________________________________________________________
What do Muslims Believe?
Muslims believe in One, Unique, Incomparable God' in the
Angels created by Him, in the prophets through whom His
revelations were brought to mankind; in God's complete
authority over human destiny and in life after death. Muslims
believe in a chain of prophets starting with Adam and
including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Issac, Jacob, Joseph, Job,
Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias, Jonah, John the Baptist
and Jesus, peace be upon them. But God's final message to
man, a reconfirmation of the eternal message and a summing-up
of all that has gone before was revealed to the Prophet
Muhammad peace be upon him through Gabriel.
_________________________________________________________________
How does someone become a Muslim?
Simply by saying "there is no god apart from God, and
Muhammad is the Messenger of God." By this declaration the
believer announces his or her faith in all God's messengers,
and the scriptures they brought. What does `Islam" mean? The
Arabic word `Islam' simply means `submission,' and drives
from a word meaning `peace.' In a religious context it means
complete submission to the will of God. `Mohammedianism' is
thus a misnomer because it suggests that Muslims worship
Muhammad peace be upon him rather than God. `Allah' is the
Arabic name for God, which is used by Arab Muslims and
Christians alike. Why does Islam often seem strange? Islam my
seem exotic or even extreme in the modern world. Perhaps this
is because religion does not dominate everyday life in the
West today, whereas Muslims have religion always uppermost in
their minds, and make no division between secular and sacred.
They believe that the Divine Law, the Shari'a, should be
taken very seriously, which is why issues related to religion
are still so important.
_________________________________________________________________
Do Islam and Christianity have different origins?
No. Together with Judaism, they go back to the prophet and
patriarch Abraham, and their three prophets are directly
descended form his son--Muhammad `peace be upon him' from the
eldest, Ishmael, and Moses and Jesus `peace be upon them'
from the Issac. Abraham established the settlement which
today is the holy city of Makkah, and built the Ka'ba towards
which all Muslims turn when they pray.
_________________________________________________________________
What is the Ka'ba?
The Ka'ba is the place of worship which God commanded Abraham
and Ishmael to build cover four thousand years ago. The
building was constructed of stone on what many believe was
the original site of a sanctuary established by Adam. God
commanded Abraham to summon all mankind to visit this place,
and when pilgrims go there today they say ` At The service, O
Lord', in response to Abraham's summons.
_________________________________________________________________
Who is Muhammad?
Muhammad `peace be upon him' was born in Makkah in the year
570, at a time when Christianity was not yet fully
established in Europe. Since his father died before his
birth, and his mother shortly afterwards, he was raised by
his uncle from the respected tribe of Quraysh. As he grew up,
he became known for his truthfulness, generosity and
sincerity, so that he was sought after for his ability to
arbitrate in disputes. The historians describe him s calm and
meditative.
Muhammad `peace be upon him' was of a deeply religious
nature, and had long detested the decadence of his society.
It became his habit to meditate from time to time in the Cave
of Hira near the summit of Jabal al-Nur, the `Mountain of
Light' near Makkah.
_________________________________________________________________
How did he become a prophet and a messenger of God?
At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat,
Muhammad `peace be upon him' received his first revelation
from God through the Angel Gabriel, this revelation, which
continued for twenty-three years, is known as the Quran.
As soon as he began to recite the words he heard from
Gabriel, and to preach the truth, which God had revealed to
him, he and his small group of followers suffered bitter
persecution, which grew so fierce that in the year 622 God
gave them the command to emigrate. This event, the Hijra,
`migration', in which they left Makkah for the city of
Madinah some 260 miles to the north, marks the beginning of
the Muslim calendar.
After several years, the prophet `peace be upon him' and his
followers were able to return to Makkah, where they forgave
their enemies and established Islam definitively. Before the
Prophet `peace be upon him' died at the age of 63, the
greater part of Arabia was Muslim, and within a century of
his death Islam had spread to Spain the West and as far East
as China.
_________________________________________________________________
What is the Quran?
The Quran is a record of the exact words revealed by God
through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad `peace be
upon him.' It was memorized by Muhammad `peace be upon him'
and then dictated to his Companions, and written down by
scribes, who cross-checked it during his lifetime. Not one
word of its 114 chapters, Suras, has been changed over the
centuries, so that the Quran is in every detail the unique
and miraculous text which was revealed to Muhammad `peace be
upon him' fourteen centuries ago.
_________________________________________________________________
What is Quran about?
The Quran, the last revealed Word of God, is the prime source
of every Muslim's faith and practice. It deals with all the
subjects which concern us as human beings: wisdom, doctrine,
worship and law, but its basic theme is the relationship
between God and His creatures. At the same time it provides
guidelines for a just society, proper human conduct and an
equitable economic system.
_________________________________________________________________
Are there any other sacred sources?
Yes, the `sunna,' the practice and example of the Prophet
`peace be upon him,' is the second authority for Muslim. A
hadith is a reliably transmitted report of what the prophet
`peace be upon him' said, did, or approved. Belief in the
`sunna' is part of the Islamic faith.
Examples of the Prophet sayings:
The Prophet `peace be upon him' said:
`God has no mercy on one who has no mercy for others.'
`None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother
what he wishes for himself."
`He who eats his fill while his neighbor goes without food is
not a believer.'
`The truthful and trusty businessman is associated with the
prophets, the saints, and the martyrs.'
`Powerful is not he who knocks the other down, indeed
powerful is he who controls himself in a fit of anger.'
`God does not judge according to your bodies and appearances
but He scans your hearts and looks into your deeds.'
`A man walking along a path felt very thirsty. Reaching a
well he descended into it, drank his fill and came up. Then
he saw a dog with its tongue hanging out, trying to lick up
mud to quench its thirst. The man saw that the dog was
feeling the same thirst as he had felt so he went down into
the well again and filled his shoe with water and gave the
dog a drink. God forgave his sins for this action.' The
Prophet `peace be upon him,' was asked: `Messenger of God,
are we rewarded for kindness towards animals?' He said,
`There is a reward for kindness to every living thing.'
(From the hadith collections of Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi and
Bayhaqi)
What are the `Five Pillars' of Islam?
They are the framework of the Muslim life: faith, prayer,
concern for the needy, self-purification, and the pilgrimage
to Makkah for those who are able.
_________________________________________________________________
Does Islam tolerate other beliefs?
The Quran says: "God forbids you not, with regards to those
who fight you not for [your] faith nor drive you out of your
homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them; for God
loves those who are just." (Quran, 60:8)
It is one function of Islamic law to protect the privileged
status of minorities, and this is why non-Muslim places of
worship have flourished all over the Islamic world. History
provides many examples of Muslim tolerance towards other
faiths: when the caliph Omar entered Jerusalem in the year
634, Islam granted freedom of worship to all religious
communities in he city.
Islamic law also permits non-Muslim minorities to set up
their own courts, which implement family laws drawn up by the
minorities themselves.
_________________________________________________________________
What do Muslims think about Jesus?
Muslims respect and revere Jesus `peace be upon him,' and
await his Second Coming. They consider him one of the
greatest of God's messengers to mankind. A Muslim never
refers to him simply as `Jesus', but always adds the phrase
``peace be upon him.' The Quran confirms his virgin birth (a
chapter of the Quran is entitled `Mary'), and Mary is
considered the purest woman in all creation. The Quran
describes the Annunciation as follows:
"`Be hold!' the Angel said, `God has chosen you, and purified
you, and chosen you above the women of all nations. O Mary,
God gives you good news of a word from Him, whose name shall
be the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, honored in this world and
the Hereafter, and one shall speak to the people from his
cardle and in maturity, and shall be of the righteous.'
She said: `O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has
touched me?' He said: `Even so; God creates what He will.
When He decrees a thing, He says to it, "Be!" and it is.'
(Quran, 3:42-7)
Jesus `peace be upon him,' was born miraculously through the
same power which had brought Adam `peace be upon him,' into
being without father:
"Truly, the likeness of Jesus with God is as the likeness of
Adam. He created him of dust, and then said to him, `Be!' and
he was. (3:59)
During his prophetic mission Jesus `peace be upon him,'
performed many miracles. The Quran tells us that he said:
I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I make for you
out of the clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and
breathe into it and it becomes a bird by God's leave. And I
heal the blind and the lepers, and I raise the dead by God's
leave. (3:49)
Neither Muhammad `peace be upon him,' nor Jesus `peace be
upon him,' cam to change the basic doctrine of the belief in
on God, brought by earlier prophets, but to confirm and renew
it. In the Quran Jesus `peace be upon him,' is reported as
saying that he came: " To attest the law which was before me.
And to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden you; I
have come to you with a sign form your Lord, so fear God and
obey Me." (3:50)
The prophet Muhammad `peace be upon him,' said: "Whoever
believes there is no god but God, alone without partner, that
Muhammad `peace be upon him,' is His messenger, that Jesus is
the servant and messenger of God, His word breathed into Mary
and a spirit emanating form Him, and that ~Paradise and Hell
are true, shall be received by God into Heaven. (Hadith from
Bukhari)
See also Christ In Islam
_________________________________________________________________
What about Muslim women?
Islam sees a woman, whether single or married, as an
individual in her own right, with the right to own and
dispose of her property and earnings. A marriage dowry is
given by the groom to the bride for her own personal use, and
she keeps her own family name rather than taking her
husband's. Both men and women are expected to dress in a way
which is modest and dignified; the traditions of female dress
found in some Muslim countries are often the expression of
local customs.
The Messenger of God `peace be upon him,' said: "The most
perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best in
manner and kindest to his wife."
_________________________________________________________________
Can a Muslim have more than one wife?
The religion of Islam was revealed for all societies and all
time and so accommodates widely differing social
requirements. Circumstances may warrant the taking of another
wife but the right is granted, according to the Quran, only
on condition that the husband is scrupulously fair.
_________________________________________________________________
Is Islamic marriage like Christian marriage?
A Muslim marriage is not a `sacrament', but a simple, legal
agreement include conditions. Marriage customs thus vary
widely from country to country. As a result, divorce is not
common., although it is not forbidden as a last resort.
According to Islam, no Muslim girl can be forced to marry
against her will: her parents will simply suggest young men
they think may be suitable.
* Source: "Understanding Islam and the Muslims," published
by: The Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Washington DC, 1989
The Christian Missionary's Thinking Questions for the Muslim"
The Christian Missionary's Thinking Questions for the Muslim"
=================================================================
(Article based on Gary Miller's Speech on Islam & Christianity)
Missionary: Does the Koran say that Jesus was sinless?
Muslim: Yes. Jesus was perfect man. Never sinned.
Missionary: Does the Koran tell Mohammad to repent?
Muslim: Yes. Quran tells Mohammad to repent.
Thats all. The missionary doesn't say anything else. He hopes now
that the Muslim would start thinking:
"Now, wait a minute, Jesus never sinned, but Mohammad was supposed
to repent. Maybe Jesus is better !"
Missionary wants the Muslim to start thinking that a sinless
man is better than a repentant sinner". Missionary is hoping,
but he dare not say it. Because if the Missionary
says that, he goes exactly against the teachigns of Jesus.
If the Missionary is foolish enough to say that a
sinless man is better than a repentant sinner, he's going
against the teachings of Jesus.
The reason why the Missionary is going against the teachigns of
Jesus is this:
Story of a lost sheep. Mathew Chapter 18, verse 12:
Jesus said, "If a man has a 100 sheep and one of them
has gone astray, does he not leave the 99 on the hills,
and go on the search of the one that went astray.
And if he finds it, truely I say to you, he rejoices over
it more than over the 99 that never went astray. "
Jesus was trying to hammer that point home to his disciples:
Don't you dare say, for example, because you've been a faithful follower
for many years that you're better than this one who just became a
believer just yesterday. The perfect man has no precedence over
the repentant sinner.
Missionary: Was Jesus the Messiah ?
Muslim: Yes.
Missionary: Was Mohammad the Messiah?
Muslim: No
Now, the Missionary stops there, and hopes that the Muslim would
start thinking, "now, wait a minute, Jesus is the Messiah, and
Mohammad is not the Messiah. Maybe Jesus is better!"
What the Muslim should ask the Missionary is about this word Messiah:
Jesus was the Messiah, but were there any other Messiahs besides
Jesus ?
Now you find out how well he knows his Bible. Because there were
many Messiahs: David, Solomon, and even Cyrus [sp?] the Persian
were called Messiah. Its hard to find it in the Bible because the
translators cover it over. Messiah means "annointed".
Messiah is somebody who has been picked to do a job.
Every king of ancient Israel was called Messiah. Now the word
doesn't sound so special anymore. It is a title, but it doesn't
particularly elevate one to some divine status.
Missnionary: Where's the body of Jesus ?
Muslim: God took it.
Missionary: Where's the body of Mohammad?
Muslim: Its in Medina. Its burried in ground.
Now the Missionary hopes that the Muslim would go away thinking,
"Now that's interesting! The body of Jesus is gone; Mohammad is in
the grave. Maybe Jesus is the true Messenger, Mohammad is false! "
Missionary's hoping the Muslim would think that, but he dare
not say it.
What the Muslim should ask the Missionary is this:
"Do you mean that a dead and burried
Prophet is a false prophet? Is that what you mean ?"
What does Missionary say about Abraham, for example ?
Abraham is burried. Jews and Muslims to this day, still go to the
the place where Abraham is burried, to visit his grave.
Is Abraham a false prophet because he's dead in the ground ?
Also, Bible says body of Moses was taken up by God. God
sent an angel to take the body away. So what does the
Missionary's question prove ?
=================================================================
(Article based on Gary Miller's Speech on Islam & Christianity)
Missionary: Does the Koran say that Jesus was sinless?
Muslim: Yes. Jesus was perfect man. Never sinned.
Missionary: Does the Koran tell Mohammad to repent?
Muslim: Yes. Quran tells Mohammad to repent.
Thats all. The missionary doesn't say anything else. He hopes now
that the Muslim would start thinking:
"Now, wait a minute, Jesus never sinned, but Mohammad was supposed
to repent. Maybe Jesus is better !"
Missionary wants the Muslim to start thinking that a sinless
man is better than a repentant sinner". Missionary is hoping,
but he dare not say it. Because if the Missionary
says that, he goes exactly against the teachigns of Jesus.
If the Missionary is foolish enough to say that a
sinless man is better than a repentant sinner, he's going
against the teachings of Jesus.
The reason why the Missionary is going against the teachigns of
Jesus is this:
Story of a lost sheep. Mathew Chapter 18, verse 12:
Jesus said, "If a man has a 100 sheep and one of them
has gone astray, does he not leave the 99 on the hills,
and go on the search of the one that went astray.
And if he finds it, truely I say to you, he rejoices over
it more than over the 99 that never went astray. "
Jesus was trying to hammer that point home to his disciples:
Don't you dare say, for example, because you've been a faithful follower
for many years that you're better than this one who just became a
believer just yesterday. The perfect man has no precedence over
the repentant sinner.
Missionary: Was Jesus the Messiah ?
Muslim: Yes.
Missionary: Was Mohammad the Messiah?
Muslim: No
Now, the Missionary stops there, and hopes that the Muslim would
start thinking, "now, wait a minute, Jesus is the Messiah, and
Mohammad is not the Messiah. Maybe Jesus is better!"
What the Muslim should ask the Missionary is about this word Messiah:
Jesus was the Messiah, but were there any other Messiahs besides
Jesus ?
Now you find out how well he knows his Bible. Because there were
many Messiahs: David, Solomon, and even Cyrus [sp?] the Persian
were called Messiah. Its hard to find it in the Bible because the
translators cover it over. Messiah means "annointed".
Messiah is somebody who has been picked to do a job.
Every king of ancient Israel was called Messiah. Now the word
doesn't sound so special anymore. It is a title, but it doesn't
particularly elevate one to some divine status.
Missnionary: Where's the body of Jesus ?
Muslim: God took it.
Missionary: Where's the body of Mohammad?
Muslim: Its in Medina. Its burried in ground.
Now the Missionary hopes that the Muslim would go away thinking,
"Now that's interesting! The body of Jesus is gone; Mohammad is in
the grave. Maybe Jesus is the true Messenger, Mohammad is false! "
Missionary's hoping the Muslim would think that, but he dare
not say it.
What the Muslim should ask the Missionary is this:
"Do you mean that a dead and burried
Prophet is a false prophet? Is that what you mean ?"
What does Missionary say about Abraham, for example ?
Abraham is burried. Jews and Muslims to this day, still go to the
the place where Abraham is burried, to visit his grave.
Is Abraham a false prophet because he's dead in the ground ?
Also, Bible says body of Moses was taken up by God. God
sent an angel to take the body away. So what does the
Missionary's question prove ?
A GUIDE TO MISSIONARY TACTICS
A GUIDE TO MISSIONARY TACTICS
_________________________________________________________________
This guide is intended to improve awareness about the tactics used by
some groups and cults. The tactics of missionaries and missionary
groups may vary, but there are some basic guidelines to keep in mind
that will be helpful in dealing with them.
_________________________________________________________________
HIDDEN AGENDA
Some missionaries attempt to develop a rapport with their
subject without divulging their own religious affiliation or
intention. As an example to make making them seem less
"Christian" missionaries are coached by their superiors to
avoid using words such as "Christ" or "savior" or "baptize".
If you are not sure about the religious identity of the
stranger who begins talking to you about religion, ask him
directly about his beliefs and agenda. Be suspicious of an
indirect answer. Remember these people aren't interested in
dialogue or trying to improve Anglo-Muslim links but are often
in SECURE PAID EMPLOYMENT to Sell Christianity.
CREATING DOUBT
When talking to a Muslim about religion, a missionary may
attempt to elicit as many "I don't know" responses as possible,
in order to establish his superiority in matters of religion.
Don't allow yourself to be intimidated!
Remember, the missionary has studied Islamic beliefs for the
sole purpose to sell Christianity to Muslims. There heart are
sealed and they are no longer interested in truth. Keep in mind
that he is not speaking to you in order to exchange ideas, but
rather to create as much doubt in your mind and lead you away
from your faith. If you want to learn more about the Quran, do
so from someone who doesn't have hidden motives. Therefore,
feel free to simply end the conversation and walk away.
Remember that many of these questions and associations they are
trying to sell have been debunked many times by more learned
Muslims. If they were interested in dialogue the would be
speaking to respected elders and community leaders exploring
common ground improving understanding and faith in the
community, but all one sees are the often the same question
again to unsuspecting victims. Ask yourself what do they hope
to gain ?
However, some of you may want to listen to their arguments and
then learn the Muslim response, in order to be better prepared
for future encounters. One must also remember that many
missionaries intentionally go into Muslim areas in Britain so
they train themselves and create the most seductive "Sales
Pitch" they can manage. Once they have finished there training
in salesmanship they will target unsuspecting Muslims (the
lonely, vulnerable and weak) lacking in knowledge.
The following pointers should give you a basic idea of what to
look for.
DECEPTION
The missionary may tell you that he (or a Christian friend or
acquaintance) was once an Muslim, or that he had a solid Muslim
education, a traditional Muslim family life, etc. This is
almost always a lie, so don't let him fool you. The hidden
message that he is attempting to convey is that he came to
accept Christianity after knowing and overcoming all of the
Muslim objections (Jesus being son of god, Bible being
corrupted by man etc.), and therefore, why should you bother to
check it out?
He may drop certain Islamic phrases or talk about the details
of his "traditional" Muslim upbringing, in order to lend more
credence to his story. In fact, his "memory" is often the
result of careful coaching.
The missionary might tell you that he knows the Islamic
objections to his arguments, and will then proceed to show how
such objectives are ill-founded. Don't expect to hear the real
Islamic response from such a source.
GOOD, BAD OR UGLY
Don't be taken in by the "good cop - bad cop" routine. This
routine involves a "bad cop" who threatens the subject, and a
"good cop" who protects him from the "bad cop". The subject is
so grateful to the "good cop", and so worried about losing the
good-will of his protector, that he invariably shows his
appreciation by telling the "good cop" what he wants to hear.
In similar fashion, the "good" Christian talks about how much
he loves and respects Muslims, while denouncing the "bad"
Christians who hate and have persecuted Muslims. The naive and
ones lacking in knowledge of Christian history and bigotry will
feel grateful to the "good cop", and may automatically judge
him to be a friend and reliable ally. Watch out for hidden
motives behind such "friendship".
WHO BELIEVES IN THE SON OF GOD?
At the outset, the missionary will talk about his belief that
Jesus is the messiah. Many Muslims don't find out until later,
often after they have joined a Christian friendship group, that
their fundamental belief is that Jesus is god. Any talk about
"the messiah" or "son of god" is merely a cover for that
belief, basic to Christianity . However, since such a concept
is repugnant in Islam, this most basic belief of Christianity
is glossed over as much as possible when missionaries talk to
Muslims.
PROOF or SPOOF?
Don't be impressed by the claim that Christians have 50, or
100, or 300 "proofs" that they are correct in their claims
about Jesus. As proof after proof is shown to be meaningless,
the missionary will hide behind his numbers, as if to say:
"Well, we have so many more proofs, what's the difference if
you can disprove some of them". He will attempt to "split the
difference" with you: "Well, even if half our proofs prove
nothing, we still have another 25 or 50, or 150". Remember, all
of their proofs can be shown to be untenable. Keep in mind that
a faulty point is not worth 50% of a good point, or 25%, or
10%. It is worthless. The simple mathematics are: 50 x 0 = 0,
100 x 0 = 0, 300 x 0 = 0.
CIRCULAR REASONING
Very often, the reasoning used by Christian missionaries is
circular. That is, the "proof" only points to something is if
you believe it in the first place, and therefore is no proof at
all.
MISTRANSLATION
Be aware of the problem of mistranslating. A person who is not
familiar with Arabic can be lead to accept a mistranslating
which puts a Christian "twist" on a verse that never had such a
meaning in the original. If you can't check it out yourself,
talk to a reliable person who can. Remember, it is no
coincidence that the Muslims of past generations, who were much
better versed in the Arabic, never had any serious problems
refuting Christian missionary arguments.
In addition beware of Christian Translations of the Quran, many
date from sixteenth to the eighteenth century with the sole
intention of to discredit Islam.
Please keep in mind ANY translation (interpretation) of the
Quran will most definitely contain errors In its natural
language (Arabic), the Quran is the direct Word of Allah (God)
to mankind through the prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him).
Any translation of the Quran no longer retains that 'official'
and perfect status, however it can be tremendously helpful to
beginning students wanting to learn more about Islam.
We would strongly encourage those want to learn about Islam to
purchase a copy of the Quran but with the following conditions:
+ get one with commentary (tafseer)
+ make sure the tafseer is scholarly (e.g. references to
reasons behind a verse, references to hadith and sunnah,
etc.)
An excellent English translation and commentary of the Quran
is Maududi's recently published work "The Meaning of the
Quran".
QUOTING OUT OF CONTEXT
Often a verse will be quoted to you that has been taken
entirely out of context. When the entire chapter that contains
that verse is read, it becomes clear that it does not
corroborate the Missionary.
_________________________________________________________________
Conclusion : Selling Timeshare or Christshare?
You may recognize many of the tactics used by some Missionaries in
selling there faith as they have similarities to disreputable
Timeshare and Double glazing salesman, and this raises some
interesting points:
Why would one propagate faith in such a deceitful and underhanded way,
is it because:
God will not aid ones seeking the true path?
A bad product is difficult to sell unless you dupe someone?
If you are genuinely interested in faith
Why don't you go ask someone with a sound knowledge and
understanding of Islam, instead of targeting the naive,
vulnerable and the weak.
Why do you seek out the naive and weak and then intentionally
ask Mischievous questions, when they have been answered
many times by learned scholars and by people that you
have approached over the years? Surely this does not add
to knowledge or understanding.
Why do you target Muslims
Considering the moral depravity often in your own family and
neighbourhood and within so called Christians.
Is it because Muslims are wealthy in faith?
Is it because you have so much hatred for us and you are
unable, incapable or tired of other methods:
RIDICULE There is a very large number of publications by
Muslims explaining Islam in plain and simple
English. Look in any public library for books on
Islam, a large proportion of them will be by
orientalists and Christian missionaries, what do
you think motivates someone to write a book on a
subject one does not believe in and an area that
has been already covered by numerous other books?
Remember Christian "Translations" of the Quran
whose sole intention was to discredit Islam.
CRUSADES Butchered everyone including defenseless women
and children or any one else that got in there way.
Although it has taken many hundreds of years
Crusaders have improved they now only kill some
women and RAPE THE REST. The twentieth centuary has
seen "Ethnic Cleansing" replace the word Crusade,
in 1996 one of the youngest recorded victim of rape
in Bosnia was a baby of 4 Months old. Many women
and children had two of there fingers severed by
the Serbs so that the three remaining fingers would
remind them of the Trinity.
_________________________________________________________________
A WAY FORWARD
While we as Muslims believe that the entire Quran is the word
of God and we would like every one to accept it as such, God
Himself has given the freedom of religion which we respect.
With that in mind, all we hope is that non-Muslims will at
least enlighten themselves with an open heart and mind by
knowing what Islam is. We hope that Muslims, Christians and
Jews will find ways to work together to bring peace on earth by
eradicating immorality, fear, hate, disease, poverty and
injustice.
Muslims welcome the chance improve dialogue and understanding
with all faiths. In addition we do not object to other groups
explaining there ideas and faith to whomever expresses an
interest, but we do think it is unacceptable that missionaries
demean other faiths, use deceitful methods and harass
communities with what can be described highly trained and
focused door to door salesman.
_________________________________________________________________
USE THE PROPER RESOURCES! Most Muslims spend their time studying Islam
trying to find a path to true enligtenment, and therefore may not be
familiar with the "curve-ball" approach of missionaries. If you need
advice concerning a problem of this sort, get in touch with people who
are familiar with the tactics being used and who know how to deal with
them.
_________________________________________________________________
This guide is intended to improve awareness about the tactics used by
some groups and cults. The tactics of missionaries and missionary
groups may vary, but there are some basic guidelines to keep in mind
that will be helpful in dealing with them.
_________________________________________________________________
HIDDEN AGENDA
Some missionaries attempt to develop a rapport with their
subject without divulging their own religious affiliation or
intention. As an example to make making them seem less
"Christian" missionaries are coached by their superiors to
avoid using words such as "Christ" or "savior" or "baptize".
If you are not sure about the religious identity of the
stranger who begins talking to you about religion, ask him
directly about his beliefs and agenda. Be suspicious of an
indirect answer. Remember these people aren't interested in
dialogue or trying to improve Anglo-Muslim links but are often
in SECURE PAID EMPLOYMENT to Sell Christianity.
CREATING DOUBT
When talking to a Muslim about religion, a missionary may
attempt to elicit as many "I don't know" responses as possible,
in order to establish his superiority in matters of religion.
Don't allow yourself to be intimidated!
Remember, the missionary has studied Islamic beliefs for the
sole purpose to sell Christianity to Muslims. There heart are
sealed and they are no longer interested in truth. Keep in mind
that he is not speaking to you in order to exchange ideas, but
rather to create as much doubt in your mind and lead you away
from your faith. If you want to learn more about the Quran, do
so from someone who doesn't have hidden motives. Therefore,
feel free to simply end the conversation and walk away.
Remember that many of these questions and associations they are
trying to sell have been debunked many times by more learned
Muslims. If they were interested in dialogue the would be
speaking to respected elders and community leaders exploring
common ground improving understanding and faith in the
community, but all one sees are the often the same question
again to unsuspecting victims. Ask yourself what do they hope
to gain ?
However, some of you may want to listen to their arguments and
then learn the Muslim response, in order to be better prepared
for future encounters. One must also remember that many
missionaries intentionally go into Muslim areas in Britain so
they train themselves and create the most seductive "Sales
Pitch" they can manage. Once they have finished there training
in salesmanship they will target unsuspecting Muslims (the
lonely, vulnerable and weak) lacking in knowledge.
The following pointers should give you a basic idea of what to
look for.
DECEPTION
The missionary may tell you that he (or a Christian friend or
acquaintance) was once an Muslim, or that he had a solid Muslim
education, a traditional Muslim family life, etc. This is
almost always a lie, so don't let him fool you. The hidden
message that he is attempting to convey is that he came to
accept Christianity after knowing and overcoming all of the
Muslim objections (Jesus being son of god, Bible being
corrupted by man etc.), and therefore, why should you bother to
check it out?
He may drop certain Islamic phrases or talk about the details
of his "traditional" Muslim upbringing, in order to lend more
credence to his story. In fact, his "memory" is often the
result of careful coaching.
The missionary might tell you that he knows the Islamic
objections to his arguments, and will then proceed to show how
such objectives are ill-founded. Don't expect to hear the real
Islamic response from such a source.
GOOD, BAD OR UGLY
Don't be taken in by the "good cop - bad cop" routine. This
routine involves a "bad cop" who threatens the subject, and a
"good cop" who protects him from the "bad cop". The subject is
so grateful to the "good cop", and so worried about losing the
good-will of his protector, that he invariably shows his
appreciation by telling the "good cop" what he wants to hear.
In similar fashion, the "good" Christian talks about how much
he loves and respects Muslims, while denouncing the "bad"
Christians who hate and have persecuted Muslims. The naive and
ones lacking in knowledge of Christian history and bigotry will
feel grateful to the "good cop", and may automatically judge
him to be a friend and reliable ally. Watch out for hidden
motives behind such "friendship".
WHO BELIEVES IN THE SON OF GOD?
At the outset, the missionary will talk about his belief that
Jesus is the messiah. Many Muslims don't find out until later,
often after they have joined a Christian friendship group, that
their fundamental belief is that Jesus is god. Any talk about
"the messiah" or "son of god" is merely a cover for that
belief, basic to Christianity . However, since such a concept
is repugnant in Islam, this most basic belief of Christianity
is glossed over as much as possible when missionaries talk to
Muslims.
PROOF or SPOOF?
Don't be impressed by the claim that Christians have 50, or
100, or 300 "proofs" that they are correct in their claims
about Jesus. As proof after proof is shown to be meaningless,
the missionary will hide behind his numbers, as if to say:
"Well, we have so many more proofs, what's the difference if
you can disprove some of them". He will attempt to "split the
difference" with you: "Well, even if half our proofs prove
nothing, we still have another 25 or 50, or 150". Remember, all
of their proofs can be shown to be untenable. Keep in mind that
a faulty point is not worth 50% of a good point, or 25%, or
10%. It is worthless. The simple mathematics are: 50 x 0 = 0,
100 x 0 = 0, 300 x 0 = 0.
CIRCULAR REASONING
Very often, the reasoning used by Christian missionaries is
circular. That is, the "proof" only points to something is if
you believe it in the first place, and therefore is no proof at
all.
MISTRANSLATION
Be aware of the problem of mistranslating. A person who is not
familiar with Arabic can be lead to accept a mistranslating
which puts a Christian "twist" on a verse that never had such a
meaning in the original. If you can't check it out yourself,
talk to a reliable person who can. Remember, it is no
coincidence that the Muslims of past generations, who were much
better versed in the Arabic, never had any serious problems
refuting Christian missionary arguments.
In addition beware of Christian Translations of the Quran, many
date from sixteenth to the eighteenth century with the sole
intention of to discredit Islam.
Please keep in mind ANY translation (interpretation) of the
Quran will most definitely contain errors In its natural
language (Arabic), the Quran is the direct Word of Allah (God)
to mankind through the prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him).
Any translation of the Quran no longer retains that 'official'
and perfect status, however it can be tremendously helpful to
beginning students wanting to learn more about Islam.
We would strongly encourage those want to learn about Islam to
purchase a copy of the Quran but with the following conditions:
+ get one with commentary (tafseer)
+ make sure the tafseer is scholarly (e.g. references to
reasons behind a verse, references to hadith and sunnah,
etc.)
An excellent English translation and commentary of the Quran
is Maududi's recently published work "The Meaning of the
Quran".
QUOTING OUT OF CONTEXT
Often a verse will be quoted to you that has been taken
entirely out of context. When the entire chapter that contains
that verse is read, it becomes clear that it does not
corroborate the Missionary.
_________________________________________________________________
Conclusion : Selling Timeshare or Christshare?
You may recognize many of the tactics used by some Missionaries in
selling there faith as they have similarities to disreputable
Timeshare and Double glazing salesman, and this raises some
interesting points:
Why would one propagate faith in such a deceitful and underhanded way,
is it because:
God will not aid ones seeking the true path?
A bad product is difficult to sell unless you dupe someone?
If you are genuinely interested in faith
Why don't you go ask someone with a sound knowledge and
understanding of Islam, instead of targeting the naive,
vulnerable and the weak.
Why do you seek out the naive and weak and then intentionally
ask Mischievous questions, when they have been answered
many times by learned scholars and by people that you
have approached over the years? Surely this does not add
to knowledge or understanding.
Why do you target Muslims
Considering the moral depravity often in your own family and
neighbourhood and within so called Christians.
Is it because Muslims are wealthy in faith?
Is it because you have so much hatred for us and you are
unable, incapable or tired of other methods:
RIDICULE There is a very large number of publications by
Muslims explaining Islam in plain and simple
English. Look in any public library for books on
Islam, a large proportion of them will be by
orientalists and Christian missionaries, what do
you think motivates someone to write a book on a
subject one does not believe in and an area that
has been already covered by numerous other books?
Remember Christian "Translations" of the Quran
whose sole intention was to discredit Islam.
CRUSADES Butchered everyone including defenseless women
and children or any one else that got in there way.
Although it has taken many hundreds of years
Crusaders have improved they now only kill some
women and RAPE THE REST. The twentieth centuary has
seen "Ethnic Cleansing" replace the word Crusade,
in 1996 one of the youngest recorded victim of rape
in Bosnia was a baby of 4 Months old. Many women
and children had two of there fingers severed by
the Serbs so that the three remaining fingers would
remind them of the Trinity.
_________________________________________________________________
A WAY FORWARD
While we as Muslims believe that the entire Quran is the word
of God and we would like every one to accept it as such, God
Himself has given the freedom of religion which we respect.
With that in mind, all we hope is that non-Muslims will at
least enlighten themselves with an open heart and mind by
knowing what Islam is. We hope that Muslims, Christians and
Jews will find ways to work together to bring peace on earth by
eradicating immorality, fear, hate, disease, poverty and
injustice.
Muslims welcome the chance improve dialogue and understanding
with all faiths. In addition we do not object to other groups
explaining there ideas and faith to whomever expresses an
interest, but we do think it is unacceptable that missionaries
demean other faiths, use deceitful methods and harass
communities with what can be described highly trained and
focused door to door salesman.
_________________________________________________________________
USE THE PROPER RESOURCES! Most Muslims spend their time studying Islam
trying to find a path to true enligtenment, and therefore may not be
familiar with the "curve-ball" approach of missionaries. If you need
advice concerning a problem of this sort, get in touch with people who
are familiar with the tactics being used and who know how to deal with
them.
IF YOU ARE VISITED BY THE FBI
IF YOU ARE VISITED BY THE FBI
A brochure published by American Muslim Council (AMC)
It is not unusual for federal agencies to conduct investigations into individuals and organizations that actively oppose United States policy in the Muslim World. The FBI is the primary agency responsible for political intelligence gathering of this kind. In the case of non-citizens, these investigations are routinely undertaken in cooperation with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).
Those most likely to be visited by the FBI in the Muslim context are individuals believed to be close to foreign governments and political movements hostile to governments allied to the U.S.
Persons who routinely visit embassies of foreign states that the U.S. considers unfriendly to its interest are likely to be contacted at some point by the FBI.
Occasionally, the FBI will also seek out persons holding leadership positions in national organizations which oppose U.S. policy towards the region. These investigations are relatively infrequent and normally occur in the context of a major regional upheaval in which the U.S. has become directly involved, as in Iraq during 1990 and 1991.
Standard FBI procedure is to send one or more agents on an unannounced visit to one's residence or place of business. Sometimes they will dispatch two of them to play "good cop-bad cop" roles, with one agent exhibiting a belligerent, harassing attitude while his colleague assumes a cordial, friendly demeanor. And often, those who refuse to talk to the FBI are subjected to repeated visits and telephone calls designed to intimidate. These tactics should be resisted. Instead, if this happens to you, contact your lawyer for advice. If you do not have a lawyer, notify our office and we will help you find one.
You do not have talk to the FBI, even if you are not a citizen of the United States. Unless they have obtained a search or arrest warrant, you are under no obligation to permit them entry into your home or office.
If they tell you they have a warrant, demand to see their identification and warrant before permitting access, in order to be certain they are who they claim to be. Even if they do have a valid warrant, you should under no circumstances answer any of their questions until your lawyer can be present.
If you do not wish to talk to the FBI, it cannot be held against you. This is usually the wisest course of action. If you answer on question, other questions will follow, and it becomes progressively more difficult not to answer. Of course, it is a serious crime to lie or provide false information to the FBI agents.
FBI agents are trained investigators. Do not think you can outsmart them in an attempt to discover their purpose and the nature of information they have already obtained about you.
Do not worry about appearing impolite or uncooperative in declining to be questioned by the FBI. Talking freely and openly out of fear or in an effort to appear cordial is not the best way to behave in the presence of FBI agents. To the contrary, it only encourages them to delve even deeper into your personal affairs and political associations.
Do not allow them to intimidate you into agreeing to be questioned on the spot. Your decision about whether or not to talk to them is one you should be able to make free of pressure, after you have thoroughly analyzed the situation in consultation with your lawyer. If you do not wish to talk to the FBI, simply tell them you have nothing to say to them, and send them on their way.
If you are considering talking to the FBI, do not, under any circumstances, impulsively invite them inside your home or office to do so at that moment. Instead, ask them for identification and a business card, upon which you will find their name, agency, address, and telephone number.
Tell the agent that your lawyer will contact the FBI office to schedule an appointment for you at which he or she can be present. If they ask for the name of your lawyer, simply tell them you do not wish to answer any questions at this time. After they leave, make a written record of the date and time of the visit, and of what was said.
The interview should take place at the local FBI headquarters, not in your home, office, or a public place. Allowing the FBI in your home or office might provide them with insights you might not want to share with federal agents, by way of books or papers which might be on display. It may also invite criminal charges on small, widely practiced offenses, such as infringements of copyright laws, for instance, if you happened to have duplicated audiocassette tapes or similar items within sight. Lastly, if they were intending to investigate you further, it is probable they would take the opportunity to place a listening device somewhere in your home during their visit.
Meeting in a public place is not advisable because it is impossible to know who might be listening in, and because the agent will not be able to tape- record your conversation. Instead, are not always accurate. Any interview with the FBI should be tape recorded for your protection, in case you are ever accused of providing false information to agents of the federal government. You might even want to bring your own tape recorder and record the conversation yourself.
Do not, under any circumstances, attend an FBI interview without a lawyer present. Your lawyer is there to advise you and protect your rights. The very presence of a lawyer will moderate the behavior of the interviewers, who might otherwise violate your rights or try to intimidate you. They might, for example, ask you questions about your political or religious beliefs, which are clearly none of their business.
Even if you have agreed to be interviewed, you are not required to answer every question. If you do not which to respond to a particular question, simply tell them that you have nothing to say on that subject. You might also want to ask your lawyer to write a letter to the FBI requesting, in advance, a written copy of the questions which are to be asked by the FBI interviewers.
Do not answer any questions concerning the beliefs, activities, or personal lives of our political associates. To do so would be a violation of their privacy, trust, and shared principles, and it could also lead to an FBI decision to investigate them more thoroughly. It is also very likely that the FBI would pass along this type of information to foreign intelligence services that may wish to disrupt your political activities. If you are asked about the affairs of your associates, one of the most common types of questions, simply tell them that you have nothing to say on the subject of anyone other than yourself.
If you are visited by FBI agents, report the contact to our office immediately so that we may document the visit and advise you further on how to proceed.
A brochure published by American Muslim Council (AMC)
It is not unusual for federal agencies to conduct investigations into individuals and organizations that actively oppose United States policy in the Muslim World. The FBI is the primary agency responsible for political intelligence gathering of this kind. In the case of non-citizens, these investigations are routinely undertaken in cooperation with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).
Those most likely to be visited by the FBI in the Muslim context are individuals believed to be close to foreign governments and political movements hostile to governments allied to the U.S.
Persons who routinely visit embassies of foreign states that the U.S. considers unfriendly to its interest are likely to be contacted at some point by the FBI.
Occasionally, the FBI will also seek out persons holding leadership positions in national organizations which oppose U.S. policy towards the region. These investigations are relatively infrequent and normally occur in the context of a major regional upheaval in which the U.S. has become directly involved, as in Iraq during 1990 and 1991.
Standard FBI procedure is to send one or more agents on an unannounced visit to one's residence or place of business. Sometimes they will dispatch two of them to play "good cop-bad cop" roles, with one agent exhibiting a belligerent, harassing attitude while his colleague assumes a cordial, friendly demeanor. And often, those who refuse to talk to the FBI are subjected to repeated visits and telephone calls designed to intimidate. These tactics should be resisted. Instead, if this happens to you, contact your lawyer for advice. If you do not have a lawyer, notify our office and we will help you find one.
You do not have talk to the FBI, even if you are not a citizen of the United States. Unless they have obtained a search or arrest warrant, you are under no obligation to permit them entry into your home or office.
If they tell you they have a warrant, demand to see their identification and warrant before permitting access, in order to be certain they are who they claim to be. Even if they do have a valid warrant, you should under no circumstances answer any of their questions until your lawyer can be present.
If you do not wish to talk to the FBI, it cannot be held against you. This is usually the wisest course of action. If you answer on question, other questions will follow, and it becomes progressively more difficult not to answer. Of course, it is a serious crime to lie or provide false information to the FBI agents.
FBI agents are trained investigators. Do not think you can outsmart them in an attempt to discover their purpose and the nature of information they have already obtained about you.
Do not worry about appearing impolite or uncooperative in declining to be questioned by the FBI. Talking freely and openly out of fear or in an effort to appear cordial is not the best way to behave in the presence of FBI agents. To the contrary, it only encourages them to delve even deeper into your personal affairs and political associations.
Do not allow them to intimidate you into agreeing to be questioned on the spot. Your decision about whether or not to talk to them is one you should be able to make free of pressure, after you have thoroughly analyzed the situation in consultation with your lawyer. If you do not wish to talk to the FBI, simply tell them you have nothing to say to them, and send them on their way.
If you are considering talking to the FBI, do not, under any circumstances, impulsively invite them inside your home or office to do so at that moment. Instead, ask them for identification and a business card, upon which you will find their name, agency, address, and telephone number.
Tell the agent that your lawyer will contact the FBI office to schedule an appointment for you at which he or she can be present. If they ask for the name of your lawyer, simply tell them you do not wish to answer any questions at this time. After they leave, make a written record of the date and time of the visit, and of what was said.
The interview should take place at the local FBI headquarters, not in your home, office, or a public place. Allowing the FBI in your home or office might provide them with insights you might not want to share with federal agents, by way of books or papers which might be on display. It may also invite criminal charges on small, widely practiced offenses, such as infringements of copyright laws, for instance, if you happened to have duplicated audiocassette tapes or similar items within sight. Lastly, if they were intending to investigate you further, it is probable they would take the opportunity to place a listening device somewhere in your home during their visit.
Meeting in a public place is not advisable because it is impossible to know who might be listening in, and because the agent will not be able to tape- record your conversation. Instead, are not always accurate. Any interview with the FBI should be tape recorded for your protection, in case you are ever accused of providing false information to agents of the federal government. You might even want to bring your own tape recorder and record the conversation yourself.
Do not, under any circumstances, attend an FBI interview without a lawyer present. Your lawyer is there to advise you and protect your rights. The very presence of a lawyer will moderate the behavior of the interviewers, who might otherwise violate your rights or try to intimidate you. They might, for example, ask you questions about your political or religious beliefs, which are clearly none of their business.
Even if you have agreed to be interviewed, you are not required to answer every question. If you do not which to respond to a particular question, simply tell them that you have nothing to say on that subject. You might also want to ask your lawyer to write a letter to the FBI requesting, in advance, a written copy of the questions which are to be asked by the FBI interviewers.
Do not answer any questions concerning the beliefs, activities, or personal lives of our political associates. To do so would be a violation of their privacy, trust, and shared principles, and it could also lead to an FBI decision to investigate them more thoroughly. It is also very likely that the FBI would pass along this type of information to foreign intelligence services that may wish to disrupt your political activities. If you are asked about the affairs of your associates, one of the most common types of questions, simply tell them that you have nothing to say on the subject of anyone other than yourself.
If you are visited by FBI agents, report the contact to our office immediately so that we may document the visit and advise you further on how to proceed.
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