How would you respond?

[Covered Beauty]

Salamz

I need ya'll SMYians advice about something quite important.

I have an old friend that I just recently got into contact with and to whom I will be spending quite a few hours a week with. She wasn't brought up in a practising Muslim family. I mean they pray, fast and all but she doesn't know much in-depth knowledge about Islam.

Today whilst we were speaking about religion she told me that she felt her iman was very low. I told her its because you aren't in gatherings that mention Allah swt regularly, don't attend lectures, aren't working on yourself, know very little knowledge etc. I told her that she has to 'want' to change because if she first off doesn't want to change, than nobody will be able to help her. She said that she wants to change but doesn't see herself changing (don't know how that works).. Neways she said she was confused about a few things and that she had questions in her head.

So I asked her to tell me what she had in mind. She asked me: "How do we know that like our religion is true. How do we know that Prophet Muhammad s.a.w didn't make it all up?".. I said a few things to her quickly as we were in a hurry that inshAllah would of helped. But im sometimes the kind of person that can't really express myself in words and would love to hear/see how you people would answer this question.

I don't want someone randomly coming up saying "Ahh she is a disbeliever" etc. I don't want anything negative. I want positive advice that will inshAllah help this Muslim in need.

Jazakom Allah Khayr in advance.

Salamz

[walla]

I must admit, I had those questions going through my mind at one stage in life. I think the only way these questions can be erased is by studying properly about Islam. SubhanAllah whether its learning about Rasulullah (saw), or going into the sciences of Quran and hadith, it all gives you assurance that Islam is the true religion.

Here are some of the things you could say:

- Since Rasulullah was illiterate, how could he write a magnificent book (the Quran) which contains so many miracles? [I would recommend she reads "A brief Illustrated guide to understanding Islam", it's an amazing book]
- A man-made religion contains many faults and contradictions; we don't see this in Islam, hence it must be a religion from God..

The most important thing is for her to increase her Islamic knowledge, trust me that will remove all doubts. CB is she the sister you said you're bringing to the ramadan talk tomorrow?

[Usud Al-Harb]

this is very simple, tell her to read the quran :):) if she is to lazy to (which most are these dayz) then u show her sighns from the quran, example, in surah al-alaq about how babies r formed, etc. how the universe formed and hala recently scientist discovered it!!, etc. if that doesnt work, then either shaitan has a good hold of her or her heart is sealed, simple!

also take her to a good shiekh who knows how to talk to people who r thinking like her and to scare her so she can start learning, or tell her to see how long she can last under the sun :D:D

[AbdulQader]

The most important thing is for her to increase her Islamic knowledge, trust me that will remove all doubts.
^That's some good advice

Be patient with her and the questions she asks, first and foremost and probably whats more important is not to give any rushed answers but rather it would be good for you to sit with her (as you intend to) and discuss these things with her as a friend, maybe even sit down and research these things together (even if you know the answer, it may make it more comfortable for her if you both go through the learning process together). Introduce her to some good practicing sisters and help her form some good friendships. That's usually the approach that has the most influence on a person.

If she doesn't have much knowkedge as you say, it's a good thing not to jump into any deeper concepts like the sciences of hadith (touching on them very briefly just as an example might be good, but you don't want to overwhelm her as well).

Go back to tawhid... and the messages that the previous messengers came with. Maybe try to explain it from that angle and the fact that al Habib al Mustafa came with the same belief in God that all other Prophets did.

Give stroies of Rasullullah and the kind of person he was, how even his enemies considered him to be al sadiq al ameen.

Just touch on very basic things at the start, but the main thing is to stay in touch and keep close contact insha'Allah.

:)

[Abu Muhammad]

Good advice all round Masha'Allah.

Ill say same as Usud, it was the Quran that helped and helps me. Walhamdulliah

[Ummulkheir]

I def. agree with walla and abdulqader, i would also add that like AQ said, keep CLOSE contact with her and by that i mean..get her to come with u to all the talks u attend and all the places you go..shaitan works in steps and one of the first stages he works at is creating doubts in the minds of people..so inshAllah if you can help her overcome this you would've done something great;) and dont't forget the dua part too;)

[Bismillah]

Sis, as a revert, I can understand..
Just keep her close as a friend, and bring her to lectures etc. Shaiton does have a hold on her, but inshaAllah we can help her break that barrier and come closer to Allah swt!..
Just treat her kindly, and show her the real Islam.
Show her the lectures, and inshaAllah in time she will see Islam for the truth, and become a better Muslim.
If you want me to talk to her, I can.. as a friend, a guide inshaAllah.

[Covered Beauty]

Salamz



Here are some of the things you could say:

- Since Rasulullah was illiterate, how could he write a magnificent book (the Quran) which contains so many miracles? [I would recommend she reads "A brief Illustrated guide to understanding Islam", it's an amazing book] I mentioned the fact that Prophet s.a.w was illiterate alhamdulilah one of the first arguments that came to mind. Who is that book by sis? What kinds of things does it speak about?

- A man-made religion contains many faults and contradictions; we don't see this in Islam, hence it must be a religion from God.. I forgot to mention this point and will do so the next time I see her.


The most important thing is for her to increase her Islamic knowledge, trust me that will remove all doubts.
That's the thing.. all her friends and cousins/relos that are around her do not pull her towards lectures or anything. Obviously we all like attending a class/lecture with at leats one friend of ours.. I mentioned to her that she should start hanging around people who aren't just Muslim.. to actually hang out with 'practising Muslims'. She replied back saying: "Ok so are you now asking me to abandon my friends". I told her "Nah, don't abandon them, just try to make new/more friends"..

CB is she the sister you said you're bringing to the ramadan talk tomorrow?
No sis, Alhamdulilah the one thats coming to the lecture tonight has no doubts about the religion (as far as I know) :) .. Jazaki Allah Khayr sis, I appreciate it.


this is very simple, tell her to read the quran :):) if she is to lazy to (which most are these dayz) then u show her sighns from the quran, example, in surah al-alaq about how babies r formed, etc. how the universe formed and hala recently scientist discovered it!!, etc. if that doesnt work, then either shaitan has a good hold of her or her heart is sealed, simple! She may be able to read some of the Quran, but just like many other people, I don't think she'd be able to understand it much. But thats the thing.. she's asking "how do I know the Quran wasn't written by the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w?".. obviously thats when I replied back and told her that he couldn't of written it because he was illiterate. I also told her that they Quran hasn't been changed unlike the bible etc. I said that some companions took the shahadah just from listening to abit of/reading the quran. For e.g. Umar Ibn Al Khattab (r.a) .. Jazaks for your advice bro. Very much appreciated.

Bro AQ - Alhamdulilah i'm trying to be as patient as I can coz I would really like her to have no more doubts and to actually start taking the right path inshAllah. I have started to put some articles/youtube video links together for her to read/watch. I'm also going to let her read about how Islam all started from one of the biography books I have about the Prophet s.a.w since that was one of her questions as well.

Slowly, but surely, I hope to achieve my goal. I seriously have it as one of my goals at the moment (quite good coz I barely set out goals). Kheir. Jazaks for your advice. Very much appreciated.

Bro Abu Muhammad, Jazak Allah Khayr to you also.

Sis Nebal and Bismillah - That's the problem. I can't quite bring her with me to lectures because of something in particular standing in the way. It's abit hard to say what that particular thing is but inshAllah I can get people to also help me. Jazakom Allah Khayr to both of you for your advice :)

If any of you brothers/sisters come up with anything else to help me with.. please feel free to post it up for me.

Salamz

[Usud Al-Harb]

tell her to join here :D:D

[walla]

Who is that book by sis? What kinds of things does it speak about?

Well it says by I. A Ibrahim.. The nicest thing about it is that it's full of pictures, its quite thin and is written in easy-to-understand language. These are some things it talks about:

1- Evidence for the truth of Islam
2- Scientific miracles in the Quran
3- Verses that mention future events
4- Miracles performed by Rasulullah (pbuh)
5- The simple life of Rasulullah (pbuh)

.. it contains more topics, I picked out the most important ones. There's an online version for it, but it's more effective when it's read off an actual book. I have one at home, inshaAllah I'll pass it on to you on Sunday ;)

[Covered Beauty]

Salamz

tell her to join here :D:D
Yea inshAllah imma have to show her this forum.




Well it says by I. A Ibrahim.. The nicest thing about it is that it's full of pictures, its quite thin and is written in easy-to-understand language. These are some things it talks about:

1- Evidence for the truth of Islam
2- Scientific miracles in the Quran
3- Verses that mention future events
4- Miracles performed by Rasulullah (pbuh)
5- The simple life of Rasulullah (pbuh)

.. it contains more topics, I picked out the most important ones. There's an online version for it, but it's more effective when it's read off an actual book. I have one at home, inshaAllah I'll pass it on to you on Sunday ;)

Ahh kheir inshAllah. Don't worry about grabbing it with you on Sunday since mashAllah its so big there we might not even be able to see each other. Plus, ma bedna yeki t3azbi halek ;) .. I'll just grab it from the Islamic Bookstore inshAllah..

Since we're on the topics of book, I found this really thin book about The Prophet s.a.w. Talks about his lineage, place of birth & childhood, his manner and characteristics and a few other things. Most importantly it has statements about him s.a.w that were made by non-Muslims and it also has "INTELLECTUAL PROOFS OF HIS PROPHETHOOD".

Alhamdulilah im very happy that I found that book in the little pile of books that I do have. InshAllah will be passing it on tomorrow. SubhanAllah how Allah swt makes a person find things when their intention is to help others. ahhhh I love you Oh Allah!

Salamz

[Usud Al-Harb]

i love Allah 3azerwajel too :D

[Abu Muhammad]

The book is actually very small and is usually free anyway

[Glory be to Allah]

show her the video on youtube titled "do you intend to question the messenger"

[Covered Beauty]

Salamz

The book is actually very small and is usually free anyway Sis Walla insisted on giving me the book as she wants to also get some rewards alhamdulilah so that's solved.


show her the video on youtube titled "do you intend to question the messenger" Send the exact link sis so I know what you're talking about.

Salamz

[Glory be to Allah]

here you go

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zujZpMe8wDE

[Covered Beauty]

Salamz

^ Jazak Allahh Khayr sis. But is the vid 58 mins (just as it says below the video thingy) or is it 15 mins (like what it says on the description)?

Salamz

[Usud Al-Harb]

watch it and see :D

[Covered Beauty]

Salamz

^ Yea obviously i'm going to watch it before I recommend it to the sister but just wanted to know so that I could find a good time to sit and watch it in. Need to konw where to put it in my 'busy' schedule :rolleyes:

UPDATE:

Alhamdulilah I ended up giving the sis a brief book to read titled "Muhammad the Messenger of Allah" (it was given out to people a while ago so some of you may of come across it). Neways the sis took less than a week to read it and alhamdulilah returned it back to me today and told me that she enjoyed it ALOT!! She said she had learnt so much new things about Islam and the Prophet s.a.w and that the book actually brought up a whole discussion with her dad/uncle about religion and all.

I was so glad to hear that from her alhamdulilah:mrgreen:. InshAllah after shes done with the audio lecture i've given her, I would of found something to keep her busy in.

So yep, just thought i'd share this amazing journey (if I may call it so) with ya'll.

Jazakom Allah Khayr for all your support.

Salamz

[Usud Al-Harb]

^^ yay alhamdulilah, next step is for her to join here!!!

[Glory be to Allah]

Alhumduillah.

about the youtube vid, it's like a hour long but it very good lecture by norman ali khlid

[Covered Beauty]

Salamz

^ Ok jazaks for that sis. InshAllah imma watch it soon than pass it on to her :) thank you.

Salamz