How to Bring Someone to Islam
Shaykh Farid Dingle is asked how one goes about bringing someone into the fold of Islam in the right manner, without going overboard.
Question:
Assalam alaykum wa rahmat Allah wa barakatuh.
I have a Christian friend who would like to know more about Islam. Since I do not have the knowledge on how to guide him, I would like to know the proper way to introduce someone to Islam… how to convince them that Islam is the right way to go? I do not want to seem too pushy yet at the same time want to convince him to come to Islam. Please help.
Answer:
Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmat Allah wa barakatuh.
The proper way to call people to Islam and righteousness, be they Muslims or otherwise, is to lead by example. How you are and how you live your life and carry out your worldly affairs is the clearest message of what Islam is. When we call people to one thing, and yet do something quite the opposite, it is quite hard to call people to Islam.
When the Prophet’s wife Aisha, Allah be well pleased with her, was asked about the Prophet’s character, blessings and peace be upon him, she said, “Don’t you read the Qur’an? The character of the Prophet of Allah was the Qur’an.”
The questioner, Sad ibn Hisham ibn Amir was so taken by this succinct answer that he said, “I all but resolved leave and never to ask anyone any other question till the day I died.” (Muslim)
So the Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him, led by example and being perfect inwardly so that his words would mean something to his listeners. He didn’t just say lots of amazing things, rather he was an amazing person. And this is what we have to do: show that Islam is a real, meaningful, vibrant, moderate and an effective alternative to other world views, whatever they may be.
As for debates, and showing others how they are wrong, it doesn’t really work. The argument of “facts” is only effective once you’ve got people’s guard down and they feel comfortable with you and your way, and they are willing to empty their cup to taste your tea.
Allah Most High says:
And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah and does righteousness and says, “Indeed, I am of the Muslims.”
And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend. (Sura al Fussilat 41:33-34]
I pray this helps.
Farid
Checked and approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.
