How Can I Convince My Hindu Friend about Islam?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
I had long discussions about Islam with a Hindu friend. He admitted that he had a false impression of it. I made him change his mind about many things, which made me think he was ready to accept Islam, mainly because of the Islamic way of praying.
He surprised me by saying, “everything you said about Islam is good, but I can’t accept killing innocent animals.” I talked to him about the Islamic slaughter rules but in vain. How can I convince him?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to that which is pleasing to Him. Amin.
May Allah reward and increase you for your sincere desire to call towards the path of Allah. Remember always that Islam asks us to convey the message of Islam and to invite others to it. Allah does not order us nor make us responsible for convincing others and making them accept Islam. Guidance is ultimately in the control of Allah.
Your call to Allah must be in the order of Islam’s priority, namely, to call toward the Oneness of Allah, then the Prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace), then the Hereafter and accountability, etc. Only after covering these essentials (the integrals of faith) and the submission of the one being called should we then convey Islam’s ritual practices, and Allah knows best.
Guidance Belongs to Allah
If humans could convince others of Islam and control their guidance, then the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) would indeed have successfully “convinced” all of his relatives, but we know that did not happen. Allah says, “And the Messenger only has to convey (the Message) plainly.” [Quran, 29:18]
Guidance to the truth is in the hand of Allah alone, and no human being has any share in that, as Allah said to His Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace), “Verily, you (O Muhammad) guide not whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He knows best those who are the guided.” [Quran, 28:56]
Order of Da’wa
Ibn’ Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) reported that “The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) sent Mu’adh Ibn Jabal to Yemen and said: “Invite the people to testify that La ilaha illa Allah [none has the right to be worshipped but Allah] and that I am the Messenger of Allah.
If they obey you, then inform them that Allah has enjoined five daily prayers daily and night. If they obey you, then inform them that Allah has made it obligatory on them to pay the Zakat (alms) from their properties, and it is to be taken from the wealthy among them and given to the poor among them.” [Bukhari; Muslim]
Based on the above and several other teachings from the Quran and Sunna, your call to Allah must be in the order of Islam’s priority, namely, to call toward the Oneness of Allah, then the Prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace), then the Hereafter and accountability, etc. Only after covering these essentials (the integrals of faith) and the submission of the one being called should we then convey Islam’s ritual practices, and Allah knows best.
Persevere in Proselytization
Despite not being in control of guidance or the ability to convince others, you must persevere in spreading the call to Allah and inviting others to the truth. Few acts of worship can be as rewarding.
Allah says, “And who is better in speech than he who invites to Allah, and does righteous deeds, and says: ‘I am one of the Muslims.” [Quran, 41:33]
Merciful Slaughter
Undoubtedly, Islam’s guidance in sacrificing or slaughtering animals according to Sacred Law is the most natural and merciful towards animals. We advise you to visit the following links to equip yourself with the knowledge to answer any questions you or your friend may have on the issue.
Check these links:
Animal Slaughter and Sacrifice: A Case Study in Islamic Law, Ethics, and Theology
What is the Prescribed Method of Animal Sacrifice?
I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.
