to Mohammed;

Submitted by Nuray (Portugal), Nov 10, 2005 at 18:22

Dear Mohammed,

I am glad to read a comment about me from a Muslim.

You wrote that
"On the contrary you are hurting it badly."

I didn't understand what you mean exactly? Did I say something against Islam? If so, send your comments on the specific one so that everybody including me can learn the correct one.

You wrote that
"I really dont think you are achieving anything."

Haven't you seen my previous comment titled as
"What do we get from the discussions over religions? Oct 30, 2005 17:33

We are at the time of internet. This is the fist time people can reach and share knowledge using web search engines very quickly. Ordinary people from different religions use internet to discuss religious topics. I think this is amazing. Why, because people has no more strict boundaries. The more they talk to each other the more they understand each other. This is what we need at this century. As they learn more about religious differences they will be less manipulated by their politicians who abuse religious matters. This is what I want to achieve.
Can I achieve this ? I have no idea. But somebody should try it.

You wrote that
"It takes a true believer to understand the reasons and contexts of the quranic ayas and hadiths."

But this doesn't mean that non-Muslims can't understand fully but at least they can see big picture. They are human being like us, not from other planet. Electronic versions of Quran in many languages available on the internet. They read Quran and hadith books, and ask questions. This is also amazing. They don't need anybody what to think about Islam. That was the case in the past. Yes, they don't believe in Islam. They always use some sections of Quran to insult Islam but they educate themselves very well about Islam. This is what I want.

We Muslims are lucky we know almost everything about Jews and Christians but they don't know anything about Islam. Because it is not written in their corrupted holy books. If Moses and Jesus were not mention in Quran Would you recognise them as a messenger? How someone can convince you they were messenger? Most probably you would refuse immediately. This is what non-Muslims feel about our messenger. We need to educate them, not to convert to Islam. This happens only, if Allah will. We can only provide information. That's all.

You wrote that
"Since only a learned islamic scholar can explain the apparently controversial issues,"

Muslims can ask advice from Islamic scholar if necessary. How about non-Muslims? Western people are at the early stage of learning Islam. They ask questions which are already known and discussed before. For example, N.K. on this website wants to discuss about the marriage of Zainab with our messenger. Very well-known subject. Ordinary Muslim can answer this to anyone.

I am a scientist, not a theologian but an ordinary Muslim curious about theology. Non-Muslims don't ask me how to practice Islam. I think there is no harm to talk about basic facts of Islam with them. I am sure they already know that I am not a learned Islamic scholar. I don't think they are looking for one. We just talk. That's all.

You wrote that
"Allah (swt) has said in quran:
2.007
: Allah hath set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing, and on their eyes is a veil; "

This verse describes clearly those who hears and sees the truth but still refuse Islam. Quran is sent to be understood everywhere at every century. Otherwise, how can we explain expanding Islam in Africa and Asia in history? Did Allah seal the heart of Indonesian people? I don't know their earlier religion but Indonesia, very far away from Arab peninsula, has the world's largest Muslim population.

By the way, most of my friends are not believe in God. This is very common in Europe. At least people on this website talk about God. Not bad at all. Very promising. Because, In modern life people read more diet books rather than holy books. Good-looking body attracts people not good hearts any more.

I hope that I made myself clear.

Yours
Nuray

---

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".