relations between Muslims and Non-Muslims

[vinod]

Assalamu 'Alaikum
I have been asked by email a question by a colleague at work about my interpretation of the Quran on the relations between Muslims and non-Muslims in society.
Though I have some thoughts on this, before I respond I would like to hear from you guys in the forum.
Jazakallah Khairan

[Yahya Sulaiman]

What do you mean?

http://www.freewebs.com/ziggyzag

[vinod]

Here's more background -
I've had a number of discussions with him (my colleague) about Islam and Muslims. I recently gave him a copy of the Quran to read. He himself has sometime in the past read some sites, which were anti-islamic, quote that the Quran commands Muslims to kill non-Muslims. When giving him the Quran I did tell him that the verses were revealed to address particular situations. I also sent him an article that i found on www.monthly-renaissance.com titled 'The Art of Interpretation'. That was kind of new to him. My guess is now that he wants to know from me - what in a nutshell is my understanding of the guidance of the Quran for Muslims when interacting with non-Muslims.
My understanding is kind of diffuse. I frankly do not see any particular ground for distinguishing between Muslims and non-Muslims. I think excellence of morals and character is something to be had no matter whom we interact with. I see a number of verses that covers this space and also a number of Hadith come to my mind. Before I write back to him, I want to present Islam to him as correctly as I can.

[mpriest]

salaam

we greet in peace all religions,that greet us in peace.we respect
those that respect us.and in many cases we respect those that do
not respect us.

matthew missionary priest

[MonsterZero]

salaam

we greet in peace all religions,that greet us in peace.we respect
those that respect us.and in many cases we respect those that do
not respect us.

matthew missionary priest


Well, I don't really care about scholarly debates, I can just tell you how I feel. I'm afraid of Islam and would never, ever travel to a predominantly Muslim country. I'd be afraid of being harassed, kidnapped or killed because of my obvious European features and dress.

[MonsterZero]

My sister and brother in law live in Central Europe, they have been to Turkey on vacation and liked it a lot, I guess if they ever took me along with them I'd make this one exception. But Arab countries? You can take my dead body over there.

[vector]

MonsterZero,
I understand that in the wake of current events, that might be a concern for all the foreigners that come from western europe or probably the US. But why do you think this is so, I mean what could be the cause of such hatred of a select few towards these guys.

[vinod]

Thanks vector for your answer. Since we're talking about our fears of the Muslim world; this is what I had in mind ( mainly coming from my view of Muslims in India) before I became a Muslim ( I was a Brahmin by birth) - took a real hard while to get over them -

1 Muslims are savage meat eaters. They heartlessly butcher animals
2 They beat their wives and make them wear their Hijab
3 some unmentionable prejudice about their private parts
4 Muslims have a sick taste of dress (gaudy colors especially dark green) and music
5 All Muslim men are bearded
6 If you befriend a Muslim he will serve you dutifully, but if you bear enmity against him he will kill you
7 Muslims take bath once a year only
8 Muslims love to beat themselves in Ramadan
9 Muslims can't speak English - only Urdu and Arabic. Their language is one where the words are such that the speaker spits his phlegm over the face of the listener
10 Muslims do not brush their teeth in their life and their whole body stinks
11 Muslims are illiterate
12 Muslims worship emperor Akbar

Well I guess the above sums up what I had in mind about Muslims. Had a hearty time making jokes on them on these matters especially the ones about circumcision. Didn't have a clue then that I would one day follow their religion.
Many of the above are still held by my community.

[mpriest]

salaam

sorry that you feel that way,monster zero.people sometimes
do give bad impressions.
the muslims that i met from sudan,and parts of africa
gave me a different view.

matthew missionary priest

Edited by - misspriest on 05/11/2004 02:09:51

[Vajradhara]

Salaam all,

interesting discussion thus far.

i grew up in a Muslim country in North Africa, Libya to be exact. though i suffered my fair share of abuse, discrimination and predjudice, i still want to return..

i'm not afraid of being kidnapped, killed or anything like that by Muslim extremists should i be able to return. i think about death quite a bit and, quite frankly, i'm more likely to die in an automobile accident than anything else...

i do understand, however, why some folks would be very hesitant to travel to an arab country if they looked mostly european.

the Qur'an is clear, when you understand the context of the teachings.. however.... it would appear that many people either do not understand or deliberately suppress understanding of the contexutal aspects of understanding the Qur'an and thus, create the climate of fear that seems to be in vogue with some elements of society.



~compassionately~