> need help with responding to the kufar

[Umm Sufyaan]

often the attacks of the kufaar really get me down, even when im able to do something about it, and they come out with some argument that i have no answer to and as a result i feel really hopeless.
anyone else feel this way? how do you overcome it? can someone post some stories of the shabis, etc that went through up's and downs like this and how they dealt with it...

[Qatada]

asalam alykum

Its this helplesness that makes u want to find the answer, and when u do - it makes you stronger through facing new experiences.

One thing to do is answer as much as u can, when u get exhausted, post a link on the site for any truth seeker (like islamreligiion.com) and then leave to relax. Ask questions to muslims to learn during this relaxing period to become stronger for next time.

Thats what i do.

[algebra]

Originally Posted by Umm Sufyaan

often the attacks of the kufaar really get me down, even when im able to do something about it, and they come out with some argument that i have no answer to and as a result i feel really hopeless.
anyone else feel this way? how do you overcome it? can someone post some stories of the shabis, etc that went through up's and downs like this and how they dealt with it...

You know what you believe, take comfort in that.

It is your responsibility to pass on the Truth as you know it, and move on from the people that do not accept your Truth.

Remember that arguing is usually counterproductive. I have seen a great many "kufar" being destroyed by the arguments of well prepared muslims.
However this has made the person even more resistant to the message of islam.

Has that muslim achieved his purpose?
Only God knows.

Perhaps it was not the will of God for the person to hear the message of islam.

But you have done your bit.

[Umm Sufyaan]

^thanks

One thing to do is answer as much as u can, when u get exhausted, post a link on the site for any truth seeker (like islamreligiion.com) and then leave to relax. Ask questions to muslims to learn during this relaxing period to become stronger for next time.

but what if you are debating face to face with them?

and also when i see no other Muslims helping to refute the kufar...i mean their lack of help and encouragement/enthusiasm for you, rather sometimes they make it worse to the extent that you think "omg, are you even Muslim" not that i judge people but sometimes people comment about certain issues in Islam that the kuffar don't even make? it just seems sometimes they just do it for attention :$ how do i deal with that?

[Al Habeshi]

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem,

as-Salaamu 'Alaykum Wa Rahmatullah.

Well first remember your limitations and that you wont know everything, and every detail. But you will never know every single thing.

There are points which can show a religion to be true, i.e. if you would find many mistakes then this would be other than from Allah, and there are points which are mere cultural and social style attacks, i.e. many of the arguements more than one wife, etc

Most of the arguements people use are not ones which would show Islam to be false, but only that some current culture has differences to Islamic practice, i.e. regarding how many wives one has etc.

But you need to realise even if you know all of the religion, even as much of the sahabas you would still be upset some of the time, maybe for a different reason. Translated meaning into English Allah says;

Perhaps, you, would kill yourself (O Muhammad SAW) in grief, over their footsteps (for their turning away from you), because they believe not in this narration (the Qur'ān). (Al-Kahf 18:6)

Tafsir ibn Kathir online says;

Do not feel sorry because the Idolators do not believe Allah consoles His Messenger for his sorrow over the idolators because they would not believe and keep away from him. He also said:

[فَلاَ تَذْهَبْ نَفْسُكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَسَرَتٍ]

(So destroy not yourself in sorrow for them.) [35:8]

[وَلاَ تَحْزَنْ عَلَيْهِمْ]

(And grieve not over them.) [16:127]

[لَعَلَّكَ بَـخِعٌ نَّفْسَكَ أَلاَّ يَكُونُواْ مُؤْمِنِينَ ]

(It may be that you are going to kill yourself with grief, that they do not become believers.) [26:3] meaning, maybe you will destroy yourself with your grief over them. Allah says:

[فَلَعَلَّكَ بَـخِعٌ نَّفْسَكَ عَلَى ءَاثَـرِهِمْ إِن لَّمْ يُؤْمِنُواْ بِهَـذَا الْحَدِيثِ]

(Perhaps, you would kill yourself in grief, over their footsteps, because they believe not in this narration.) meaning the Qur'an.

[أَسَفاً]

(in grief) Allah is saying, `do not destroy yourself with regret.' Qatadah said: "killing yourself with anger and grief over them.'' Mujahid said: "with anxiety.'' These are synonymous, so the meaning is: `Do not feel sorry for them, just convey the Message of Allah to them. Whoever goes the right way, then he goes the right way only for the benefit of himself. And whoever goes astray, then he strays at his own loss, so do not destroy yourself in sorrow for them.'

So there may always been that since of upsetness or fustration, but realise that it is only upon you to convey the message. Moreover realise that people before you, greater people have been rideculed and false arguements been brought against them.

And how many a Prophet have We sent amongst the men of old. (Az-Zukhruf 43:6)

And never came there a Prophet to them but they used to mock at him. (Az-Zukhruf 43:7)

Read Surah Nuh, its' not long, here is a part of the translation of the meaning;

He said: "O my Lord! Verily, I have called my people night and day (i.e. secretly and openly to accept the doctrine of Islāmic Monotheism), (Nuh 71:5)

"But all my calling added nothing but to (their) flight (from the truth). (Nuh 71:6)

"And verily! Every time I called unto them that You might forgive them, they thrust their fingers into their ears, covered themselves up with their garments, and persisted (in their refusal), and magnified themselves in pride. (Nuh 71:7)

So always there will be people who use arguements which do not even stand up, and you cannot know the answer on the spot always, so until you do then relax and tell them and make them realise that you are only a student and so you are still studying the branches and you cannot speak from guesswork, so you will note their point and give them a reply in a bit.

Lastly remember that Allah does not punish anyone unjustly, thus, no one who is sincere insha'Allah will be punished. Ibn Kathir, rahimahullah, speaking regarding a passage in surah al Mulk, notes, In these Ayat Allah reminds of His justice in dealing with His creatures and that He does not punish anyone until the proof has been established against them and a Messenger has been sent to them.


Allah knows best

Br.al-Habeshi

[salman]

sister, may Allah preserve you, few suggestions, insha'Allah

1 - Our purpose is to convey the message and not make sure that people like Islam or embrace Islam or we 'win' arguments. Neither we have to make sure that we respond to their every single attack: let us not give them unwanted attention. We answer them when they ask us questions or there is something which must be dealt.

2 - Busy yourself with learning instead of responding to these ignorant who are not sincere. When you feel that they want attention, you simply ignore them. If you are not sure about something or you think your explanation would be weak then remain silent or say "I do not know". As the ulama have said, a dai'i without knowledge can harm Islam more than he/she can benefit Islam.

3 - Like akh Qatada said feeling helpless inspires to search and learn and that is a very good thing; we are all always learning. I can give you my example: when I was much weaker in dawah I used to focus only on few issues which I had bit of command or I would first search and make sure that I have answers to their arguments before going ahead with a discussion. So maybe you also try to do the same and it always better if you take people to those who have more knowledge so that they can articulate Islamic position better. Also, you can take your time before responding to them or say I need time before I can explain this better

4 - Last but not least, make lots of dua'a

I hope this helps, insha'Allah

[algebra]

Originally Posted by salman

Also, you can take your time before responding to them or say I need time before I can explain this better

4 - Last but not least, make lots of dua'a

Very good advice.

Let Allah (swt) call to those who He wills should be called to Him.

Your duty is to spread the message and pray that Allah (swt) has the mercy to let them hear the message.