I love to talk about Islam, and sometimes I just wish I could sit with a family member; my Mom, Dad, Sister, Grandpa, Aunt, anybody… and just have a nice deep, open discussion.
It’s hard sometimes you know, loving something your loved ones seem allergic to.
Something about which at least one has said, “this is our last conversation about this”.
But, that’s my situation.
I can’t talk about the thing I love most with the people I love. đŚ
I always have enjoyed a challenge. I also enjoy discussion.
You can talk to me about many things I may not agree with and I will either present my point and listen to yours, or ask questions to gain a better understanding. (I can’t promise I won’t get impassioned)
I don’t mind if someone comes to me and tells me I’m on the wrong path and is willing to explain why. I’m open to that and I try to listen.
It seems people are willing to say “I disagree” but not to elaborate. Not to discuss.
The end of many an attempt is, “We have to agree to disagree.”
But, I don’t understand why we have to worry about whether or not we agree… If they don’t agree with me that’s fine, it doesn’t bother me. What’s wrong with learning? Understanding? Seeing things from one another’s perspective?
I do not get personally offended when people come to me and explain why they worship Jesus, or why they are atheist. I find other people’s beliefs and thought processes interesting.
But it seems, when it comes to Islam, it is as if the topic itself causes barriers to be set in place and people’s hair to raise on end.
My belief is that this reaction is linked with their lack of knowledge about Islam, yet the reaction forbids knowledge from being attained.
See the problem?
Although I love a discussion and I don’t mind being challenged, I know others do not. I don’t really like to bother people, so…
On the one hand, I feel like suppressing every word.
Hiding my thoughts and feelings.
On the other hand, I feel like I should keep trying, keep talking and not remain silent.
The prophet described in the Quran who comes to mind, is Noah.
Noah was telling his people about God for ages – and boy, did they ever dislike listening to him!
They hated Noah and his message from the Creator so much, they used to cover up their ears and turn away from him. They got so fed up, they threatened to stone him to death!
They really ridiculed him when he was building a ship in the middle of the desert. He was a laughing stock and his followers were very few.
Even his son abandoned him.
But Noah was persistent, because his care for his people surpassed his care for his own self, in the respect that, rather than protecting himself from their hatred and ridicule, he persisted in giving them the message that could benefit them.
He didn’t give up in the face of so many obstacles and his goal wasn’t to fit in and just make the people happy with him. His goal was to please only his Creator, by trying to help his people understand.
I think about Noah and then I look at myself and I see that I’m so weak.
I have something that I know could benefit my family, even if only they were to gain a better understanding based on knowledge,
but I don’t talk about it, because they will get annoyed with me.
Perhaps I am more fearful of displeasing them than I am my Lord?
Turning Muslim 