I honestly have no interest in engaging in debates with someone who has zero understanding of my beliefs. In the virtual world, out of boredom, I’ll entertain a few posts every now and then but in real life - never.
I just sit there, nod and smile because (1) they don’t mean to disrespect my way of life, they just don’t agree with it, (2) they have zero interest in learning more about the topic at hand and (3) I don’t want to come across as a preacher. They’re only expressing their honest views and I listen to them chup chap se. Is this wrong? I feel like I have a duty to respond because we’re asked in the Quran to “argue with them in ways that are best”. So when I let go of this opportunity to pass on whatever limited knowledge I have of my religion, I do feel uneasy. Then again, living in a non-muslim country, where people simply don’t care about this knowledge of yours, why even bother?
Arguing with someone who knows nothing about your faith is not going to be pretty. They are probably just trying to make you feel uncomfortable. Besides, they don't need to ask you since there's an unlimited amount of info out there. In the end, people will believe what they want to. They can't change your mind and you can't change theirs with arguments.
To tell you the truth. Its not easy to let other people talk about your beliefs. Not many people have good things to say about ours.
After you do it for some time you feel like a washed up wh---e.
And to tell you the truth TALKING is over rated. It don't establish any thing with the people who are not willing.
How ever your actions based on your beliefs do a lot. Believe it or not most of us are raised with solid principle which
earns us respect and attention with time.
maiN uske daaNt toR ke uske haathoN meN de detaa huN** aur baaqii bloody teeth anaar [pomegranate] meN bhar ke use de detaa huN ba'd meN khaane ke liye :)**
I would do different things in different circumstances ...
For the forums I reply fully because I know these become good records for us to go back to for counter-references and for the sake of others I stay engaged to a certain extent. At all times I dislike taking conversations to minute detail ...
At work some people ask and I tell them in the best possible way ...
Some people want to taunt me and I let them ...
Sometimes however I taunt them back ... and sometimes I'll use another way to end the discussion like give a clever answer that shows me to be on moral high ground.
But as bro Mirch said ... then I leave it there ... for me it more of an issue that I need to clarify myself because people don't quite understand ... and that can get quite wordy ... but when I detect that they do understand they just want an argument then I will usually back off ... except on this forum because I believe all avenues should be explored in these types of setups.
Btw, I wasn’t talking about clearing their misunderstandings. That is something you must do imo. For example, a tutee of mine thought that “mozlems worship the black box in Mecca”. I was like erm no they don’t, and then I explained to him why they circle the Kaaba.
I was talking about people’s opinions of our beliefs which I don’t feel the need to refute, they’re entitled to their views afterall. My friends, for example, have dissed Catholicism and Jesus infront of me, they don’t understand Islam at all, Ramadan to them is cruelty etc etc… I’m like yeah whatevz, to each his own n stuff.
It depends, if someone lacks the basic knowledge about my religion and beliefs, then I'd explain. If it's someone who just wants to offend me somehow and plays dumb, then I move on fast and let them be.
Worst is when a Muslim tries to play ignorant. You can't fix stupid.
It depends on the nature of the challenge and circumstances to see whether it is safe to get into a discussion/debate. I have come across different types of comments that can be divided as:
1) Insults, abuses, nothing of redeeming value. In such cases, it is better to stay away and rest this case with the lord Almighty.
2) Accusations, allegations that people usually pass on from other accusers without confirming and believing in the BS blindly. In this case, if there is a question needed to be answered, it should be answered to the best of one's knowledge and refer to them some references that can show them the reality. but in many cases, the accusers simply say "'NO' saying why should I read those damned texts".
3) Then there are people who have firsthand knowledge but deliberately present half truth and hide the part that has the answer, I try to point to them to the answer. in most cases, if they have nothing more to pursue on that topic they quickly hop on to other topics like a hoping jack and throw barrage of questions.
4) people who are disgruntled for some reason, appear initially to be very intellectual with profound thoughts :) but eventually they spit venom in their own mild way.
5) People who have genuine questions and want to learn more out of curiosity or whatever reason and they question politely and not in mocking or insulting way. They should be entertained accordingly and one must do his best to answer their questions. unfortunately, this category is a rare breed.
6) people who gleefully say something that is not offensive. they should be answered nicely with wit.
i like getting into such good debates which don't turn nasty or too personal or insulting. The rest I would give my opinion and support it with logic. If the other person understands well enough, if they don't, I then turn quiet as I see that taking things ahead could only lead to negative flare ups
I was like erm no they don’t, and then I explained to him why they circle the Kaaba.