“The Jews say, ‘The Christians have no ground whatsoever to stand on,’ and the Christians say, ‘The Jews have no ground whatsoever to stand on,’ though they both read the Scripture, and those who have no knowledge say the same; Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning their differences.” (Qur’an 2:113)
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There are three approaches that Muslims should take, with Jews and Christians in particular. This is, of course, under scenarios of antagonism between our faiths. One scenario of genuine inquiry.
Scenario one. They choose to attack Muslims through force of arms.
Those Jews and Christians that meet Muslims with their military and armies should be fought until they are vanquished and subdued. All Muslims who meet them on a field of battle should utterly lay waste to them! Those who have the audacity to attack Muslims!
“Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.” (Qur’an 9:29)
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“Fight in the cause of Allah against those who wage war against you, but do not exceed the limits. Allah does not like transgressors.” (Qur’an 2:190)
However, if they or anyone, for that matter, is inclined to live in peace with us, we live in peace with them.
“If the enemy is inclined towards peace, make peace with them. And put your trust in Allah. Indeed, He ˹alone˺ is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” (Qur’an 8:61)
Scenario two. Those who wage war against Islam with their tongues and their words.
“This is the truth from your Lord, so do not be one of those who doubt.” Now, whoever disputes with you ˹O Prophet˺ concerning Jesus after full knowledge has come to you, say, “Come! Let us gather our children and your children, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves—then let us sincerely invoke Allah’s curse upon the liars.” “Certainly, this is the true narrative, and there is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Allah. And indeed, Allah ˹alone˺ is the Almighty, All-Wise.” “If they turn away, then surely Allah has ˹perfect˺ knowledge of the corruptors.” (Qur’an 3:60-63)
We are not aware that from the Sunnah of the Blessed Prophet (saw) that he (saw) had formal debates with Christians or Jews.
Too many Muslims are involved in debates with Christians and Jews who have the darkest of hearts and the most vile of tongues.
“And whoever Allah does not bless with light will have no light!” (Qur’an 24:40)
This applies to the majority of those attacking Islam using their tongue today. The ones you see on social media and other platforms. There is no debating them. For what? The truth has come. Their hearts are not open to it. May Allah’s curse be on the liars and be done with it.
We have never seen any debate in which the other side changed their position. Not only that, but such debates are not for those who are already firm in what they believe. They are usually for people who are seeking the truth. Seeking the truth does not come about from mud-slinging, and ego and who is the better rhetorician and who can recall the most information. Truth comes about through sincere prayer, contemplation and reflection. Reading from the best in scholarship that each side has to offer.
We have seen Muslims lower themselves by debating the most vile and heinous among them. May Allah guide them to the correct course.
Scenario three. They are Jews or Christians who have doubt in their own faith, and they have genuine inquiry.
“Invite to the Way of your Lord with wisdom, kind advice, and reason with them in a way that it is better. Surely, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Way, and He knows best those who are guided.” (Qur’an 16:125)
They have come not to attack us with their hands or their tongues. Now, even in this situation, the Muslim must use discernment from those who may come with ulterior motives or under pretension to learn.
However, these are the people whom Muslims should focus their time and energy on. People who are sincere. Those Christians and Jews insh’Allah should be invited with the utmost of sincerity and love. Allah (swt) will cast his light into their hearts.
They will be the ones who marry our brothers and our sisters. They will marry our sons and our daughters. If our mother or father dies, one of them could be the one to marry our father or mother. They will be the one’s to fight and bleed alongside us against the tide of darkness in this world. They will be the ones who perform the funeral prayer over us and we over them. That is because they will have joined us in faith.
The Qur’an has made it very clear that not all the Jews and not all the Christians are going to embrace Islam.
The Qur’an has made it very clear that no Messiah or salvific figure will come in the future and bring all the Jews and Christians to Islam.
In fact, the Qur’an teaches us that not one sect of Jews will prevail over the others. The Qur’an also teaches us that not one sect of Christians will prevail over the others.
“And the Jews say, “The hand of Allah is chained.” Chained are their hands, and cursed are they for what they say. Rather, both His hands are extended; He spends however He wills. And that which has been revealed to you from your Lord will surely increase many of them in transgression and disbelief. So We caused among them animosity and hatred until the Day of Resurrection. ” (Qur’an 5:64)
“And from those who say, “We are Christians” We took their covenant; but they forgot a portion of that of which they were reminded. So We caused among them animosity and hatred until the Day of Resurrection. And Allah is going to inform them about what they used to do.” (Qur’an 5:14)
Muslims should let them be and especially not disturb their places of worship. We were appalled to hear of a Muslim youtuber/Influencer — influenced by the devil, it seems, he went into a Catholic Church to pray. What is worse, this person seeks to mock Allah (swt)!
“The Hypocrites – they think they are over-reaching Allah, but He will over-reach them: When they stand up to prayer, they stand without earnestness, to be seen of men, but little do they hold Allah in remembrance.” (Qur’an 4:142)
For likes, for clicks, for revenue! Stirring up animosity with people of other faiths in their house of worship! Thankfully, the churchgoers were gracious to the man. If it was up to us, we would have him tied up to a pole and scourged! Hopefully, that would serve as a deterrent against any other miscreants.
In summation. We can live side by side with Jews and Christians. However, we do not think we need to be wasting our time and energies on debating with them. Again, if they attack us by force of arms, we lay waste to them. If they attack us by the tongue—the prayer of mutual cursing of Allah upon the liars. The sincere among them, the broken-hearted among them, the ones who see the light of Islam, we should welcome them home. To the place that Allah has called them.
May Allah (swt) guide the Ummah!
May Allah (swt) forgive the Ummah!
Prima Quran 