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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Bible and Christianity (an Islamic View) Part 1: Encounters : Introduction Islam always relied on dialogue and reason to promote its stance and disseminate its teachings. Contrary to the Islamophobics who falsely assert that Islam spread its message by the sword, Islam attracted devout followers from the four corners of the world through reason, by encouraging the other side to ponder and reflect on what Islam had to say.

This approach takes its lead from Allah’s instructions in the Qur’anic verse, {Invite (the people) to the Way of your Lord – Islam – with wisdom and good exhortation . . .}1 Armed with reason and logic, the Muslim faithful addresses any debate with an open mind and without any prejudice, for he is only interested in the Truth.

Thus the starting point for a Muslim faithful and his attitude in such debates would be based on the Qur’anic verse, {and we or you are either rightly guided or in manifest error}2 It is on this basis that the author conducted his debates with non-Muslims, as can be seen from the presentation in this book. Coupled with this approach of wisdom and reasoning, is another means that complements the first, and that is tolerance, leniency, perseverance and forgiveness.

Taking lead from such Qur’anic verses as {and argue with them in a manner that is best}3, this approach too is highly encouraged in Islam, and is manifested in the teachings and conducts of the final messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his progeny, as well as in those of the impeccable Imams of this progeny. Imam Ali peace be upon him, reports, “The holy prophet Muhammad personally owed a Jew some money, and one morning the Jew came to the prophet and demanded his money.

The prophet told him that he does not have any money so that he could give him any of his dues. The Jew said, “I am not going to leave you alone, until you give me the money”. The Jew effectively confined and restricted the prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. Since the Jew imposed that restriction upon the prophet and the latter owed the former, he complied with him.

This is at a time when the prophet Muhammad was not only the Messenger of God; he was also a ruler and a head of the Islamic state, commanding considerable power and 1 The Holy Qur'an, The Bee (16): 125 2 The Holy Qur'an, Saba’ (34): 24. 3 The Holy Qur'an, The Bee (16): 125 influence.