The Voice of New Muslims

Contributed By Sister Nasirah Cavaney, Victoria.

There are many misconceptions about Islam; one major misconception is on how Muslims view people of other faiths. Many people unfortunately believe that we have a convert or die policy and that we hate all non-Muslims. This is definitely not the truth.

Converts to Islam come from predominately non-Muslim families. Do we stop loving, honouring and respecting our family members the moment we take the Shahadah (declaration of faith) and become Muslim? Do we break the family ties?

In the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) the early converts found themselves in the exactly same position. What were they ordered to do? One early convert asked the Prophet whether or not she could see her non-Muslim mother, the Prophet asked her to see her and treat her well. – This is recorded in hadeeth (a saying of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh))

Muslim jurists have taken the above incident and deduced that it is essential for every Muslim to treat with respect one’s parents, brothers and sisters and other relatives no matter what their faith is.

Family is very important in Islam. “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him maintain the bonds of kinship.” (Hadeeth)

What about non-family members?

Allah made clear the fact that He did not prohibit kindness to non-Muslims in general. As for the convert or die approach, the Qur’an itself says: "There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error. And he who rejecteth false deities and believeth in Allah hath grasped a firm handhold which will never break. Allah is Hearer, Knower". (Quran: Chapter 2 Verse 256)

It was Muslim traders that brought Islam to Indonesia, the largest Muslim nation in the world, not Muslim armies.

While Islam does not prohibit Muslims to be kind and generous to peoples of other religions it looks upon the People of the Scripture (Book) - (Jews and Christians) with special regard, whether they reside in a Muslim society or outside it. Jews and Christians are called People of the Scripture (Book) as they were originally people of a revealed religion. As Muslims we believe in the Prophethood of Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) and Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) and firmly believe they have conveyed a message from Almighty God. For this reason there exists a relationship of mercy and spiritual kinship between Jews, Christians and the Muslims.

Say (O Muslims): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered. (Quran: Chapter 2 Verse 136)

And argue not with the People of the Scripture unless it be in (a way) that is better, save with such of them as do wrong; and say: We believe in that which hath been revealed unto us and revealed unto you; our God and your God is One, and unto Him we surrender. (Quran: Chapter 29 Verse 46)

On embracing Islam converts generally discover there are a small amount of people who will reject their friendship out of fear, ignorance and embarrassment. These are sometimes long term friendships. A new Muslim will be happy to maintain their old friendships as long as a person isn’t actively hostile to Islam and that the relationship is within the limits of what is acceptable in Islam. For example a Muslim is not able to be seated with those drinking alcohol so the social environment might have to change yet the friendship may be maintained.

Becoming a Muslim can be a rocky road especially with the tensions from some family and friends. By becoming Muslim we are not rejecting our family, our ethnic group or our country or declaring war on all non-Muslims. Muslim’s are just people who have declared their intention to follow Almighty God’s commands and to actively strive to fulfil their duties to Almighty God, hence, submit to his will. Islam means submission. It is through this submission that we find our inner peace.

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