June 2002: Page 1, 2, 3, 4

Submitters Perspective

Page 2

Inviting to God

Cont’d from page 1

Your responsibility is to invite to the path of God with wisdom and kind enlightenment (16:125). If you get into a debate, stay calm and speak in the best possible manner. A loud voice doesn’t make your information more convincing. In fact, God describes such a loud tone as ugly as a donkey’s voice (31:19).

If you are finding that the person is using a bad response, you should reply in a good manner instead. Can you imagine the example that you are showing when you respond with good words rather than matching insults? Such a reaction has the power of turning even an enemy into a friend (41:34).

Patience is a very important part of inviting to God. Keep in mind that not everyone will appreciate God’s message in the same way as you. Each person has a different pace and belief system. Some will understand the message of Submission quickly and are not tied down to a belief they have been practicing for a long time or a religion they have inherited from their parents. Just imagine how you would feel if someone told you that the religion you have been practicing for all these years is not according to God’s path.

A person may need time to examine their belief in light of the new information you have given them. The best thing you can do is to offer your support, give encouragement and be available to answer the questions that come up. The first reaction of someone is not always the final decision.

A person may criticize or deny your information at first but then

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slowly begin to appreciate some parts of your message. Focus on the parts you have in common and build from there. According to the Quran, patience reflects a true strength of character and is a quality that comes by turning to God for help (16:127, 42:43). We read about this quality in 20:130: “Therefore, be patient in the face of their utterances, and praise and glorify your Lord before sunrise and before sunset…

Tolerance is another quality you must have when speaking with others (7:199, 24:22). You should accept the person for who they are while you are sharing God’s message with them. Tolerance means you don’t label the person with such names as disbeliever, idol worshipper, or hypocrite as you are inviting them. Yes, their belief may be completely different than the message of worshiping God alone, but you must be tolerant during the process.

Again, ask yourself how you would feel if the person who introduced God’s message to you had been intolerant and judgmental towards you. Most likely, you would have jumped ship and refused to listen to their message. A great example of this trait is reflected in verse 3:159 when God speaks of the prophet Muhammad: “It was mercy from GOD that you became compassionate towards them. Had you been harsh and mean-hearted, they would have abandoned you…

Don’t give up! When you sense the person is struggling and wants to believe but is not taking the steps, stay with them. Keep reminding and encouraging them by being a good example or inviting them to occasions where they can feel the support of others who are worshiping God alone.

Cont’d on page 3