Subject: [Masjid Tucson] Submission weekly reminder

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Peace be upon you,

[16:125] You shall invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and kind enlightenment, and debate with them in the best possible manner. Your Lord knows best who has strayed from His path, and He knows best who are the guided ones.

Invite means to make a polite, formal, or friendly request to (someone) to go somewhere or to do something.

Polite and friendly. This is how God is telling us to debate with those who don't agree. In any discussion, we should be calm, polite, kind and listen, as well as talk. We need to keep our cool and simply pass on the words of God. It's not up to us; it's only up to God. That person might hear, might not. But almost certainly won't hear if we're mean and judgmental and argumentative. It's an invitation.

[Quran 17:53] Tell My servants to treat each other in the best possible manner, for the devil will always try to drive a wedge among them. Surely, the devil is man's most ardent enemy.

[Quran 3:104] Let there be a community of you who invite to what is good, advocate righteousness, and forbid evil. These are the winners.

[Quran 41:33] Who can utter better words than one who invites to GOD, works righteousness, and says, "I am one of the submitters"? [41:34] Not equal is the good response and the bad response. You shall resort to the nicest possible response. Thus, the one who used to be your enemy, may become your best friend.


References:
Inviting to God, https://www.masjidtucson.org/submission/inviting_to_God.html
Guidance--A Gift From God, https://www.masjidtucson.org/publications/books/sp/2007/may/page1.html

Peace.