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Question about a class I'm taking [haram to study other religions?]
Anonymous
07/10/01 at 23:22:10
I'm taking a World Religion class. And we're learning about Taoism, Confuciusism and Judaism. My dad told me it's haram to study about all these kufar religions. But there it's too late to change classes. What should I do, I'm confused.

Re: Question about a class I'm taking [haram to study other religions?]
Saleema
07/11/01 at 00:06:58
[slm] It's not haram to study other religions. Why would it be haram? However, Muslims should not study other religions with the intention of deriving some sort of spiritual benefit from them becasue Islam is a complete way of life and has all the answers for us. If it is not done with this intention then it is not haram. It is very good to study other religions so that we can get a better understanding of the people around us. By doing so we will be better equipped to answer their questions about Islam and to show them that Islam is the best choice out there rather than their respective religions. Studying other religions will also help in refuting their accusations against Islam. Another way it will help is that we can point out the wrongs, illogic, etc in the other's religions. You can use this knowledge for the benefit of the Muslims and for your own benefit by gaining ajr (reward) from Allah. Also by studying other religions it will help you to appreciate how wonderful, spiritual, logical and useful Islam is. Many scholars have studied other religions, from contemporary scholars to those who lived centuries earlier. wasalm, Saleema

Re: Question about a class I'm taking [haram to study other religions?]
se7en
07/11/01 at 00:00:31
wa alaykum as salaam wa rahmatAllah, I think though it's dangerous to extensively study other religions without having some serious background knowledge of Islam.  It's really easy to fall into confusion, doubt and even rejection of Islam if there isn't that solid foundation of belief and understanding of the Islamic aqeeda and it's practices.   In this situation, if you are comfortable with taking this class, make sure you *seriously* study what Islam says about the issues you learn about.. and when Islam comes up you can teach the rest of the class something ;) wAllahu a'lam wasalaamu alaykum.

Re: Question about a class I'm taking [haram to study other religions?]
Mahmoodah
07/11/01 at 02:47:42
salam well said sisters;) i like studying other religions, its good knowledge, and wen ppl fr another religion ask u a Q, then u can answaer by comparing it to there religion. And if sum1 critisises ur religion, u can correct them and point out there religion, its good 4 dawah as well ;) wa-salam

Re: Question about a class I'm taking [haram to study other religions?]
Anik
07/11/01 at 18:29:49
A.A. many a-times, people have been afraid that if they understand another religion it makes them weaker or has the possibility of pulling them away... people have been told not to study other religions so they are kept cooped up like birds and do not stray from the society's values.. actually, I would say also that it isn't wrong to study othwer religions... as far as I understand it is better for a muslim to learn about other religions so as to be stronger in their own relgion and to know what is around you. I think that is one main problem with everyone today, even muslims. we don't know about ideas and reject them and then talk like we know all about them. And I agree it is dangerous to extensively research another religion, not without a solid background in Islam, but without strong Iman...  but just understand that it is , i think at least, impossible to really get a view of one religion if it is judged by the standards of another. Appying one idea to another maynot match.. often, with closed minds we are just trying to find the closest concept to match other ideas with, while we are completely missing th essence of the idea. I won't be a hypocrite and say don't extensively research because you might lose yoyur Islam... after all, I extensively resreached and discovered it. I believe the true pathshould be clear no matter how it's seen. A.A. abdullah,.

Re: Question about a class I'm taking [haram to study other religions?]
Anonymous
07/12/01 at 03:00:24
Assalam, Saleema:[quote]"Also by studying other religions it will help you to appreciate how wonderful,spiritual,logical and useful Islam is."[/quote] This is VERY true! As I was learning about the religions, it was sooo confusing! It made no sense at all! They have soo many gods and idols. It's like: "WHAT!" Very complcated.

Re: Question about a class I'm taking [haram to study other religions?]
Kashif
07/12/01 at 03:17:50
assalaamu alaikum At the other end of the spectrum the scholars of Islam have generally forbidden lay Muslims to undertake the (detailed) study of heretic groups so that the Muslim is protected from being impressed or influenced *unconsciously* by the heresy or its creators. Such a thing has happened in the past with some bad results, Jahm b. Safwan being one example (if i remember correctly). To what extent that applies to the study of other religions, i'm not sure.. perhaps Abu Khaled could give us some input. Traditionally, it was the specialists amongst the ulama & the students of knowledge who were firmly grounded in their Islamic belief that studied such books with a view to *refuting* them. Obviously, being taught about other religions at the hands of a non-Muslim is way, way different to studying the same topic at the hands of a Muslim scholar, especially in these days where the message that is being forcefully pushed is "the brotherhood of humanity," and the "multitude of paths that lead s to God." "And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted of him and in the Hereafter He will be amongst the losers." Kashif Wa Salaam
NS

Re: Question about a class I'm taking [haram to study other religions?]
Saleema
07/12/01 at 03:40:49
[slm] The person who posted the question seems to be taking a basic class. My guess is the person is probably in high school? It is wise to have a good understanding of Islam and a very firm Iman for the study of other religions if one is studying them very deeply, at a scholarly level. But i don't think there is much to worry about if it is just a basic class. At some point in time many people have to take certain subjects that are required that they cannot get around them. And even if someone doesn't, then they will come across a documentary on PBS or are required to read a book in English that talks about a certain religion. Now everyone don't jump at me, but I don't think that most people are that dumb that they will change their minds or go astray by taking a few classes on different religions. Come on. Have some faith in the Muslim masses. That sort of cuation is good, but don't take it to the extreme and say that we should leave that kind of stuff for the scholars only. We need to understand a *little* of other's religions ourselves too so that when scholars speak to us about them we can understand better what they are talking about. And how can you be an effective daiee if you don't know anything about other's religion?  If such an attitude is taken to the exreme, then what we will have is a sort of muslim clergy thing. All the valuable info will reside with the scholars only. And i think to some degree it has happened already. We say that the Christians believe only what their priests tell them and that the knowledge of their religion resides with them. They just hear and obey. The same thing is happening with us, is it not? I mean sure we should obey to what our scholars say but we should also be careful. Everyone should seek out knowledge. And if someone is destined to go astray...then they were destined to go astray, somehow or another they would have. [wlm] Saleema

Re: Question about a class I'm taking [haram to study other religions?]
Sparrow
07/13/01 at 11:17:02
Saleema, Nicely said! Sparrow

Re: Question about a class I'm taking [haram to study other religions?]
Anonymous
07/14/01 at 23:38:22
Assalam, I'm in College. I'm taking the class because I need a Phol.(can't even spell it) credit. I love Islam and understanding it better than I do other religions. To me, Islam makes perfect sense.
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