What is your opinion if we, as students of knowledge, were to respond to the atheists in the newspapers, for example?
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The Shaykh : Allow me, my brother, he says he has a final question.
The questioner : The final question: Well, may Allah reward you with good for this advice. At least, for example, we are now, as students, if we were to, for example, respond, meaning at least respond.
The Shaykh : 'Umar?
The questioner : Meaning in the newspapers.
The Shaykh : Respond to whom?
The questioner : To, meaning, the atheists who exist in our lands.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : So, does this mean it is possible for someone to do this, or is there harm in the da'wah (calling to Islam) and one should leave it?
The Shaykh : May Allah bless you, this is not a new question. Stay in your place. You are asking a third question, which is the second, and the second is the first. I am telling you now, do you not feel in those lands that instead of writing an article responding to the atheists and the zindiqs (heretics), who will not respond to you, do you not feel that there are Muslims who think they are upon Islam but are far, far away from Islam? Do you not think that there are people who call upon other than Allah, seek nearness to Allah through other than Allah, and do not know how to send blessings upon the Messenger of Allah? Do you not believe this?
The questioner : Yes
The Shaykh : Well, instead of writing an article responding to an atheist from whom you do not expect guidance, write an article clarifying to the Muslims around you—perhaps your father, your grandfather, your mother, your uncle, your maternal uncle, and so on—who do not know how to pray properly. The closest people are more deserving of kindness. So, work with these people. Write an article clarifying the guidance of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) in some of what he brought, for these people who are in need of your guidance and teaching, instead of writing an article responding to these disbelievers. By Allah, you are many, and some of you perform this duty that I am speaking of, which is a very broad duty. I do not think the required number of people exists for it. So, if we assume this, then Zayd among the people will respond to the atheists, and we have no objection.
Nevertheless, there is an important note here. The one who wants to respond to the atheists should be from the people of knowledge, not a student of knowledge who may be a beginner or in secondary school or the like, until it is true that he knows how the shoulder is eaten, meaning he first knows the doubts of these disbelievers, and then knows how to respond to their doubts because he is saturated with the evidence of the Book and the evidence of the Sunnah.
And in the end, I say: My brother, work on yourselves and leave the other sects or the other nations or the other religions, until the ummah (Muslim community) is established and stands on its feet. After that, the da'wah (calling to Islam) will proceed in its path. So, whoever stands in its way will have nothing before him but the sword, which the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) referred to in his previous statement:Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 10:95.
Please.
The questioner : The final question: Well, may Allah reward you with good for this advice. At least, for example, we are now, as students, if we were to, for example, respond, meaning at least respond.
The Shaykh : 'Umar?
The questioner : Meaning in the newspapers.
The Shaykh : Respond to whom?
The questioner : To, meaning, the atheists who exist in our lands.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : So, does this mean it is possible for someone to do this, or is there harm in the da'wah (calling to Islam) and one should leave it?
The Shaykh : May Allah bless you, this is not a new question. Stay in your place. You are asking a third question, which is the second, and the second is the first. I am telling you now, do you not feel in those lands that instead of writing an article responding to the atheists and the zindiqs (heretics), who will not respond to you, do you not feel that there are Muslims who think they are upon Islam but are far, far away from Islam? Do you not think that there are people who call upon other than Allah, seek nearness to Allah through other than Allah, and do not know how to send blessings upon the Messenger of Allah? Do you not believe this?
The questioner : Yes
The Shaykh : Well, instead of writing an article responding to an atheist from whom you do not expect guidance, write an article clarifying to the Muslims around you—perhaps your father, your grandfather, your mother, your uncle, your maternal uncle, and so on—who do not know how to pray properly. The closest people are more deserving of kindness. So, work with these people. Write an article clarifying the guidance of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) in some of what he brought, for these people who are in need of your guidance and teaching, instead of writing an article responding to these disbelievers. By Allah, you are many, and some of you perform this duty that I am speaking of, which is a very broad duty. I do not think the required number of people exists for it. So, if we assume this, then Zayd among the people will respond to the atheists, and we have no objection.
Nevertheless, there is an important note here. The one who wants to respond to the atheists should be from the people of knowledge, not a student of knowledge who may be a beginner or in secondary school or the like, until it is true that he knows how the shoulder is eaten, meaning he first knows the doubts of these disbelievers, and then knows how to respond to their doubts because he is saturated with the evidence of the Book and the evidence of the Sunnah.
And in the end, I say: My brother, work on yourselves and leave the other sects or the other nations or the other religions, until the ummah (Muslim community) is established and stands on its feet. After that, the da'wah (calling to Islam) will proceed in its path. So, whoever stands in its way will have nothing before him but the sword, which the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) referred to in his previous statement:
I was sent with the sword before the Hour, so that Allah alone may be worshipped, with no partner for Him.
بُعثت بين يدي الساعة بالسيف حتى يُعبد الله وحده لا شريك لهPlease.