He is convinced of Islam but is concerned about his parents who are staunch Christians

I am a Christian who is highly interested in Islam, in fact I think it is the TRUE religion of God . My problem is that my parents are staunch Catholics and get furious on seeing the Koran inside our house. I do not wish to displease anyone and at the same time I want to continue with what is best . Please advise me accordingly. Is there a way out of this dilemma? Would appreciate a quick reply.

Praise be to Allaah.

We thank you very much for sending this question to us, and we say to you that your deep interest in Islam is what will make you embrace this religion soon, in sha Allaah (if Allaah wills). Your current attitude is an important step towards entering this religion, which Allaah wants and besides which He accepts no other religion. Your conviction that this is the true religion of Allaah means that you must now take the ultimate step and pronounce the Shahaadatayn (the twin declarations of faith). When this reply reaches you, go and take a bath (ghusl) and say:

“Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasool-Allaah (I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah).” Then start to practice the rituals of this great religion, above all the five daily prayers at the appointed times, as Allaah enjoined them.

Know that one of the rules of Islam is that you should love Allaah and His Messenger, and that love for Allaah should take priority over love for anyone else. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight are dearer to you than Allaah and His Messenger, and striving hard and fighting in His Cause, then wait until Allaah brings about His Decision (torment). And Allaah guides not the people who are Al-Fasiqoon (the rebellious, disobedient to Allaah)” [al-Tawbah 9:24]

The Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are three things, whoever attains them will find the sweetness of faith: when Allaah and His Messenger are more beloved to him than everything else; when he loves another person he loves him only for the sake of Allaah; and when he hates to return to Kufr as he would hate to be thrown into the fire.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari in his Saheeh, no. 15).

This means that love for Allaah must come before love for one’s parents and any other created being. If there is a conflict between pleasing Allaah and pleasing your parents, then pleasing Allaah must take precedence. In your situation, as you have described it, we advise you to do the following with regard to your parents:

Address them in the best of terms and treat them in the best manner

If they insist that you follow kufr, then conceal your Islam if you fear that you are not able to confront them openly, and pray where they cannot see you

Do not think at all that there is any burden or sin on you if they get angry with you for becoming a Muslim. Remember that when a person pleases Allaah even though it makes people angry, Allaah will be pleased with him and will make the people pleased with him.

Keep on praying for them to be guided and call them to Islam with wisdom and beautiful preaching. Maybe Allaah will guide them through you.

We ask Allaah to help you in this world and the next. Peace be upon those who follow true guidance.

Do not stop calling non-Muslims to Islam for fear that they may revile the religion

I am involved in calling people to Islam (da’wah) via chat rooms, Paltalk and Messenger. I call Muslims and non-Muslims. My question is: sometimes I want to call a person who is not Muslim, but I am afraid that if I call him, he may revile Islam. Should I refrain from calling him? If I must do that, then I should not call any non-Muslims, because I am afraid of most of them, because I do not know them. What do you advise me to do?.

Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:

We ask Allaah to increase your energy and guide your efforts, and grant you the best of rewards for your interest in da’wah and calling people to the religion and way of Allaah. There is no one who is better in speech and conduct than one who guides the people to truth and light.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

 “And who is better in speech than he who [says: ‘My Lord is Allaah (believes in His Oneness),’ and then stands firm (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allaah’s (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: ‘I am one of the Muslims’”

[Fussilat 41:33]

But I warn you that private chat rooms are a door to temptation and evil, because among those who enter them are women and those who follow their whims and desires. The daa’iyah may begin by talking to everyone, and the shaytaan sets traps of specious arguments and desires, until he instils in his heart the temptation to imitate the followers of falsehood, or he makes him influenced and controlled by haraam desires, then he plays with him as a child plays with a ball. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And (remember) when Shaytaan (Satan) made their (evil) deeds seem fair to them and said, ‘No one of mankind can overcome you this day (of the battle of Badr) and verily, I am your neighbour (for each and every help).’ But when the two forces came in sight of each other, he ran away and said ‘Verily, I have nothing to do with you. Verily, I see what you see not. Verily, I fear Allaah for Allaah is Severe in punishment’”

[al-Anfaal 8:48]

On our site we have previously offered advice to those who engage in da’wah via the internet, lest the shaytaan ensnare them in ways they did not imagine. We have stated that public da’wah or organizing da’wah efforts in this field should be done by organizations or groups, and this is more beneficial and safer than individual efforts, because the shaytaan is closer to the one who is alone.

See question no. 32693.

Secondly:

The one who wants to call others to Allaah must equip himself with the shar’i knowledge that he wants to convey to others, and he should have sufficient experience to debate well with others, and he should have some knowledge of the doubts and desires that they suffer from, and how they may be treated. If all a person has is sincere emotions and a little knowledge gathered from here and there, that will not achieve anything and it will not benefit the one whom he is calling at all. The worst thing that we fear for the one who embarks on such a mission before he is prepared for it and before he is properly qualified for it, is that he may be like the one who is overcome with compassion for the people who were stricken with a fatal disease and he rushed to help them without any experience in medicine, so he does not benefit the sick or protect himself. There is a saying; “He went hunting but he got caught.”  So beware, O slave of Allaah, and let your first concern be to save yourself.

“Nay! Man will be a witness against himself [as his body parts (skin, hands, legs) will speak about his deeds],

15. Though he may put forth his excuses (to cover his evil deeds)”

[al-Qiyaamah 75:14-15]

Thirdly:

If a person is qualified to call people to Allaah, no matter in which field he works to call them, it is not permissible for him to stop calling on the basis of fear that a person may reject the call and insult the message or the religion, otherwise there would be no more da’wah and no one to explain the true religion to people. This is not what pleases the Lord of the Worlds. Rather Allaah has commanded us to adhere to wisdom and use beautiful preaching. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Invite (mankind, O Muhammad صلىالله عليه وسلم) to the way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Revelation and the Qur’aan) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided”

[al-Nahl 16:125]

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) urged us to be kind and gentle, giving glad tidings and using an easy-going attitude, out of keenness that the people who are called should accept the truth that is presented to them.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to Mu’aadh and Abu Moosa when he sent them to the people of the Book in Yemen: “Be easy going and do not be harsh, give glad tidings and do not put people off.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (3038) and Muslim (1773).

The one who adheres to this method of calling people will not be harmed if the one whom he calls turns out to be one who reviles the religion or rejects it or is arrogant towards it.

The leader of the daa’yahs, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), was continually involved in calling people to Allaah and offering wise advice, even though many of the mushrikeen responded with insults, beatings and mockery.

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said:

When the words “And warn your tribe (O Muhammad) of near kindred” [al-Shu’ara’ 26:214] were revealed, the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) went out and climbed al-Safa, then he called out: “Ya sabaahaah (Be on your guard)!” They said: Who is this that is calling out? They said: Muhammad. They gathered around him, and he said: “O Banu So and so! O Banu So and so! O Banu ‘Abd Manaaf! O Banu ‘Abd al-Muttalib!” They gathered around him and he said: “Do you think that if I told you that there was a cavalry emerging from the foot of this mountain, would you believe me?” They said: We have never known you to be a liar. He (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I am a warner to you of an imminent and severe punishment.”

Abu Lahab said: May you perish! Did you call us together only for this? Then he stood up, and this soorah was revealed: “Perish the two hands of Abu Lahab (an uncle of the Prophet) and perish he!” [al-Masad 111:1].

Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1394) and Muslim (208).

 What is forbidden is initiating insults and put-downs with the mushrikeen and kuffaar, lest that make them respond in like manner. This is what Allaah forbids in the Qur’aan. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And insult not those whom they (disbelievers) worship besides Allaah, lest they insult Allaah wrongfully without knowledge”

[al-An’aam 6:108]

Do not feel ashamed of the truth, and do not give up conveying the message of this religion with knowledge and insight. Strive to choose appropriate words and choose the right approach. Avoid insulting and mocking, and all kinds of wrongdoing and aggression, then after that it will not matter whatever the person you are calling may say. His sin is his burden to bear on the Day of Resurrection, and you will earn reward in sha Allaah.

And Allaah knows best.

Muslims’ opinion of Christians; is the jihad that they spoke of in the past still ongoing?

What is the Muslims oppinion of Christianity and why is there so much quarrel? Is it because of the crusades and that the jihad (sorry if spelt wrongly) that was spoken then still exists? 3.) Cant both culture accept as God and Allah being the same Creator? Because both are described in a very simular way and i am wondering if both accept God and Allah being the same Creator that many problems would be solved? Plz answer as soon as possible because it would be useful to use the information i get in my project on Islam? .

Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:

The Muslims regard the Christians as being of two types:

1 –Those who believed in Jesus (peace be upon him) at the time of Jesus or after him, before the coming of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). They are righteous believers who believed in the Oneness of God (Tawheed); they believed that Jesus was a great Messenger who was sent by God, and they believed in other Messengers such as Abraham and Moses.

As for those who believed in Jesus (peace be upon him) then believed in Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), they are of a high status, and will have a double reward, as our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said.

2 – Those who deviated from Tawheed (pure monotheism) and believed that Jesus was God or the son of God, or they devoted some forms of worship to him such as prayer and supplication. This is going against the teachings of Jesus and other Messengers, and following the distortions that the priests and monks introduced into the true religion that was brought by Jesus from God.

Similarly, those who heard the Message of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) but did not believe in it or follow him, are going against the way of the Muslims and are going against the teachings of Jesus (peace be upon him), because he foretold the coming of his brother Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

This opinion about the Christians is well established and does not stem from the Crusades or the oppression of the colonialists and their aggression against Muslim lands. If anyone rejects the message of Jesus (peace be upon him) or the message of Moses (peace be upon him) or the message of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), he is a kaafir (disbeliever). If anyone denies that this Qur’aan was revealed from God, or mocks it, he is a kaafir, because the Qur'aan was revealed from Allaah.

As for jihad, it will remain in effect until the Day of Resurrection. Its aim is to spread the call of truth to all of mankind and free man from the oppressive forces that conceal the light from him and prevent him from thinking about the truth, and subject him to rules that go against the rulings of God. The aim of jihad is not to force anyone to enter Islam, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“There is no compulsion in religion”

[al-Baqarah 2:256]

Secondly:

What you mention about the Lord and God and the Creator indicates that your fitrah (basic human nature) and your reasoning are sound. This is what the Muslims believe. The Lord is God (Allaah) and He is the Creator; there is no creator but Him and no lord but Him, and no one deserves to be worshipped except Him. The Creator, the Provider, the Controller, is Allaah, besides Whom there is no other god, and it is not permissible for us to worship anyone but Him. This God cannot be like a human being, having a son or a wife; exalted be Allaah above that.

Moreover, this God cannot be incarnated in human form, eating, drinking, feeling hunger and thirst, being beaten and crucified.

Muslim belief is easy and is in accordance with reason and logic: there is a Creator and created beings. The Creator is Allaah, may He be exalted, and the created things are everything besides Him, heavens, earth, sun, moon, humans and jinn. By His Mercy, Allaah sent Messengers to mankind, to call them to Allaah and show them the right way. Among these Messengers were Nooh (Noah), Ibraaheem (Abraham), Moosa (Moses), ‘Eesa (Jesus) and Muhammad, may the blessings and peace of Allaah be upon them all. Allaah supported these Messengers with signs, which were miraculous things, the like of which other people could not produce, which were appropriate to the time and place in which each Messenger was sent. Some were thrown into the fire and not harmed by it, such as Ibraaheem (Abraham); some brought the dead back to life and healed the sick by Allaah’s Leave, such as ‘Eesa (Jesus); one was given the Qur’aan and challenged all the most eloquent Arabs to produce a single soorah like it, but they could not do it. That was Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Allaah caused inanimate objects and animals to speak to him, and the stone in his hand glorified Allaah, and the camel complained to him about being given too much work to do, and there were many other miracles.

If the wise man thinks about what is keeping the Christians from believing that Jesus (peace be upon him) was a Messenger from God, and that he is like Abraham, Zacharias and John (peace be upon them), this will put an end to the problem, as reason is in agreement with the fitrah (sound human nature) and revelation. Jesus (peace be upon him) called people to God and foretold the coming of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). His enemies tried to kill him, but God saved him and he was not crucified or killed, rather one of his companions was caused to look like him, as the Qur’aan says (interpretation of the meaning):

“but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but it appeared so to them the resemblance of ‘Eesa (Jesus) was put over another man (and they killed that man)”
[al-Nisa’ 4:157]

They all believe that Allaah (God) is the Lord and Creator, the only One to be worshipped, and they believe in His noble Messengers such as Ibraaheem, Moosa, ‘Eesa and Muhammad, may the blessing and peace of Allaah be upon them all. Then they follow the law of the last of them, the Final Messenger, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

There is no comparison between the simplicity of this belief and its affinity with sound human nature, and the confusion and contradictions that exist in Christian belief, but we will give just one example, which is the issue of the crucifixion and redemption.

The Christians always say that God sent His only son to relieve mankind of sin, and they regard that as an example of mercy and justice. But we ask them: What kind of justice and what kind of mercy is it for God to punish His only son – as they claim – for sin that he did not commit?!

What justice is there in passing the sin of Adam to his children, then saying that they need to expiate it?

What justice and mercy is there in delaying the expiation of this sin for thousands of years, from Adam until the time of Jesus (peace be upon him)?

What justice and mercy is there in making the expiation dependent upon crucifixion, pain and suffering, when it could be expiated, according to the Jews, by means of repentance and sacrifice?

When the Christians believed in the crucifixion, they wanted to lift from the Messiah the dreadful shame which accompanies crucifixion, which is the curse, so they claimed that crucifixion was actually an honour and the ultimate aim of the Messiah’s mission.

See: Deuteronomy 21:23, in which it says that anyone who is hung on a tree – crucified – is under God’s curse.

Undoubtedly believing in the Christian doctrine of the crucifixion and redemption implies a number of false things, including the following:

1-     That the previous Prophets and righteous servants of God were all doomed, because their sins were not expiated before they died.

2-     That the Jews must be the most blessed of people and superior to the Christians and all others, because it was at their hands that this great aim was achieved, namely the crucifixion of the Messiah!

3-     That people may indulge freely in evil and sin, safe from the punishment of God, because all sins have been expiated for them, and God will forgive them all their sins, as they claim.

4-     If the Messiah was crucified by his own choice, as they say, then why did he cry out after the crucifixion, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34).

Finally, we ask Allaah to help you in your research about Islam and guide you and open your heart to the truth and help you to follow it wherever it is. We hope that what we have mentioned will provide answers to your questions, even though the subjects that you mentioned require much more detail than this. But we will be happy to remain in touch with you and answer any of your questions.

And Allaah knows best.

She wants some advice for her Christian classmates

In the University where I am studying there is a considerable number of Christians, and it has reached a stage where some of them are proselytizing, even though they are in a Muslim country and living among the Muslims.
One of them even carries the Gospel with her, and another book about “faith”, on which there is a picture of the Virgin Mary (peace be upon her), and she encourages the girls to read it.
After that, from speaking to her I found out that she is active in the church, and she teaches the children there. Now I am confused about how to interact with her and others like her. Should I cut off ties with her and warn others about her, or should I try to debate with her about her beliefs?
Please note that I tried – once – to find out about some of what she believes so that I could work out how to debate with her, but I found out that she is well aware of matters of debate. It is as if she was trained in what she had to say, and she was equipped with how to debate and interact with Muslims. I did not have enough knowledge to argue with her or debate with her.

Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:

We appreciate your protective jealousy (gheerah) concerning the religion of Allaah, may He be exalted, and for your interest in calling others to Allaah, and we ask Allaah to guide us and you and to make us and you steadfast.

Secondly:

We do not advise you to debate with your Christian colleagues, because you stated that they have specious arguments that you are not able to refute, and you said that you are a beginner in seeking knowledge. This makes us repeat this advice in your case and the case of those who are like you.  The principle is that the permissibility of that is limited to situations in which the interests served by doing it are greater than the negative results thereof, or in situations where arguing is kept at a level of friendly debate rather than fighting.  Fath al-Qadeer by al-Shawkaani, 1/527.

The purpose which you seek to achieve by debating with the People of the Book or other types of people who associate others with Allaah, or people who follow whims and desires or innovations, can only be achieved if it is undertaken by those who are qualified for it, who have sufficient knowledge of their own religion and the other religion to debate it, and who also follow the shar’i etiquette that is prescribed for us in such matters.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

Because the followers of the Prophets are people of knowledge and justice, when the followers of Islam and the Sunnah speak with the kuffaar and followers of bid’ah, they speak with knowledge and justice, not with speculation and whims. Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Judges are of three types, two of whom will be in the Fire and one in Paradise. A man who knows the truth and judges accordingly will be in Paradise. A man who knows the truth and judges otherwise will be in the Fire. And a man who judges among people on the basis of ignorance, will be in the Fire.” Narrated by Abu Dawood and others [and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’]. If he is one of those who pass judgment among people concerning their wealth, lives and honour, and he is neither knowledgeable nor just, then he will be in Hell, so how about one who judges concerning sects and religions, and the basic principles of faith, knowledge of the divine and other fundamental pricnples, with no knowledge or justice, like the followers of innovation and whims and desires.

Al-Jawaab al-Saheeh li man baddala Deen al-maseeh, 1/107-108.

Because of what Shaykh al-Islam mentioned here about the etiquette of debate, Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And argue not with the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), unless it be in (a way) that is better (with good words and in good manner, inviting them to Islamic Monotheism with His Verses), except with such of them as do wrong; and say (to them): ‘We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you; our Ilaah (God) and your Ilaah (God) is One (i.e. Allaah), and to Him we have submitted (as Muslims)’”

[al-‘Ankaboot 29:46]

Shaykh Ibn Sa’di (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in his Tafseer: Here Allaah is forbidding arguing with the People of the Book, if it is done with no knowledge of argument or with no appropriate basis, and He says that we should not argue with them except in a way that is better, with a good attitude, kindness and gentle speech, calling to the truth and making it attractive, and refuting falsehood and making it unattractive, in the most effective manner. The purpose behind it should not simply be to debate and argue, and loving to win, rather the purpose should be to demonstrate the truth and guide people. End quote. Tafseer al-Sa’di 743.

You should also focus on seeking knowledge. Before a Muslim learns about what others believe, he has to learn his own religion and its rulings. So look for sisters who are seekers of knowledge and start to learn your religion with them. You can also make use of tapes by the scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah who promote the way of the righteous salaf, especially if there is no one available who can teach you.

Your primary concern should be to learn that which will correct your belief and worship. Study the meanings of the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

This is the sound way with which you should begin. Forget about debating with Christians and other followers of misguidance and leave that to those who are specialized in that field, for they are more able to debate with them and point out where they have gone wrong. There are still people in the Muslim ummah who can do this duty – praise be to Allaah.

If you think that the Christian proselytizing is having some impact on your Muslim sisters, then you must warn them against making friends with these kaafir women or listening to them. You can also provide them with books and tapes which explain true Islam, and warn against false sects and religions.

We ask Allaah to help you to do that which pleases Him, and to enable you to gain beneficial knowledge and do righteous deeds.

And Allaah knows best.

Discussion with a Christian: The Oneness of God is the message of Jesus and all the Prophets, peace be upon them

Why do you shun the truth and say that Jesus is only a Messenger instead of regarding him as the son of God? Jesus is the only son of the Lord and that is the truth!!.

Praise be to Allaah.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to communicate and discuss the truth which we all need to know and follow, no matter what our previous differences of opinion and beliefs. It is only by means of this, I mean by knowing the truth and following it, that we can free ourselves of our sins, as it says in your Bible:

“Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free”

John 8:31 – New International Version (NIV)

So let us pause for a while and think about this truth, as it is stated in your Bible despite all the distortions and changes that have happened to it!

The message that was brought by the Messiah (peace be upon him) was the call to worship God, the One, the Lord of the Messiah and the Lord of the worlds:

“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent”

John 17:3 – NIV

“A certain ruler asked him: ‘Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’

‘Why do you call me good?’ Jesus answered. ‘No one is good – except God alone.’”

Luke 18:18-19 – NIV

“The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.

And he said to him, ‘I will give you all their authority and splendour, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.

So if you worship me, it will all be yours.’

Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.”’”

Luke 4:5-8 – NIV

Believing in and worshipping Allaah alone, besides Whom there is no other god, is the greatest teaching brought by the Messiah, and it is the greatest teaching brought by all the Prophets.

“One of the teachers of the law came and noticed them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’

‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

The second is this: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no commandment greater than these.’

‘Well said, teacher,’ the man replied. ‘You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him.

To love him with all your heart, with you all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself is more important that all burnt offerings and sacrifices.’

When Jesus saw that he has answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.”

Mark 12:28-34 – NIV

But do not think that this advice was given to Israel or to his own people only. Rather this is the basis of the teachings of all the Prophets. The same advice appears in the Gospel of Matthew, in similar wording, after which he says:

“All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:39 – NIV

This belief in the oneness of God is indeed the message of all of the Prophets. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad) but We revealed to him (saying): Laa ilaaha illa Ana [none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allaah)], so worship Me (Alone and none else)”

[al-Anbiya’ 21:25]

This is the basic message to which the Messiah called people and warned them against differing from that. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Surely, they have disbelieved who say: ‘Allaah is the Messiah [‘Eesa (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary).’ But the Messiah [‘Eesa (Jesus)] said: ‘O Children of Israel! Worship Allaah, my Lord and your Lord.’ Verily, whosoever sets up partners (in worship) with Allaah, then Allaah has forbidden Paradise to him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers) there are no helpers”

[al-Maa'idah 5:72]

This is the basic principle on which we should all agree. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Say (O Muhammad): ‘O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allaah (Alone), and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allaah.’ Then, if they turn away, say: ‘Bear witness that we are Muslims’”

[Aal ‘Imraan 3:64]

It is alien to true Christianity, this futile attempt to reconcile the belief in the Oneness of God, which is the message brought by the Prophets, and which is clearly stated in their Bible, and affirmed in the Torah in particular, with their belief in the trinity.

It says in the American Encyclopedia:

The belief in the Oneness of God – as a theological movement – began at a very early stage in history, and in fact it preceded the belief in trinity by many decades. Christianity developed from Judaism, and Judaism firmly believes that there is one God.

The path that led from Jerusalem (the home of the first disciples of Christ) to Nicea (where it was decided in 325 CE that Christ was equal to God in essence and eternal nature) can hardly be described as a straight path.

The doctrine of trinity which was affirmed in the fourth century CE bears no resemblance to the original teachings of Christ concerning the nature of God. Au contraire, it is the opposite, a deviation from that teaching. Hence it developed in opposition to the belief in One God… (27/294).

You can refer to the views of some of those Christians who still believe in the Oneness of God in the same American Encyclopedia, 27/300-301

It is difficult to comprehend, so no wonder you were never able to comprehend it. But what is strange is that you believe in something that it is impossible to understand, unless we deceive ourselves and say that this understanding will come on the Last Day:

“We understand that as much as our minds are able to, and we hope that we will understand it more clearly in the future, when the veil is removed from all things in heaven and on earth. But for now, the extent to which we do understand it is enough!”

Yes, the truth will become perfectly clear to you in the future, as it is clear to us today, praise be to Allaah, on the Day on which Allaah will gather the Messengers and make them bear witness concerning their nations. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And (remember) when Allaah will say (on the Day of Resurrection): ‘O ‘Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)! Did you say unto men: Worship me and my mother as two gods besides Allaah?’  He will say: ‘Glory be to You! It was not for me to say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, You would surely have known it. You know what is in my inner‑self though I do not know what is in Yours; truly, You, only You, are the All‑Knower of all that is hidden (and unseen).

117. ‘Never did I say to them aught except what You (Allaah) did command me to say: Worship Allaah, my Lord and your Lord. And I was a witness over them while I dwelt amongst them, but when You took me up, You were the Watcher over them; and You are a Witness to all things. (This is a great admonition and warning to the Christians of the whole world).

118. ‘If You punish them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them, verily, You, only You, are the All‑Mighty, the All‑Wise.’

119. Allaah will say: This is a Day on which the truthful will profit from their truth: theirs are Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise) — they shall abide therein forever. Allaah is pleased with them and they with Him. That is the great success (Paradise).

120. To Allaah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all that is therein, and He is Able to do all things”

[al-Maa’idah 5:116-120].

His friends have some pictures of him and he has asked them to destroy them, but they refused

Some of my friends have pictures of me and I asked them for these pictures so that I could destroy them, fearing the punishment of Allaah. Some of them gave them to me but others refused, saying that the sin will be on them and not on me. Is this correct? I hope that you can advise me.

Praise be to Allaah.
Allaah erases sin by means of sincere repentance from sin, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And all of you beg Allaah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful”

[al-Noor 24:31]

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Islam destroys that which came before it [of sin], and repentance destroys that which came before it [of sin].” You have to destroy the pictures that you have, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to ‘Ali (may Allaah be pleased with him): “Do not leave any image without blotting it out and do not leave any elevated grave without leveling it.” Narrated by Imam Muslim in his Saheeh. With regard to the pictures of you that other people have, if you ask them to return them and they refuse, then you are free from any blame and your sincere repentance includes these pictures too; the sin is on those who are keeping them. May Allaah guide us all.

Persisting in sin

What will happened to that person doing same sin again and again ?.

Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:

If a person commits sin time after time, his sin is forgiven every time if he follows his sin with repentance – if his repentance each time is sincere. The evidence that it is permissible to repent time after time is the fact that those who apostatized from Islam at the time of Abu Bakr were brought back to Islam by Abu Bakr and he accepted that from them, although he knew that they had been kaafirs, then they entered Islam, then they went back to kufr, then they came back to Islam. All the Sahaabah accepted their repentance despite the fact that what the apostates had done was worse than what a sinning Muslim does. So the repentance of a sinning Muslim, even if he sins repeatedly, is more likely to be accepted than repentance on the part of a kaafir time after time.

But what we are saying is subject to the condition that the first and subsequent cases of repentance be sincere and from the heart, not simply an outward show of repentance.

What we are saying should not be understood to mean that we are encouraging sin and that it may be committed time after time, and that the Muslim should take the mercy of Allaah and the fact that Allaah accepts repentance as an excuse to commit sin. No, our intention is to encourage the sinner to repent time after time. We want to put the mind of the Muslim who wants to come back to Allaah at rest, and tell him that the gate of mercy is open, and that Allaah’s forgiveness is greater than his sin, so he should not despair of the mercy of Allaah and he should keep turning to Him.

Al-Bukhaari (7507) and Muslim (2758) narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said that his Lord said: “My slave commits sin, then he says, ‘O Allaah, forgive me my sin.’ Then Allaah says, ‘My slave has committed a sin, but he knows that he has a Lord Who forgives sin and takes away sin. So I forgive My slave.’ Then he commits sin again, and says, ‘O Allaah, forgive me my sin.’ Then Allaah says, ‘My slave has committed a sin, but he knows that he has a Lord Who forgives sin and takes away sin. So I forgive My slave.’ Then he commits sin again, and says, ‘O Allaah, forgive me my sin.’ Then Allaah says, ‘My slave has committed a sin, but he knows that he has a Lord Who forgives sin and takes away sin. So I forgive My slave.’ …”

Al-Haafiz Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali said:

Ibn Abi Dunya narrated with his isnaad that ‘Ali said: “The best of you is every tempted one who repents (i.e., every time he is tempted by this world, he repents).” It was said, “What if he sins again?” He said, “He should ask Allaah for forgiveness and repent.” It was said, “What if he sins again?” He said, “He should ask Allaah for forgiveness and repent.” It was said, “What if he sins again?” He said, “He should ask Allaah for forgiveness and repent.” It was said, “For how long?” He said, “Until the Shaytaan is defeated.”

Ibn Maajah narrated a marfoo’ report from Ibn Mas’ood which says: “The one who repents from sin is like the one who did not commit sin.” (Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah, 3427).

It was said to al-Hasan: Shouldn’t one of us feel too shy to ask his Lord to forgive his sin, then do it again, then ask for forgiveness, then do it again? He said: The Shaytaan wishes that you would have this attitude, so do not tire of asking for forgiveness.

And it was narrated that he said: I do not think this is anything other than the attitude of the believers, i.e., every time a believer sins, he repents.

‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azeez said in his khutbah: O people, whoever commits sin, let him seek the forgiveness of Allah and repent. If he does it again, let him seek the forgiveness of Allah and repent, and if he does it again, let him seek the forgiveness of Allah and repent. For it is sin which hangs around a person’s neck, and doom comes from persisting in sin.

What this means is that a person will inevitably commit the sins that it is decreed he will commit, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Every son of Adam has his share of zina (adultery) written for him, and that will inevitably catch up with him.” (Narrated by Muslim, 2657).

But Allaah has given people a way out from the sins they commit and sin is erased by repentance and seeking forgiveness. If they do that then they will get rid of the evil of sin, but if they persist in sin, then they will be doomed.

Jaami’ al-‘Uloom wa’l-Hakam, 1/164-165.

And Allaah knows best.