It is important for Muslim youth to understand how to interact with other people Photo Pexels
World – In today’s interconnected world, interacting with people from diverse backgrounds, faiths, and cultures is becoming increasingly common. As globalisation continues to bring people closer together, it is more important than ever for the Muslim youth to learn how to interact with others who come from different backgrounds.
Whether it’s in school, the workplace, or in their personal lives, young people must be able to communicate effectively with people from different cultures for various reasons. When it comes to Muslims, we are especially advantageous because Islam has already taught us how to interact with people, explained Mualana Zakaria Murchie.
“Our interactions with them should be based on how can I draw this person close to Allah (SWT), how can I convince this person that they should consider or think about reverting or converting to Islam. One incident that comes to mind is when Nabi (SAW) saw a very old lady and went to assist her to carry some goods that she had. While walking she spoke bad about Nabi (SAW). She was warning Nabi (SAW) to be careful of himself. This lady did not know who she was speaking to but Nabi (SAW) portrayed such Akhlaaq (character) that when she asked him who he was, Nabi (SAW) said he is the very same person she was speaking about.”
This Akhlaaq of Nabi (SAW) was so impeccable that this woman was overtaken, mesmerised and affected that she accepted Islam. This incident teaches us how important it is to interact with people with a clean heart and portray good Akhlaaq.
Learning about their traditions, religions and backgrounds
It is not uncommon for one to want to get to know another person’s religion or traditions to understand their way of life better. While this is perfectly fine, we should avoid going in depth and researching their religious books, said Mualana Murchie.
“There’s a lot of information that is easily accessible and available on the internet. If you want to understand certain aspects of a person’s religion you can do so. One thing we should not attempt to do is study their holy scriptures. While we do believe that perhaps a very small percentage is still divine, we do not have the necessary knowledge, skill and background to now delve into their scriptures.”
On one occasion Umar (RA) was studying the Torah and going into its meanings, this displeased Nabi (SAW) to a great extent. We can go to the internet and learn about their religion especially if we wish to give Dawah (calling them to Islam) to them.
“Sometimes they ask certain questions with regards to Islam, we give them the Islamic perspective and we give them what Christianity says about the same thing. In a very nice way we give them Dawah and show them what we believe in and what they believe. Where the similarities are and the discrepancies.”
Congratulation a non-Muslim on their religious holidays
We often have our non-Muslim coworkers or friends wish us a happy Eid or a happy Ramadan. So when their religious holidays take place, there is a feeling that we need to wish them back. What we must understand is Islam does not recognise these as religious holidays, said Mualana Murchie.
“We should not, in spite of them wishing us a Ramadan Mubarak or Eid Mubarak, wish them in turn acknowledging that it is a holy day. The way to respond and react to this is to tell them to enjoy their day tomorrow. It is very comprehensive. So you don’t have to say Merry Christmas or happy Diwali. We are not intending that day is a holy day. We can also say, ‘May God bless you’ wishing them goodness.”
It is important to understand this as we often feel trapped when it comes to wishing them on their religious holidays. We must understand what is right and wrong when it comes to Deen. Even if they wish us, it is not the way of Islam for us to wish them or acknowledge this as a holy day.
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Treating people equally regardless of their status
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for people to be treated differently based on their appearance, wealth and intelligence. We often find those who are not pretty, intelligent or wealthy, according to the standards of society, treated very much differently from those who fit that standard. We should never ever make a distinction between people because of these things, warned Mualana Murchie.
“We should show them honour, respect and dignity according to the Taqwa (God consciousness) they have. This is how Allah (SWT) looks at us. There are a few things humans cannot take credit for. One is a person’s beauty. Everybody comes into this world according to how Allah (SWT) made them. A person can never be proud of their intellect, intelligence or strong memory. This is also Allah (SWT) given. No one can be proud of their wealth because wealth is Allah (SWT) given. One should never feel proud of such things.”
Wealth, beauty and intellect are things that are given by Allah (SWT) and can be taken by Him (SWT) at any point. We should not treat people differently because of this. However, we can be envious that a person is using their wealth and intellect to the benefit of mankind.
“A person has wealth so they need to be respected and a person who is poor we don’t give them attention, that is incorrect. Unfortunately in society today people, figuratively, worship money. They don’t respect the person but rather the wealth they have. We should educate the community that this is not the criteria for success or to give respect to one.”
It is important we treat everyone equally and fairly based on their character. Not on their intelligence, beauty or wealth. We must also show them respect regardless of their religion, backgrounds or cultures. Always keep in mind what Islam teaches us and ensure that our Akhlaaq is like that of Nabi (SAW).
