Finding pearls in the ocean

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
I love when I'm talking to someone and the intellectual chemistry is just flowing. When you guys build off each other and start thinking on levels you didn't even know you could reach. It's mind stimulating and gives you a rush of energy. And after that conversation is over you think of all the gems you have learned. The excitement of taking in their message and you're fortunate that they revealed it to you. Alhamdulilah. You're overwhelmed with gratitude and wish every conversation could be like that.
The rareness of those moments are like finding pearls in the ocean. Than on the opposite side of the spectrum you have those times you're talking to someone and spilling out your beads of knowledge. You're waiting eagerly and anticipating for them to do the same. But to your dismay they don't contribute or tell you anything worth knowing. As the optimist I am, I would say you refreshed your memory and inshAllah gave that person something to think about. Its all about passing on that knowledge.
I look at people and wonder what kind of incredible information do they know? And what kind of conversations will trigger that person to open up and reveal their gems to me? Surely people don't spew out knowledge you want to know. You have to be patient and be willing to give some of your pearls before such a miraculous phenomenon happens. It's a give and take kind of thing. The path of knowledge unites and connects the hearts of the believers. What a great blessing, Alhamdulilah. On blog-land you guy's are constantly posting notes that are very beneficial and inspiring. I enjoy reading them and I can't thank you all enough for sharing your pearls of knowledge with me! I love you all for the Sake of Allah.

I am a seeker of truth and the best form of Haq. The kind that awakens the very essence of your being. It brings life to your soul and enlightens your path to Jennah. It's the piece of the puzzle that leads success.

Congratulating an Atheist

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
I use to think discussing religion with people that didn't acknowledge the existance of Allah, were hard to talk too. They seemed unreasonable and bluntly ignorant. I was wrong I generalized all of them. Yes, some people are like that. And those people can be extremely difficult to engage in conversation but its because they don't have an ounce of sincerity in them and find satisfaction from argumentation. And than again there are some Atheist who actually use logic and reason. They actually contemplate the world rather than accepting a religion that was handed down to them. In blind belief and not questioning what our real purpose of life is. Islam encourages us to use our logic and reason.

"Zakir, why are you congratulating an atheist?" The reason that I am congratulating an atheist is because he agrees with the first part of the Shahada i.e. the Islamic Creed, ‘La ilaaha’ - meaning ‘there is no God’. So half my job is already done; now the only part left is ‘il lallah’ i.e. ‘BUT ALLAH’ which I shall do Insha Allah. With others (who are not atheists) I have to first remove from their minds the wrong concept of God they may have and then put the correct concept of one true God."

MashAllah. Also before I go on how we should show them the signs of Allah Subhana Wa Talas existence, we really need to re-evaluate our manners. A lot of the times we see Muslims in a dialogue with non-Muslims and they're behavior is absolutely ridiculous. They put the person down and even result in profanity! A major key factor is to talk to them with dignity do not belittle anyone, It will destroy your message and defeat your purpose entirely. Just some advice when you converse with an Atheist you should use the Scientific Miracles of the Quran. Of course the Quran isn't a science book but a guide for humanity. Try to xplain to them how it has not been changed since revelation came down 1400years ago. Unlike many other doctrines that have been changed numerous of times. It contains scientific miracles, just to name a few The big Bang theory, Embryology, the Seas barrier between salt water and fresh etc, etc, etc,. Most of these facts were not even discovered until the 20century.

Everything that exists is an evidence of a Divine Creator, in the Heavens and Earth and even within ourselves. As Humans we aren't perfect but yet this world is, in the since of everything is in a order, in perfect harmony synchrosing as one. The alignment of the Sun and Moon that both follow a distinct course. The transition from day to night. The perfect amount of oxygen and carbon for us to survive. Take for an example your own body, all your organs, nerves and parts are working subject to the laws of nature, and have no choice but to work as they are intended to. How can I present an evidence of God when the signs can be seen everywhere?

"Soon We will show them our signs in the (farthest) regions (of the earth), and in their own souls, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth. Is it not enough that thy Lord doth witness all things?"[Al-Quran 41:53]

Most importantly its not your job to convert the person but simply convey the beautiful message of Islam. Allah guides whom He wills and misguides whom He wills. So do any of you guys have any tips about talking to an Atheist?

Forgiveness in the Quran

cious,Most Merciful

Below is a list of five prayers of forgiveness taken from the Qur’an. Each du’a [prayer] is followed by its transliteration and English translation.

1. رَبَّنَا ظَلَمۡنَآ أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمۡ تَغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَتَرۡحَمۡنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرِينَ

Rabbanā Žalamnā Anfusanā Wa ‘In Lam Taghfir Lanā Wa Tarĥamnā Lanakūnanna Mina l-Khāsirīn

Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If thou forgive us not and have not mercy on us, surely we are of the lost! (Qur’an 7:23)

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2.
Rabbigh-fir Warĥam Wa Anta Khayrur-Rāĥimīn

My Lord! Forgive and have mercy, for Thou art Best of all who show mercy. (Qur’an 23:118)

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3.
َبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذۡنَآ إِن نَّسِينَآ أَوۡ أَخۡطَأۡنَا*ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحۡمِلۡ عَلَيۡنَآ إِصۡرً۬ا كَمَا حَمَلۡتَهُ ۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِنَا*ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلۡنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِۦ*ۖ وَٱعۡفُ عَنَّا وَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَٱرۡحَمۡنَآ*ۚ أَنتَ مَوۡلَٮٰنَا فَٱنصُرۡنَا عَلَى ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلۡڪَـٰفِرِين

Rabbanā Lā Tu’uākhidhnā ‘In Nasīnā ‘Aw ‘Akhţa’nā Rabbanā Wa Lā Taĥmil `Alaynā ‘Işran Kamā Ĥamaltahu `Alá l-Ladhīna Min Qablinā Rabbanā Wa Lā Tuĥammilnā Mā Lā Ţāqata Lanā Bihi Wa`fu `Annā Waghfir Lanā Warĥamnā ‘Anta Mawlānā Fānşurnā `Alál-Qawmi l-Kāfirīn

Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget, or miss the mark! Our Lord! Lay not on us such a burden as thou didst lay on those before us! Our Lord! Impose not on us that which we have not the strength to bear! Pardon us, absolve us and have mercy on us, Thou, our Protector, and give us victory over the disbelieving folk. (Qur’an 2:286)

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4.
Rabbanāgh-fir Lanā Dhunūbanā Wa ‘Isrāfanā Fī Amrinā Wa Thabbit ‘Aqdāmanā Wanşurnā `Alá l-Qawmi l-Kāfirīn

Our Lord! forgive us for our sins and wasted efforts, make our foothold sure, and give us victory over the disbelieving folk. (Qur’an 3:147)

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5.

Rabbanā Fāghfir Lanā Dhunūbanā Wa Kaffir `Annā Sayyi’ātinā Wa Tawaffanā Ma`al-’Abrār

Our Lord! Therefore forgive us our sins, and remit from us our evil deeds, and make us die the death of the righteous. (Qur’an 3:193)Forgiveness in the Quran

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6.
Anta Walīyunā Fāghfir Lanā Warĥamnā Wa Anta Khayrul-Ghāfirīn

Thou art our Protecting Friend, therefore forgive us and have mercy on us, Thou, the Best of all who show forgiveness. (Qur’an 7:155)

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7.
بَّنَا ٱغۡفِرۡ لِى وَلِوَٲلِدَىَّ وَلِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ يَوۡمَ يَقُومُ ٱلۡحِسَابُ

Rabbana ghlfir Lī Wa Liwālidayya Wa Lilmu’uminīna Yawma Yaqūmul-Ĥisāb

Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents and believers on the day when the account is cast. (Qur’an 14:41)

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8.
َبَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا فَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَٱرۡحَمۡنَا وَأَنتَ خَيۡرُ ٱلرَّٲحِمِين

Rabbanā ‘Āmannā Fāghfir Lanā Wa-rĥamnā Wa Anta Khayru-r-Rāĥimīn

Our Lord! We believe, therefor forgive us and have mercy on us for Thou art Best of all who show mercy (Qur’an 23:109)

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9.
َبَّنَا ٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَلِإِخۡوَٲنِنَا ٱلَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِٱلۡإِيمَـٰنِ وَلَا تَجۡعَلۡ فِى قُلُوبِنَا غِلاًّ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ رَءُوفٌ۬ رَّحِيم

Rabbanagh-fir Lanā Wa Li-ikhwāninalLadhīna Sabaqūnā Bil-’Īmāni Wa Lā Taj`al Fī Qulūbinā GhillaLilladhīna ‘Āmanū Rabbanā ‘Innaka Ra’ūfun Raĥīm

Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who were before us in the faith, and place not in our hearts any rancour toward those who believe. Our Lord! Thou art Full of Pity, Merciful. (Qur’an 59:10)

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10.

Rabbigh-fir Lī Wa Liwālidayya Wa Liman Dakhala Baytiya Mu’uminaw Wa Lilmu’uminīna Wal-Mu’umināti Wa Lā Tazidiž-Žālimīna Illā Tabārā

My Lord! Forgive me and my parents and him who entereth my house believing, and believing men and believing women, and increase not the wrong-doers in aught save ruin. (Qur’an 71:28)

رَّبِّ ٱغۡفِرۡ وَٱرۡحَمۡ وَأَنتَ خَيۡرُ ٱلرَّٲحِمِين رَبَّنَا ٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَإِسۡرَافَنَا فِىٓ أَمۡرِنَا وَثَبِّتۡ أَقۡدَامَنَا وَٱنصُرۡنَا عَلَى ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلۡڪَـٰفِرِين رَبَّنَا فَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَڪَفِّرۡ عَنَّا سَيِّـَٔاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ ٱلۡأَبۡرَارِ أَنتَ وَلِيُّنَا فَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَٱرۡحَمۡنَا*ۖ وَأَنتَ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡغَـٰفِرِينَ رَّبِّ ٱغۡفِرۡ لِى وَلِوَٲلِدَىَّ وَلِمَن دَخَلَ بَيۡتِىَ مُؤۡمِنً۬ا وَلِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتِ وَلَا تَزِدِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ إِلَّا تَبَارَۢا

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Āmīn ! Ya Rabb al-’Ālamīn