[Tryphadz]

A friend of my wife, who is in her late 50's, is very receptacle to Islam. She is well read on most religions, and chooses to adhere herself to a Buddhist-type mentality. She says she believes in God, and believes that there are several paths to God. Her Buddhist-type inclination means that she highly respects the spiritual elements of Islam. I have discussed the need for an explicit revelation from God for him to reveal to us of himself, our purpose, and the rights and wrongs, although she maintains that right and wrong can be deciphered by oneself through a love of God (I've highlighted to her how much chaos this can lead to as it relies on the self). Anyway... her root argument always come to respect for all faiths, and having various paths to God. How can this be negated in an easy manner such that it only leaves in her mind that Islam is the one true religion.

[rootoronpunty]

A friend of my wife, who is in her late 50's, is very receptacle to Islam. She is well read on most religions, and chooses to adhere herself to a Buddhist-type mentality. She says she believes in God, and believes that there are several paths to God. Her Buddhist-type inclination means that she highly respects the spiritual elements of Islam. I have discussed the need for an explicit revelation from God for him to reveal to us of himself, our purpose, and the rights and wrongs, although she maintains that right and wrong can be deciphered by oneself through a love of God (I've highlighted to her how much chaos this can lead to as it relies on the self). Anyway... her root argument always come to respect for all faiths, and having various paths to God. How can this be negated in an easy manner such that it only leaves in her mind that Islam is the one true religion.

I am not very good at this. But i shall suggest some points.

Perhaps talk to her about Tawheed, Oneness of Allah. How God wishes us to obey him. Our duties to Allah as we are his creation. etc etc.

I m not sure how you should approach her, the best way is a subtle approach especially since she is very spiritually conscious.

[alecoplesosse]

Brother please discuss perennial philosophy busting examples with her-one at a time, perhaps one per day. For example if you take a flight to New York from London should you expect landing in Sidney in the normal course? You are cough and cold and you take ice cream to cure it. Will it work?

These are big blocks in one's thinking and usually they take some time to melt away-so have all the patience on your side. May Allah(SWT) guide her to the Right Path.
Wassalam

[GeorgeEckland]

If two paths are opposites and have opposite teachings, how can they both lead to God?

Tell her love of God means Him and following His messege. If one believes that theres a messege from God, but doesnt follow it, how is this showing love for God?

Also, respect of all faiths means respect of the people, not respect for the elements that are wrong.

Unfortunatly sometimes people like this are far from logic and just follow whims and desires, so im not sure even simple logic works with them.

Maybe if you put it this way it would become clear..

Yes, all religions (of prophets only) lead to God, and all had the same messege of monotheism and directing all worship only to God. From Adam to Noah through Abraham, Moses, Jesus Christ (Esa), and finally prophet Muhammad peace be upon them all.

However people tampered with scripture and messeges and Islam is the final unaltered religion that preached the same messege of all prophets, monotheism (Tawheed). Its not logical to say monotheism and polytheism all lead to God. Im not sure logic would work with her though, as emotion certainly does play a role, so that should be taken into consideration.

[lLianneForbess]

I would almost describe Buddhism as an incomplete form of Islam. It as a corner stone, is very useful to have the right frame of mind to think about Allah.
One book which is very left-field, but almost is a bridge between Buddhism and Islam is this:
http://www.amazon.com/Sufi-Book-Life.../dp/0142196355
She likes the Ihsaan side of Islam, well, this is an entry way into it. it isn't orthodox Islam but its a start.
What is useful about the book is the following. Buddhists love to meditate do they not?
But the thing is, their meditation consists of a negation, almost like the 'La illa'. it is a complete absence of thought, and almost a hyper awareness of our surroundings, what they call 'mindfulness'.
Into this can be poured 'dhikr'. From the negation comes the affirmation. The affirmation of Allah. By in her meditations incoporating dhikr, it will start helping her to see the beauty of divine creation.
This is book is by no means an end-stage, it is borderline Muslim. But there are little Sufi stories locked within as well as stories on HOW to meditate. Inshallah from this will come 'Ha illallah'.

Have you consulted any books on how to give dawah to buddhists? I have heard historically that some of the most devout sufi muslims in the world came from Afghanistan which was historically a Buddhist area.

I know this is very difficult, but this is the way I would portray it. Respect Buddhism massively, but gently give her thoughts its not the full answer. The way Buddha is remembered now (who knows who the real Buddha was?), he comes across as someone not bothered about God.
"If one is stabbed, one does not ask who did the stabbing, one removes the knife" - that's a buddhist saying. Well in islam, we remove the knife, and we know the answer. i.e we do not only remove the 'pain of life' but we know the purpose of life

edit: she needs to know, everything good that Buddhism has, Islam has but better. And everything not so good, well islam has better alternatives too. Not in a blunt way, but slowly haha

[Prererularl]

I think you should carefuly read (study!) the following article.
http://www.studiesincomparativerelig...re_We_Are.aspx

It's a more balanced approach as a start, it explains very well why Islam is the best way to God.

[DoroKickcrofe]

I would almost describe Buddhism as an incomplete form of Islam. It as a corner stone, is very useful to have the right frame of mind to think about Allah.
One book which is very left-field, but almost is a bridge between Buddhism and Islam is this:
http://www.amazon.com/Sufi-Book-Life.../dp/0142196355
She likes the Ihsaan side of Islam, well, this is an entry way into it. it isn't orthodox Islam but its a start.
What is useful about the book is the following. Buddhists love to meditate do they not?
But the thing is, their meditation consists of a negation, almost like the 'La illa'. it is a complete absence of thought, and almost a hyper awareness of our surroundings, what they call 'mindfulness'.
Into this can be poured 'dhikr'. From the negation comes the affirmation. The affirmation of Allah. By in her meditations incoporating dhikr, it will start helping her to see the beauty of divine creation.
This is book is by no means an end-stage, it is borderline Muslim. But there are little Sufi stories locked within as well as stories on HOW to meditate. Inshallah from this will come 'Ha illallah'.

Have you consulted any books on how to give dawah to buddhists? I have heard historically that some of the most devout sufi muslims in the world came from Afghanistan which was historically a Buddhist area.

I know this is very difficult, but this is the way I would portray it. Respect Buddhism massively, but gently give her thoughts its not the full answer. The way Buddha is remembered now (who knows who the real Buddha was?), he comes across as someone not bothered about God.
"If one is stabbed, one does not ask who did the stabbing, one removes the knife" - that's a buddhist saying. Well in islam, we remove the knife, and we know the answer. i.e we do not only remove the 'pain of life' but we know the purpose of life

edit: she needs to know, everything good that Buddhism has, Islam has but better. And everything not so good, well islam has better alternatives too. Not in a blunt way, but slowly haha

it was very informative. You must have read a lot on comparative religion especially Buddhism.
I have also heard that maybe the prophet Zul Kifl was Gautama Budhha because Gautama was born in Kapilvastu so prince of Kapil which in Arabic would be read as Kifl. Maybe its wrong but worth a thought.

[DoroKickcrofe]

their meditation consists of a negation, almost like the 'La illa'. it is a complete absence of thought, and almost a hyper awareness of our surroundings, what they call 'mindfulness'.
Into this can be poured 'dhikr'. From the negation comes the affirmation. The affirmation of Allah. By in her meditations incoporating dhikr, it will start helping her to see the beauty of divine creation.
This is book is by no means an end-stage, it is borderline Muslim. But there are little Sufi stories locked within as well as stories on HOW to meditate. Inshallah from this will come 'Ha illallah'.

can you please explain a bit more or provide reference to the meditation thing..I find it interesting.....