Question
Did the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) use bible for da`wah? Some scholars are using Bible and criticizing Bible in debates that it is causing ill feelings among Christians.
Is this the correct way of doing dawah?.
Thank you.
Answer
The Qur’an has referred to the Bible at a number of instances. Therefore, it would not be absolutely incorrect to think that the Qur’an did use the Bible for Da`wah.
There are two kinds of criticisms that the Muslims are currently doing on the Bible. One is the academic kind while the other is the debating kind. I do condone academic criticism and feel that it can sometimes help clarify the truth from the falsehood. However, the latter criticism, as you have correctly stated, is always likely to fire hatred and ill-feelings among the various creeds.
We must remember that criticism – whether of the academic kind or the debating kind – is not a way Da`wah. At the most, it can sometimes be considered as a necessary means of clearing the academic path for Da`wah.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Moiz Amjad
May 28, 2003