Debates and Debators Part II

Debates and Debators Part II

by Nisaar Y. Nadiadwala on Friday, July 29, 2011 at 11:44am

Some people dislike debating on the behalf of Islam and they say that it brings a bad reputation to the Religion and the community! They feel that debates should be avoided because it exposes the faults of other religions.Well, debates are not forbidden in Islam as long as it does not lead to mocking of the deities of other faith nor it turns into hostile disputes. Debating, as I wote earlier is like driving a race car, any thing can come up at any moment.. so unless the debator is not very good in debating and refuting unexpected allegations then he should avoid debates. 

  The Qur'an permits debating and also presents a case study of debate in the story of Ibrahim (pbuh) and Namrood. The second case is of Prophet Ibrahim pbuh debating with his own people after he demolished the idols...and the Quran also says..Indeed in Ibrahim is an excellent example to follow... Surah Nahl

  Hitting Dr. William Campbell with strong arguments was an essential response to his arrogant boastful challenge that remained online for three years " no Muslim scholar can refute my book" And he collected a lot of money to promote anti Islamic tirade.. so it was the need of the hour to assassinate his honor in public so that the rich Christians stop funding him.. that's exactly what Allah got it done through Dr. Zakir...William Campbell is finished.

  That is what Shaikh Ahmed Deedat did to stalwarts like Jimmy Swagart...and they had an acadamic debate...Now a days there are panel debates in vogue... andyou have to knock out in two or three sentences... the rule to win these debates remains same... strive hard in practising and keep on updating your knowledge and quicking thinking and repsonding skills..Unfortunately we dont have debate trianing session in our madrasas or da'wah centers where our da'ees can be trained...as most of us focus on public speaking only.

 
  Debates should be practised only in the presence of a senior trainer who is well versed in debates...Shaikh Sadi used to trainhis students for debeates.. he used to divide the group into two.. then he used to float a topic..and call one group in a room and speak to them in detail about their topic if they were in favour... then he used to call ujpon the other group and  speak to them about ther side.. thus he used to balance the knowledge in for and against amongst his students.. now the floor was open for debates and the skills of the participants were put to test.In Debates jsut knowledsge is not enough but also skills to refute yoru opponent's allegations are more neccessary.

 
 Another way of improving debating skills is to choose a topic and write few points in favour and against.. this is called debating with our own self.. then refute each point for and against... this will help you in observing views fromyour opponents side... you can choose general topicsfrom academics and social issues to sharpen your skills then step into  refending Islam... But remember.. dont debate to defeat people, rather debate to win them to your side. After all Da'wah is to invite people to Islam and not to push them away...

Author:  Nisaar Nadiadwala loves that some Muslims should pick up debating skills and defend the deen of Allah.
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