Muslims: My grandpa and Anti-Muslim emails?

No need to apologize to him. If he knows that you are a muslim and he is continuously sending you messages against the religion then he obviously does not agree with your conversion. I converted 4 months ago and i love this religion very much. Majority of my family does not agree with what i did but at the end of the day it was my decision.. And if my family cant accept that then that is their problem.. In the beginning they would always drop small comments about the religion (terrorists etc) until i told them straight that i dont appreciate the way they are talking about my beliefs and if they continue to talk like that then i wont be around them anymore. Now no one says anything..

I believe everyone has a right to make decisions in their own life and no one else has any right to tell you wrong from right. Everyone has their own single lives where they can choose decision upon decision so i find it highly unnecessary for your grandpa to be doing this. If it helps talk to him and tell him how you feel about this but dont apologize its hardly your fault, he knows exactly what he is doing hes a grown man..

I think you did the right thing. I think he was hurt because he realized he was hurting you. I think really perhaps he feels ashamed for doing it and does not know how to express it other than tell your mother he is hurt. Although perhaps you should have spoken to him in person about it, asked him what it is about Islam he does not understand and what is it he fears that motivates him sending these emails. Because we Muslim all know that so many people believe stereotypes and propeganda and do not question it nor ask if its true and think ''well its in the News paper, must be true''.

I think your grandpa may have many fears for you as his grandaughter being a Muslim and if stereotypes are to be believed he feels he is doing something to protect or warn you by sending them. So really I dont think he is doing it from a hateful place but one of concern and sadly misinformation but as a grandfather feels it his duty to warn you.

I think a one to one discussion is what is needed, perhaps take him to a Mosque let him see how we worship let him ask all the questions he likes, let him ask other Muslims or an Imam whatever or whoever until he sees Islam is a normal faith with normal people living normal lives...

Perhaps then he will not be hurt but happy for you now he is better informed from witnessing with his own eyes how you live and worship and how other Muslims do. Because if all he has to go on is media and hatefilled sites then its understandable why he would feel the need to send them. Education is power sister, impower your grandfather Insha Allah....

Firstly, congratulations on reverting :-)

I think you should apologize to your grandpa. (even though I don't believe you were wrong, it just shows that you want to make peace with him) When you don't have understand something, its easy to form a negative attitude towards it so I don't think its necessarily his fault. I think you should write an email back to him - in the form of a letter - telling him how you feel. Do apologize if you had hurt his feelings. Tell him how Islam makes you feel; how all you want is to be happy and that Islam is the only way to happiness. Let all your feelings out.

Act as a role model for your family. Mould your character based on the texts of the holy Qur'an and the Prophet's personal attributes. Once everyone sees how Islam has positively influenced your life, then I am sure they will be more sympathetic.

The main thing he needs is *education* on Islam. Reveal to him the true light of this beautiful religion and make him see it is nothing like the Islam pasted across Western tabloids. The unfortunate thing is that this is where people get a majority of their information from - newspapers, FW emails, false sites on the internet.

And if he still is stubborn in his ways, then Allah (swt) guides whom He wills. Your not asking him to revert as well, just to be more sensitive when it comes to your beliefs. If he is not able to do that then I think you should not discuss the matter of religion with him because it will only cause him to be angry. Just keep practising Islam and continue being a pious person, they will soon come to know, InshAllah.

Good luck to you sister,

Peace :-)

If I were in your place I'd say sorry to your father for having hurt his feelings because Islam teaches us to respect parents but that does no mean one should give up Islam. I would try to correct his misconception and drawing his attention to the writings of unbiased Western scholars about Islam.

What the Unbiased Western Thinkers Say About Islam?

http://www.netvert.biz/paklink/articles/islam2.htm...

I would inform his that Holy Quran shows us that, because of moral weakness of mankind, God sent prophets to teach both individuals and nations correct moral and spiritual standards and values. As the messages of all prophets emanate from the same divine source, religions are basically one.

All prophets are are the most perfect exemplars for humanity. And Muhammad (sws) was the last and final prophet and that the Quran is the final and perfect revelation of God, consummating and superseding all earlier revelations like Torah and Bible

There are many good sites on Internet about Islam that would help you remove his misunderstanding.

Tell your mother frankly that you told your grandfather you are a Muslim and you do not want any anti Islamic mails. And show your mother the 'eye' that really nothing hateful happened between you and him, you just told your views.

Do you think that as a Muslim, people will not try to harm you or try to BREAK your faith? Many sure will come. You have to have tawakkul (trust and hope in Allah) and make dua to Allah to strengthen your Imaan and guide you to Straight Path and to die as a Muslim.

EDIT - @ asker -

say sorry to your grandpa and start a dialogue with him (as suggested by few users here) but whenever the topic of Islam comes be strong inside your self and mention clearly to your family members that if you love me, then give me free space of following what I believe and do not say indecent comments about my faith, after all am i not your child, my mother?

Sit down and talk to your grandpa. Apologize and tell him sorry if you hurt him. Explain that you're a Muslim and Islam is what you truly believe in. Correct him of the falsehoods spread about Islam.

If he can't accept it, maybe give him some time. But let him know that if he doesn't then he's only being unsupportive and intolerant toward hs granddaughter.

Welcome to islam my sister i am very happy for you . about your grandpa send to him emails about the beauty of islam .

" And remember We took a covenant from the Children of Israel (to this effect): Worship none but Allah; treat with kindness your parents and kindred, and orphans and those in need; speak fair to the people; be steadfast in prayer; and practise regular ... " 2:83

"(He)(Allah) hath made me(jesus) kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable; " chapter 19

" It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is righteousness- to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the Allah-fearing. " 2:177

your questions have been answered very well by most of the users.

The Simple and easy Solution for you is to Turn the table over!

He believes in Bible,ok ..So Now you send him mails and Ask

1. Why don't you believe in Prophet Muhammad when He is clearly mentioned in Bible ?

http://www.irf.net/index.php?option=com_content&vi...

2. Why don't you believe In Allah as Almighty when He is mentioned in Bible ?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AghfH...

See my questions will InshAllah help you !

Sol is correct, your grandpa is an elderly man, he is just concerned about you because he reads propaganda material, but doesn't understand what it is. Rebutting his arguments should be easy. Don't take him seriously, but the fact that you responded in the manner you did was appropriate. No need to apologize, just keep communicating, he thinks he is helping you.

You have to stand up for yourself and what you believe in regardless of the consequences. It's nice to keep family harmony but not at the expense of your own ideals. But sure, contact him and say you didn't mean to hurt him and explain that you love him (I assume you do) but that that's the path you have chosen in life and ask him to respect your decision. If he can't or doesn't want to then so be it.