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Are Muslims Open Minded?

Are Muslims Open Minded?

Do they generally listen and try to understand other people's religious point of view?

Minded Open Muslims Are

Generally in my encounters with them I will have to say no, but of course there are different kinds of Muslims just as there are in any religion, however Islam is unique in that their customs and ways are not a break off of something else save for the creation and Jesus to the Jews. Their uniqueness, own book of scripture and way of doing things sets them apart from others so it is harder to build on similarities. As far as I understand also, Islam does not promote any kind of integration or welcoming of other religious thoughts, but in fact repels the idea.

Are Muslims Open Minded? Islam Studies

You cannot be considered open minded if you believe that you have the only answer to life with no place for discussion or room for other views. Muslims, like many Christians, believe in the absolute inerrancy of their holy books. When you believe that everyone else is wrong, you can't be open minded. So I would say that if you believe that the Koran is the perfect word of Allah and every other person not Muslim has it wrong, then you are not open minded. If you don't believe that, then yes, you may be open minded.

Minded Open Muslims Are

If by open minded you mean willing to discuss and share ideas and learn from one another then yes muslims I do believe a lot of muslims are open minded. Of course a muslim will always place his beliefs above others this is only natural.

There is a famous incident in which a ruler during the time of Ali ibn Abi Talib tried to burn down a library in order to abolish all literature except for the Quran. He was stongly rebuked by Ali with the explanation something along the lines of "All these books contain knowledge which can serve as commentaries or explanations of the Quran."

A famous saying of the Prophet of Mercy goes "Seek knowledge even of one has to go to China (A very remote place in those times)". I present myself as an example. I have taken christianity and secular philosophy courses. Read the bible from cover to cover. My brother is doing a degree in Secular Philosophy and politics. I wouldn't describe myself as close minded.

Not to forget that subjects like Greek philosphy was preserved and transmitted by muslim arabs in the dark ages thanks to which they are studied today.

Minded Open Muslims Are

We can't really generalize because it depends on the individual. In my personal experience I have to say they are not, most of them think they have the truth (nothing wrong with that really) but they are unwilling to open up to other ideas.

Rather off topic, but... Here in Trinidad some of them do not have a very good reputation. A lot of them are part of these gangs (if we can call it that way) where their services are used to pressure someone for money (if they are debtors). They are willing to do anything. They are usually full dressed in Middle East type of clothing while performing these "jobs".