Studying “World Religions” Class

“Know that there is no deity except Allah.”

Knowledge of tawḥīd necessitates knowledge of its opposites. He also said regarding the prophets that they recognized the falsehood of shirk and distinguished it, and even debated its people:

“Do they seek the judgment of ignorance?”

“Say: O People of the Book, come…”

These verses include knowledge of the condition of the people of other religions, calling them, and explaining their errors. It is established that the Prophet ﷺ debated the Christians of Najrān, and such a debate requires knowledge of what they say and what they believe.

Now, whoever disputes with you ˹O Prophet˺ concerning Jesus after full knowledge has come to you, say, “Come! Let us gather our children and your children, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves—then let us sincerely invoke Allah’s curse upon the liars

The early scholars knew the beliefs of the people of other religions and refuted them. Among examples:

(may Allah have mercy on him) explained the beliefs of Christians, Bāṭinites, Jews, and others in “al-Jawāb al-Ṣaḥīḥ,” “Dar’ al-Taʿāruḍ,” and “al-Furqān.” • Ibn al-Qayyim in “Hidāyat al-Ḥayārā” and others. • Imām al-Shāfiʿī, Mālik, and others authored works refuting the People of the Book. This all indicates that knowing falsehood for the sake of refuting it is legislated with two conditions:

Conditions for permissibility: • Firmness upon the creed and no influence; Allah said: “Do not follow the footsteps of Shayṭān.” • The student must possess knowledge that protects him from doubts, or learn under someone who can safeguard him. • The purpose must not be leaning toward those religions or admiring them, for that is forbidden. • The learning must be for a recognized need: university study, academic research, or refuting doubts.