Discussing subjects contrary to Islam with a non-Muslim

Q: I was having a conversation with a non-Muslim acquaintance, and she was talking about her belief which had stuff to do with energy and spiritual stuff. And she was talking about things contrary to Islam but I did not clearly state 'you are wrong, I believe the complicit opposite, etc..." because she is very into being accepting and to me it seemed that telling her she was wrong and so on, right then and there, when she doesn't know much about Islam would turn her away from Islam and make her think is was a harsh religion.

Note that I am not apologetic about Islam in any way, I just did not want her to turn away from Islam before she understood what is was about. Is staying quiet like this a sin? Even though she knows that I am Muslim and do not share her beliefs, if I don't refute them out loud, is it sinful?

Also, occasionally I would shake my head or say yes when she was speaking, not as a way of agreeing with what she says but rather as a way to show I understood what she was saying. As I said, she knows I am Muslim and have different beliefs. Is this a sin? Would this take me outside of Islam?

I met with a second time, and once again I did not outright refute her when she talked about beliefs and I did not feel confident about giving her dawah as I feel I do not have enough knowledge to speak, and I am generally very inarticulate so instead I gave her a book on the introduction to Islam. Is this right?

A: Either you refute her or move away when she discusses subjects that are contrary to Islamic beliefs or are of a doubtful nature.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

 

Answered by:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)