Reading Books of Another Religion and Saying “I Am a Disbeliever” in Anger

Question

Zayd reads a book of another religion — for the sake of argument or in order to raise objections. His community, seeing him reading this book, asks him why he reads it. Zayd gives the reply mentioned above, but they do not accept it and begin to curse and revile him, saying: “We know that you will — God forbid — become a disbeliever.” At this Zayd grows angry and in his anger utters the words: “Yes, I shall become a disbeliever — because of you.

Answer

For a learned and discerning person it is permissible to study the books of other religions for the purpose of debate, provided there is no fear of his own beliefs being corrupted; and for the community to say such harsh words to such a person again and again is very wrong and impermissible.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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