Page 60 - Communication and Argument in the Qur'an

58 COMMUNICATION AND ARGUMENT IN THE QUR’AN

talk about religion with, for it is impossible to find out
what they really think. Remaining silent or without showing
any reaction, they appear to confirm what is being said.
Yet they innerly do not accept, and simply remain indiffer-
ent. Someone insisting on the opposite view at least shows
some reactions. They can be convinced after some talk.
However the situation of an indifferent people is more
complex. In order to arouse their interest, aside from gen-
eral style of conversing, very efficient styles should be
employed. For example, believers may speak of death and
remind them that they will one day rot in the grave. Or they
may speak of the vagueness and meaninglessness of
those things that unbelievers consider important. Such
topics may spark some interest, and such a style may
make them more sensitive to what they are being told.

19. Treat everyone properly
In the communication of Allah's message to different
communities, His messengers empoyed styles conforming
to the attitudes their people had towards them. Sometimes
they spoke gently; other times they were relatively severe
and threatened their people with Allah_s punishment.
Indeed, depending on their attitude to the religion and
believers, Allah commands believers to treat people differ-
ently. For example, it is necessary to be severe with hypo-
crites, unbelievers, and those who oppose the Qur_an
(Surat at-Tawba: 73). On the other hand, protection should
be offered to an idolater who asks for mercy and safety
(Surat at-Tawba: 6). Accordingly, a believer who communi-