Subject: [Masjid Tucson] Submission weekly reminder

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Peace be upon you,

	How to Spread God's Message
[Quran 16:125] You shall invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and kind enlightenment, and debate with them in the best possible manner. Your Lord knows best who has strayed from His path, and He knows best who are the guided ones.

	No Compulsion in Religion
[Quran 2:256] There shall be no compulsion in religion: the right way is now distinct from the wrong way. Anyone who denounces the devil and believes in GOD has grasped the strongest bond; one that never breaks. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.


Iran's "morality police" recently resumed dress code patrols. This organization (and similar ones in other countries) see themselves as responsible for enforcing religious laws. This includes forcing people to pray, to fast, to conform to (man-made) dress-codes, etc.

While the Quran encourages us to invite to what to what is good and forbid evil (Quran 3:104), we are told to invite with wisdom and kind enlightenment (Quran 16:125). The Quran also teaches us that there is no compulsion in religion (Quran 16:125). Since God gave people the freedom of religion, should we not respect that? Otherwise will we not repel people from God's path?

Further, when I examine myself I see room for vast improvement. For example, the Quran teaches that my god is whatever occupies my mind most of the time (Quran 2:152, 2:200, 3:191, 4:103, 33:41-42, etc.). Isn't it better for me to work on that before worrying about strangers?


References:
Who Is Your God? https://www.masjidtucson.org/quran/appendices/appendix27.html
No Compulsion in Religion, https://www.masjidtucson.org/publications/books/sp/2010/may/page1.html

Peace.