I ask because I'm Catholic and I have a Muslim friend who is going through a difficult time, so I told him that I'd pray for him. I didn't mean anything by it, I just wanted to help and we're both very religious, so I figured this would be a good way to show him I cared, even if we're not of the same religion. But when I said that, he gave me the strangest look.
And I'm asking just because I'm not sure if he gave me that look because I'm Catholic and I said I'd pray for him (a Muslim) or if he gave me that look because it is a foreign concept to him (praying for others/including loved ones in your prayers), or something. Please give me your input (Muslims especially). Thank you.
2006-12-01 10:22:07 · 18 answers · asked by PaniB 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Ps. His look wasn't necessarily a bad look, just a look of being puzzled.... like he was stunned or something.
2006-12-01 10:23:09 · update #1
Take or think of it as a bad look. Muslims believe that Christians and Muslims have the same God. From what I know about Muslims, they consider the God of the Christians and the Muslims is the someone, they only differ in their believes about Jesus Christ. He probably was puzzled, or wondered what you meant by your offer to pray for him. Maybe he thought you want to pray for him, and bring him to Christ as well.
You seem to be a good friend. God bless you, I think he appreciate your offer of prayer.
Merry Christmas
2006-12-01 10:26:10 · answer #1 · answered by Genevieve 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Hi there... Yes, we muslims do pray for each other... I have many non-muslim friends... for whom I have prayed. And I even used to ask them to pray for me... It is just a sincere prayer with a clean heart and good intention because someone is is troubled in a way... Well, I think the reason your friend gave you the strange look was, maybe he felt that you being a catholic, would do something like that for him... I mean it was very nice of you... So, dont worry, just be friends and as friends you wouldn't forget a friend in your prayers...
Take care.
2006-12-01 17:25:13 · answer #2 · answered by Sunnydays_r_here_again 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes we pray for each other, sure. We pray for ourselves, our family, our friends, our Muslim community. I don't understand why he gave you a puzzled look but good for you for being so supportive of your friend and keeping a good relationship with one another even though you are both different religions. I also have two very close friends who are not Muslim. One of Christian and the other is Hindu and we often say something like that to one another too, like, I will pray for you or such. I also will remember your friend in my prayers, I hope he gets better.
2006-12-01 10:32:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
If it was a look of dismay:
You are a believer, and I would be honored for you to pray for me. That was just his ego (Satan) talking. I don't see any "group (religion)" better than the other because you are only as good as how you use what were have been given. He is just not humble that's all, but at the same time, "I'll pray for you," Has been abused by people of different religions degraded people by secretly suggesting they are "disbelievers, and that's why they are suffering".
He thought by you saying "I'll pray for you" meant you wanted him to be converted or find Catholicism. Many Christians use that a lot as a way to say "you're suffering because you're not following what I follow, and if you were you wouldn't be suffering."
So it is rare, people such as yourself, who wish to pray for others without really wanted to imposes their beliefs on them by sending a degrading message that's disguise as a sincere concern.
In other words, he felt that you were calling him a Heathen and not being sincere.
____________________________________________________
If it was a look of shock:
If it was a look of shock it meant that He KNEW you were being sincere and usually when people say that, they are not being sincere. If you said that to me and was being sincere, I would be VERY shocked. It rare when people are sincere with that phrase, very rare.
Artist :) Muslim
2006-12-01 10:29:14 · answer #4 · answered by Muse 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yes we do pray for each other and there is also nothing wrong in praying for someone of a different religion. Maybe his look was of a 'good' shock?!. I think we all need to pray for each other more often so this won't seem that shocking! :)
2006-12-01 10:26:57 · answer #5 · answered by A fan 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋
yes, we do pray for our fellow human beings, it doesn't matter what they believe. i think your friend was surprised to find out, YOU a catholic would pray for him (a Muslim), you know since there is so much hate for us everywhere around the world. i don't think he thought of it as something negative or evil. ....
a comment for hateful thoughtless Tristan....by the way Tristan go f#@& yourself, and shave your hate Up your A$$.
2006-12-01 10:55:23 · answer #6 · answered by naz n 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, of course Muslims pray for each other. He was probably just surprised that you, a Christian, offered to pray for him. (Muslims pray for non-Muslims too.)
2006-12-01 10:38:49 · answer #7 · answered by Smiley 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
yes ,we pray for each other and islam encourges for that ,: unity between muslims esp,and mankind in general,
as for praying for him , i don't know why did he puzzle but i think that is nice from u to offer praying !!.
ps: god willing i'll pray for him too.
thanks for caring.
2006-12-01 10:31:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
We Muslims only pray to Allaah...
Yes we do pray for each other, but it's when we Pray to Allaah to help our Muslim brothers/sisters [any Muslim we know] or whatever the case is.
We can ask Allaah for anything, even for our Muslim Brothers/Sisters.
But we can not ask our Muslim brothers/sisters to help me or anything in a prayer, nor can we worship them.
Heres a question and an answer:
Can he pray for his Christian friend to be healed?
http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=47322&ln=eng
I hope that helps... I would tr and get you more information...but right now I am tired, and internet not working properly. Sorry
I tried my best though
Thank you...
2006-12-01 10:29:09 · answer #9 · answered by Mr Stick 4 · 0⤊ 5⤋
we pray for other ppl. there is nothing wrong in doing so.
he was probaly suprised bcz u are catholic. and he might not hear that often from non-muslims.
but i think it is very kind of u.
God bless.
2006-12-01 10:27:28 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 7⤊ 0⤋