How do I explain to my little brother that muslims arent evil?

Question

My little brother is 9, he asks the funniest questions and says the funniest things. Well, I was on my way home from my sisters picking up my three little brothers and he said the strangest thing, as usual. He said: "I dont think our neighboorhood is safe anymore". I said: "why not?". He said: "Because these two people drove by in a van and one had a blanket on their head". Of course, I am confused by this statement and I said: "how does that make our neighborhood unsafe?" And he said: "they live down the street and around the corner, the guy had a long beard down to his chest and the other had a blanket on their head, like the people in iraq do."

Long story short, he told me that they might capture us and kill us. He derived this view (I am assuming) from the news. He said: "they blow things up and kill people all the time". I will say he is pretty smart but he is seriously misled. For all I know he wets himself everytime he sees a muslim. I think its sad that he views muslim people this way, that this is how the media seemingly portrays them, at least his little mind sees it that way. How do I explain to him the situation in iraq and explain to him that he shouldnt think of muslims this way?

Answer 1

Tell him it's the 99 percent of them that are giving the others a bad name.

Jihadists today invoke the Quran to justify the worst terrorist crimes. Throat slitting of infidels is mentioned in the Quran. Al-Mawardi (d. 1058), the prominent 11th century jurist quoted this verse, specifically, « When you encounter those who deny (the Truth) then strike (their) necks. » (Quran 47 :4), in his learned discussion of jihad. This ritual execution is also mentioned in other Muslim legal texts and in narratives of Christian and prominent Muslim historians. Today it is performed against infidels and recorded on videotape for the edification of Muslim audiences.

When the average pious Muslim reads a verse like 2:132 (“And this was the legacy that Abraham left to his sons, and so did Jacob; ‘Oh my sons! Allah hath chosen the Faith for you; then die not except in the Faith of Islam’”) or 3:67 (“Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian; but he was true in Faith, and bowed his will to Allah’ (which is Islam), and he joined not gods with Allah”), he understands what so many imams tell him: that the true Jews and Christians of today are the Muslims, and the people who go by those names are renegades and rebels against God.

This is of course nonsense.

Answer 2

He's been exposed to things (aka "the news") when he isnt able to understand. What he understands is that there is conflict. He also understands it has something to do with Iraq. If he is American then of course his thought will be "Iraq is bad".

Keep him from the news.

You asked "How do I explain to my little brother that muslims arent evil?"
Then your details you say "Of course, I am confused by this statement..."
Your brother's answer never says muslims, he says Iraq.
So do not think that your little brother was fooled by you pretending you didnt know what he meant-even for the sake of clarity. If he cannot sense you to be honest with him he will not believe you.
What you tell him is God loves all people. And you tell him that God wants EVERYONE to go to Heaven. _Sin_ is what is evil, and sin is what will keep A PERSON out of Heaven. Tell him Jesus said to love ALL people. Thats his job (your brother's). And then let him know that you nor anyone will ever let anything bad happen to him.
And you might want to remind him of men wearing kilts in Ireland.
To an American boy, a kilt could look like a skirt. What about Japanese kimonos. Let him know different cultures wear different clothes. Examples would be good.

Answer 3

Baghmom is right. Your brother never pointed his fingers to Muslims. I hope you are not a pretender, otherwise you will be a coward.

If you are serious, talk to a Muslim family about your situation and arrange for a visit by you and your brother. Do not tell him whom you are going to visit, and then take from there.

I wish you and your brother the best.

Answer 4

Muslim people are not EVIL!! There are many types of Muslim people, Iraqi people might look like cavemen, and evil but they had very very hard times over their country and yet they are not open to developments like Western countries. Islam is the most peaceful, most thoughtful religion, but believers of Islam, Muslim people put Islam very hard situation!!! Islam doesnt make people to kill others, it bans killing of human beings in any religion, country or sex. So please, before u blame Muslim people , just search for some info!!!!!

Answer 5

tell your little brother that not all muslims are evil, and its the religion that's bad, not necessarily the people who follow it (though they usually are).

it is not okay for him to be scared of people however. you need to teach him moral fiber, so that he can stand up for his beliefs.

and also, who cares?
teach him the truth about this religion (school will not help
--personal experience-- and that you and him should sit down with the koran and read cover to cover.)

then you will see what he is concerned about.

Answer 6

There are too many examples of Christian's evil around you, I guess. Try to explain to him about differences between religions, and then try to explain that evil is not connected with clothes, look or religion.

Answer 7

Ya Allah! it somewhat is too hurtfull for you, your sister and quite to your dad. could Allah (swt) have Mercy on all of you and heal your sister quickly---Ameen. SubhanAllah a sturdy wellness is a huge blessing from Allah (swt) we could desire to continuously all be lots extra thankfull to Him. InshaAllah i'm going to make dua to your sister, inshaAllah, sister Peaches. Have desire in Allah. Ma'salaama

Answer 8

You can tell him that evil in is the heart, not in the color of skin, or the origin of religion.

Answer 9

Tell him the great biography of prophet Muhammad (pbuh),and he will know that he was the greatest man ever,and that his religion is very beautiful.

Answer 10

You should just teach him not to trust any stranger.