Why do so many non-Muslims feel authorized to speak for Muslims?

Question

When a question is directed specifically to Muslims, why do so many non-Muslims feel like they have the knowledge, experience, or expertise to answer for us? Why can't you just let us speak for ourselves, and content yourselves to reading the answers? You might actually learn something...

Answer 1

Great point, you open the t.v and find this non-Muslim talking about Islam and has the word expert underneath his name,
Just because he wrote a book about islam doesn't make him and expert,
Lots of non-muslims who have no knowledge about Islam eep saying non-sense about Islam and people believe them,

Answer 2

Great question!

I'm convinced many non-Muslims do this because they think we have brains the size of gnats; therefore, they think we're so dumb and stupid that we don't really know what Islam is all about. When we explain to them what true Islam is all about, we're "in denial"; we're being apologetic. In other words, we're lying. They want us to say what they want to hear, not what they need and should hear. It's really sad. Very sad. They obviously hate Islam and Muslims, and they want us to constantly feed into their insecurity. Like we really have all the time in the world to do that.

On a positive note, we must thank Almighty God Allah that there are non-Muslims who refuse to stoop to that level of ignorance and insecurity and respect and honor Islam and Muslims. They are not swayed by all the negative, derogatory media coverage. These are the non-Muslims we should associate and have friendly relations with because they seek common ground with us, not "go for the throat" and attack our differences.

As devout, practicing Muslims, we are very capable of speaking for ourselves. And speak, we must! And we must do so very often!

Answer 3

I know what you mean, brother. I am Jewish and so many times, questions directed at Jews are answered by Christians who somehow think they know more about Judaism than Jews do. I would never presume to answer a question directed at Muslims, Christians, Wiccans, etc. because that is not my area of expertise.

Answer 4

I don't feel qualified to speak for Muslims. I do get angry when I see questions posted that are anti Muslim and ignorant. I take that kind of thing personally because members of my family are Muslims. If I see a stupid question that does nothing more than perpetuate negative stereotypes I'm going to let the asker know how ridiculous they are.

Answer 5

Because Muslims aren't the only ones who know things about Islam or have read the Koran or books about Islam; just as many non-Christians have read the Bible and books about Christianity. Non-Muslims perhaps shouldn't speak FOR Muslims; but Muslims are not the only people authorized to comment on Islam.

Answer 6

Some people act as if they know more than others, that's why Non-Muslims respond to a Muslims only question. As long as you find the answer you're looking for, you're set.

Answer 7

What makes you think that when a question is directed toward muslims there is some sort of moral imperative that only muslims dare to respond? I challenge that assumption. Furthermore, when I do respond to such questions, I am sure that no one believes that I am speaking for muslims, or that authorization to have an opinion is required.

Answer 8

Learning is always a two-way street. Posting a question, in a free country and among free people, means allowing everyone who wishes to answer the respect of offering his opinion. Sometimes, you might be surprised, what's written from the opposite point of view is not an opinion, but a fact to learn.

Answer 9

Simple... Just because you are Muslim does not mean you know more about Islam than a non-Muslim.

While I agree that there's a lot of stupid answers by Christians answering Muslim questions, I see a lot of stupid answers from Muslims as well.

Just because you are Muslim does not mean that you are well educated in your own religion. Just like all the uneducated Christians out there that think they know Christianity, but if you ask them specific questions, a lot of times get them wrong.

If you are knowledgeable about a subject, then you should answer. Muslim or not.

If not, keep your trap shut!!! I don't care if you are Pope Benedict's nephew or Imam al-Sistani's cousin.

Answer 10

I don't normally answer questions directed to certain groups, but I wonder how many of you muslims honestly know the history of your religion. As an ex-Arab linguist, I can honestly say I see a huge difference between claims of muslims and acts of muslims throughout recent history.