TOP
TEN MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT ISLAM
MISCONCEPTION
#1:
Muslims are violent, terrorists and/or
extremists.
This
is the biggest misconception in Islam, amplified to an extreme by the events af
recent years. It is in no doubt worsened by the constant stereotyping and
bashing the media gives Islam.
When a gunman attacks a mosque in the name of Judaism, a Catholic IRA guerrilla
sets off a bomb in an urban area, or Serbian Orthodox militiamen rape and kill
innocent Muslim civilians, these acts are not used to stereotype an entire
faith. Never are these acts attributed to the religion of the perpetrators. Yet
how many times have we heard the words 'Islamic, Muslim fundamentalist. etc.'
linked with violence? Politics in so called "Muslim countries" may
or may not have any Islamic basis. Often dictators and politicians will
use the name of Islam for their own purposes.
One should remember to go to the source of Islam and separate what the true
religion of Islam says from what is portrayed in the media. Islam literally
means 'submission to God' and is derived from a root word meaning
'peace'. Islam may seem exotic or even extreme in the modern world.
Perhaps this is because religion doesn't dominate everyday life in the West,
whereas Islam is considered a 'way of life' for Muslims and we make no division
between secular and sacred in our lives.
Like Christianity, Islam permits fighting in self-defense, in defense of
religion, or on the part of those who have been expelled forcibly from their
homes. It lays down strict rules of combat which include prohibitions
against harming civilians and against destroying crops, trees and livestock
NOWHERE
DOES ISLAM ENJOIN THE KILLING OF INNOCENTS.. The Qur’an says:
"Fight
in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress
limits. God does not love transgressors."
-- Qur’an al-Baqara 2:190)
"If
they seek peace, then seek you peace. And trust in God for He is the One
that heareth and knoweth all things."
-- Qur’an al-Anfal 8:61
War,
therefore, is the last resort, and is subject to the rigorous conditions laid
down by the sacred law. The term 'jihad' literally means
'struggle'. Muslims believe that there are two kinds of jihad.
The other 'jihad' is the inner struggle of the soul which everyone wages
against egotistic desires for the sake of attaining inner peace.
The
image of the typical Muslim woman wearing the veil and forced to stay home and
forbidden to drive is all too common in most peoples thoughts. Although
some Muslim countries may have laws that oppress women, this should not be
seen as coming from Islam. Many of these countries do not rule
by any kind of Shari'ah (Islamic law) and introduce their own cultural
standpoints on the issue of gender equity
Islam
on the other hand gives men and women different roles and equity between the
two is laid down in the Qur’an and the example of the Prophet (peace be
upon him). Islam sees a woman, whether single or married, as an
individual in her own right, with the right to own and dispose of her
property and earnings. A marriage gift is given by the groom to the
bride for her own personal use, and she keeps her own family name rather
than taking her husband's. Both men and women are expected to dress in a way
that is modest and dignified. The Messenger of God (peace be upon him) said:
"The most perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best in manner
and kindest to his wife."
Violence
of any kind towards women and forcing them against their will for anything
is not allowed. A Muslim marriage is a simple, legal agreement in which either
partner is free to include conditions.
Marriage customs thus vary widely from country to country. Divorce is not
common, although it is acceptable as a last resort. According to
Islam, a Muslim girl cannot be forced to marry against her will: her
parents simply suggest young men they think may be suitable.
Allah
is simply the Arabic word for God. Allah for Muslims is the greatest and
most inclusive of the Names of God, it is an Arabic word of rich meaning,
denoting the one and only God and ascribing no partners to Him. It is exactly
the same word which the Jews, in Hebrew, use for God (aloha), the word which
Jesus Christ used in Aramaic when he prayed to God. God has an identical name
in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; Allah is the same God worshiped by
Muslims, Christians and Jews. Muslims believe that Allah's sovereignty is
to be acknowledged in worship and in the pledge to obey His teaching and
commandments, conveyed through His messengers and prophets who were sent at
various times and in many places throughout history. However, it should be
noted that God in Islam is One and Only. He, the Exalted, does not get tired,
does not have a son i.e. Jesus or have associates, nor does He have human-like
attributions as found in other faiths.
Many
social studies textbooks for students show the image of an Arab horseman
carrying a sword in one hand and the Qur'an in the other conquering and
forcibly converting. This, though, is not a correct portrayal of history.
Islam has always given respect and freedom of religion to all faiths. The
Qur’an says:
"God
forbids you not, with regards to those who fight you not for [your] faith
nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them; for
God loveth t who who are just.
-- Qur’an al-Mumtahina 60:8
Freedom of religion is laid down in the Qur’an itself:
"There
is no compulsion (or coercion) in the religion (Islam). The right
direction is distinctly clear from error".
-- Qur’an al-Baqara 2:256
Christian
missionary, T.W. Arnold had this opinion on his study of the question of
the spread of Islam: "... of any organized attempt to force the acceptance
of Islam on the non-Muslim population, or of any systematic persecution
intended to stamp out the Christian religion, we hear nothing. Had the
caliphs chosen to adopt either course of action, they might have swept
away Christianity as easily as Ferdinand and Isabella drove Islam out of
Spain, or Louis XIV made Protestantism ..."
It is a function of Islamic law to protect the privileged status of minorities,
and this is why non-Muslim places of worship have flourished all over the
Islamic world. History provides many examples of Muslim tolerance towards
other faiths: when the caliph Omar entered
"O
mankind! We created you from a single soul, male and female, and made you
into nations and tribes, so that you may come to know one another. Truly,
the most honored of you in God's sight is the greatest of you in piety.
God is All-Knowing, All- Aware. “
-- Qur’an al-Hujraat 49:13
The
Muslim population of the world is around 1.2 billion. 1 out of 5 people
in the world is a Muslim. They are a vast range of races,
nationalities, and cultures from around the globe--from the
Islam
and the so called”Nation of Islam'" are two different religions. NOI is
more of a political organization since its members are not limited to a single
faith. Muslims consider this group to be just one of many cults using the name
of Islam for their own gain. The only thing common between them is
the jargon, the language used by both. "The Nation of Islam" is a misnomer;
this religion should be called Farrakhanism, after the name of its propagator,
Louis Farrakhan. Islam and Farakhanism differ in many fundamental ways.
For example, Farrakhan followers believe in racism and that the 'black
man' was the original man and therefore superior, while in Islam there is
no racism and everyone is
considered equal in the sight of God, the only difference being in one's
piety. There are many other theological examples that show the 'Nation's
teachings have little to do with true Islam. There are
many groups in
The only two authentic sources which bind every Muslim are 1: The Qur’an and 2:
authentic or sound Hadith. Any teachings under the label of "Islam" which
contradict or at variance with the direct understanding of fundamental beliefs
and practices of Islam form the Qur’an and authentic Hadith should be rejected
and such a religion should be considered a Pseudo-Islamic Cult. And those
differences between existing schools of thought and the major divisions in the
faith Islam must always refer back to the true source… the Qur’an.
In
(It is worth noting that Imam W.D.Muhammad led the bulk of the membership of
the old Nation of Islam away from this belief and towards true Islam (Alhamduillah)
see:
W.Deen Muhammad.
This is remarkable as he is the grandson of the NOI founder. )
The
religion of Islam was revealed for all societies and all times and so
accommodates widely differing social requirements. Circumstances
may warrant the taking of another wife but the right is granted,
according to the Qur’an, only on condition that the husband is scrupulously
fair. No woman can be forced into this kind of marriage if they do not wish it,
and they also have the right to exclude it in their marriage
contract. Polygamy is neither mandatory, nor encouraged, but merely
permitted. Images of "sheikhs with harems" are not consistent with Islam, as a
man is only allowed at most four wives only if he can fulfill the
stringent conditions of treating each fairly and providing each with
separate housing etc. Permission to practice polygamy is not
associated with mere satisfaction of passion. It is rather
associated with compassion toward widows and orphans. It was the Qur’an
that limited and put conditions on the practice of polygamy among the
Arabs, who had as many as ten or more wives and considered them
"property".
It
is both honest and accurate to say that it is Islam that regulated this
practice, limited it, made it more humane, and instituted equal rights
and status for all wives. What the Qur'anic decrees amount to, taken
together is discouragement of polygamy unless necessity for it exists. It is
also evident that the general rule in Islam is monogamy and not polygamy. It is
a very tiny percentage of Muslims that practice it over the world.
However, permission to practice limited polygamy is only consistent with
Islam's realistic view of the nature of man and woman and of various
social needs, problems and cultural
variations.
The
question is, however far more than the inherent flexibility of Islam; it also
is the frank and straightforward approach of Islam in dealing with
practical problems. Rather than requiring hypocritical and
superficial compliance, Islam delves deeper into the problems of individuals
and societies, and provides for legitimate and clean solutions which are
far more beneficial than would be the case if they were ignored. There is
no doubt that the second wife legally married and treated kindly is
better off than a mistress without any legal rights or permanence.
Among
the reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam was the simplicity of
its doctrine-Islam calls for faith in only one God worthy of
worship. It also repeatedly instructs man to use his powers of
intelligence and observation. Within a few years, great civilizations and
universities were flourishing, for according to the Prophet (pbuh), 'seeking
knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim man and woman'.
The synthesis of Eastern and Western ideas and of new thought with old,
brought about great advances in medicine, mathematics, physics,
astronomy, geography, architecture, art, literature, and history. Many
crucial systems such as algebra, the Arabic numerals, and also the concept
of the zero (vital to the advancement of mathematics), were transmitted
to medieval
Muhammad(pbuh)
was born in
It
became his habit to meditate from time to time in the
This
event, the Hijra 'migration', in which they left
"O
Prophet, verily We have sent you as a witness and a bearer of glad tidings and
a warner and as one who invites unto God by His leave and as an illuminating
lamp."
-- Qur’an al-Ahzab 33:45-6
Muslims
respect and revere Jesus, upon him be peace, and await his Second
Coming. They consider him one of the greatest of God's messengers
to mankind. A Muslim never refers to him simply as 'Jesus', but always
adds the phrase 'upon him be peace' (abbreviated as (u) here). The
Qur’an confirms his virgin birth (a chapter of the Qur’an is entitled 'Mary'),
and Mary is considered the purest woman in all creation.
The
Qur’an describes the Annunciation as follows:
"Behold!"
the Angel said, "God has chosen you, and purified you, and
chosen you above the women of all nations. O Mary, God gives you
good news of a word from Him whose name shall be the Messiah, Jesus son of
Mary, honored in this world and the Hereafter, and one of those
brought near to God. He shall speak to the people from his cradle
and in maturity, and shall be of the righteous." She said: "O my Lord! How
shall I have a son when no man has touched me?" He said: "Even so; God
creates what He will. When He decrees a thing, He says to it, "Be!" and
it is"
-- Qur’an
Jesus
(u) was born miraculously through the same power, which had brought Adam (u)
into being without a father:
"Truly,
the likeness of Jesus with God is as the likeness of Adam. He created him
of dust, and then said to him, 'Be!' and he was."
-- Qur’an al-E-Imran 3:59
During
his prophetic mission Jesus (u) performed many miracles. The Qur’an tells us
that he said:
"
I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I make for you out of
clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breath into it and it becomes a
bird by God's leave. And I heal the blind, and the lepers, and I raise
the dead by God's leave."
-- Qur’an al-E-Imran 3:49)
Neither
Muhammad (pbuh) not Jesus (u) came to change the basic doctrine of the brief in
One God brought by earlier prophets, but to confirm and renew it. In the
Qur’an Jesus (u) is reported as saying that he came:
"To
attest the law which was before me. And to make lawful to you part of
what was forbidden you; I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so fear
God and obey
-- Qur’an al-E-Imran 3:50
The
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "Whoever
believes there is no god but God, alone without partner, that Muhammad (pbuh)
is His messenger, that Jesus is the servant and messenger of God, His word
breathed into Mary and a spirit emanating from Him, and that