MISCONCEPTION #1:
Muslims are violent, terrorists and/or extremists.
This is the biggest misconception in Islam, no doubt resulting from the
constant stereotyping and bashing the media gives Islam. When a gunman
attacks a mosque in the name of Judaism, a Catholic IRguerrilla 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 they make no division
between secular and sacred in their 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 Quran says: "Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you,
but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors." (Quran
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." (Quran 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.
MISCONCEPTION #2: Islam oppresses
women.
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 Quran 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.
MISCONCEPTION #3: Muslims worship a different
God.
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
(eloh), 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 ie
Jesus or have associates, nor does He have human-like attributions as
found in other faiths.
MISCONCEPTION #4: Islam was spread by the sword and
intolerant of other faiths.
Many social studies textbooks for students show the image of an Arab
horseman carrying a sword in one hand and the Quran 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 Quran 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 those who
are just. 60:8)
Freedom of religion is laid down in the Quran itself: "There is no
compulsion (or coercion) in the religion (Islam). The right direction is
distinctly clear from error". (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 Protestanism ..."
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 Jerusalem in
the year 634, Islam granted freedom of worship to all religious
communities in the city. Proclaiming to the inhabitants that their lives,
and property were safe, and that their places of worship would never be
taken from them, he asked the Christian patriarch Sophronius to accompany
him on a visit to all the holy places. Islamic law also permits non-Muslim
minorities to set up their own courts, which implement family laws drawn
up by the minorities themselves. The life and property of all citizens in
an Islamic state are considered sacred whether the person is Muslim or
not.
Racism is not a part of Islam, the Quran speaks only of human equality
and how all peoples are equal in the sight of God. "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. (49:13)
MISCONCEPTION #5: All Muslims are
Arabs.
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 Phillipines to
Nigeria--they are united by their common Islamic faith. Only about 18%
live in the Arab world and the largest Muslim community is in Indonesia.
Most Muslims live east of Pakistan. 30% of Muslims live in the Indian
subcontinent, 20% in Sub-Saharan Africa, 17% in Southeast Asia, 18% in the
Arab world, and 10% in the Soviet Union and China. Turkey, Iran and
Afghanistan make up 10% of the non-Arab Middle East. Although there are
Muslim minorities in almost every area, including Latin America and
Australia, they are most numerous in Russia and its newly independent
states, India and central Africa. There are about 6 million Muslims in the
United States.
MISCONCEPTION #6: The Nation of Islam is a Muslim
group.
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 propogator, Louis Farrakhan.
Islam and Farakhanism differ in many fundamental ways. For example,
Farakhan 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 America who claim to represent Islam and call their adherents
Muslims.
Any serious student of Islam has a duty to investigate and find the
true Islam. The only two authentic sources which bind every Muslim are 1.
the Quran 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 Quran and authentic
Hadith should be rejected and such a religion should be considered a
Pseudo-Islamic Cult.
In America there are many pseudo-Islamic cults, Farrakhanism being one
of them. An honest attitude on the part of such cults should be not to
call themselves Muslims and their religion Islam. such an example of
honesty is Bahaism which is an off-shoot of Islam but Bahais do not call
themselves Muslims nor their religion, Islam. In fact Bahaism is not Islam
just as Farrakhanism is not Islam.
MISCONCEPTION #7: All Muslim men marry four
wives.
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 Quran, 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 Quran 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 expermanence.
MISCONCEPTION #8: Muslims are barbaric, backward
people.
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 Europe from Islam. Sophisticated instruments which were to make
possible the European voyages of discovery were developed, including the
astrolabe, the quadrant and good navigational maps.
MISCONCEPTION #9: Muhammad was the founder of Islam
and Muslims worship him.
Muhammad(pbuh) was born in Mecca in the year 570. Since his father died
before his birth, and his mother shortly afterwards, he was raised by his
uncle from the respected tribe of Quraysh. As he grew up, he became known
for his truthfulness, generosity and sincerity, so that he was sought
after for his ability to arbitrate in disputes. The historians describe
him as calm and meditative. Muhammad (pbuh) was of a deeply religious
nature, and had long detested the decadence of his society.
It became his habit to meditate from time to time in the Cave of Hira
near Mecca. At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat,
Muhammad(pbuh) received his first revelation from God through the Angel
Gabriel. This revelation, which continued for 23 years is known as the
Quran. As soon as he began to recite the words he heard from Gabriel, and
to preach the truth which God had revealed to him, he and his small group
of followers suffered bitter persecution, which grew so fierce that in the
year 622 God gave them the command to emigrate.
This event, the Hijra 'migration', in which they left Mecca for the
city of Medina, marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. After several
years, the Prophet and his followers were able to return to Mecca, where
they forgave their enemies and established Islam definitively. Before the
Prophet saw dies at the age of 63, the greater part of Arabia was Muslim,
and within a century of his death Islam had spread to Spain in the West
and as far East as China. He died with less than 5 possessions to his
name.
While Muhammad (pbuh) was chosen to deliver the message, he is not
considered the "founder" of Islam, since Muslims consider Islam to be the
same divine guidance sent to all peoples before. Muslims believe all the
prophets from Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus etc. were all sent with divine
guidance for their peoples. Every prophet was sent to his own people, but
Muhammad(pbuh) was sent to all of mankind. Muhammad is the last and final
messenger sent to deliver the message of Islam. Muslims revere and honor
him (pbuh) for all he went through and his dedication, but they do not
worship him. "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."(33:45-6)
MISCONCEPTION #10: Muslims don't believe in Jesus or
any other prophets.
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 Quran
confirms his virgin birth (a chapter of the Quran is entitled 'Mary'), and
Mary is considered the purest woman in all creation. The Quran 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" (Quran 3:42-47)
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." (3:59) During his prophetic mission
Jesus (u) performed many miracles. The Quran 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." (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 Quran 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 Me. (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 Paradise and
Hell are true, shall be received by God into Heaven. "(Hadith related by
Bukhari).
