http://www.daily.pk/general/generalnews/67-generalnews/4903-the-top-misconceptions-about-islam.html
Dear Sir,
You may read it.
The Top Misconceptions About Islam
Wednesday, 25 June 2008 11:52 www.daily.pk
Muslims are violent, terrorists, and 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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 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 which 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.
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.
Islam was spread by the sword and is 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 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 those who are just." (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". (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 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 Qur’an 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)
All Muslims are Arabs
The Muslim population of the world is around 1.4 billion. 1 out of 4 people in
the world is a Muslim. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the World and
North America. They are a vast range of races, nationalities, and cultures from
around the globe--from the Philippines 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 8 million Muslims in the United
States.
The Nation of Islam is a Muslim group
Islam and the so called “Nation of Islam'" are two different religions. 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 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.
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 which 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.
Muslims are a barbaric, backwards 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.
Muhammad(PBUH) 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)
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 breathe
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 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 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)
Thanks a lot for your time.
BeJustPeace
N.B.: I never mail any advertisement or spam - so if you get somethine like
this from this account, please forgive me as sometimes, people may spam using
my ID. Wish you all the best. RESPECT.
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