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"Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong; they are the ones to attain felicity".
(surah Al-Imran,ayat-104)
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COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT ISLAM

INTRODUCTION

The pluralistic American society is changing from being a "melting pot"
to a "salad bowl" in which all ingredients are encouraged to preserve
and display their distinct individual taste and flavor. However, even
though Islam is a major religion with over I billion followers worldwide
and nearly 6 million in the U.S.A., some Americans still think it is a
cult, some believe all Muslims are terrorists or have 4 wives.Thus, the
misconceptions about Islam continue because of a lack of correct
information about the basic teachings of Islam.

The ongoing crisis in the Muslim world and the misrepresentation of
Islam sometimes by the media challenges us to answer questions by our
non-Muslim friends about our way of life in a simple and concise language.
I have given many lectures to non-Muslim school and college students,
church audiences, inter-faith gatherings, and have appeared on radio and
TV talk shows. The following responses are based on actual questions
asked from me by various non-Muslims with whom I have had contact.

1. WHAT IS ISLAM

The word "Islam" means peace and submission. Peace means to be at peace
with yourself and your surroundings. Submission means to submit to the
Will of God. A broader meaning of the word "Islam," is to achieve peace
by submitting to the Will of God.

This is a unique religion with a name which signifies a moral attitude
and a way of life. Judaism takes its name for the tribe of Judah,
Christianity from Jesus Christ, Buddhism from Gautama Buddha and Hinduism
from the Indus River. However, Muslims derive their identity from the
message of Islam rather than the person of Muhammad Thus, they should not
be called "Muhammadans."

2. WHO is ALLAH?

This is the Arabic word for "one God." Allah is not the God of Muslims
only. He is God of all creations because He is their Creator and
Sustainer.

3. WHO IS A MUSLIM?

The word "Muslim" means one who submits to the will of God. This is
done by declaring, "There is no god except the one God and Muhammad is the
Messenger of God." In a broader sense, anyone who willingly submits to
the Will of God is a Muslim. Thus, all the prophets preceding the
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) were Muslims. The Quran specifically mentions
Abraham, who lived long before Moses and Christ, saying, "He was not a Jew or
a Christian, but a Muslim," because he had submitted to the Will of
God. Thus, there are Muslims who are not sub- mitting at all to the Will
of God and there are Muslims who are doing their best to live an Islamic
life. One cannot judge Islam by looking at those individuals who have a
Muslim name, but in their actions, they are not living or behaving as
Muslims. The state of being a Muslim can be according to the degree to
which one submits to the Will of God in his or her beliefs and actions.

4. WHO WAS MUHAMMAD (PBUH)?

In brief, Muhammad (PBUH) (peace and the mercy of God be upon him) was
bom in a noble tribe of Mecca in Arabia in the year 570 AD. His
ancestry goes back to Prophet Ishmael (PBUH), (peace be upon him) son of
Prophet Abraham (PBUH). His father died before his birth and his mother died
when he was six. He had no formal schooling. He was first raised by a
nurse as was the custom in those days and then by his grandfather and
uncle. As a young man, he was known as a righteous person who used to
meditate in a cave. At the age of forty, he was given the prophethood when
the angel Gabriel appeared in the cave. Subsequently, the revelations
came over a period of twenty-three years and were compiled in the form
of a book called the Quran. Muslims consider the Quran to be the final
and last word of God. The Arabic of the Quran has been preserved,
unchanged, in its original form and confirms the truth in the Torah, the
Psalms and the Gospels.

5. DO MUSLIMS WORSHIP MUHAMMAD (PBUH)?

No. Muslims do not worship Muhammad (PBUH)or any other prophets.
Muslims believe in all prophets including Adam, Noah, Abraham, David,
Solomon, Moses and Jesus. Muslims believe that Muhammad (PBUH) was the last of
the prophets. They believe that God alone is to be worshipped, not any
human being.

6. WHAT DO MUSLIMS THINK OF JESUS (PBUH)?

Muslims think highly of Jesus (PBUH) and his worthy mother, Mary. The
Quran tells us that Jesus (PBUH) was bom of a miraculous birth without a
father. "Lo! The likeness of Jesus with God is the likeness of Adam. He
created him of dust and then He said to him, 'Be' and he was" (The
Quran, 3:59). He was given many miracles as a prophet. These include
speaking soon after his birth in defense of his mother's piety. God's other
gifts to him included healing the blind and the sick, reviving the dead,
making a bird out of clay and, most importantly, the message he was
carrying. These miracles were given to him by God to establish him as a
prophet. According to the Quran, he was not crucified, but was raised
into heaven (see the Quran, Chapter Mary).

7. DO MUSLIMS HAVE MANY SECTS?

Muslims have no sects. In Islam, there are two major schools of
thought, the Shia and the Sunni. Followers of either group have many things in
common. They both follow the same revelation-the Noble Quran. They both
follow the same prophet, Muhammad, (PBUH). They both offer their
prescribed prayers five times a day and perfon-n the prescribed fast in the
month of Ramadan. Both go at least once in their lifetime on the
pilgrimage to Mecca. They both follow Prophet Muhammad (PBUH] sayings and
actions, but those who, in addition, follow the sayings and views of 'Ali
ibn Abi Talib (the Messenger's first cousin and son-in-law) are called
Shia. while those who don't are called Sunnis. Shia means a partisan
(party of Ali) and it started more as a political party to help Ali in his
conflict with his political adversaries. Most Shias are in Iran and
Iraq while the rest of the Muslim world is mostly Sunni. Shias are about
16-percent of the Muslim population.

8. WHAT ARE THE PILLARS OF ISLAM?

There are five major pillars which are the articles of faith. These
pillars are:

1) The belief (or iman) in the one God and that Muhammad (PBUH) is His
Messenger.

2) Prayers (salat) which are prescribed five times a day.

3) Fasting (saum) which is prescribed in the month of Ramadan.

4) Charity or poor-due (zakat) which is the poor-due on the wealth of
the rich.

5) Hajj which is the pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime if one can
afford it physically and financially.

All the pillars should be of equal height and strength in a building in
order to give the building its due shape and proportions. Therefore,
all the pillars of Islam should be of similar strength. It is not
possible that one would perform the hajj without performing the prescribed
fast or without offering the prescribed prayers. Now think of a building
which has pillars only. It would not be called a building. In order to
make it a building, it has to have a roof, it has to have walls, it has
to have doors and windows. These things in Islam are the moral codes of
Islam which includes honesty or truthfulness, steadfastness and many
other human moral qualities. Thus, in order to be a Muslim, one should
not only be practicing the pillars of Islam, but should also have the
highest possible quality which is possible for a good human being. Only
then is the building completed and looks beautiful.

9. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF WORSHIP IN ISLAM?

The purpose of worship in Islam is to be God conscious. Thus, the
worship, whether it is prescribed prayer, fasting or charity, is a means to
an end and the end is consciousness of God so that when one becomes
conscious of God in thought and action, one is in a better position to
receive His bounties, both in this world and the next.

10. WHAT DO MUSLIMS THINK OF THE HEREAFTER?

God is Just and therefore, in order to show His justice, there has to
be a system of accountability. Those who do good have to be rewarded and
those who do wrong have to be punished accordingly. Therefore, He
created heaven and hellfire and there are admission criteria for each of
them. Muslims believe that the present life is temporary. It is a test and
if we pass the test, we will be given a life of permanent happiness in
the company of good people in heaven.

11. WILL THE GOOD ACTIONS OF THE NON-BELIEVERS BE WASTED?

No. The Quran clearly says, "Anyone who has done an atom's worth of
goodness will see it and anyone who has done an atom's worth of evil will
also see it." By that, it is meant that those who do not believe, but
have done good, will be rewarded in this world for their good deed. On
the other hand, those who do good if they are Muslims, will be rewarded
not only in this world, but also in the world hereafter as well.
However, the final judgment is up to God (The Quran 2:62).

12. WHAT IS THE DRESS CODE FOR MUSLIMS?

Islam emphasizes modesty. No person should be perceived as a sex
object. There are certain guidelines both for men and women that their dress
should neither be too thin nor too tight to reveal the form of the
body. For men, they must at lease cover the area from the knee to the
navel. Women's dress should cover all areas except the hands and face.

13. WHAT ARE THE DIETARY PROHIBITIONS IN ISLAM?

Muslims are told in The Quran not to eat pork or pork products, dead
animals or the mean of carnivorous animals (because they eat dead
animals) nor to drink intoxicants such as wine or use any illicit drugs.

14. WHAT IS JIHAD?

The word "jihad" means struggle or, to be specific, striving in the
cause of God. Any struggle done in day-to-day life to please God can be
considered jihad. One of the highest levels of jihad is to stand up to a
tyrant and speak a word of truth. Control of the self from wrongdoing
is also a great jihad. One of the forms of jihad is to take up arms in
defense of Islam or a Muslim country when Islam is attacked. This kind
of jihad has to be declared by the religious leadership or by a Muslim
head of state who is following the Quran and the sunnah.

15. WHAT IS THE ISLAMIC YEAR?

The Islamic Year 1 began with the migration (hijra) of Prophet Muhammad
(Lp) from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD. The calendar is based on lunar
cycles. A lunar year is 354 days. The first month is called Muharram. 1994
AD is the year 1415 AH in the Islamic calender.

16. WHAT ARE THE MAJOR ISLAMIC FESTIVALS?

Id al-fitr,the Festival marking the end of the month of the prescribed
fast in the month of Ramadan, is celebrated with public prayer, feasts
and the exchange of gifts. Id al-adha, the Festival marking the end of
the pilgrimage, is held at the time of annual pilgrimage to Mecca.
After congregational prayer, those who can afford to, sacrifice a lamb or a
goat to signify Prophet Abraham's obedience to God which he showed by
his readi- ness to sacrifice his son, Ishmael.

17. WHAT IS THE SHARIAH?

The Shariah is the Islamic Divine Law derived from two sources: the
Quran and the sunnah or Traditions of Prophet Muhammad (,p). It covers
every aspect of daily, individual and collective living. The purpose of
the Divine Law is to protect the basic human rights of each individual
including the right to life, property, political and religious freedom
and safeguarding the rights of women and minorities. The law crime rate
in Muslim societies is due to the application of Islamic Law.

18. WAS ISLAM SPREAD BY SWORD?

According to the Quran, "There is no compulsion in religion" (2:256).
Thus, no one can be forced to become a Muslim. While it is true that in
many places where Muslim armies went to liberate people or the land,
they did carry the sword because that was the weapon used at that time.
However, Islam did to spread by the sword because in many places where
there are Muslims now, in the Far East like Indonesia, in China and many
parts of Africa, there are no records of any Muslim aries going there.
To say that Islam was spread by the sword would be to say that
Christianity was spread by guns, F-16's and atomic bombs, etc. which is not
true. Christianity was spread by the missionary work of Christians. Ten
percent of all Arabs are Christians. The "Sword of Islam" could not
convert all the non-Muslim minorities in Muslim countries. In India, where
Muslims ruled for 700 years, they are still a minority. In the US, Islam
is the fastest growing religion and has six million followers without
any swords around.

19. DOES ISLAM PROMOTE VIOLENCE AND TERRORISM?

No. Islam is a religion of peace and submission and stresses the
sanctity of human life. A verse in The Quran says, "Anyone who saves one
life, it is as if he has saved the whole of mankind and anyone who has
killed another person except in case of murder or mischief on earth, it is
as if he has killed the whole of mankind" (The Quran, 5:32). Islam
condemns all the violence which happened in the Crusades, in Spain, in WW
11, or by acts of people like the Rev. Jim Jones, David Koresh, Dr.
Baruch Goldstein, or the atrocities committed in Bosnia by Christian Serbs.
Anyone who is doing violence is not practicing his religion. However,
sometimes violence is the human response of an oppressed people as is
the case in Palestine. These people have been displaced from their
homeland, been put in refugee camps, and watched their relatives being killed
and no one listens to their plight unless they do something to get the
attention of the media. Although this is wrong, they think of this as a
way to get attention. There is a lot of terrorism and violence in areas
where there is no Muslim presence. For example, in Ireland, South
Africa, Latin America, and Sri Lanka. Sometimes violence is due to a
struggle between those who have with those who do not have or between those
who are oppressed with those who are oppressors. We need to find out why
people become terrorists. Unfortunately, the Palestinians who are doing
violence are called terrorists, but not the armed Israeli settlers when
they do the same.

20. WHAT IS "ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM?"

There is no concept of "fundamentalism" in Islam. The western media has
coined this term to break those Muslims who wish to return to the basic
fundamental principles of Islam and mould their lives accordingly.
Islam is a religion of moderation and a practicing Muslim can neither be a
fanatic nor an extremist.

21. DOES ISLAM PROMOTE POLYGAMY?

No. Polygamy in Islam is to limit the number of wives. Historically,
all the prophets except Jesus, who never married, had more than one wife.
For Muslim men to have more than one wife is a permission which is
given to them in the Quran, not to satisfy lust, but for the welfare of the
widows and the orphans of war. It is not an injunction. In pre-Islamic
times, men used to have many wives. One person had eleven wives and
when he became a Muslim, he asked Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), "What should I
do with so many wives?" The Prophet said, "Divorce all except four."
The Quran says, "You can marry two or three or four women if you can be
equally just with each of them" (4:3). Since it is very difficult to be
equally just with all wives, in practice, most Muslim men do not have
more than one wife. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself was married to only
one woman, Khadija, from the age of twenty-five to fifty three. In
western society, some men who have one wife have many extramarital affairs.
A survey published in USA Today (April 4, 1988, section D) asked 4,700
mistresses what they would like their status to be. They said that they
preferred being a second wife rather than 'the other woman,' because
they did not have any legal rights nor did they have the financial
equali- ty of the legally married wives and it appeared that they were being
used by these men.

22. DOES ISLAM OPPRESS WOMEN?

No. On the contrary, Islam elevated the status of women 1,400 years ago
by giving them the right to divorce, the right to have financial
independence and support and the right to be identified as dignified women
(wearing the modest dress) when in the rest of the world, including
Europe, women had no such rights. Women are equal to men in all acts of
piety (33:32). Islam allows women to keep their maiden name after marriage.
Whatever they earn belongs to them alone and they can spend it as they
wish. It also asks men to be their protector as women are easily
molested. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) told Muslim men, "The best among you is the
one who is best to his family." Not Islam, but some Muslim men do
oppress women today. This is because of their cultural habits or their
ignorance about their religion.

23. IS ISLAM INTOLERANT OF OTHER RELIGIOUS MINORITIES?

Islam recognizes the rights of the minority. To ensure their welfare
and safety, Muslim rulers initiated a tax (jaziya) on them. Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) forbade Muslim armies to destroy churches and synagogues.
Caliph Umar did not even allow them to pray inside a church. Jews were
welcomed and flourished in Muslim Span when they were persecuted in the
rest of Europe. They consider that part of their history as the Golden
Era. In Muslim countries, Christians live in prosperity, hold government
positions and attend their church. Christian missionaries are allowed
to establish and operate their schools and hospitals. However, the same
religious tolerance is not always available to Muslim minorities as
seen in the past during the Spanish inquisition and the Crusades or as
seen now by the events in former Yugoslavia, Israel and India. Muslims do
recognize that sometimes the actions of a ruler doe not reflect the
teachings of his religion.

24. WHAT IS THE ISLAMIC VIEW ON:

DATING AND PREMARITAL SEX:

Islam does not approve of intimate mixing of the sexes and forbids
premarital or extramarital sex. Islam encourages marriage as a shield to
such temptations and as a means of having mutual love, mercy and peace.

ABORTION

Islam considers abortion as murder and does not permit it except to
save the mother's life (see Quran 17:23-31, 6:151).

HOMOSEXUALITY AND AIDS

Islam categorically opposes homosexuality and considers it a sin.
However, Muslim physicians are advised to care for AIDS patients with the
same compassion they give to other patients.

EUTHANASIA AND SUICIDE:

Islam is opposed to both suicide and euthanasia. Muslims do not believe
in heroic measures to artificially prolong the life of a terminally ill
patient.

ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION:

Islam stresses the saving of lives (see Quran 5:32). Thus,
transplantation in general would be considered permissible provided a donor consent
is available. The sale of organs is not allowed.

25. HOW SHOULD MUSLIMS TREAT JEWS AND CHRISTIANS?

The Quran calls them the "People of the Book," that is, those who
received Divine Scriptures before Muhammad (PBUH). Muslims are told to treat them with respect and justice and not to fight them unless they initiate hostilities or ridicule their faith. The Muslims' ultimate hope is that they all will join them in worshipping the one God and submitting to His Will. "Say (O Muhammad): 0 People of the Book (Jews and Christians), come to an agreement between us and you that we shall worship none but God and that we shall take no partners unto Him and none of us shall take others for Lords beside God. And if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are those who have surrendered (unto Him)" (3:64).
 Reply:   Misconceptions About Islamscr
Replied by(webmaster) Replied on (3/Nov/2006)
In this article, we will try to clear up many of the misconceptions that are prevalent about Islam. Before jumping into the list of misconceptions directly, it is important to give a little
In this article, we will try to clear up many of the misconceptions that are prevalent about Islam. Before jumping into the list of misconceptions directly, it is important to give a little interesting background about the source of Islam.
Islam is the name of a way of life which the Creator wants us to follow. We avoid the word religion because in many non-Islamic societies, there is a separation of "religion and state." This separation is not recognized at all in Islam: the Creator is very much concerned with all that we do, including the political, social, economic, and other aspects of our society. Hence, Islam is a complete way of life.
The source of Islam is Allah, the Creator of everything known and unknown to us. He is One, and He is Unique. Allah has taught us about Islam via two mediums: the Qur'an and the Sunnah. Both the Qur'an and Sunnah were transmitted to us, humanity, via the Messenger of Allah: Muhammad bin Abdullah, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him (saas). The Messenger of Allah was nothing more and nothing less than a mortal messenger of the immortal Creator.
The Qur'an is a book containing the literal Word of Allah. It was transmitted from Allah to an angel of His (Gabriel), and from the angel to the Messenger of Allah who delivered it to us. The Qur'an covers a wide variety of topics, including evidence to support its claim of being the Word of the Creator, stories of earlier generations, rules which humanity is asked to obey, and information about the Hereafter. The Qur'an claims that it is protected from change by other than Allah, and this is confirmed by its 1400 year history. The earliest copies and the latest copies are the same.
The Sunnah is the term used to describe how the Messenger of Allah (saas) lived his life. The Messenger's life is an example for all Muslims, or those who accept Islam, to follow. Whatever the Messenger (saas) did, said, or approved of is a source of Islam just as much as the Qur'an. The Messenger's role is not overemphasized: his life was dictated by what the Creator desired, and the Messenger did not add or subtract to Islam according to his own personal whim. His life was such that his wife called him "a walking Qur'an."
The Qur'an and Sunnah are the only two mediums by which Allah has directly taught us about Islam. This leads us to the following simple but critical principle:
If any man or woman engages in a belief or action which clearly contradicts the Qur'an or Sunnah, then that belief or action cannot be thought of as `Islamic'.
This rule applies whether the man or woman is Muslim or non-Muslim. Hence, we cannot equate Islam and the Muslims. Islam is the way of life; Muslims are people who claim to follow that way of life. A Muslim may claim to follow Islam, but be wrong. In the context of misconceptions, we can restate the above principle in a slightly different way:
Some misconceptions about Islam are due to the wrong beliefs and actions of Muslims, and others are due to a significant lack of understanding and false stereotyping by non-Muslims.
Several misconceptions are listed below. Instead of simply stating the misconception by itself, we have also included some reasons why people might adopt that misconception. Therefore, each entry in the list is given in the following form:
<Statement of misconception> because:
    • <reason 1>
    • <reason 2>
    • etc.
After each misconception and its possible reasons, we show briefly why the misconception is false by showing one or more of three possibilities:
  1. a reason is false
  2. the reason does not logically lead to the misconception
  3. a key piece of information is being ignored
Our answers to the misconceptions are drawn from the Qur'an and Sunnah. All other approaches are insufficient: Islam is a way of life which is very firmly based on a scholarly approach, an approach which is based on knowledge.

Misconception 1

Islam is `the religion of peace' because:
[2:136] Say (O Muslims): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed to us and that which was revealed to Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have surrendered. [Arabic "Muslimoon"]

Misconception 2

In Islam, denial of human rights is OK because:
    • Islam is against pure democracy
    • Islam tolerates slavery
The misconception does not follow from the reasons given, and the reasons ignore a great deal of information.
As stated earlier, Islam is a complete way of life. Given this, it is not surprising that the Creator is concerned with the method which we choose to govern ourselves. The preeminent rule which the Islamic state must observe is stated in the Qur'an (translation follows):
[4:59] O you who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you. If you differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if you do believe in Allah and the Last Day; That is best, and most suitable for final determination.
From this verse, it is clear that the state's obligation of obedience to the Creator is as important as the obedience of the individual. Hence, the Islamic state must derive its law from the Qur'an and Sunnah. This principle excludes certain choices from the Islamic state's options for political and economic systems, such as a pure democracy, unrestricted capitalism, communism, socialism, etc. For example, a pure democracy places the people above the Qur'an and Sunnah, and this is disobedience to the Creator. However, the best alternative to a pure democracy is a democracy that implements and enforces the Shari'ah (Islamic Law).
The Creator also states in the Qur'an (translated) :
[42:36-38] So whatever thing you are given, that is only a provision of this world's life, and what is with Allah is better and more lasting for those who believe and rely on their Lord, and those who shun the great sins and indecencies, and whenever they are angry they forgive, and those who respond to their Lord and keep up prayer, and their rule is to take counsel among themselves, and who spend out of what We have given them.
Allah orders us in this verse to conduct our matters by taking counsel among ourselves, or by consulting each other. This is the methodology of the Islamic state, to consult one another, but to always keep the Qur'an and Sunnah paramount. Any law which contradicts the Qur'an or Sunnah is unlawful. This broad principle of consultation is certainly wide enough to encompass a form of government where all are heard - in fact, encouraged to be heard. The early Islamic states were of this form. The petty governments of many `Muslim countries' today do not apply this principle and in fact commit many crimes against the people.
As for slavery, Islam is unique among the `religions' in its close attention to the peaceful removal of this practice. Before the advent of Islam, slavery was widespread all over the world. The Messenger of Islam taught us that freeing slaves was a great deed in the sight of Allah. From the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Sahih Bukhari, we find:
[3:46:693] Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Whoever frees a Muslim slave, Allah will save all the parts of his body from the (Hell) Fire as he has freed the body-parts of the slave." Said bin Marjana said that he narrated that Hadith to `Ali bin Al-Husain and he freed his slave for whom `Abdullah bin Ja'far had offered him ten thousand Dirhams or one-thousand Dinars.
Also from the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Malik's Muwatta, we find:
[38:9:15] Narrated Aisha Ummul Mu'minin: The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was asked what was the most excellent kind of slave to free. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, answered, "The most expensive and the most valuable to his master."
The Creator has also made it easy for slaves to gain their freedom. From the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Sahih Bukhari, we find:
[3:46:704] Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Whoever frees his portion of a common slave should free the slave completely by paying the rest of his price from his money if he has enough money; otherwise the price of the slave is to be estimated and the slave is to be helped to work without hardship till he pays the rest of his price."
The condition of slavery is very different in Islam than the harsh conditions imposed by non-Muslims or disobedient Muslims. From the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Sunan Abu-Dawud, we find:
[41:4957] Narrated AbuHurayrah: The Prophet (saw) said: None of you must say: "My slave" (abdi) and "My slave-woman" (amati), and a slave must not say: "My lord" (rabbi or rabbati). The master (of a slave) should say: "My young man" (fataya) and "My young woman" (fatati), and a slave should say "My master" (sayyidi) and "My mistress" (sayyidati), for you are all (Allah's) slave and the Lord is Allah, Most High.
Also from the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Sahih Bukhari, we find:
[3:46:721] Narrated Al-Ma'rur bin Suwaid: I saw Abu Dhar Al-Ghifari wearing a cloak, and his slave, too, was wearing a cloak. We asked him about that (i.e. how both were wearing similar cloaks). He replied, "Once I abused a man and he complained of me to the Prophet. The Prophet asked me, `Did you abuse him by slighting his mother?' He added, `Your slaves are your brethren upon whom Allah has given you authority. So, if one has one's brethren under one's control, one should feed them with the like of what one eats and clothe them with the like of what one wears. You should not overburden them with what they cannot bear, and if you do so, help them (in their hard job)."
As a result of the teachings of Islam, slavery was almost completely eradicated from many areas of the Muslim world, peacefully and without bloodshed.

Misconception 3

In Islam, women are inferior to men because:
This widely held misconception does not remotely follow from the reasons given. The first and most important observation to make about the popular question "Are men and women equal?" is that it is a badly-formed, unanswerable question. The problem which many people conveniently ignore is that "equal" is not defined. This is a very critical point: the equality must be specified with respect to some measurable property. For example, women on average are superior to men if we ask who is shorter in height than the other ("Growth and Development" , Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1992). Women are also superior on average if we ask whom do children bond to deeper, mothers or fathers. Women are also superior on average if we ask who has a tendency to socialize more. On the other hand, men are superior on average if we ask who is taller in height than the other. And so on: every question can be turned around, and more importantly these are properties which are irrelevant.
[4:124] If any do deeds of righteousness - be they male or female - and have faith, they will enter Paradise, and not the least injustice will be done to them.
[33:35] For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for truthful men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast, for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise, for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward.
[3:36]...and the male is not like the female...
[24:32] And marry those among you who are single and those who are fit among your male slaves and your female slaves; if they are needy, Allah will make them free from want out of His grace; and Allah is Ample-giving, Knowing.
Men and women are different in their responsibilities towards the families that they are strongly encouraged to set up. Women are not obligated to work, whereas men are obligated. The man must provide for the family, but the woman does not have to spend out of her money for it, though she gets a reward for doing so. Allah says in the Qur'an (translation) ,
[4:34] Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo! Allah is ever High, Exalted, Great.
From the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Sahih Bukhari, we find:
[2:24:545] Narrated `Amr bin Al-Harith: Zainab, the wife of `Abdullah said, "I was in the Mosque and saw the Prophet (p.b.u.h) saying, `O women ! Give alms even from your ornaments.' " Zainab used to provide for `Abdullah and those orphans who were under her protection. So she said to `Abdullah, "Will you ask Allah's Apostle whether it will be sufficient for me to spend part of the Zakat on you and the orphans who are under my protection?" He replied "Will you yourself ask Allah's Apostle ?" (Zainab added): So I went to the Prophet and I saw there an Ansari woman who was standing at the door (of the Prophet ) with a similar problem as mine. Bilal passed by us and we asked him, `Ask the Prophet whether it is permissible for me to spend (the Zakat) on my husband and the orphans under my protection.' And we requested Bilal not to inform the Prophet about us. So Bilal went inside and asked the Prophet regarding our problem. The Prophet (p.b.u.h) asked, "Who are those two?" Bilal replied that she was Zainab. The Prophet said, "Which Zainab?" Bilal said, "The wife of `Adullah (bin Masud)." The Prophet said, "Yes, (it is sufficient for her) and she will receive a double rewards (for that): One for helping relatives, and the other for giving Zakat."
Given that husbands are obligated to provide for wives, and that marriage is a highly recommended goal of Islam, it is easy to see why women's inheritance share is half that of men. We note also that men are obligated to provide a suitable dowry to women on marriage. In fact, it is preferable at this point to speak in terms of husbands and wives instead of men and women. Allah says in the Qur'an (translation) ,
[4:4] And give women their dowries as a free gift, but if they of themselves be pleased to give up to you a portion of it, then eat it with enjoyment and with wholesome result.
Allah says in the Qur'an (translation) ,
[2:228]...And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them in kindness, and men are a degree above them...
This one degree in no way affects the position of the Creator in which He has stated that He does not hold women dearer to him than men, or vice versa. Rather it is simply a way of partitioning responsibilities in a household of two adults: someone must make the final decision on daily matters. As will be shown below in a section on a different misconception, though the final decision rests with the husband, it is through mutual consultation that decisions are best reached at.
While men are allowed to marry up to four wives, they are also commanded to meet the preconditions of being able to financially support them. They must also deal with each wife justly and fairly with respect to marital and economic obligations. Allah says in the Qur'an (translation) ,
[4:3] If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, Marry women of your choice, Two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice.
Moreover, women are allowed to reject any marriage proposal made to her by prospective suitors, thus if she does not feel she can abide by the rules of the Qur'an and Sunnah if she marries a certain person, she can reject his proposal. While it is irrelevant to Islam, it is worthwhile to note that both Judaism and Christianity allow polygamy. The idea is not as foreign to the non-Muslims as is often claimed.
Finally, the wearing of the veil by women is also an illogical premise to claim that women are inferior to men. It is more appropriate to indict a society of female exploitation if it tolerates pornography rather than if it enforces the veil. Given that Allah is neither male nor female, given that He does not endear people to Himself based on their gender, given that the Creator cares about all of us male or female, given that the sexual and violent drive of men is stronger than that of women...given all this, it is illogical to cast a negative light on the following injunctions contained in the Qur'an (translation) ,
[33:59] O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not be annoyed...
[24:30-31] Say to the believing man that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands...
On this misconception, there is a great deal more to write, most of it showing how current practices in many Muslim lands go against what the Qur'an and Sunnah have ordained, lands in which women are treated as property (unIslamic), are not educated (unIslamic), are forbidden their economic rights (unIslamic), and more. On this point in particular, we encourage everyone to consult the Qur'an and Sunnah before incriminating Islam. Always remember that Islam is a complete way of life from the Creator, and that Muslims are people who claim to follow that way of life. A Muslim may claim to follow Islam, but be wrong.

Misconception 4

Islam is well-suited only to the Arabs because:
[21:107] And We (Allah) have not sent you (Muhammad) but as a mercy to the worlds.
[34:28] We have not sent you but as a universal (Messenger) to men, giving them glad tidings, and warning them (against sin), but most men understand not.
[49:13] O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)."
[41:44] And if We (Allah) had made it a Qur'an in a foreign tongue, they would certainly have said: "Why have not its communications been made clear? What! a foreign (tongue) and an Arab!" Say: It is, to those who believe, a guidance and a healing; and (as for) those who do not believe, there is a heaviness in their ears and it is obscure to them; these shall be called to from a far-off place.

Misconception 5

Islam rejects Jesus because:
[19:88-93] They say: "(Allah) the Most Merciful has begotten a son!" Indeed you have put forth a thing most monstrous! At it the skies are ready to burst, the earth to split asunder, and the mountains to fall down in utter ruin, that they should invoke a son for (Allah) the Most Merciful. For it is not consonant with the majesty of (Allah) the Most Merciful that He should beget a son: Not one of the beings in the heavens and the earth but must come to (Allah) the Most Merciful as a servant.
However, the misconception that Jesus is rejected does not follow from the reason given above. It is more precise to say that identifying Jesus as `the Son of God' is rejected. As a Messenger of Allah, Jesus is accorded the same honor that all the Messengers are given, as the following verse attests to (translation) ,
[2:136] Say (O Muslims): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed to us and that which was revealed to Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have surrendered. [Arabic "Muslimoon"]

Misconception 6

Islam orders the worship of a man because:
[112:1-4] Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the One on whom all depend; He begets not, nor is He begotten. And there is none comparable to Him.
[3:144] Muhammad is no more than a messenger: many Were the messengers that passed away before him. If he died or were slain, will you then turn back on your heels? If any did turn back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah; but Allah (on the other hand) will swiftly reward those who (serve Him) with gratitude.
From the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Sahih Bukhari, we find:
[9:93:470] Narrated Mu'adh bin Jabal: The Prophet said, "O Mu'adh! Do you know what Allah's Right upon His slaves is?" I said, "Allah and His Apostle know best." The Prophet said, "To worship Him (Allah) Alone and to join none in worship with Him (Allah). Do you know what their right upon Him is?" I replied, "Allah and His Apostle know best." The Prophet said, "Not to punish them (if they do so)."
[4:55:654] Narrated `Umar: I heard the Prophet saying, "Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians praised the son of Mary, for I am only a Slave. So, call me the Slave of Allah and His Apostle."

Misconception 7

Islam tolerates the killing of innocents because:
[17:33] Nor take life - which Allah has made sacred - except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, we have given his heir authority (to demand retaliation or to forgive): but let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life, for he is helped (by the Law)
[22:39] Permission (to fight) is given to those upon whom war is made because they are oppressed, and most surely Allah is well able to assist them;
[2:190-192] And fight in the cause of Allah with those who fight with you, and do not exceed the limits, surely Allah does not love those who exceed the limits. And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from where they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter, and do not fight with them at the Sacred Mosque (in Makkah) until they fight with you in it, but if they do fight you, then slay them; such is the reward of the unbelievers. But if they desist, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. And fight with them until there is no persecution, and religion should be only for Allah, but if they desist, then there should be no hostility except against the oppressors.
[4:52:257] Narrated 'Abdullah: During some of the Ghazawat of the Prophet a woman was found killed. Allah's Apostle disapproved the killing of women and children.
[4:52:65] Narrated Abu Musa: A man came to the Prophet and asked, "A man fights for war booty; another fights for fame and a third fights for showing off; which of them fights in Allah's Cause?" The Prophet said, "He who fights that Allah's Word (i.e. Islam) should be superior, fights in Allah's Cause."
"If we insist on calling Islamic jihad a defensive movement, then we must change the meaning of the word `defense' and mean by it `defense of man' against all those elements which limit his freedom. These elements take the form of beliefs and concepts, as well as of political systems, based on economic, racial, or class distinction. "
A third reason often cited for the misconception about Islam which says that this way of life tolerates the killing of innocents is that the judicial system of Islam is unnecessarily harsh. This reason is weak in two respects. First, it presupposes that human beings are more just and more merciful than the Creator, and therefore we can change the law. Second, it is often based on gross oversimplifications of Islamic law, such as saying "all thieves get their hands cut off."
The Qur'an and Sunnah make it clear that the law of retaliation (or equality) governs us for murder and physical injury, but forgiveness is better as the following verses from the Qur'an show (translation) ,
[2:178] O you who believe! the law of equality is prescribed to you in cases of murder: the free for the free, the slave for the slave, the woman for the woman. But if any remission is made by the brother of the slain, then prosecution (for the bloodwit) should be made according to usage, and payment should be made to him in a good manner; this is an alleviation from your Lord and a mercy; so whoever exceeds the limit after this he shall have a painful chastisement.
[42:40-43] The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah: for (Allah) loves not those who do wrong. But indeed if any do help and defend themselves after a wrong (done) to them, against such there is no cause of blame. The blame is only against those who oppress men and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice: for such there will be a grievous penalty. And whoever is patient and forgiving, these most surely are actions due to courage.
The Creator ordained the law of retaliation on us knowing full well that we might question it. In many non-Muslim societies today, there are ongoing debates about the death penalty. In Islam, this discussion is moot: the Creator has decided the matter for us. He has however given us an interesting verse in the Qur'an which advises to consider the matter carefully if we want to understand it (translation follows),
[2:179] And there is life for you in (the law of) retaliation, O people of understanding, that you may guard yourselves.
Most people are also unaware of the stringent conditions which must be met for the law of retaliation to be applicable. The Sunnah is full of examples of the Messenger of Allah showing us when the law's preconditions were fulfilled. For example, a thief is only liable to lose his or her hand if the item stolen exceeds a certain value, and if it is proven that the item was taken from its normal resting place. Stealing food is not punishable by the loss of one's hand, and other items are exempt as well. This is just an example of how gingerly the law is applied in Islam.
Finally, another reason advanced for this prevalent misconception is that Islam `spread by the sword'. It should be clear by now that we must always distinguish between the Qur'an and Sunnah and the Muslims when it comes to determining what the Creator has asked of us. Allah has stated clearly in the Qur'an (translation) ,
[2:256] There is no compulsion in religion; truly the right way has become clearly distinct from error; therefore, whoever rejects Satan (and what he calls to) and believes in Allah, he indeed has laid hold on the firmest handhold, which shall not break off, and Allah is Hearing, Knowing.
Hence, it is impossible to accept Islam under duress. Even if misguided Muslims were to try to `force' Islam somehow on others, it would not be accepted by the Creator based on this verse.
Historical arguments that try to demonstrate that Muslims did not `convert others by force' are actually secondary to the argument given above. However, it is worth noting that historically, Islam did spread by peaceful means. The Message of the Creator was conveyed to Africa and to southeast Asia by trading Muslims, and today the largest Muslim country in the world is Indonesia. The military expeditions that led to the conquest of large swathes of territory in Europe and central Asia were all marked by tolerance of other creeds and faith.
Again, it is important to remember that Allah declares it IMPOSSIBLE that Islam can be forced on a person, hence Muslims find it useless to try!

Misconception 8

Islam is intolerant of other religions because
[3:85] And whoever desires a religion other than Islam, it shall not be accepted from him, and in the hereafter he shall be one of the losers.
The Messenger of Allah (saas) said, "One who kills a non-Muslim person under protection (Arabic: dhimmi) will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise."
Whoever hurts a non-Muslim person under protection, I am his adversary, and I shall be an adversary to him on the Day of Resurrection.

Misconception 9

Islam is a racist, afro-centric cult because:
    • Nation of Islam espouses the superiority of the black man
    • The Nation of Islam recognizes God as a black man
One of the great misconceptions of the twentieth century is that the so-called `Nation of Islam' is a Muslim community, or more precisely: a community which submits to Allah by following the Qur'an and Sunnah. The `Nation of Islam' is a man-made way of life which borrowed some elements of Islam and then mixed them with a large number of inventions and lies to reach their present doctrines.
It suffices to point out the `Nation of Islam's deviation in two areas. First, they reject the essence of Islam by concocting a story wherein the Creator takes the form of a black man. From their on-line publications, we find that the `Nation of Islam' believes in
...one God (Allah) and that Allah (God) appeared in the Person of Master W. Fard Muhammad, July, 1930; the long awaited `Messiah' of the Christians and the `Mahdi' of the Muslims...
However, the Creator states in the Qur'an (translation) ,
[6:103] No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision: He is above all comprehension, yet is acquainted with all things.
The `Nation of Islam' also claims that white men are `devils', and that black people are in general superior to all other races. However, from the Sunnah, specifically in the Messenger of Allah's farewell sermon, we find the Messenger (pbuh) saying:
All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over a white - except by piety and good action.
There are many other beliefs which the `Nation of Islam' holds which take it outside of Islam. It is interesting to note that in the mid-1970's, the overwhelming majority of the group realized its errors and converted to true Islam. There is, however, a splinter group which remains active today.

Misconception 10

Islam produces a lazy, uneducated society because:
[16:35] The worshippers of false gods say: "If Allah had so willed, we should not have worshipped anything but Him - neither we nor our fathers,- nor should we have prescribed prohibitions other than His." So did those who went before them. But what is the mission of messengers but to preach the Clear Message?
[43:20] They (the idolators) say, "If it had been the will of (Allah) the Most Merciful, we should not have worshipped such (deities)!" Of that they have no knowledge: they do nothing but lie!
[9:1637] Narrated Anas ibn Malik: A man of the Ansar came to the Prophet (pbuh) and begged from him.
He (the Prophet) asked: Have you nothing in your house? He replied: Yes, a piece of cloth, a part of which we wear and a part of which we spread (on the ground), and a wooden bowl from which we drink water.
He said: Bring them to me. He then brought these articles to him and he (the Prophet) took them in his hands and asked: Who will buy these? A man said: I shall buy them for one dirham. He said twice or thrice: Who will offer more than one dirham? A man said: I shall buy them for two dirhams.
He gave these to him and took the two dirhams and, giving them to the Ansari, he said: Buy food with one of them and hand it to your family, and buy an axe and bring it to me. He then brought it to him. The Apostle of Allah (pbuh) fixed a handle on it with his own hands and said: Go, gather firewood and sell it, and do not let me see you for a fortnight. The man went away and gathered firewood and sold it. When he had earned ten dirhams, he came to him and bought a garment with some of them and food with the others.
The Apostle of Allah (pbuh) then said: This is better for you than that begging should come as a spot on your face on the Day of Judgment. Begging is right only for three people: one who is in grinding poverty, one who is seriously in debt, or one who is responsible for compensation and finds it difficult to pay.
Seeking knowledge is a duty upon every Muslim.
[3:190-191] Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, there are indeed Signs for people of understanding. People who celebrate the praises of Allah, standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and contemplate the (wonders of) creation in the heavens and the earth, (with the thought): "Our Lord! not for nothing have You created (all) this! Glory to You! Give us salvation from the penalty of the Fire."
Anything good in this document is from Allah, while everything bad in it is from us.
 
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