10 misconception about islam

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 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 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 a 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).

Resource : http://www.jannah.org/articles/misc.html