Article 10 Misconceptions About Islam

justname

Junior Member
I posted this tread to help pepole to Discover Islam and I ask a moderator to pin it because it's important and useful. Thanks!

1. All Muslims are Arabs
The common image of a Muslim is a turbaned dark Arab man with a long beard. However this image is part of the minority of Muslims. Arabs make only 15% of the world’s Muslim population. As a matter of fact the Middle East comes in third with East Asia coming in at first (69%) and Africa (27%) coming in at second. Another common misconception is that all Arabs are Muslims. While the vast majority of Arabs are Muslims (75%), there are many other religions that Arabs practice including Christianity and Judaism.

2. Muslims Hate Jesus
There are many similarities between the historical references of Christianity and Islam. Many people are amazed to find out that according to Muslim belief, Jesus is one of the greatest messengers of God. One cannot be a Muslim without believing in the virgin birth and the many miracles of Jesus Christ. Jesus is also mentioned in many verses of the Quran and is often used as an example of good virtue and character. However, the main difference between Christianity and Islam is that Muslims do not believe that Jesus was God. Pictured above is Jesus in an Islamic portrayal of the last judgement.

3. Children have no rights
Children, according to Islamic law, have various rights. One of these is the right to be properly brought up, raised, and educated. Islam encourages children to be brought up well because it is the responsibility of an adult to raise his child to become a moral and ethical adult. Children must also be treated equally. When giving financial gifts they should all be the same amount and there should be no preference among them. Children are even permitted to take moderately from their parent’s wealth to sustain themselves if the parent declines to give them proper funds for living. A child is also not allowed to get hit in the face or hit by anything larger than a pencil.

4. Islam is intolerable to other religions
‘Kill the infidel’ is the phrase many people believe is the ideology that Muslims have towards the non Muslims. This, though, is not a correct portrayal of Islamic law. Islam has always given respect and freedom of religion to all faiths. In the Quran it says “God does not forbid you, with regards to those who fight you not for religion nor drive you away out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them, for god loves those who are just.” There are many historical examples of Muslim tolerance towards other faith. One such example was when the caliph Umar was ruler of Jerusalem from 634 to 644 AD. He granted freedom to all religious communities and said that the inhabitants of his city were safe and that their places of worship would never be taken away from them. He also set up courts that were designated to the non Muslim minorities. Whenever he would visit holy areas he would ask for the Christian patriarch Sophronius to accompany him.

5. Jihad means to fight for the sake of God
The true Arabic meaning of the word jihad is struggle. However in Islam it is often used to describe the striving in the way of god. There are many forms of jihad but the most important ones are Jihad al-nafs (jihad against ones self), jihad bil-lisan (jihad by being vocal), jihad bil yad (jihad by using action), and Jihad bis saif (jihad by using the sword). Each jihad is ranked differently and it was reported that Muhammad returned from a battle and said “We have returned from the lesser jihad (going into battle) to the greater jihad (the struggle of the soul).” This means that a Muslim struggling against himself and his soul is more important than the jihad of going into war. Another misconception is that only when a person dies in war does that person becomes a martyr. This is, however, false and it is believed that anyone doing anything for the sake of god and is killed becomes a martyr. A person who dies while performing pilgrimage in Mecca, a woman who dies while giving birth, or even someone who dies in a car crash while he was on his way to the mosque are all considered martyrs.

6. The Prophet Muhammad was a pedophile
While it is true that he married a girl that was at the age of nine that does not constitute pedophilia. Historically, the age at which a girl was considered ready to be married has been puberty. This was the case in Biblical times, and is still used today to determine the age of marriage in many parts of the world. This was part of the norm and is not something that Islam invented. The girl he got married to had reached puberty 3 years before marriage. It is upon reaching the age of puberty that a person, man or woman, becomes legally responsible for their actions under Islamic law. At this point, they are allowed to make their own decisions and are held accountable for their actions. It should also be mentioned that in Islam, it is unlawful to force someone to marry someone that they do not want to marry. There is no indication that the society at that time criticized this marriage due to the girl’s young age. On the contrary, the marriage was encouraged by the girl’s family and was welcomed by the community at large.

7. Muslims are savages and barbaric during war
Quite the contrary, when it comes to the conduct of war there are ten rules that every Muslim army must obey:
1. Do not commit treachery
2. Do not deviate from the right path
3. Do not mutilate dead bodies
4. Do not kill children
5. Do not kill women
6. Do not kill aged men
7. Do not harm or burn trees
8. Do not destroy buildings
9. Do not destroy an enemy’s flock, unless you use it for your food
10. When you pass people who have devoted their lives to monastic services leave them alone
During the crusades when Saladin defeated the franks he honored the defeated Frankish army and supplied them with food and during the third crusade when Saladin’s enemy king Richard fell sick, Saladin sent him a gift of fruits and horses.

8. Women have no rights
The image of a woman wearing a veil from head to toe, a woman who gets unfair justice or a woman who is not allowed to drive is an all too familiar notion when it comes to women treatment in Islam. And while there are Muslim countries in the world that do implement many harsh rulings against women, this should not be portrayed as Islamic law. Many of these countries have cultural differences that go against the teachings of Islam. It should be noted that during pre-Islam Arabia women were used for fornication only and had no independence. The birth of a daughter in a family was considered humiliating and the practice of female infanticide was uncontrolled. When Islam came to being, verses in the Quran condemned the practice of female infanticide. Islam gave back many human rights to the woman and Muhammad(s) was even reported saying that “women are the twin halves of men.” A Muslim woman is allowed to reject and accept any suitor for marriage and has the right to seek divorce. There is nothing in Islam that forbids a Muslim woman from exiting her house and is allowed to drive. Also in regards to education, a woman is obligated to seek knowledge and it is considered a sin if she refuses.

9. Islam was spread by the sword
Historian De lacey O’Leary states “History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians have ever repeated.” There is no record in history that shows people being forced by sword point to convert to Islam. When Islam spread through countries they would set up private churches and synagogues for the non Muslims they were governing and because of the good treatment they had received they themselves would convert. If one considers the small number of Muslims who initially spread Islam to the west all the way from Spain and Morocco and into east from India and China one would realize that such a small group of people could not force others to be members of a religion against their will. It is also interesting to note that when the Mongols invaded and conquered large portions of the Islamic empire, instead of destroying the religion they adopted it!

10. Muslims are terrorists
This is by far the biggest misconception of Islam, given unfairly by stereotyping and the public image that the media gives. Has anyone else noticed how when a specific group of people attack another group of people it is labeled as a ‘hate crime’, but when a Muslim opens fire on anybody it is quickly regarded as ‘terrorism’. Many political dictators and officials or extremist groups use the name of Islam as a strategy to garner followers and attention when many of their practices go against the true basis of Islam. The media has also portrayed Islam as a cult or a club where if you join you become a terrorist and that is now part of your agenda. However all over the world people practice Islam in the true form and use it as a way of life. There are many verses in the Quran that go against the idea of terrorism. Some of these verses include “fight in the way of Allah those that fight you but do not transgress limits for god does not love transgressors.” This basically means do not fight except in self defense and even in doing so do not go beyond defense. Another verse states “if they seek peace, then you seek peace,” which means do not attack people for no reason or kill innocent people. There is nowhere in Islam, whether it be in the Quran or the teachings of Muhammad, that promotes the killing of innocent people. Pictured above is a conference of Muslims against Terrorism.
 

Abu Juwairiya

Junior Member
It might be wise to think what those in the future might see about those of the present if perceptions change and the age of consent is lowered further.
 
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Abu Juwairiya

Junior Member
While today it is seen as comfortable to attack religion for marriages of 'minors', it should be noted that laws all around the world still cater for those who are married than those who are not and most societies would not always consider themselves religious or based on religion either.
 
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Cariad

Junior Member
I
While today it is seen as comfortable to attack religion for marriages of 'minors', it should be noted that laws all around the world still cater for those who are married than those who are not and most societies would not always consider themselves religious or based on religion either.
I don't understand what you are meaning with this reply.
 

Cariad

Junior Member
I posted this tread to help pepole to Discover Islam and I ask a moderator to pin it because it's important and useful. Thanks!

1. All Muslims are Arabs
The common image of a Muslim is a turbaned dark Arab man with a long beard. However this image is part of the minority of Muslims. Arabs make only 15% of the world’s Muslim population. As a matter of fact the Middle East comes in third with East Asia coming in at first (69%) and Africa (27%) coming in at second. Another common misconception is that all Arabs are Muslims. While the vast majority of Arabs are Muslims (75%), there are many other religions that Arabs practice including Christianity and Judaism.

2. Muslims Hate Jesus
There are many similarities between the historical references of Christianity and Islam. Many people are amazed to find out that according to Muslim belief, Jesus is one of the greatest messengers of God. One cannot be a Muslim without believing in the virgin birth and the many miracles of Jesus Christ. Jesus is also mentioned in many verses of the Quran and is often used as an example of good virtue and character. However, the main difference between Christianity and Islam is that Muslims do not believe that Jesus was God. Pictured above is Jesus in an Islamic portrayal of the last judgement.

3. Children have no rights
Children, according to Islamic law, have various rights. One of these is the right to be properly brought up, raised, and educated. Islam encourages children to be brought up well because it is the responsibility of an adult to raise his child to become a moral and ethical adult. Children must also be treated equally. When giving financial gifts they should all be the same amount and there should be no preference among them. Children are even permitted to take moderately from their parent’s wealth to sustain themselves if the parent declines to give them proper funds for living. A child is also not allowed to get hit in the face or hit by anything larger than a pencil.

4. Islam is intolerable to other religions
‘Kill the infidel’ is the phrase many people believe is the ideology that Muslims have towards the non Muslims. This, though, is not a correct portrayal of Islamic law. Islam has always given respect and freedom of religion to all faiths. In the Quran it says “God does not forbid you, with regards to those who fight you not for religion nor drive you away out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them, for god loves those who are just.” There are many historical examples of Muslim tolerance towards other faith. One such example was when the caliph Umar was ruler of Jerusalem from 634 to 644 AD. He granted freedom to all religious communities and said that the inhabitants of his city were safe and that their places of worship would never be taken away from them. He also set up courts that were designated to the non Muslim minorities. Whenever he would visit holy areas he would ask for the Christian patriarch Sophronius to accompany him.

5. Jihad means to fight for the sake of God
The true Arabic meaning of the word jihad is struggle. However in Islam it is often used to describe the striving in the way of god. There are many forms of jihad but the most important ones are Jihad al-nafs (jihad against ones self), jihad bil-lisan (jihad by being vocal), jihad bil yad (jihad by using action), and Jihad bis saif (jihad by using the sword). Each jihad is ranked differently and it was reported that Muhammad returned from a battle and said “We have returned from the lesser jihad (going into battle) to the greater jihad (the struggle of the soul).” This means that a Muslim struggling against himself and his soul is more important than the jihad of going into war. Another misconception is that only when a person dies in war does that person becomes a martyr. This is, however, false and it is believed that anyone doing anything for the sake of god and is killed becomes a martyr. A person who dies while performing pilgrimage in Mecca, a woman who dies while giving birth, or even someone who dies in a car crash while he was on his way to the mosque are all considered martyrs.

6. The Prophet Muhammad was a pedophile
While it is true that he married a girl that was at the age of nine that does not constitute pedophilia. Historically, the age at which a girl was considered ready to be married has been puberty. This was the case in Biblical times, and is still used today to determine the age of marriage in many parts of the world. This was part of the norm and is not something that Islam invented. The girl he got married to had reached puberty 3 years before marriage. It is upon reaching the age of puberty that a person, man or woman, becomes legally responsible for their actions under Islamic law. At this point, they are allowed to make their own decisions and are held accountable for their actions. It should also be mentioned that in Islam, it is unlawful to force someone to marry someone that they do not want to marry. There is no indication that the society at that time criticized this marriage due to the girl’s young age. On the contrary, the marriage was encouraged by the girl’s family and was welcomed by the community at large.

7. Muslims are savages and barbaric during war
Quite the contrary, when it comes to the conduct of war there are ten rules that every Muslim army must obey:
1. Do not commit treachery
2. Do not deviate from the right path
3. Do not mutilate dead bodies
4. Do not kill children
5. Do not kill women
6. Do not kill aged men
7. Do not harm or burn trees
8. Do not destroy buildings
9. Do not destroy an enemy’s flock, unless you use it for your food
10. When you pass people who have devoted their lives to monastic services leave them alone
During the crusades when Saladin defeated the franks he honored the defeated Frankish army and supplied them with food and during the third crusade when Saladin’s enemy king Richard fell sick, Saladin sent him a gift of fruits and horses.

8. Women have no rights
The image of a woman wearing a veil from head to toe, a woman who gets unfair justice or a woman who is not allowed to drive is an all too familiar notion when it comes to women treatment in Islam. And while there are Muslim countries in the world that do implement many harsh rulings against women, this should not be portrayed as Islamic law. Many of these countries have cultural differences that go against the teachings of Islam. It should be noted that during pre-Islam Arabia women were used for fornication only and had no independence. The birth of a daughter in a family was considered humiliating and the practice of female infanticide was uncontrolled. When Islam came to being, verses in the Quran condemned the practice of female infanticide. Islam gave back many human rights to the woman and Muhammad(s) was even reported saying that “women are the twin halves of men.” A Muslim woman is allowed to reject and accept any suitor for marriage and has the right to seek divorce. There is nothing in Islam that forbids a Muslim woman from exiting her house and is allowed to drive. Also in regards to education, a woman is obligated to seek knowledge and it is considered a sin if she refuses.

9. Islam was spread by the sword
Historian De lacey O’Leary states “History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians have ever repeated.” There is no record in history that shows people being forced by sword point to convert to Islam. When Islam spread through countries they would set up private churches and synagogues for the non Muslims they were governing and because of the good treatment they had received they themselves would convert. If one considers the small number of Muslims who initially spread Islam to the west all the way from Spain and Morocco and into east from India and China one would realize that such a small group of people could not force others to be members of a religion against their will. It is also interesting to note that when the Mongols invaded and conquered large portions of the Islamic empire, instead of destroying the religion they adopted it!

10. Muslims are terrorists
This is by far the biggest misconception of Islam, given unfairly by stereotyping and the public image that the media gives. Has anyone else noticed how when a specific group of people attack another group of people it is labeled as a ‘hate crime’, but when a Muslim opens fire on anybody it is quickly regarded as ‘terrorism’. Many political dictators and officials or extremist groups use the name of Islam as a strategy to garner followers and attention when many of their practices go against the true basis of Islam. The media has also portrayed Islam as a cult or a club where if you join you become a terrorist and that is now part of your agenda. However all over the world people practice Islam in the true form and use it as a way of life. There are many verses in the Quran that go against the idea of terrorism. Some of these verses include “fight in the way of Allah those that fight you but do not transgress limits for god does not love transgressors.” This basically means do not fight except in self defense and even in doing so do not go beyond defense. Another verse states “if they seek peace, then you seek peace,” which means do not attack people for no reason or kill innocent people. There is nowhere in Islam, whether it be in the Quran or the teachings of Muhammad, that promotes the killing of innocent people. Pictured above is a conference of Muslims against Terrorism.

I am not muslim, but never heard that people believe such things of Islam. It is a shame you feel the need to explain such things. . Sad is the way of the world these days, such misconceptions are the reason why people of different faiths should talk to each other in friendship and have love for each other. . For God is love and His way is love.
 

Abu Juwairiya

Junior Member
I

I don't understand what you are meaning with this reply.

Thanks for your reply. I meant that legislation in most countries caters towards married couples as opposed to those living together [including both homosexual/lesbian and other heterosexuals living as a common law partners]. Both domestic and international laws are still largely affixed towards married couples and where this is not the case cohabited couples still struggle to be awarded the same rights as the traditional husband and wives category.

This includes those societies where the constitution identifies the government, system of authority and country as 'secular' or 'parliamentary' as in most western nations even where the state has divorced itself from religion as its official source of law.
 

Abu Juwairiya

Junior Member
I am not muslim, but never heard that people believe such things of Islam. It is a shame you feel the need to explain such things. . Sad is the way of the world these days, such misconceptions are the reason why people of different faiths should talk to each other in friendship and have love for each other. . For God is love and His way is love.

Notions and beliefs such as the above should not seem so strange in a world that is closely identifying science, technological innovations and inventions, the pursuit of money as an end in itself and to a lesser extent for many young people 'hedonism' as the twenty-first century answer to religion, the afterlife and morality.

Where themes once accepted as 'just', 'correct', 'right' and 'legitimate' are now viewed as wrong (or not as good and as necessary) while those things that were for centuries 'unacceptable' are pushed to the forefront as factually great in themselves. In the first instances I am referring to respect for elders [not just parents or family members but all people much older than ourselves], illegitimate children etc. In the second instance I am referring in part to deliberate defamation and incitement against people [especially in the mass media through the concept of free speech).
 

Cariad

Junior Member
Th
Thanks for your reply. I meant that legislation in most countries caters towards married couples as opposed to those living together [including both homosexual/lesbian and other heterosexuals living as a common law partners]. Both domestic and international laws are still largely affixed towards married couples and where this is not the case cohabited couples still struggle to be awarded the same rights as the traditional husband and wives category.

This includes those societies where the constitution identifies the government, system of authority and country as 'secular' or 'parliamentary' as in most western nations even where the state has divorced itself from religion as its official source of law.
I thank you for the clarification.
 

Cariad

Junior Member
Notions and beliefs such as the above should not seem so strange in a world that is closely identifying science, technological innovations and inventions, the pursuit of money as an end in itself and to a lesser extent for many young people 'hedonism' as the twenty-first century answer to religion, the afterlife and morality.

Where themes once accepted as 'just', 'correct', 'right' and 'legitimate' are now viewed as wrong (or not as good and as necessary) while those things that were for centuries 'unacceptable' are pushed to the forefront as factually great in themselves. In the first instances I am referring to respect for elders [not just parents or family members but all people much older than ourselves], illegitimate children etc. In the second instance I am referring in part to deliberate defamation and incitement against people [especially in the mass media through the concept of free speech).

I still do not see how the ten points in the op are the views held by the majority of non Muslims about Islam.

I do see the media have a big influence in propagating this misconception which at times suits their agenda. In the modern world we share the media in its various forms is always with us, unless we live in isolation!

It's sad that society loses its values like respect for others, not just for elderly, but for all members of society the sick and disadvantaged. I believe a nation can be judged on how they treat it's poorest members, I do not see any shining examples of success anywhere in today's world. Yet, everywhere individuals continue to do the "right" thing, not always believers in God, but I believe God instills in our soul the intrinsic knowledge of what is good. Because of mans selfishness and greed the needs of those whom we have no direct contact with becomes secondary. This is sad :(

Maybe the danger of secularism is going to far to try and please everyone, to be seen to be doing right by all some in society are marginalised. I live in a "christian country" but feel at times I have to apologise for being a christian.. That as I want to shout out by love of God that my heart be known if I did I would be deemed as "offending" someone. Maybe we are to eager to love and forgive those who trespass against us... But then if I am to follow the Christ I have to obey His teaching in this regard.

I hold to the belief that there are more good people than bad, but good people doing good deeds and showing love to one another is not as newsworthy as the bad people, being cruel and hateful. Thankfully, I believe ultimately good will prevail, because that is the way of God.
 

Abu Juwairiya

Junior Member
I still do not see how the ten points in the op are the views held by the majority of non Muslims about Islam.

I do see the media have a big influence in propagating this misconception which at times suits their agenda. In the modern world we share the media in its various forms is always with us, unless we live in isolation!

It's sad that society loses its values like respect for others, not just for elderly, but for all members of society the sick and disadvantaged. I believe a nation can be judged on how they treat it's poorest members, I do not see any shining examples of success anywhere in today's world. Yet, everywhere individuals continue to do the "right" thing, not always believers in God, but I believe God instills in our soul the intrinsic knowledge of what is good. Because of mans selfishness and greed the needs of those whom we have no direct contact with becomes secondary. This is sad :(

Maybe the danger of secularism is going to far to try and please everyone, to be seen to be doing right by all some in society are marginalised. I live in a "christian country" but feel at times I have to apologise for being a christian.. That as I want to shout out by love of God that my heart be known if I did I would be deemed as "offending" someone. Maybe we are to eager to love and forgive those who trespass against us... But then if I am to follow the Christ I have to obey His teaching in this regard.

I hold to the belief that there are more good people than bad, but good people doing good deeds and showing love to one another is not as newsworthy as the bad people, being cruel and hateful. Thankfully, I believe ultimately good will prevail, because that is the way of God.

Thank you for your reply. I was referring to secularists opposed to religion and their opinions on religion, religious people and God in general and not towards Islam specifically. I was also not referring directly to the ten points of the article either, but making general comments. I am sorry for the confusion.
 
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