Top 10 Misconceptions About Islam

[JonAsad]

In the words of Swiss journalist and author, Roger Du Pasquier “The West, whether Christian or dechristianised, has never really known Islam. Ever since they watched it appear on the world stage, Christians never ceased to insult and slander it in order to find justification for waging war on it. It has been subjected to grotesque distortions the traces of which still endure in the European mind. Even today there are many Westerners for whom Islam can be reduced to three ideas: fanaticism, fatalism and polygamy. Of course, there does exist a more cultivated public whose ideas about Islam are less deformed; there are still precious few who know that the word islam signifies nothing other than ‘submission to God’. One symptom of this ignorance is the fact that in the imagination of most Europeans, Allah refers to the divinity of the Muslims, not the God of the Christians and Jews; they are all surprised to hear, when one takes the trouble to explain things to them, that ‘Allah’ means ‘God’, and that even Arab Christians know him by no other name. “


10- Muslims are Arabs

Misconception: 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.


9- Muslims and Jesus

Misconception: 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There are many similarities between the historical references of Christianity and Islam.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.


8- Children’s Rights

Misconception: 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.


7- Religious Intolerance

Misconception: 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 (pictured above) to accompany him.


6- Islamic Jihad

Misconception: 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.

 

[JonAsad]

5- Child Bride

Misconception: 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.


4- Muslim Savages

Misconception: 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.


3- Women’s Rights

Misconception: 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.


2- By the Sword

Misconception: 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!


1- Islamic Terrorism

Misconception: 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.

Link

 

[Gentle Typhoon]

I can see clear differance between Islam and Muslim. A Muslim is a practitioner of the Islamic religion. Islam was never a difficult religion, but it is made difficult to a level where people are scared of it.

I blame wrong understanding, and practice of Islam. eg. Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy.

http://www.defence.pk/forums/1259340-post14.html

This law will not be repealed because of widespread bigotry in the society. Even when Hudood laws were amended very slightly, PML-N along with religious parties and TI voted against it, their excuse was that the amendment implied giving license to fornication.

Regret to say that 11 years of the bigot Zia era has caused bigotry and hypocrisy to dig its roots deep into the society. All proponents for the repeal of Hudood and Blasphemy laws are labeled nonbelievers. No one would therefore dare to try to repeal these inhuman laws.

Personally I am dead against both of these laws because I found no proven incident where anyone was put to death for insulting the holy Prophet (PBUH) during his lifetime and punishment for adultery as mentioned in the holy Quran is 100 lashes, not stoning by death.

Hadd can only be applied upon statement of 4 eye witnesses. We see only women punished because they get pregnant but men go free. This is clearly unjust and no divine law can be unjust.

Alas Taliban and bigots don’t think so.

No one dares to try to repeal these inhuman laws then be ready for misconceptions, generalizations.

 

[Icarus]

Very nice article, however I have one correction to make, Hazrat Ayesha was married to Hazrat Muhammad(PBUH) at 9 years of age but the marriage was Solemnized later when she reached the age of 15 at Makkah. Which means that although she was committed to Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) at the age of 9. They had no marital relations until she reached the age of 15.

 

[Zarvan]

10 Misconceptions About Islam - Jalal Ibn Sa'eed - YouTube
Day Five of our Islamic Awareness Week 2010, looking into ten misconceptions about Islam.

 

[Yeti]

Very nice article, however I have one correction to make, Hazrat Ayesha was married to Hazrat Muhammad(PBUH) at 9 years of age but the marriage was Solemnized later when she reached the age of 15 at Makkah. Which means that although she was committed to Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) at the age of 9. They had no marital relations until she reached the age of 15.

I read he consummated the marriage when she was 9 from Hadith can you provide a source for what you said please?

---------- Post added at 10:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:07 AM ----------

Agree with most of it but Women's rights i have read in hadith that women can be hit and also women's share is not equal to that of a man.

---------- Post added at 10:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:08 AM ----------

It is reported from Aisha that she said: The Prophet entered into marriage with me when I was a girl of six … and at the time [of joining his household] I was a girl of nine years of age.”

“Khadija died three years before the Prophet departed to Medina. He stayed [alone] for two years or so. He married Aisha when she was a girl of six years of age, and he consummated that marriage when she was nine years old

 

[Zarvan]

I read he consummated the marriage when she was 9 from Hadith can you provide a source for what you said please?

---------- Post added at 10:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:07 AM ----------

Agree with most of it but Women's rights i have read in hadith that women can be hit and also women's share is not equal to that of a man.

---------- Post added at 10:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:08 AM ----------

It is reported from Aisha that she said: The Prophet entered into marriage with me when I was a girl of six … and at the time [of joining his household] I was a girl of nine years of age.”

“Khadija died three years before the Prophet departed to Medina. He stayed [alone] for two years or so. He married Aisha when she was a girl of six years of age, and he consummated that marriage when she was nine years old

She can be hit really very lightly not hardly this is just to tell her that she is doing wrong Yes because it is duty of man to earn money and spend on her wife and man has to earn money and spend it on his wife as well as parents and but if women earns money she is free to spend and it is not compulsory on her to spend it on her husband and women can also get share in money from many other ways

 

[GURU DUTT]

main raat kya gaya zaalimon ne mere be kasoor imran bhai ko ban kar diya koi jawab de kissne ye gustakhee kee aur kyon ...it is my democratic right to know i want an explanaton mods are you listening....why was Imran bhai banned?????????

 

[Zarvan]

I read he consummated the marriage when she was 9 from Hadith can you provide a source for what you said please?

---------- Post added at 10:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:07 AM ----------

Agree with most of it but Women's rights i have read in hadith that women can be hit and also women's share is not equal to that of a man.

---------- Post added at 10:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:08 AM ----------

It is reported from Aisha that she said: The Prophet entered into marriage with me when I was a girl of six … and at the time [of joining his household] I was a girl of nine years of age.”

“Khadija died three years before the Prophet departed to Medina. He stayed [alone] for two years or so. He married Aisha when she was a girl of six years of age, and he consummated that marriage when she was nine years old

It is not true because when HE died she was around 26 27 so that makes her age around 17 to 18 when HAZRAT MUHAMMAD SAW had relation with her

 

[t_for_talli]

Every thing on paper looks good but one must face the reality

http://www.defence.pk/forums/world-...n-faces-death-calls-after-prophet-tweets.html

go through the article and comments

 

[Yeti]

It is not true because when HE died she was around 26 27 so that makes her age around 17 to 18 when HAZRAT MUHAMMAD SAW had relation with her

Narrated 'Aisha: that the Prophet married her when she was six years old and he consummated his marriage when she was nine years old, and then she remained with him for nine years (i.e., till his death).

Sahih Bukhari 7:62:64

Narrated 'Aisha: that the Prophet married her when she was six years old and he consummated his marriage when she was nine years old. Hisham said: I have been informed that 'Aisha remained with the Prophet for nine years (i.e. till his death)." what you know of the Quran (by heart)'

Sahih Bukhari 7:62:65

Narrated 'Ursa: The Prophet wrote the (marriage contract) with 'Aisha while she was six years old and consummated his marriage with her while she was nine years old and she remained with him for nine years (i.e. till his death).

Sahih Bukhari 7:62:88



This is not what this says

---------- Post added at 10:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:18 AM ----------

She can be hit really very lightly not hardly this is just to tell her that she is doing wrong Yes because it is duty of man to earn money and spend on her wife and man has to earn money and spend it on his wife as well as parents and but if women earns money she is free to spend and it is not compulsory on her to spend it on her husband and women can also get share in money from many other ways

But it says a share of a man is double that to a woman that means its not equal

---------- Post added at 10:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:19 AM ----------

consummated his marriage with her while she was nine years


Is intercourse

 

[Zarvan]

Every thing on paper looks good but one must face the reality

http://www.defence.pk/forums/world-...n-faces-death-calls-after-prophet-tweets.html

go through the article and comments

Who ever will insult our PROPHET SAW will be killed that is punishment in Islam

---------- Post added at 03:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:20 PM ----------

Narrated 'Aisha: that the Prophet married her when she was six years old and he consummated his marriage when she was nine years old, and then she remained with him for nine years (i.e., till his death).

Sahih Bukhari 7:62:64

Narrated 'Aisha: that the Prophet married her when she was six years old and he consummated his marriage when she was nine years old. Hisham said: I have been informed that 'Aisha remained with the Prophet for nine years (i.e. till his death)." what you know of the Quran (by heart)'

Sahih Bukhari 7:62:65

Narrated 'Ursa: The Prophet wrote the (marriage contract) with 'Aisha while she was six years old and consummated his marriage with her while she was nine years old and she remained with him for nine years (i.e. till his death).

Sahih Bukhari 7:62:88



This is not what this says

---------- Post added at 10:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:18 AM ----------




But it says a share of a man is double that to a woman that means its not equal

---------- Post added at 10:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:19 AM ----------

consummated his marriage with her while she was nine years


Is intercourse

There were things common in that culture which were ended slowly including slavery and Alcohol and many other things some were ended just once some slowly and steadily

 

[Yeti]

Who ever will insult our PROPHET SAW will be killed that is punishment in Islam

---------- Post added at 03:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:20 PM ----------


There were things common in that culture which were ended slowly including slavery and Alcohol and many other things some were ended just once some slowly and steadily

So he did sleep with her when she was 9? like it was said

 

[Zarvan]

So he did sleep with her when she was 9? like it was said

Not confirm because their is confusion about her age according to many historians and their research she was between 15 to 18 when they had relations

---------- Post added at 03:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:23 PM ----------

So he did sleep with her when she was 9? like it was said

Case of the marriage of Hazrat Ayesha (RA)-- Imran Hosein - YouTube

---------- Post added at 03:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:25 PM ----------

Marriage of Ayesha (ra) with Muhammad (peace be upon him) : Dr Zakir Naik - YouTube

 

[Yeti]

Not confirm because their is confusion about her age according to many historians and their research she was between 15 to 18 when they had relations

Either that or the Sahih Bukhari is wrong

---------- Post added at 10:28 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:26 AM ----------

This Islamic Scholar clearly states Mohamed had intercourse with her when she was 9