In
the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
Shattering
Ten Misconceptions About Islam
In
this article, i 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:
a
reason is false
the
reason does not logically lead to the misconception
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:
It
might seem strange to think of this as a misconception, but in fact
it is. The root word of Islam is "al-silm"
which means "submission" or "surrender." It is
understood to mean "submission to Allah." In spite of
whatever noble intention has caused many a Muslim to claim that Islam
is derived primarily from peace, this is not true. Allah says in the
Qur'an (translated):
[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 "Musliman"]
A
secondary root of Islam may be "Al-Salaam"
(peace), however the text of the Qur'an makes it clear that Allah has
clearly intended the focus of this way of life to be submission to
Him. This entails submission to Him at all times, in times of peace,
war, ease, or difficulty.
Misconception
2
In Islam, denial of human
rights is OK because:
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:
a
man can marry up to 4 wives, a woman can marry only one man
a
man's share of inheritance is bigger than a woman's
a
man can marry a non-Muslim, a woman cannot
women
must wear the veil
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.
What
then, is the really important property which we are worried about in
terms of gender equality? Naturally, from the point of view of the
Qur'an and Sunnah, the obvious important property is who
is dearer to Allah, men or women?
This question is emphatically answered in the Qur'an (translation),
[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.
The
Qur'an and Sunnah repeat over and over again that Allah
only favors one person over another based on that person's awareness,
consciousness, fear, love, and hope of Allah
(the Arabic word is difficult to translate: Taqwa).
All other criteria are excluded: gender, ethnic group, country,
ancestry, etc.
Given
that Allah does not favor one gender over the other in His attention
to us (and it helps to remember that Allah is neither male nor
female), we can now address the differences between the genders in
Islam. First, men and women are not the same as we know. The Creator
states in the Qur'an (translation),
[3:36]...and the male is
not like the female...
Men
and women are different in their composition, and in their
responsibilities under Islam. However, both are bound by obligations
to one another, especially the following important one which must be
understood in any discussion on men and women. From the Qur'an
(translation),
[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.
In
this verse, the Creator emphasizes that marriage
is to be vigorously pursued by the Muslims:
the state of being single is not to be maintained. With this in mind,
we can begin to understand the four reasons cited above for the
nonetheless erroneous conclusion.
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:
most
Muslims are Arabs
the
Qur'an is in Arabic
The
first reason for this misconception is far from the truth. Of the
more than one billion Muslims around the world, only 18%
are Arab. The most populous Muslim country in the world is Indonesia.
The second most populous Muslim country is Bangladesh. Neither of
these countries is Arab.
Islam
is the fastest growing major religion in the world (Encyclopedia
Britannica). It has adherents on all the populated continents, and is
accessible to Arabs and non-Arabs alike. In the United States,
Muslims are expected to become the largest religious minority around
the turn of the century, outstripping the Jews.
The
universal appeal of Islam to Arabs and non-Arabs comes in spite of
the Qur'an being in Arabic. Allah states in the Qur'an that this way
of life called Islam is for all people (translation follows),
[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.
Moreover,
the Creator does not use the color or mother tongue of people to
judge them, be they Arab or not. Instead, it is the level of their
awareness of Allah which is the criterion,
[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)."
The
choice of Arabic as the language of the Qur'an is explained very
simply and clearly (translation follows),
[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.
However,
it is also important to emphasize that the Qur'an in its revealed
form in Arabic is the literal Word of the Creator - but any
translation is not.
Each translation is more accurately called a translation of an
interpretation, for every translator includes his or her own bias.
Misconception
5
Islam rejects Jesus
because:
The
Qur'an and Sunnah both teach us emphatically and without any doubt
that the Creator considers the statement of the Trinity to be a great
falsehood. The Qur'an states (translation):
[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:
Early
non-Muslim quasi-researchers of Islam called it `Muhammadanism',
implying in some way that Muslims worshipped the Messenger of Allah
(saas). Hence, the (false) basis for this misconception really
emanates from non-Muslims. However, as was described above, a
"Muslim" is "one who submits to Allah." The
essence of Islam is pure,
pure, pure monotheism.
Allah says in the Qur'an (translated):
[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:
Muslims
can be terrorists
Muslims
engage in `holy wars' (jihad)
Islam
spread by the sword
it
has a harsh and cruel judicial system
This
misconception is one of the most widely held misconceptions about
Islam today. And yet in the Qur'an, the Creator unambiguously states
(translation),
[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)
Based
on this verse, it is Islamically unlawful to murder anyone who is
innocent of certain crimes. It is well to remember at this point the
distinction made above between Qur'an and Sunnah, and the Muslims:
only the Qur'an and Sunnah are guaranteed to be in accordance with
what the Creator desires, whereas the Muslims may possibly deviate.
Hence, if any Muslim kills an innocent person, that Muslim has
committed a grave sin, and certainly the action cannot be claimed to
have been done "in the name of Islam."
It
should be clear, then, that "Muslim
terrorist" is almost an oxymoron:
by killing innocent people, a Muslim is commiting an awesome sin, and
Allah is Justice personified. This phrase is offensive and demeaning
of Islam, and it should be avoided. It is hoped that as the general
level of public awareness and understanding of Islam increases,
people will keep "terrorism" and "Islam" separate
from each other, not to be used in the same phrase.
Another
reason advanced in support of the misconception is that the Creator
has imposed `jihad'
on us. The term "holy war" is from the time of the Crusades
and originated in Europe as a rallying cry against the Muslims in
Jerusalem. Jihad is an Arabic word meaning struggle, but in the
context of many verses in the Qur'an, it carries the meaning of
military struggle, or war. Allah gradually introduced the obligation
of military struggle to the Muslim community at the time of the
Messenger (saas). The first verse ever revealed in that connection is
as follows (translation),
[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;
This
verse lays down the precondition for all war in Islam: there must
exist certain oppressive conditions on the people. The Creator
unequivocally orders us to fight oppression and persecution, even at
the expense of bloodshed as the following verse shows (translation),
[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.
As
one might imagine, the method of military struggle has been clearly
and extensively defined in the Qur'an and Sunnah. Since this subject
is a huge one, we simply summarize part of it by noting that it is
unlawful to kill women, children, the infirm, the old, and the
innocent. From the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah
called Sahih Bukhari, we find:
[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.
A
related misconception to jihad is often propagated by Muslims who say
that "Jihad is only for self-defense of physical borders."
The Qur'an and Sunnah refute this notion categorically. As the verses
cited above show, jihad is obligatory wherever there is injustice,
and Muslims need not acknowledge imaginary lines around the earth
when it comes to upholding this obligation. The Messenger of Allah
(saas) has also commented on this extensively in the Sunnah. From the
study of the Sunnah called Sahih Bukhari, we find that,
[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."
Hence,
the Creator obligates us to fight wherever people are being grossly
deprived of freely hearing or practicing the Message of Allah
as contained in the Qur'an and Sunnah. Sayyed Qutb, a famous Muslim
scholar eloquently discusses the notion of jihad and self-defense in
his book Milestones,
"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
The
Creator has taught us in the Qur'an and Sunnah that all other
`religions' and ways of life are unacceptable to Him if a person is
aware of Islam. The Qur'an states (translation),
[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.
However,
even though the Creator has clearly specified that no other way of
life is acceptable to Him except Islam (i.e. submission to Him as
embodied in the Qur'an and Sunnah), He has also commanded the Muslims
to be tolerant
of people who espouse other creeds. From the Sunnah, specifically in
the study of the Sunnah called Al-Awsat by Al-Tabarani, we find
regarding those non-Muslims living in the Islamic state,
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."
Also
from the Sunnah, specifically in a report from Al-Khatib, we find
that the Messenger of Allah (saas) also said:
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.
In
short, Islam is intolerant
of false ideas,
however it is tolerant
of the people
who hold to those ideas. One historical example of Muslims living up
to the standard of Islam can be found from the time of the Spanish
Inquisition. During that disaster sprung by misguided Catholics, some
Spanish Jews fled to Muslim Turkey and to this day, there is a
community of Spanish-speaking Jews in Turkey. Another example may be
found during one of the Crusader invasions from Western Europe. Some
of the the Catholic Western European knights were so likely to rape,
murder, and pillage the Jews and Orthodox Christians, that when the
Muslims won, they were treated as a liberating force by those
non-Muslims.
Misconception
9
Islam is a racist,
afro-centric cult because:
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:
The
reasons given for this misconception are false, and the misconception
itself is actually refuted directly by the Qur'an and Sunnah. While
it is true that the Creator is the source of everything to us, it is
not true that this can be used as an excuse for humanity to hide
behind as the following verses from the Qur'an state (translation),
[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!
Allah
has taught us via the Qur'an and Sunnah that we all have a certain
amount of free will. This free will must be exercised properly in
accordance with the Qur'an and Sunnah to please the Creator. This is
plenty of motivation for all Muslims to push themselves to be the
most knowledgeable, effective Muslims they can be. If Muslim
societies today are not meeting their potential, it is surely not due
to their knowledge of Islam, rather it is their ignorance of this way
of life. The importance of seeking knowledge and working are made
clear in the Sunnah.
From
the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Sunan
Abu-Dawud, we find:
[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.
Also
from the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Sunan
Ibn Majah, we find that the Messenger of Allah said:
Seeking knowledge is a
duty upon every Muslim.
Knowledge
of the Qur'an and Sunnah are clearly the best types of knowledge, and
knowledge which benefits humanity is good as well. The Qur'an and
Sunnah do not condemn the study of this earth and in fact the Creator
encourages us to investigate the world we live in according to the
following verse from the Qur'an (translation),
[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.
