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M.F.Mughal
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Why I Think Islam Is Not A Religion From God
January 15, 2004 - 10:18 AM
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Besides ideological and practical inconsistencies the quran and the hadith also contains scientific errors.
For quranic verses and hadith on cosmology please see
http://www.muslimsandislamic.faithweb.com/photo4.html
For human origin see
http://www.muslimsandislamic.faithweb.com/photo5.html
Regards and all the best.
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M.F.Mughal
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Re: Why I Think Islam Is Not A Religion From God
January 16, 2004 - 01:06 AM
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Originally posted by Jarra
interesting links
Dear omar,
according to jarra, links are working fine so i cannot think of what might be causing the problem at your end.
Moreover you are saying that my links do not have authentic scientific information on them which means you must be having access to at least some of them. I can only suggest that you try them at different times and I am sure you will be able to access them.
As for your accusation that I am making false allegations against islam, the problem rests at the door of people like yourself dear brother ie islam has never been proven true by muslims so far and many have written many books and many sites are online to prove islam nothing more than a make-belief.
As for me, I do not have any problem with peoples' private faith but organised relgions are a whole different thing.
Coming to qualifications for truth, you need absolutely none other than the fact that your arguments stand to reason. If what the quran says can be proven true then the quran is true otherwise it is false. It is simple as that. Moreover the proof of the pudding is in the eating my dear fellow.
Harun yayah is not a sceintist but a creationist who has no data to prove the quran divine instead he is going about trying to disprove evolution, which has nothing to do with the proving of the religion islam true. These are two different issues eg whether islam is true or not is an issue on its own just as evolition is true or not. It is like two people are raising two different claims, each needs to be judged on its own merit.
Religion needs to be absolute truth but if not, it has to be proven truth but if neither then it has to be false. However, evolution does not have to be absolute truth nor even proven truth but just probable truth. So evolution has been widely accepted as a probable truth by the scientiifc community worldwide whereas religion has not been accepted as a proven truth. Whoever believes in religion, believe it at one's own risk. However, if that is what people feel comfortable with then so be it, so long as they do not try to make other peoples' life hell by telling them they are bad or wrong and will go to hell etc etc. Such things disturb other peoples' peace of mind and they are forced to react. Only if you leave me in my peace that I can leave you in your peace, for peace is mutual and all inclusive package and it needs to be taken or left as a whole. You are not qualified to speak on my behalf without my consent just as I am not without your consent.
I am humanist and believe strongly that humanism is the way forward for all of us. We all must give up all things anti humanity, full stop. We do not live for religion but need religion to help us live better. This is why any religion that forces us to live for it is in my view bad for humanity.
Regards and all the best.
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r g
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Qur’an itself is a miracle:
January 16, 2004 - 01:16 AM
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Originally posted by omarafghan
A challenge !
I challenge you Mughal, and all those who do not believe in God and in that He created this universe, and then in Islam as divine religion.
I do not believe that Islam is a divine religion so I guess I qualify. However I dont think this is the right forum for your challenge since threads are being closed without any specific reasons. I suggest a completely neutral forum that allows for healthy debates and criticisms. I suggest this one....
http://207.44.234.62/~admin1/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=21
p.s. you need to register before you could view the forum.
Can you keep up to your challenge? Im ready.
Originally posted by omarafghan
Brink me a verse (only) as Qur’an, I am damn sure no one in the world can create a worse as beautiful as in Qur’an as wise as in Qur’an, as scientific as in Qur’an, as polite as in Qur’an….
A verse that is Beautiful, wise, scientific and polite all at the same time? Very well but before we start please show as a Quranic verse that qualifies within the standards you have given. Thank you.
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Luke Lieberman
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Re: Why I Think Islam Is Not A Religion From God
January 16, 2004 - 01:21 AM
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Mmughal - I am noy quite sure what you aim to accomplish here. I don't know how you think Islam is somehow less valid than Christianity or Judiasm.
They all have scientific inconsistances - all of them - the story of Genesis is not consistant with any scientific theory and actually contradicts evolution.
Basically Muslims beleive their religion to come from a prophet as the revealed word of God - I'm not sure why you would suggest that Muhammed is not a prophet and Jesus is - I think they are both spiritual teachers.
Like any religion Islam can be perverted by people to justify villainy - Christianity has been used to this purpose a number of times historically, as has every other major faith.
So I think claims that there is something intrinsically wrong with the faith are based on misunderstanding.
I think of late Islam has suffered being too closely woven with secular politics - but again - Christianity has suffered this problem as well.
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Fatema
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ISLAM is a religion from GOD ..
January 16, 2004 - 04:40 AM
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I've done through my life alot of reading and thinking about Islam, Christianity and Judasim.
As a Muslim, I've a firm believe in my religion and the religions that came before it which praised one God and his prophets.
So I wanted to make a short list from my mind on the reasons why Islam is the last religion and why it is the path to be followed:
Let me first state few things before reading ahead:
a. God is Allah, and Allah is God as the one and only God who gives birth and death, and he is the one who makes the order, and all what he has to say is be and it will be.
b. Not everyone will believe in Islam, Quran or Christianity or Judasim. There are people who will no matter what proof you bring, they'll still not believe. This is written in all the holy books. Its also further emphasized in the Quran by proof of nations that came before us and God revealed himself to them, and they still have not believed!
1) Mohammad (peace be upon him) is a messenger of God, like Jesus, like Moses, like Noah, Ibrahim, Ismael Elias and all prophets sent by God. We as muslims believe in all the prophets came before Mohammad and believe in their messages.
2) Quran was recited on prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him). The prophet was illitrate (he couldn't read nor write). This is a further strengthening of God's message. Its actually a clear sign that the Quran is a book from God, not written by humans nor angels. In fact, God himself challenged the Arabs (because the Quran was revealed in Arabic) to write a book like the Quran or even a chapter of it. non believers claimed Quran is a poem, but how could a poem be written by an illiterate human, and if you're claiming its a poem, then bring something similar to it.
3) God (Allah) in the Quran stated that prophet Mohammad is his last messenger. He also explained that Mohammad follows the route of Ibrahim, Moses, Jessus to believe in one God and pray to him.
4) God denounced himself from having any sons or daughter in many phrases. God further explained in the Quran that Ibrahim, Moses praised him alone and prayed for him only. So how could some people come after and claim God has a son ? According to the bible, Jessus follows the route of Ibrahim. Jessus is a prophet like Mosses and Mohammad (peace be upon them all).
5) God gave us enough knowledge to distinguish the truth from false. But he didn't give us all the knowledge, otherwise, all people would have believed. Our own existence on earth is in one way or another a test from God to see if we'll be thankful for his gracious or not.
6) People who challenge the existance of God himself, are reminded to look into theirselves how they are born, and how they die. Then God only can bring them out of death for a judgment day.
7) The evolution Big Ben idea that talks about human coming from apes is all misleading. However, I need to note that from my reading in the Quran, God (Allah) stated that land animals came originally from the sea and evolved into land animals. But the first human (Adam peace be upon him) was made from clay in heavens. Then from his back, God made Eve his wife. After that, humans are made from the process we are familiar with today.
There is only one God. Why do some people claim more ? God mentioned it in his Quran that if there were to be more than one God, you'd have seen them conflicting and each trying to control the others part.
It takes only one chef to make a cook, and God is only one.
Allah, I believe in you and your prophets and the day your promised us all. So I ask your fogivness and your mercy upon us.
check this out if u want to know more about ISLAM .. maybe u will change your mind
http://hometown.aol.com/religionofpeace/
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M.F.Mughal
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Re: Why I Think Islam Is Not A Religion From God
January 16, 2004 - 05:20 AM
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Omar,
thank you dear brother for your response. I share your centiments for fellow human beings but not your faith in the perfection of the quran.
As for the challenge, I never challenge anyone because I do not like defeating people who are my brethren in humanity and I am not here to defeat you either because I am not against you believing in god and doing good for yourself and the humanity at large. Despite this I would criticise the islamic belief about killing people who give up faith in islam or people who commit adultry or drinkers or thieves etc etc etc. Likewise cutting off hands and feet of any people as the quran dictates. I believe such beliefs to be barbaric and inhuman.
As for my claim that the quran contains errors, I stand by that and please see my posts on links provided. For example, in my post about cosmology in the quran, I discussed 4/82 and showed why it is wrong. In why I think the quran is not word of god (muktomona link), you will see me talking about why the challenge that none can produce the like of the quran is wrong. I have also discussed in detail the status of women in the quran in there. So please read what I have written so that you could know why I think what I think about the quran and islam etc etc. My point is to help people educate themselves out of prejedices by raising issues and thinking along with them as one of them. I do not like patronising others. You will not find me saying to people you are thick or stupid bla blah blah....
It is because I believe all human beings with normal mnetal abilities are born intelligent. It is the gathering of information that is the problem that makes me different from you. This is why I encourage information exchange and that is what discussion is all about. Accoring to what you know, the quran is a perfect divine revelation but according to the information that I have been exposed to that is not the case. So here we are trying to tell each other our own side of the story. This is why you must listen what I have to say and then tell me what you think of it and like wise I must listen to you and see what i think about it. The challenge does not come in to it at all nor do we need to shout at each other or avoid each other. Afterall we are all here to help each other understand ourselves and our world better through exchange of our life experiences.
So we should not threaten each other or be affraid of each other if we wish to be together as friends.
Here are links with more information
http://www.iidb.org/vbb/index.php
http://www.infidelguy.com/
http://www.infidels.org/library/index.shtml
I hope this helps you understand whereI am coming from and thanks for good wishes.
I too love you as a little brother and wish you peace and happiness.
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r g
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Re: Why I Think Islam Is Not A Religion From God
January 16, 2004 - 05:23 AM
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Originally posted by charmedsleep
I've done through my life alot of reading and thinking about Islam, Christianity and Judasim.
Ive done a lot of reading and thinking too and became convinced that Islam is far from being a Religion from God. Here is my short list...
#7. The nonexitence of the orignal surahs written under Mohammed.
#6. Radically deviates from the Torah, Psalms and Gospels
#5. An unethical human founder
#4. Internal contradictions in quran like the "allah needs help" thingie.
#3. Logic errors in the Quran like the "errors challenge" thingie
#2. Scientific contradictions like the "sperm thingie"
#1. <<<is>>>
If you want to see it look here...
http://www.faithfreedom.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8738&start=15
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M.F.Mughal
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Re: Why I Think Islam Is Not A Religion From God
January 16, 2004 - 05:34 AM
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Hello luke,
nice to hear from you dear brother. Sorry if I have confused you my friend. I am not a christian nor a jew, I am an ex-muslim now a secular humanist from pakistan living in the uk.
The reason for singling out islam or the quran for criticism has been explained by me in another thread ie it is because islam and muslims do not accept separation between state and religion just like other relgions and their followers used to be but they are not like that any more.
When islam becomes like other religions and muslims like other people ie they accept separation between relgion and state and muslims behave like civilised people of other religions I too would accept them as like others.
I hope this clarifies the point for you.
Regards and all the best.
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Luke Lieberman
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Re: Why I Think Islam Is Not A Religion From God
January 16, 2004 - 06:40 AM
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well sure - I think they will eventually have to seperate church and state in order to compete in a global economy.
I agree that the meshing of secular politics and theology is bad for both theology and politics. But ultimately the the difference between Muhammed and Jesus is that Muhammed was a political leader in addition to a spiritual one - Jesus never ruled a country - Muhammed did.
I think Muslims have been trying to find a way to acheive that balance ever since - and it takes someone like Muhammed to actually balance both church and state so attempts by modern muslims have met with failure.
Ultimately I think it is good to have some spirituality in politics because purely secular regeimes with no beleif in a higher power can be highly immoral - look at the Nazis and the Communism.
I agree the two spheres should be seperate - but I do not agree that Religion - particularly the moral teachings of religion - have no place in politics. It is important that secular politics have a moral foundation.
In thinking of an example of this success look at Martin Luthar King and Ghandhi - both brought spiritual morality back to the political sphere.
The danger, and the reason that democracy functions best when there is speration between the powers - is when Religion is used as a weapon - Al Qada and the Aiatollah uses Islam as a weapon - the KKK, the Crusaders, the Inquistition uses Christianity as a weapon.
Generally these organizations ignore all the moral teachings like "love your brother man" and skip to the part that says "we're right and everyone else is wrong"
Anyway, before accusing the religion of Islam of being disfuntional remember that
1 - for a few hundred years this mixture of church and state served them in creating the most potent culture on earth - and
2 - The western civilizations only seperated Church and state about 200 years ago - for thousands of years the Church heavily influenced the state
The most clear example of this was Constantine the Roman ruler converting to Christainity and making it the Roman religion.
The Catholic church in particular held sway over European governments for centuries.
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Against Islam
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Re: Why I Think Islam Is Not A Religion From God
January 16, 2004 - 06:46 AM
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I posted the following link in another thread in this forum and before I get any response that thread was lucked.
I post it here again and I hope someone explains it to me. I want some response from the Muslims.
http://www.faithfreedom.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=127166&highlight=#127166
This shows the prophet of Islam to be a very bad man. Anyone can explain
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Injy
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Re: Why I Think Islam Is Not A Religion From God
January 16, 2004 - 08:10 AM
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Besides ideological and practical CONSISTENCE, the Quran and the Hadith also contanis valuable scientific information. For Quranic verses and Hadith please check the follwoing, provided with pictures and RealPlayer video:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/What_is_Islam/message/3
For Further Information,
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/What_is_Islam/messages/1?viscount=100
Salamo Alikom Wa Rahamat Allah Wa Barakatoh,
(May Allah`s Peace, Mercy and Blessings Be upon You)
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Luke Lieberman
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Re: Why I Think Islam Is Not A Religion From God
January 16, 2004 - 08:13 AM
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"AgainstIslam" - frankly I find you title a bit offensive - I don't see why you should be "against" anything.
Try instead understanding and accepting instead of misunderstanding and condemning.
When I first saw this title it instantly made me recognise that you are not moderate but instead biased"against" one way of thinking.
Anyway - the outright condemnation of any religion of religious peoples will only lead to conflict - a conflict between Islam and the West would bear terrible consequences for all involved.
So instead of creating hostility - perhapes you can offer you hand to you brother man and make an effort to understand their beleifs. I beleive this is a more noble goal.
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M.F.Mughal
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Re: Why I Think Islam Is Not A Religion From God
January 16, 2004 - 09:29 AM
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injy,
greetings my friend and thank you very much for your kindly response.
It was in response to such like articles that I wrote my articles. I have explained that in the articles as you can see if you click on the following link and read some paragraphs right at the bottom.
http://www.muslimsandislamic.faithweb.com/whats_new.html
There are two problems with islamist assertations: a) that there is no proof that god gave his message to muhammad, for there is none willing to stand in the dock on behalf of Allah, jibraeel, Muhammad and passed generations of muslims to be cross examined for such claims. And b) there is no proof that the quran is a perfect book as claimed by muslims.
As for truth, it is of four categories a)absolute truth b) proven truth c) probable truth and d) possible truth.
If islam was absolutely true, it would have been self evident and we would not have been arguing over it. That is because absolute truth is universal in the sense it is said to be true. For example, none can deny the fact that we have a heavenly body called the sun in our solar system. None can deny that the earth exists etc etc etc. This is not the case about god, this is why the existence of god is not a self evident fact and therefore it does not come under the category of absolute truth.
Now if existence of god is not an absolute truth, is it the proven truth? Proven truth is not universal but is only true because some people know it is and they are able to prove it to others as true. Is this the case of islam ie is islam the proven truth? The definition of proven truth is that it is based on the testimony of a witness who proves to be reliable under testing conditions. This is how we prove cases in the court of law. Can islam be proven true this way? If it can be proven true this way then islam is proven truth otherwise it is false. The question is, why it is otherwise false if it fails to prove true? The answer is simple, because if islam is not self evident and that none is able to prove it true by way of any reliable testimony then any other category of truth does not apply because that is just pure and simple assumptuous. Probable truth is mere an assumption and so is possible truth that is why one cannot categorise islam as probable truth or possible truth. Islam has to be either true or false, not somewhere in between.
Since muslims bear witness that there is no god but allah and that muhammad is his messenger, they have brought the burden of proof upon themselves to make their claim good.
The role of other poeple is simply to examine anything muslims put forth as proof of their claim and see if it stands or falls. This is the context in which I have examine islam and have reached the conclusion that I have.
To prove islam is truly divine, muslims must prove the link between themselves and god is perfect as well as the alleged message from god is also perfect. To prove the quran is perfect, each and every verse or word of the quran needs to be proven faultfree but to prove the quran false the examiner only needs to show a single fault and the claim falls apart.
So choosing a verse from the quran and interpreting it in a way that does not go back to the prophet, means a person is claiming to read the mind of god without being a prophet. This is why modern interpretations of the quran are not acceptable because they chnage the meanings of the quran for what they meant to prophet and people of his time. This is the reason muslim scholars always labelled such people heritics.
Moreover if one looks at tafaseer of the quran throughout times and place, one will not fail to notice that most of them are mostly copy style interpretations ie one tafseer is copying from other already existing tafasers that include lots of saying of the prophet. If people were free to interpret the quran by dictionary and commonsense, there would not be any need for knowing what prophet himself thought or said or did. Most muslims believe that prophet was the living quran in practice, this is why so much emphasis is placed on following his sunnah or example.
Please do think thsi over, because unless we understand things in principle and agree on principles there is bound to be confusion in going into detail of things.
Loads of love and the very best regards.
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Ansari, Omar Mansoor
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Re: Why I Think Islam Is Not A Religion From God
January 16, 2004 - 09:50 AM
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Mughal,
how are u, my friend?
i am sorry non of ur links is working, the sites are not opening. plz chick them and give me the correct urls.
all the best
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Hoda
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Misconception about Islam
January 16, 2004 - 10:30 AM
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TOP TEN MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT ISLAM
By Huma Ahmad
MISCONCEPTION #1:
Muslims are violent, terrorists and/or extremists.
This is the biggest misconception in Islam, no doubt resulting from
the constant stereotyping and bashing the media gives Islam. When a
gunman attacks a mosque in the name of Judaism, a Catholic IRA
guerrilla sets off a bomb in an urban area, or Serbian Orthodox
militiamen rape and kill innocent Muslim civilians, these acts are not
used to stereotype an entire faith. Never are these acts attributed
to the religion of the perpetrators. Yet how many times have we heard
the words 'Islamic, Muslim fundamentalist. etc.' linked with violence.
Politics in so called "Muslim countries" may or may not have any
Islamic basis. Often dictators and politicians will use the name of
Islam for their own purposes. One should remember to go to the source
of Islam and separate what the true religion of Islam says from what
is portrayed in the media. Islam literally means 'submission to God'
and is derived from a root word meaning 'peace'.
Islam may seem exotic or even extreme in the modern world. Perhaps
this is because religion doesn't dominate everyday life in the West,
whereas Islam is considered a 'way of life' for Muslims and they make
no division between secular and sacred in their lives. Like
Christianity, Islam permits fighting in self-defense, in defense of
religion, or on the part of those who have been expelled forcibly
from their homes. It lays down strict rules of combat which include
prohibitions against harming civilians and against destroying crops,
trees and livestock.
NOWHERE DOES ISLAM ENJOIN THE KILLING OF INNOCENTS.. The Quran says:
"Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not
transgress limits. God does not love transgressors." (Quran 2:190)
"If they seek peace, then seek you peace. And trust in God for He is
the One that heareth and knoweth all things." (Quran 8:61) War,
therefore, is the last resort, and is subject to the rigorous
conditions laid down by the sacred law. The term 'jihad' literally
means 'struggle'. Muslims believe that there are two kinds of jihad.
The other 'jihad' is the inner struggle of the soul which everyone
wages against egotistic desires for the sake of attaining inner
peace.
MISCONCEPTION #2:
Islam oppresses women.
The image of the typical Muslim woman wearing the veil and forced to
stay home and forbidden to drive is all too common in most peoples
thoughts. Although some Muslim countries may have laws that oppress
women, this should not be seen as coming from Islam. Many of these
countries do not rule by any kind of Shari'ah (Islamic law) and
introduce their own cultural standpoints on the issue of gender
equity.
Islam on the other hand gives men and women different roles and equity
between the two is laid down in the Quran and the example of the
Prophet (peace be upon him). Islam sees a woman, whether single or
married, as an individual in her own right, with the right to own and
dispose of her property and earnings. A marriage gift is given by
the groom to the bride for her own personal use, and she keeps her
own family name rather than taking her husband's. Both men and women
are expected to dress in a way that is modest and dignified. The
Messenger of God (peace be upon him) said: "The most perfect in faith
amongst believers is he who is best in manner and kindest to his
wife."
Violence of any kind towards women and forcing them against their
will for anything is not allowed. A Muslim marriage is a simple, legal
agreement in which either partner is free to include conditions.
Marriage customs thus vary widely from country to country. Divorce is
not common, although it is acceptable as a last resort. According to
Islam, a Muslim girl cannot be forced to marry against her will: her
parents simply suggest young men they think may be suitable.
MISCONCEPTION #3:
Muslims worship a different God.
Allah is simply the Arabic word for God. Allah for Muslims is the
greatest and most inclusive of the Names of God, it is an Arabic word
of rich meaning, denoting the one and only God and ascribing no
partners to Him. It is exactly the same word which the Jews, in
Hebrew, use for God (eloh), the word which Jesus Christ used in
Aramaic when he prayed to God. God has an identical name in Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam; Allah is the same God worshiped by Muslims,
Christians and Jews. Muslims believe that Allah's sovereignty is to
be acknowledged in worship and in the pledge to obey His teaching and
commandments, conveyed through His messengers and prophets who were
sent at various times and in many places throughout history.
However, it should be noted that God in Islam is One and Only. He,
the Exalted, does not get tired, does not have a son ie Jesus or
have associates, nor does He have human-like attributions as found in
other faiths.
MISCONCEPTION #4:
Islam was spread by the sword and intolerant of other faiths.
Many social studies textbooks for students show the image of an Arab
horseman carrying a sword in one hand and the Quran in the other
conquering and forcibly converting. This, though, is not a correct
portrayal of history. Islam has always given respect and freedom of
religion to all faiths. The Quran says: "God forbids you not, with
regards to those who fight you not for [your] faith nor drive you out
of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them; for God
loveth those who are just. 60:8)
Freedom of religion is laid down in the Quran itself: "There is no
compulsion (or coercion) in the religion (Islam). The right
direction is distinctly clear from error". (2:256) Christian
missionary, T.W. Arnold had this opinion on his study of the question
of the spread of Islam: ".. of any organized attempt to force the
acceptance of Islam on the non-Muslim population, or of any
systematic persecution intended to stamp out the Christian religion,
we hear nothing. Had the caliphs chosen to adopt either course of
action, they might have swept away Christianity as easily as
Ferdinand and Isabella drove Islam out of Spain, or Louis XIV made
Protestanism ..."
It is a function of Islamic law to protect the privileged status of
minorities, and this is why non-Muslim places of worship have
flourished all over the Islamic world. History provides many
examples of Muslim tolerance towards other faiths: when the caliph
Omar entered Jerusalem in the year 634, Islam granted freedom of
worship to all religious communities in the city. Proclaiming to the
inhabitants that their lives, and property were safe, and that their
places of worship would never be taken from them, he asked the
Christian patriarch Sophronius to accompany him on a visit to all the
holy places. Islamic law also permits non-Muslim minorities to set up
their own courts, which implement family laws drawn up by the
minorities themselves. The life and property of all citizens in an
Islamic state are considered sacred whether the person is Muslim or
not.
Racism is not a part of Islam, the Quran speaks only of human equality
and how all peoples are equal in the sight of God. "O mankind! We
created you from a single soul, male and female, and made you into
nations and tribes, so that you may come to know one another. Truly,
the most honored of you in God's sight is the greatest of you in
piety. God is All-Knowing, All- Aware. (49:13)
MISCONCEPTION #5:
All Muslims are Arabs
The Muslim population of the world is around 1.2 billion. 1 out of 5
people in the world is a Muslim. They are a vast range of races,
nationalities, and cultures from around the globe--from the
Phillipines to Nigeria--they are united by their common Islamic faith.
Only about 18% live in the Arab world and the largest Muslim
community is in Indonesia. Most Muslims live east of Pakistan. 30%
of Muslims live in the Indian subcontinent, 20% in Sub-Saharan Africa,
17% in Southeast Asia, 18% in the Arab world, and 10% in the Soviet
Union and China. Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan make up 10% of the
non-Arab Middle East. Although there are Muslim minorities in almost
every area, including Latin America and Australia, they are most
numerous in Russia and its newly independent states, India and
central Africa. There are about 6 million Muslims in the United
States
MISCONCEPTION #6:
The Nation of Islam is a Muslim group.
Islam and the so called "Nation of Islam'" are two different
religions. NOI is more of a political organization since its members
are not limited to a single faith. Muslims consider this group to be
just one of many cults using the name of Islam for their own gain.
The only thing common between them is the jargon, the language used
by both. "The Nation of Islam" is a misnomer; this religion should be
called Farrakhanism, after the name of its propogator, Louis Farrakhan.
Islam and Farakhanism differ in many fundamental ways. For example,
Farakhan followers believe in racism and that the 'black man' was the
original man and therefore superior, while in Islam there is no
racism and everyone is considered equal in the sight of God, the only
difference being in one's piety. There are many other theological
examples that show the 'Nation's teachings have little to do with
true Islam. There are many groups in America who claim to represent
Islam and call their adherents Muslims.
Any serious student of Islam has a duty to investigate and find the
true Islam. The only two authentic sources which bind every Muslim
are 1. the Quran and 2. authentic or sound Hadith. Any teachings under
the label of "Islam" which contradict or at variance with the direct
understanding of fundamental beliefs and practices of Islam form the
Quran and authentic Hadith should be rejected and such a religion
should be considered a Pseudo-Islamic Cult. In America there are many
pseudo-Islamic cults, Farrakhanism being one of them. An honest
attitude on the part of such cults should be not to call themselves
Muslims and their religion Islam. such an example of honesty is
Bahaism which is an off-shoot of Islam but Bahais do not call
themselves Muslims nor their religion, Islam. In fact Bahaism is not
Islam just as Farrakhanism is not Islam.
MISCONCEPTION #7:
All Muslim men marry four wives.
The religion of Islam was revealed for all societies and all times and
so accommodates widely differing social requirements. Circumstances
may warrant the taking of another wife but the right is granted,
according to the Quran, only on condition that the husband is
scrupulously fair. No woman can be forced into this kind of marriage
if they do not wish it, and they also have the right to exclude it in
their marriage contract.
Polygamy is neither mandatory, nor encouraged, but merely permitted.
Images of "sheikhs with harems" are not consistent with Islam, as a
man is only allowed at most four wives only if he can fulfill the
stringent conditions of treating each fairly and providing each with
separate housing etc. Permission to practice polygamy is not
associated with mere satisfaction of passion. It is rather
associated with compassion toward widows and orphans. It was the
Quran that limited and put conditions on the practice of polygamy
among the Arabs, who had as many as ten or more wives and considered
them "property".
It is both honest and accurate to say that it is Islam that regulated
this practice, limited it, made it more humane, and instituted equal
rights and status for all wives. What the Qur'anic decrees amount to,
taken together is discouragement of polygamy unless necessity for it
exists. It is also evident that the general rule in Islam is monogamy
and not polygamy. It is a very tiny percentage of Muslims that
practice it over the world. However, permission to practice limited
polygamy is only consistent with Islam's realistic view of the nature
of man and woman and of various social needs, problems and cultural
variations.
The question is, however far more than the inherent flexibility of
Islam; it also is the frank and straightforward approach of Islam in
dealing with practical problems. Rather than requiring hypocritical
and superficial compliance, Islam delves deeper into the problems of
individuals and societies, and provides for legitimate and clean
solutions which are far more beneficial than would be the case if they
were ignored. There is no doubt that the second wife legally married
and treated kindly is better off than a mistress without any legal
rights or expermanence.
MISCONCEPTION #8:
Muslims are a barbaric, backward people.
Among the reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam was the
simplicity of its doctrine-Islam calls for faith in only one God
worthy of worship. It also repeatedly instructs man to use his
powers of intelligence and observation. Within a few years, great
civilizations and universities were flourishing, for according to the
Prophet (pbuh), 'seeking knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim
man and woman'.
The synthesis of Eastern and Western ideas and of new thought with
old, brought about great advances in medicine, mathematics, physics,
astronomy, geography, architecture, art, literature, and history.
Many crucial systems such as algebra, the Arabic numerals, and also
the concept of the zero (vital to the advancement of mathematics),
were transmitted to medieval Europe from Islam. Sophisticated
instruments which were to make possible the European voyages of
discovery were developed, including the astrolabe, the quadrant and
good navigational maps.
MISCONCEPTION #9:
Muhammad was the founder of Islam and Muslims worship him.
Muhammad(pbuh) was born in Mecca in the year 570. Since his father
died before his birth, and his mother shortly afterwards, he was
raised by his uncle from the respected tribe of Quraysh. As he grew
up, he became known for his truthfulness, generosity and sincerity, so
that he was sought after for his ability to arbitrate in disputes.
The historians describe him as calm and meditative. Muhammad (pbuh)
was of a deeply religious nature, and had long detested the decadence
of his society.
It became his habit to meditate from time to time in the Cave of Hira
near Mecca. At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat,
Muhammad(pbuh) received his first revelation from God through the
Angel Gabriel. This revelation, which continued for 23 years is
known as the Quran. As soon as he began to recite the words he heard
from Gabriel, and to preach the truth which God had revealed to him,
he and his small group of followers suffered bitter persecution,
which grew so fierce that in the year 622 God gave them the command to
emigrate.
This event, the Hijra 'migration', in which they left Mecca for the
city of Medina, marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. After
several years, the Prophet and his followers were able to return to
Mecca, where they forgave their enemies and established Islam
definitively. Before the Prophet saw dies at the age of 63, the
greater part of Arabia was Muslim, and within a century of his death
Islam had spread to Spain in the West and as far East as China. He
died with less than 5 possessions to his name.
While Muhammad (pbuh) was chosen to deliver the message, he is not
considered the "founder" of Islam, since Muslims consider Islam to be
the same divine guidance sent to all peoples before. Muslims believe
all the prophets from Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus etc. were all sent
with divine guidance for their peoples. Every prophet was sent to his
own people, but Muhammad(pbuh) was sent to all of mankind. Muhammad
is the last and final messenger sent to deliver the message of Islam.
Muslims revere and honor him (pbuh) for all he went through and his
dedication, but they do not worship him. "O Prophet, verily We have
sent you as a witness and a bearer of glad tidings and a warner and
as one who invites unto God by His leave and as an illuminating
lamp."(33:45-6)
MISCONCEPTION #10:
Muslims don't believe in Jesus or any other prophets.
Muslims respect and revere Jesus, upon him be peace, and await his
Second Coming. They consider him one of the greatest of God's
messengers to mankind. A Muslim never refers to him simply as
'Jesus', but always adds the phrase 'upon him be peace' (abbreviated
as (u) here). The Quran confirms his virgin birth (a chapter of the
Quran is entitled 'Mary'), and Mary is considered the purest woman in
all creation. The Quran describes the Annunciation as follows:
"Behold!" the Angel said, "God has chosen you, and purified you, and
chosen you above the women of all nations. O Mary, God gives you
good news of a word from Him whose name shall be the Messiah, Jesus
son of Mary, honored in this world and the Hereafter, and one of those
brought near to God. He shall speak to the people from his cradle and
in maturity, and shall be of the righteous." She said: "O my Lord!
How shall I have a son when no man has touched me?" He said: "Even
so; God creates what He will. When He decrees a thing, He says to it,
"Be!" and it is" (Quran 3:42-47)
Jesus (u) was born miraculously through the same power, which had
brought Adam (u) into being without a father: "Truly, the likeness of
Jesus with God is as the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust,
and then said to him, 'Be!' and he was." (3:59) During his prophetic
mission Jesus (u) performed many miracles. The Quran tells us that he
said: " I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I make for you
out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breath into it
and it becomes a bird by God's leave. And I heal the blind, and the
lepers, and I raise the dead by God's leave." (3:49) Neither Muhammad
(pbuh) not Jesus (u) came to change the basic doctrine of the brief in
One God brought by earlier prophets, but to confirm and renew it.
In the Quran Jesus (u) is reported as saying that he came: "To attest
the law which was before me. And to make lawful to you part of what
was forbidden you; I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so
fear God and obey Me. (3:50) The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
"Whoever believes there is no god but God, alone without partner,
that Muhammad (pbuh) is His messenger, that Jesus is the servant and
messenger of God, His word breathed into Mary and a spirit emanating
from Him, and that Paradise and Hell are true, shall be received by
God into Heaven. "(Hadith related by Bukhari).
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