MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT ISLAM   
       
       
   What do you REALLY know?   
   Islam is one of the world's largest religions yet it is also one of the most   
   misunderstood. For various reasons - be they political, economic, biased media   
   or fear of the "other" - mistruths and misconceptions have been spread about   
   Islam. The key to    
   understanding Islam and Muslims is to resist stereotypes and examine each   
   situation according to Islamic teachings and authentic sources.   
       
   Misconception 1 - "Muslims Do Not Share Good and Noble Values with non-Muslims"   
   "The best among you are those who have the best manners and character." -   
   Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)   
   Some people allege that Islamic values are somehow incompatible with decent   
   "Western" values. Such claims could not be further from the truth.   
   Muslims cherish noble and universal values such as:   
   ·         being honest and just   
   ·         keeping one's word   
   ·         allowing freedom of religion   
   ·         respecting parents, relatives, neighbours, and the elderly   
   ·         being charitable, generous, and looking after the poor and needy   
   ·         not lying, cheating, swearing or backbiting anyone   
   Muslims are required to contribute positively towards society and to always   
   conduct themselves with the highest of morals and best of actions.   
   Misconception 2 - "Muslims Worship a New God Called Allah"   
   Muslims worship the same God worshipped by Prophets Noah, Abraham, Moses and   
   Jesus. The word "Allah" is simply the Arabic word for Almighty God - an Arabic   
   word of rich meaning, denoting the one and only God. Allah is also the same   
   word that Arabic    
   speaking Christians and Jews use to refer to God.   
   However, although Muslims, Jews and Christians believe in the same God (the   
   Creator), their concepts regarding Him differ significantly. For example,   
   Muslims reject the idea of God having any partners or being part of a   
   'trinity', and ascribe perfection    
   only to God, the Almighty.   
   Misconception 3 - "Islam Permits Terrorism"   
   The media generally portrays any Muslim who fights as a terrorist, regardless   
   of whether they fight justly or unjustly, or whether they are oppressing   
   others or being oppressed.   
   In war, the targeting of innocent non-combatants is a despicable act which   
   Islam clearly prohibits. In fact, Muslims are not allowed to destroy plants   
   and animals unnecessarily, let alone innocent humans. However, it is important   
   to distinguish between    
   terrorism and legitimate resistance to occupation, as the two are very   
   different.   
   The Quran clearly demonstrates the seriousness of killing an innocent person,   
   and emphasises the value of human life.   
   "If anyone murders an innocent person, it will be as if he has murdered the   
   whole of humanity. And if anyone saves a person it will be as if he has saved   
   the whole of humanity."Quran 5:32   
   Misconception 4 - "Islam Oppresses Women"   
   In Islam, men and women are viewed as equals before God, in terms of both   
   receiving equal reward and accountability for their actions. The only thing   
   that distinguishes people in the sight of God is their level of piety.   
   "Verily the most honourable of you in the sight of Allah is the most God   
   conscious."Quran 49:13   
   This verse proves that real honour and status is not attained because a person   
   is rich or poor, black or white, male or female, but attained through piety   
   and devoutness.   
   Allah, the Creator of both genders, has assigned different roles and   
   responsibilities for each, taking into account their differences. Women are   
   given the utmost respect and honour, such as the right to equal pay, choice of   
   spouse, pursuit of education,    
   and the right to divorce and inheritance.   
   Unfortunately, there are some Muslim women who are oppressed and not given   
   their rights. This is not the fault of Islam. The problem is that in some   
   countries, people follow certain cultural practices and traditions which have   
   nothing to do with Islam.   
   Misconception 5 - "The Quran is Just another History or Poetry Book"   
   The Quran is the divine literal word of God Almighty, revealed to Prophet   
   Muhammad (peace be upon him), through the angel Gabriel. It is a criterion for   
   the truth, containing guidance for humanity to live by. The Quran cites   
   lessons from preceding    
   generations and the history of the Prophets in order that we may learn from   
   their experiences. It further teaches us about ourselves and our Creator, as   
   well as the purpose of our existence which is to acknowledge God, worshipping   
   Him alone.   
   God did not create humans to simply wander aimlessly. The test of one's faith   
   is in using one's intellect, free will and reasoning abilities to contemplate   
   and recognise God's signs - one of the greatest signs being The Quran.   
   The Quran contains within it many miracles, so that we can have no doubt about   
   its authenticity. The best way to discover what the Quran is actually about,   
   is to read it for yourself.   
   Misconception 6 - "Hijab is Oppressive"   
   To observe the hijab, Muslim women are required to modestly cover their body   
   with clothes that do not reveal their figure in front of non-closely related   
   males. However, hijab is not just about outer appearances; it is also about   
   noble speech, modesty,    
   and dignified conduct.   
   Although there are many benefits of the hijab, the key reason Muslim women   
   observe hijab is because it is a command from Allah (God), and He knows what   
   is best for His creation.   
   The hijab empowers a woman by emphasising her inner spiritual beauty, rather   
   than her superficial appearance. It gives women the freedom to be active   
   members of society, while maintaining their modesty.   
   The hijab does not symbolize suppression, oppression or silence. Rather, it is   
   a guard against degrading remarks, unwanted advances and unfair    
   iscrimination. So the next time you see a Muslim woman, know that she covers   
   her physical appearance, not her    
   mind or intellect.   
   Misconception 7 - "All Muslims are Arabs"   
   Only about 20% of Muslims in the world are Arabs, meaning that up to about 80%   
   of Muslims are non-Arabs. For example, there are more Indian and Indonesian   
   Muslims than Arab Muslims.   
   Islam teaches that an individual is not superior to another because of race or   
   colour, and is strictly against any form of racism. Islam has a universal   
   message for all of mankind - that is, that everyone can gain peace and success   
   only by acknowledging    
   and worshipping the One True God.   
   Misconception 8 - "Jihad is Terrorism"   
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)