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Misconception 5
Islam rejects Jesus because:
- Jesus is not accepted as `the
Son of God'
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):
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.[19:88-93]
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 honour 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:
- Muslims are also `Muhammadans'
Early non-Muslim quasi-researchers
of Islam called it `Muhammadanism', implying in some way that Muslims
worshipped the Messenger of Allah (saws). 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):
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.[112:1-4]
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.[3:144]
From the Sunnah, specifically in
the study of the Sunnah called Sahih Bukhari, we find:
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)."[9:93:470]
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."[4:55:654]
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),
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)[17:33]
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 committing 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 (saws). The first
verse ever revealed in that connection is as follows (translation),
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;[22:39]
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),
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.[2:190-192]
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:
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.[4:52:257]
A related misconception to jihad
is often propagated by Muslims who say that "Jihad is only for self-defence
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 (saws) has also commented on this extensively in the Sunnah.
From the study of the Sunnah called Sahih Bukhari, we find that,
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."[4:52:65]
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-defence in his book Milestones,
"If we insist on calling
Islamic jihad a defensive movement, then we must change the meaning
of the word `defence' and mean by it `defence 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),
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.[2:178]
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.[42:40-43]
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),
And there is life
for you in (the law of) retaliation, O people of understanding,
that you may guard yourselves.[2:179]
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),
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.[2:256]
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 Qur'an condemns the other
religions as false
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),
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.[3:85]
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 (saws)
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
(saws) 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:
- Nation of Islam espouses the
superiority of the black man
- The Nation of Islam recognizes
God as a black man
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:
- all things come from God, and
so fatalism is OK
- modern technology and science
are condemned
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),
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? [16:35]
They (the idolaters) 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![43:20]
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:
Narrated Anas ibn
Malik: A man of the Ansar came to the Prophet (pbuh) and begged
from him.[9:1637]
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),
