Misconceptions of Islam
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20 Frequently Asked Questions About Islam
The word "Islam" means peace and the submission to
the only God worthy of worship, Allah. This peace is contentment with yourself
and your surroundings that can only be achieved by willfully submitting
to Allah (God), obeying what he commands and abstaining from what He forbids.
- Who is Allah?
- Who Is a Prophet?
- What Is the Qur'an?
- Who was Muhammad?
- What are the Pillars of Islam?
- What are the fundamentals of faith?
- Who Is a Muslim?
- Is Islam the only religion acceptable
to the Creator?
- Will the actions of non-believers
be wasted?
- What Is the Hereafter?
- Do Muslims worship Muhammad?
- What is the purpose of creation?
- What Is the truth about Jesus?
- What Is the truth about the "Son
of God", "Trinity" and Mary?
- Does Islam oppress women?
- Is polygamy permissible?
- Does Islam promote terrorism?
- Is there racism In Islam?
- Has the Qur'an predicted the new
discoveries of modern science?
- Should you become a Muslim?
Who
is Allah?
Allah is the name in Arabic for the"One God". Allah is the creator, Sustainer,
Planner and Organizer. He is the only Deity that has the right to be worshipped
(i.e. praying, supplicating, fasting etc.). In Islam, the belief in one
God cannot be separated from the acts of worshipping the One God. In other
words, it is not enough to say and/or think you believe in the oneness
of the Creator but your statement and actions must affirm this belief.
Example, it would negate one's belief in the Oneness of the Creator if
you direct your worship to a man (or any of the other created things).
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Who
Is a Prophet?
A Prophet is a person who is appointed by God to call people to the worship
and belief in One God. All Prophets were given miracles by Allah to prove
that they were Prophets. For example, Moses was given miracles to free
the Children of Israel, Jesus was given the ability to heal the sick and
raise the dead by Allah's leave, and Muhammad was given the Qur'an which
is everlasting and literal speech of Allah. May Allah send peace and blessing
on all the Prophets. Ameen!
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What
Is the Qur'an?
The Qur'an is the Word of Allah. The final revelation from your Lord,
The Most High. It was revealed in the pure Arabic language to the Prophet
Muhammad, prayers and peace be upon him, and has been preserved and unchanged,
in its original form. The English translation used herein for convenience,
is not Allah's Word, rather it is a general interpretation of the meaning
of the Qur'an. The Qur'an confirms the truth in Torah, Psalms and the
Gospel.
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Who
was Muhammad?
Muhammad is the final Prophet and Messenger. He was born into the tribe
of Quarish in the year 570 AD, in the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. His
ancestry goes back to the Prophet Ishmael, the son of Prophet Abraham.
His father died before his birth and his mother died before he was six.
As a young man he was known as AI-Ameen (the trustworthy). He would retreat
to a cave outside of Mecca where he would ponder and reflect about the
immoral practices of the pagan Arabs, i.e. worshipping idols. He received
revelation from the Creator at the age of 40 through the Angel Jibreel
(Gabriel). Subsequently, the Revelation came over a period of 23 years
and are collectively in the Qur'an.
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What
are the Pillars of Islam?
Islam has five pillars:
- Iman - belief that no deity is worthy of worship except Allah and
Muhammad is His Last Prophet and Messenger;
- Salat - prayers that are performed 5 times a day;
- Zakat - charity which is given to the poor and needy once a year from
your saved earnings at a rate of 2.5%;
- Siyam - fasting in the month of Ramadhan (months that Muhammad, prayers
and peace be upon him, first received the Revelation), abstaining from
food drink, and sexual intercourse with spouses, looking to increase
in doing good and staying away from the bad deeds, and hoping to get
closer to Allah by reciting and reflecting on the Qur'an.
- Hajj - a pilgrimage, a journey to the Kab'ah, the first house of worship
dedicated to the worship of Allah established by Abraham and his son
Ishmael, in the sacred city of Mecca. Muslims are required to do this
at least once in a lifetime if they are physically and financially able.
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What
are the fundamentals of faith?
Belief in Allah, His Oneness and ascribing no partners to Him. Belief
In Angels (Gabriel, Mikial, Isarfil, etc.). Belief In the revealed scriptures
(Torah, Psalms, Gospel) in their original form; not as they exist today.
Belief In all of Allah's Messengers (Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad,
etc.). Belief in the Day of resurrection. Belief in the Pre-Ordainment
-- the good and the bad of it.
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Who
Is a Muslim?
One who practices the 5 pillars of Islam and believes in the fundamentals
of faith. One can become a Muslim by saying "Ashadhu an la ilaha
illa Allah, wa ashadhu anna Muhammad ar-Rasoolullah." This means,
"I bear witness that no deity has the right to be worship except
Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and final Messenger."
All Prophets preceding were Muslims. This Means Noah, Abraham, Isaac,
Jacob, Moses and Jesus. Is there any doubt that these Prophets did submit
their will to the Creator? Allah says in the Qur'an, "Abraham was neither
a Jew or a Christian, but he was a true Muslim and he was not of the idolaters"
(3:67). It is important to note that other religions are derived from
the name of a place or a person. Examples of this are: Judaism is derived
from the tribe of Judah, Hinduism is from the Indus River, Buddhism is
from Goutman Buddha and Christianity is from Jesus Christ. Islam is the
only revealed religion and way of life that directly attaches its worshippers
to the servitude of the Creator.
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Is
Islam the only religion acceptable to the Creator?
Yes! As explained in the introduction, Islam means peace through submission
to the will of Allah. One who does this is called a Muslim. Therefore,
the only thing acceptable to the Creator is submission to Him.
Allah says: "Do they seek other than the religion of
Allah (Islam)? While to Him all other creatures in the heavens and the
earth, willing or unwillingly; and to Him they shall return. Say; We believe
in Allah and what was sent down to us, and what was sent down to Abrahma,
Ismael, Isaac, Jacob and the tribes, and what was revealed to Moses, Jesus
and the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between them
and to Him (Allah) we have submitted (in Islam)." And whosoever seeks
a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in
the Hereafter he will be of the losers" (3:83-85).
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Will
the actions of nonbelievers be wasted?
Yes! Allah says: "Say shall We tell you the greatest losers in respect
to their deeds? Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life while
they thought they were acquiring good deeds. They are those who deny the
revelation of their Lord and the meeting with Him. So their works are
in vain and on the Day of Resurrection, we shall not give any weight.
That shall be their recompense, Hell; because they disbelieved and took
my revelation and My Messengers by way of jest and mockery. Verily, those
who believe in Allah and do the righteous good deeds shall have the Garden
of Paradise for their entertainment" (18:103-110).
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What
Is the Hereafter?
The "Hereafter" is the final destiny of all worldly existence starting
at the time of death. It is the day mankind will be resurrected from their
graves. Then they shall be brought to account for their deeds whether
good or evil, Allah says: "I Allah swear by the day of Resurrection, and
I swear by the self reproaching person. Does man think that we shall assemble
his bones? Yes, We are able to put together in perfect order tips of his
finger. Nay! he desires to continue committing sins. He asks "when will
be this day of Resurrection and Reckoning? So when the sight shall be
dazed and the moon eclipsed, and the Sun and the Moon shall be joined
together. On that day man will say, "where to flee? There is no refuge!"
Unto your Lord (alone) will be the place of rest that Day. On that Day
man will be informed of what he sent forward and what he left behind.
Nay, Man will be a witness against himself (75:1-14).
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Do
Muslims worship Muhammad?
No! Muslims do not worship Muhammad and they do not worship any other
Prophets, saints or created things. It is not permissible for a Muslim
to pray, supplicate, or direct any type of worship to any created thing
in rivalry to the Lord of all that exists. Allah says, "Say (to them Muhammad),
I am only a man like you. It has bee inspired to me that your God is one
God. So whoever hopes for the meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness
and associate none as a partner to the Worship of His Lord" (18:110).
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What
is the purpose of creation?
As we examine Allah's creation, we will inevitably conclude that all things
have purpose. If we look at the delicate balance of our universe, as vast
as it is, orchestrated in perfect synchronization; the human body and
its various different processes like thought, movement, vision, and its
ability to heal itself; the earth and its countless number of life forms,
various plants, vegetables, and animals; the weather system, the seasons
and the water cycle. Surely, these things have some purpose, more so for
human beings. Allah says, "And We (Allah) created not the Jinn (spirits)
and men except that they worship Me alone" (51:56). As the verse states
in question 8, all things are in a state of submission to the Creator
by following the natural laws that they have been created for. We were
born in a state of submission, not in a state of sin. We had no choice
in this matter and we will die in a state of submission. Between these
two time spans, man has been given the rational ability to choose to submit
to his Creator. Know for a surety that we will all die and none of us
knows when we're going to die. Isn't it time you submitted to your Lord?
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What
Is the truth about Jesus?
Jesus, the son of Mary is a servant and Messenger of Allah. Allah says
in the Qur'an that Jesus was born of a miraculous birth; Verily, the likeness
of Jesus before Allah is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust,
then (He) said "Be" and he was" (3:59). He performed many miracles as
a Prophet by Allah's permission such as resurrecting the dead, healing
the blind and sick, making a living bird out of clay and speaking as a
new born infant. Jesus brought the same message as the other Prophets.
He is not to be worshipped as the "Son of God!" Jesus was raised alive
up to Allah from where he will return to reestablish the Law of Allah
on Earth.
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What
Is the truth about the "Son of God", "Trinity" and Mary?
Your Creator says: "Surely, they have disbelieved who say "Allah is the
Messiah (Jesus). But the Messiah said, "O children of Israel! Worship
Allah, My Lord and your Lord. Verily, whomsoever sets up partners in worship
with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and the fire will
be his abode. And for the polytheists there are no helpers. Surely, the
disbelievers are those who said, "Allah is a third of the three in a trinity.
But there is no God but the One God. And if they cease not from what they
say, verily a painful torment will befall the disbelievers among them.
Will they not repent to Allah and ask His Forgiveness? For Allah is Oft
Forgiving, Most Merciful. The Messiah, son of Mary is no more than a Messenger.
Many were the Messengers that have passed away before him.His mother was
a truthful woman. They both used to eat food. Look how Allah makes the
revelation clear to them, yet look how they are deluded away from the
truth" (5:72-75).
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Does
Islam oppress women?
No. On the contrary, 1400 years ago Islam liberated women. At that time
in Europe, Christian scholars were debating whether women had souls. If
yes, did they have animal souls or human souls? Until recently women were
stripped of their last names to illustrate that they were the property
of their husbands. As for Islam, women are equal to men in all acts of
piety. They keep their own money, choose who they want to marry, have
the right to divorce, have the right to inheritance, and the right to
be protected and maintained by their husbands. They have been dignified
and exonerated by the Hijab (Islamic covering). In the West, women are
portrayed as sex objects to be used and discarded. We see them being used
to sell cars, alcohol and even bubble gum.
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Is
Polygamy permissible?
Yes. Islam regulates the matrimony in that men are permitted to marry
up to four wives provided they treat them fairly and equally. The man
must first be financially capable to take another wife, provide different
residences and be able to divide his equally amongst them. A survey was
published in U.S. A. Today (April 4, 1988; Section D) which asked 4700
mistresses, what would they like their status to be (mistress or second
wife). The said, "I prefer being a second wife rather than the other woman."
The reason for this is they have no legal rights, nor did they have the
financial equality of the legally married wives and it appeared that these
men were using them. Islam is clearly against extra or premarital affairs
as it leads to corruption in the society and the spread of sexually transmitted
disease. Because of wars there are more women in the world than there
are men and most married men engage in extramarital affairs. There is
an increase in homosexuality amongst men adding to an excess of women
to men. The Islamic solution of polygamy is the best solution to the seemingly
difficult problems that plague our society in our man to woman relationships.
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Does
Islam promote terrorism?
Absolutely not! Islam condemns all acts of oppression. Necessary force
is permissible only when one is defending oneself, family, property, and
the right to practice his/her religion. Tyranny and oppression must be
met with adequate force. But the fighting (jihad) is carried out in the
prescribed manner found in the Islamic Laws. Muslims who blow up buildings
and kill innocent people are not acting in accordance to what Islam teaches.
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Is
there racism In Islam?
No. Muslims are found in every country. Whether they are European, African,
Asian, or American. The fact is that 1 in every 5 people on the earth
is a Muslim. Which means there are 1.2 billion Muslims in the world. Islam
promotes racial harmony and tolerance. Allah says, "O mankind! We have
created you from a male and female, and made you nations and tribes that
you may know one another. Verily, the most honorable of you in the Sight
of Allah is All Knowing, All Aware. (49: 13)" This is in direct opposition
to Louis Farrakhan's disbelieving lies against Islam, in saying that "Allah
appeared in the person of master W. Fard Muhammad", or that his so-called
Nation of Islam group is the Original (black) Man or nation on earth.
The believers seek refuge with Allah from such lies and disbelief. Ameen.
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Has
the Qur'an predicted the new discoveries of modern science?
Yes. Since the Qur'an came from the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth,
it is only befitting that science would later confirm what is in the Qur'an.
Examples of this are, the expansion and vastness of the universe as stated
in the Qur'an: "With power did We construct the heavens. Thoroughly, we
expand the vastness of space" (51: 47). Every living thing is created
from water. "Do not those who disbelieve know that the heavens and the
earth was joined together in one united peace, then We parted them? And
We have made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?"
(21:30). The Qur'an mentions the detailed development of a baby in the
womb of the mother (trimester). " He (Allah) created you in the wombs
of your mothers, creation after creation in three veils of darkness, such
is Allah your Lord. How then are you turned away from truth?" (39:7).
There are numerous examples of scientific discoveries that can be found
in the Qur'an, establishing the fact that the Qur'an is from Allah. Allah
says, "Do they not consider the Qur'an carefully? Had it been from other
than Allah, they would have found much crookedness" (4:82).
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Should
you become a Muslim?
Absolutely! If you believe in what you are reading on this site, we strongly
suggest that you do not delay. You are now accountable for what you know
about Islam. For many people, Islam has balanced their lives. It gives
discipline and affords dignity and respect. It has allowed us, while being
in a society ravaged by mental illness, excessive materialism, and a decline
in human morality and crime, a genuine sense of peace and tranquilrty.
The Qur'an was revealed to Muhammad, the Final Messenger of Allah, prayers
and peace be upon him, as a mercy for all of mankind. It brings with it
glad tidings and severe warnings. Allah warns us in the Qur'an: "O you
who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared. And die not except in
a state of Islam (as Muslims)" (3:10)
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