Top 10 Myths About Islam
note from me, MGMany thanks to my good friend RH for sending Islam is a widely-misunderstood religion. Those who are unfamiliar with the faith often have misunderstandings about its teachings and practices. Common misconceptions include that Muslims worship a moon-god, that Islam is oppressive against women, or that Islam is a faith that promotes violence. Here we bust these myths and expose the true teachings of Islam.
1. Muslims worship a moon-god
Some non-Muslims mistakenly believe that Allah is an Arab god, a moon god, or some sort of idol. Allah is the proper name of the One True God, in the Arabic language. The most fundamental belief that a Muslim has is that There is only One God, the Creator, the Sustainer known in the Arabic language and by Muslims as Allah. Arabic-speaking Christians use the same word for the Almighty.
2. Muslims dont believe in Jesus
In the Quran, stories about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ (called Isa in Arabic) are abundant. The Quran recalls his miraculous birth, his teachings, and the miracles he performed by Gods permission. There is even a chapter of the Quran named after his mother, Mary (Miriam in Arabic). However, Muslims believe that Jesus was a fully human prophet and not in any way divine himself.
3. Most Muslims are Arabs
While Islam is often associated with Arabs, they make up only 15% of the worlds Muslim population. The country with the largest population of Muslims is Indonesia. Muslims make up 1/5 of the worlds population, with large numbers found in Asia (69%), Africa (27%), Europe (3%) and other parts of the world.
4. Islam oppresses women
Most of the ill-treatment that women receive in the Muslim world is based on local culture and traditions, without any basis in the faith of Islam. In fact, practices such as forced marriage, spousal abuse, and restricted movement directly contradict Islamic law governing family behavior and personal freedom.
5. Muslims are violent, terrorist extremists
Terrorism cannot be justified under any valid interpretation of the Islamic faith. The entire Quran, taken as a complete text, gives a message of hope, faith, and peace to a faith community of one billion people. The overwhelming message is that peace is to be found through faith in God, and justice among fellow human beings. Muslim leaders and scholars do speak out against terrorism in all its forms, and offer explanations of misinterpreted or twisted teachings.
6. Islam is intolerant of other faiths
Throughout the Quran, Muslims are reminded that they are not the only ones who worship God. Jews and Christians are called People of the Book, meaning people who have received previous revelations from the One Almighty God that we all worship. The Quran also commands Muslims to protect from harm not only mosques, but also monasteries, synagogues, and churches because God is worshipped therein.
7. Islam promotes jihad to spread Islam by the sword and kill all unbelievers
The word Jihad stems from an Arabic word which means to strive. Other related words include effort, labor, and fatigue. Essentially Jihad is an effort to practice religion in the face of oppression and persecution. The effort may come in fighting the evil in your own heart, or in standing up to a dictator. Military effort is included as an option, but as a last resort and not to spread Islam by the sword.
8. The Quran was written by Muhammad and copied from Christian and Jewish sources
The Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over a period of two decades, calling people to worship One Almighty God and to live their lives according to this faith. The Quran contains stories of Biblical prophets, because these prophets also preached the message of God. Stories are not merely copied, but the oral traditions are referred to in a way that focuses on the examples and teachings that we can learn from them.
9. Islamic prayer is just a ritualized performance with no heartfelt meaning
Prayer is a time to stand before God and express faith, give thanks for blessings, and seek guidance and forgiveness. During Islamic prayer, one is modest, submissive and respectful to God. By bowing and prostrating ourselves to the ground, we express our utmost humility before the Almighty.
10. The crescent moon is a universal symbol of Islam
The early Muslim community did not really have a symbol. During the time of the Prophet Muhammad, Islamic caravans and armies flew simple solid-colored flags (generally black, green, or white) for identification purposes. The crescent moon and star symbol actually pre-dates Islam by several thousand years, and wasnt affiliated with Islam at all until the Ottoman Empire placed it on their flag.
Suggested Reading
Introduction to Islam
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Introductory Books on Islam
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SOURCE
www.jews-for-allah.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=7326#7326