Misconceptions about Islam - Sept 24, 2016
Written by Munawar Haque
Transcript of the Khatira delivered by Dr. Munawar Haque on Sept 24, 2016
الحمد لله رب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على سيد المرسلين وعلى آله وأصحابه أجمعين.
Brothers and sisters! You are aware that inshaAllah, we’ll be having our Open House event today from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. We expect many visitors from other faith traditions to visit us. There may be some among them who might like to discuss some of the misconceptions they have about Islam. In view of this, I intend to share with you some of the common misconceptions about Islam and the correct Islamic position about those issues.
Islam is one of the world’s major religions yet one that is most misunderstood. For various reasons, be they political, economic, biased media portrayal or fear of the “other,” there are many mistruths and misconceptions spread about Islam. The key to understanding Islam is to resist stereotypes and examine matters according to the authentic teachings of Islam, and neither according to myths and misinformation nor according to the undesirable actions of few individuals who misrepresent Islam. Among the many misconceptions about Islam, a few of them are:
1. Islam degrades and oppresses women
One of the most disturbing misconceptions about Islam is that it degrades and oppresses women. Islam views men and women as equals before God, in terms of accountability and in terms of receiving equal reward for their actions. The only thing that distinguishes people in the sight of God is their level of piety. “The noblest of you in the sight of God is the one who is most righteous. God is All-knowing and All-Aware” (Quran, 49:13). This proves that real honor and status is not attained because a person is rich or poor, black or white, male or female, rather it is attained through piety and devoutness. God has created both the genders, and in His Wisdom, has assigned different roles and responsibilities for each, taking into account their differences.
Women are given utmost respect and honor in Islam. The main reason for the overwhelming female conversion to Islam is assigned to women’s rights enshrined in Islam. Some of these are: total control of their wealth, ability to choose their spouse, keeping their own surname after getting married, owning property, operating a business, studying and receiving equal pay for equal work, having the right to divorce, receiving an equitable share in inheritance, and right to participate in all forms of worship that men participate in. Random cases of oppression of Muslim women, if any, are because of people following certain wrong cultural practices and traditions. They have nothing to do with Islam or its teachings.
2. Hijab (a woman’s head-covering) is oppressive
There is a general assumption in western countries that the hijab or head-covering of a woman is meant to oppress her and to show her inferiority to men. This could not be further from truth. In Islam, a woman who wears the hijab commands respect, and through her modesty rejects sexual servitude. The message that the woman gives when she wears modest Islamic dress in society is: “Respect me for who I am. I am not a sex object.”
Islam teaches that the consequences of immodesty fall not only on the individual but also upon the society that permits women and men to mingle freely, display themselves, and allure one another through sexual attraction. These consequences are significant and cannot be ignored. To make women into sex objects for the pleasure of men is not liberation; in fact, it is a dehumanizing form of oppression rejected by Islam. The liberation of the Muslim woman is that she is recognized by her character rather than by display of her physical attributes. The hijab does not symbolize suppression, oppression or silence. Rather, it is a shield against degrading remarks, unwanted advances, and unfair discrimination. By observing hijab, a Muslim woman covers her physical appearance, and not her mind or intellect.
3. Islam was spread by the sword
One of the best replies to the misconception that Islam was spread by the sword is given by the noted historian De Lacy O’Leary in the book "Islam at the Cross Road." He says, "History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myth that historians have ever repeated."
Muslims ruled Spain for about 800 years. The Muslims in Spain never used the sword to force the people to convert. Muslims ruled Arabia for 1400 years. Yet today, there are millions of Arabs who are Christians since generations. If the Muslims had used the sword there would not have been a single Arab who would have remained a Christian. Muslims ruled India for about a thousand years. If they wanted, they had the power of converting each and every non-Muslim of India to Islam. Today more than 80% of the population of India comprises of non-Muslims, who bear witness that Islam was not spread by the sword. Indonesia is a country that has the maximum number of Muslims in the world. The majority of people in Malaysia are Muslims. May one ask, "Which Muslim army went to Indonesia and Malaysia?" Similarly, Islam has spread rapidly on the East Coast of Africa. One may again ask, if Islam was spread by the sword, "Which Muslim army went to the East Coast of Africa?" Today the fastest growing religion in the USA and Europe is Islam. Which sword is forcing people in the West to accept Islam in such large numbers?
Muslims are allowed to convey the message of Islam to non-Muslims but they are not allowed to convert anyone to Islam, because of the freedom of choice every individual has in choosing his or faith, and because of the clear injunctions of the Qur’an, which says, "Let there be no compulsion in religion, truth stands out clear from error." (Quran, 2:256)
4. Islam promotes violence and terrorism
The Quran clearly demonstrates the seriousness of killing an innocent person, and emphasizes the value of human life. “If anyone kills a person, unless (it is in punishment) for murder or for spreading corruption on earth, it will be as though he killed all people, And, if anyone saves a life, it will be as though he had saved the lives of all people.” (Quran, 5:32)
In war, targeting of innocent non-combatants or destroying crops, trees and livestock are despicable acts which Islam clearly prohibits. "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 you seek peace too. And trust in God for He is the One that hears and knows all things" (Qur’an 8:61). War is considered the last resort, and is subject to the rigorous conditions laid down by the sacred law.
Islam condemns unjustifiable violence. Sometimes violence is a human response of oppressed people as in the case of Palestine, for example. Although this is wrong, they think of this as a way to get attention. Moreover, there is a lot of terrorism and violence in areas where there is no Muslim presence worth the name—Ireland, South Africa, Latin America, and Sri Lanka; to name only a few. Sometimes the violence is due to a struggle between those who have with those who do not have, or between those who are oppressed with those who are oppressors. Sometime Muslims are prematurely blamed even if the terrorism is committed by non-Muslims. We need to find out why people become terrorists, whether or not they follow a particular religion.
5. Muslims worship a different God called Allah
Allah is simply the Arabic word denoting the one and only God. Arabic speaking Christians and Jews also refer to God as Allah. An Arabic translation of the Christian Bible shows ‘God’ to be translated as ‘Allah.’ However, although Muslims, Jews and Christians believe in the same God, 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. Allah is not God of Muslims only. He is God of the entire creation. The creation has no share in His Divinity or Sovereignty.
A related baseless claim is that Muslims worship the 'Moon God.' Worshiping the moon, or anything other than Allah, is strictly prohibited in Islam. “Do not prostrate to the sun or to the moon, but prostrate to Allah Who created them, if you really worship Him” (Quran, 41:37). Islam acknowledges the complete perfection, greatness and uniqueness of Allah or God with absolutely no compromises. Worshiping Him alone is the most important belief in Islam.
6. Position of polygamy in Islam
Polygamy means a system of marriage wherein one person has more than one spouse. Polygamy can be of two types; one is polygyny wherein a man marries more than one woman, and the other is polyandry, wherein a woman marries more than one man. Islam permits limited polygyny (up to four) while prohibiting polyandry completely. Polygyny is neither mandatory, nor encouraged, but merely permitted. Nevertheless, it made fair and equitable dealing with wives an obligation. The Qur’an warns about the difficulty of dealing justly between multiple wives. “…But if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then (marry) only one…” (Al-Qur’an, 4:3).
Did the institution of polygyny originate in Islam or is it exclusive to Islam? A brief look at major world religions and cultures clearly indicates that this is not the case. Polygyny is permitted in Judaism. The practice of polygyny continued until Rabbi Gershom ben Juda (960-1040 C.E.) issued an edict against it.
The Bible allows polygamy in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. The New International Version of the Bible states in Exodus 21:10, “If he marries another woman, he must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights.” There are many mentions of polygamous relationships—including among the patriarchs of Israel. Abraham, Jacob, David, and Solomon all had multiple wives. Certain sects of Christians have even advocated polygyny with much fervor. In 1531 the Anabaptists openly preached at Munster in Germany that he who wants to be a true Christian must have several wives. And for the Mormons, polygyny is a divine institution. Many Hindu religious personalities, according to their scriptures, had multiple wives. King Dashrat, the father of Rama, had more than one wife. Krishna had several wives.
What is the situation in countries that have banned polygamy? Do they really enjoy sincere and faithful “monogamy” as the norm? Are infidelity and secret extramarital sexual relationships more moral than the legitimate, legally protected husband-wife relationships? Which of the two situations is better? There are societies where women outnumber men. Besides these, wars take a heavier toll on men as compared to women. For unmarried women who cannot find husbands and widows who aspire to a respectable family life, polygamy is often an acceptable alternative.
أَقُولُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ لِي وَلَكُمْ وَلِسَائِرِ المُسْلِمينَ وَالمُسْلِمَاتْ فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهْ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ