8/9/2019 10 Myths of Islam

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Islam is a widely-misundertood religion. Those who are unfamiliar with the faith often havemisunderstandings about its teachings and practices. Common misconceptions include that Muslimsworship 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

ome non-Muslims mista!enly believe that "llah is an #"rab god,# a #moon god,# or some sort of idol. "llahis the proper name of the $ne True %od, in the "rabic language. The most fundamental belief that a Muslimhas is that #There is only $ne %od,# the Creator, the ustainer -- !nown in the "rabic language and byMuslims as "llah. "rabic-spea!ing Christians use the same word for the "lmighty.

2) Muslims don't believe in Jesus

In the &ur'an, stories about the life and teachings of (esus Christ )called 'Isa in "rabic* are abundant. The&ur'an recalls his miraculous birth, his teachings, and the miracles he performed by %od's permission. Thereis even a chapter of the &ur'an named after his mother, Mary )Miriam in "rabic*. However, Muslims believethat (esus was a fully human prophet and not in any way divine himself.

3) Most Muslims are Arabs

+hile Islam is often associated with "rabs, they ma!e up only of the world's Muslim population. Thecountry with the largest population of Muslims is Indonesia. Muslims ma!e up / of the world's population,with large numbers found in "sia )01*, "frica )23*, 4urope )5* 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, andrestricted movement directly contradict Islamic law governing family behavior and personal freedom.

5) Muslims are violent terrorist e!tremists

Terrorism cannot be 6ustified under any valid interpretation of the Islamic faith. The entire &ur'an, ta!en as acomplete text, gives a message of hope, faith, and peace to a faith community of one billion people. Theoverwhelming message is that peace is to be found through faith in %od, and 6ustice among fellow humanbeings. Muslim leaders and scholars do spea! out against terrorism in all its forms, and offer explanations of misinterpreted or twisted teachings.

") Islam is intolerant o# other #aiths

Throughout the &ur'an, Muslims are reminded that they are not the only ones who worship %od. (ews andChristians are called #7eople of the 8oo!,# meaning people who have received previous revelations from the$ne "lmighty %od that we all worship. The &ur'an also commands Muslims to protect from harm not onlymos9ues, but also monasteries, synagogues, and churches -- because #%od is worshipped therein.#

$) Islam promotes %&ihad% to spread Islam b the sword and (ill all unbelievers

The word (ihad stems from an "rabic word which means #to strive.# $ther related words include #effort,##labor,# and #fatigue.# 4ssentially (ihad is an effort to practice religion in the face of oppression andpersecution. The effort may come in fighting the evil in your own heart, or in standing up to a dictator. Militaryeffort is included as an option, but as a last resort and not #to spread Islam by the sword.#

) *he +uran was written b Muhammad and ,opied #rom hristian and Jewish sour,es

8/9/2019 10 Myths of Islam

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The &ur'an was revealed to the 7rophet Muhammad over a period of two decades, calling people to worship$ne "lmighty %od and to live their lives according to this faith. The &ur'an contains stories of 8iblicalprophets, because these prophets also preached the message of %od. tories are not merely copied, butthe oral traditions are referred to in a way that focuses on the examples and teachings that we can learnfrom them.

.) Islami, praer is &ust a rituali/ed per#orman,e with no heart#elt meaning

7rayer is a time to stand before %od and express faith, give than!s for blessings, and see! guidance andforgiveness. :uring Islamic prayer, one is modest, submissive and respectful to %od. 8y bowing andprostrating ourselves to the ground, we express our utmost humility before the "lmighty.

10) *he ,res,ent moon is a universal smbol o# Islam

The early Muslim community did not really have a symbol. :uring the time of the 7rophet Muhammad,Islamic caravans and armies flew simple solid-colored flags )generally blac!, green, or white* foridentification purposes. The crescent moon and star symbol actually pre-dates Islam by several thousandyears, and wasn't affiliated with Islam at all until the $ttoman 4mpire placed it on their flag.