islamic info

Misconception:  Allah is the God for Muslims Background: Some think that the word "Allah" refers to a special God for use by Muslims only. Arabic like Aramaic and Hebrew, is a Semitic language. The word that described God in Aramaic was pronounced "AaLaH" or "AaLoH", in Hebrew it was "Eloah" or "Elohim", and in Arabic (the largest living member of the Semitic language family) is "Allah", which is considered a conjunction of "Al-ilah", which is Arabic for "The-God" in English. The English word "God" describes the same entity, and The Quran clearly invites all people to unite under one God: Say: “O people of the Scripture, let us come to a common understanding between us and between you; that we do not serve except God/Allah, and do not set up anything at all with Him, and that none of us takes each other as patrons beside God/Allah.” If they turn away, then say: “Bear witness that we ha...

Misconception :  Islam promotes honour killings of women/men Background: An honour killing is when a family member is murdered by one or more fellow family members, when they believe the victim to have brought dishonour upon the family. The victims are usually female but can also be male. The Quran has a very high regard for a person's life and only accepts the taking of a life in very limited circumstances: It is because of this that We have decreed for the Children of Israel: “Anyone who kills a person who has not committed murder, or who has not committed corruption in the land; then it is as if he has killed all of mankind! And whoever spares a life, then it is as if he has given life to all the people.”...  [5:32] ...and do not kill the soul which God has forbidden, except in justice...  [6:151] And whoever kills a believer intentionally, then his reward shall be Hell, eternally abiding therein, and God will be angry with him, and curse him, and for him...

Misconception:  Islam and The Quran promotes a 'clash of civilisations' (please also see misconception: 'must be "Muslim" or you will go to Hell') Background: Some think that Islam and the West are on an inevitable collision course due to their irreconcilable differences. The Quran is a book that transcends group mentality, and emphasises unity and righteousness: Say: “O people of the Scripture, let us come to a common understanding between us and between you; that we do not serve except God, and do not set up anything at all with Him, and that none of us takes each other as patrons beside God.” If they turn away, then say: “Bear witness that we have submitted.”  [3:64] And do not argue with the people of the Scripture except in the best manner; except for those who are wicked amongst them, and say: “We believe in what was revealed to us and in what was revealed to you, and our god and your god is the same; to Him we submit.”  [29:46] O man...

Misconception:  Alcohol is forbidden in all forms Background: Some think that in Islam and The Quran the substance alcohol is forbidden completely in all forms, no matter the application or form. Intoxicants are to be avoided according to The Quran: O you who believe, intoxicants, and gambling, and sacraments, and games of chance are foul tools used by the devil. You shall avoid him so that you may be successful.  [5:90] For example, the substance alcohol does have useful properties (e.g. it is used in medicine, food production) and can be used for these purposes: They ask you about intoxicants and gambling. Say: In both of them there is a great harm and some profit/benefits for men, but their harm is greater than their profit/benefits...  [2:219] From the fruits of the palm trees and the grapes you make wine as well as a good provision. In that is a sign for a people who reason.  [16:67] Thus, the substance alcohol is not banned, but it is intoxica...

Misconception:  Religion and science/reason/knowledge are not compatible Background: It is commonly thought that religion in general, including Islam, is simply not compatible with science/reason/knowledge. The Quran repeatedly emphasises the importance of seeking knowledge, verifying information, use of logic/reason, evidence, consultation, reflection/thinking, study of biology/creation/archaeology/history/sciences. Some of the many examples are shown below. The Quran clearly states signs of the truth it promotes exist in the whole universe, thus surely all of it is worthy of study: We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves, until it becomes clear to them that this is the truth. Is it not sufficient as regards your Lord that He is a witness over all things?  [41:53] Say: Travel in the earth and see how He originated the creation, then God creates the latter creation; surely God has power over all things.  [29:20] Many ways of life ...

Misconception:  A man and woman cannot be alone together (please also see misconception: 'women confined to houses') Background: Some think that in islam unmarried men and women are completely restricted and cannot be alone together under any circumstances. The Quran gives an example in which an engaged couple may meet in secret if they have something righteous to discuss: And there is no sin upon you if you openly propose marriage to these women, or you keep it between yourselves. God knows that you will be thinking of them, but do not promise them secretly, except that you say a saying honourable/befitting...  [2:235] The Quran also cites an example in which if an unrelated male believer is alone inside the prophet's house and needed to ask his wives for something, they should do so from behind a barrier: ...I f you ask his wives for something, ask them from behind a barrier * ...  [33:53] *Note, the male is requested to ask from behind a "barrie...

Misconception:  Women confined to houses Background: Some think that in Islam a woman's place is in the home and they are not allowed outside or without the permission of their husbands or male family members. Some also think that women should not be allowed out by themselves unless chaperoned. The Quran has several examples in which women are able to go freely and be amongst the community. The most clear example are in the references to Mary, some of which are shown below: And relate in the Scripture Mary, when she withdrew herself from her family to a place which was to the east.  [19:16] So she was pregnant with him, and she retired to a far place.  [19:22] "So eat and drink and be happy. If you see any person, then Say: "I have made a vow of abstention for the Almighty, and I will not talk today to any person." Then she came to her people carrying him. They said: "O Mary, you have come with something totally unexpected!" [19:26-27] ...

Misconception:  No freedom of religion (please also see misconceptions: 'death for apostasy' and 'must be "Muslim" or you will go to Hell') Background: Some think that in Islam there is no freedom of religion allowed. For example, residents of a Muslim country or under Islamic law are not allowed to practice their own faith. The Quran states, in no uncertain terms, that there is no compulsion in religion: Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in God has grasped the most sure hand-hold, that never breaks. And God is Hearing, Knowing. [2:256] Each to their own way: “Nor will I serve what you serve, Nor will you serve what I serve, To you is your system, and to me is my system.” [109:4-6] This is a reminder, so let he who wishes take a path to his Lord.  [73:19] The Quran states that God could have made all those on earth believe, thus asks who is man to en...

Misconception:  Must be "Muslim" or you will go to Hell Background: Some think that a person must be a Muslim to enter paradise/heaven, and if not, they will go to Hell once they die. The Quran repeatedly states the criteria for success as monotheism, recognition of accountability and being righteous: Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Nazarenes * , and the Sabians, whoever believes in God and the Last day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear upon them, nor shall they grieve.  [2:62] Those who believe, and those who are Jewish, and the Sabiens, and the Nazarenes * ; whoever of them believes in God and the Last Day and does good works, then they will have nothing to fear nor will they grieve.  [5:69] *commonly translated as "Christians" but more likely refers to the followers of Jesus of Nazareth, hence Nazarenes. The Quran also states that there are some of "the people of the ...

Misconception:  Stoning to death allowed (e.g. for adultery) Background: Some think that 'stoning to death' is a punishment laid out in The Quran or promoted by Islam for acts such as adultery. The Quran never sanctions stoning to death as a punishment for anyone. In fact, the only times it is mentioned in The Quran is as a threat to believers from non-believers: 11:91, 18:20, 19:46, 36:18, 44:20, 26:116 Also, the misconception of 'stoning to death' as punishment for adultery is disproved by The Quran as the punishment for proven adultery are lashes [24:2]. Furthermore, this punishment is halved for formerly slave woman due to their past circumstance [4:25]. Since half 'stoning to death' is not possible, this indicates 'stoning to death' for adultery is not permitted. Interestingly, in many popular translations of The Quran, for verse 24:3 they state an adulterer can only marry another adulterer, but if stoning to death for adultery was a...

Misconception:  Death for apostasy Background: Some think that once you are a "muslim" if you decide to change your beliefs you are considered an apostate, an act punishable by death! The Quran clearly states there are those who believe then disbelieve, then believe again, then disbelieve again. This proves death for apostasy simply did not exist, because if it did, it would be impossible to believe again after unbelief, as they would have been put to death after the first unbelief: Surely (as for) those who believe then disbelieve, again believe and again disbelieve, then increase in disbelief, God will not forgive them nor guide them in the (right) path. [4:137] This is further proven by the following verse: How can God guide a people who have rejected after believing, and they witnessed that the messenger is true, and the clarity had come to them? God does not guide the wicked people.  [3:86] The Quran states, in no uncertain terms, that ...

MARRIAGE IN ISLAM. ____________________ Islam, unlike other religions is a strong advocate of marriage. There is no place for celibacy like, for example the Roman Catholic priests and nuns. The prophet (pbuh) has said "there is no celibacy in Islam. Marriage is a religious duty and is consequently a moral safeguard as well as a social necessity. Islam does not equal celibacy with high "taqwa" / "Iman". The prophet has also said, "Marriage is my tradition who so ever keeps away there from is not from amongst me". Marriage acts as an outlet for sexual needs and regulate it so one does not become a slave to his/ her desires. It is a social necessity because through marriage, families are established and the family is the fundamental unit of our society. Furthermore, marriage is the only legitimate or halal way to indulge in intimacy between a man and a woman. Islam takes a middle of the road position to sexual relations , it neither condemns ...

Misconception:  Muhammad was the founder of Islam Background: Some people think that a man named "Muhammad" from Arabia was the first to introduce Islam or it came into existence with him and The Quran. The word "Islam" can be translated as "surrender/submission" (to God). A "Muslim" can be translated as "one who surrenders/submits" (to God). According to The Quran, everything in the universe, willingly or unwillingly has ultimately surrendered to God, thus the basic concept of Islam/surrender/submission is as old as the universe itself: Do they seek other than the system of God, when all things in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly have surrendered to Him, and to Him they will be returned.  [3:83] The Quran clearly states that Muhammad was a messenger and inspired just as the prophets before him: We have inspired you as We have inspired Noah and the prophets after him. And We inspired Abraham, a...