MISCONCEPTION #1:
Muslims are violent, terrorists and/or
extremists.
This is the biggest misconception in Islam,
no doubt resulting from the constant
stereotyping and bashing the media gives
Islam. When a gunman attacks a mosque in
the name of Judaism, a Catholic IRA
guerrilla sets off a bomb in an urban area,
or Serbian Orthodox militiamen rape and
kill innocent Muslim civilians, these acts are
not used to stereotype an entire faith.
Never are these acts attributed to the
religion of the perpetrators. Yet how many
times have we heard the words 'Islamic,
Muslim fundamentalist. etc.' linked with
violence.
Politics in so called "Muslim countries" may
or may not have any Islamic basis. Often
dictators and politicians will use the name
of Islam for their own purposes. One
should remember to go to the source of
Islam and separate what the true religion
of Islam says from what is portrayed in the
media. Islam literally means 'submission to
God and is derived from a root word
meaning 'peace'.
Islam may seem exotic or even extreme in
the modern world. Perhaps this is because
religion doesn't dominate everyday life in
the West, whereas Islam is considered a
'way of life' for Muslims and they make no
division between secular and sacred in
their lives. Like Christianity, Islam permits
fighting in self-defence, in defence of
religion, or on the part of those who have
been expelled forcibly from their homes. It
lays down strict rules of combat which
include prohibitions against harming
civilians and against destroying crops,
trees and livestock.
NOWHERE DOES ISLAM ENJOIN THE KILLING OF
INNOCENTS.. The Quran says: "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 seek you peace. And trust
in God for He is the One that hears and
knows all things." (Quran 8:61) War,
therefore, is the last resort, and is subject
to the rigorous conditions laid down by the
sacred law. The term 'jihad' literally means
'struggle'. Muslims believe that there are
two kinds of jihad. The other 'jihad' is the
inner struggle of the soul which everyone
wages against egotistic desires for the
sake of attaining inner peace.

MISCONCEPTION #2:
Islam oppresses women.
The image of the typical Muslim woman
wearing the veil and forced to stay home
and forbidden to drive is all too common in
most people’s thoughts. Although some
Muslim countries may have laws that
oppress women, this should not be seen as
coming from Islam. Many of these countries
do not rule by any kind of Shari'ah (Islamic
law) and introduce their own cultural
standpoints on the issue of gender equity.
Islam on the other hand gives men and
women different roles and equity between
the two is laid down in the Quran and the
example of the Prophet (peace be upon
him). Islam sees a woman, whether single
or married, as an individual in her own
right, with the right to own and dispose of
her property and earnings. A marriage gift
is given by the groom to the bride for her
own personal use, and she keeps her own
family name rather than taking her
husband's. Both men and women are
expected to dress in a way that is modest
and dignified. The Messenger of God
(peace be upon him) said: "The most
perfect in faith amongst believers is he
who is best in manner and kindest to his
wife."
Violence of any kind towards women and
forcing them against their will for anything
is not allowed. A Muslim marriage is a
simple, legal agreement in which either
partner is free to include conditions.
Marriage customs thus vary widely from
country to country. Divorce is not common,
although it is acceptable as a last resort.
According to Islam, a Muslim girl cannot be
forced to marry against her will: her
parents simply suggest young men they
think may be suitable.

MISCONCEPTION #3:
Muslims worship a different God.
Allah is simply the Arabic word for God.
Allah for Muslims is the greatest and most
inclusive of the Names of God, it is an
Arabic word of rich meaning, denoting the
one and only God and ascribing no
partners to Him. It is exactly the same word
which the Jews, in Hebrew, use for God
(eloh), the word which Jesus Christ used in
Aramaic when he prayed to God. God has
an identical name in Judaism, Christianity,
and Islam; Allah is the same God worshiped
by Muslims, Christians and Jews. Muslims
believe that Allah's sovereignty is to be
acknowledged in worship and in the
pledge to obey His teaching and
commandments, conveyed through His
messengers and prophets who were sent
at various times and in many places
throughout history. However, it should be
noted that God in Islam is One and Only. He,
the Exalted, does not get tired, does not
have a son i.e. Jesus or have associates,
nor does He have human-like attributions
as found in other faiths.

MISCONCEPTION #4:
Islam was spread by the sword and
intolerant of other faiths.
Many social studies textbooks for students
show the image of an Arab horseman
carrying a sword in one hand and the
Quran in the other conquering and forcibly
converting. This, though, is not a correct
portrayal of history. Islam has always given
respect and freedom of religion to all
faiths. The Quran says: "God forbids you
not, with regards to those who fight you
not for [your] faith nor drive you out of
your homes, from dealing kindly and justly
with them; for God loves those who are
just. 60:
Freedom of religion is laid down in the
Quran itself: "There is no compulsion (or
coercion) in the religion (Islam). The right
direction is distinctly clear from error".
(2:256) Christian missionary, T.W. Arnold
had this opinion on his study of the
question of the spread of Islam: "... of any
organized attempt to force the acceptance
of Islam on the non-Muslim population, or
of any systematic persecution intended to
stamp out the Christian religion, we hear
nothing. Had the caliphs chosen to adopt
either course of action, they might have
swept away Christianity as easily as
Ferdinand and Isabella drove Islam out of
Spain, or Louis XIV made Protestantism ..."
It is a function of Islamic law to protect the
privileged status of minorities, and this is
why non-Muslim places of worship have
flourished all over the Islamic world. History
provides many examples of Muslim
tolerance towards other faiths: when the
caliph Omar entered Jerusalem in the year
634, Islam granted freedom of worship to
all religious communities in the city.
Proclaiming to the inhabitants that their
lives, and property were safe, and that
their places of worship would never be
taken from them, he asked the Christian
patriarch Sophronius to accompany him on
a visit to all the holy places. Islamic law also
permits non-Muslim minorities to set up
their own courts, which implement family
laws drawn up by the minorities
themselves. The life and property of all
citizens in an Islamic state are considered
sacred whether the person is Muslim or
not. Racism is not a part of Islam, the Quran
speaks only of human equality and how all
peoples are equal in the sight of God. "O
mankind! We created you from a single
soul, male and female, and made you
intonations and tribes, so that you may
come to know one another. Truly, the most
honoured of you in God's sight is the
greatest of you impiety. God is All-Knowing,
All- Aware. (49:13)

MISCONCEPTION #5:
All Muslims are Arabs
The Muslim population of the world is
around 1.2 billion. 1 out of 5people in the
world is a Muslim. They are a vast range of
races, nationalities, and cultures from
around the globe--from the Philippines to
Nigeria--they are united by their common
Islamic faith. Only about 18% live in the
Arab world and the largest Muslim
community is in Indonesia. Most Muslims
live east of Pakistan. 30%of Muslims live in
the Indian subcontinent, 20% in Sub-
Saharan Africa, 17% in Southeast Asia, 18%
in the Arab world, and 10% in the Soviet
Union and China. Turkey, Iran and
Afghanistan make up 10% of the non-Arab
Middle East. Although there are Muslim
minorities in almost every area, including
Latin America and Australia, they are most
numerous in Russia and its newly
independent states, India and central
Africa. There are about 6 million Muslims in
the United States

MISCONCEPTION #6:
The Nation of Islam is a Muslim group.
Islam and the so called "Nation of Islam'"
are two different religions. NOI is more of a
political organization since its members
are not limited to a single faith. Muslims
consider this group to be just one of many
cults using the name of Islam for their own
gain. The only thing common between
them is the jargon, the language used by
both. "The Nation of Islam" is a misnomer;
this religion should be called Farrakhanism,
after the name of its propagator, Louis
Farrakhan.
Islam and Farakhanism differ in many
fundamental ways. For example, Farakhan
followers believe in racism and that the
'black man' was the original man and
therefore superior, while in Islam there is
no racism and everyone is considered
equal in the sight of God, the only
difference being in one's piety. There are
many other theological examples that
show the 'Nation's teachings have little to
do with true Islam. There are many groups
in America who claim to represent Islam
and call their adherents Muslims.
Any serious student of Islam has a duty to
investigate and find the true Islam. The
only two authentic sources which bind
every Muslim are 1. The Quran and 2
authentic or sound Hadith. Any teachings
under the label of "Islam" which contradict
or at variance with the direct
understanding of fundamental beliefs and
practices of Islam form the Quran and
authentic Hadith should be rejected and
such a religion should be considered a
Pseudo-Islamic Cult. In America there are
many pseudo-Islamic cults, Farrakhanism
being one of them. An honest attitude on
the part of such cults should be not to call
themselves Muslims and their religion
Islam. Such an example of honesty is
Bahaism which is an off-shoot of Islam but
Baha’is do not call themselves Muslims nor
their religion, Islam. In fact Baha’ism is not
Islam just as Farrakhanism is not Islam.

MISCONCEPTION #7:
All Muslim men marry four wives.
The religion of Islam was revealed for all
societies and all times and so
accommodates widely differing social
requirements. Circumstances may warrant
the taking of another wife but the right is
granted, according to the Quran, only on
condition that the husband is scrupulously
fair. No woman can be forced into this kind
of marriage if they do not wish it, and they
also have the right to exclude it in their
marriage contract.
Polygamy is neither mandatory, nor
encouraged, but merely permitted. Images
of "sheikhs with harems" are not
consistent with Islam, as a man is only
allowed at most four wives only if he can
fulfil the stringent conditions of treating
each fairly and providing each with
separate housing etc. Permission to
practice polygamy is not associated with
mere satisfaction of passion. It is rather
associated with compassion toward
widows and orphans. It was the Quran that
limited and put conditions on the practice
of polygamy among the Arabs, who had as
many as ten or more wives and considered
them "property".
It is both honest and accurate to say that it
is Islam that regulated this practice, limited
it, made it more humane and instituted
equal rights and status for all wives. What
the Qur'anic decrees amount to, taken
together is discouragement of polygamy
unless necessity for it exists. It is also
evident that the general rule in Islam is
monogamy and not polygamy. It is a very
tiny percentage of Muslims that practice it
over the world. However, permission to
practice limited polygamy is only consistent
with Islam's realistic view of the nature of
man and woman and of various social
needs, problems and cultural variations.
The question is, however far more than the
inherent flexibility of Islam; it also is the
frank and straightforward approach of
Islam in dealing with practical problems.
Rather than requiring hypocritical and
superficial compliance, Islam delves deeper
into the problems of individuals and
societies, and provides for legitimate and
clean solutions which are far more
beneficial than would be the case if they
were ignored. There is no doubt that the
second wife legally married and treated
kindly is better off than a mistress without
any legal rights or impermanence.

MISCONCEPTION #8:
Muslims are a barbaric, backward people.
Among the reasons for the rapid and
peaceful spread of Islam was the simplicity
of its doctrine-Islam calls for faith in only
one God worthy of worship. It also
repeatedly instructs man to use his powers
of intelligence and observation. Within a
few years, great civilizations and
universities were flourishing, for according
to the Prophet (pbuh), 'seeking knowledge
is an obligation for every Muslim man and
woman'.
The synthesis of Eastern and Western ideas
and of new thought withhold, brought
about great advances in medicine,
mathematics, physics, astronomy,
geography, architecture, art, literature, and
history. Many crucial systems such as
algebra, the Arabic numerals, and also the
concept of the zero (vital to the
advancement of mathematics), were
transmitted to medieval Europe from Islam.
Sophisticated instruments which were to
make possible the European voyages of
discovery were developed, including the
astrolabe, the quadrant and good
navigational maps.

MISCONCEPTION #9:
Muhammad was the founder of Islam and
Muslims worship him.
Muhammad (pbuh) was born in Mecca in
the year 570. Since his father died before
his birth, and his mother shortly
afterwards, he was raised by his uncle
from the respected tribe of Quraysh. As he
grew up, he became known for his
truthfulness, generosity and sincerity, so
that he was sought after for his ability to
arbitrate in disputes. The historians
describe him as calm and meditative.
Muhammad (pbuh) was of a deeply
religious nature, and had long detested the
decadence of his society.
It became his habit to meditate from time
to time in the Cave of Hiranear Mecca. At
the age of 40, while engaged in a
meditative retreat, Muhammad (pbuh)
received his first revelation from God
through the Angel Gabriel. This revelation,
which continued for 23 years, is known as
the Quran. As soon as he began to recite
the words he heard from Gabriel, and to
preach the truth which God had revealed
to him, he and his small group of followers
suffered bitter persecution, which grew so
fierce that in the year 622 God gave them
the command to emigrate.
This event, the Hijra 'migration', in which
they left Mecca for the city of Medina,
marks the beginning of the Muslim
calendar. After several years, the Prophet
and his followers were able to return to
Mekkah, where they forgave their enemies
and established Islam definitively. Before
the Prophet saw dies at the age of 63, the
greater part of Arabia was Muslim, and
within a century of his death Islam had
spread to Spain in the West and as far East
as China. He died with less than 5
possessions to his name.
While Muhammad (pbuh) was chosen to
deliver the message, he is not considered
the "founder" of Islam, since Muslims
consider Islam to be the same divine
guidance sent to all peoples before.
Muslims believe all the prophets from
Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus etc. were all sent
with divine guidance for their peoples.
Every prophet was sent to his own people,
but Muhammad (pbuh) was sent to all of
mankind. Muhammad is the last and final
messenger sent to deliver the message of
Islam. Muslims revere and honour him
(pbuh) for all he went through and his
dedication, but they do not worship him. "O
Prophet, verily we have sent you as a
witness and a bearer of glad tidings and a
warner and as one who invites unto God
by His leave and as an illuminating lamp.
"(33:45-6)

MISCONCEPTION #10:
Muslims don't believe in Jesus or any other
prophets.
Muslims respect and revere Jesus, upon
him be peace, and await his Second
Coming. They consider him one of the
greatest of God’s messengers to mankind.
A Muslim never refers to him simply as
‘Jesus', but always adds the phrase 'upon
him be peace' (abbreviated as (u) here).
The Quran confirms his virgin birth (a
chapter of the Quran is entitled 'Mary'), and
Mary is considered the purest woman in all
creation. The Quran describes the
Annunciation as follows:
"Behold!" the Angel said, "God has chosen
you, and purified you, and chosen you
above the women of all nations. O Mary,
God gives you good news of a word from
Him whose name shall be the Messiah,
Jesus son of Mary, honoured in this world
and the Hereafter, and one of those
brought near to God. He shall speak to the
people from his cradle and in maturity, and
shall be of the righteous." She said: "O my
Lord! How shall I have a son when no man
has touched me?" He said: "Even so; God
creates what He will. When He decrees a
thing, He says to it, “Be!" and it is" (Quran
3:42-47)
Jesus (u) was born miraculously through
the same power, which had brought Adam
(u) into being without a father: "Truly, the
likeness of Jesus with God is as the likeness
of Adam. He created him of dust, and then
said to him, 'Be!' and he was." (3:59)
during his prophetic mission Jesus (u)
performed many miracles. The Quran tells
us that he said: " I have come to you with a
sign from your Lord: I make for youth of
clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and
breath into it and it becomes a bird by
God's leave. And I heal the blind, and the
lepers, and I raise the dead by God's
leave." (3:49) Neither Muhammad(pbuh)
not Jesus (u) came to change the basic
doctrine of the brief in One God brought by
earlier prophets, but to confirm and renew
it.
In the Quran Jesus (u) is reported as saying
that he came: "To attest the law which was
before me. And to make lawful to you part
of what was forbidden you; I have come to
you with a sign from your Lord, so fear God
and obey Me. (3:50) The Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) said: "Whoever
believes there is no god but God, alone
without partner, that Muhammad (pbuh) is
His messenger, that Jesus is the servant
and messenger of God, His word breathed
into Mary and a spirit emanating from Him,
and that Paradise and Hell are true, shall be
received by God into Heaven. "(Hadith
related by Bukhari).