Islam, Muslims and the Quran have become a major concern to Nigerians, especially after the emergence of Boko Haram.

The misconceptions are so bad that not everybody from the Northern part of Nigeria is a Muslim and not every Muslim is from the northern part of the country.

In reality, there is a good population of Christians in the north, even in Borno and Adamawa, there are numerous communities that are predominantly Christians.

Muslims indigenes in Edo, Kwara, Kogi and some South-Eastern states is not a rare sight.

1. TERRORISTS ARE PROMISED 72 VIRGIN WOMEN WHEN THEY DIE

The “72 virgins” idea is probably the most overblown idea that people seem to remember

about Islam. It’s turning into a real stereotype.

There is no promise of 72 virgins for martyrs, terrorists or suicide bombers anywhere in the Quran.

In fact committing Suicide is a Major Sin

Amongst the many verses against suicide here is one that makes it very clear that the taking of one’s life is strongly prohibited and that there is no reward for anyone who does that.

But let there be amongst you Traffic and trade by mutual good-will: Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily God hath been to you Most Merciful! If any do that in rancour and injustice,- soon shall We cast them into the Fire: And easy it is for God. Qur’an 4:29 – 4:30

2. MUSLIMS HATE JESUS

Many people are amazed to find out that according to Muslim belief, Jesus is one of the greatest messengers of God.

One cannot be a Muslim without believing in the virgin birth and the many miracles of Jesus Christ. Jesus is also mentioned in many verses of the Quran and is often used as an example of good virtue and character.

However, the main difference between Christianity and Islam is that Muslims do not believe that Jesus was God.

3. CHILDREN HAVE NO RIGHTS IN ISLAM

When the idea of children in Islam comes to your mind the first image that pops ups is a child begging on the street or how awful they are treated in Islamic schools.

Children, according to Islamic law, have various rights. One of these is the right to be properly brought up, raised, and educated. Islam encourages children to be brought up well because it is the responsibility of an adult to raise his child to become a moral and ethical adult.

Children must also be treated equally. When giving financial gifts they should all be the same amount and there should be no preference among them.

Children are even permitted to take moderately from their parent’s wealth to sustain themselves if the parent declines to give them proper funds for living.

A child is also not allowed to get hit in the face or hit by anything larger than a pencil

4. ISLAM IS INTOLERABLE TO OTHER RELIGIONS

‘Kill the infidel’ is the phrase many people believe is the ideology that Muslims have towards the non Muslims. This, though, is not a correct portrayal of Islamic law.

Islam has always given respect and freedom of religion to all faiths. In the Quran it says “God does not forbid you, with regards to those who fight you not for religion nor drive you away out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them, for god loves those who are just.”

There are many historical examples of Muslim tolerance towards other faith. One such example was when the caliph Umar was ruler of Jerusalem from 634 to 644 AD. He granted freedom to all religious communities and said that the inhabitants of his city were safe and that their places of worship would never be taken away from them.

He also set up courts that were designated to the non Muslim minorities. Whenever he would visit holy areas he would ask for the Christian patriarch Sophronius to accompany him.

5. JIHAD MEANS TO FIGHT FOR THE SAKE OF GOD

The true Arabic meaning of the word jihad is struggle. However in Islam it is often used to describe the striving in the way of god.

There are many forms of jihad but the most important ones are Jihad al-nafs (jihad against ones self), jihad bil-lisan (jihad by being vocal), jihad bil yad (jihad by using action), and Jihad bis saif (jihad by using the sword).

Each jihad is ranked differently and it was reported that Muhammad returned from a battle and said “We have returned from the lesser jihad (going into battle) to the greater jihad (the struggle of the soul).”

This means that a Muslim struggling against himself and his soul is more important than the jihad of going into war.

Another misconception is that only when a person dies in war does that person becomes a martyr. This is, however, false and it is believed that anyone doing anything for the sake of god and is killed becomes a martyr.

A person who dies while performing pilgrimage in Mecca, a woman who dies while giving birth, or even someone who dies in a car crash while he was on his way to the mosque are all considered martyrs.

6. MUSLIMS ARE SAVAGES AND BARBARIC DURING WAR

Quite the contrary, when it comes to the conduct of war there are ten rules that every Muslim army must obey:

1. Do not commit treachery
2. Do not deviate from the right path
3. Do not mutilate dead bodies
4. Do not kill children
5. Do not kill women
6. Do not kill aged men
7. Do not harm or burn trees
8. Do not destroy buildings
9. Do not destroy an enemy’s flock, unless you use it for your food
10. When you pass people who have devoted their lives to monastic services leave them alone

7. ISLAM AND TERRORISM

This is by far the biggest misconception of Islam, given unfairly by stereotyping and the public image that the media gives.

Has anyone else noticed how when a specific group of people attack another group of people it is labeled as a ‘hate crime’, but when a Muslim opens fire on anybody it is quickly regarded as ‘terrorism’.

Many political dictators and officials or extremist groups use the name of Islam as a strategy to garner followers and attention when many of their practices go against the true basis of Islam.

However all over the world people practice Islam in the true form and use it as a way of life. There are many verses in the Quran that go against the idea of terrorism.

Some of these verses include “fight in the way of Allah those that fight you but do not transgress limits for god does not love transgressors.” This basically means do not fight except in self defense and even in doing so do not go beyond defense.

Another verse states “if they seek peace, then you seek peace,” which means do not attack people for no reason or kill innocent people.

There is nowhere in Islam, whether it be in the Quran or the teachings of Muhammad, that promotes the killing of innocent people.

8. ISLAM ALLOWS STONING TO DEATH

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 time 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. According to the Quran, the punishment for proven adultery is 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 punishment, this translation would be unnecessary and illogical.

Stoning to death as a punishment for adultery is from traditional narrations (called “hadith”) attributed to the prophet Muhammad, as recorded by later generations.

9. ALLAH IS THE GOD FOR MUSLIMS

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 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.

Remember that the language spoken by Jesus when he was alive was Aramaic, thereby leaving a possibility that he pronounced God as “AaLah” or “AaLoH”.

Besides Hausa’s and Arabs (Yes, some Arabs are Christians) refer to God as Allah. It does not make them any less of a Christian from you.

10.MUHAMMAD WAS THE FOUNDER OF ISLAM

Some 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: [3:83]

The Quran clearly states that Muhammad was a messenger and inspired just as the prophets before him:. [4:163] [3:84] [3:144] [3:79]

Also, The Quran specifically mentions the term “muslim” for those before prophet Muhammad, including: Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Jacob, and the companions of Jesus. [see 2:128, 2:131, 3:67, 3:52, 5:111, 10:72].

Thus, the prophet Muhammad was not the founder of islam/submission, but simply continued this universal message as one of many messengers of God.

What are your thought? Let us know in the comment section below

Source:

http://giftedgreen.com/2014/blog/2014/11/25/10-common-misconceptions-nigerians-have-about-islam-and-muslims/

For more information list visit the link below and be enlightened

http://misconceptions-about-islam.com/

nice post. pls it should be on front page 2 enlighten d non muslims.

Thanks for these reasonable topic and knowledgeable explanations.

your write up is some how true. i live with muslim and a boy of 7 years was playing with my children the boy said one day they will kill all christain. This is what their parent have said. To me inferiorty in disturb muslim.

OP, action speaks louder than voice.

what is behind the jumper is more significant than the jumper it self. all humans are good people only that some are more understanding than others

...

maryam6:
nice post. pls it should be on front page 2 enlighten d non muslims.

Lol, it's not the non Muslims who need to be enlightened , it's the Muslims themselves. If what the op is saying is true then most of you are misguided and don't know truly what islam stands for, you all have soiled the quran with so much hate and violence. So put it on front page to enlighten potential boko haram, alqaeda, isis, etc members, not the innocent people who are being cut down everyday by people who say they are working for Allah

thegoodone2:
your write up is some how true. i live with muslim and a boy of 7 years was playing with my children the boy said one day they will kill all christain. This is what their parent have said. To me inferiorty in disturb muslim.

so true,heard a lot of that too,some are not misconceptions,they are facts.my sister had an encounter with one of her students,the girl was so rebellious...she told my sister that she hates Christians because she was beaten for an offence.

chiketee:

Lol, it's not the non Muslims who need to be enlightened , it's the Muslims themselves. If what the op is saying is true then most of you are misguided and don't know truly what islam stands for, you all have soiled the quaran with so much hate and violence. So put it on front page to enlighten potential boko haram, alqaeda, isis, etc members, not the innocent people who are being cut down everyday by people who say they are working for Allah

You are too right, muslims are the ones that needs enlightment on how to comform to our modern era.
They should realise that the world doesn't revolve around them, that just as they have the right and the freedom to express their views so also do people of other faith and those of no faith.
They think that it is ok to publicly ridicule the catholic cardinal belief in the trinity that Jesus is God (I also think the idea of trinity is crazy), but publicly denying Muhammad is messenger of God in a muslim majority country can can earn you a death sentence under their draconian blasphemy law.
No matter how you spin it, Islam is becoming the modern day equivalent of the medieval European crusaders.

Op, actions and statements of muslims justify all that is in ur post. For example, I was revising for an exam with my friends on an exam day, 5 mins b4 the exam started, we wanted to pray. Immediately i started saying 'In Jesus name', the only muslim girl there hissed loudly and walked away. Now what do u call that??.

The OP is telling lies.

There are several verses in the Koran in which the Muslim is commanded by Allah to KILL unbelievers, or non Muslims.

Only those who pay the jizya are to remain in possession of their lives.

Here is Chapter 9 verse 5:

9:5 "When the sacred months are over slay the idolaters wherever you find them. Arrest them, besiege them, and lie in ambush everywhere for them. If they repent and take to prayer and render the alms levy, allow them to go their way. God is forgiving and merciful."

Here is Chapter 9 verse 29:

9:29 "Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued."

Here is Chapter 4:89 warning prospective atheists or Christians:

4:89"They wish you would disbelieve as they disbelieved so you would be alike. So do not take from among them allies until they emigrate for the cause of Allah . But if they turn away, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them and take not from among them any ally or helper."

Here is the passage promising paradise to Muslims:

Chapter 9:111

"Allah hath purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the garden (of Paradise): they fight in His cause, and slay and are slain: a promise binding on Him in truth, through the Law, the Gospel, and the Qur'an: and who is more faithful to his covenant than Allah? then rejoice in the bargain which ye have concluded: that is the achievement supreme."

Here is how the Qur'an describes paradise:
"As for the righteous (Muslims)... We (Allah) shall wed them to beautiful virgins with lustrous eyes" [Q 44:51-54]


"The righteous (Muslims) they shall triumph... Theirs shall be voluptuous women." [Q 78:31-33].

Also check out these other verses which describe the future paradise as a booming red light district with free p)ussy and young a)ss 37:40-48, 44:51-55, 52:17-20, 55:56-58, 70-77, 56:7-40 and 78:31

Oh, and what do we make of all the young boys, "like pearls," who will be circulating the righteous men left and right? Why should we care that the boys are young, virgin boys, who stay young eternally, "like pearls?"

Some scholars have suggested that the young virgin boys who serve as eternal servants in paradise are to be used for sodomy, a practice that was common in Arabia during the time of the prophet. I'm willing to give the prophet the benefit of the doubt on that one. The big breasted women with the pretty eyes should be enough of a distraction.

Misconception is not the word but Expectations.. and do Muslims and Islam meet the expectations of Muslims and non-believers alike.. i'd have to say the evidence is damning

The problem of muslims are the muslems themsevls.
While some like the op will be preaching peace to disharm non muslim for easy target and kills others like BH and ISIS will be doing the killing enmase so as to be rewarded with 72 virgins.

Weah96:
The OP is telling lies.

There are several verses in the Koran in which the Muslim is commanded by Allah to KILL unbelievers, or non Muslims.

Only those who pay the jizya are to remain in possession of their lives.

Here is Chapter 9 verse 5:

9:5 "When the sacred months are over slay the idolaters wherever you find them. Arrest them, besiege them, and lie in ambush everywhere for them. If they repent and take to prayer and render the alms levy, allow them to go their way. God is forgiving and merciful."

Here is Chapter 9 verse 29:

9:29 "Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued."

Here is Chapter 4:89 warning prospective atheists or Christians:

4:89"They wish you would disbelieve as they disbelieved so you would be alike. So do not take from among them allies until they emigrate for the cause of Allah . But if they turn away, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them and take not from among them any ally or helper."

Here is the passage promising paradise to Muslims:

Chapter 9:111

"Allah hath purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the garden (of Paradise): they fight in His cause, and slay and are slain: a promise binding on Him in truth, through the Law, the Gospel, and the Qur'an: and who is more faithful to his covenant than Allah? then rejoice in the bargain which ye have concluded: that is the achievement supreme."

Here is how the Qur'an describes paradise:
"As for the righteous (Muslims)... We (Allah) shall wed them to beautiful virgins with lustrous eyes" [Q 44:51-54]


"The righteous (Muslims) they shall triumph... Theirs shall be voluptuous women." [Q 78:31-33].

Also check out these other verses which describe the future paradise as a booming red light district with free p)ussy and young a)ss 37:40-48, 44:51-55, 52:17-20, 55:56-58, 70-77, 56:7-40 and 78:31

Oh, and what do we make of all the young boys, "like pearls," who will be circulating the righteous men left and right? Why should we care that the boys are young, virgin boys, who stay young eternally, "like pearls?"

I can see that u quoted Quran 9:5 but simply jumped Quran 9:6. Why is that ?
Probably because you are not truthful. Quran 9:6 says"But if one of the idolaters seek protection from you then grant him protection till he hears the word of Allah,then make him attain his place of safety. this is because they are a people who do not know.
Also, this chapter was revealed during the time of war. For example during the world war, U don't expect the Germans to tell their soldiers "wherever u see the French soldiers run away" or do you ?. But naturally they would say wherever u see the French, fight them. And Allah knows best.

ProudlyMuslimah:
I can see that u quoted Quran 9:5 but simply jumped Quran 9:6. Why is that ?
Probably because you are not truthful. Quran 9:6 says"But if one of the idolaters seek protection from you then grant him protection till he hears the word of Allah,then make him attain his place of safety. this is because they are a people who do not know.

No, I should have added verse 6, since it is helping to bolster my point, not yours.

Who is an idolater? Non Muslims, traditional Yoruba people. This passage basically says that Muslims are to help Muslims only, with the exception of non Muslims who are willing to HEAR the words of the Qur'an.

Keeping one's own religion is NEVER an option in the Quran. Convert, pay jizya (notice how the word sounds like jizz ya, as in, nut to the face), or die.

efedua:
what is behind the jumper is more significant than the jumper it self. all humans are good people only that some are more understanding than others

Hmmmm...copacetic

May be the OP is just kidding!
Most of these issues are preached and supported by muslems in Nigeria.

Weah96:


No, I should have added verse 6, since it is helping to bolster my point, not yours.

Who is an idolater? Non Muslims, traditional Yoruba people. This passage basically says that Muslims are to help Muslims only, with the exception of non Muslims who are willing to HEAR the words of the Qur'an.

Keeping one's own religion is NEVER an option in the Quran. Convert, pay jizya (notice how the word sounds like jizz ya, as in, nut to the face), or die.

Looool....

No wonder these punks go about rayping and killing, they are actually obeying the koran and making people pay by jizzing them, the jizz-ya punishment

OP you are not a good muslim, how many infidels have you killed, zero, and you want to lecture good muslims about islam..

Weah96:


No, I should have added verse 6, since it is helping to bolster my point, not yours.

Who is an idolater? Non Muslims, traditional Yoruba people. This passage basically says that Muslims are to help Muslims only, with the exception of non Muslims who are willing to HEAR the words of the Qur'an.

Keeping one's own religion is NEVER an option in the Quran. Convert, pay jizya (notice how the word sounds like jizz ya, as in, nut to the face), or die.

Verse 6 is no way in support of ur idea of Islam as a violent religion. U quoted verse 5 in other to support ur opinion on how Muslims are commanded by Allah to fight non Muslims. but verse 6 which u kindly jumped says "but if they seek protection, grant them protection". It is just like saying someone who disobeyed ur Lord, feed him, house him, let him continue disobeying ur Lord until he stops. Just because he sort ur protection. How much more merciful do u want Allah to be ? & how much more peaceful do u want Islam to be?.
And as for the word jizya, it means tax, an amount of money paid to the government in other to provide protection. Now, opening an English dictionary and typing an Arabic word or comparing an Arabic word to an English word which sounds alike, is not something I would expect from a logical person.

ProudlyMuslimah:
Verse 6 is no way in support of ur idea of Islam as a violent religion. U quoted verse 5 in other to support ur opinion on how Muslims are commanded by Allah to fight non Muslims. but verse 6 which u kindly jumped says "but if they seek protection, grant them protection". It is just like saying someone who disobeyed ur Lord, feed him, house him, let him continue disobeying ur Lord until he stops. Just because he sort ur protection. How much more merciful do u want Allah to be ? & how much more peaceful do u want Islam to be?.

My dear sister, here is what the Qur'an says again:


Q 9:5

"9:5-6 But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. If one amongst the Pagans ask thee for asylum, grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah. and then escort him to where he can be secure. That is because they are men without knowledge."

Here we see the Qur'an state very clearly that asylum is granted under ONE CONDITION.

Do you see now?

Weah96:


My dear sister, here is what the Qur'an says again:


Q 9:5

"9:5-6 But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. If one amongst the Pagans ask thee for asylum, grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah. and then escort him to where he can be secure. That is because they are men without knowledge."

Here we see the Qur'an state very clearly that asylum is granted under ONE CONDITION.

Do you see now?

YES. The condition which is if he asks or seeks it. So ?

ProudlyMuslimah:
YES. The condition which is if he asks or seeks it. So ?

No. Asylum is granted so that the asylee is force fed Islam. Those who refuse to adopt Islam will NOT be granted asylum.

I guess they may be let go.

Weah96:


No. Asylum is granted so that the asylee is force fed Islam. Those who refuse to adopt Islam will NOT be granted asylum.

I guess they may be let go.

Brother, where is it written in this verse that they would be force fed islam ?. The Quran says "there is no compulsion in the religion" Quran 2:256. It is strictly said if they seek, grant them. then the verse went further explaining what to do in this circumstance which is to protect them until they hear the word of Allah. NOTE: this may take years or may never even happen.

ProudlyMuslimah:
Brother, where is it written in this verse that they would be force fed islam ?. The Quran says "there is no compulsion in the religion" Quran 2:256. It is strictly said if they seek, grant them. then the verse went further explaining what to do in this circumstance which is to protect them until they hear the word of Allah. NOTE: this may take years or may never even happen.

You're the one twisting words, pretending to be ignorant. If someone tells you to stay at his place so that he can have sex with you, what does it mean?

Does it mean you can stay and leave later without having sex?