MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT ISLAM

On Sunday, July 20, 2014 5:25:04 PM UTC-5, BV BV wrote:
> MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT ISLAM
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> What do you REALLY know?
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> Islam is one of the world's largest religions yet it is also one of the m=
ost misunderstood. For various reasons - be they political, economic, biase=
d media or fear of the "other" - mistruths and misconceptions have been spr=
ead about Islam. The key to understanding Islam and Muslims is to resist st=
ereotypes and examine each situation according to Islamic teachings and aut=
hentic sources.
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> Misconception 1 - "Muslims Do Not Share Good and Noble Values with non-Mu=
slims"
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> "The best among you are those who have the best manners and character." -=
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
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> Some people allege that Islamic values are somehow incompatible with dece=
nt "Western" values. Such claims could not be further from the truth.
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> Muslims cherish noble and universal values such as:
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> =B7 being honest and just
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> =B7 keeping one's word
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> =B7 allowing freedom of religion
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> =B7 respecting parents, relatives, neighbours, and the elderly
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> =B7 being charitable, generous, and looking after the poor and ne=
edy
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> =B7 not lying, cheating, swearing or backbiting anyone
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> Muslims are required to contribute positively towards society and to alwa=
ys conduct themselves with the highest of morals and best of actions.
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> Misconception 2 - "Muslims Worship a New God Called Allah"
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> Muslims worship the same God worshipped by Prophets Noah, Abraham, Moses =
and Jesus. The word "Allah" is simply the Arabic word for Almighty God - an=
Arabic word of rich meaning, denoting the one and only God. Allah is also =
the same word that Arabic speaking Christians and Jews use to refer to God.
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> However, although Muslims, Jews and Christians believe in the same God (t=
he Creator), their concepts regarding Him differ significantly. For example=
, Muslims reject the idea of God having any partners or being part of a 'tr=
inity', and ascribe perfection only to God, the Almighty.
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> Misconception 3 - "Islam Permits Terrorism"
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> The media generally portrays any Muslim who fights as a terrorist, regard=
less of whether they fight justly or unjustly, or whether they are oppressi=
ng others or being oppressed.
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> In war, the targeting of innocent non-combatants is a despicable act whic=
h Islam clearly prohibits. In fact, Muslims are not allowed to destroy plan=
ts and animals unnecessarily, let alone innocent humans. However, it is imp=
ortant to distinguish between terrorism and legitimate resistance to occupa=
tion, as the two are very different.
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> The Quran clearly demonstrates the seriousness of killing an innocent per=
son, and emphasises the value of human life.
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> "If anyone murders an innocent person, it will be as if he has murdered t=
he whole of humanity. And if anyone saves a person it will be as if he has =
saved the whole of humanity."Quran 5:32
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> Misconception 4 - "Islam Oppresses Women"
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> In Islam, men and women are viewed as equals before God, in terms of both=
receiving equal reward and accountability for their actions. The only thin=
g that distinguishes people in the sight of God is their level of piety.
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> "Verily the most honourable of you in the sight of Allah is the most God =
conscious."Quran 49:13
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> This verse proves that real honour and status is not attained because a p=
erson is rich or poor, black or white, male or female, but attained through=
piety and devoutness.
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> Allah, the Creator of both genders, has assigned different roles and resp=
onsibilities for each, taking into account their differences. Women are giv=
en the utmost respect and honour, such as the right to equal pay, choice of=
spouse, pursuit of education, and the right to divorce and inheritance.
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> Unfortunately, there are some Muslim women who are oppressed and not give=
n their rights. This is not the fault of Islam. The problem is that in some=
countries, people follow certain cultural practices and traditions which h=
ave nothing to do with Islam.
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> Misconception 5 - "The Quran is Just another History or Poetry Book"
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> The Quran is the divine literal word of God Almighty, revealed to Prophet=
Muhammad (peace be upon him), through the angel Gabriel. It is a criterion=
for the truth, containing guidance for humanity to live by. The Quran cite=
s lessons from preceding generations and the history of the Prophets in ord=
er that we may learn from their experiences. It further teaches us about ou=
rselves and our Creator, as well as the purpose of our existence which is t=
o acknowledge God, worshipping Him alone.
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> God did not create humans to simply wander aimlessly. The test of one's f=
aith is in using one's intellect, free will and reasoning abilities to cont=
emplate and recognise God's signs - one of the greatest signs being The Qur=
an.
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> The Quran contains within it many miracles, so that we can have no doubt =
about its authenticity. The best way to discover what the Quran is actually=
about, is to read it for yourself.
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> Misconception 6 - "Hijab is Oppressive"
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> To observe the hijab, Muslim women are required to modestly cover their b=
ody with clothes that do not reveal their figure in front of non-closely re=
lated males. However, hijab is not just about outer appearances; it is also=
about noble speech, modesty, and dignified conduct.
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> Although there are many benefits of the hijab, the key reason Muslim wome=
n observe hijab is because it is a command from Allah (God), and He knows w=
hat is best for His creation.
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> The hijab empowers a woman by emphasising her inner spiritual beauty, rat=
her than her superficial appearance. It gives women the freedom to be activ=
e members of society, while maintaining their modesty.
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> The hijab does not symbolize suppression, oppression or silence. Rather, =
it is a guard against degrading remarks, unwanted advances and unfair discr=
imination. So the next time you see a Muslim woman, know that she covers he=
r physical appearance, not her mind or intellect.
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> Misconception 7 - "All Muslims are Arabs"
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> Only about 20% of Muslims in the world are Arabs, meaning that up to abou=
t 80% of Muslims are non-Arabs. For example, there are more Indian and Indo=
nesian Muslims than Arab Muslims.
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> Islam teaches that an individual is not superior to another because of ra=
ce or colour, and is strictly against any form of racism. Islam has a unive=
rsal message for all of mankind - that is, that everyone can gain peace and=
success only by acknowledging and worshipping the One True God.
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> Misconception 8 - "Jihad is Terrorism"
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> The essence of Jihad is to struggle and sacrifice for one's religion in a=
manner which is pleasing to God. Linguistically, it means to "struggle" an=
d can refer to one's striving to do good deeds, give charity, or to join an=
Islamic military action. The most commonly known form is the military Jiha=
d which is permitted in order to preserve the well being of society, to pre=
vent oppression from spreading, and to promote justice. This can be either =
defensive or offensive, depending on the circumstance.
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> Misconception 9 - "Muslims Worship Muhammad or the Moon God"
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> Yet another misconception is that Muslims worship Prophet Muhammad (peace=
be upon him). This is entirely untrue, and is easily refuted by the actual=
saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): "Do not over-praise me as the C=
hristians over-praised Jesus, the son of Mary. I am His slave, so refer to =
me as 'God's slave and Messenger.' "
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> Islam teaches Muslims to respect all of God's Prophets and Messengers - b=
ut respecting and loving them does not mean worshipping them.
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> A related claim is that Muslims worship the "moon God" which is also tota=
lly incorrect. Worshipping the moon, or anything other than Allah, is stric=
tly prohibited in Islam:
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> "Do not prostrate to the sun or to the moon, but prostrate to Allah Who c=
reated them, if you really worship Him."Quran 41:37
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> Islam acknowledges the complete perfection, greatness and uniqueness of G=
od with absolutely no compromises. He is the Most Just and the Most Mercifu=
l. Worshipping Him alone is the most important belief in Islam, as mentione=
d in the Quran in numerous places.
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> Misconception 10 - "Islam Permits Forced Marriages"
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> Arranged marriages are cultural practices which are predominant in certai=
n countries throughout the world. Although not restricted to Muslims, force=
d marriages have become incorrectly associated with Islam.
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> In Islam, both males and females have the right to choose or reject their=
potential spouse, and a marriage is considered null and void if a woman's =
genuine approval is not granted prior to the marriage.
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> Misconception 11 - "Islam Forces People to Become Muslim"
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> God says, "Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth has been made cl=
ear from error."Quran 2:256
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> Although it is a duty on Muslims to convey and share the beautiful messag=
e of Islam to others, no one can be compelled to accept Islam. To accept Is=
lam, a person must sincerely and voluntarily believe and obey God, so, by d=
efinition, no one can (or should) be forced to accept Islam.
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> Consider the following:
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> =B7 Indonesia has the largest Muslim population yet no battles we=
re fought to bring Islam there.
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> =B7 There are around 14 million Arab Coptic Christians that have =
been living in the heart of Arabia for generations.
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> =B7 Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in the western =
world today.
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> =B7 Although fighting oppression and promoting justice are valid =
reasons for waging jihad, forcing people to accept Islam is not one of them=
.
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> =B7 Muslims ruled Spain for around 800 years yet never coerced pe=
ople to convert.
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> Conclusion
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> Learning about Islam from unqualified sources without verification is dan=
gerous and leads to misunderstandings. Do not be misled into accepting misc=
onceptions and false information about Islam - the belief shared by more th=
an a quarter of mankind.
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> Does not the guidance for all humanity, the message of Islam, deserve to =
be carefully pondered over and reflected on?
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> http://islamicpamphlets.com/misconceptions-about-islam/
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> Thank you

Don't make me puke!! There is no misconception about my conceptions about i=
slam - nothing good!

> MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT ISLAM
>

> Does not the guidance for all humanity, the
> message of Islam, deserve to be carefully
> pondered over and reflected on?
>
>
>
> http://islamicpamphlets.com/misconceptions-about-islam/
>
> Thank you

The silent majority is irrelevant... get off your
butt and
do something about the jackasses preaching islam.

On Wed, 23 Jul 2014 18:32:09 -0700, a2rjh wrote:

>> Thank you
>
> Don't make me puke!! There is no misconception about my conceptions
> about islam - nothing good!

And you *repeated* over 200 lines of BS to add that comment?