Top ten misconceptions about Islam – Part II

In a previous article, we clarified five of the top ten misconceptions about Islam related to various issues such as violence and intolerance. As promised this article will be dedicated to a discussion of another five misconceptions that are not less controversial in the world we live in today. These misconceptions may be attributed to a variety of causes, including inappropriate media hype, lack of reliable information sources, and lack of desire to pursue and understand the truth.

MISCONCEPTION #6: 

The Nation of Islam is a Muslim group

Islam and the “Nation of Islam” (NOI) are separate and distinct concepts.  The NOI is a political organization and its members are not limited to a single faith. Many Muslims believe this group is one of many cult-like organizations, using the name of Islam for its own gain.  While they may share the same language and jargon, they are radically different concepts. Many would suggest that the Nation of Islam is a misnomer and it would be more accurate to refer to this belief system as Farrakhanism, after the name of its propagator, Louis Farrakhan.

Any serious student of Islam has a duty to investigate and find the true Islam. Muslims believe there are only two authentic sources that bind Muslims – the Holy Quran and the Prophet’s Hadith. Teachings that contradict, or are at variance with the direct understanding of fundamental beliefs and practices of Islam based on the Quran and authentic Hadith are those of pseudo-Islamic cults. Baha’ism, which is an off-shoot of Islam, does not claim to be Islam, nor do its followers consider themselves Muslims.

MISCONCEPTION #7: 

All Muslim men marry four wives.

The religion of Islam was revealed to different societies at different times and accommodates a wide range of social practices.  It acknowledges that some circumstances may warrant the taking of more than one wife but the right is not absolute; according to the Quran, it is acceptable on the condition that the husband is scrupulously fair in the treatment of his wives. 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, while permitted, is neither mandatory, nor encouraged. Images of sheikhs with harems are not consistent with Islam: a man is allowed, at most, four wives and only if he can fulfill 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.  Rather, it is associated with compassion toward widows and orphans. Historically, the Quran limited and put conditions on the practice of polygamy among Arabs and other nations at a time when it was not uncommon for men to have ten or more wives which they considered their “property”.

It is both honest and accurate to say that Islam regulated and limited this practice, and made it more humane by instituting equal rights and status for all wives. Taken as a whole, the Qur’anic decrees discourage polygamy unless a necessity for its practice exists. In fact, while a small percentage of Muslims do practice polygamy, generally Islam promotes monogamy. Islam’s acceptance of polygamy is consistent with Islam’s realistic view of the nature of man and woman and of various social needs, problems and cultural variations.

Islam is inherently flexible in marital matters; it is also frank and straightforward in dealing with practical problems.  Rather than requiring hypocritical and superficial compliance, Islam delves deeper into the problems of individuals and societies, and offers legitimate, sound solutions which can be more beneficial than ignoring the realities that demand such flexibility. A second wife that is legally married and treated kindly is better off than a mistress without any legal rights.

MISCONCEPTION #8: 

Muslims are a barbaric, backward people.

The relative simplicity of Islamic doctrine is partially responsible for its rapid and peaceful spread. 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 prophet Hadith)

The synthesis of Eastern and Western ideas and of new thoughts with old, generated significant advances in medicine, mathematics, physics, astronomy, geography, architecture, art, literature and history.  Many crucial systems, including algebra, Arabic numerals and the concept of the zero (vital to the advancement of mathematics), were transmitted to medieval Europe from Islam.  The development of sophisticated navigational instruments, which enabled European voyages of discovery including the astrolabe, the quadrant and good navigational maps, can also be attributed to Islamic scholars.

MISCONCEPTION #9: 

Muhammad was the founder of Islam and Muslims worship him.

He used to meditate from time to time in the Cave of Hira near Mecca. At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat, Muhammad (pbuh) received his first revelation from God, through the Angel Gabriel.  The revelations he received, which continued for 23 years, are known as the Quran. As soon as he began reciting Gabriel’s words – preaching the truths that God had revealed to him – he and his small group of followers were bitterly persecuted. The persecution grew so fierce that in the year 622 God commanded them to emigrate.

This event, the Hijra ‘migration’, during 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 Mecca, where they forgave their enemies and established Islam definitively. Before the Prophet died, 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 five small 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 that God provided all the prophets, including Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus and others were provided divine guidance to lead their peoples.  Every prophet was sent to his own people, but Muhammad (pbuh) was sent to all of mankind.  Muslims believe Muhammad is the last and final messenger sent to deliver the message of Islam and they revere and honor 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. 

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, honored 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 elderliness, 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 you out 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 belief 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 Allah, 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).