Common misconceptions about Islam - help needed
-
I do not consider "Islam" (capital "I" and islam (small "i" as the same thing. Secondly, to describe Islam as a religion is perfectly correct, however one cannot describe islam as a religion.
Wakas - Thanks for the clarification. I like your distinction on Islam vs. islam and Muslim vs. muslim.
I recommend reading the rest of the website, as it rather obviously covers what you highlighted.
Wakas - After having reviewed your site again, your conclusion suggests that either I have missed something obvious, or maybe that my points were unclear.
One of my points is that by 'validating' the misuse (as I see it) of the terms Islam and Muslim, I argue that you are reinforcing / promoting the most fundamental misconception.
For example, under "All Muslims are Arabs"
A) "While Islam is often associated with Arabs, they make up only 15% of the world's Muslim population. The country with the largest population of Muslims is Indonesia (which is a non-Arab country). Muslims make up about 1/5 of the world's population"
If I am not mistaken, your message reaffirms the belief that
- a Muslim is one who "claims" to be a Muslim.
- The members of Islam are Muslims
- People who are not Muslims are not associated with Islam
I am arguing that such a belief is the most important of misconceptions. I argue that this belief is contrary to one of the most fundamental of themes in the Quran ""
If I have missed something obvious on your website, my apologies... and would you please help me to see what I have missed.
I do acknowledge that you have addressed one of my points in some areas of your website, for example, in "Muhammad was the founder of Islam"
B) "The Quran specifically mentions the term "muslim" for those before prophet Muhammad, including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Jacob, and the companions of Jesus. . Thus, the prophet Muhammad was not the founder of islam/submission, but simply continued this universal message as one of many messengers of God."
However, I do not see that you acknowledge the point you make here as a critical misconception by LISTING it as such (i.e. "Misconception What is a Muslim" / "Misconception What is Islam". And I find there to be a contradiction between the two quotes I have referenced above (A & B). Yes, I see that you have distinguished between Muslim/muslim and Islam/islam (I had missed that until you pointed it out), but I think it would be helpful to add to your LIST of misconceptions the misconceptions that I am describing. Yes, maybe one could deduce what I consider to be truer meanings of muslim and islam from B above, but I would argue that "Misconception What is a Muslim" / "Misconception What is Islam" might be the most effective means of interesting a non-"Muslim" to learn more - because I believe that the TRUE meaning may not result in the reader feeling EXCLUDED. I believe that MOST non-"Muslims" who make it to your site are of the mindset "I am not a 'Muslim' - I knew that before I clicked on this site". But if the definition of muslim makes it clear that you don't have to be a member of the sect of Muslims in order to meet the definition of muslim in the Quran, then maybe a reader might think "Hmmm... this definition does NOT exclude me - before reading this definition, I would have sworn that I was not a Muslim because I am not a member of that Muslim sect".
I find that you alluded to the difficulty I see with addressing this misconception in an earlier post when you said
if the above is true that would mean almost everyone has made a totally basic error in understanding the term "aslama", and consequently "islam".
Although I am quoting you out of context, I found your point to be relevant here I am arguing that most people who call themselves Muslims and most people who call their religion Islam have made a basic error in understanding the meaning of those words in the Quran. I am arguing that changing to Capital M and Capital I resulted in a sect.
To me it is no wonder that the world views the Quran as the holy book of the Muslims because it is those who call themselves Muslims that promote such a belief. I am arguing that people who call themselves Muslims have fostered the most important of misconceptions by promoting that Islam is the Muslim religion as documented in the Quran, I find that MOST people who already HAVE a religion dismiss the Quran as being irrelevant (i.e. if I am interested in learning about ANOTHER RELIGION, then I might be interested in Islam and the Quran)
I am trying to argue that your website contains language that promotes and reinforces this misconception, such as in A above.
In summary, I find that
- Some of your language PROMOTES what I am suggesting is the most important of misconceptions
- Your list does not not have an entry that clearly addresses these misconceptions
My apologies for the length of my response... I often suffer from the delusion that other people want to hear everything that I have to say
-
I have the desire to respond but my time is limited. A few points in brief...
I would appreciate it if you did not refer to it as my site, my language, my list etc.
The concepts you discuss are mentioned in several of the misconceptions, not just one.
I think having a spearate misconception is good and probably the option that will be done. Two issues re-wording the rest of the site so it does not cause confusion to the majority "layman" target audience, second, the content needs to be created.
The site is not planned for launch until the second half of the year, hence felt no rush to reply.
-
-
Peace
One other common misconception of Islam by the muslims themselves is that ...it is haram for muslim men to wear gold or silver jewellery , but is halal for them to wear Iron or cheap metal rings etc , Qur'an 732 . Please correct me if I misconceived this misconception about Gold and Silver Jewelleries for muslim men .
Cheers
-
Peace
Exactly the point I was trying to make about muslim men wearing Gold or Silver Jewellery . I meant to put cf. 732 . My understanding is that according to this verse they are ok ( Halal ) , but according to Hadiths and Tradition , they are both Haram for men ( Gold/Silver and Silk ) .
Cheers
-
peace all,
Two new misconceptions have been added
http//www.misconceptions-about-islam.com/concubines-sex-slaves.htm
http//www.misconceptions-about-islam.com/muhammad-married-young-girl.htmReview appreciated.
Peace
Excellent. The latter seems to be the newest. I was going to mention this to you as a topic as it comes up a lot. However, why do you not also say the Quran uses the term man and woman rather than boy or girl? Does the story of Aisha mentions her playing with her dolls (I seem to remember this somewhere, but I may be wrong).
Excellent site, I use it frequently. Once a feedback tool is delivered it will be even better.
I wonder how long it will be until someone mentions, "but is says this in the hadith".
What will you do then?
Roshan
-
In inheritance there are two misconceptions apart from the share of the female
- Non Muslim relatives do not inherit.
- Daughter/s who do not have a brother cannot inherit all the inheritance (here, the Islamic Law gives the uncles the remaining share, in clear violation of the definiton of the kilala, who is defined as some one without children, and which is the only case where brothers can inherit).
These could have been the social customs of those times long before the Koran came down. These were not the issue the pagans objected to about the Koran. Many of the laws of Medina are similar to the ones the pagans practiced and probably reflected the socail conditions then. We must learn from them and try to be as just and fair as possible.
5.46-4846. And in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him We sent him the Gospel therein was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law that had come before him a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah, Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) those who rebel, To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety so judge between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that hath come to thee. To each among you have we prescribed a law and an open way. If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah. it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute;
Now we know the Gospel has no theocratic laws yet the Koran calls it a Law. I think the Koran is talking about the religious Laws, like the Trinity and other religious beliefs. These are not from the Gospel when read as a whole. How else would the people judge by the Gospel if its meant to be theocratic laws, there ain't none there.
-
peace,
Yes, the ahadith mention her playing with dolls/toys, however this doesn't really give anything definite, and it becomes moot with the clear criteria in AQ. Interestingly, it was later discovered that many traditional tafsirs say the same thing too, i.e. post puberty. Some of those tafsirs also contradict themselves in other parts with reference to this point. No surprise there.
The terms man and woman are not as clear cut and it does not always use these terms. Since the criteria of AQ is clear, including this extra aspect was felt unnecessary. It was considered to include whenever waiting periods are mentioned they are always in reference to menstruation or their equivalent and also no sex during menses etc, all implying this is the norm, but again, the criteria in AQ is clear, so felt this extra info was unnecessary.
Yes, feedback by email is going to be done, when the site is publicised/launched.
What will you do then?
The site is primarily for non-Muslims. We are not really interested in using this site to engage with Muslims. That will be for another project in the pipeline.
-
The site is primarily for non-Muslims. We are not really interested in using this site to engage with Muslims. That will be for another project in the pipeline.
Peace
Be careful not to underestimate the knowledge of 'non-Muslims'. Some are aware of some hadith.
-
Peace Wakas, everyone,
Another misconception is that the qur'aan has 114 chapters whereas it has been shown how chapter 9 is continuation of chapter 8 and that the qur'aan actually has 113 chapters only.
-
Peace Wakas,
I am a little confused by what you mean by "non-Muslims". Is the following what you mean by "non-Muslims"?
Non-Muslims = anybody other than Muslims (e.g. muslims, Christians, Jews etc.)
If that is true then a small minority of non-Muslims, i.e. "muslims" might not have the misconception but the majority of "non-Muslims", e.g. Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists etc. have the misconception that the qur'aan has 114 chapters.
Am I missing something here?
I would also request you to change the word "Muslims" and "Islam" to "muslims" and "islam" in the misconceptions page. For example
Gold and silver are banned for Muslims ----> this is not a misconception because gold and silver are actually banned for "Muslims" according to the pagan religion by the name of "Islam", but they are not banned for "muslims" according to "islam". The title should thus be changed to
Misconception Gold and silver are banned for "muslims".
Similarly,
Dogs are not allowed to be kept by Muslims ----> this is not a misconception because dogs are actually not allowed to be kept by "Muslims" according to the pagan religion known as "Islam", but they are allowed to be kept by "muslims" according to "islam". The title should thus be changed to
Misconception Dogs are not allowed to be kept by "muslims".
Etc. etc. etc.
The body of these misconceptions should also be changed accordingly. The title of the main website should also be changed to Common Misconceptions about "islam" and "muslims", instead of Common Misconceptions about Islam and Muslims.
-
Do we worship Muhammad or Allah
It depends whether you reject hadeeths as they contradict the Quran or reject the Quranic verses against hadeeths
How can they force marriage on their children?
I'm sure hadeeths can answer that. 6 year old Aisha?
Why are honor killings allowed?
Because according to hadeeths, fornicators are stoned till they die
Why do men have to grow a beard?
Because of hadeeths and idolising the Prophet Mohammed
-
Done
http//www.misconceptions-about-islam.com/more.htm
feedback?The major delay has been getting content, especially the "wife beating" article, but this is now done and the Arabic info within it is being checked over.
It is likely there will be a links section, thus any suggestions for links/books to basic/introductory info on islam/quran welcome. Remember, the site is primarily for non-Muslims.
The accompanying site that will be more aesthetically pleasing and based on content management system software will be quite flexible in look, thus if anyone wishes to suggest pics/background, even design artwork, comic book strips, for certain misconception pages etc feel free. Also, promotional/slideshow presentation videos etc.
