MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT ISLAM

BABAR CHAUDHRY STUDENT OPINIONThe religion of Islam has been under intense focus and discussions in recent times mainly

because of terrorist related activities around the world, and recently, because of the cartoon controversy. While freedom of speech remains a core value in democracy it must carry

intrinsic responsibilities and restrains to avoid violation of rights and hurting the feelings of others. Having been associated with Arrahman Arraheem Network and being a student of Babar Chaudhry I have been able to learn the true spirit and the real message of Islam by reading and understanding the Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh). With this knowledge I want to respond to some misconceptions that emerge when media reports

terrorist incidents associating it with Islam and Muslims.

Islam religion of Peace: The word ‘Islam’ means total submission to the will of God (Allah) to attain peace in one’s life. A Muslim chooses to live in peace and shares peace with others around him. So by ‘definition’ a true Muslim can never be a fanatic since Islam teaches a

person to first become a good human being who is humble, kind, compassionate, balanced, tolerant, forgiving, thankful, and respects the rights of people of all faiths and beliefs. Islam envisions a society based on human rights ie rights of parents, women, children, neighbors,

elderly and disabled. It provides security of life, property, wealth, privacy and honor. The Holy Quran in Chapter 5 Verse 32 (5:32) goes to the extent that “.. whoever kills a person.. it is as

if he has killed the entire humanity, and whoever saves life of one person it is as if he has saved the entire humanity”. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was very emphatic in stating, ‘A

Muslim is one from whose hands and speech others are safe’.

Same Message, Same Respect: Islam is guidance for ‘entire mankind’. It propagates the same message God revealed to all Prophets and Messengers throughout history including Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Solomon Job, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, Zachariah, John, Jesus, Elias, Ishmael, Elisha, Jonah, Lot and the final Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon them) (4:163, 6:84-86).  A Muslim believes and respects all Prophets without making distinction in their teachings (3:84). Ridiculing any Prophet causes the same pain to a Muslim as deriding Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Furthermore, Islam reveres Mother Mary as ‘the most exalted among the women of the world” (3:42).No Compulsion: Islam forbids compulsion or coercion in religion. The right path is clearly differentiated from the wrong, and it is at the discretion of the individual to renounce evil and follow what is pious (2:256). When Islamic revelation began in 610 CE, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was the first one to demonstrate them through his character and behavior. Later, Islam spread from Damascus – then under Roman Empire – to Persia and then to Egypt because of the just and inspirational dealings of Muslims ensuring ‘justice even for the enemies’ (5:8). Those who did not accept Islam were allowed to worship according to their beliefs with complete protection and security.

Respect for Parents: The basic unit of any nation is a family. Without peace in the family there can be no peace, love or compassion in society. Islam lays strong emphasis on respect for elders and parents;  “..be good to your parents and if one or both reach old age, do not say a word of disrespect, nor rebuke them, but speak to them with respect”.(17:23).One often hears the word ‘fundamentalist’ attributed negatively towards Muslims. Our Prophet Mohammad (pbuh), God forbid, followed the fundamentals which Quran teaches but was neither a terrorist nor an extremist. Hence a Muslim observing the basic character teachings of Islam in true spirit, can never be a negative person. Rather, he will always emerge as a role-model and an asset for any society in the world.

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