The Main Misconceptions about Isla m:

Meagan ThompsonAllison TranStephanie Vasquez Raquel Toro

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Misconception #1- All Muslims are violent and terrorists:

- This is probably the biggest misconception in Islam, which can be blamed to the constant stereotyping and bashing that the media gives to Islam.-People need to go to the root of Islam and separate what is a true religion from what the media is constantly portraying. Islam literally means “submission to God” and it is derived from the root word meaning “peace”. - Like Christianity, Islam permits fighting in self- defense, in defense of religion or for one’s home. Though, strict rules are laid down against combat when it comes to harming civilians, destroying crops, trees, and livestock. - “Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors” (Quran 2:190)-NOWHERE does it say that Muslim people should join in the killing of the innocent.

Misconception #2- Islam oppresses women:

- Many people envision the typical Muslim woman in a very typical way: she is wearing the veil, has to stay

home and is forbidden to drive anywhere. Although some Muslim

countries may have laws that oppress women, that doesn’t mean it comes

from Islam. -Islam sees a woman; single or married,

as an individual with her own rights.

Misconception #3- The Qur’an advocates the slaughter of nonbelievers:

-‘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 (pictured above) to accompany him.

Misconception #3- continued: -The ten rules that Muslims must obey:

1. Do not commit treachery2. Do not deviate from the right path

3. Do not mutilate dead bodies4. Do not kill children5. Do not kill women

6. Do not kill aged men7. Do not harm or burn trees

8. Do not destroy buildings9. Do not destroy an enemy’s flock,

unless you use it for your food10. When you pass people who have

devoted their lives to monastic services leave them alone

Misconception #4- 72 Virgins?:

-This teaching is nowhere to be found in The Quran. It is a tradition associated with the reported sayings of prophet Muhammad, as recorded by others. Some cite 44:54, 52:20, 55:72, 56:22 as evidence for virgins in paradise for men only, however the Arabic word "huri" in these verses can be the plural of both "awhar" (masculine) and "hawra" (feminine), but even if it is taken as female, the word itself would mean "companions pure/fair, most beautiful of eye". There is also 37:48 (companions of modest gaze) and 78:33 (splendid companions, well-matched).

Misconception #5- All Muslims are

Arabs:-The Muslim population is around 1.2 billion and 1/5 people in the world is a Muslim.-They are a vast range of races, nationalities and cultures from around the globe: From the Philippines to Nigeria and they are united by their common Islamic faith.-Only 18% live in the Arab world, making Indonesia the largest Islamic community in the Arab world. Obviously not all Muslims are Arabic because the other 82% of people live elsewhere.