Muslim+Misconceptions

Muslim Misconceptions



**Kendra Eckbold, Megan Hallett, Brianne Washington, Josh Prentice**

__The Quran: __ the sacred writings of Islam revealed by God to the prophet Muhammad during his life at Mecca and Medina.



__Misconceptions __:

1. **Muslim women have to wear a veil:** The veil, known as the //Hijab// is not commanded by the Quran. The veil is a tradition which is actually supported by the man-made books of //Hadiths// and //Sunna//. These books are not written with a representation of God in the Quran; therefore, the veil is not a requirement based on the Muslim religion, it only stems from tradition.

2. **Men are valued more than women:** In the holy book of the Quran, it states that women, wives and mothers are to be treated like royalty and to which they are accustomed to. If you are a Muslim woman comes from a wealthy family that made sure she was always attained to, then (according to Islamic Law), a man wishing to marry her must attain that level of care.

3. **Muslims do not believe in Jesus or any other prophets:** In the Quran, stories about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ (called 'Isa in Arabic) are abundant. The Quran recalls his miraculous birth, his teachings, and the miracles he performed by God's permission. There is even a chapter of the Quran named after his mother, Mary (Miriam in Arabic). However, Muslims believe that Jesus was a fully human prophet and not in any way divine himself.

4. **Islam is intolerant of other faiths:** Throughout the Quran, Muslims are reminded that they are not the only ones who worship God. Jews and Christians are called "People of the Book," meaning people who have received previous revelations from the One Almighty God that we all worship. The Quran also commands Muslims to protect from harm not only mosques, but also monasteries, synagogues, and churches -- because "God is worshipped therein."

5. **The crescent moon is a universal symbol of Islam:** The early Muslim community did not really have a symbol. During the time of the Prophet Muhammad, Islamic caravans and armies flew simple solid-colored flags (generally black, green, or white) for identification purposes. The crescent moon and star symbol actually pre-dates Islam by several thousand years, and wasn't affiliated with Islam at all until the Ottoman Empire placed it on their flag.

6. **Islam and the Quran promotes suicide bombing:** Suicide bombing is when an attack is made upon others and the weapon is the person themselves with the assistance of explosives. This results in the death of that person as well as contributing to the deaths of many others intentionally. As stated in the Quran, one is not allowed to kill oneself.

O you who believe, do not consume your money between you unjustly, except through a trade which is mutually agreed by you. **And do not kill yourselves**; God is Merciful towards you. Whoever does so out of animosity and transgression, We will cast him into a fire; and this for God is very easy. If you avoid the major sins that you are forbidden against, then We will cancel your existing sins and admit you to a generous entrance. [4:29-31] And spend in God's cause, and let not your own hands throw you into destruction; and persevere in doing good: behold, God loves the doers of good. [2:195]

According to the Quran, it is not an excuse to kill oneself as a result of emotion, anger, hatred, injustice, hopelessness, or traumatic experiences.

 7. **Islam and the Quran promote fighting, war and terrorism: ** The idea of fighting due to differences in faith is nonexistent in the Quran. Rather, it warns about accusing others of being misguided :  O you who believe, if you go forth in the cause of God, you shall investigate carefully. And do not say to those who greet you with peace: “You are not a believer!” You are seeking the vanity of this world; but with God are many riches. That is how you were before, but God favoured you, so investigate carefully. God is expert over what you do." [4:94]

O you who acknowledge, let not a people ridicule other people, for they may be better than them. Nor shall any women ridicule other women, for they may be better than them. Nor shall you mock one another, or call each other names. Evil indeed is the reversion to wickedness after attaining acknowledgement. Anyone who does not repent, then these are the transgressors. [49:11]

The Quran states that one should only fight those who fight you, not non-combatants or civilians:

Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loves not aggressors. [2:190]

Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just. [60:8]

O believers! Stand out firmly for God, as witnesses for the sake of justice, and let not the hatred of a people cause you to turn away from justice. Do justice, for that is akin to piety... [5:8]

Works Cited:

Misconceptions about women in Islam. Submission.org. Available at: .

Trickey, Helyn. Islam: A religion of many faces, misconceptions. CNN.org. September 28, 2001. Available at: <[]>.

Common Misconceptions About Islam, Muslims, and The Quran. Available at: [].