It's Up to Us
yasirma...@gmail.com
It's Up to Us
Sumaiya Beshir
Entering that classroom was a challenge. Once I sat down in my seat, I
had to be ready to shoot my hand up at any moment in order to clear up
yet another misconception my teacher had about Islam. I don't blame her
at all—I blame the media. My teacher simply reads the newspaper often
and watches the news. These sources (and some others) are her primary
sources of information, and they are, unfortunately, more often than
not, very wrong.
It is clear that the media is out to get Muslims. Every chance they
get, they drop a subtle hint about how we're terrorists, oppressed
people, battered, abused and whatever else they can come up with. Time
and time again, I've seen television shows and movies portraying
Muslims as anything but good, normal people. The women are portrayed as
nothing but figures covered in black cloth that can't speak English and
are slaves to their men. The only exception to this is when portraying
a young Muslim teenage "rebel". But God forbid should they display
Muslim women as confident, capable people. The men are portrayed as
people with massive beards and major attitude problems who always act
unreasonably, violently, and oppressively.
Due to all this negative publicity, the words "Islam" and "Muslims",
unfortunately, have a negative connotation and are subconsciously
associated with bad things. That is why I do not blame my teacher, for
she is simply like the majority of people in society who do not
necessarily think about what they read and trust the media to some
degree. So, now that the media is providing people with all this
inaccurate information, who's going to clear it up? Us - it's our job
to teach the people around us about the true Islam: the fastest growing
religion that promotes gender equality and indeed liberates women. It's
our job to educate our peers, friends, teachers, and authorities about
what Islam really is through being good examples ourselves. Indeed,
it's a tough job, but it's so important that it can be classified as a
form of jihad.
I am writing about my experiences educating my grade 11 enriched
English class because I want you all to know you're not alone. I sit in
that class, everyday, ready to meet the challenge of the next statement
or question about Islam. The statements made can be offending,
upsetting, and frustrating to me, but it is important that I always
respond politely and open-mindedly. If I take the defensive side and
yell back at my teacher, I am only proving what the media has told them
about Islam and Muslims; and, as we all know, Islam does not promote
violence and short tempers. Take the best example, which is that of the
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Our Prophet always faced challenges with the
utmost patience and respect for the challenger. He knew not to degrade
them or be angered with them (though these challenges can often be
frustrating), but simply responded to their questions, concerns, and
arguments calmly and politely. So let's challenge ourselves and strive
to follow the example of our beloved Prophet (pbuh).
I have found that with time it gets easier to do; it's no longer as
frustrating or nerve-racking, and has become, really, an everyday part
of life. I have become automatically alert, and after doing it for a
while, raising my hand in class and politely correcting a student or
teacher, is no longer a big deal. For both my teacher and I know it's
coming, and insha Allah, bit by bit, Muslim by Muslim we can change the
negative image given to Islam by the media into the positive image
given to Islam by the Muslim people. Actions speak louder than words,
you know. So, pray to Allah (SWT) to help you, and then go out there
and do your jihad!
http://www.americanmuslim.org/3young3a.html
Assalaamu `Alaykum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuhu
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
There are at least 10-12 most common questions that a non-Muslim has
regarding Islam. Out of these 10-12 questions, a non-Muslim will pose
four or five questions, and these questions invariably fall amongst
these 10-12 most common questions.
The 10-12 most common questions about Islam can be answered from your
knowledge of the Qur'aan and the Sunnah. If a Muslim memorises or
simply remembers these answers, in shaa'Allaah (s)he will be
successful, if not in convincing non-Muslims about the truth of Islam,
or at least in removing misconceptions about Islam and neutralising the
negative thinking about Islam and Muslims, respectively. However, you
may find that some non-Muslims may have counter arguments to these
replies, for which you should prepare yourself with the correct
information.
Here are some tips on dawah: (some excerpts are from "notes taken by a
good friend of mine" - http://members.cox.net/arshad/) - quote:
First off, make sure you have both Ikhlaas and I'tibaa - sincerity in
intention and correct attitude. Ask yourself whether your intention is
sincere and that you truly want to bring this person closer to the
truth? Or is it to prove him wrong? Or to show off your oratory skills?
Make sure your intention is solely for the pleasure of Allaah
Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. To bring this person closer to the truth and to
guide him to the deen of Allaah Ta'aala, make sure you are performing
this dawah in the correct manner.
- Know what you're talking about. Make sure you have a sound and deep
knowledge of what you intend to convey. Make sure what you say is
absolutely correct and truthful. Be honest if you don't know. If you do
not have a solid knowledge of what you are saying, your contribution
may be negative instead of positive.
- Only with knowledge can you have complete faith in what you're saying
with no doubt. It is said that what comes from the mouth goes to the
ear, but what comes from the heart goes to the heart. The Arabic saying
goes, if you do not have it, you cannot give it. If you don't truly
believe something, you can't get someone else to. Your sincerity and
certainty in your faith plays a large part in your success at dawah.
- Practice what you preach. The best dawah is by way of example. Don't
discuss the importance of truth and honesty in Islam when you lie and
cheat constantly. Make sure your actions express the beautiful beliefs
and commands of Islam. Hypocricy and deception turn people away.
- Don't compromise Islam or it's beliefs. Don't feel the need to hedge
around the truth because it will turn people away. Can men have four
wives? Why can't we date? Why don't we accept homosexuality? Don't be
apologetic or start defending certain aspects of Islam. Explain it in a
way people can understand, but don't change it or act like it's
incorrect or archaic. A Muslim may think that he should deal with
people according to their attitude towards them. This is not acceptable
in Islam as it means living by the values of other people instead of
sticking with one's own Islamic values. Thus, the Prophet Sall Allaahu
alayhi wa sallam warned: "Do not be a 'reflection of society', keeping
the attitude that if people behave well, we will behave well, and if
they were to behave badly, we will also be unfair. Rather, programme
yourselves so that if people behave well, you behave better; but if
people behave badly, you must not be unfair." (Reported from Hudzaifah
in Mishkah and At-Tirmidzee).
- Do not become angry. Don't let people effect you or cause you to
change your conduct. Have 'aadab' always. If someone refuses to hear
you out, then stop the discusion and retire politely. There is always
another day to discuss the issues. Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala says
(the translation of the meaning) "Who can be better in stance than He
who calls people towards Allaah, performs good deeds and proudly
declares to be a Muslim. Goodness and evil are not equal. Hence,
respond in the most excellent way. Then you will see your enemy turning
into a close friend. And this level cannot be attained except by those
who practice Sabr, nor it can be attained except by those who posses a
great share of (magnanimity)." (Soorah Fussilat 41:33-35)
Sabr implies patience, forbearance, perseverance, determination,
fortitude, constancy and steadfastness. Your job is not to convert
people - it is not an obligation in Islam to make a certain amount of
people Muslims. But it is your obligation to call people to Islam, to
distinguish between right and wrong. Who is guided and who is not, is
according to the Will of Allaah Subhaanahu Ta'aala. And Allaah knows
best
- Don't insult another person's faith. No matter how tempting it would
be to talk about the errors and inconsistancies in other people's
beliefs, don't do it. It offends people, and will possibly give them a
bad impression of Islam. Talk about how Islam is different, and in that
perhaps exposing the other belief's errors, but do not openly insult
another person's faith. Be respectful. A dawah horror story: a Muslim
was speaking at a local high school, and began his speech with: "You're
all going to Hell." With that, he lost his whole audience before he
even started his speech.
- Discuss what makes Islam beautiful to you. Da'wah doesn't have to
mean repeating the five pillars to non-Muslims. Sometimes we are so
busy discussing the pillars of Islam we forget the actual building
itself. Islam plays a part in every aspect of our lives. Talk about how
it plays a role in how you sleep, how you dress, how you speak, how you
marry, how you deal with animals, parents, elders, children, the
opposite sex. Talk about Islam's respect for women, the concepts of
purity or modesty, it's call to reflect and think about the world
around us. I know that one brother became Muslim in part because of
Islam's respect and honor for nature. Islam is a deen, a whole way of
life.
- Lastly, stay away from missionaries. This cannot be emphasized
enough. Their goal is to take your faith apart and cause you to doubt.
Leave the missionaries to those who are trained to deal with them.
Missionaries have been trained to seem friendly and willing to learn on
the outside, when their sole goal and objective is to cause you to
reject Islam. Do not talk to missionaries. Do not open a discussion of
Islam with them. Do not visit their sites. Do not waste your time with
them. Your time can be used in a much more beneficial way than trying
to argue with someone who has been trained to cause you to doubt. -
unquote.
Please find attached below lots of information on various topics
dealing with specific misconceptions which you will find inoformative
and useful in your dawah endeavours, in shaa'Allaah The topics are as
follows:
Misconception: Muslims Worship Muhammad: Clarifying the very old myth
that Muslims take their Prophet Sall Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam as an
object of worship besides God (Allaah).
Misconception: Islam is a Religion Only for Arabs: Although Islaam
began in the Arabian Peninsula, it was by no means a message to the
Arabs alone.
Misconception: Islam Degrades Women: A reply to the commonly propagated
myth that Islam degrades women.
Misconception: Muhammad Wrote the Qur'an: A reply to yet another
popular orientalist tradition - that Muhammad wrote the Qur'aan.
Misconception: Islam is Fatalistic: A reply to the confusion about
pre-destination (qadr) that is often made an issue by non-muslims and
used to describe Islam as fatalistic.
I have also included some further information below on misconceptions
from another source which in shaa'Allah you may find beneficial. Should
you have any further questions you can email to the webmaster at:
ans...@allaahuakbar.net
In closing, it's important for us to keep in mind when addressing the
various misconceptions of Islam with non-Muslims, what the Prophet Sall
Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam said: "Facilitate things to people
(concerning religious matters), and do not make it hard for them and
give them good tidings and do not make them run away (from Islam)."
(Saheeh Bukharee Volume 1, Book 3, Number 69: Narrated Anas bin Malik).
Also keep in mind that our obligation as a Muslim in calling people to
Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala also means completing our own worship, the
reason for which we are created. It is one of the noblest acts that
entails tremendous reward. With regards to the reward, the Prophet Sall
Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam said: "Whoever guides (another) to a good
deed will get a reward similar to the one who performs it." (Sahih
Muslim).
May Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala help us, protect us and make all of us
steadfast in propogating the path of goodness and truth of Islam. And
May He Ta`aala accept and bless our sincere efforts for His Ta`aala's
Deen. Aameen.
Fee Amaanillaah
Your sister,
K a r i m a
Misconceptions: Most Common Questions asked by Non-Muslims
http://www.allaahuakbar.net/misconceptions/index.htm
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MOST COMMON QUESTIONS ASKED BY NON-MUSLIMS.
Q1. Why is a man allowed to have more than one wife in Islaam? i.e.
why is polygamy allowed in Islaam?
Q2. If a man is allowed to have more than one wife, then why does
Islaam prohibit a woman from having more than one husband?.
Q3. Why does Islaam degrade women by keeping them behind the veil?.
Q4. How can Islaam be called the religion of peace when it was spread
by the sword?.
Q5. Why are most of the Muslims fundamentalists and terrorists?.
Q6. Killing an animal is a ruthless act. Why then do Muslims consume
non-vegetarian food?.
Q7. Why do Muslims slaughter the animal in a ruthless manner by
torturing it and slowly and painfully killing it?
Q8. Science tell us that whatever one eats, it has an effect on
one’s behaviour. Why then, does Islam allow Muslims to eat
non-vegetarian food, since eating of animals could make a person
violent and ferocious?.
Q9. When Islaam is against idol worship why do the Muslims worship,
and bow down to the Ka'abah in their prayer?
Q10. Why are non-Muslims not allowed in the Holy cities of Makkah and
Madeenah?.
Q11. Why is the eating of pork forbidden in Islaam?
Q12. Why is the consumption of alcohol prohibited in Islaam?.
Q13. When all the Muslim follow one and the same Qur'โn then why are
there so many sects and different schools of thoughts among Muslims?.
Q14. If Islaam is the best religion, why are many of the Muslims
dishonest, unreliable, and involved in activities such as cheating,
bribing, dealing in drugs, etc.?.
Q15. Why do Muslims abuse non-Muslims by calling them Kafirs?.
Q16. Why are two witnesses who are women, equivalent to only one
witness who is a man?.
Q17. Under Islaamic law, why is a woman’s share of the inherited
wealth only half that of a man?.
Q18. How can you prove the existence of hereafter, i.e. life after
death?.
Q19. All religions basically teach followers to do good deeds. Why
should a person only follow Islaam? Can he not follow any of the
religions?.
MOST COMMON QUESTIONS ASKED BY NON-MUSLIMS
WHO HAVE SOME KNOWLEDGE OF ISLaAM.
Q22. There were many versions of the Qur'โn all of which were burnt
by Usman (R.A.) except for one. Therefore is it not true that the
present Qur'โn is the one compiled by Usman (R.A.) and not the
original revelation of God?
Q23. Doesn’t Islam promote violence, bloodshed and brutality since
the Qur'โn says that Muslims should kill the Kafirs where ever they
find them?.
Q24. Does Islaam believe in several Gods because the Qur'โn uses the
word ‘We’ when God speaks in the Qur'โn?
Q25. According to Darwin's theory of Evolution man has evolved from
apes. Doesn't the Qur'โn conflict with this theory?.
Q26. Muslims believe in the theory of abrogation, i.e. they believe
that certain earlier verses of the Qur'โn were abrogated by verses
revealed later. Does this imply that God made a mistake and later on
corrected it?
Q27. Why do certain Surahs in the Qur'โn begin with Alif Laam Meem,
Haa Meem, Yaa Seen. What is the significance of such terms or phrases?.
Q28. Qur'โn says that Allaah has made the earth for you as a carpet.
This gives an indication that the earth is flat. Does this not
contradict established modern science?
Q29. The Qur'โn says that only Allaah knows the sex of the child in
the womb of the mother but now science has advanced and we can easily
determine the sex of the child in the womb by ultrasonography. Isn’t
this verse of the Qur'โn conflicting with medical science?.
Q30. According to the Qur'โn when a man enters paradise, he will get
hoor, i.e. beautiful maidens. What will a woman have when she enters
paradise?.
Q31. If Allaah has sealed the hearts of the Kafirs i.e. non-Muslims,
then why are they to be blamed for not accepting Islaam?.
Q32. If God is responsible for our destiny then why should we be held
responsible for the evil acts and sins we commit?
Q33. The Qur'โn mentions in several places that the heavens and the
were earth created in 6 days but in Surah Fussilat it says that the
heavens and the earth were created in 8 days. Isn’t this a
contradiction? The same verse also says that the earth was created in 6
days and then later on the heavens were created in 2 days. This is
against the Big-Bang theory that the heavens and the earth were created
simultaneously?
Q34. At one place the Qur'โn mentions that man is created from sperm
and in another place it mentions that man is created from dust. Are
these two verses not contradicting? How can you scientifically prove
that man is created from dust?.
Q35. It is mentioned in one verse of the Qur'โn that Allaah is the
Lord of two Easts and two Wests. How can you explain this verse of the
Qur'โn scientifically?.
Q36. A particular verse of the Qur'โn says that one day in the sight
of Allaah is equal to 1000 years. In another verse of the Qur'โn it
says that one day is equal to 50,000 years. Isn’t the Qur'โn
contradicting itself?.
Q37. The Qur'โn in several places says that Iblis was an angel, but
in Surah Kahf it says that Iblis was a Jinn. Isn’t this a
contradiction in the Qur'โn?.
Q38. According to Arun Shourie there is a mathematical error in the
Qur'โn. In chapter 4 verses 11 and 12 when you add up the different
parts of inheritance given to the heirs, it is more than one. Therefore
the author of the Qur'โn does not know mathematics.
Q39. The Qur'โn says several times that Allaah is most Merciful and
Forgiving but also says many times that He gives severe punishment. Is
He Forgiving or Revengeful?.
Q40. The Qur'โn says that Allaah has put a seal on the hearts of the
Kafirs and they will not believe. Science tells us today that the brain
is responsible for understanding and believing and not the heart.
Isn’t the Qur'โn contradicting Science?.
QUESTIONS ASKED BY NON-MUSLIMS WHO HAVE SOME KNOWLEDGE OF Islaam.
Q51. Why did Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) have eleven wives? When a Muslim
is allowed to marry a maximum of four wives, how is it that Muhammad
(pbuh) had eleven wives?
Q52. Does Islaam permit women to give divorce? What are the different
types of divorce in Islaam?
Q53. Why do Muslims call God, ‘Allaah’? Is ALLAAH" MORE
APPROPRIATE THAN GOD?
Q54. Why can’t a Muslim wish Assalamu Alaykum (Peace be on you) to a
Non-Muslim?
Q55. Why are women not allowed in the mosque?
Q56. Does Islaam produce a Lazy and Uneducated Society?
Q57. Why is building of temples and churches and the propagation of
any religion other than Islaam not allowed in Islaamic countries like
Saudi Arabia?
Q58. Why do Muslims have to pray five times every day. Isn’t praying
once a day sufficient?
Q59. Why does Allaah require us to praise Him? What benefit does he
get?
Q60. If God is just then why are some people born healthy while some
are born with defects and are deaf and dumb, some people are born in
rich families while others in poor families?
Q61. Why are Muslim men circumcised? Why Afghanis and Iranis are
forcing women to do similar thing? Should women be circumcised in
Islaam?
Q62. Religion or a way of life, should not be rigid but should be
flexible. Islaam is very rigid, has several rules, with do’s and
don’ts. Why is it so?
Q63. Is a woman allowed to be a head of state?
Q64. Why are Muslims not allowed to marry Non-Muslims?
Q65. Why do Muslims bow down , prostrate and then stand as though they
are exercising while offering prayers?
Q66. Why do Muslims starve the complete day during all the days of the
month of Ramadhan?
Q67. Why are all prayers and supplications not answered or fulfilled
by Allaah (SWT)?
Q68. Why do Muslims follow the lunar calendar instead of the solar
calendar?
Q69. Why Islaam is an Authoritarian Religion?
AND SOME MORE QUERIES REGARDING ISLAAM..
Q81.What is Islaam?
Q82. What is the Islaamic Verdict on Hijacking and Kidnapping?
Q83. What is the Islaamic Verdict on Suicide Bombings? What is the
ruling regarding acts of Jihaad by means of suicide?
Q84. Why Islaam tolerates the killing of innocents? why only Muslims
are terrorists? why Muslims engage in `holy wars' (jihad)? why Islaam
was spread by the sword? why it has a harsh and cruel judicial system?
Q85. Why in Islaam denial of human rights is acceptable? why Islaam is
against pure democracy and tolerates slavery?
Q86. Is Islaam a Fatalistic Religion?
Q87. Who is Satan? What do Muslims think of Satan?
Q88. Who created Allaah?
Q89. Where is Allaah?
Q90. Who is Allaah?
COMMON QUESTIONS ASKED BY Christians..
Q91. Why Muslims Reject or Hate Jesus Christ the son of God?
Karima-DDN
Mohammed Asad Shareef
Jeraisy Group Cardtec Factory
È : 0501120751
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camainc
"...it's our job to teach the people around us about the true Islam:
the fastest growing religion that promotes gender equality and indeed
liberates women."
Can you provide me with accurate, unbiased statistics that prove that
Islam is the fastest growing religion? Also, how is it growing? By
conversions or by population growth (birth into a Muslim family).
Also, please explain what you mean by "promotes gender equality". My
brother and sister-in-law live in Amman, Jordan - a country typically
viewed as one of the most modern of the Islamic countries - and she is
still considered only half a person. Her testimony in a court of law
only counts for half that of a man. When she needed to sign for her
imported property at the customs office, she needed a man to co-sign
for her, because she was legally only half a person. How is this
promoting gender equality?
Please explain how women in Saudi Arabia are being liberated. Their
faces are not allowed to be seen by anyone other than their husbands.
When in public they must completely cover themselves, except for a tiny
eyeslit or mesh with which to see through. They must always be
accompanied by a man when going out in public. They are not allowed to
drive cars, etc., etc.
One of the last times I was in Jordan, we spent the day down at Aqabah.
We went swimming in the pool at our hotel. It was a very hot day. There
was a muslim family there as well. The man was wearing speedo-type
swimming trunks. The children were wearing swim suits. The mother (I
felt so sorry for her) was sitting at a table by the pool, completely
covered, head to foot, in her solid black garment. She was not at
liberty to enjoy the pool like her husband and children. I can only
imagine how hot she must have been sitting there in the sun, watching
the rest of her family laugh, splash and play in the cool water of the
pool.
Please give me examples of women being liberated in countries where
Islam is the predominant religion, particulary where shariah is
practised.
Thanks,
Charles