All around the world, there are many misconceptions that non-Muslims have about Islam and Muslims. This project will be describing those misbeliefs and will be clarifying them. People’s views and opinions matter which should be clarified and should be given information to them that they do not think that way. One of the biggest misconceptions about Islam that people have is that Muslims are terrorists. That is not at all true as Islam is a religion of peace and tranquillity.
Islam does not support or encourage the killing of innocents at any point as our Holy Book tells us that murdering is prohibited. Terrorists clearly ignore the teachings of the Qur’an in that way; They are the people who want to destroy the name of Islam. This was put into thought because of the incident that happened in America on 9/11 which made the world think that Muslims are behind it and that they are terrorists. I would just like to say that Islam is a religion that spreads love, peace and humanity. A religion with this concept cannot spread hatred or cannot even think about terrorism. Another way that this misconception has been thought that plays an important role in it is Media; Journalists portray Muslims as they are the reason all the attacks happen around the world as Islam has been thought like that.
However, it is not like people all around the world think so, there are so many people who respect our religion and the people of it and that is the reason why non-Muslims convert to Islam because they do not believe what they see, but what they experience themselves. Another misconception that people have about Islam is that Muslims are Arabs. This is a very wrong judgment about Islam as there are Muslims all around the World; for example, in Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan and several other countries. People think that because of the language of the Qur’an, they think that Muslims are Arabs. Apart from that, Muslims from all over the world are seen at Makkah and Madinah performing their pilgrimage and Hajj. There is another misconception about Islam that Muslims have only two sects; Shias and Sunnis. However, this is incorrect. Just like in Christianity and other religions, there are different sects.
Moreover, the two major sects are Shia and Sunni but there are many sub-sects who have different leaders and different concepts and theories; for example, Hanafi, Maliki, Imami, Zaydi; etc. Misconceptions like Islam oppresses women is also a matter that is taken lightly and not clarified. This statement itself is incorrect as Islam uplifts and supports women in every way, whether they are a daughter, sister, wife or a mother. Islam also teaches us that both the genders, men and women have to be an equal infant of our God, Allah. Every woman in Islam has their rights, entitlements and privileges, which may be even more than what men have. Islam has given so much respect to women, not only in the Qur’an, but there are examples given like the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) who used to respect not only his thirteen wives but also his daughters. He had given respect and love to every one of them. He had married some of them just to support them financially, as they were poor or widowed.
Other misconceptions regarding Christianity is that they think that we don’t believe in Jesus or Prophet Isa, but we do. He is mentioned in the Qur’an and there are even stories told that his mother Mary or Maryam (R.A) gave birth to him without a father, and even about Moses or Prophet Musa. Other misconceptions that are held about Islam is that people think that the Hadith are as authentic as The Qur’an; to clarify this statement, I would like to say that there are many scholars who believe that they are correct, but as they say it is a narration of the Prophet, or the Caliph or Khalifa. However, verifying or validating them is not necessary as they are to be believed as it is a narration which is passed from person to person which can lead to errors. Other misconceptions are that Zakat, a form of charity should not be given to non-Muslims. It can be given to them as religion does not matter in this way. Also, people think that charity can be given instead of Animal Sacrifice (sheep, goat; etc), that is done on Eid.
Other misunderstandings like Muslim women are forced to cover their heads and is not according to their will and that interest can be charged for a Noble cause. Women in Islam are not forced to cover their heads and wear hijab, but they wear it with their own determination and willpower, but it is mentioned in the Qur’an so one should do and regarding the interest that one can take, it cannot be charged for anything, regardless of the reason. It is prohibited to take extra money as it comes under the unlawful income. Some people also think that Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was the founder of Islam; So, we Muslims do not pray or worship Him, as he was a human like us. Some people also hold misconceptions that they think Islam gives no importance to education and force their children, especially daughters to not study. This is falsely said, as Islam encourages every person to gain knowledge and as much as they can to learn and also to teach others. Some people also think that we Muslims do not share food and noble values with non-Muslims, instead, we actually do as not only the Prophet(P.B.U.H) but also Allah encourages us to have the best manners and character within ourselves.
We Muslims observe characteristics as being honest, fair, respect (to parents, neighbours, elderly, relatives), generous, charitable, and not to lie, swear, backbite or cheat. In conclusion, there are many wrong beliefs about Muslims that occur in the world, which should be clarified and be acknowledged by everyone around the world, so they do not think wrong about our religion, which in return will bring more non-Muslims to convert into Islam.