Islam is the most misunderstood religion in contemporary society

[Epic Beard Man]

Buddhism predates Islam by many centuries.

Yes but when talking about global issues if you compare Islam to the aforementioned faiths by you, and polled people, people are more interested and concerned about Islam. This is an undeniable truth.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

It appears that there is much misunderstanding of Islam also among Muslims.
One can quote scripture to claim that Islam is this or that...positive or negative.
Thus, the one thing which is clear such diverse views that Islam is unclear, even
to Muslims. No one can claim to speak for all of Islam. There is only individual
interpretation.

Is death the penalty for apostasy? That depends up which Muslim you ask.
Should Sharia apply to non-Muslims? Ditto.
Is suicide bombing just? Ditto.
Ref....
Majorities of Muslims in Egypt and Pakistan support the death penalty for leaving Islam

Sharia is a way of life not a law....The way it is interpreted is based on Islamic Jurisprudence and how punishment is carried out depends on the school of thought.

 

[sayak83]

Forbids interfaith marriage for women yes but not for men unless they are Among people of the book

No. Here is the quote. Both men and women are included,

Marry not idolatresses until they believe. Truly a believing slave woman is better than an idolatress, though she be pleasing to you. And marry none to the idolaters until they believe. Truly a believing slave is better than an idolater, though he should impress you. They are those who call unto the Fire, but God calls unto the Garden and forgiveness, by His leave, and makes clear His signs to mankind, that haply they may remember.

 

[Revoltingest]

Sharia is a way of life not a law....The way it is interpreted is based on Islamic Jurisprudence and how punishment is carried out depends on the school of thought.

This doesn't address the widespread disagreement
among Muslims about what Islam means.
So it has bearing upon my post how?

 

[sayak83]

All folks in the banking sector and everybody who takes interests from banks and mutual funds are going to hell. Is that a misunderstanding ?

Those who devour usury shall not rise except as one rises who is felled by the touch of Satan. That is because they say, “Buying and selling are simply like usury,” though God has permitted buying and selling and forbidden usury. One who , after receiving counsel from his Lord, desists shall have what is past and his affair goes to God. And as for those who go back, they are the inhabitants of the Fire, abiding therein. 278 O you who believe! Reverence God, and leave what remains of usury, if you are believers. 279 And if you do not, then take notice of a war from God and His Messenger. If you repent, you shall have the principal of your wealth, and you shall neither wrong nor be wronged.

 

[viole]

Define easier

I don't know.

Less disconnected, maybe?

Ciao

- viole

 

[Curious George]

Christ when some of you guys comment do you guys just read the title and comment or do you read what is being said here cause some of the comments made here are making me question more and more the comprehension of some of you people. Like seriously, it seems this psychological phenomena of having a mental bias also inhibits people from reading the entire material.

I hope this was not in part directed at me. I read your OP and spent quite some time watching your posted youtube videos. It did not clear up or contradict any understanding that I have regarding Muslims who become atheists or homosexuals. Both of which are considered immoral people and I cannot reconcile how Islam treats them with equality. Given this, your statement that the correct way to view islam is as a religion which promotes good, justice and equality is clearly in error.

 

[loverofhumanity]

"The secular mind is deeply entrenched with the idea that Islam is a system of beliefs where fanaticism and moderate devotion to a supernatural deity is indistinguishable."

-Epic Beard Man


I began that quote from listening to an hour and twenty-three minute video of Karen Armstrong giving a lecture regarding the secular views of Islam today. According to Karen Armstrong, the "bed rock message of the Qur'an is it is good to share your wealth fairly, and wrong to horde a private fortune, and the aim of life is to build a just and decent society where vulnerable people are treated with equity and respect." In Ms. Armstrong's lecture, she brings up a good point where in viewing other religions we tend to view them through the lens of Protestant Christianity, where religion is considered as a separate activity. Hence in the west we see Protestant Christianity as a benchmark in which we judge all others. This is why Buddhism and Confucianism are considered "secular ideologies" but according to Armstrong, the Buddha and Confucius would have not understood secularism as we see it.

Unfortunately, throughout the years (actually centuries) Islam has been presented by the west as a blood thirsty religion bent on Holy War, or Jihad to commence the campaign of Dar al-Islam. The western viewpoint of Jihad is the misunderstanding (whether intentional or unintentional) of Quranic interpretation of a holy struggle of the self. Jihad is the constant battle from within and in fact according to Islam, the constant battle from within is the greatest form of Jihad. Jihad appears in the Qur'an only 44 times and in 10 of those does it refer to warfare. Jihad is a struggle. Ms. Armstrong cites some examples regarding what it means to struggle such as for instance it being a struggle to give someone something to eat because they are hungry when you yourself are hungry. Do you give in to your own senses and biological desires or do you transcend beyond that and do the selfless act and give to the starving person.

In the west we turn on our television and watch news outlets of ISIL (or ISIS) or other terrorist organizations who commit acts of violence such as bombings and suicide bombings and the fervor or these groups who vehemently believe what they're doing is for God. It is historical fact that suicide bombings was not invented by Muslim extremists in fact, it was an invention by the Tamil Tigers, an extremely secular organization. According to Armstrong, though we see the early bombings happening in Lebanon committed by Shi'ites, most attacks during the 1980's in Lebanon and Jordan were done by secularists and socialists and secularists from Syria 7 suicide bombings were done by Muslims and 27 were done by secularists. Suicide bombings is strictly unIslamic and many Muslim scholars cite several verses but one verse is more popular when responding to critics concerning suicide bombings:

“Whoever kills a person [unjustly]…it is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all mankind.” (Qur’an, 5:32).

When it comes to violence of this type in looking at the actions of these Muslims who commit these violent acts, we must look at the root cause of these actions. Because what we see are people who believe that their country is invaded by a power more advanced in weaponry than the people. Coupled this with doctrinal ignorance, low education, hopelessness, limited resources, desperation, and a fiery and fanatical Imam, you have a recipe for disaster. There is something inherently wrong when a child who has never lived life expresses glee in the manner that some of these kids do, when they see their violent causes as something for "The Lord of the Worlds." The problem I see when people examine Islam is that we tend to see Islam from a Western perspective. I mean, we do this with a lot of people. Instead of asking why, we need to be asking how? How does the psychopathology of someone who is desperately trying to kill themselves and others develop? Where do people get these ideas?

People do not examine the perspective of the other by stepping outside themselves, and even though some do, they still place their western perspective in scenarios like "even if I was in that situation I would do such and such, and such and such." No, you wouldn't because if you were in that scenario you would not be having a western perspective on life or having the perspective of life that you have now, you'd have their perspective. I tend to ask myself when looking at the violence that is happening in the world in that sector I wonder what is compounding the violent ideologies? I firmly believe it is the socio-political infrastructures that over time have become unstable and paralyzed in time due to a collective effort of outside forces (western influences of warfare e.g. think CIA influence on the Taliban fighting Russians).

When it comes to the religious interpretation of he Qur'an like Judaism and the reading of the Talmud, the Qur'an is read through a filtration system such as the Imam or the Hadith. People often ask "what is the correct interpretation of Islam?" I would answer from an outsider's perspective it depends where you are in the world. For many impoverished Palestinians, their interpretation of Islam is a lot different than the perspective of Muslims who live in Detroit or New York. Just as the perspective of an Irish Christian would be different religiously than the perspective of a Taiwanese Christian. Our environment can be our x-factor in how we see ourselves in the world from a religious perspective.

What is the correct way to look at Islam?

Any faith that promotes good, justice, and equality, and promotes self-growth and excellence and the fair treatment of others which is the baseline of Islam, is the correct way of looking at Islam.

Hi epic, do you have some links to Karen Armstrong?

She’s very fair and unbiased and I like her a lot.

"Blessing and peace be upon Him [Muhammad] through Whose advent Bathá [Mecca] is wreathed in smiles, and the sweet savours of Whose raiment have shed fragrance upon all mankind-- He Who came to protect men from that which would harm them in the world below. Exalted, immensely exalted is His station above the glorification of all beings and sanctified from the praise of the entire creation. Through His advent the tabernacle of stability and order was raised throughout the world and the ensign of knowledge hoisted among the nations. May blessings rest also upon His kindred and His companions through whom the standard of the unity of God and of His singleness was uplifted and the banners of celestial triumph were unfurled. Through them the religion of God was firmly established among His creatures and His Name magnified amidst His servants."

- Tablets of Baha'u'llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 162

 

[Kenny]

People do things against the name of their faith all the time and yes you can't blame such and such but it happens.

I think we are deviating from your statement of blaming the West for what Muslims are doing to each other in their own countries.

If someone's name is Abdullah and something happens in the United States the news looks at terrorist ties.

An obvious consequence of hearing allahu akbar before something happens. Again, in as much as America is the Great Satan, in the eyes of what is said by many Imans, it is a natural respons to check if there are terrorist ties.

When ANYONE dies, it is also a proper response to see if it was a homicide or not.

Someone white, they want to look at mental health, again this is established by the media and then the public.

This is racist statment by nature. Why? Are you saying that there are no African Americans who can't have the thought of looking in a mental health issue?

First you say "terrorist", then you say "white" and then "mental health".

Sounds like you have a beef. Have you tried love?

 

[Epic Beard Man]

No. Here is the quote. Both men and women are included,

Marry not idolatresses until they believe. Truly a believing slave woman is better than an idolatress, though she be pleasing to you. And marry none to the idolaters until they believe. Truly a believing slave is better than an idolater, though he should impress you. They are those who call unto the Fire, but God calls unto the Garden and forgiveness, by His leave, and makes clear His signs to mankind, that haply they may remember.

A "believing slave" can be interpreted as someone who believes in Judaism or Christianity or someone who simply believes in God.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

This doesn't address the widespread disagreement
among Muslims about what Islam means.
So it has bearing upon my post how?

what disagreement? Who is disagreeing what popular scholar disagrees or what scholars are disagreeing?

 

[Epic Beard Man]

I don't know.

Less disconnected, maybe?

Ciao

- viole

hmm

 

[Epic Beard Man]

Hi epic, do you have some links to Karen Armstrong?

She’s very fair and unbiased and I like her a lot.

"Blessing and peace be upon Him [Muhammad] through Whose advent Bathá [Mecca] is wreathed in smiles, and the sweet savours of Whose raiment have shed fragrance upon all mankind-- He Who came to protect men from that which would harm them in the world below. Exalted, immensely exalted is His station above the glorification of all beings and sanctified from the praise of the entire creation. Through His advent the tabernacle of stability and order was raised throughout the world and the ensign of knowledge hoisted among the nations. May blessings rest also upon His kindred and His companions through whom the standard of the unity of God and of His singleness was uplifted and the banners of celestial triumph were unfurled. Through them the religion of God was firmly established among His creatures and His Name magnified amidst His servants."

- Tablets of Baha'u'llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 162

That was beautiful......

As Muslims (and Bahai's) would say

"The light of the Creator penetrates all creation and in all things are subservient to the maker of all the worlds. That which magnifies the Creators glory cannot be expressed."

I will see if I have some more excerpts.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

I think we are deviating from your statement of blaming the West for what Muslims are doing to each other in their own countries.


An obvious consequence of hearing allahu akbar before something happens. Again, in as much as America is the Great Satan, in the eyes of what is said by many Imans, it is a natural respons to check if there are terrorist ties.

When ANYONE dies, it is also a proper response to see if it was a homicide or not.


This is racist statment by nature. Why? Are you saying that there are no African Americans who can't have the thought of looking in a mental health issue?

First you say "terrorist", then you say "white" and then "mental health".

Sounds like you have a beef. Have you tried love?

Next time try quoting everything instead of quoting stuff you want to present...Knowing that you are intellectually dishonest I'm good on you.

 

[sayak83]

A "believing slave" can be interpreted as someone who believes in Judaism or Christianity or someone who simply believes in God.

But not atheists, polytheist etc. Correct?
Note that Quran repeatedly says that Christians who believe Jesus is God are idolators. Since that's all Christians....

 

[sayak83]

That was beautiful......

As Muslims (and Bahai's) would say

"The light of the Creator penetrates all creation and in all things are subservient to the maker of all the worlds. That which magnifies the Creators glory cannot be expressed."

I will see if I have some more excerpts.

Isn't Quran the final revelation. Does that not mean all other revelations after Quran are automatically false, and their followers idolators?
Just checking if that is the correct interpretation of what Quran states.

 

[Sacha Jennings]

"The secular mind is deeply entrenched with the idea that Islam is a system of beliefs where fanaticism and moderate devotion to a supernatural deity is indistinguishable."

-Epic Beard Man


I began that quote from listening to an hour and twenty-three minute video of Karen Armstrong giving a lecture regarding the secular views of Islam today. According to Karen Armstrong, the "bed rock message of the Qur'an is it is good to share your wealth fairly, and wrong to horde a private fortune, and the aim of life is to build a just and decent society where vulnerable people are treated with equity and respect." In Ms. Armstrong's lecture, she brings up a good point where in viewing other religions we tend to view them through the lens of Protestant Christianity, where religion is considered as a separate activity. Hence in the west we see Protestant Christianity as a benchmark in which we judge all others. This is why Buddhism and Confucianism are considered "secular ideologies" but according to Armstrong, the Buddha and Confucius would have not understood secularism as we see it.

Unfortunately, throughout the years (actually centuries) Islam has been presented by the west as a blood thirsty religion bent on Holy War, or Jihad to commence the campaign of Dar al-Islam. The western viewpoint of Jihad is the misunderstanding (whether intentional or unintentional) of Quranic interpretation of a holy struggle of the self. Jihad is the constant battle from within and in fact according to Islam, the constant battle from within is the greatest form of Jihad. Jihad appears in the Qur'an only 44 times and in 10 of those does it refer to warfare. Jihad is a struggle. Ms. Armstrong cites some examples regarding what it means to struggle such as for instance it being a struggle to give someone something to eat because they are hungry when you yourself are hungry. Do you give in to your own senses and biological desires or do you transcend beyond that and do the selfless act and give to the starving person.

In the west we turn on our television and watch news outlets of ISIL (or ISIS) or other terrorist organizations who commit acts of violence such as bombings and suicide bombings and the fervor or these groups who vehemently believe what they're doing is for God. It is historical fact that suicide bombings was not invented by Muslim extremists in fact, it was an invention by the Tamil Tigers, an extremely secular organization. According to Armstrong, though we see the early bombings happening in Lebanon committed by Shi'ites, most attacks during the 1980's in Lebanon and Jordan were done by secularists and socialists and secularists from Syria 7 suicide bombings were done by Muslims and 27 were done by secularists. Suicide bombings is strictly unIslamic and many Muslim scholars cite several verses but one verse is more popular when responding to critics concerning suicide bombings:

“Whoever kills a person [unjustly]…it is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all mankind.” (Qur’an, 5:32).

When it comes to violence of this type in looking at the actions of these Muslims who commit these violent acts, we must look at the root cause of these actions. Because what we see are people who believe that their country is invaded by a power more advanced in weaponry than the people. Coupled this with doctrinal ignorance, low education, hopelessness, limited resources, desperation, and a fiery and fanatical Imam, you have a recipe for disaster. There is something inherently wrong when a child who has never lived life expresses glee in the manner that some of these kids do, when they see their violent causes as something for "The Lord of the Worlds." The problem I see when people examine Islam is that we tend to see Islam from a Western perspective. I mean, we do this with a lot of people. Instead of asking why, we need to be asking how? How does the psychopathology of someone who is desperately trying to kill themselves and others develop? Where do people get these ideas?

People do not examine the perspective of the other by stepping outside themselves, and even though some do, they still place their western perspective in scenarios like "even if I was in that situation I would do such and such, and such and such." No, you wouldn't because if you were in that scenario you would not be having a western perspective on life or having the perspective of life that you have now, you'd have their perspective. I tend to ask myself when looking at the violence that is happening in the world in that sector I wonder what is compounding the violent ideologies? I firmly believe it is the socio-political infrastructures that over time have become unstable and paralyzed in time due to a collective effort of outside forces (western influences of warfare e.g. think CIA influence on the Taliban fighting Russians).

When it comes to the religious interpretation of he Qur'an like Judaism and the reading of the Talmud, the Qur'an is read through a filtration system such as the Imam or the Hadith. People often ask "what is the correct interpretation of Islam?" I would answer from an outsider's perspective it depends where you are in the world. For many impoverished Palestinians, their interpretation of Islam is a lot different than the perspective of Muslims who live in Detroit or New York. Just as the perspective of an Irish Christian would be different religiously than the perspective of a Taiwanese Christian. Our environment can be our x-factor in how we see ourselves in the world from a religious perspective.

What is the correct way to look at Islam?

Any faith that promotes good, justice, and equality, and promotes self-growth and excellence and the fair treatment of others which is the baseline of Islam, is the correct way of looking at Islam.

i completely agree that islam is the most understood religion in modern society, Muslims can sometimes be called extremists just because in the Qua-ran (i dont know how to spell it sorry) it says you can use violence in self defence and to protect yourself, tell me what person would call someone who uses violence in self defence an extremeist (unless you are a pacifist). The people who are in ISIS is not the modern "Muslim" for example they drink alcohol which is something Muslims are not supposed to do, my best friend who in fact is a Muslim is one of the kindest, passive and mellow people you will meet.

By the way i am a 14 year old child so if i get anything wrong i am truly sorry.

edit: ISIS gives somewhat a bad reputation for all Muslims, i mean if anything at all that is to do with a muslim its all over the news for weeks. its a bit like whats going on with all this knife crime in London at the moment well its all the younger people getting the blame when i know for a fact that nearly all of young people wouldnt stab someone

 

[Kenny]

Next time try quoting everything instead of quoting stuff you want to present...Knowing that you are intellectually dishonest I'm good on you.

LOL... I've given statistics and history and you have given biased viewpoints.

If that is your argument, I guess attacking the poster is your best defense.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

But not atheists, polytheist etc. Correct?
Note that Quran repeatedly says that Christians who believe Jesus is God are idolators. Since that's all Christians....

Note it does not say that.....again the Qur'an was revealed in pieces during specific events during the time of the prophet Muhammad.

The Qur'an says thus:

“Come to a common principle between us and you: That we worship none but God; that we associate no equals with him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than God.” (3:64)

"It was We who revealed the Torah; therein was guidance and light. By its standard the Jewish people have been judged by the Prophets who surrendered to God’s will, as well as by the Rabbis and the doctors of Law, for to them the protection of God’s book was entrusted: If any do fail to judge by what God has revealed (including the Torah), they are (no better than) unbelievers." [5:44]

"Likewise, Jesus, too, is given great respect, and is even referred to as “a Word from God”, and his sincere followers are described in very complementary terms. Relationships with the followers of other traditions should be characterized by more than mere tolerance, but rather by respect, compassion, peace and the fostering of coexistence and cooperation. The Qur’an instructs Muslims to show respect to the religious people of previous traditions and says: 'Amongst these are people devoted to learning and people who have renounced the world and are not arrogant.' [5:82]"

"Finally, respect for all sincere human beings is enjoined upon Muslims: 'O you who keep the faith! When you go abroad in the way of God, be clear and circumspect and say not to anyone who offers you a greeting of peace: “You are not a believer!” [4:94]

According to the Qur'an, Can Jews and Christians 'Partake in the Blessings of Heaven and Earth?' | HuffPost

 

[viole]

hmm

hmm what?

Don't you think Islam would have less problems to be understood in the year 1000AD and change? I think so. It had a very good reputation in the times where you could die because of a tooth caries.

And everyone was chopping other peoples heads off anyway, because of believing in a airborne human instead of a airborne horse. So the difference was smaller. It just had to deal with what mammal actually flew to heaven, instead of other issues like equality and tolerance.

Modern society is not really best for Islam, believe me. All those secular people confusing Muslim women with Batman, because of their outfit and such...Not very nice. Could work during carnival, but it could scare kids otherwise. Suboptimal, really.

Ciao

- viole