Islam is the most misunderstood religion in contemporary society

[Epic Beard Man]

BUT you can find verses that tell followers the opposite.....

But those who reject Faith after they accepted it, and then go on adding to their defiance of Faith, – never will their repentance be accepted; for they are those who have (of set purpose) gone astray.
Quaran 3.90

A man embraced Islam and then reverted back to Judaism. Mu'adh bin Jabal came and saw the man with Abu Musa. Mu'adh asked, "What is wrong with this (man)?" Abu Musa replied, "He embraced Islam and then reverted back to Judaism." Mu'adh said, "I will not sit down unless you kill him (as it is) the verdict of Allah and His Apostle."
Sahih al-Bukhari 9:89:271

Sure like any other monotheistic doctrine of the Abrahamic tradition. Your point?

 

[The Kilted Heathen]

When it comes to the media and the phobias that come from that, I would disagree. I'm referring to the fears and the subsequent stigmas attached to Islam.

And there's no shortage of those fears for Satanists. Did you know there are still people who believe that Satanists (and witches, even) sacrifice babies to the devil?

 

[Epic Beard Man]

So whats the Arabic for disbelievers.

Wow I thought I explained it in the essay I just wrote to you?

Kafir: An Arabic term (from the root K-F-R "to cover") meaning "one who covers the truth."

There are various types of unbelievers according to Islamic theology. In relation to the Quraysh, the tribe they were considered Kufaar due to their perceived ignorance as well as their polytheistic beliefs (Mushrikun).

 

[Epic Beard Man]

And there's no shortage of those fears for Satanists. Did you know there are still people who believe that Satanists (and witches, even) sacrifice babies to the devil?

I don't doubt that at all. I have an uber religious nut who works in a department next to mine and she thinks an upside down cross is an affront to Jesus..

 

[Altfish]

Sure like any other monotheistic doctrine of the Abrahamic tradition. Your point?

My point. The Quran is a waste of time and contradictory and shouldn't be quoted.

 

[The Kilted Heathen]

Seems that would put Satanism ahead of mistranslated or misunderstood Arabic phrases that are sometimes intentionally twisted to where they are misrepresented to non-muslims, eh?

 

[Epic Beard Man]

My point. The Quran is a waste of time and contradictory and shouldn't be quoted.

This is not the subject of this thread, if you wish to discuss contradictions start your own thread, otherwise, I rather not indulge in ad hominems.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

Seems that would put Satanism ahead of mistranslated or misunderstood Arabic phrases that are sometimes intentionally twisted to where they are misrepresented to non-muslims, eh?

Wrong.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

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.

 

[sayak83]

Wow I thought I explained it in the essay I just wrote to you?

Kafir: An Arabic term (from the root K-F-R "to cover") meaning "one who covers the truth."

There are various types of unbelievers according to Islamic theology. In relation to the Quraysh, the tribe they were considered Kufaar due to their perceived ignorance as well as their polytheistic beliefs (Mushrikun).

Look. I asked a simple question. Do the words of the Quran I quoted apply to modern day atheists, Buddhists, Hindus etc. who do not believe in Quran's God?

 

[Epic Beard Man]

Look. I asked a simple question. Do the words of the Quran I quoted apply to modern day atheists, Buddhists, Hindus etc. who do not believe in Quran's God?

You would have to ask a Muslim more in-depth in Islamic theology and Fiqh than I am. From my studies without altering what is said yes atheists, Buddhists, and Hindus could be perceived as Kufr or anyone with intent conceals a belief in the reality and Oneness of God. Although Hindus believe in One deity Brahman, in a pantheon, it could be argued that worshippers in Hinduism are worshipping the One God through various aspects of God. In regards to their destination when it comes to the hereafter, a Muslim is supposed to say Allahu A'lam (God knows best).

 

[Shadow Wolf]

What is popularly misunderstood is Islam which is older than aforementioned faiths.

Buddhism predates Islam by many centuries.

 

[Augustus]

I need the link...Last time someone tried to reference something they referenced from an anti-Muslim website. the last one recently referenced from someone who was considered an extremist. This person tried to pass it off as universally accepted. That is why I need the link to make sure you don't grab it from some anti-Muslim website (which would make your point invalid).

You need the link because it is to be assumed that I'm an anti-Muslim bigot?

If you want to find out if it's from an anti-Muslim website then google it and find out.

As I said though, it's from EQ vol 3 which is an academic reference text that I own, not a website. If you have access to it it's easy enough to find, if you don't have access to it, you couldn't access it even with a link.

But as far as what you wrote I already covered this. You had different Muslim successors and different Caliphs with different agendas.

You didn't cover it very accurately though... Also classical Islamic theology developed in the time of these later caliphs as a specific Islamic identity and doctrine solidified.

Muslim expansion is not considered Jihad. The expansion was done by different Muslim Caliph successors. If you knew history you'd know this. Stop bringing stuff out your ***

Muslim expansion was very much considered jihad, as the academic sources I quoted explained. If you knew history, you'd know this

This time a Muslim source:

A “war” in Islam is a Jihad. That is to say it is a noble sacred fight in the way of Allâh for the verification of a Muslim society that seeks to free man from oppression, tyranny and aggression... The war of corruption, slaying and robbing that used to prevail has now turned into a sacred one,Al-Jihad. One of the greatest aims of Al-Jihad is to free man from the aggression, the oppression and the tyranny of men of power. A man of power, in Islam, is a weakling till after the right of the poor is taken from him.

War, in Islam, is a Jihad for the purification of the land of Allâh from deceit, treachery, sinful deeds and aggression. It is a sacred war that aims at spreading security, safety, mercy and compassion as well as observing the rights and magnanimity.. the Prophet (Peace be upon him) would say to him:

• “Let your invasion be in the Name of Allâh and for His sake. Fight those who disbelieve in Allâh. Invade but do not exaggerate nor commit treachery. Never deform the corpse of a dead person or kill an infant child.”

The Sealed Nectar

 

[Poseidon Soter]

Look. I asked a simple question. Do the words of the Quran I quoted apply to modern day atheists, Buddhists, Hindus etc. who do not believe in Quran's God?

As someone who has studied the Koran, I believe that would be the case (although I would note that some Muslims would say that a certain amount hinges on what one means by the Koran's God).

 

[viole]

"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 don't think it is a surprise that modern societies misunderstand it.

Do you think it would have an easier life if we were in the year 1000AD or something?

Ciao

- viole

 

[Revoltingest]

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

 

[sayak83]

You would have to ask a Muslim more in-depth in Islamic theology and Fiqh than I am. From my studies without altering what is said yes atheists, Buddhists, and Hindus could be perceived as Kufr or anyone with intent conceals a belief in the reality and Oneness of God. Although Hindus believe in One deity Brahman, in a pantheon, it could be argued that worshippers in Hinduism are worshipping the One God through various aspects of God. In regards to their destination when it comes to the hereafter, a Muslim is supposed to say Allahu A'lam (God knows best).

Good. See. That was not difficult.
My next point was a quote from Quran that forbids interfaith marriage. Was that accurate?

 

[sayak83]

As someone who has studied the Koran, I believe that would be the case (although I would note that some Muslims would say that a certain amount hinges on what one means by the Koran's God).

Richard Dawkins certainly qualifies.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

I don't think it is a surprise that modern societies misunderstand it.

Do you think it would have an easier life if we were in the year 1000AD or something?

Ciao

- viole

Define easier

 

[Epic Beard Man]

Good. See. That was not difficult.
My next point was a quote from Quran that forbids interfaith marriage. Was that accurate?

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