Misunderstanding of Islam1))
By
Mohamed EnyetAllah, Ph. D.
There is no compulsion in Religion; this one of the main
principles in Islam. Also, according to these principles, there is one God for
Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, and for all prophets and messengers. One God is the
creator of the Universe. The translation
of the Name of God to Arabic Language is Allah. In the Arab area, you find Christians
and others use the Name of Allah (God) in the Bible, and in their Arabic books.
Muslims worship God (Allah). They put their trust in Him, and they seek his
help and guidance. Allah the one and the only God has ninety-nine beautiful
names, such as Gracious, the Merciful, the Beneficent, the Creator, the All
knowing, the Wise, The Lord of the Universe, the First, the Last, and others.
The root of Islam in the Arabic language is “Silm” and “ Salam” which means peace. Muslim is the
person who believes in Muhammad, in Moses, and in Jesus, as Prophets, and Messengers
of Allah(God). The Translation of the word Muslim to English Language means
submission to God. So Muslim is any
person anywhere in the world who is submitted to one God and lives in peace
with the Creator, within one’s self, with other people, with the environment,
and whose obedience, allegiance and loyaltyare to one God, the Lord of the
Universe. Buy the previous meaning of Muslim, logically, mentally, and as
states in the Qur’an, the Father Abraham was a Muslim, and also, all the
Prophets, and Messengers are Muslims. Muhammad is the final messenger of God.
His message confirmed that Jesus the messenger was lifted by God, and he will
return back to the earth. In addition Muhammad’s message confirmed that Moses
was a messenger.
Misunderstanding of Islam)2)
The legal sources of Islam are the Qur’an(words of God), and
Sunni(Muhammad Words and Behavior). Some of the Islamic principles states, that
the oneness of God, the oneness of mankind, human rights, freedom, Shura ( more effective than Democracy, due
to the permission of the choice of the voters from perfect people whom have
good deeds, and good reputation), Free Economy, also, include the best of the
best ten commandments.
Muslims believe that God sent different Messengers throughout
the history of mankind. Muhammed said that “I am just a brick in a building which
was built by the prophets before me”. Muslims believe in Noah, Abraham, Isaac,
Ishmael, Jacob(Israel), Moses, David, Jesus, Muhammad, and others. The prophets
of Christianity and Judaism are, indeed, the prophets of Islam(peace and
submission to one God). It is the people who misunderstand and misinterpreted
them.
We find in each religion there are different parties and
different ideologies fighting one another by words or by arms, and also, this
is the case between the different religions, even that all came from one source
with the same message aiming to worship, one God and to protect people from one
another and from Devil. Even Jesus said “love your enemies”, also the same
meaning in the Qur’an.
Islam states that the arguments with people of book (Jews and
Christians), must be with best words and behavior. It also, states, that one
should not harm even the heart of a cattle. In chapter 60: verse 8, the Qur’an
says “Allah (God) does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who
fights not against you on account of religion and not drive you of your homes.
Allah(God) loves those who with equity.
If you read all the Holly books under our hands today, even
some of them deviated or altered from the originals due to the vanish of
original languages or may be due to the translations, amendments, normal human
error through the ages, enemies and devils ; you will find all of them coincide
in the good meaning of the Ten Commandments, Exodus 31 : 18, which came to us
by Moses and was confirmed by Jesus. Qur’an says the same meaning of the Ten
Commandments except that God never got tired of creating the Universe.
The Qur’an says scientific facts about the creation of the
universe, along with some of facts discovered by scientists recently after the
Qur’an, has mentioned it by 1400 years. So logically the Qur’an is considered a
continuous miracle for mankind.
I will remind you by the Ten Commandments and the equivalent
of them plus some recent scientific facts in Qur’an which means that the source
of all true religions is one.
Misunderstanding of Islam)3)
First Commandment : (Deuteronomy 5:6-7): “I am the Lord thy
God, which have brought thee out of house of bandage. Thou shalt have no other
Gods before me”.
The equivalent in Qur’an Chapter 2:49&163 : “And when we
delivered you from Pharaoh’s people, who subjected you to serve torments,
killing your sons and spam your women , and in this was great trial from Lord.
And your God, there is no God but He, He is the beneficent, the Merciful”
2( 49 )And [recall] when We saved your
forefathers from the people of Pharaoh, who afflicted you with the worst
torment, slaughtering your [newborn] sons and keeping your females alive. And
in that was a great trial from your Lord.
2( 163 ) And
your god is one God. There is no deity [worthy of worship] except Him, the
Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
Second Commandment : Exodus 20:4-6 : “There shall not make
unto thee any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above or that is in the
water under the earth. Then shalt not bow down thyself to them: For I the Lord
thy God am a jealous God, visiting the inequity of fathers upon the children
unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy
unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments”.
The equivalent in the Qur’an chapter 5:76, 22:30, 52:21 :
“Avoid the uncleanness of idols, say: Do you serve besides Allah (God) that
which does not control for you any harm , or any profit ? and Allah (God) He is
hearing, the knowing, and (as for) those who believe and their offspring follow
them in faith, we will unite with them their offspring and we will not diminish
to them ought of their work; every one is responsible for what he shal have
wrought.”
5( 76 ) Say,
"Do you worship besides Allah that which holds for you no [power of] harm
or benefit while it is Allah
22( 30 ) That
[has been commanded], and whoever honors the sacred ordinances of Allah - it is
best for him in the sight of his Lord. And permitted to you are the grazing
livestock, except what is recited to you. So avoid the uncleanliness of idols
and avoid false statement,h who is the Hearing, the Knowing?"
52( 21 ) And
those who believed and whose descendants followed them in faith - We will join
with them their descendants, and We will not deprive them of anything of their
deeds. Every person, for what he earned, is retained.
Third Commandment: Exodus 20:7 : “Thou shalt not take the
name of the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”
The equivalent in the Qur’an chapter 2:224-225, “And make not
Allah (God) become of your swearing (by him) an obstacle to your doing and
guarding (against evil) and making peace between men, and Allah (God) is
Hearing, Knowing, Allah (God) not call you to account for what is vain in your
oaths, but he will call you to account
for what your hearts have earned, and Allah (God) is forgiving,
forbearing.”
2( 224 ) And
do not make [your oath by] Allah an excuse against being righteous and fearing
Allah and making peace among people. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.
2( 225 )
Allah does not impose blame upon you for what is unintentional in your oaths,
but He imposes blame upon you for what your hearts have earned. And Allah is
Forgiving and Forbearing.
Fourth Commandments: Exodus 20:8-11 :
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy six days shalt thou labor, and all
thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it then
shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor they daughters, they manservant,
nor thy maidservant, nor the cattle, nor the stranger that is within thy gates:
for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them
and is, rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and
hollowed it.”
The equivalent in the Qur’an chapters 16:124,51:47 &
21:30-33 : “The Sabbath was ordained only for those who differed about it, and
most surely your Lord will judge between them on the resurrection day
concerning that about which they differed. And certainly we created the heavens
and the earth and what is between them in six periods and there touched us not
any fatigue. And the
Misunderstanding of Islam)4)
heaven,
we built it with power, and most surly we are expanding. Do not those who
disbelieve wee that heavens and the earth were closed up, but we have opened
them: and we have made of water everything living, will they not then believe?.
And he it is who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon; all
travel along swiftyly in their celestial spheres.”
Science discovered the expanding of the Universe and the knowledge of
the big bang theory 50 years ago. An
illiterate Prophet and Messenger Muhammad in the desert over 1400 years ago
could never had the knowledge of the “big bang” and the expanding of the
universe as shown above in the equivalent of Fourth Commandment from the Qur’an
the ultimate miracle more than that for mankind.
16( 124 ) The
sabbath was only appointed for those who differed over it. And indeed, your
Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over
which they used to differ.
51( 47 ) And
the heaven We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are [its] expander.
21( 30 ) Have
those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a
joined entity, and We separated them and made from water every living thing?
Then will they not believe?
21( 33 ) And
it is He who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon; all
[heavenly bodies] in an orbit are swimming.
Fifth Commandment: Exodus 20:12 : “Honor thy
father and mother: that thy days may long upon the land which the Lord thy God
giveth thee”.
The equivalent of this Commandment from the Qur’an chapters:
31:14 &17:23-24 : “And we have enjoined man in respect of his parents his
mothers bears him with fainting upon fainting and his weaning takes two years
saying: be grateful to me and to both your parents; to me is the eventual
coming. And your Lord has commanded that you shall not serve (any) but him, and
goodness to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, say
not them(so much as):(Ugh), nor chide them a generous words, and make yourself
submissively gentle to them with compassion and say: O my Lord! Have compassion
on them as they brought me up (when I was ) little.
31( 14 ) And
We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him,
[increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be
grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination.
17( 23 ) And
your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good
treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not
to them [so much as], "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them
a noble word.
17( 24 ) And
lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, "My Lord, have
mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small."
Sixth Commandment: Exodus 20:13 : “Thou shalt not Kill”
The equivalent in Qur’an Chapters 5:32 & 17:33 : “For
this reason did we prescribe to the children of Israel that who ever slays a
soul, unless it be for manslaughter or for mischief in the land, it is as
though he slew all people, and whoever keeps it alive, it is as though he kept
alive all people; and certainly act extravagantly in the land. And do not kill
anyone whom Allah (God) has forbidden except for a just cause, and whoever is
slain unjustly, we have indeed given to his heir authority, so let him not
exceed the just limits in slaying; surely he is aided”.
5( 32 )
Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a
soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land - it is as if he
had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one - it is as if he had saved
mankind entirely. And our messengers had certainly come to them with clear
proofs. Then indeed many of them, [even] after that, throughout the land, were
transgressors.
17( 33 ) And
do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right. And whoever is
killed unjustly - We have given his heir authority, but let him not exceed
limits in [the matter of] taking life. Indeed, he has been supported [by the
law].
Seven Commandment: Exodus 20:14 : “Thou shalt not commit
adultery”
The equivalent of this commandment from Qur’an Chapter 17:32
“And go nigh to fornication; surely it is an indecency and an
evil way”
17( 32 ) And
do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality
and is evil as a way.
Eighth Commandment: Exodus 20:15 “Thou shalt not steal”
Misunderstanding of Islam)5)
The equivalent in Qur’an Chapters 5:38-39, 4:29, 4:58 : “And
(as for) the man who steals and the woman who steals, cut off their hands as
punishment for what they have earned, an exemplary punishment from Allah, and
Allah is mighty wise. But whoever repents after his inequity and reforms (himself),
then surely Allah (God will turn to him (mercifully); surely Allah is
forgiving, Merciful. O you who believe I do not devour your property among
yourselves falsely, surely Allah (God) commands you to make over trusts to
their owners”.
5( 38 ) [As
for] the thief, the male and the female, amputate their hands in recompense for
what they committed as a deterrent [punishment] from Allah. And Allah is
Exalted in Might and Wis
5( 39 ) But
whoever repents after his wrongdoing and reforms, indeed, Allah will turn to
him in forgiveness. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
4( 29 ) O you
who have believed, do not consume one another's wealth unjustly but only [in
lawful] business by mutual consent. And do not kill yourselves [or one
another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful.
4( 58 )
Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you
judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah
instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing.
[Ninth Commandments: Exodus 20:16 :
“Thu shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor”.
The equivalent of this commandments from Qur’an Chapters
22:30 &4:112 : “Therefore avoid the uncleanness of the idols and avoid
false words. And whoever commits a fault or a sin, then accuses of it one
innocent, he indeed takes uponhimself the burden of a columny and manifest
sin”. You notice here that the false is forbidden against anyone including
neighbors.
22( 30 ) That
[has been commanded], and whoever honors the sacred ordinances of Allah - it is
best for him in the sight of his Lord. And permitted to you are the grazing
livestock, except what is recited to you. So avoid the uncleanliness of idols
and avoid false statement,
4( 112 ) But
whoever earns an offense or a sin and then blames it on an innocent [person]
has taken upon himself a slander and manifest sin.
Tenth Commandment: Exodus 20:17 : “Thu shalt not covet thy
neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his Ox, nor his
Ass nor anything that is thy neighbor’s”.
The equivalent in Qur’an Chapters 20:131 & 4:32 : “And do
not stretch your eyes after that with which we have provided different classes
of them, (of) the splendor of this world’s life, that we may thereby try them,
and the sustenance(given) by your Lord is better and more abiding. And do not
covet that which Allah (God) has made some of you excel others; men shall have
the benefit of what they earn; and ask Allah (God) of his grace; surely Allah
(God) knows all things.”
20( 131 ) And
do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have given enjoyment to [some]
categories of them, [its being but] the splendor of worldly life by which We
test them. And the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring.
4( 32 ) And
do not wish for that by which Allah has made some of you exceed others. For men
is a share of what they have earned, and for women is a share of what they have
earned. And ask Allah of his bounty. Indeed Allah is ever, of all things, Knowing.
You notice here that you must not covet any one, including
your neighbor for any thing. Also you notice here that men and women are equal
in rights this since more than 1400 years ago. You conclude from the above
presentation that the source of religions is one and the God of the Universe
and all creatures is one and all of these in control of him. God put a system
of protection for the Universe and put perfect cycles for all living creatures.
A s the choice to do right or wrong, God sent Messengers to help mankind and to
protect him from himself.
Islam requires Muslims
and all the mankind to be righteous, truthful their promises, be courteous,
gentle in disagreements, have humility, keep the trust and keep all other well
known virtues. Naturally, Islam condemns the immoral and criminal acts of
lying, cheating, back-biting, slandering, breaking promises, breaching the
trust arrogance, haughtiness, and all other well known vices. It is not enough
to stay away from vices and adopt all virtues, but he has a duty to promote the
same good in the society and do everything possible to stop evil and vices.
