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MISCONCEPTIONS
ABOUT ISLAM |
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Islam
and the so-called "Nation of Islam" are two different religions.
Muslims consider this group to be just one of, many cults using the name
of Islam for their own gain. The only thing common between them
is the jargon, the language used by both. The Nation of Islam"
is a misnomer; this religion should be called Farakhanism, after the name
of its propagator, Louis Farrakhan. Islam and Farakhanism differ
in may fundamental ways, For example, Farakhan followers believe in racism
and that the "black man' was the original man and therefore superior,
while in Islam there is no racism and everyone is considered equal
in the sight of God, the only difference being in one's piety. There are
many other theological examples that show the 'Nation's teachings have
little to do with true Islam. There are many groups in America,
which claim to represent Islam and call their adherents Muslims.
Any serious student of Islam has duty to investigate and find the
true Islam. The only two authentic sources that bind every Muslim
are 1.The Noble Qur-an and 2. Authentic
or sound Hadith "Sunnah of
Prophet Muhammad
(Peace Be Upon Him)." Any teachings
under the label of "Islam" which contradict or at variance with
the direct understanding of fundamental beliefs and practices of Islam
form the Noble Qur-an and authentic Hadith
should be rejected, and such a religion should be considered a Pseudo-Islamic
Cult. In America there are many pseudo-Islamic cults, Farrakhanism being
one of them. An honest attitude on the part of such cults should be note
to call themselves Muslims and their religion Islam. Such an example
of honesty is Bahaism, which is an offshoot of Islam, but Bahais
do not call themselves Muslims nor their religion, Islam. In fact
Bahaism is not Islam just as Farrakhanism is not Islam.
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MISCONCEPTIONS
ABOUT ISLAM |
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| Among
the reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam
was the simplicity of its doctrine. Islam
calls for faith in only One God worthy of worship. It also repeatedly
instructs man to use his powers of intelligence and observation. Within
a few years, great civilizations and universities were flourishing, for,
according to the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), "Seeking
knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim 'Male & Female"' The synthesis
of Eastern and Western ideas and of new thought with old, brought about
great advances in medicine, mathematics, physics, astronomy, geography,
architecture, art, literature, and history. Many crucial systems such
as algebra, the Arabic numerals, and also the concept of the zero (vital
to the advancement of mathematics), were transmitted to medieval
Europe from Islam. Sophisticated instruments, which were to make
possible the European voyages of discovery, were developed, including
the astrolabe, the quadrant and good navigational maps.
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MISCONCEPTIONS
ABOUT ISLAM |
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| Muhammad
(Peace Be Upon Him) was born in Makkah in
the year 570. Since his father died before his birth and his mother shortly
afterwards, he was raised by his uncle from the respected tribe of Quraysh.
As he grew up, he became known for his truthfulness, generosity and in
sincerity, so that he was sought after for his ability to arbitrate in
disputes. The historians describe him as calm and meditative. Muhammad
(Peace Be Upon Him)
was of a deeply religious nature, and had long detested the decadence
of his the society. It became his habit to meditate from time to time
in the Cave of Hira near Makkah. At the age of 40,
while of engaged in a meditative retreat, Muhammad
(Peace Be Upon Him)
received the first revelation from God through the Angel Gabriel. This
revelation, which continued for 23 years, is known as the Noble Qur-an.
As soon as he began to recite the words he heard from Gabriel, and to
preach the truth which God had revealed to him, he and his small group
of to followers suffered bitter persecution, which grew so fierce that
in the year 622 God gave them the command to emigrate. This event, the
Hijrah 'migration', in which they left Makkah for the city
of Madinah marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. After
several years, the Prophet (Peace
Be Upon Him) and
his followers were able to return to Makkah, where they forgave
their enemies and established Islam definitively.
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| Before
the Prophet died at the age of 63, the greater part of Arabia was Muslim,
and within a century of his death Islam
had spread to Spain in the West and as Far East as China. He died with
less than 5 possessions to his name. While Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was chosen to deliver the message, he is not considered as the "founder" of Islam, since Muslims consider Islam to be the same divine guidance sent to all peoples before Muslims believe that all the prophets form Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus etc. were all sent with divine guidance for their peoples. Every prophet was sent to his own people, but Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was sent to all of mankind Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is the last and final messenger sent to deliver the message of Islam. Muslims revere and honor him (Peace Be Upon Him) for all he went through and his dedication, but they do not worship him. "O Prophet, verily we have sent you as a witness and a bearer of glad tidings and a Warner and as one who invites unto God by His leave and as an illuminating lamp." (Qur-an 33:4-6) |
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