There is an inherit fear of Muslims for many in America. Lack of understanding leads to fear. Here are some nuggets to help dispel that fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Islam, 1400 years ago, women were given:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the Qu\u2019ran, God says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSay<\/em>: \u2018We believe in God, and the revelation given to us, <\/em>and <\/em>revelations given to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, <\/em>and <\/em>the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, <\/em>and <\/em>that given to (all) prophets from their Lord. <\/em>We <\/em>make no difference between any of <\/em>them; and <\/em>to God we submit in peace (Islam).\u2019 \u201d (2:136)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBehold<\/em>!, the Angel said, \u2018God has chosen you, <\/em>and <\/em>Quran <\/em>\u2014 He is <\/em>(Allah), <\/em>the One who revealed to you <\/em>(<\/em>Muhammad) the Qur\u2019an in truth, confirming what is in the scriptures that came before it. And He revealed the \u2018Torah\u2019 and the \u2018Gospel\u2019 before this as guidance to humankind. (<\/em>3:34)<\/em><\/p>
\u201cAnd <\/em>in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary\u2026 We gave him the \u2018Gospel\u2019; therein was guidance and light, and a confirmation of what is in the \u2018Torah\u2019, a guidance and an admonition to those who revere God<\/em>.\u201d (5:46)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Belief in Jesus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Qur\u2019an confirms Jesus\u2019 virgin birth:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c \u2018Behold!,\u2019 <\/em>the Angel said, \u2018God has chosen you, and purified you, and chosen you above the women of all nations. O Mary, God gives you good news of a word from Him, whose name shall be the Messiah Jesus son of <\/em>Mary<\/em>, honored in this world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near to God. he shall speak to the people from his cradle and in old age, and <\/em>shall <\/em>be of the righteous\u2019. She said: \u2018O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me?\u2019 He said: \u2018Even so: God creates what He will. When He decrees a thing, He says to it, \u2018Be!\u2019 and it becomes<\/em>.\u201d <\/em>(3:42-47<\/em>)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Qur\u2019an confirms the miracles of Jesus:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI <\/em>have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird and breathe into it and it becomes a bird by God\u2019s leave. And I heal the blind, and the lepers, and I raise the dead by God\u2019s leave<\/em>.\u201d <\/em>(3:49)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
But disagrees with treating him as divine:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTruly<\/em>, the example of Jesus with God is as the example of Adam. He (God) created him of dust, and said to him \u2018Be!\u2019 and he was<\/em>.\u201d <\/em>(3:59)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Celebrating Differences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Qur\u2019an mentions the reasons for differences:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cO <\/em>mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise (each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things<\/em>).\u201d <\/em>(49:013)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
No Judgment Allowed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Qur\u2019an mentions that all people will receive the reward they deserve for the good deeds they have done:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThose <\/em>who believe, Jews, <\/em>Nazarenes, <\/em>and <\/em>Sabeans<\/em>, <\/em>whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day and does good deeds shall be rewarded by their Lord; they have nothing to fear nor are they saddened<\/em>.\u201d (2:62<\/em>)
<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nIslam Values Life<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Qur\u2019an denounces murder and promotes saving lives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhoever <\/em>killed a <\/em>soul \u2026 <\/em>it should be considered as though he had killed all mankind; and that who ever saved it should be regarded as though he had saved all mankind. Our Messengers brought them proofs; then many of them thereafter commit excesses in the earth<\/em>.\u201d (6:32)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Neighbor Rights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In Islam, the term \u2018neighbor\u2019 includes the forty houses to the front of a person, the forty houses behind, the forty houses on his right and the forty on his left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) tied Faith to treatment of neighbors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c<\/em>Whoever believes in <\/em>God and <\/em>the Last Day, should not hurt his neighbor and whoever believes in <\/em>God and <\/em>the Last Day, should serve his guest generously and whoever believes in <\/em>God and <\/em>the Last Day, should <\/em>speak what <\/em>is good or keep quiet.\u201d <\/em>(<\/em>Bukhari<\/em> 8:158)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Faith is tied to Manners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) tied Faith and Manners:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe <\/em>best amongst you are those who have the best manners and character<\/em>\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) calls upon our social obligation to unite and not to repel through bad manners:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe worst people are those whom others run from in order to save themselves from their dirty language or transgression.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Freedom of Religion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Qur\u2019an promotes freedom of religion and protects all people from being forced to follow faiths they don\u2019t believe:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere <\/em>is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is <\/em>distinct <\/em>from error. And he who <\/em>rejects <\/em>false deities and <\/em>believes in God has <\/em>grasped a firm handhold which will never break. Allah <\/em>is all hearing and all knowing.\u201d (02:256)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Fairness in Trade<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Qur\u2019an specifies the fair treatment in dealing with all people in terms of trade:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cO <\/em>ye who believe! stand out firmly for <\/em>God, <\/em>as witnesses to Justice and fair dealing , and let not the hatred of any people incite you not to deal justly with them or (swerve to wrong and depart from justice). Be just: that is nearer to piety: and fear <\/em>God. <\/em>For <\/em>God is <\/em>well-acquainted with all that ye <\/em>do.\u201d (2:8)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Preventing Oppression<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Muslims are required to stand up for social justice and for all victims of injustice, even at the hands of other Muslims:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anas <\/em>ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, \u201cSupport your brother whether he is an oppressor or is being oppressed.\u201d It was said, \u201cO Messenger of Allah, we help the one being oppressed but how do we help an oppressor?\u201d The Prophet said, \u201cBy restraining him or preventing him from committing injustice, for that is how you support him.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Jihad, an overloaded word<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Actually means to Struggle or to Strive<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Levels of Jihad in order of preferred focus<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Struggle to improve oneself (greater jihad)<\/li>
- Struggle against evil in society<\/li>
- Struggle in battlefield (lesser jihad)<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Valid reasons for Jihad in the battlefield<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Self Defense<\/li>
- To remove human tyranny, oppression and persecution<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Etiquettes of Jihad<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The following is required for battlefield activities to be called jihad:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Give Peace a Chance Before Battle Starts<\/li>
- Respect All Treaties<\/li>
- Declaration of War when attacked<\/li>
- Protect those who seek your protection.<\/li>
- Spare those who are not fighting against you<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Before the Geneva Convention<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Centuries before the Geneva Convention, the following restrictions were placed on Jihad:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Provide Prisoners of War with good treatment and respect<\/li>
- Never mutilate dead bodies<\/li>
- Bury all dead bodies with dignity<\/li>
- Never destroy Farms or Infrastructure<\/li>
- Never kill the following:
- Women<\/li>
- Children<\/li>
- Old men<\/li>
- Religious persons<\/li>
- Animals<\/li>
- The Innocent<\/li>
- The Injured<\/li>
- Prisoners of War<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Recommended Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
- www.enjoingood.org<\/a><\/li>
- www.american-islam.org<\/a><\/li>
- YouTube the following scholars:
- Omar Suleiman<\/li>
- Nouman Ali Khan<\/li>
- Abdul Nasir Jangda<\/li>
- Yasir Qadhi<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
There is an inherit fear of Muslims for many in America. Lack of understanding leads to fear. Here are some nuggets to help dispel that fear. Women\u2019s Rights In Islam, 1400 years ago, women were given: Right and duty to obtain education Right own independent property Right to work to earn money Right to inherit…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-57","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-show"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/enjoingood.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/enjoingood.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/enjoingood.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/enjoingood.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/enjoingood.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/enjoingood.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":393,"href":"https:\/\/enjoingood.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57\/revisions\/393"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/enjoingood.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/enjoingood.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/enjoingood.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}