Common Misconceptions about Islam (part 3)

In this final of a three-part series, we examine the common misconceptions about Islam amongst non-Muslims and more importantly, Muslims themselves.

4️⃣3️⃣ Many Muslims believe that they are well-informed Muslims who are nothing like the idol-worshippers long ago.

However, did you know that idol worshippers long ago just blindly believed their ancestors without seeking proof which is no different than many Muslims nowadays who blindly believe their society and ancestors who mix culture and customs with religion? 21:52-68 2:170

4️⃣4️⃣ Many Muslims assume that certain people such as descendants or relatives of prophets are automatically righteous.

However, did you know that most of prophet Abraham and prophet Noah’s descendants were unrighteous? 57:26, 37:113, 2:124 The wives of prophet Noah and prophet Lot, despite living with them, remained unrighteous. 66:10 Prophet Noah’s son was of evil conduct. 11:46 Pharaoh’s wife was righteous despite being married to one of the worse evildoers. 11:46 Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) wives were threatened with twice the punishment if their conduct was unrighteous. 33:30

4️⃣5️⃣ Many Muslims don’t believe that black magic is real.

However, did you know that the Quran proves that black magic is real? 2:102

4️⃣6️⃣ Many Muslims believe that it is forbidden for Muslim men to wear gold and silk.

However, did you know that there is no such law in the Quran and that whoever judges by other than the Quran is a disbeliever (kafir) 5:44?

4️⃣7️⃣ Some Muslims believe that certain people, e.g. prophet Muhammad, can help them on the Day of Judgment.

However, did you know that no one will be able to help anyone on that day? 82:17-19 2:48 2:123 2:254

4️⃣8️⃣ Some Muslims believe that Muhammad had special abilities to know the unseen.

However, verse 7:188 clearly proves that he did not know the unseen.

4️⃣9️⃣ Many Muslims believe that it is forbidden to listen to music or to sing.

However, did you know that there is no such law in the Quran and that whoever judges by other than the Quran is a disbeliever (kafir) 5:44?

5️⃣0️⃣ Many Muslims believe that Muslim women must cover their hair.

However, did you know that there is no such law in the Quran. In verse 24:31 the command is for women to cover their chests / bosoms (Arabic: juyubihinna)? Though the verse indicates that women can cover their breasts with their head covers, likely because head covers were commonly worn at the time, the context of the verse makes it clear that the instruction is to cover the breasts, not the hair.

5️⃣1️⃣ Many Muslims believe that Muslim boys must be circumcised.

*However, did you know that there is no such law in the Quran? It’s actually a Jewish law that comes from the Torah. Genesis 17 verses 10-14

5️⃣2️⃣ Many Muslims believe that they must fast until maghrib.

However, did you know that fasting is until night time (Arabic: layl) which is after maghrib? 2:187.

5️⃣3️⃣ Many Muslims think that Muslim women must be pure or not be menstruating or must make ablution before touching the Quran.

However, did you know that there is no such law in the Quran? Verses 56:77-79 clearly indicate that there is another book which is well-guarded (Arabic: maknuun) which contains the Quran and it is that book that only the purified can touch. In verses 85:21-22 we see that this guarded book is called the Guarded Tablet (Lauh Al-Mahfouz). In verse 13:39, we see that it is also called Mother of the Book (Umm Al-kitab).

5️⃣4️⃣ Many Muslims believe that menstruating women are not required to fast.

However, did you know that they are actually required to fast unless their menstruating is painful and harmful for them? 2:185

5️⃣5️⃣ Many Muslims think that Muslim women are not allowed to pray while menstruating because menstrual blood is impure.

However, there is absolutely no prohibition against women praying while menstruating. The only restrictions to prayer are listed in verses 13:39 and 4:43. Contrarily, verses 3:193-195 say that no one’s deeds, whether male or female, will be lost. Furthermore, verse 51:56 states that the primary purpose for which God created man and jinn is to worship Him. Since the average menstruation period can last up to 7 days per month, then if women don’t pray (worship God) during this time, up to 25% of their lives would be void of worshipping God.

5️⃣6️⃣Many Muslims believe that they must pray in Arabic.

However, did you know that there is no prohibition against praying in a language other than Arabic and that you must understand what you say during prayer 30:22 and that many prophets before Muhammad did not speak Arabic yet they prayed?

5️⃣7️⃣ Many Muslims believe that they must circle the Kaa’ba 7 times during Umrah or Hajj?

However, did you know that you only need to circle it once? 22:29

5️⃣8️⃣Many Muslims believe that they must wash their feet when performing ablution.

However, did you know that you only have to wipe your feet? 5:6

5️⃣9️⃣ Many Muslims believe that dogs are impure and that it is forbidden to have them, e.g. as pets.

However, did you know that there is no such law in the Quran? As a matter of fact, verse 5:4 states that you can have trained hunting animals (Arabic: mukallibeen) and you can even eat the animals that these animals catch for you.

6️⃣0️⃣ Many Muslims believe that it is forbidden to have statues or pictures of animate objects in one’s home.

However, did you know that there is no such law in the Quran?

6️⃣1️⃣ Many Muslims believe that short-term contract marriages are allowed.

However, the Quran indicates that marriage for a predetermined duration is forbidden. The temporary marriage contract is between two parties who agree to the duration of the marriage at the start of the agreement. The agreement does not have a lower limit. As an example, it can be stipulated for 45 minutes, one night, one month or 10 years. The time is mutually agreed. A form of ‘mahr’ (gift) is often advanced and in this period, man and woman can resume intimacy and in effect, live as married couples. At the end of the specified period, the Nikaah al-mut’ah is automatically dissolved without the need for divorce. In general, this type of marriage is acceptable in Shia Islam and forbidden in Sunni Islam.

According to verse 4:24, marriage should not be undertaken for purposes of lust but rather for sincere and honest wedlock.

وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ إِلَّا مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ ۖ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ ۚ وَأُحِلَّ لَكُم مَّا وَرَاءَ ذَٰلِكُمْ أَن تَبْتَغُوا بِأَمْوَالِكُم مُّحْصِنِينَ غَيْرَ مُسَافِحِينَ ۚ فَمَا اسْتَمْتَعْتُم بِهِ مِنْهُنَّ فَآتُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ فَرِيضَةً ۚ وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِيمَا تَرَاضَيْتُم بِهِ مِن بَعْدِ الْفَرِيضَةِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا
And [also prohibited to you are all] married women except those your right hands possess. [This is] the decree of Allah upon you. And lawful to you are [all others] beyond these, [provided] that you seek them [in marriage] with [gifts from] your property, desiring chastity, not lust. So for whatever you enjoy [of marriage] from them, give them their due compensation as an obligation. And there is no blame upon you for what you mutually agree to beyond the obligation. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Wise. (4:24)

Based on this verse, it is clear that marriage should not be done to temporarily satisfy some sexual desires. Nikaah al-mut’ah is nothing but a form of prostitution masked to give it religious sanction.