A clearer understanding of the realities of Islam
By:
Posted: 5/8/08
Though Islam has been misunderstood for many years, the dislike toward it
has been on the
increase since the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center.
Perhaps the most amazing aspect of American society is its lack of concern
over the ignorance
displayed-television, movies, music, politicians and even teachers promote
racism by condoning
and exemplifying it. Who is to blame? The media, whose flat-out false
information drives many
Americans to believe that Islam is purely evil, seems a likely candidate.
It's common to associate negative qualities with Islam, since barbarism
and violence are on the
top of the list. Long draping gowns, silken veils, mysterious dark faces
and a language of
exotic sounds are fair observations. What is not fair, though, are the
dark associations that
have been attached to them: that their loose, flowing clothing could only
mean that they are
hiding something, the veils are for concealment and dark faces suggest
dark intentions.
Muslim clothing reminds Americans of the past, which seems barbaric in
comparison to the modern
world. For this, Islam is seen as uncivilized. The quiet and secretive
nature, which is
apparent in both a Muslim's apparel and his mannerisms, creates suspicion
and fear. It may be
shocking, but the culprits of American misunderstanding are right next
door. Culprit number one
remains the media.
The American media is a strong factor in the average American's
misunderstanding of Islam
merely due to its own function, which is to communicate news of
im****tance. It is only natural
that the bad news will be the good news, because tragedy and bloodshed are
more stimulating
than a quick glimpse of religious volunteers smiling at work.
Islam is, like the many religions of the world, a call for good faith,
good works and love. It
may seem like a wild statement to the common American, but Islam's message
focuses on the
submission to God through peace. The contrasting influence is the constant
display of Islamic
terrorists bombing Jews and Christians on the television screen.
The public takes in the visual depiction of the Muslim and develops a
generality about the
entire religion. This would be like condemning Christianity for being
intolerant on the basis
of the existence of extreme fundamental Protestantism, but the media
focuses little attention
on them. When they do, it is a fleeting memory of a narrowly slanted
argument. Only the bad
guys are shown, so only the bad guys will be known.
To get to the source of the issue, we need to ignore the mainstream media.
We need to read the
scripture itself and learn what the religion is truly about. I introduce
culprit number two:
faulty information.
The Qur'an is the Islamic scripture, transcribed word for word from the
angel Gabriel to the
prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. In it we find the fundamental essence
of Islam, which is
followed by the vast majority-submission and love.
In opposition to the belief that all Muslims think Christians and Jews are
the enemy and are
going to Hell, Allah says, "Surely those who believe, and those who are
Jews, and the
Christians and the Sabians [a now extinct Christian sect from Iraq],
whoever believes in Allah
and the last day and does good, they have their reward with their Lord,
and there is no fear
for them, nor shall they grieve" (2: 62).
Here we clearly see that Allah loves all 'people of the book'. Muslims
even believe that
Christians and Jews will find a reward in the afterlife.
Meanwhile, Jews and Christians alike believe that all religions except
their own will lead
followers to Hell. Allah even says of his followers, "Lo! You are they who
will love them while
they love you not" (3: 118). This is similar to Jesus' Sermon on the Mount
and though the
presentation of the language is different, it's accurate to say that the
message is the same:
to love even those who hate you. This is certainly far from the warcry of
a fanatical or
sadistic Lord.
In speaking of fighting, Allah says, "And spend in the way of Allah and
cast not yourselves to
perdition with your own hands and do good to others. Surely Allah loves
the doers of good" (2:
195). Clearly, if any Muslim believes he needs to commit mass-murder for
Allah, then he is the
wrongdoer - not Allah.
Terrorism is the result of compulsion, a vice that the Qur'an directly
opposes. In it, we read:
"There is no compulsion in religion-the right way is clearly distinct from
error" (2: 256).
Could it be any clearer? If there is any doubt left in the idea that Islam
is a violent
religion and prejudiced against Christianity and Judaism, one need only
read "And fight in the
way of Allah against those who fight against you but be not aggressive.
Surely Allah loves not
the aggressors" (2: 190). Allah is calling for self-defense, because
fighting is allowed only
against those that fight you. Even in cases of defense, he commands that
Muslims be passive.
To comprehend a religion, examination of the scripture is most im****tant.
Any summary,
analysis, commentary, book, essay, story, newspaper article, magazine
article, pamphlet, news
show, do***entary, radio show, song, or Web site can be false, corrupted,
and/or biased. Any
person can be a fool and most are.
Only the scripture, which is the religion, can fully represent its
essence. Accordingly,
Muslims follow nothing but the Qur'an. They believe it to be the direct
word of God, so they
preserve its originality. The majority won't even read it in any language
other than its
original Arabic, and dedicated Muslims of non-Arabic cultures usually
learn the language.
With all of this in mind, it is obvious why the text is so im****tant.
Lance Ashoury is a senior majoring in journalism. His opinions do not
necessarily reflect those
of The Equinox.
http://media.www.keeneequinox.com/media/storage/paper537/news/2008/05/08/Opinions/A.Clearer.Understanding.Of.The.Realities.Of.Islam-3367868.shtml
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