ISLAM & MUSLIMS

The purpose of this site:

A few years ago, I felt there was a dire need to represent Islam in its original form and in a comprehensive manner. This site was compiled through searching hundreds of sites, articles, and books. It is a humble attempt to present various aspects of Islam, to the best of my ability. More topics will be added continiously.

Islam is often very misunderstood and misrepresented by some Muslims as well as non-Muslims. Many misconceptions about Islam is simply the by product of ignorance of the true religion, misinformation or lack of there is. The media bias, the current political agendas, imperialistic aspirations, and special interest groups, played a major role in increasing the misunderstanding and the widening division among Muslims and people of other beliefs.

Many times I encountered deep misunderstanding of Islam & Muslims in articles, books, documentaries, interfaith meetings or events, etc. Some think Islam is a religion of violence, extremism, intolerance, oppression of women, social injustice, and primitivism. In simple words, they portray Islam as an empty religion with very little to offer humanity, and it was taught by a prophet who was a pedophile, polygamous, and a warmonger.

Most of these misunderstandings, misconceptions, and misrepresentations of Islam, often believed by some Muslims and many non-Muslims, are due to number of reasons:

- The inability to understand Islam's intricacy, coherence, and comprehensiveness.

- Taking the holy text of the Quran out of context, without deep understanding of the specific situations that some of the verses were revealed to deal with.

- Some groups of special interest are determined to smear Islam's image to further their specific agenda

- Some Muslims are speaking about Islam without a profound knowledge of their religion. Therefore, they are adding to the confusion, especially when they promote ideas such as "progressive Islam" or "reforming Islam". To those I say: the only thing we need to reform and progress is our true understanding of this timeless religion.

- There is major confusion between the cultures of Muslims and the practices of Islam. Many think the cultural norms of some Muslims are the reflections of the Islamic/Quranic commands and doctrines. The cultures of the Muslims worldwide have been influenced heavily by other non-Muslim cultures (indigenous or colonial).

- The word Islam literary means the total submission to God's will. Through total surrender to God, a person achieves peace with the creator and the created (all his creation). According to this definition, all prophets of Allah, from Adam all the way to Mohammad, including Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, are all Muslims. They are all totally submitted to God's will in creed and action; they all witnessed that there is no God but God who is the only creator and owner of the kingdom of Earth and the kingdom in Heaven.

- Some of the biggest misconceptions that many non-Muslims have about Islam have to do with the word "Allah". For various reasons, many people have come to believe that Muslims worship a different God than Christians and Jews. This is totally false, since "Allah" is simply the Arabic word for "God" - and there is only One God. Let there be no doubt that Muslims worship the God of Noah, Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus, peace be upon them all. "Allah" is used in the Arabic bible and the Arabic Torah.

Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god;- Who knows (all things) both secret and open; He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god;- the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of Peace (and Perfection), the Guardian of Faith, the Preserver of Safety, the Exalted in Might, the Irresistible, the justly Proud. Glory to Allah! (High is He) above the partners they attribute to Him. He is Allah, the Creator, the Originator, the Fashioner. To Him belong the Most Beautiful Names: whatever is in the heavens and on earth, doth declare His Praises and Glory: and He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise. -- Quran 59:22, 23, 24

Do not dispute with the people of the Book [Jews, Christians, Sabeans], unless it be in a way that is better, save with such of them as do wrong; and say: We believe in that which has been revealed unto us, and revealed unto you; our God and your God is One, and unto Him we surrender. -- Quran 29:46

I pray to the Lord to make this site of benefit to all; the truth seekers, the researchers, and the peace lovers.

The Servant of the Merciful,

Seham El Ansay