Misconceptions in Islam

Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem



In an article by Dr. Zakir Naik, he wrote - "for a Muslim to convey the message of Islam to a non-Muslim, is usually insufficient to highlight only the positive nature of Islam. Many of us realise that non-Muslims are not always convinced about the truth of Islam because there are questions about Islam at the back of their minds due to misconceptions that remain unanswered".



There are at least 10-12 most common questions that a non-Muslim has regarding Islam. Out of these 10-12 questions, a non-Muslim will pose four or five questions, and these questions invariably fall amongst these 10-12 most common questions. The 10-12 most common questions about Islam can be answered from your knowledge of the Qur'an and the Sunnah. If a Muslim memorises or simply remembers these answers, Inshaa'Allah Ta'ala he/she will be successful, if not in convincing non-Muslims about the truth of Islam, or at least in removing misconceptions about Islam and neutralising the negative thinking about Islam and Muslims, respectively. However, you may find that some non-Muslims may have counter arguments to these replies, for which you should prepare yourself with further information.



Here are some tips on Dawah: (some excerpts are from - http://members.cox.net/arshad/)



First off, make sure you have both Ikhlaas and I'tibaa - sincerity in intention and correct attitude. Ask yourself whether your intention is sincere and that you truly want to bring this person closer to the truth? Or is it to prove him wrong? Or to show off your oratory skills? Make sure your intention is solely for the pleasure of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala. To bring this person closer to the truth and to guide him to the deen of Allah Ta'ala, make sure you are performing this dawah in the correct manner.



- Know what you're talking about. Make sure you have a sound and deep knowledge of what you intend to convey. Make sure what you say is absolutely correct and truthful. Be honest if you don't know. If you do not have a solid knowledge of what you are saying, your contribution may be negative instead of positive.



- Only with knowledge can you have complete faith in what you're saying with no doubt. It is said that what comes from the mouth goes to the ear, but what comes from the heart goes to the heart. The Arabic saying goes, if you do not have it, you cannot give it. If you don't truly believe something, you can't get someone else to. Your sincerity and certainty in your faith plays a large part in your success at dawah.



- Practice what you preach. The best dawah is by way of example. Don't discuss the importance of truth and honesty in Islam when you lie and cheat constantly. Make sure your actions express the beautiful beliefs and commands of Islam. Hypocricy and deception turn people away.



- Don't compromise Islam or it's beliefs. Don't feel the need to hedge around the truth because it will turn people away. Can men have four wives? Why can't we date? Why don't we accept homosexuality? Don't be apologetic or start defending certain aspects of Islam. Explain it in a way people can understand, but don't change it or act like it's incorrect or archaic. A Muslim may think that he should deal with people according to their attitude towards them. This is not acceptable in Islam as it means living by the values of other people instead of sticking with one's own Islamic values. Thus, the Prophet Sall Allahu alaihi wa sallam warned: "Do not be a 'reflection of society', keeping the attitude that if people behave well, we will behave well, and if they were to behave badly, we will also be unfair. Rather, programme yourselves so that if people behave well, you behave better; but if people behave badly, you must not be unfair." (Reported from Hudzaifah in Mishkah and At-Tirmidzee).



- Do not become angry. Don't let people effect you or cause you to change your conduct. Have 'adab' always. If someone refuses to hear you out, then stop the discusion and retire politely. There is always another day to discuss the issues. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says (the translation of the meaning) "Who can be better in stance than He who calls people towards Allah, performs good deeds and proudly declares to be a Muslim. Goodness and evil are not equal. Hence, respond in the most excellent way. Then you will see your enemy turning into a close friend. And this level cannot be attained except by those who practice Sabr, nor it can be attained except by those who posses a great share of (magnanimity)." Surah Fussilat 41:33-35



Sabr implies patience, forbearance, perseverance, determination, fortitude, constancy and steadfastness. Your job is not to convert people - it is not an obligation in Islam to make a certain amount of people Muslims. But it is your obligation to call people to Islam, to distinguish between right and wrong. Who is guided and who is not, is according to the Will of Allah Subhanahu Ta'ala. And Allah Ta'ala knows best



- Don't insult another person's faith. No matter how tempting it would be to talk about the errors and inconsistencies in other people's beliefs, don't do it. It offends people, and will possibly give them a bad impression of Islam. Talk about how Islam is different, and in that perhaps exposing the other belief's errors, but do not openly insult another person's faith. Be respectful. A dawah horror story: a Muslim was speaking at a local high school, and began his speech with: "You're all going to Hell." With that, he lost his whole audience before he even started his speech.



- Discuss what makes Islam beautiful to you. Da'wah doesn't have to mean repeating the five pillars to non-Muslims. Sometimes we are so busy discussing the pillars of Islam we forget the actual building itself. Islam plays a part in every aspect of our lives. Talk about how it plays a role in how you sleep, how you dress, how you speak, how you marry, how you deal with animals, parents, elders, children, the opposite sex. Talk about Islam's respect for women, the concepts of purity or modesty, it's call to reflect and think about the world around us. I know that one brother became Muslim in part because of Islam's respect and honor for nature. Islam is a deen, a whole way of life.



- Lastly, stay away from missionaries. This cannot be emphasized enough. Their goal is to take your faith apart and cause you to doubt. Leave the missionaries to those who are trained to deal with them. Missionaries have been trained to seem friendly and willing to learn on the outside, when their sole goal and objective is to cause you to reject Islam. Do not talk to missionaries. Do not open a discussion of Islam with them. Do not visit their sites. Do not waste your time with them. Your time can be used in a much more beneficial way than trying to argue with someone who has been trained to cause you to doubt.