ISLAMIC RESEARCH

Da’wah is a duty

Most Muslims know that Islam is a universal religion, meant for all mankind.

Allah (swt) is the Lord of the entire Universe, and Muslims have been entrusted

with the duty of conveying His message to all mankind. Alas, most Muslims

today have become callous towards this duty! While accepting Islam as the best

way of life for ourselves, most of us are unwilling to share this knowledge with

those to whom the message has not yet been conveyed.

The Arabic word Da’wah means a call or an invitation. In Islamic context, it

means to strive for the propagation of Islam.

The Glorious Qur’an says:

“Ah! Who is more unjust than those who conceal the testimony they

have from Allah? But Allah is not unmindful of what ye do!”

[Al-Qur’an 2:140]

Twenty Most Common Questions

In order to convey the message of Islam, dialogue and debate become

inevitable. The Glorious Qur’an says:

“Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord, with wisdom and beautiful

preaching, and argue with them in ways that are best and most

gracious!”

[Al-Qur’an 16:125]

In conveying the message of Islam to a non-Muslim, it is usually not sufficient to

highlight only the positive nature of Islam. Most non-Muslims are not convinced

about the truth of Islam because there are a few questions about Islam at the

back of their minds that remain unanswered.

They may agree with your contentions about the positive nature of Islam. But,

in the same breath, they will say - “Ah! But you are the same Muslims who

marry more than one woman. You are the same people who subjugate women

by keeping them behind the veil. You are fundamentalists, etc.”

I personally prefer asking the non-Muslims upfront, with their limited

knowledge, whether right or wrong, from whichever source it may be, what they

feel is wrong in Islam. I encourage them to be very frank and open and convince

them that I can take criticism about Islam.

In the past few years of my Da’wah experience, I have realized that there are

barely twenty most common questions that a common non-Muslim has

regarding Islam. Whenever you ask a non-Muslim, “what do you feel is wrong in

Islam?”, he poses five or six questions, and these questions invariably fall

among the twenty most common questions.

Logical replies can convince the majority

The twenty most common questions about Islam can be answered with reason

and logic. A majority of non-Muslims can be convinced with these answers. If a

Muslim memorizes or simply remembers these answers, Inshallah he will be

successful, if not in convincing non-Muslims about the complete truth of Islam,

then at least in removing misconceptions about Islam and neutralizing the

negative thinking about Islam and Muslims that the non-Muslims have. A very

few non-Muslims may have counter arguments to these replies, for which

further information may be required.

Misconceptions due to media

The common misconceptions about Islam arise in the minds of a majority of

non-Muslims, because they are constantly being bombarded with

misinformation about Islam. International media is mainly controlled by the

western world, whether it is international satellite channels, radio stations, news

papers, magazines or books. Recently the Internet has become a powerful

medium of information. Though it is not controlled by anybody, one finds a large

amount of virulent propaganda about Islam on the Internet. Of course, Muslims

too are utilizing this tool to portray the right image of Islam and Muslims, but

they are far behind as compared to the propaganda against Islam. I hope the

efforts by the Muslims will increase and continue to be pursued.

Misconceptions change with time

The most common questions about Islam are different in different periods and

eras. This set of twenty most common questions is based on present times.

Decades earlier, the set of questions was different and decades later too, the

set of questions may change depending upon how Islam is projected by the

media.

Misconceptions are the same throughout the world

I have interacted with people in different parts of the world and have found these

twenty most common questions about Islam to be the same everywhere. There

may be a couple of additional questions depending upon the locale, the

surrounding or culture. For instance in America, the additional common

question is - “Why does Islam prohibit taking and giving of interest?”

I have included among these twenty most common questions, certain questions

more common among the Indian non-Muslims. For instance, “why do Muslims

have non-vegetarian food?” The reason for including such questions is that

people of Indian origin are spread throughout the world and constitute about

20% i.e. 1/5th of the world population. Thus, their questions become common

questions asked by non-Muslims throughout the world.

Misconceptions of non-Muslims who have studied Islam

There are many non-Muslims who have studied Islam. Most of them have only

read books on Islam written by biased critics of Islam. These non-Muslims have

an additional set of twenty common misconceptions about Islam. For instance,

they claim to have found contradictions in the Qur’an, they contend that the

Qur’an is unscientific, etc. There is another set of additional replies clearing

these twenty misconceptions among non-Muslims who have studied Islam from

distorted sources. I have also given the replies to twenty additional less

common questions among the non-Muslims in my public talks and book on

“Answers to Common Questions about Islam by Non-Muslims who have some

knowledge about Islam”.

1. POLYGAMY

Question:

Why is a man allowed to have more than one wife in Islam? i.e. why is

polygamy allowed in Islam?

Answer:

1. Definition of Polygamy

Polygamy means a system of marriage whereby one person has more than one

spouse. Polygamy can be of two types. One is polygyny where a man marries

more than one woman, and the other is polyandry, where a woman marries

more than one man. In Islam, limited polygyny is permitted; whereas polyandry

is completely prohibited.

Now coming to the original question, why is a man allowed to have more than

one wife?

2. The Qur’an is the only religious scripture in the world that says,

“marry only one”.

The Qur’an is the only religious book, on the face of this earth, that contains the

phrase ‘marry only one’. There is no other religious book that instructs men to

have only one wife. In none of the other religious scriptures, whether it be the

Vedas, the Ramayan, the Mahabharat, the Geeta, the Talmud or the Bible does

one find a restriction on the number of wives. According to these scriptures one

can marry as many as one wishes. It was only later, that the Hindu priests and

the Christian Church restricted the number of wives to one.

Many Hindu religious personalities, according to their scriptures, had multiple

wives. King Dashrat, the father of Rama, had more than one wife. Krishna had

several wives.

In earlier times, Christian men were permitted as many wives as they wished,

since the Bible puts no restriction on the number of wives. It was only a few

centuries ago that the Church restricted the number of wives to one.

Polygyny is permitted in Judaism. According to Talmudic law, Abraham had

three wives, and Solomon had hundreds of wives. The practice of polygyny

continued till Rabbi Gershom ben Yehudah (960 C.E to 1030 C.E) issued an

edict against it. The Jewish Sephardic communities living in Muslim countries

continued the practice till as late as 1950, until an Act of the Chief Rabbinate of

Israel extended the ban on marrying more than one wife.

(*Interesting Note:- As per the 1975 census of India Hindus are more

polygynous than Muslims. The report of the ‘Committee of The Status of

Woman in Islam’, published in 1975 mentions on page numbers 66 and 67 that

the percentage of polygamous marriages between the years 1951 and 1961

was 5.06% among the Hindus and only 4.31% among the Muslims. According

to Indian law only Muslim men are permitted to have more than one wife. It is

illegal for any non-Muslim in India to have more than one wife. Despite it being

illegal, Hindus have more multiple wives as compared to Muslims. Earlier, there

was no restriction even on Hindu men with respect to the number of wives

allowed. It was only in 1954, when the Hindu Marriage Act was passed that it

became illegal for a Hindu to have more than one wife. At present it is the Indian

Law that restricts a Hindu man from having more than one wife and not the

Hindu scriptures.)

Let us now analyse why Islam allows a man to have more than one wife.

3. Qur’an permits limited polygyny

As I mentioned earlier, Qur’an is the only religious book on the face of the earth

that says ‘marry only one’. The context of this phrase is the following verse from

Surah Nisa of the Glorious Qur’an:

“Marry women of your choice, two, or three, or four; but if ye fear that

ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one.”

[Al-Qur’an 4:3]

Before the Qur’an was revealed, there was no upper limit for polygyny and

many men had scores of wives, some even hundreds. Islam put an upper limit

of four wives. Islam gives a man permission to marry two, three or four women,

only on the condition that he deals justly with them.

In the same chapter i.e. Surah Nisa verse 129 says:

“Ye are never able to be fair and just as between women....”

[Al-Qur’an 4:129]

Therefore polygyny is not a rule but an exception. Many people are under the

misconception that it is compulsory for a Muslim man to have more than one wife.

Broadly, Islam has five categories of Do’s and Don’ts:

(i) ‘Fard’ i.e. compulsory or obligatory

(ii) ‘Mustahab’ i.e. recommended or encouraged

(iii) ‘Mubah’ i.e. permissible or allowed

(iv) ‘Makruh’ i.e. not recommended or discouraged

(v) ‘Haraam’ i.e. prohibited or forbidden

Polygyny falls in the middle category of things that are permissible. It cannot be

said that a Muslim who has two, three or four wives is a better Muslim as

compared to a Muslim who has only one wife.

4. Average life span of females is more than that of males

By nature males and females are born in approximately the same ratio. A

female child has more immunity than a male child. A female child can fight the

germs and diseases better than the male child. For this reason, during the

pediatric age itself there are more deaths among males as compared to the

females.

During wars, there are more men killed as compared to women. More men die

due to accidents and diseases than women. The average life span of females

is more than that of males, and at any given time one finds more widows in the

world than widowers.

5. India has more male population than female due to female

foeticide and infanticide

India is one of the few countries, along with the other neighbouring countries, in

which the female population is less than the male population. The reason lies in

the high rate of female infanticide in India, and the fact that more than one

million female foetuses are aborted every year in this country, after they are

identified as females. If this evil practice is stopped, then India too will have

more females as compared to males.

6. World female population is more than male population

In the USA, women outnumber men by 7.8 million. New York alone has one

million more females as compared to the number of males, and of the male

population of New York one-third are gays i.e sodomites. The U.S.A as a whole

has more than twenty-five million gays. This means that these people do not

wish to marry women. Great Britain has four million more females as compared

to males. Germany has five million more females as compared to males. Russia

has nine million more females than males. God alone knows how many million

more females there are in the whole world as compared to males.

7. Restricting each and every man to have only one wife is not

practical

Even if every man got married to one woman, there would still be more than

thirty million females in U.S.A who would not be able to get husbands

(considering that America has twenty five million gays). There would be more

than four million females in Great Britain, 5 million females in Germany and nine

million females in Russia alone who would not be able to find a husband.

Suppose my sister happens to be one of the unmarried women living in USA, or

suppose your sister happens to be one of the unmarried women in USA. The

only two options remaining for her are that she either marries a man who

already has a wife or becomes 'public property'. There is no other option. All

those who are modest will opt for the first.

Most women would nto like to share their husband with other women. But in

Islam when the situation deems it really neccessary Muslim women in due faith

could bear a small personal loss to prevent a greater loss of letting other Muslim

sisters becoming 'public properties'.

8. Marring a married man preferable to becoming 'public property'

In Western society, it is common for a man to have mistresses and/or multiple

extra-marital affairs, in which case, the woman leads a disgraceful, unprotected

life. The same society, however, cannot accept a man having more than one

wife, in which women retain their honourable, dignified position in society and

lead a protected life.

Thus the only two options before a woman who cannot find a husband is to

marry a married man or to become 'public property'. Islam prefers giving

women the honourable position by permitting the first option and disallowing the

second.

There are several other reasons, why Islam has permitted limited polygyny, but

it is mainly to protect the modesty of women.

2. POLYANDRY

Question:

If a man is allowed to have more than one wife, then why does Islam prohibit a

woman from having more than one husband?

Answer:

A lot of people, including some Muslims, question the logic of allowing Muslim

men to have more than one spouse while denying the same ‘right’ to women.

Let me first state emphatically, that the foundation of an Islamic society is justice

and equity. Allah has created men and women as equal, but with different

capabilities and different responsibilities. Men and women are different,

physiologically and psychologically. Their roles and responsibilities are different.

Men and women are equal in Islam, but not identical.

Surah Nisa’ Chapter 4 verses 22 to 24 gives the list of women with whom

Muslim men can not marry. It is further mentioned in Surah Nisa’ Chapter 4

verse 24 “Also (prohibited are) women already married”

The following points enumerate the reasons why polyandry is prohibited in

Islam:

1. If a man has more than one wife, the parents of the children born of such

marriages can easily be identified. The father as well as the mother can

easily be identified. In case of a woman marrying more than one husband,

only the mother of the children born of such marriages will be identified and

not the father. Islam gives tremendous importance to the identification of

both parents, mother and father. Psychologists tell us that children who do

not know their parents, especially their father undergo severe mental

trauma and disturbances. Often they have an unhappy childhood. It is for

this reason that the children of prostitutes do not have a healthy childhood.

If a child born of such wedlock is admitted in school, and when the mother

is asked the name of the father, she would have to give two or more names!

I am aware that recent advances in science have made it possible for both

the mother and father to be identified with the help of genetic testing. Thus

this point which was applicable for the past may not be applicable for the

present.

2. Man is more polygamous by nature as compared to a woman.

3. Biologically, it is easier for a man to perform his duties as a husband despite

having several wives. A woman, in a similar position, having several

husbands, will not find it possible to perform her duties as a wife. A woman

undergoes several psychological and behavioral changes due to different

phases of the menstrual cycle.

4. A woman who has more than one husband will have several sexual

partners at the same time and has a high chance of acquiring venereal or

sexually transmitted diseases which can also be transmitted back to her

husband even if all of them have no extra-marital sex. This is not the case

in a man having more than one wife, and none of them having extra-marital

sex.

The above reasons are those that one can easily identify. There are probably

many more reasons why Allah, in His Infinite Wisdom, has prohibited polyandry.

3. HIJAB FOR WOMEN

Question:

Why does Islam degrade women by keeping them behind the veil?

Answer:

The status of women in Islam is often the target of attacks in the secular media.

The ‘hijab’ or the Islamic dress is cited by many as an example of the

‘subjugation’ of women under Islamic law. Before we analyze the reasoning

behind the religiously mandated ‘hijab’, let us first study the status of women in

societies before the advent of Islam

1. In the past women were degraded and used as objects of lust

The following examples from history amply illustrate the fact that the status of

women in earlier civilizations was very low to the extent that they were denied

basic human dignity:

a. Babylonian Civilization:

The women were degraded and were denied all rights under the Babylonian

law. If a man murdered a woman, instead of him being punished, his wife

was put to death.

b. Greek Civilization:

Greek Civilization is considered the most glorious of all ancient civilizations.

Under this very ‘glorious’ system, women were deprived of all rights and

were looked down upon. In Greek mythology, an ‘imaginary woman’ called

‘Pandora’ is the root cause of misfortune of human beings. The Greeks

considered women to be subhuman and inferior to men. Though chastity of

women was precious, and women were held in high esteem, the Greeks

were later overwhelmed by ego and sexual perversions. Prostitution

became a regular practice amongst all classes of Greek society.

c. Roman Civilization:

When Roman Civilization was at the zenith of its ‘glory’, a man even had the

right to take the life of his wife. Prostitution and nudity were common

amongst the Romans.

d. Egyptian Civilization:

The Egyptian considered women evil and as a sign of a devil.

e. Pre-Islamic Arabia:

Before Islam spread in Arabia, the Arabs looked down upon women and

very often when a female child was born, she was buried alive.

2. Islam uplifted women and gave them equality and expects them

to maintain their status.

Islam uplifted the status of women and granted them their just rights 1400 years

ago. Islam expects women to maintain their status.

Hijab for men

People usually only discuss ‘hijab’ in the context of women. However, in the

Glorious Qur’an, Allah (swt) first mentions ‘hijab’ for men before ‘hijab’ for the

women. The Qur’an mentions in Surah Noor:

“Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard

their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is

well acquainted with all that they do.”

[Al-Qur’an 24:30]

The moment a man looks at a woman and if any brazen or unashamed thought

comes to his mind, he should lower his gaze.

Hijab for women.

The next verse of Surah Noor, says:

“ And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and

guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and

ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they

should draw veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty

except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their

sons...”

[Al-Qur’an 24:31]

3. Six criteria for Hijab.

According to Qur’an and Sunnah there are basically six criteria for observing

hijab:

1. Extent:

The first criterion is the extent of the body that should be covered. This is

different for men and women. The extent of covering obligatory on the male

is to cover the body at least from the navel to the knees. For women, the

extent of covering obligatory is to cover the complete body except the face

and the hands upto the wrist. If they wish to, they can cover even these

parts of the body. Some scholars of Islam insist that the face and the hands

are part of the obligatory extent of ‘hijab’.

All the remaining five criteria are the same for men and women.

2. The clothes worn should be loose and should not reveal the figure.

3. The clothes worn should not be transparent such that one can see through

them.

4. The clothes worn should not be so glamorous as to attract the opposite sex.

5. The clothes worn should not resemble that of the opposite sex.

6. The clothes worn should not resemble that of the unbelievers i.e. they

should not wear clothes that are specifically identities or symbols of the

unbelievers’ religions.

4. Hijab includes conduct and behaviour among other things

Complete ‘hijab’, besides the six criteria of clothing, also includes the moral

conduct, behaviour, attitude and intention of the individual. A person only

fulfilling the criteria of ‘hijab’ of the clothes is observing ‘hijab’ in a limited sense.

‘Hijab’ of the clothes should be accompanied by ‘hijab’ of the eyes, ‘hijab’ of the

heart, ‘hijab’ of thought and ‘hijab’ of intention. It also includes the way a person

walks, the way a person talks, the way he behaves, etc.

5. Hijab prevents molestation

The reason why Hijab is prescribed for women is mentioned in the Qur’an in the

following verses of Surah Al-Ahzab:

“O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women

that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when

abroad); that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such)

and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

[Al-Qur’an 33:59]

The Qur’an says that Hijab has been prescribed for the women so that they are

recognized as modest women and this will also prevent them from being

molested.

6. Example of twin sisters

Suppose two sisters who are twins, and who are equally beautiful, walk down

the street. One of them is attired in the Islamic hijab i.e. the complete body is

covered, except for the face and the hands up to the wrists. The other sister is

wearing western clothes, a mini skirt or shorts. Just around the corner there is

a hooligan or ruffian who is waiting for a catch, to tease a girl. Whom will he

tease? The girl wearing the Islamic Hijab or the girl wearing the skirt or the mini?

Naturally he will tease the girl wearing the skirt or the mini. Such dresses are an

indirect invitation to the opposite sex for teasing and molestation. The Qur’an

rightly says that hijab prevents women from being molested.

7. Capital punishment for the rapists

Under the Islamic shariah, a man convicted of having raped a woman, is given

capital punishment. Many are astonished at this ‘harsh’ sentence. Some even

say that Islam is a ruthless, barbaric religion! I have asked a simple question to

hundreds of non-Muslim men. Suppose, God forbid, someone rapes your wife,

your mother or your sister. You are made the judge and the rapist is brought in

front of you. What punishment would you give him? All of them said they would

put him to death. Some went to the extent of saying they would torture him to

death. To them I ask, if someone rapes your wife or your mother you want to put

him to death. But if the same crime is committed on somebody else’s wife or

daughter you say capital punishment is barbaric. Why should there be double

standards?

8. Western society falsely claims to have uplifted women

Western talk of women’s liberalization is nothing but a disguised form of

exploitation of her body, degradation of her soul, and deprivation of her honour.

Western society claims to have ‘uplifted’ women. On the contrary it has actually

degraded them to the status of concubines, mistresses and society butterflies

who are mere tools in the hands of pleasure seekers and sex marketeers,

hidden behind the colourful screen of ‘art’ and ‘culture’.

9. USA has one of the highest rates of rape

United States of America is supposed to be one of the most advanced countries

of the world. It also has one of the highest rates of rape in any country in the

world. According to a FBI report, in the year 1990, every day on an average

1756 cases of rape were committed in U.S.A alone. Later another report said

that on an average everyday 1900 cases of rapes are committed in USA. The

year was not mentioned. May be it was 1992 or 1993. May be the Americans

got ‘bolder’ in the following years.

Consider a scenario where the Islamic hijab is followed in America. Whenever

a man looks at a woman and any brazen or unashamed thought comes to his

mind, he lowers his gaze. Every woman wears the Islamic hijab, that is the

complete body is covered except the face and the hands upto the wrist. After

this if any man commits rape he is given capital punishment. I ask you, in such

a scenario, will the rate of rape in America increase, will it remain the same, or

will it decrease?

10. Implementation of Islamic Shariah will reduce the rate of rapes

Naturally as soon as Islamic Shariah is implemented positive results will be

inevitable. If Islamic Shariah is implemented in any part of the world, whether it

is America or Europe, society will breathe easier. Hijab does not degrade a

woman but uplifts a woman and protects her modesty and chastity.

4. WAS ISLAM SPREAD BY THE SWORD?

Question:

How can Islam be called the religion of peace when it was spread by the sword?

Answer:

It is a common complaint among some non-Muslims that Islam would not have

millions of adherents all over the world, if it had not been spread by the use of

force. The following points will make it clear, that far from being spread by the

sword, it was the inherent force of truth, reason and logic that was responsible

for the rapid spread of Islam.

1. Islam means peace.

Islam comes from the root word ‘salaam’, which means peace. It also means

submitting one’s will to Allah (swt). Thus Islam is a religion of peace, which is

acquired by submitting one’s will to the will of the Supreme Creator, Allah (swt).

2. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace.

Each and every human being in this world is not in favour of maintaining peace

and harmony. There are many, who would disrupt it for their own vested

interests. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace. It is precisely for

this reason that we have the police who use force against criminals and antisocial

elements to maintain peace in the country. Islam promotes peace. At the

same time, Islam exhorts it followers to fight where there is oppression. The

fight against oppression may, at times, require the use of force. In Islam force

can only be used to promote peace and justice.

3. Opinion of historian De Lacy O’Leary.

The best reply to the misconception that Islam was spread by the sword is given by

the noted historian De Lacy O’Leary in the book “Islam at the cross road” (Page 8):

“History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping

through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races

is one of the most fantastically absurd myth that historians have ever repeated.”

4. Muslims ruled Spain for 800 years.

Muslims ruled Spain for about 800 years. The Muslims in Spain never used the

sword to force the people to convert. Later the Christian Crusaders came to

Spain and wiped out the Muslims. There was not a single Muslim in Spain who

could openly give the adhan, that is the call for prayers.

5. 14 million Arabs are Coptic Christians.

Muslims were the lords of Arabia for 1400 years. For a few years the British

ruled, and for a few years the French ruled. Overall, the Muslims ruled Arabia

for 1400 years. Yet today, there are 14 million Arabs who are Coptic Christians

i.e. Christians since generations. If the Muslims had used the sword there would

not have been a single Arab who would have remained a Christian.

6. More than 80% non-Muslims in India.

The Muslims ruled India for about a thousand years. If they wanted, they had

the power of converting each and every non-Muslim of India to Islam. Today

more than 80% of the population of India are non-Muslims. All these non-

Muslim Indians are bearing witness today that Islam was not spread by the

sword.

7. Indonesia and Malaysia.

Indonesia is a country that has the maximum number of Muslims in the world.

The majority of people in Malaysia are Muslims. May one ask, “Which Muslim

army went to Indonesia and Malaysia?”

8. East Coast of Africa.

Similarly, Islam has spread rapidly on the East Coast of Africa. One may again

ask, if Islam was spread by the sword, “Which Muslim army went to the East

Coast of Africa?”

9. Thomas Carlyle.

The famous historian, Thomas Carlyle, in his book “Heroes and Hero worship”,

refers to this misconception about the spread of Islam: “The sword indeed, but

where will you get your sword? Every new opinion, at its starting is precisely in

a minority of one. In one man’s head alone. There it dwells as yet. One man

alone of the whole world believes it, there is one man against all men. That he

takes a sword and try to propagate with that, will do little for him. You must get

your sword! On the whole, a thing will propagate itself as it can.”

10. No compulsion in religion.

With which sword was Islam spread? Even if Muslims had it they could not use

it to spread Islam because the Qur’an says in the following verse:

“Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from

error”

[Al-Qur’an 2:256]

11. Sword of the Intellect.

It is the sword of intellect. The sword that conquers the hearts and minds of

people. The Qur’an says in Surah Nahl, chapter 16 verse 125:

“Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching;

and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious.”

[Al-Qur’an 16:125]

12. Increase in the world religions from 1934 to 1984.

An article in Reader’s Digest ‘Almanac’, year book 1986, gave the statistics of

the increase of percentage of the major religions of the world in half a century

from 1934 to 1984. This article also appeared in ‘The Plain Truth’ magazine. At

the top was Islam, which increased by 235%, and Christianity had increased

only by 47%. May one ask, which war took place in this century which converted

millions of people to Islam?

13. Islam is the fastest growing religion in America and Europe.

Today the fastest growing religion in America is Islam. The fastest growing

religion in Europe in Islam. Which sword is forcing people in the West to accept

Islam in such large numbers?

14. Dr. Joseph Adam Pearson.

Dr. Joseph Adam Pearson rightly says, “People who worry that nuclear

weaponry will one day fall in the hands of the Arabs, fail to realize that the

Islamic bomb has been dropped already, it fell the day MUHAMMED (pbuh) was

born”.

5. MUSLIMS ARE FUNDAMENTALISTS AND

TERRORISTS

Question:

Why are most of the Muslims fundamentalists and terrorists?

Answer:

This question is often hurled at Muslims, either directly or indirectly, during any

discussion on religion or world affairs. Muslim stereotypes are perpetuated in every

form of the media accompanied by gross misinformation about Islam and Muslims.

In fact, such misinformation and false propaganda often leads to discrimination and

acts of violence against Muslims. A case in point is the anti-Muslim campaign in the

American media following the Oklahoma bomb blast, where the press was quick to

declare a ‘Middle Eastern conspiracy’ behind the attack. The culprit was later

identified as a soldier from the American Armed Forces.

Let us analyze this allegation of ‘fundamentalism’ and ‘terrorism’:

1. Definition of the word ‘fundamentalist’

A fundamentalist is a person who follows and adheres to the fundamentals of

the doctrine or theory he is following. For a person to be a good doctor, he

should know, follow, and practise the fundamentals of medicine. In other words,

he should be a fundamentalist in the field of medicine. For a person to be a

good mathematician, he should know, follow and practise the fundamentals of

mathematics. He should be a fundamentalist in the field of mathematics. For a

person to be a good scientist, he should know, follow and practise the

fundamentals of science. He should be a fundamentalist in the field of science.

2. Not all ‘fundamentalists’ are the same

One cannot paint all fundamentalists with the same brush. One cannot

categorize all fundamentalists as either good or bad. Such a categorization of

any fundamentalist will depend upon the field or activity in which he is a

fundamentalist. A fundamentalist robber or thief causes harm to society and is

therefore undesirable. A fundamentalist doctor, on the other hand, benefits

society and earns much respect.

3. I am proud to be a Muslim funda-mentalist

I am a fundamentalist Muslim who, by the grace of Allah, knows, follows and

strives to practise the fundamentals of Islam. A true Muslim does not shy away

from being a fundamentalist. I am proud to be a fundamentalist Muslim

because, I know that the fundamentals of Islam are beneficial to humanity and

the whole world. There is not a single fundamental of Islam that causes harm or

is against the interests of the human race as a whole. Many people harbour

misconceptions about Islam and consider several teachings of Islam to be

unfair or improper. This is due to insufficient and incorrect knowledge of Islam.

If one critically analyzes the teachings of Islam with an open mind, one cannot

escape the fact that Islam is full of benefits both at the individual and collective

levels.

4. Dictionary meaning of the word ‘fundamentalist’

According to Webster’s dictionary ‘fundamentalism’ was a movement in

American Protestanism that arose in the earlier part of the 20th century. It was

a reaction to modernism, and stressed the infallibility of the Bible, not only in

matters of faith and morals but also as a literal historical record. It stressed on

belief in the Bible as the literal word of God. Thus fundamentalism was a word

initially used for a group of Christians who believed that the Bible was the

verbatim word of God without any errors and mistakes.

According to the Oxford dictionary ‘fundamentalism’ means ‘strict maintenance

of ancient or fundamental doctrines of any religion, especially Islam’.

Today the moment a person uses the word fundamentalist he thinks of a Muslim

who is a terrorist.

5. Every Muslim should be a terrorist

Every Muslim should be a terrorist. A terrorist is a person who causes terror.

The moment a robber sees a policeman he is terrified. A policeman is a terrorist

for the robber. Similarly every Muslim should be a terrorist for the antisocial

elements of society, such as thieves, dacoits and rapists. Whenever such an

anti-social element sees a Muslim, he should be terrified. It is true that the word

‘terrorist’ is generally used for a person who causes terror among the common

people. But a true Muslim should only be a terrorist to selective people i.e. antisocial

elements, and not to the common innocent people. In fact a Muslim

should be a source of peace for innocent people.

6. Different labels given to the same individual for the same action,

i.e. ‘terrorist’ and ‘patriot’

Before India achieved independence from British rule, some freedom fighters of

India who did not subscribe to non-violence were labeled as terrorists by the

British government. The same individuals have been lauded by Indians for the

same activities and hailed as ‘patriots’. Thus two different labels have been

given to the same people for the same set of actions. One is calling him a

terrorist while the other is calling him a patriot. Those who believed that Britain

had a right to rule over India called these people terrorists, while those who

were of the view that Britain had no right to rule India called them patriots and

freedom fighters.

It is therefore important that before a person is judged, he is given a fair hearing.

Both sides of the argument should be heard, the situation should be analyzed,

and the reason and the intention of the person should be taken into account,

and then the person can be judged accordingly.

7. Islam means peace

Islam is derived from the word ‘salaam’ which means peace. It is a religion of

peace whose fundamentals teach its followers to maintain and promote peace

throughout the world.

Thus every Muslim should be a fundamentalist i.e. he should follow the

fundamentals of the Religion of Peace: Islam. He should be a terrorist only towards

the antisocial elements in order to promote peace and justice in the society.

6. EATING NON-VEGETARIAN FOOD

Question:

Killing an animal is a ruthless act. Why then do Muslims consume nonvegetarian

food?

Answer:

‘Vegetarianism’ is now a movement the world over. Many even associate it with

animal rights. Indeed, a large number of people consider the consumption of

meat and other non-vegetarian products to be a violation of animal rights.

Islam enjoins mercy and compassion for all living creatures. At the same time

Islam maintains that Allah has created the earth and its wondrous flora and

fauna for the benefit of mankind. It is upto mankind to use every resource in this

world judiciously, as a niyamat (Divine blessing) and amanat (trust) from Allah.

Let us look at various other aspects of this argument.

1. A Muslim can be a pure vegetarian

A Muslim can be a very good Muslim despite being a pure vegetarian. It is not

compulsory for a Muslim to have non-vegetarian food.

2. Qur’an permits Muslims to have non-vegetarian food

The Qur’an, however permits a Muslim to have non-vegetarian food. The

following Qur’anic verses are proof of this fact:

“O ye who believe! Fulfil (all) obligations. Lawful unto you (for food) are

all four-footed animals with the exceptions named.”

[Al-Qur’an 5:1]

“And cattle He has created for you (men): from them Ye derive warmth,

and numerous benefits, And of their (meat) ye eat.”

[Al-Qur’an 16:5]

“And in cattle (too) ye have an instructive example: From within their

bodies We produce (milk) for you to drink; there are, in them, (besides),

numerous (other) benefits for you; and of their (meat) ye eat.”

[Al-Qur’an 23:21]

3. Meat is nutritious and rich in complete protein

Non-vegetarian food is a good source of excellent protein. It contains

biologically complete protein i.e. all the 8 essential amino acid that are not

synthesized by the body and should be supplied in the diet. Meat also contains

iron, vitamin B1 and niacin.

4. Humans have Omnivorous set of teeth

If you observe the teeth of herbivorous animals like the cow, goat and sheep,

you will find something strikingly similar in all of them. All these animals have

a set of flat teeth i.e. suited for herbivorous diet. If you observe the set of teeth

of the carnivorous animals like the lion, tiger, or leopard, they all have a set of

pointed teeth i.e. suited for a carnivorous diet. If you analyze the set of teeth of

humans, you find that they have flat teeth as well as pointed teeth. Thus they

have teeth suited for both herbivorous as well as carnivorous food i.e. they are

omnivorous. One may ask, if Almighty God wanted humans to have only

vegetables, why did He provide us also with pointed teeth? It is logical that He

expected us to need and to have both vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian

food.

5. Human beings can digest both vege-tarian and non-vegetarian

food

The digestive system of herbivorous animals can digest only vegetables. The

digestive system of carnivorous animals can digest only meat. But the digestive

system of humans can digest both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. If

Almighty God wanted us to have only vegetables then why did He give us a

digestive system that can digest both vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian

food?

6. Hindu scriptures give permission to have non-vegetarian food

a. There are many Hindus who are strictly vegetarian. They think it is against

their religion to consume non-vegetarian food. But the true fact is that the

Hindu scriptures permit a person to have meat. The scriptures mention

Hindu sages and saints consuming non-vegetarian food.

b. It is mentioned in Manu Smruti, the law book of Hindus, in chapter 5 verse 30

“The eater who eats the flesh of those to be eaten does nothing bad,

even if he does it day after day, for God himself created some to be eaten

and some to be eater.”

c. Again next verse of Manu Smruti, that is, chapter 5 verse 31 says

“Eating meat is right for the sacrifice, this is traditionally known as a rule of

the gods.”

d. Further in Manu Smruti chapter 5 verse 39 and 40 says

“God himself created sacrificial animals for sacrifice, ... , therefore killing in

a sacrifice is not killing.”

e. Mahabharata Anushashan Parva chapter 88 narrates the discussion

between Dharmaraj Yudhishthira and Pitamah Bhishma about what food

one should offer to Pitris (ancestors) during the Shraddha (ceremony of

dead) to keep them satisfied. Paragraph reads as follows:

“Yudhishthira said, “O thou of great puissance, tell me what that object is

which, if dedicated to the Pitiris (dead ancestors), become inexhaustible!

What Havi, again, (if offered) lasts for all time? What, indeed, is that which

(if presented) becomes eternal?”

“Bhishma said, “Listen to me, O Yudhishthira, what those Havis are which

persons conversant with the rituals of the Shraddha (the ceremony of dead)

regard as suitable in view of Shraddha and what the fruits are that attach to

each. With sesame seeds and rice and barely and Masha and water and

roots and fruits, if given at Shraddhas, the pitris, O king, remain gratified for

the period of a month. With fishes offered at Shraddhas, the pitris remain

gratified for a period of two months. With the mutton they remain gratified

for three months and with the hare for four months, with the flesh of the

goat for five months, with the bacon (meat of pig) for six months, and with

the flesh of birds for seven. With venison obtained from those deer that

are called Prishata, they remaingratified for eight months, and with that

obtained from the Ruru for nine months, and with the meat of Gavaya for

ten months, With the meat of the bufffalo their gratification lasts for eleven

months. With beef presented at the Shraddha, their gratification, it is said ,

lasts for a full year. Payasa mixed with ghee is as much acceptable to the

pitris as beef. With the meat of Vadhrinasa (a large bull) the gratification

of pitris lasts for twelve years. the flesh of rhinoceros, offered to the pitris

on anniversaries of the lunar days on which they died, becomes

inexhaustible. The potherb called Kalaska, the petals of kanchana flower,

and meat of (red) goat also, thus offered, prove inexhaustible.

So but natural if you want to keep your ancestors satisfied forever, you

should serve them the meat of red goat.

7. Hinduism was influenced by other religions

Though Hindu Scriptures permit its followers to have non-vegetarian food, many

Hindus adopted the vegetarian system because they were influenced by other

religions like Jainism.

8. Even plants have life

Certain religions have adopted pure vegetarianism as a dietary law because

they are totally against the killing of living creatures. If a person can survive

without killing any living creature, I would be the first person to adopt such a way

of life. In the past people thought plants were lifeless. Today it is a universal fact

that even plants have life. Thus their logic of not killing living creatures is not

fulfilled even by being a pure vegetarian.

9. Even plants can feel pain

They further argue that plants cannot feel pain, therefore killing a plant is a

lesser crime as compared to killing an animal. Today science tells us that even

plants can feel pain. But the cry of the plant cannot be heard by the human

being. This is due to the inability of the human ear to hear sounds that are not

in the audible range i.e. 20 Hertz to 20,000 Hertz. Anything below and above

this range cannot be heard by a human being. A dog can hear up to 40,000

Hertz. Thus there are silent dog whistles that have a frequency of more than

20,000 Hertz and less than 40,000 Hertz. These whistles are only heard by

dogs and not by human beings. The dog recognizes the masters whistle and

comes to the master. There was research done by a farmer in U.S.A. who

invented an instrument which converted the cry of the plant so that it could be

heard by human beings. He was able to realize immediately when the plant

itself cried for water. Latest researches show that the plants can even feel happy

and sad. It can also cry.

10. Killing a living creature with two senses less is not a lesser crime

Once a vegetarian argued his case by saying that plants only have two or three

senses while the animals have five senses. Therefore killing a plant is a lesser

crime than killing an animal. Suppose your brother is born deaf and dumb and

has two senses less as compared to other human beings. He becomes mature

and someone murders him. Would you ask the judge to give the murderer a

lesser punishment because your brother has two senses less? In fact you would

say that he has killed a masoom, an innocent person, and the judge should give

the murderer a greater punishment.

In fact the Qur’an says:

“O ye people! Eat of what is on earth, lawful and good”

[Al-Qur’an 2:168]

11. Over population of cattle

If every human being was a vegetarian, it would lead to overpopulation of cattle

in the world, since their reproduction and multiplication is very swift. Allah (swt)

in His Divine Wisdom knows how to maintain the balance of His creation

appropriately. No wonder He has permitted us to have the meat of the cattle.

12. Cost of meat is reasonable since all aren’t non-vegetarians

I do not mind if some people are pure vegetarians. However they should not

condemn non-vegetarians as ruthless. In fact if all Indians become nonvegetarians

then the present non-vegetarians would be losers since the prices

of meat would rise.

7. ISLAMIC METHOD OF SLAUGHTERING

ANIMALS APPEARS RUTHLESS

Question:

Why do Muslims slaughter the animal in a ruthless manner by torturing it and

slowly and painfully killing it?

Answer:

The Islamic method of slaughtering animals, known as Zabiha has been the

object of much criticism from a large number of people.

One may consider the following points, which prove that the Zabiha method is

not only humane but also scientifically the best:

1. Islamic method of slaughtering animal

Zakkaytum is a verb derived from the root word Zakah (to purify). Its infinitive is

Tazkiyah which means purification. The Islamic mode of slaughtering an animal

requires the following conditions to be met:

a. Animal should be slaughtered with sharp object (knife)

The animal has to be slaughtered with a sharp object (knife) and in a fast

way so that the pain of slaughter is minimised.

b. Cut wind pipe, throat and vessels of neck

Zabiha is an Arabic word which means ‘slaughtered’. The ‘slaughtering’ is

to be done by cutting the throat, windpipe and the blood vessels in the neck

causing the animal’s death without cutting the spinal cord.

c. Blood should be drained

The blood has to be drained completely before the head is removed. The

purpose is to drain out most of the blood which would serve as a good

culture medium for micro organisms. The spinal cord must not be cut

because the nerve fibres to the heart could be damaged during the process

causing cardiac arrest, stagnating the blood in the blood vessels.

2. Blood is a good medium for germs and bacteria

Blood is a good media of germs, bacteria, toxins, etc. Therefore the Muslim way

of slaughtering is more hygienic as most of the blood containing germs,

bacteria, toxins, etc. that are the cause of several diseases are eliminated.

3. Meat remains fresh for a longer time

Meat slaughtered by Islamic way remains fresh for a longer time due to

deficiency of blood in the meat as compared to other methods of slaughtering.

4. Animal does not feel pain

The swift cutting of vessels of the neck disconnects the flow of blood to the

nerve of the brain responsible for pain. Thus the animal does not feel pain.

While dying, the animal struggles, writhers, shakes and kicks, not due to pain,

but due to the contraction and relaxation of the muscles defecient in blood and

due to the flow of blood out of the body.

8. NON-VEGETARIAN FOOD MAKES MUSLIMS

VIOLENT

Question:

Science tell us that whatever one eats, it has an effect on one’s behaviour. Why

then, does Islam allow Muslims to eat non-vegetarian food, since eating of

animals could make a person violent and ferocious?

Answer:

1. Only eating of herbivorous animals allowed

I agree that, what a person eats has an effect on his behaviour. This is one of

the reasons why Islam prohibits the eating of carnivorous animals like lion, tiger,

leopard, etc. who are violent and ferocious. The consumption of the meat of

such animals would probably make a person violent and ferocious. Islam only

allows the eating of herbivorous animals like cow, goat, sheep, etc. that are

peaceful and docile. Muslims eat peaceful and docile animals because Muslims

are peace loving and non-violent people.

2. The Qur’an says Prophet prohibits what is bad

The Qur’an says:

“The Prophet commands them what is just and prohibits what is evil”.

“He allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them

what is bad (and impure),”

[Al-Qur’an 7: 157]

“So take what the Messenger assigns to you and deny yourselves that

which he withholds from you.”

[Al-Qur’an 59: 7]

For a Muslim, the Prophet’s statement is sufficient to convince him that Allah does

not wish humans to eat some kinds of meat while allowing some other kinds.

3. Hadith of Mohammad (pbuh) prohibi-ting eating of carnivorous

animals

According to various authentic Ahadith narrated in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih

Muslim including hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas in Sahih Muslim, Book of hunting

and slaughter, Hadith No. 4752 and Sunan Ibn-I-Majah chapter 13 Hadith no.

3232 to 3234, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) prohibited the eating of:

(i) Wild animals with canine teeth, i.e. meat eating carnivorous animals. These

are animals belonging to the cat families such as lion, tiger, cats, dogs,

wolfs, hyenas, etc.

(ii) Certain rodents like mice, rats, rabbits with claws, etc.

(iii) Certain reptiles like snakes, alligators, etc.

(iv) Birds of prey with talons or claws, like vultures, eagle, crows, owl, etc.

There is no scientific evidence that proves beyond doubt that eating nonvegetarian

food makes one violent.

9. MUSLIMS WORSHIP THE KAABA

Question:

When Islam is against idol worship why do the Muslims worship, and bow down

to the Kaaba in their prayer?

Answer:

Kaaba is the Qibla i.e. the direction Muslims face during their prayers. It is

important to note that though Muslims face the Kaaba during prayers, they do

not worship the Kaaba. Muslims worship and bow to none but Allah.

It is mentioned in Surah Baqarah:

“We see the turning of thy face (for guidance) to the heavens: now shall

We turn thee to a Qiblah that shall please thee. Turn then thy face in the

direction of the Sacred Mosque: wherever ye are, turn your faces in that

direction.” [Al-Qur’an 2:144]

1. Islam believes in fostering unity

For instance, if Muslims want to offer Salaah (Prayer), it is possible that some

may wish to face north, while some may wish to face south. In order to unite

Muslims in their worship of the One True God, Muslims, wherever they may be,

are asked to face in only one direction i.e. towards the Kaaba. If some Muslims

live towards the west of the Kaaba they face the east. Similarly if they live

towards the east of the Kaaba they face the west.

2. Kaaba is at the Centre of the World Map

The Muslims were the first people to draw the map of the world. They drew the

map with the south facing upwards and north downwards. The Kaaba was at

the centre. Later, western cartographers drew the map upside down with the

north facing upwards and south downwards. Yet, Alhamdullilah the Kaaba is at

the centre of the world map.

3. Tawaf around Kaaba for indicating one God

When the Muslims go to Masjid-e-Haram in Makkah, they perform tawaf or

circumambulation round the Kaaba. This act symbolizes the belief and worship

of One God, since, just as every circle has one centre, so also there is only one

Allah (swt) worthy of worship.

4. Hadith of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)

Regarding the black stone, hajr-e-aswad, there is a hadith (tradition), attributed

to the illustrious companion of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), Umar (may Allah

be pleased with him).

According to Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, book of Hajj, chapter 56, H.No. 675.

Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “I know that you are a stone and

can neither benefit nor harm. Had I not seen the Prophet (pbuh) touching (and

kissing) you, I would never have touched (and kissed) you”.

5. People stood on Kaaba and gave the adhaan

At the time of the Prophet, people even stood on the Kaaba and gave the

‘adhaan’ or the call to prayer. One may ask those who allege that Muslims

worship the Kaaba; which idol worshipper stands on the idol he worships?

10. NON-MUSLIMS NOT ALLOWED IN MAKKAH

Question:

Why are non-Muslims not allowed in the Holy cities of Makkah and Madinah?

Answer:

It is true that non-Muslims are not allowed in the holy cities of Makkah and

Madinah, by law. The following points will serve to elucidate the possible

reasoning behind such a restriction.

1. All citizens are not permitted in the cantonment area

I am a citizen of India. Yet, I am not permitted to enter certain restricted areas

like the cantonment. In every country there are certain areas where a common

citizen of that country cannot enter. Only a citizen who is enrolled in the military

or those who are connected with the defence of the country are allowed in the

cantonment area. Similarly Islam is a Universal Religion for the entire world and

for all human beings. The cantonment areas of Islam are the two holy cites of

Makkah and Madinah. Here only those who believe in Islam and are involved in

the defence of Islam i.e. the Muslims are allowed.

It would be illogical for a common citizen to object against the restriction on

entering a cantonment area. Similarly it is not appropriate for non-Muslims to

object against the restriction on non-Muslims against entering Makkah and

Madinah.

2. Visa to enter Makkah and Madinah

a. Whenever a person travels to a foreign country he has to first apply for a

visa i.e. the permission to enter that country. Every country has its own

rules, regulations and requirements for issuing a visa. Unless their critera

are satisfied they will not issue a visa.

b. One of the countries which is very strict in issuing a visa is the United States

of America, especially when issuing visas to citizens of the third world. They

have several conditions and requirements to be fulfilled before they issue a

visa.

c. When I visited Singapore, it was mentioned on their immigration form -

death to drug traffickers. If I want to visit Singapore I have to abide by the

rules. I cannot say that death penalty is a barbaric punishment. Only if I

agree with their requirements and conditions will I be permitted to enter the

country.

d. The Visa – The primary condition required for any human being to enter

Makkah or Madina is to say with his lips, La ila ha illallah Muhammed ur

Rasulullah meaning that ‘there is no God but Allah and Muhammed (pbuh)

is His Messenger.’

20. NON-MUSLIMS REFERRED AS KAFIRS

Question:

Why do Muslims abuse non-Muslims by calling them Kafirs?

Answer:

Kafir means one who rejects.

‘Kafir’ is derived from the word ‘kufr’, which means to conceal or to reject. In

Islamic terminology, ‘Kafir’ means one who conceals or rejects the truth of Islam

and a person who rejects Islam is in English called a ‘non-Muslim’.

If a ‘non-Muslim’ considers being called a ‘non-Muslim’ or ‘Kafir’, which are one

and the same, an abuse, it is due to his misunderstanding about Islam. He or

she needs to reach out to proper sources of understanding Islam and Islamic

terminology, and not only will he not feel abused but appreciate Islam in the

proper perspective.