misconceptions

8 Reasons why Osama bin Laden was bad for the Ummah

Author: 
Irfan Jalil

8 – Confirmed media stereotypes

As if Muslims with bushy beards weren’t having a bad time already, what with stereotypes of Muslims terrorists in Hollywood films and Western newspapers. Along comes the biggest terrorist attack in America and its Muslims who are responsible. Not only that, but a Muslim in a big beard and turban praised those who carried out 9/11 and labelled them as martyrs. This totally contradicts Quran and Sunnah and can lead to kufr. To make matters worse, every other word in his speeches was Allah, Quran or Jihad. Not only did Muslims become synonymous with terrorism but so did Islam.

7 – Usurped authority

ISLAM: PUBLIC ENEMY NO.1?

Author: 
By Shamim Miah

Islamophobia, or anti-Muslim prejudice, is increasingly becoming a dominant feature of public discourse and the Muslim collective experience in the UK and the rest of Europe.

In Europe Islamophobia is channelled through draconian policies which have resulted in restrictions on the public display of Islam; as in the case of France with the hijab and veil ban and the banning of building of minarets in Switzerland.

There have also been a number of populist far-right groups such as Geert Wilders Party of Freedom in the Netherlands. This party has called for the banning of the Quran. In the UK, demonisation of Islam and Muslims has led to the emergence of the English Defence League.

The Ruling of First Cousin Marriages: A Balanced Perspective

Author: 
Dr. Asim Yusuf

Question:

My question relates to marrying first cousins. Although it's permissible in Islam, I was wondering as regards to arguments against this as many people cite health issues and high rates of disabilities among children. I’m struggling to get my head around a ruling in Islam that potentially puts people or children at risk. I am in no way saying the Islamic ruling is wrong as I would never oppose anything in Islam but rather I would like clarification so as to have a better understanding as non-Muslims often ask why we would have this ruling and always cite particular studies.

Answer:

Thank you for your question and your concern for supporting the religion.

Misconceptions about Islam

Microphone

A recording of The Revival's "Let's Talk Show" from 14 September 2008 where Shaykh Ibrahim Ossi Effa is bombarded with questions about Islam mainly on topics where there are misconceptions held either within the Muslim community or by Non Muslims.

Questions were asked and answered on many topics mainly focussing on:

  1. The Qur'an
  2. The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam (Peace and Blessings be upon him)
  3. Violence and terrorism
  4. Women's rights

A few other questions were sprinkled in for good measure.

Are all terrorists Muslims?

Further discourse with members of Casuals United:

"Its a fact that whilst not all muslims are terrorists, All terrorists these days are muslims so why does the so called peace loving religion stamp it out?"

erm.. you need to get yourself some figures. Muslim terorism accounts for probably less than one % of all terrorism related activity in Europe - ""

Shock! Horror! The Jews Didn’t Do It!

By Irfan Jalil

This is an online exclusive article added to the website for Issue 14.

From the death of Jesus and World War I to the death of Tupac and 9/11, Jews get the blame for anything that goes wrong and everything that is bad. It's as if they control the world and whatever they say goes. All perfectly plausible you might think. But this idea that a group of people secretly plot major events and manipulate political happenings from behind the scenes is called a conspiracy theory.

Black Magic & Jinn

By Shaykh Salim Ghisa

Black Magic and evil Jinn both exist in Islam and have been proven by the Quran and Hadith.

It is evident from the Qur'an and the Hadith that Jinn are the creations of Allah and are made from Fire. Like Angels they cannot be seen by the normal human eye. Because of their fiery nature there are more evil Jinn hence disbelievers and are also referred to as Shaytaans.
They can commit havoc if interfered with but generally keep themselves to themselves. They live in the world and take their place where it suits them, usually remote areas. Evil Jinn tend to stay in impure places like the toilets etc.

The Prophet of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) advised the Muslims to pray

Religion on Trial

All the major World Religions have been charged with Crimes Against Humanity, and it is up to ace (trainee-) lawyer Ya’qub Bell to defend Islam:

People who are Religious are following something that is not true. There is no proof for it.

It is not a ‘fact’ whether any religion is true or false. People are free to choose to believe in what they think is right. A teaching of Islam is that ‘there is no compulsion in Religion’. In terms of ‘proof’ for God’s existence, Allah (swt) is so much Greater than a human, that it is impossible someone to even imagine what He looks like, this is why Allah (swt) doesn’t show Himself to us. Instead He shows us ‘signs’ (ayat) of His Existence.

The year that was: 2007

By Irfan Jalil

This article never made it into issue 11 due to space concerns. It is now available as an extra bonus for our online readers.

So, what events affected Muslims in 2007? No, the Danish cartoons were 2006. So was Jack Straw's niqaab hoo-ha. If you think the only thing that happened in 2007 was Benazir Bhutto's assassination then you really haven't been keeping up with news, have you?

The Muslim Jesus

Author: 
Imaani Aslam

Jesus is a Christian though isn’t he?

Jesus (peace be upon him) isn’t just exclusive to Christianity. Muslims believe Jesus (called ‘Isa in Arabic) is a prophet - a messenger of Allah (swt) who was sent to mankind with a revelation from Allah (swt). In the Quran, stories about the life and teachings of Jesus (pbuh) are abundant. In fact, Jesus (pbuh) is mentioned more times in the Quran than Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Moses (Musa), Noah (Nuh), Adam, John (Yahya), David (Da’ud), and many other key figures in the Bible, (peace be upon them all) are also prophets in Islam.

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