MISCONCEPTIONS
ABOUT ISLAM
why Islam is the most misunderstood
religion in the world

Why are there misconceptions about Islam? Where do they come from?

1. The natural gap in understanding between different cultures and beliefs.
It is natural for human beings to grow up regarding their own society and its beliefs and culture as normal and reasonable. And so, the beliefs and culture of another people seem strange, abnormal and unreasonable. This lack of understanding between beliefs brings rise to needless conflict. This is why an open mind is always required when introduced to different sets of beliefs and cultures. It is important that we all make the effort to learn about each other's beliefs so that we are able to live harmoniously with one another.

2. Misconceptions arising from the non-Islamic words or behaviours of some Muslims who themselves misunderstood or disobeyed the teachings of Islam, or have confused Islam with their own cultures and beliefs. Recently, the actions and behaviour of certain people has brought Islam under the microscope. And although these actions are not even from the teachings of Islam, Muslims are being blamed for them. It is not fair to judge Islam by the behaviour and practices of such Muslims. Rather, it should be judged on the basis of what it actually teaches. It is therefore necessary to make a distinction between the true teachings of Islam and the behaviour of some Muslims so that misconceptions can be eliminated.

3. Misconceptions due to Muslim scholars speaking on areas that are not their area of specialization. A specialist in one field of knowledge will always be found to be an amateur in some other field. It has been said that an expert is one who knows more and more about less and less. Among Muslim scholars are those who have specialized in one area, but are asked questions that are not in their field of specialization. However since such scholars have been given authoritative titles such as “Imam”, “Sheikh”, etc. there is unfortunately a tendency for many Muslims and non-Muslims to take their words as authoritative without question and without realizing that these scholars may actually be not different from everyone else on these topics.

4. Deliberate distortion, misrepresentation and invention of falsehood about Islam by those who oppose Muslims for religious, ideological or political reasons. There are historical reasons why some groups of people have deliberately lied about Islam and distorted it. Some of these have origins in the distant past others are more recent.

Unfortunately, many non-Muslims are not aware of these misconceptions and have as a result lost all interest in Islam or even developed a hatred or fear of it and its followers (“Islamophobia”). If Islam is to be understood for what it really stands for, and to play its role as a guidance and mercy to mankind, it is necessary to clear Islam of any falsehood that has been associated with it. Hopefully in coming editions we will be working at clearing the misconceptions affecting youth in Australia today with the hope that we can tear down these barriers and look to a brighter tomorrow. by Bahije Mawas

REFERENCE: The Train the Trainers Course in Da’wah and Dialogue (2001) , Trust Education Australia, Sydney.