What are the common misconceptions about the religion of Islam, and are they based on true foundations?
The Oxford dictionary describes ‘Phobia’ as “An extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something.”
Islamophobia refers to an aversion towards the religion of Islam. So in essence, towards Muslims. It is a global phenomenon, the effects of which have increased in the modern world. The impact of it is widespread, creating a shift in the dynamic of millions of lives-both Muslims and non Muslims.
Islam is one of the most followed religions in the world, said to be followed by about 24% of the global population. But how much beyond the name – Islam – is actually known?
We know that historical accounts were often distorted. And we currently live in a world where disinformation is easily accessible, where “fake news” is the shield of public orators.
Isn’t it time to face the fears head on and take a look at the root cause of the negative image being attributed to islam and uncover the truth? Isn’t it time we ask – is islamophobia truly justified, or is there a campaign of fear and hate orchestrated towards the religion, being intentionally propagated in the world today?
Let’s investigate up close, all the fearful and aversive aspects of what has become portrayed as the religion of Islam.
So, what are we told to be afraid of?
First, we go back to the origins of this phobia against Islam.
God has always sent his Prophets and Messengers as a face of Himself, to guide the people, one who would reveal God’s law and word to them. Without this link between the mortal, fallible man and the supernaturally divine King of Heaven, we would be lost in a world of confusion.
God has always ensured that His flock of sheep have a guiding shepherd, securing the innocent and faithful towards His true path.
But the shepherd has another task as well: to protect his flock from the surrounding dangers of wolves and predators.
These blood thirsty, demonic, and ungodly misguiders are what we call false prophets. Those attempting to deceive the people away from God, by giving themselves the appearance of messengers and assuming a role not granted to them by the Lord, in order to glean off the benefits for their own selfish reasons.
For power, wealth, and exploitation of God’s creation- leading them away from Him and His paradise.
In the New Testament, Jesus pbuh warned His disciples of the presence and attacks of false prophets in the End Times.
“And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”
– Holy Bible: Mark 13:3-6
And also from the book of Matthew, it states:
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
– Holy Bible: Matthew 7:15
Jesus had already warned the believers about false prophets appearing after him. He has depicted this instance as a sign of the End Times approaching the people.
Since Prophet Muhammad pbuhahf came after Jesus pbuh, some Christians feared that he could be the false Messiah that Jesus had warned us about.
Could this be true?
If we analyse the situation further, Muslims in Islam take it that Muhammad pbuhahf is, in fact, the Prophet that was foretold to appear after Jesus.
It is known in Christian doctrine that Jesus’ time on earth is, in fact, not yet over. He is to come again, for his Second Coming.
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”
– Holy Bible: John 14:18
And this belief is not unique to the Christians alone. Muslims, too, hold this belief as part of the Islamic faith.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuhahf) said: “At that time they (the Arabs) will be few in number, most of them will be in the Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem), and their Imam will be a righteous man. While their Imam is going forward to lead the people in the morning prayer, Isa (Jesus) son of Mary will descend. The Imam will step back, to let Jesus lead the people in prayer, but Jesus will place his hand between the Imams shoulders and say: Go forward and lead the prayer, for the Iqamah was given for you. So the Imam will lead the people in prayer… Jesus, son of Mary will be a just ruler and leader of my Ummah (Nation).”
– Sunan Ibn Majah, Muhammad bin Yazid Ibn Majah, Book of Tribulations, hadith 4077
So with Jesus returning in the End Times, we see the link that Christianity has made between two aspects of the faith- one is the return of Jesus, a principle held dear by both Christians and Muslims alike.
Another aspect is the coming of the Comforter.
Who exactly is the Comforter, according to the Bible?
“But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.”
– Holy Bible: John 16:7
There is a similar link in the Quran found of Jesus mentioning the arrival of another individual after him pbuh, one whom would be a guide to the people:
“And when Jesus the son of Mary said, O children of Israel, verily I am the apostle of God sent unto you, confirming the law which was delivered before me, and bringing good tidings of an apostle who shall come after me, and whose name shall be Ahmed.”
– Holy Quran, As-Saf: 6
There is a conflict here. In the Christian view, many believe that the Comforter from Jesus is, in fact, referring to the Second Coming of Jesus. However, this does not fit the description given by Jesus in the bible of the Comforter. He speaks of the Comforter as testifying for Jesus himself. How is it logical that God sends a man to testify for his own soul to the people as proof?
Also, Jesus pbuh says that he would send him, that is, the Comforter, to the believers. So he is clearly speaking here of a third person-not of himself.
So the concept of a comforter coming, and this Comforter being a man separate from Jesus himself, makes sense. And from both Christian and Islamic literature, it seems quite clear that if this man is separate from Jesus, then these others mentioned to come after Jesus, who upheld his word, are likely candidates for this role.
When we look again at the Islamophobic concept that Muhammad pbuhahf is, in fact, the false messiah, it seems to be negated entirely by the fact that he pbuhahf was spreading the call of Islam as a religion that upholds the teachings and words of Jesus Christ. Why would a false Messiah advocate the name of Jesus, and testify for him-just as Jesus claimed the Comforter would?
This depiction of Prophet Muhammad as the Antichrist, the false prophet that leads away from Jesus, is illogical and bears no foundation. Jesus is clearly mentioned as a messenger of God in Muhammad’s pbuhahf teachings and scripture. It is interesting then to wonder further into the matter. Why did this assumption come about?
What was it about the call of Muhammad that led to this concept of him being an antichrist to the Islamophobes? Is his call truly the opposite to the call of Jesus?
This requires further investigation. We delve here into the being of Prophet Muhammad himself- his character and the religion he propagated.
Let’s look at what makes him the supposed false messiah.
Here is one of the most frequently seen labels that we see attributed to Prophet Muhammad pbuhahf. It is a label that, if we find it to be false, is one of a greatly slanderous nature. He is known by Islamophobes as a sex Prophet.
But where is that founded from, and how is this true?
Firstly, Let’s face this label, this monster of fear that has been amplified in the eyes of the people, and square up to it. Was not Prophet Muhammad pbuhahf a man with many wives?
The answer to this question historically is yes, indeed, he was. There are many stories of him and his wives, different incidents in history recorded, and it is mentioned even in the Quran.
“O Prophet, why do you prohibit [yourself from] what Allah has made lawful for you, seeking the approval of your wives? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
– Holy Quran, At-Tahrim: 1
From the book of narrations, Sunan an-Nasa’i, 3959, the history behind this verse is revealed as being the following.
Prophet Muhammad pbuhahf came once to one of his wives, named Maria, whom had previously been a Coptic Christian before following the religion of Muhammad pbuhahf. It is narrated that he slept with her. This was while another wife, Hafsah, whom he was meant to spend time with on that particular day, was out. On her return, Hafsah made an outcry of the matter, and in an attempt to calm her jealousy down, and out of mercy, the Prophet Muhammad prohibited himself from spending time with his other wife, Maria.
It was in response to this decision that he made – that God revealed the verse in the Quran, explaining that he need not prohibit on himself what God Himself had permitted.
Now stories and incidents such as these are, to the perspective of the Islamophobe, Prophet Muhammad’s pbuhahf supposedly forbidden or lowly indulgence in earthly desires. These recorded incidents are what the haters of the religion of Islam claim are of a depraved nature, and supposedly depict a great deal of perversion.
This is especially when you see it in the light that Jesus was allegedly the celibate Prophet, and is said to have allegedly sworn to never indulge in the worldly affairs of having relations with women, being above it.
In contrast, it seems the Islamophobic point of view sees that the Prophet Muhammad’s pbuhahf attitude towards marriage and women is, in that perspective, too liberal and indulgent to be godly or divine.
But if we think with open minds, then fighting our fears of an ideology requires that we analyze this polarizing situation with less bias.
Was the Prophet Muhammad pbuhahf the only messenger with a polygamous marital life? Let’s take a look at what the Bible says.
“King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh’s daughter—Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. They were from nations about which the Lord had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.” Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines…”
– Holy Bible: 1 Kings 11:1-3
“I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired . . . a harem as well–the delights of the heart of man.”
– Holy Bible: Ecclesiastes 2:8
Prophet David pbuh is another messenger of God, whose polygamous life is recorded in the Bible. He is recorded as having many wives, of which eight are named in scripture.
King David pbuh was recorded in the bible as being polygamous as well.
It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, “Is not this lBathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. (Now she had been purifying herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned to her house. And the woman conceived, and she went and told David, “I am pregnant.”
– Holy Bible: 2 Samuel 11:2-5
There are many stories and incidents in the Bible of noble characters who had indulged in polygamy, and not just polygamy as a lifestyle. They were committing acts that would be considered against virtue or modesty in this day and age.
This means that those who consider the Bible the word of God are accepting that messengers have committed such acts but still remained messengers of God. Because they were indeed men who were carrying God’s message to the people, and were on the right path.
An example of this is the story of Prophet Lot pbuh, and him having relations with his own daughters, as recorded in the Bible.
The next day the older daughter said to the younger, “Last night I slept with my father. Let’s get him to drink wine again tonight, and you go in and sleep with him so we can preserve our family line through our father.” So they got their father to drink wine that night also, and the younger daughter went in and slept with him. Again he was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up. So both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their father.
– Holy Bible: Genesis 19: 34-36
In today’s society, such an incident would not be considered even tolerable by the modern standards of ethics. Yet Christians around the world accept this gospel truth, and accept that the messengers in these narratives are all pure and Godly men, as they indeed are. They are comfortable with this being a part of the history that has moulded the Christian faith.
There is no doubt that the prophets Lot, David, and Solomon pbuta are all blessed messengers sent by God to guide His people. This is an indisputable fact for all Muslims and Christians.
So for the Prophet Muhammad pbuhahf to be accused of being an antichrist prophet for having more than one wife is hypocritical, and a clear double standard.
Let’s now consider the aspect that Jesus pbuh was a celibate. This supposed fact is what Christians scholars use to grant Jesus pbuh a stance of piety and holiness, since having intercourse is seen in Christianity as supposedly perverse and immoral, being of the flesh. This is in spite of it being a permissible blessing granted to the people by God, within specified boundaries. If we look at Jesus’ celibacy alone, is it really a fact that stands on a strong foundation of truth?
There are no recorded parts of history or scripture stating that Jesus was celibate. This belief was introduced into the religion of Christianity later- linking the lack of evidence that Jesus was married, to the verses in books written much after him- by Paul.
It is through this supposed guidance of Paul that celibacy became a core value of the Christian faith – akin to virtue.
Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”
– Holy Bible: 1 Corinthians 7:1
It must be stressed again that this is not the command of Jesus, but the recommendation of a man that appeared after him, claiming that his word was just as valuable and divine as the word of Jesus Christ pbuh himself. And for any loyal and true believer in Jesus, this, by itself, would seem suspect.
Especially since Jesus has an entirely different stance on the matter altogether:
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
– Holy Bible: Genesis 2:24
So why give credibility to this supposed ideal of Christianity at all? Even Paul himself has commented on the matter by saying,
“Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.”
– Holy Bible: 1 Corinthians 7:25
So if he has no command of the Lord, surely the idea of thousands of people pledging a life of celibacy, such as the nuns and priests do, is nothing short of innovation, and not from the faith of Jesus pbuh at all.
Regarding marriage, there are many narrations, reliable and unreliable, concerning the Prophet Muhammad pbuhahf and his wives. However, one fact that seems to be consistently attributed to him is the common opinion that he pbuhahf married his wife Ayesha while she was still a child of 5 or 6.
Now, if we analyze the truth of this with a holistic approach, we find a much broader connection of facts concerning this opinion.
First, it is crucial to note that this fact is believed based on narrations concerning the Prophet’s life that are suspect and unreliable. How simple is it to write false narrations about the history of the lives of messengers that have passed? In fact, the idea that he pbuhahf married Ayesha when she was only a child is not even mentioned in the Holy Quran, a book which is considered much more authentic than memorized and orally passed on narrations, that were later written by fallible men.
If we look into the reality of Prophet Muhammad’s humane teachings, we can see that it would be out of foolishness to attribute to him unreliable narrations and are conflicting with other narrations, which state that his wife Ayesha, when he married her was a consenting adult woman. Many of the Islamic scholars seem to agree that at the time of marriage she was probably nineteen years old.
When the Islamophobes glance at the culture of marriage and sex in the Eastern Arab world, it seems that what is made evident, is a great deal of perversion and inhumane rulings. Indeed it is true that every religion has scholars who inaccurately propagate the religion they claim to follow. Could it be true though, that the religion that is being portrayed is very different from its truth and reality? Is Islam the way these perverse scholars say it is?
There are countless cases of perverse and corrupt scholars issuing rulings on marriage and sex. From allowing underage marriage to issuing rulings on how to be married to infants, to strangely boundless allowances on temporary marriage, to rulings that allow women to profit by giving their bodies to men willing to pay…the list goes on. And names like Khomayni and Shirazi are not unfamiliar, especially in terms of this particular field of perversion and anti-Islamic rulings.
“A man can have sexual pleasure from a child as young as a baby. However, he should not penetrate vaginally, but sodomizing the child is acceptable… It is better for a girl to marry at such a time when she would begin menstruation at her husband’s house, rather than her father’s home. Any father marrying his daughter so young will have a permanent place in heaven.”
– [“Tahrirolvasyleh”, fourth edition, Qom, Iran, 1990] – Khomayni
Is a ruling of this nature truly Islamic? The answer to that is, absolutely not! Actually it is against the foundation of Islamic structure.
This is exactly in the same way as it is against the rulings of Jesus Christ for priests to molest young boys.
Surely, the doctrine of Jesus never permitted the abuse and exploitation of children by these supposed priests for their own perverse desires. Yet it is seen time and again, in the Christian world. This, of course, does not mean that this perversion is a part of the religion of Christianity itself. And assuming so would be considered foolish, hateful and prejudiced- as it very well is.
So how easy is it to perceive a religion based on what perverse men decide it should look like, claiming to be men of God and twisting His rules as they please? Does it mean that the origins of that religion would allow such abominable and despicably inhumane acts?
There is no evidence historically or in scripture of the Prophet of Islam Muhammad pbuhahf engaging in or permitting perversion or non consensual marital relations of any sort. Just as there is no evidence of Jesus allowing his priests to molest and sexually abuse young children, while subjecting themselves and their nuns to a life of complete sexual deprivation- something that was never imposed on them by the commands of Jesus.
Both Jesus and Muhammad pbut were messengers of God. It would be an injustice to perceive the religion they came with in that way, in light of the corrupt wolves in scholarly robes, claiming to be representatives of these Holy men, while destroying the pure religion.
The Christian and Muslim religions have more in common than just being misrepresented by false and corrupt scholars. One of the key issues Islamophobes seem to have with the Muslim faith is the hijab.
The choice of Muslim women to cover themselves modestly is widespread.
It has become so much more than just a principle of faith- it has developed into a cultural aspect in many parts of the world. It has turned into a symbol of identity to which thousands of women adhere to. And, it has become a reason for Islamophobes to mistrust and hate entire groups of Muslim people.
But is it really just the Muslim women that are donning this garb?
“The head covering enables a woman to fulfill the mitzvah of kisuy sa’aros (covering her hair) minute by minute throughout the day thereby enabling her to earn great rewards both in this world and in the World to Come…”
– Rabbi Falk’s Sefer Oz Vehadar Levusha
And, from the Bible:
“Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.”
– Holy Bible: 1 Corinthians 11:4-6
Covering the hair is not a concept in Islam alone. All the Abrahamic religions have modesty as a principle. So why is Islam perceived as oppressive for propagating this practice? In this progressive day and age, surely it should be considered patronizing and belittling to women that they are judged for making the personal choice to cover themselves. Surely judging women in this way is against the ideals of freedom of choice and equality between men and women?
Unfortunately, Islam has become depicted in this way, not because of the original and authentic faith that was inspired to Muhammad by God, but because of the corruption that seeped into its folds over time. True Islam condemns much of what is propagated now as so-called Islam. After the death of Prophet Muhammad pbuhahf, many of those that claimed to be his companions were responsible for much of what became widespread Islam in the form of wars and pillaging. Omar Ibn Al Khattab, the second Caliph, was one of those that decided to take the sword against various nations, claiming that this would be a Godly act and a form of spreading the religion.
But for Prophet Muhammad pbuhahf, this stance could not be further from the truth. It is written in the Holy Quran,
“There is no compulsion in religion…”
– Holy Quran, Al-Baqarah: 256
It is against the values of authentic Islamic law to force anyone into believing. Indeed, to be Muslim means to be in the submission of the Almighty. True submission is impossible under compulsion, as it would be insincere.
Just as Jesus pbuh came spreading a humane religion as well. Yet later, his so-called followers would spread Christianity by the sword, in incidents we remember well today as The Crusades.
These supposed Holy wars, of Jihad with the sword and the Crusades, could not be less holy, considering how the Prophet Muhammad pbuhahf had laid down specified, humane laws that granted everyone involved in the wars their rights.
In fact, going to war was in essence not even meant to be allowed except for specific reasons- none of which include seeking profit or spreading the word of God through compulsion. Prophet Muhammad pbuhahf laid these laws down in his community, not even neglecting the rights of the prisoners of war, or the enemy, and stressing the protection of women and the fairness in distribution of wealth, and every aspect.
From the words of Prophet Muhammad pbuhahf:
“Do not wish for an encounter with the enemy. Pray to God to grant you security, but when you (are forced to) encounter them, exercise patience.”
– Sahih Muslim, Abi Al-Hussein Muslim ibn Al-Hajjaj ibn Muslim, The Book of Jihad and Expeditions, hadith 1741
– Sahih Bukhari, Abi Abdullah Muhammad ibn Isma’il Al-Bukhari, Book of Jihad, hadith 2966
Ibn Abbas narrated that the Prophet (pbuhahf) would say to his army: “Do not kill those in the monasteries.”
– Nayl Al-Awtar, Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Shawkani, hadith 3324
Ibn Abbas said: “Prophet Muhammad (pbuhahf) ordered his Companions on the day of the Battle of Badr to be generous with the captives (treating them with kindness), so at meal times they would serve them before themselves.” Sa’eed Ibn Jubayr, Atta, Al-Hassan and Kutadah said the same.
– Tafsir Al-Quran Al-Azim, Ibn Katheer, Al-Baqarah, verse 190
The Prophet (pbuhahf) said: “While a dog was going round a well and was about to die of thirst, an Israeli prostitute saw it and took off her shoe and gave it water. So Allah forgave her because of that good deed.”
– Sahih Bukhari, Abi Abdullah Muhammad ibn Isma’il Al-Bukhari, Book of Prophets, hadith 3467
– Sahih Muslim, Abi Al-Hussein Muslim ibn Al-Hajjaj ibn Muslim, Book of greetings, hadith 2245b
And, from the Quran,
“O Prophet! Say to those who are captives in your hands: ‘If Allah finds any good in your hearts, He will give you something better than what has been taken from you and He will forgive you. For Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
– Holy Quran, Al-Anfal: 70
Nowhere in the Prophet Muhammad’s life pbuhahf, can it be seen that he decides to spread the religion of Islam through the sword. In fact, at the advent of Islam, one of the first incidents where he promoted Islam outside of the Arabs was toward the Christian Abyssinian King of the time named Negus, and this was done through kind words and conversation. Not violence and killing.
“That is why We ordained for the Children of Israel that whoever takes a life—unless as a punishment for murder or mischief in the land—it will be as if they killed all of humanity; and whoever saves a life, it will be as if they saved all of humanity.1 ˹Although˺ Our messengers already came to them with clear proofs, many of them still transgressed afterwards through the land.”
– Holy Quran, Al-Ma’idah: 32
This same religion cannot possibly be the religion that promotes terrorist groups, such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda. To attribute the barbaric crimes of these inhumane people to Islam is a folly. Their claim that they are from Islam or of Islam in any way is illogical and baseless when seen in the light of the true nature of Islam. It is just as illogical as attributing the tyrannical and oppressive regime of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) to the teachings of Jesus pbuh.
The true Islamic approach is from the authentic words of Prophet Muhammad pbuhahf, that there is no room for racism in the eyes of God, and that Muslims and Non-Muslims both have rights. The concept of infidels being killed by terrorist organisations is against the creed of this Prophet.
“O people, your God is one, so an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab, a white has no superiority over a black, nor does a black have any superiority over a white; except by piety and good action.”
– Prophet Muhammad (pbuhahf), Farewell Sermon of Hajj
It is tragic that there is now an Islamophobic association between Islam and violence. It has resulted from the twisting of authentic scripture and taking scripture out of context, which has led to a vast amount of corruption. Selfishly, many who try and insinuate their perverse ideas onto the foundation of this religion tend to neglect the true nature of this monotheistic religion. Twisting the words to their benefit, rulers and misguided scholars have concocted their own set of rules, away from anything that had been implemented in the time of Prophet Muhammad pbuhahf. These rules can be summed up in two words- Sharia Law.
So-called Islamic countries are notorious for establishing this Sharia Law, such as Iran and Saudi Arabia. Rather than focus on the human issues of the people, such as poverty, homelessness, and disease, they instead seem to propagate a great deal of capital punishment, holding on their backs the burden of implementing the worst of sentences to supposed criminals, for crimes that they decide to judge with little knowledge.
Every state and country needs a justice system. However, to associate these terrible punishments with religion not based on cruelty or unjust ruling is a crime in itself.
There are countless instances from the life of Prophet Muhammad pbuhahf, and the pure Imams pbut after him, implementing justice, but true justice, mercy, reformative teaching, and second chances.
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “A prostitute had once been forgiven. She passed by a dog panting near a well. Thirst had nearly killed him, so she took off her sock, tied it to her veil, and drew up some water. Allah forgave her for that.”
– Sahih Bukhari 3143, Sahih Muslim 2245
It is a staple of belief that in an unjust society, it is impossible to blame people for crimes committed in order for survival. Yet in Iran and Saudi Arabia, executions, hangings, and stonings are seen happening all the time, and blasphemously, in the name of God.
Yet we know that with the coming of Islam and during the time of Prophet Muhammad pbuhahf, people were treated very differently. It was only after his demise that the fallible rulers started to implement very dark and twisted inhumane rulings.
And, of course, this would be the case. Because the only one who can implement true justice is the One true leader sent by God.
Was it not Jesus, pbuh, who was presented with the woman who was to be condemned for adultery?
From The Book of John:
“And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”
– Holy Bible: John 8: 3-7
Again, this recorded incident in Christian scripture, similar to the incident from the narrations about Prophet Muhammad pbuhahf, shows us two key points: One, that the people would bring the criminal to the just and infallible man of God, rather than judge themselves, as he would be most knowledgeable of the situation.
And two, the sentence of the crime may well not be carried out the way the minds would fathom.
That is why justice cannot be reached by fallible and corrupt governments, but only an infallible just ruler sent from God.
Al-Mufaddal asked Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (pbuh): “May I be your ransom, how can Allah make obedience to someone an obligation upon His servants, then He veils/hides from him the mysteries of the heavens?” He (pbuh) said: “Allah is more generous and merciful to his servants than to make it obligatory upon them to obey someone whom the mysteries of the heavens have been veiled from him day or night.”
– Bihar Al-Anwar, Muhammad Baqir Al-Majlisi, v.26, p.109, hadith 1
Indeed, the reason for the persecutors of Jesus pbuh deciding to crucify him was the result of fallible, corrupt rulers sentencing a man.
So the basis of Sharia law has nothing to do with Prophet Muhammad’s pbuh teachings.
In fact, so many of the conclusions of how to deal with crime in the so called just sharia system are completely void of truth.
For instance, it is thought and applied in sharia law that a thief should have his hand amputated. They say this from the verse in the Quran:
“The male thief، and the female thief، you shall Eqtau (meaning cut off) their hand as a penalty for what they have committed, and serve as a deterrent from God. God is Dignified, Wise.”
– Holy Quran, Al-Ma’idah: 38
Imam Ahmad Al-Hassan (fhip) revealed:
“There was a special plant with a dark colour which was hard to remove. They would dye the hands of the thief so he could be an example to others.” – Imam Ahmad Al-Hassan (fhip)
The difference between cutting off and staining is so great, and so clear. To amputate a human being’s hand is an inhumane act. Associating this act with the Prophet Muhammad pbuh, when he neither advocated it nor committed it, is a crime in itself.
The fact of the matter is that for the Christian ideology to exist, many of the Christian principles must be left standing. And if one takes away the proven-to-be false biases and prejudices that Islamophobia attributes to Islam, we are still left with a crucial point of difference over which Muslims and Christians find conflict- that fact that the Holy Quran states that Jesus did not, in fact, die on the cross.
“And for their saying, ‘Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.’ And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but another was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain.”
– Holy Quran, An-Nisa: 157
For the Christians, the idea that Jesus pbuh did not die on the cross is impossible. Christian theology revolves around a core principle that Jesus died for the sins of the people-and that in his dying, he absolved us all of the original sin with which we are all born.
This original sin being the sin of Adam, that was passed down onto his seed, and resulted in making man mortal. This was the price of Adam’s fall-the consequence of tasting death upon all mankind.
And so, Jesus pbuh was supposed to have died on the cross to absolve all mankind of original sin-even those who were to come after his death.
“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.”
– Holy Bible: Romans 5:12
“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
– Holy Bible: 1 Corinthians 15:22
Or at least, this is what we learn from the scriptures of Paul. Both the verses we just mentioned are from Paul’s writings – not from the words of Jesus pbuh himself.
So is what Paul is claiming really true?
Did Jesus dying on the cross really absolve all mankind of Adam’s earned original sin? Do we no longer have to pay the price of death?
The obvious fact is that man is still mortal. So death is still a price all human beings are paying.
All prophets and messengers have the capability, in their own times, to make the choice to carry the burden of the people’s sins on their own backs. Jesus pbuh was not exempt from that ability as well.
However, the fact that Jesus’ supposed death did not result in mankind becoming exempt from tasting death makes something implicitly clear- the mission of The Messiah was not fulfilled through the crucifixion. That would explain why the idea of messengers coming after him is, indeed, a probability. So why not believe that Prophet Muhammad pbuhahf was a messenger after Jesus?
The association of Muhammad pbuhahf being The Antichrist still exists in Islamophobia. And it should be clear by this point that much of it is based on prejudiced and misunderstandings of the religion of Islam. The severe corruption inflicted upon the religion has led to this point of view. And the effects of this bias are indeed dire.
And these constant messages being bombarded towards the people are leading to a reaction that we are unfortunately all too familiar with- violence. Disruption. Racism, oppression, and abuse.
A global apathy towards the state of the Muslim world. Innocent people are seen suffering day and night. Iraq, Yemen, Syria, India. The limits of the cruel conditions under which the people are living are mind-numbing. Yet the world watches the atrocities and horrors being committed in silence. Government officials are today capable of bombing entire cities of innocent men and women, and then be seen smiling for the photographers in expensive suits, all while innocent and traumatised children are picked through the rubble, barely alive. Yet there is no outcry-there is no indignation. Life goes on…the world moves from day to day, allowing these inhumane incidents to unfold, over, and over, and over again.
What is this apathy, if not a by-product of having dehumanized an entire group of people through causing fear and hatred in the hearts? This is the result of Islamophobia- a horror and aversion that has led to the ultimate phobia, that The Saviour of the Muslims- the Mahdi – is, in fact, The Antichrist.
Who is the Mahdi supposed to be, according to Islamic scripture?
The Prophet (pbuhahf) said: “If only one day of this world remained. Allah would lengthen that day, till He raised up in it a man who belongs to me or to my family…who will fill the earth with equity and justice as it has been filled with oppression and tyranny.”
– Sunan Abi Dawud, Abu Dawud as-Sijistani, Kitab Al-Mahdi, hadith 4282
He is The Saviour – the one to come and spread peace and justice through the lands. After all, is the world not suffering?
The Islamophobes have taken to believe that this man, prophesied in Islamic scripture to arrive and spread peace and justice, is The Antichrist of The End Times.
But what if that were wrong? What if, beyond the prejudice and bias lies another fact- one that is unifying – the Mahdi believed in Islamic scripture will appear with another character in the End Times?
Prophet Muhammad (pbuhahf) said : “A group of my Ummah will not cease fighting for the Truth and will prevail till the Day of Resurrection. He said: Jesus son of Mary would then descend and their Commander would say (to Jesus): Come and lead them in prayer, but he (Jesus) would say: No, some amongst you are commanders over some, this is the honour from Allah for this Ummah.”
– Sahih Muslim, Abi Al-Hussein Muslim ibn Al-Hajjaj ibn Muslim, Book of Faith, hadith 156
Jesus pbuh is meant to arrive along with the Mahdi in the End Times. Muslims believe that Imam Mahdi will spread justice in the world, but not just for the Muslims- for all of humanity. And that he will do this with Jesus by his side, attacking oppression in all its forms for the sakes of the abused and the oppressed.
Because there is much more to the character of Jesus pbuh than is widely spoken of.
Jesus pbuh is generally perceived as a peace loving Prophet. And while that is absolutely true, it is also the case that this messenger had no qualms in displaying the wrath of God against evil and wrongdoing. Because in the message of Jesus, much of what he pbuh came for was to fight against the system of tyranny and be firm in his stance, for the sake of good. Fearlessly, staunchly, and wrathfully.
“Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”
– Holy Bible: Psalm 2:12
The Bible shows Jesus pbuh as having the quality of the wrath of God in him as well. And why would God not feel wrath against those who oppress His creation and go against Him?
Another incident depicted in the Bible also reveals this part of Jesus’ nature.
“After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.”
– Holy Bible: Mark 3:5
Jesus’s Second Coming, believed in by both Muslims and Christians, entails a great deal of mystery. Pondering over the scripture and verses reveals much of what is to come, as he pbuh has not neglected to foretell these events.
Christians tend to believe that The Antichrist will be the one considered to be The Saviour of the Muslims- that is, the Mahdi. But with Muslims believing both Jesus and the Mahdi will appear as a united front during The End Times, it stands to question then, how would that plausible scenario play out?
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn “ ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter- in-law against her mother-in-law— man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
– Holy Bible: Matthew 10:34-36
This verse is interesting, as it depicts clearly that with the coming of Jesus, comes a great deal of division and disunity among close people. Even people of the same household.
The Mahdi of the Muslims and Jesus Christ are on the same platform in uniting mankind.
So perhaps this is the reality of Jesus that would split the people away from each other? Could this be the truth, the acceptance of truth, which would turn father against son?
Imam Ahmad Al-Hassan (fhip) is the promised Saviour and Mahdi. And he (fhip) has arrived with the glad tidings that with his arrival, he brings the news of the return of this legend, this awaited Saviour and this true warrior of God – Jesus Christ.
And he has returned to unite the people toward the true monotheism of God- monotheism that does not divide people through fear and hatred, but gathers them, from every race and creed and religion, to the true path, the path that adheres to the submission of Jesus and
Muhammad- two men with a single message, made clear by the Saviour Imam Ahmad Al-Hassan…
“Mercy away from religion and Islam and convictions, mercy first, whether he is a believer or not, it does not matter. Mercy, humanity, O Allah, mercy, humanity, far away from religion. Do not think whether he will believe or whether he will be affected by your deed, think of mercy first.”
– Sayings of Imam Ahmad Al-Hassan (fhip), hadith 35
Is it possible in a religion of God to hold hatred and fear towards another group of people? Is it godly to reject the Muslims and Islam as being perverse, violent, and inhumane, when in essence and authentically, Islam is the vessel holding in it the shining and ever-living light of the values of Jesus Christ pbuh?
This apathetic point of view of Islamophobes toward Muslims must be rectified. And Jesus has indeed arrived, side by side with the Mahdi, to heal humanity of the injuries mankind has sustained, as the true shepherd, brought back by the Saviour Imam Ahmad Al-Hassan (fhip).
“Therefore keep watch, for you do not know when the Master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.”
– Holy Bible: Mark 13:35
The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light is a 501c3 non-profit organization. This is the Call of Imam Al-Mahdi, the saviour of mankind, to all the people of the world.
Imam Al-Mahdi has appeared, with his successors Imam Ahmed Al-Hassan, and Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq (From Them is Peace).
Imam Al-Mahdi is calling the people to the true Supremacy of God.
