what do you think /know about the Religon of Islam?

Question

I am a devout muslim and I would like answers from Muslims and non muslims as well

Answer 1

True Islam is not misquoted Islam.

Islam is a peaceful religion

Answer 2

This is a fascinating thread. I know a little about Islam, having read the Qur'an, and I know a little bit about Christianity, having read the Bible, and, well, I've read a few of the other sacred texts as well.

Anyways, some great points have been made already and all I want to add is that it is only the devout Christians who seem to be saying here something to the effect of "My faith is right and yours is wrong", which to me speaks of their intolerance, not the intolerance of Muslims or others. I mean, a justification like "Christianity was founded by the son of God and Islam was founded by a prophet" is so inherently nonsensical and, with apologies, just plain daft that it makes me worry that that respondent may be licensed to drive in the same country as me! Also, those who say Christianity does not make itself exclusive in the same way as Islam does clearly have not read the Bible - I mean, yes the teachings of Christ mellow it some in the new testament, but even then the whole "no way to heaven but by me" ethos remains.

It's a tricky one. I have no confirmed religious belief of my own that I wish to discuss or disclose, but I gotta say, if I was to be swayed in any way by Yahoo! Answers, the fundamentalist intolerance of the christian thought expressed here sure turns me off that as a faith; further, the questioning, sensitive thoughtfulness of the Muslim postings here (much like yours), show me a side of the faith that highlights the fact that the extremists are the bad apples spoiling the bunch rather than the norm.

Answer 3

I'm a total atheist and quite anti-religious, I hate the way religions cause problems between people, the worst conflicts and wars were 'cos of religion. But that doesn't mean I don't want to learn about them. I know a bit about Islam, just what most of people do and the area in Manchester where I live is dominantly Muslim, I talk to Muslims every day. In my opinion, terrorism is just manipulation- those behind it know how to manipulate young innocent good Muslims to do all these things, poor souls, anybody can get manipulated, no one is immune to it. I would say Islam is a bit strict, but then again, it's relatively young compared to other religions. There is all this controversy about Islam, but the way I see the whole conflict, George Bush is not much better, is he?

I wish people would communicate more, that way we would see that we are not actually very different. And I think it's a big mistake that the communities put so much boundaries between themselves, thus creating more hatred. Get rid of that before it's too late!

Answer 4

Islam is a beautiful religion which encourages love and peace and respect for all other living things.

Unfortunately, Islam is always portrayed in a negative light and today Muslims are being victimised all over the world because of the actions of a few "fundamentalists."

To all those people who think all Muslims are the same - ask yourself this: is there not good and bad in every race/ creed? For example, in Britain there is the BNP party who have extreme beliefs but I don't go around thinking every British person shares these beliefs. In the same way, there are a small number of Muslims who have extreme beliefs which the vast majority of us certainly do not share.

P.S. To Prozworld - Muslims believe Jesus was also a prophet NOT the son of God. And prophets are sent to spread the word of God/ Allah therefore both Jesus and Mohammad were on the same mission.

Answer 5

I know Islam comes from the word for 'Peace'. I know that Muslims are the followers of Islam. I know that Mohammad is their Prophet and that Muslims believe the Holy Qu'ran was revealed to him by the Archangel Gabriel as the word of God. I know that the Muslim word for God is Allah, and that Allah is the same God as that of the Jews and the Christians. I know Muslims revere Jesus as a prophet of Islam, but do not believe he was the son of God. I believe that the Virgin Mary is mentioned more times in the Holy Qu'ran than in the Holy Bible. I know that Makka is the holy city of Islam and every Muslim should try and visit the holy places there at least once in his or her life. I know that this pilgrimage is called a 'Haj' and that Muslims who have completed this trip can add 'Hajji' (sorry about the spelling) to their name. I know a Muslim's place of worship is called a 'mosque' and that Muslims pray several times a day, always facing Makka. I know that there is the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims fast during the daytime to remind themselves of those who hunger and that the giving of alms to the poor is a worthy and noble thing at this time. I know that Muslims have a big festival at the end of Ramadan called Eid when a huge banquet of different foods are prepared and cooked and shared within family and friends.
I'm sure I could think of many other things too.
As for what I think of Islam well I think it is a faith that is being denigrated by the western press and media, but in reality the overwhelming majority of good devout Muslims do not agree with the tactics of the extremeists and are offended by the ignorant attacks on their faith and beliefs. I am not a Muslim, but I truly believe ignorance is a sin which I is why I have tried to educate myself about Islam. If I have some things wrong then I apologise, but at least I have made the effort to understand. What we don't see much of at the moment is respect. Islam and Muslims certainly deserve that.

Answer 6

I know almost nothing about Islam. I know a little more about Christianity but not much more.

I am not religious at all. I don't believe in any God.

I admire goodness in people. Love is the most important thing and I believe we should all try to love each other.

So I don't care what religion you are and I don't need to know anything about Islam. It's not important to me.

What is important to me is that you are a good person. I don't mean a good Muslim. I mean a good person.

Answer 7

I can only judge Islam through the muslims I have met and know personally- these are good people. I've read a little of the Qu'ran, but I can't claim to understand it, or to have been a good student. I believe it is a religion like any other, and that muslims are ordinary people who are worthy of respect.

Answer 8

First of all, I think it's very unfair that just a few extremists of one faith are causing all the rest to be labelled as terrorists. If we were to apply this to Catholics, for example, then all adult single Catholic men would be considered as child abusers, which is a ridiculous concept.

Like all religions, it's a guide on how to live your life, but like all guides, you have to make certain decisions whether or not you will take this information at face value and apply it to your life. For example, Muslim women can choose to follow the teachings closely and cover themselves up completely, or they may simply choose to cover their heads and wear Western clothes, or they may choose not to cover their heads at all. I suppose their decisions would be influenced by where they live, as some countries, like Saudi Arabia, prefer women to be as covered as possible. I have read that the Koran says that women should be modest in their dress and life, and I think that this is a good thing, especially when I see the carry-on of some young non-Muslim women today, who are anything but modest.

But it's so easy to make a mistake - a few years ago I was teaching English in another EU country, and in the same institute there were some very pretty and elegant ladies of Arabic extraction learning the language of the country in which they were living. I assumed they were wives of engineers, never even thought about it, as they all had their heads covered, and one of them was wearing Arabic-style clothing. One of the English language students asked them: 'Do your husbands work here?' and they smiled and said 'No, we do. We are all petroleum engineers.' It was quite an eye-opener, and a reminder that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

Answer 9

To be honest, I wouldn't even go there, I can only advise you to sincerely ask Jesus Christ into your life and everything you want to know about God will eventually be revealed to you as you grow in the Christian Faith. You see you can go to the graves of all your false prophets and Buddha, Miohammed etc. and dig up their remains, but go to Christ's tomb and it's empty, why? because He Rose from the dead.

Openmindly read the Gospels and preferably some of Pauls letters especially the letter to the Ephesians. Once you have experienced this tremendous understanding of God's Will for you, Satan will appear as an angel of light to confuse you, thinking that he will destroy your relationship with God, don't be taken in by this.

If you want chapters and verses then the first thing to do is read Genisis very carefully and read Christian Literature, i.e. Life-How did it get here. But to be honest , all your answers are in the Bible.
You want a quote from the Bible, John 3 v16, Isaiah 43 V 1-3. The Sermon on the Mount, Mathew chapters 5 - 8.
Turning your life over to Christ will take courage, as an ex-soldier, I can truly identify with this. let's put it this way, if there was no God, I wouldn't be here today answering your Question, I wouldn't be alive, and that's the truth. Please identify the difference between satans manipulation, and the Truth in God. I could give you many scriptual references to your question, but the real step is finding Christ and asking him into your life. There will be no doubt about it, if you're sincere, the Holy Spirit will reveal everything to you. He loves you and wants to save you from hell and an eternity without God.

If it's guidance you need then contact you're nearest TRUE Christian Church or Christians who will explain anything you need to know. Remember we (True Born-Again-Christians) love everyone, Muslims included. We don't want anyone to be taken in by the devil.

Answer 10

I am a non Muslim and I know little about your religion apart from it is one of peace. Unfortunately some have twisted its teachings to stir up hatred even among fellow believers in Islam. I would like to see the various religious leaders of your faith being more vocal about the true meanings of Islam in effect denying those who use it as a weapon.

Answer 11

Non muslim here.
I am aware that any religious text (bible as well as the koran) can be used by wicked people to justify their own wickedness.....but it does seem easier to do that with the koran... it has some *extreme* views on non-believers, and sharia law, based on the koran, is very extreme, when viewed by non-islamic (or non religious) people.

We feel that muslims are using our liberal, tolerant and open-minded culture to bring in a lot of extreme, intolerant and closed-minded people who will try to change our way of life.

I feel (and it is a very common view in the UK) that women are seen as chattels and have no use in Islam, other than to serve men and propogate the species.