Who is to speak for Islam ?

Question

It is not uncommon in the media, in fact it seems the rule, for 'Muslims' to be interviewed or quoted without reference to the branch of Islam that they represent. On a range of matters of public concern, including political and moral issues, doesn't it matter to know whether one is listening to Sunni Islam or Shi'ite or Wahhabi or Sufi or Alawite ... ? And isn't this more particularly the case since the authenticity - validity - of certain branches is problematic within Islam itself ?

I would be glad to know whether Muslims feel this is a problem - I mean the fact that who is to speak for Islam is by no means always clear.

Answer 1

This is a major problem in Islam. There are many sects that have twisted the original meaning of Islam. So, since this is the case just know that who ever is speaking can not be speaking for the entire Muslim population. I suggest reading some Ahmed Deedat, he is great....

Answer 2

Actually any Muslim can and has the right to speak for Islam.
But as some of my friends, have truly pointed out, that we Muslims are a divided lot, and these sects have differences. These differences, while not being over the basic fundamentals of Islam,but over their personal interests, have led to a world wide defamation of the most peaceful and generous religions.
Personally I do not believe in Sunni, Shia and other sects. I am a Muslim, worship one God,Mohammad is the Last Messenger and every one in this world is a creation of God.. this is my faith. I can not compromise on this. I respect other religions, like my own.
What I have to remark is that us Muslims should be have one common, able and a perfect Muslim leadership, which is unbiased and knowledgeable in the ways of Almighty Allah. That and that leadership can be the true Spokesperson.

Answer 3

It's a huge problem not only for Muslims but for anyone who has ever been attacked on the basis of religious belief or race. The Media's job these days is not certainly not to spread the 'truth' by any means but to indulge in high show ratings and to put up the 'God bless America' act, which they only do for attention. Out of 60 minues air time 15-20 minutes are devoted to bashing someone else whether it's a Muslim or not. The other is spent on useless non-sense such as how much time Paris Hilton will be in Prison like anyone gives a rats *** about her.

Also, Muslims are not allowed to speak out against this type of injstice because if they do they wouls just be doing a favor to those who already hate Islam. That would just be one more fingr to point and one more label to put on us. Many Muslims these days including me are following the philosophy... " Let them wallow in their ignorance" and true Muslims know ( not the extremists and people who claim thay are Muslims on TV) that the who purpose of Islam is to spread peace and tolerance. It would be nice for a change to have a real practicing Muslim who actually knows about Islam ( regaurdless of sect) to show up on TV. Putting a non-Muslim scholar or a hypocritical Muslim does nothing for us or the people of this nation.

First it was the African Americans, then it was the Jews, The Asains, Mexicans etc.. There has always been someone put under scrutiny and now apparently it's our turn. It' so ironic how the civilians that are killed in Iraq everyday just becaue this country has no seperation of state and church, are called casualties of war; where if we were to reverse the situation, and American civilians were killed, they would be labled "victams of hate and terrorism". There is so much bias that it's mind boggling. People keep talking about what they think Muslims have dne but no one talks about the Iraq war being doe in the name of christianity nor talks about Kashmir were children get raped by Hindu soldiers. Those situations are always on the hush, and who controls that? -Media-

Everyone in this country is a victam of this, not only Muslims, because they are being forced to believe all this. IF YOU REPEAT A LIE SO MANY TIMES... It eventually becomes a truth. And we must remember to look at the true Muslims we see everday in our schools, out on the streets, in our work places to see what Islam really is. The generation of today is the biggest example, Muslims on here who are spreading tolerance are examples as well, and those are the ones who can peacefully speak out against this injustice..

And as Islam says:

25:64 And the servants of the Gracious God are those who walk on the earth in a dignified manner, and when the ignorant address them, they say, 'Peace!'

Thank You for this Post, It's appreciated.

Answer 4

Their main problem is exactly that no Muslim speak *for* Islam. They talk about how the other people demean Islam, but they say and do nothing about the actual Muslims that are to blame. As long as they don't start to talk publicly about the extremists who are actually the ones demeaning Islam, they must not expect any less for the rest of the people.

I'm a Christian and I will never "cover" for any the atrocities some did and do *in the name of Christianity*. Those atrocities are one of the reasons why I do not follow mainstream Christianity and never will, and I don't care who likes it or not.

Answer 5

It is not fair that the Media, which is owned by Jews (search it anywhere) are speaking for Muslims, and do not allow Muslims to speak for themselves. Some people wonder why Muslims do not speak out and denounce the violence, terrorism, etc. when in fact they do, but the Media would never show them doing this on TV (unless it involves some sort of violence, of course).

Before reading further, just as a reminder, the video on the bottom of the page is very good and true. Please consider it, it truly tackles this issue.


Attacking non-believers is AGAINST Islam. The Media has influenced so many peoples thoughts on Islam through lies about it. The only way justifying attacking these non-believers is if they fight the Muslims first. And they are, so why when non-Muslim kills a Muslim, he is considered a hero, but when a Muslim kills a non-Muslim, he is considered a terrorist? Why is there a double standard when it comes to Christianity and Islam?

When Christian's get drunk, have premarital sex, do drugs, steal, etc., and the vast majority do/have done at least one of them. Muslims don't point anything out. However, when a Muslim does just one of these things, he is imediately labeled and judged and seen as a proper authority to represent his religion. Why must non-Muslims judge so quickly and be so quick to jump to conclusions?

The Western Media has caused the west to believe in their point of view, and only giving one side of the story blinds the people viewing: that is almost everybody. The Media has forced its viewers to believe that Islam is a violent, bloody, intolerant religion, but in reality this is actually the opposite. If people would stop accepting their television sets as their teachers, more people would know the actual truth about Islam. The Media reports misleading stories, gross exaggerations, inaccurate information, and false statements about Islams and Muslims to undermine the religion, and unfortunately, this propaganda is a success--many many Americans believe everything they hear on the news or read in the newspaper. What they fail to realize is that what they read/hear is only one point of view of a bias Media that has been criticizing Muslims with false information vigorously since 9/11.

Terrorism is CONDEMNED in Islam; it is not allowed. Neither is innocent murder, or forced conversions. These are all misleading fabrications composed by the Media. You can't always believe what you hear.

Terrorists are not true Muslims; they use Islam as a mask to cover up their dirty work, and give Islam a bad name. It is not fair for the majority of Muslims, who oppose terrorism and denounce violence that is occuring.

Please refer to the following video. It is very true, and will provide valuable insight; I strongly recommend watching it:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=VqmMdPKw378

Answer 6

Yes
There are some differences to interpret Islam that made Islam divided into some branches as we know, Sunni, Shia
and yes, it becomes problematic within Islam.

We realize it.

But it should be understood when there is a war between Sunni and Shia, it's not war because of religion, but it's a war to win land and seat in the government.

Answer 7

Omer above, exemplifies the typical Muslim behaviour of living in a dream and is suffering from a persecution complex.

Throughout the world practically all terrorism is carried out by Muslims. People criticise Muslims only when they commit crimes of barbaric brutality and refuse to condemn the criminals or give any information to help arrest them. They live in our society and yet apart from it. They even keep their own ugly way of dressing and suppression of women. Until Muslims and non-Muslims agree to live apart, in different countries, there will be no end to terrorism.

Answer 8

The very basic fundamentals of Islam are shared by everyone and they are same. You will not find differances when it comes to Oneness of God or Final Prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH) or life after death.

Answer 9

hey tis is to dat guy mus suck who wrote dat"Muslims are dog.
they do not speak, they bark and bite."
well frst up u shud learn to behave like a human urself n, evn if u dnt hv smethng gud to say abt anyone dnt evn say anythng bad n jst keep ur uneducated mouth shut.

Answer 10

"Islam" means peace. In these times certain uneducated groups have turned it into "fear". Nobody will speak out for fear of reprisals no matter which branch they represent.