FAQ
We receive many questions, find answers to some of the most common ones here.
Is Dating Allowed in Islam?
By Meena Malik You may have heard “Muslims don’t date” or “dating isn’t allowed in Islam.” On a surface level, those statements are correct. However, in order to understand what Islam’s stance is on dating, the term “dating” frst needs to be defined. I’ll define dating as the stereotypical boyfriend/girlfriend relationship we’re used to [...]
How Do Muslims Get Married?
By Meena Malik So how do Muslims get married if they’re not allowed to date? There are many ways that Muslims may find their future-spouses that are within the guidelines of Islam. The most important aspects of the courtship process for Muslims is the 1-clear intent that the sole purpose of the relationship [...]
What is Islam?
Islam is the name of the religion that Muslims follow. People who practice Islam are called Muslims, just like those who practice Christianity are called Christians. The literal and lexical meaning of Islam means submission. Islam comes from the root Arabic letters s-l-m which are the same root letters the word peace (salam) comes from. [...]
Gender Roles in Islam: Equity or Equality?
Saima Mehboob Growing up in a very conservative household where Eastern tradition was prevalent, I remember struggling with the notion that a good Muslim woman was one that was subservient to her husband, and put his comfort and needs before hers. I watched the women around me and they always seemed to be [...]
How Does One Become Muslim?
Are you considering becoming Muslim but not sure what it entails? The first step is to ensure you understand the basic beliefs of Islam (found here). These beliefs consist of: Belief in one God, who has no partner or son All Prophets and Messengers All scripture revealed by God Angels Day of judgment God’s [...]
Frequently Used Terms
Allah: the Arabic word for God, the Creator of the universe. It is also used in Arabic versions of the Bible. Allahu Akbar: God is greater or greatest. Arabs: a race of people that share the Arabic language and culture. Not every Arab is a Muslim. In [...]
Have the peaceful verses of the Qur’ān been abrogated?
Justin Parrott (Abu Amina Elias) In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful Advocating violent conquest or terrorism is one of the most common accusations against Islam, but it is also deeply uninformed of Islamic teachings, history, and theology. Muslims can point to many, many verses in the Qur’an to debunk the [...]
FAQ about the Friday Prayers (Jumuʿah)
What is Jumuʿah? Friday (Jumuʿah in Arabic) is the holy day for Muslims. Jumuʿah comes from the same root word as gather and congregation. On Fridays, Muslims attend a special prayer in the afternoon called the Jumuʿah prayer. The Friday prayer is commanded by God in the Qur'ān: “O ye who believe! When the [...]
FAQ’s About the Qur’ān
What is the Qur'ān? The Qur'ān is the holy book for Muslims. It remains in its original form preserved in the exact language revealed to the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. The Qur'ān is not the words of the Prophet Muhammad inspired by God, rather it is the direct words of God. [...]
FAQ’s About Muslim Dietary Restrictions
This article will provide the reader with basic information on Islamic dietary restrictions. It will explain what kinds of foods Muslims can consume according to Islamic law. Although Islam is a single religion, it is important to recognize that there are 1.3 billion Muslims in the world. Therefore, Muslims are not a homogenous group [...]
Things to Know When Visiting a Mosque
Habeeba Husain Because the masjid, the house of worship for Muslims, is such a sacred space, there are etiquettes one must follow when visiting, whether they are going as a Muslim to pray or even just as a visitor. What should I wear at the masjid? One should be dressed modestly, [...]
What are the Pillars of Islam?
What makes one a Muslim is the acceptance of Islam’s core beliefs found here. This article will not focus on the main beliefs of Islam, but rather the core practices of the faith. Islam is built on five pillars. These pillars do not make up the entire religion, but they are the pillars that hold [...]
The Muslims Equal Islam Argument
Even though the terms “Islam” and “Muslims” are constantly mentioned in major media outlets, there is still considerable ignorance about both. Islam is often portrayed as a monolithic tradition that oppresses women, incites violence, and is at complete odds with modernity. Muslims are viewed as inherently violent, tribal, anti-Western, backward individuals who wander the desert [...]
Muslim Slaves: America’s First Muslims
With the approach of Black History month, rising Islamophobia, and the portrayal of Islam as a religion that is foreign to America, it is important for us to look back at the history of Muslims in this country. The identity of slaves who came to America is rarely mentioned in the media, movies, or [...]
Does Islam Teach Hatred and Violence?
Islam is often painted as being a religion of hatred and unrestricted violence. Donald Trump said “I think Islam hates us.” Islam is not a person and therefore cannot hate. Furthermore, it is unclear who “us” is since Muslims are Americans as well. He was perhaps regurgitating the false notion that Islam teaches Muslims to [...]
Does God Exist?
The question of God’s existence is one that is often raised in gatherings, classrooms, television, and movies. While some doubt God, many humans throughout different times, cultures, and regions acknowledged the existence of a higher power. Despite the fact that humans differ on almost everything, the belief in a higher power has been consistent in [...]
Gender Relations
In the Quran, God declares, “…In God’s eyes, the most honored of you are the ones most mindful of Him: God is all knowing, all aware” (49:13). Islam clearly establishes that men and women are equal in front of God. At the same time, it does recognize that they are not identical. God created men and [...]
Within the Sheltering Peace
By tasleem k. griffin Sexual Politics Imagine this scenario, for it is real: two antagonists locked in a grim power struggle. And another: two or more other competitors, rivals in a race for high stakes, a race to determine the course of their entire life. At the race’s end, prizes include compliments, telling glances, and [...]
Rights of non-Muslim Minorities
Host: What is the situation of non-Muslims in an Islamic State? Jamal Badawi: There seems to be undue fears that if we have a true and sincere Islamic State that there would be persecution towards non-Muslim minorities. It is true that an Islamic State is not a secular state where God is kept out of [...]
Shariah Laws and Women: Interpretations and Misinterpretations
By Dr. Jasser Auda Women’s issues are the real test for the current Islamic reform. The reason is that groundless and unfair differentiation between men and women is deeply embedded in many popular opinions that we inherited from the eras of decline of the Islamic civilization. First of all, it is necessary to make the [...]
Understanding Shariah
In a hurry? Check out the infographic. 877-WHY-ISLAM Brochure Request a copy View in PDF The newest buzzword these days is ‘Shariah.’ As several states scramble to pass legislation to outlaw Shariah, a hyped fear and persistent confusion surrounds this loaded term. Most people who [...]
Gender Equity in Islam
Jamal A. Badawi, Ph.D. World Assembly of Muslim Youth I. Introduction & Methodology When dealing with the Islamic perspective of any topic, there should be a clear distinction between the normative teachings of Islam and the diverse cultural practices among Muslims, which may or may not be consistent with them. The focus of this paper [...]
Islamic Shariah
By Saulat Pervez When the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, first began to receive revelations from God in 610 A.D., little did he know that they were the foundational stones for the formation of a future state to be refined piecemeal over the next 23 years. Complete with divinely-ordained laws, a blueprint for [...]
Women’s Rights and Driving under Shariah (video)
Why are women denied education & driving under Shariah? Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, chairman of Fiqh (Islamic Law) Council of North America corrects misconceptions about Shariah
Shariah Law: Opportunity or Threat to America? Imam Siraj Wahhaj
Shariah is an integral part of Islam. It is often defined as ‘Islamic law,’ causing one to assume that it consists mostly of criminal rulings and penalties. However, Shariah encompasses much more than the conventional understanding of law. While Shariah provides the legal framework for the foundation and functioning of a society, it also [...]
Why don’t Muslims condemn terrorism?
Prominent Muslim scholars, organizations and movements, representing the vast majority of Muslims worldwide, have repeatedly condemned terrorism, and have spoken out for peace and justice. Following is a very brief list of such open condemnation of terrorism, including statements issued in the wake of the heinous attacks on September 11. 1. The American Muslim [...]
Was Islam Spread By the Sword?
One of the bizarre myths perpetuated about Islam, during the centuries of mistrust during and after the Crusades, is that Muslim armies forced people to accept Islam at the point of the sword. Unfortunately this myth survives to this day. Many Western scholars have now repudiated this myth. The great historian De Lacy O’Leary wrote [...]
What about verses in the Qur’an that encourage you to kill non-believers wherever you find them?
This is a question that often comes up in critiques of Islam, especially in light of recent political events. It is incumbent on Muslims to respond to and clear misconceptions stemming from Islam’s perceived stance on violence and interfaith relations. The Importance of Context The word ‘context’ has two dictionary meanings: • The parts [...]
Why does Islam permit polygamy?
1. Definition of Polygamy Polygamy means a system of marriage wherein one person has more than one spouse. Polygamy can be of two types; one is polygyny wherein a man marries more than one woman, and the other is polyandry, wherein a woman marries more than one man. Islam permits limited polygyny while prohibiting polyandry [...]
Did the Prophet massacre and persecute the Jews in Madina?
Historical accounts of Prophet Muhammed describe in detail his clear and fair dealings with the Jewish tribes in and around the city of Madina. As soon as the Prophet emigrated to Madina, he established the Constitution of Madina or ‘Sahifa’. It was the first multicultural, multi-religion constitution in the world that gave everyone equal rights, [...]
Does the Quran contain anti-Semitic verses?
A common misconception about Islam is that it espouses hostility with Jews and Christians. The verse quoted in this regard is: “O ye who believe! take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: They are but friends and protectors to each other.” [Al-Qur’an 5:51] In this regard, it is important [...]
Why does the Quran refer to Jews and Christians as kufar, or infidels? What kind of respect and tolerance is that?
The translation of the word kafir as infidel is a grave error. The word infidel means someone who does not believe in God. The Qur’an does not allege that Jews and Christians do not believe in God. On the contrary the Qur’an refers to Jews and Christians respectfully as “People of the Book” and says: [...]
Why do Muslims abstain from pork?
The prohibition of pork in Islam is derived from the following verse of the Glorious Qur’an: “Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah.” [Al-Qur'an 5:3] Let us examine various aspects of this prohibition: 1. Prohibition in [...]
Why does Islam prohibit the consumption of alcohol?
Alcohol has been the scourge of human society since time immemorial. It continues to cost countless human lives, and causes terrible misery to millions throughout the world. Alcohol is the root cause of several problems facing society. The statistics of soaring crime rates, increasing instances of mental illnesses and millions of broken homes throughout the [...]
Why do women in Muslim countries not have the same rights as women in the West, such as rights for education and employment?
Gender issues the world over, including the Muslim world need urgent attention. However, the issues faced by women in the Muslim world are of a vastly different nature as compared to issues faced by women in the West. Firstly it is important to differentiate between the status of women in Islam and the present status [...]
Is the ‘Nation of Islam’ a Muslim organization?
The beliefs and tenets of the ‘Nation of Islam’ are contrary to some of the fundamental tenets of Islam. In is therefore incorrect to consider the Nation of Islam a Muslim organization. The Nation of Islam was formed to address racial inequity and civil rights concerns of African-Americans in the United States. The Nation uses [...]
Verses of Quran on Jihad
Why are there verses in the Qur’an that encourage Muslims to kill non-believers wherever they find them? The Importance of Context The word ‘context’ has two dictionary meanings: 1. The parts of a written or spoken statement that precede or follow a specific word or passage, usually influencing its meaning or effect. 2. The set [...]