Question 1

1. What do Muslims believe about angels?

Accepted Answer

Angels are mentioned many times in the Qur'an and Hadith (prophetic sayings). Unlike humans, angels are described as beings who obey God's commandments without fail, by nature, and are assigned to specific duties. Two of the most prominent angels mentioned by name in the Qur'an are Gabriel (Jibril) and Michael (Mikhail). Gabriel is the angel of revelation and Michael is the angel in charge of rain and earth's plant life.

Question 2

2. What happens to a Muslim who does not follow one of the pillars?

Accepted Answer

We believe that acts of worship should be done for the sake of God and that God alone will judge each person according to his or her intentions and actions.

Question 3

3. What is the Islamic view on punishments such as the death penalty, stoning, or cutting off someone's hands?

Accepted Answer

Mandatory criminal penalties are basic to any penal code. Like other criminal systems, Islamic jurisprudence does prescribe certain punishments in certain situations, but any criminal judgement must be carried out by a state authority, as Islam does not allow vigilantism. Furthermore, most of these punishments were meant to act as deterrents, and, in practice, the most severe punishments were rarely carried out. For instance, the punishment of stoning for adultery requires the testimony of four eyewitnesses—a virtually impossible condition. Capital punishment for manslaughter could be avoided if the victim's family agreed to monetary compensation for their loss—a normal practice in the society of the time. These punishments are very similar to those found in the Hebrew Bible, which, like the Qur'an, spoke to social conditions and attitudes vastly different from those of later times and different places. Jews today, even the most strictly Orthodox, do not practice these punishments, and Christians generally regard them as superseded by the ethic of Jesus. Today, most Muslim-majority countries do not practice these punishments, and where they are practiced, such as under the Taliban or ISIS, the required due process that makes many of these punishments nearly impossible to enforce is not followed, which is why many scholars have condemned their use.

Question 4

4. Does Islam encourage honor killings?

Accepted Answer

No, 'honor killings'—which refer to violence, generally against girls or women, by one or more family members who believe the victim has brought dishonor upon the family—are prohibited by Islam on the basis of not just one but several principles. First, they violate the sanctity of life, which is considered sacrosanct; second, they fail to respect the right of due process for anyone accused of a crime; and, third, they contradict the principle that each individual is responsible for his or her own actions and that no individual or family member should be held responsible for the behavior of another. In fact, the Qur'an specifically prohibits even speaking ill of a woman without the testimony of four witnesses and calls for the punishment of one who does so without this virtually impossible requirement.

Question 5

5. How will God determine who goes to heaven and hell?

Accepted Answer

We believe that only God knows where a person will end up in the afterlife, since only God knows a person's intentions, deeds, circumstances, and limitations. We also believe that God will judge human beings according to His complete justice on the Day of Judgment based on both their beliefs and actions, taking into account the opportunities and abilities that He gave them. In the Qur'an, God's ninety-nine names include 'the Judge' and 'the Just.'

Question 6

6. If a person is a good person throughout his or her life, but does not believe in God, will he/she go to hell?

Accepted Answer

Though Muslims believe that belief in God is an essential aspect of humanity, they also believe that no one can be forced to believe and that belief remains an individual choice. How God will judge such people is entirely up to Him, but He will do so in a way that is absolutely just. Muslim scholars contend that people who live morally but do not believe in God for reasons beyond their control (for instance, because they have no access to the messages of the prophets) will not be held accountable for their lack of belief.

Question 7

7. Why can't Muslims eat pork?

Accepted Answer

Because the Qur'an forbids the practice, a dietary restriction also followed by observant Jews.

Question 8

8. Why can't Muslims drink alcoholic beverages?

Accepted Answer

Because the Qur'an forbids the practice. The Qur'an states that while alcohol has some benefits, its harm outweighs its benefits. This prohibition is also based upon the religious imperative that one should not introduce anything in one's life that is harmful to one's health or which can impair one's judgement, to prevent harm to oneself as well as to others. This prohibition is similar to Buddhist teachings which discourage intoxicants.

Question 9

9. What is halal?

Accepted Answer

Halal is an Arabic word meaning lawful or permitted. The opposite of halal is haram, which means unlawful or prohibited. While the term is used in relation to many aspects of life, when specifically used in relationship to food, halal refers to any food product that is not prohibited. In reference to meat products, halal means that the animal was slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines, which include reciting God's name over the animal before slaughter and draining all the blood from the animal. This practice is similar to the guidelines set by Jewish law that classify meat prepared in this manner as kosher It is common to find halal butcher shops or restaurants in most major cities in the U.S.

Question 10

10. What is the Islamic view of divorce?

Accepted Answer

While divorce is allowed and the Qur'an describes the different steps to be taken in a divorce, there is a Hadith (prophetic saying) describing divorce as 'the most hated lawful thing,' because it breaks up the family. The Qur'an also urges couples considering divorce to first make use of counseling and mediation. However, if these attempts fail, divorce as a last option is allowed and may, in some situations, be the best outcome.

Question 11

11. Can women initiate a divorce?

Accepted Answer

While the Qur'an describes situations where women can initiate divorce, the ease with which she can do so is often informed by interpretations or practices of Islam that vary widely from country to country. In some Muslim-majority countries, a woman can get a divorce relatively easily while in other countries it is much more difficult.

Question 12

12. How does Islamic economics work without interest? How does Islamic banking work?

Accepted Answer

Muslim economists view money as something to be earned, which is one of the many reasons that both gambling and most forms of loaning with interest are prohibited. While there are different types of interest and not all types are viewed as being the same, many Muslim scholars regard interest as generally prohibited because it penalizes the poor for their lack of money and rewards the rich for their abundance of money, making the rich richer and the poor poorer. On the other hand, investment in business is highly encouraged because it involves some risk to the investor, which makes profit from investment a fair return. Investment also promotes the circulation of wealth and the growth of new businesses. Applying this principle in the modern world is a major challenge, yet today there are over five hundred financial institutions offering Islamic finance in over eighty different countries. These institutions generate income through shareholding, leasing, lease purchasing, and rent sharing. Interest-free banking is an experiment in Islamic modernization. The fact that Islamic banks are now worth a trillion dollars attests to their modern viability. In fact, many western economists maintain that interest-free economies can be extremely beneficial. An example of this is the growing popularity of interest-free financing in auto sales in the U.S. today as a means of attracting less affluent customers. Additionally, many economists have noted that during the financial crisis a few years ago Islamic investments and banks were largely unaffected, since they did not deal with interest-based financing such as mortgages or risky speculation.

Question 13

13. What good is 'free will' if everything is predestined? If God already knows if we are going to heaven or hell, why doesn't He just put us there?

Accepted Answer

This is a topic of debate in all religions. Muslims believe that humans have free will to commit good or evil, but that God's knowledge and power encompasses all that happens in this life. That means that we will be held accountable for our actions, since God, while knowing what the outcome will be, allows people to act on their own free will to choose good or evil.

Question 14

14. What is the difference between the words 'Islam,' 'Islamic,' 'Muslim,' and 'Arab'?

Accepted Answer

Islam is the name of a religion, as Christianity and Judaism are names of religions. The Arabic word 'Islam' is based on the root 'slm,' which means peace or surrender to God. Combining both translations results in the combined meaning 'the state of peace through following God's guidance.' Islamic is an adjective that modifies a non-human noun, as for example, 'Islamic art,' 'Islamic architecture,' 'Islamic beliefs,' etc. This term should not be used to refer to a person. A follower of Islam is called a Muslim, or 'one who is in a state of peace by following God's guidance.' While the term Arab has been used in the past to refer to members of a Semitic ethnic group from the Arabian Peninsula, today the word 'Arab' refers to people from Arabic-speaking countries, most of which are in the Middle East and North Africa. The term Arabian was historically used to describe an inhabitant of the Arabian Peninsula. Today 'Arabian' is used as an adjective to describe a non-human noun (e.g., Arabian coffee); it should not be used to refer to people. The following questions about basic Muslim beliefs (15 through 18) are answered in accord with the scholars mentioned above, reflecting majority Sunni views.

Question 15

15. What does Islam teach?

Accepted Answer

Islam's primary message, as understood by the overwhelming majority of Muslims, is the continuation of the Abrahamic monotheistic tradition's belief in one God. The three major dimensions of Islam include beliefs, ritual practices, and the effort to improve one's character and actions. There are six major beliefs in Islam and five central practices that are referred to as the Five Pillars. The last dimension of Islam focuses on the cultivation of excellent moral character to better oneself and the world around oneself. It teaches a set of values that promote life, liberty, equality and justice. Some of these values include: Respect for the earth and all creatures; Care and compassion for those less fortunate; The importance of seeking knowledge; Honesty and truthfulness in word and deed; Striving continuously to improve oneself and the world.

Question 16

16. What are the major beliefs of Muslims?

Accepted Answer

The six major beliefs in Islam, as understood by the majority of Sunni Muslims, are: belief in God; belief in angels; belief in God's prophets/messengers; belief in God's revelations in the form of holy scriptures given to the messengers; belief in an afterlife that follows the Day of Judgment on which people will be held accountable for their actions and compensated accordingly in the afterlife; and belief in God's divine will and His knowledge of what happens in the world.

Question 17

17. How do Muslims practice their faith?

Accepted Answer

Muslims practice their faith in many different ways, but the major practices for both Sunni and Shi'a Muslims are known as the Five Pillars, which include: the profession of faith, namely that there is only one God and that Muhammad is the Messenger of God; the five daily prayers; required annual donation to charity in the amount of 2.5% of one's excess wealth; fasting during daylight hours in the month of Ramadan; and making a pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime, if one is mentally, physically, and financially able to do so.

Question 18

18. What are the foundational sources of Islamic beliefs and practices?

Accepted Answer

The primary sources of knowledge about Islam are the Qur'an, which adherent Muslims believe is the divinely revealed word of God, and the Sunnah, which refers to the example or precedent of the Prophet Muhammad (i.e., what he said, did, approved, disapproved, caused, ordered, or allowed to happen). Much of what is known about the Sunnah is from the collection of sayings or reports known as Hadith, or prophetic tradition. The Hadith describe actions of the Prophet Muhammad or actions that his companions attributed to his teachings. Hadith also elaborate on and provide context to the Qur'an. Though both Sunnis and Shi'as revere and respect the descendants of the Prophet Muhammad, many Shi'a's consider the rulings of the twelve Imams a primary source having a status similar to that of the aforementioned sources. Other sources may exist for different Muslim sects. In addition to these primary sources, Muslims have also traditionally relied on the following additional sources: scholarly consensus: that is, the agreement of knowledgeable scholars upon a particular issue; and analogical reasoning: that is, the application of principles or laws derived from the Qur'an and Sunnah to similar situations not explicitly addressed by them. The lived experience of Islam, which naturally varies widely not only in different cultures but also between different individuals, also impacts and determines a Muslim's understanding and practice of Islam.

Question 19

19. Why do some people suffer so much in this life, especially the innocent, such as children?

Accepted Answer

This is a challenging issue for all religions that proclaim a belief in a God who is at once omnipotent and beneficent. We believe that God tries people in different ways, through both hardship and ease. While the cause of suffering is not always evident, the way that people respond to difficulty is a test of their moral fiber. Responding to hardship with patience and fortitude is a virtue for which we believe a great reward is promised in this life and the afterlife. Additionally, there may be a silver lining behind every difficulty. For instance, major disasters often bring out the best in people, inspiring them to perform remarkable acts as they respond to their own or another's hardship with compassion and courage and come to the aid of those in need. Muslims also take comfort in their belief that life doesn't end after death.

Question 20

20. God's love for humanity is a central theme in many religions. Are there similar teachings in Islam?

Accepted Answer

We believe that God's love for humanity is indeed central to our faith. The Qur'an mentions God's compassion and mercy 192 times, as opposed to God's wrath, which is mentioned only 17 times. Two of God's main attributes are the 'Compassionate' and the 'Merciful.' Both of these names denote God's love and care for all creation. These are the two most often mentioned names of God, since all but one of the 114 chapters in the Qur'an begin with 'In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.' The Qur'an cites 99 different names or attributes of God, many of which also emphasize these characteristics, including 'the Loving,' 'the Giving,' 'the Forgiving,' and 'the Kind.'

Question 21

21. How do Muslims define modesty?

Accepted Answer

The Oxford Dictionary defines modesty as 'behavior, manner, or appearance intended to avoid impropriety or indecency.' What constitutes modesty is understood differently by Muslims in different cultures, as well as by individual Muslims, and can include the type of dress as well as the level of interaction with the opposite gender. For some Muslims, modesty also includes humility towards God and other people. Modesty is described by the Prophet Muhammad as an important virtue.

Question 22

22. What is hijab?

Accepted Answer

The Arabic word hijab was originally used in the Qur'an to refer to a curtain or barrier that separated the family of the Prophet Muhammad from visitors. Today the term hijab is commonly used to refer either to the modest attire worn by Muslim women which includes a head scarf or specifically to the head scarf.

Question 23

23. Do Muslim women have to wear hijab (cover their hair)?

Accepted Answer

The Qur'an instructs both men and women to be modest, but how this is practiced varies greatly. Many Muslim women follow the normative ruling that the dress code for women in public includes covering everything except their face and hands. Other Muslim women emphasize the principle of modesty, which takes on different forms as previously described. According to a 2013 Pew poll, majorities of Muslims in diverse countries believe that women should be free to choose whether or not to wear hijab.

Question 24

24. Why do some Muslim women cover their faces?

Accepted Answer

Women who cover their faces understand modesty to include covering not only their entire body and head but also their faces. Therefore, when in public, they wear a burqa (a loose garment which covers the body and face) or niqab (a covering for the face that leaves the eyes exposed).

Question 25

25. Why don't men wear hijab? Why are standards of modest dress different for men and women?

Accepted Answer

Both sexes are required to dress modestly. For men, modest dress has traditionally required that, as a minimum, the area between the navel and the knees must be covered. For women, modest dress has traditionally included covering everything except the face and hands. In practice, while many Muslim women choose to wear hijab, many others do not, as it remains an individual choice that should not be coerced by anyone. Nevertheless, it remains the normative understanding of Muslim scholarship that men and women should wear loose fitting, non-transparent clothing that covers most of the body. The traditional clothing worn by Muslim men in such places as South Asia, where they wear a loose shirt and pants (shalvar-khamees), or in some Arab countries, where men wear what looks like a long dress (jalaba) and a headscarf (kuffiyah), differs little in the extent of covering from the traditional dress of Muslim women. While it is not as common to see this type of male dress in America, many Muslim men grow a beard and wear a head covering that resembles a skull cap, as do adherents of some other religious traditions.

Question 26

26. Is Islam opposed to modernity?

Accepted Answer

The question of modernity and faith, including Islam, depends on what is meant by the term modernity. If by modernity one means the use of science, reasoning, and invention to improve our lives, all of these are in line with the Islamic philosophy that led to the flowering of scientific exploration and technological innovation at the height of Islamic civilization in the Middle Ages, commonly known as the Golden Age of Islam. The mere fact that Muslims are living and practicing Islam 1400 years after its founding in the modern, post-Enlightenment world in Western societies demonstrates that Islam is naturally compatible with the modern world. In fact, millions of Muslims are involved, often in leading positions, in the fields of science, mathematics, medicine, engineering and other scientific fields. However, if my modernity one means acceptance of the various values that underpin our modern lifestyles and worldview, the answer is more nuanced and complicated. Islam, like other religions, would not be compatible with a modernity which is opposed to the centrality of God, morality, and religion or which is based upon a worldview which regards material realities as the ultimate truth and goal. Modernity void of morality has brought us the two deadliest wars in history, the Holocaust, and the atomic bomb. Uncontrolled capitalism and globalization have not only stripped the earth of irreplaceable resources and species but have also created huge economic disparities between the masses and the ultra-rich both among and within nations. For these and other reasons, many Muslims, like members of other religious and other groups, are increasingly concerned about the devastating effects that modernity and its accompanying technological advances, when influenced only by factors relating to economic profit and short-term gain, have had upon our environment and the world, which is now facing a threat to our very existence due to climate change.

Question 27

27. What does Islam say about democracy?

Accepted Answer

The concept of democracy is not universally agreed upon by all political scientists. Many take it to include some form of elected political representation, the rule of law, and protection of human rights of all citizens. These concepts, and especially the latter two, are central to Islamic teachings. As for the method by which political leaders are chosen, Islam advocates a system of mutual consultation that can include popular elections as a means to choose both local and national leaders. Indeed, many Muslim-majority countries exercise this form of democracy, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, and Bangladesh, amongst others. In fact, Pew polls in 2011 and 2013 have shown that a substantial majority of Muslims worldwide favor democracy. As we witnessed during the 2011 Arab Spring and beyond, people throughout the Arab world in countries like Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Libya, and Syria have risked their lives, and in some places are still risking them, in their struggle for freedom and democratic change in their countries.

Question 28

28. What does the term 'Islamic State' mean? Do any such states exist today?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'Islamic State' is a new concept created in the twentieth century by some modern Islamic thinkers. With the advent of the nation-state, these Muslim thinkers, highly influenced by the European separatist movements of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, conceptualized an 'Islamic' version of the nation-state, powered by an 'Islamic' ideology in which the political leaders advocate for a central role for Islam in governance and rule. In some Muslim countries, these ideologues formed 'Islamic' political parties that adopted 'Islamic' positions and solutions to various problems as a platform. Though these Islamic political parties participated in some instances in the democratic political process of their respective countries, their overall outlook of governance is closer to a theocracy, where the political leaders also function as religious leaders. This is in stark contrast to the early caliphates of Islam where political leaders left religious proclamations and determination of doctrine to the scholarly class, although these scholars often functioned as court judges and advisors to the ruling elite. In any case, the concept of 'Islamic State' or 'Caliphate' as envisioned by terrorist groups such as ISIS and the Taliban has virtually nothing in common with the political structure of the early caliphates, as they ignore authentic Muslim scholarship and even anathematize many of its scholars and mark them for assassination. (Though not widely reported by the press, this happened routinely under ISIS leadership in Iraq.) Conversely, there are several Muslim-majority countries today that claim Islamic teachings or Sharia as the basis of their constitutions or laws. What this means in practice is usually more ceremonial than practical, as these same countries often have Western legal systems in most aspects of their national and state laws, except in family matters related to marriage, divorce, and child custody. These family laws apply only to Muslim citizens, whereas non-Muslim citizens would be subject to their own religion's laws, if any, or the civil code. Additionally, many of these countries that claim to be Islamic states have a governing system which is not aligned with Islamic principles and are often oppressive both to their citizens and to other nations.

Question 29

29. Does Islam support individual rights?

Accepted Answer

Islam guarantees the basic individual rights of freedom of thought, expression, right to own property, and general freedom to conduct oneself according to one's individual will. However, as in any other society or civilization, individual rights are not absolute but are understood in reference to other individuals' rights and the public interest in general. In a Muslim society founded upon Islamic principles, the relationship between individual and community rights is based upon an understanding of the greater objective of producing and maintaining flourishing societies on all levels, not just the material, but also the spiritual and emotional. This includes the preservation of the sacred, whether in the form of religious spaces, individual religious practice, or religious tenets. Islamic teachings aim to root individuals in communities that foster their ability to rise to their full human potential. While in practice most Muslim societies have not often reached this ideal, the attempt to do so is considered one of the core teachings and obligations of Islam, despite humanity's innate shortcomings. A 2013 Pew poll showed a substantial majority of Muslims worldwide in favor of democracy and freedom of religion. While the poll did not ask questions specifically about freedom of expression, it is likely, in view of their answers to the aforementioned questions, that a substantial majority would favor these rights as well.

Question 30

30. How did Islam spread throughout the world?

Accepted Answer

This process varied depending on the location and historical period. Islam in its early years unified the tribes of the Arabian Peninsula, and this new unity led to conflict with the nearest major powers, the Byzantine and Persian empires. The result was a major spread of Muslim rule and the establishment of a Muslim empire; but Muslim rulers in this empire did not force, and often did not even encourage, conversion to Islam. Conversion to Islam, even in areas under the control of Muslims, was a gradual process that took place over many centuries and was fostered through interaction, intermarriage, trade, and efforts by Sufis (spiritual seekers). Professor Ira Lapidus in his book, A History of Islamic Societies writes: 'The question of why people convert to Islam has always generated intense feeling. Earlier generations of European scholars believed that conversions to Islam were made at the point of the sword and that conquered peoples were given the choice of conversion or death. It is now apparent that conversion by force, while not unknown in Muslim countries, was, in fact, rare. Muslim conquerors ordinarily wished to dominate rather than convert, and most conversions to Islam were voluntary.' (p. 198) In areas like Indonesia (now the largest Muslim-majority country) and other parts of Southeast Asia, Islam spread mostly through traveling merchants and Sufis. In sub-Saharan Africa (mostly West Africa, but also parts of Ethiopia), Islam spread mostly through trade and commercial relations. Rulers would sometimes adopt Islam while much of the population continued to practice their traditional religions. In many areas currently or formerly ruled by Muslims, large segments of the population have maintained their ancestral religions. For example, Christians are a significant minority in largely Muslim Lebanon, and Hinduism remained a majority faith through centuries of Muslim rule in South Asia. This is not to say that Muslims have never violated the principle stated in the Qur'an that 'there is no compulsion in religion.' Some forced conversions occurred, for example, in the Horn of Africa during the 17th-century wars between Christian Ethiopians and Muslim Somalis, as they did in other times and places. Today we believe that forced conversions or denying the religious rights of people of other faiths are as much a violation of Islamic principles as the forced conversion of the Germanic tribes under Charlemagne or the forced conversions of Native Americans or enslaved Africans are seen as violations of Christian principles in the eyes of most modern Christians.

Question 31

31. What do Muslims believe about Jesus?

Accepted Answer

Muslims overwhelmingly revere Jesus and believe that he was born to the Virgin Mary through an act of God, without a father, just as Adam is believed to have been created by God without a father or mother. The Qur'an describes his conception and birth and his many miracles such as healings of the sick. The Qur'an also emphasizes that Jesus was a great prophet of God and a messenger who received revelation from God, but that he was, like all other prophets, only a human being. For Muslims, God, in his divine transcendence, is incomparable to His creation in every aspect, and therefore He does not procreate, even metaphorically. Muslims also believe that Jesus was not crucified but instead was taken to heaven and will return to earth to live out the rest of his life, a belief commonly known as the second coming of Jesus.

Question 32

32. Why does the Qur'an talk about Jesus more often than Muhammad?

Accepted Answer

Most of the Qur'an depicts itself as a text addressed to Muhammad; it therefore talks less about Muhammad than it does to Muhammad about other subjects, including previous prophets such as Jesus.

Question 33

33. What do Muslims believe about Mary?

Accepted Answer

Muslims generally believe that she is the Virgin Mother of the Prophet Jesus who conceived him miraculously without a father. A chapter in the Qur'an named after her (Maryam in Arabic) emphasizes her piety and righteousness and her status as an exemplar for all people. The Qur'an also describes her as the greatest of all women: 'God chose and preferred her above all the women of the worlds.' (Qur'an, 3:42)

Question 34

34. Why is it that Muslims do not celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas?

Accepted Answer

While Muslims greatly revere Jesus, Christmas is generally considered a Christian holiday and not a part of Muslim cultures except where there are Christian minorities. There is even debate among Muslims over the celebration of Muhammad's birthday. However, some Muslims celebrate Christmas as part of an American cultural observance similar to Thanksgiving or Independence Day.

Question 35

35. What is the Ka'bah?

Accepted Answer

The Ka'bah is the cube-shaped building covered with a black cloth in Mecca that is believed by Muslims to have been the first house of worship to God. Muslims throughout the world face towards the Ka'bah when they perform each of their daily prayers.

Question 36

36. Who built the Ka'bah?

Accepted Answer

Muslims believe that Adam built the original Ka'bah and that the prophets Abraham and his son Ishmael rebuilt and consecrated it as the first house of worship to God.

Question 37

37. Can Muslims have boyfriends/girlfriends or date?

Accepted Answer

Our understanding from the Qur'an and Hadith (prophetic sayings) is that people should avoid situations, relationships, or actions that might lead to a violation of the principle that couples should abstain from physical or sexual intimacy until after marriage.

Question 38

38. Are Muslims allowed to marry people of other faiths?

Accepted Answer

Traditionally, Muslim men are allowed to marry women who are from the 'People of the Book,' generally defined as Christians and Jews. In this case, a Muslim husband must guarantee the right of his Christian or Jewish wife to worship God according to her religious beliefs. The reverse, i.e., a Muslim woman marrying a man outside her religion, has traditionally not been allowed on the grounds that her husband might not guarantee her the right to practice her religion, since he may not to have the same obligation to respect her religion that a Muslim has towards his Christian or Jewish wife. Therefore, for the protection of her freedom of religion, a Muslim woman has traditionally been required to marry a man who will give her the right to practice her faith—that is, a Muslim. Today, especially in areas where Muslims live as minorities, there is growing diversity in both theory and practice on this issue.

Question 39

39. How do Muslims get married?

Accepted Answer

Marriage ceremonies among Muslims, like marriage ceremonies everywhere, vary widely in different locales and cultures. However, the actual Islamic marriage ceremony generally includes the bride and groom, the bride's father or guardian, an officiator, and two witnesses. The religious ceremony includes the marriage proposal and acceptance and the presenting of a gift called mahr by the groom to the bride. Wedding celebrations after the religious ceremony vary widely from culture to culture, but generally involve food, special clothing, and some type of celebration. In some societies, there may be several days of celebration before or after the wedding.

Question 40

40. Are arranged marriages condoned in Islam?

Accepted Answer

This depends on what one means by 'arranged marriage' and on the culture one is describing. If by 'arranged marriage' one means simply that a couple first meets through referrals by family or friends ('matchmaking') and then is free to choose to marry or not, this is still a common practice among Muslims, although increasingly young Muslims, like young people of any other religion, are meeting in school, at work, or online. If, however, 'arranged marriage' refers to a situation in which a person (this impacts both men and women, but is generally associated only with women) is forced into a marriage against his or her will, then many contemporary Muslims cite prophetic sayings that uphold a woman's right to accept or reject a marriage proposal.

Question 41

41. Is it true that Muslim men can marry more than one woman?

Accepted Answer

Monogamy is the ideal in marriage, as reflected in God's creation of life in pairs of male and female, according to the account given in various Qur'anic verses. The vast majority of Muslims today are monogamous. While it is permitted for Muslim men to marry more than one wife, it is with the condition that he treat his wives equally, a standard that even the Qur'an warns is difficult to achieve, clearly implying a preference for monogamy. The Qur'an modified but allowed the continuation of the existing practice of polygamy 1400 years ago in the context of war, when caring for orphans was a major concern. Polygamy was not peculiar to the Arabian Peninsula; it was widespread in many cultures, including that of ancient Israel as portrayed in the Hebrew Bible, where many of the Patriarchs are described as having multiple wives and Israelite kings had harems numbering in the hundreds. Today polygamy is mainly practiced in the Gulf States and Africa where it is more culturally acceptable than in other Muslim societies.

Question 42

42. Can women marry more than one man?

Accepted Answer

Women are not permitted to marry more than one man (polyandry). Since polygamy was permitted in the context of war, when caring for orphans was a major concern, this purpose would not be served by polyandry.

Question 43

43. Why do Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad is the final prophet?

Accepted Answer

Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad is the final prophet on the basis of statements in Islamic scripture, including the following Qur'anic verse: 'Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of God, and the Seal of the Prophets and God has full knowledge of all things.' (Qur'an, 33:40) There are also various Hadith (prophetic sayings) which designate Muhammad as 'the Seal of the Prophets.' Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad was preceded by a long succession of prophets before him that include Adam, Noah, Abraham, David, and Jesus. Muslims believe that all the prophets were sent by God and that some of them foretold the coming of the Prophet Muhammad.

Question 44

44. Why can't you display images of the Prophet Muhammad?

Accepted Answer

The general consensus among scholars is that physical representations of the Prophet Muhammad are discouraged on the grounds that, since the prophets are exemplars, they should not be presented in a manner that either is disrespectful or might lead to idolatry. However, one can find representations of Muhammad and other prophets in different periods of Islamic history, mainly in the form of manuscript illustrations known as Persian miniatures, in which Muhammad's face is often obscured by light.

Question 45

45. Why did some Muslims respond with protest and violence against portrayals of Muhammad in cartoons and film?

Accepted Answer

This question refers to protests, sometimes erupting into lethal violence, as in the 2015 Paris attacks in response to cartoons published in a French satirical weekly and in the 2012 Benghazi attack against two American government facilities in Benghazi, Libya, purportedly in response to the film The Innocence of Muslims which was derogatory to the Prophet Muhammad. Muslim leaders and organizations worldwide, even in countries that restrict the publication of such offensive material, vigorously condemned these instances of violence. The great majority of Muslim Americans and many Muslims elsewhere affirm the right to freedom of expression. In addition, it is important to stress that these violent reactions have generally been fueled by political issues that compounded anger at the offensive images. Investigations into the Benghazi attack found that it was in fact long planned by militants, while the Paris attacks were the work of militants who may have been trying to recruit French Muslims to al-Qaeda by creating an incident that would isolate them from other French people. In both cases, the offensive representations served as a pretext. At the same time, many Muslims find the lack of respect in many secular societies for sacred symbols, regardless of the religion involved, to be offensive. The Prophet Muhammad respected other religions and their sacred symbols, and the Qur'an prohibits reviling the followers of other religions and that which they hold sacred.

Question 46

46. Jesus was a non-violent reformer while Muhammad fought in wars. Why is there a difference between Jesus and Muhammad in terms of their approach?

Accepted Answer

Muhammad's outlook and actions were initially similar to those of Jesus if one compares Muhammad's strategy during the first part of his mission in Mecca when he, like Jesus, sought change as a non-violent reformer. However, their tactics diverged due to a change in circumstances once Muhammad and his followers were expelled from Mecca and migrated to Medina. While Jesus and his community of believers remained politically powerless throughout his mission, Muhammad in Medina, as the head of a new political community, was required to serve as a political and even military leader as he finally fought back against the Meccans after years of persecution. As the head of the new community in Medina, he also had to deal with internal conspiracies and rebellions in addition to external threats. This question, as posed, also assumes that there is only one way of looking at these figures, which is misleading. For instance, while Jesus is commonly viewed today as a 'non-violent reformer,' this has not always been the case. In his book Jesus through the Centuries, church historian Jaroslav Pelikan depicts and analyzes the varied views of Jesus at different times and in different cultures and devotes a whole chapter to Jesus as both 'Prince of Peace' and instigator of divine warfare—sometimes at one and the same time. The representations of Muhammad are likewise varied. In her book The Lives of Muhammad, Kecia Ali writes, 'Far from being uniform or non-changing, both non-Muslim and Muslim views of Muhammad have been diverse, multifaceted, and subject to dramatic changes over the centuries.' However, Muslims uniformly love and respect both men not only as prophets and messengers, descended from noble families, but also as exemplars of the most perfect character. Prophet Jesus is described in the Qur'an as one who is 'held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and of those nearest to God.' Prophet Muhammad was known even before his prophethood as 'al-Ameen,' 'the Trustworthy,' and his praiseworthy characteristics and actions are the topic of books (known as Shamail), poems, and songs through the centuries.

Question 47

47. Why did the Prophet Muhammad marry so many women?

Accepted Answer

Polygamy was common in seventh-century Arabia, as it has been in many other cultures, especially for a political leader; for instance, the patriarchs in the Hebrew Bible are described as having multiple wives, and the kings of Israel are depicted as having harems numbering in some cases into the hundreds. According to Muslim historians, the Prophet Muhammad's marriages were contracted to assist needy widows and divorcees and to solidify the nascent community of Muslims by forging alliances among the tribes in and around Medina. In light of the time and place, there was nothing unique or unusual about Muhammad marrying several women. It is also noteworthy that he married a woman fifteen years his senior during his young adulthood and remained in a monogamous relationship with her for twenty-five years until her death when he was nearly fifty years old.

Question 48

48. Why did the Prophet Muhammad marry a nine-year old? If she was not nine, how old was she?

Accepted Answer

The actual age of Aisha at the time of her marriage to Muhammad is disputed, but the marriage could not have been consummated until she reached puberty. In many cultures, women are or were married years before a marriage is consummated. The custom of early betrothal and marriage continued until the late 19th and early 20th century in much of the world, including Europe and North America, where there are still many states that allow for underage marriage.

Question 49

49. Is there a conflict between being a Muslim and being an American?

Accepted Answer

Neither 'Muslims' nor 'America' are monolithic entities, nor is there is any conflict in being both. This question is like asking whether there is a conflict between being a Christian and an American. One is a religious identity, while the other is a national identity. Both impact one's life, but they play different roles in shaping one's identity. America has traditionally been a land of immigrants from diverse cultures, religions, and backgrounds. The challenge for new immigrants has been to maintain their identity and culture while living in a multicultural, multi-religious society, a challenge that various groups have struggled with, including some Muslim immigrants, particularly post-9/11. For African Americans, many of whom became Muslim because of the presence of Muslims among their ancestors who had been enslaved and shipped to America, the challenge remains one of finding both a religious and national identity in a land that their ancestors came to involuntarily under inhumane circumstances. Muslim Americans share many of the core values of other Americans, such as respect for education, hard work, family, democracy, individual rights, and liberty.

Question 50

50. Why do so many Muslims in the world hate America?

Accepted Answer

Which Muslims and what aspects of America are we talking about? Neither Muslims nor the United States are monolithic entities. 'Hate' is also a very strong word. According to polls, Muslims around the world generally admire America for its technology, liberty, education, and accomplishments. During the Arab Spring, protesters in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya used American social media to advocate many American ideals, such as democracy. If some Muslims disagree with specific aspects of foreign or domestic policies, this cannot reasonably be described as 'hatred' of America as a whole.

Question 51

51. Should I be afraid of anyone who is Muslim or from the Middle East?

Accepted Answer

There is no more reason to mistrust or fear a Muslim or a person from the Middle East than a person of any other religion or background. One should not relate to any group of people on the basis of stereotypes. To dispel fear based on stereotypes or misperceptions, we recommend the Know Your Neighbor: Multifaith Encounters program which provides resources and ideas for getting to know people from diverse backgrounds.

Question 52

52. How many converts to Islam are there in the United States?

Accepted Answer

While there are no exact figures on the total number of Muslims in the U.S. in general, since the U.S. Census cannot ask about religious affiliation, various polls over the last decade estimate the number to be between 3.5 and 6 million Muslims in America. Of these, around 20% are converts, the majority of whom are African-Americans.

Question 53

53. Why do Muslims have such a negative image in the U.S.?

Accepted Answer

Since most Americans do not know many Muslims personally, the media is often the main source of people's information about them. This can be problematic, since in general the media tends to focus on negative events and issues and does not consider good news to be newsworthy. The media also has a fixation on sensationalism and hype since it attracts an audience. That is why the majority of news stories about Muslims are related to violence and terrorism. It is rare to see stories about the everyday lives of Muslims who are ordinary people, at work or in school, let alone positive stories about the contributions of Muslim Americans. Media Tenor, a research organization that analyzes mass media, reported that between 2007 and 2013, 80% of news coverage of Muslims on ABC and CBS and 60% of coverage on Fox News was negative, usually focusing on terrorism and violence. Additionally, when a Muslim commits an act of violence the media tends to focus on the act more than when it is committed by a non-Muslim. A study by researchers from Georgia State University and the University of Alabama found that an attack perpetrated by a person who identifies as a Muslim receives on average four-and-a-half times more media coverage than an attack perpetrated by a non-Muslim. This means that a small fringe (ISIS or other extremist groups or individuals) is seen as representing the entire Muslim community, painting all Muslims in a negative light. Media reports often mirror the government's attitude towards a particular nation or group, and at present we are a country at war with certain Arab or Muslim groups or nations. In addition, the media often misinterprets any action committed by a Muslim as a reflection of his or her religion, when the person's motivation may have more to do with politics, economics, personal background, culture, or any number of other factors that are considered when discussing negative actions by people from other groups.

Question 54

54. What are Muslim Americans doing to counter Islamophobia?

Accepted Answer

While it is unreasonable to expect that Muslim Americans should bear the double burden of both dealing with the prejudice against them and working to prevent it, today Muslim Americans have been engaged in various campaigns and projects to counter hate and bigotry. As was the case with previous ethnic and religious groups such as Jews, Catholics, Germans, Irish, and Japanese, this may turn out to be a prolonged struggle for civil rights; for African Americans or Latino Americans, this struggle is ongoing, and Muslim Americans join other groups in calling for an end to bigotry of any sort. The following are some of the ways that Muslim Americans and their allies are working to combat Islamophobia: Since Islamophobia is based on ignorance, education about Islam and Muslims is one of the most potent weapons against it. ING, founded in 1993, has delivered thousands of presentations about Islam and Muslims in the San Francisco Bay area and, through its network of affiliates, nationwide. These presentations not only provide authentic and accurate information about Muslims and their faith but also give audiences an opportunity to interact with a Muslim face-to-face, often for the first time. ING's impact studies demonstrate the effectiveness of ING's work in dispelling stereotyping of and prejudice against Muslims. Islamophobia often leads to violations of Muslims' civil rights. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and Muslim Advocates are the leading organizations in the country addressing this issue. Interfaith allies are key to improving Muslims' standing in the U.S. Many people of various faiths have come out in support of Muslims, particularly when Muslims are under attack. The steps they have taken include: Organizing multi-faith vigils around mosques; Publishing articles and letters in support of Muslims; Holding counter-protests against Islamophobic demonstrations; Encouraging congregants to visit mosques and build relationships with Muslims; Welcoming Muslims into interfaith organizations and events. A number of national organizations exist specifically to build solidarity between Muslims and people of other faith traditions, including Shoulder to Shoulder, Peace Catalyst, and Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom. The national Know Your Neighbor Coalition, founded at the White House in December, 2015, and Multifaith Encounters, its grassroots outreach, which is led by ING, bring Muslims and people of other faiths together to build interreligious understanding and respect. Many mosques also engage in interfaith outreach. Open houses and interfaith dinners have become popular ways of reaching out to neighbors of different faiths and have met with great response. Much is being done by both Muslims and their allies to combat Islamophobia, but more needs to be done, and help is always welcome.

Question 55

55. What factors contributed to the rise of Islamic fundamentalism?

Accepted Answer

The Oxford dictionary defines an 'extremist' as 'a person who holds extreme political or religious views, especially one who advocates illegal, violent, or other extreme action.' An extremist group is defined as 'a group of individuals whose values, ideals, and beliefs fall far outside of what society considers normal.' While there have been extremist groups in all religions and societies throughout history, including Islamic history, most historians trace the roots of Islamic extremism to the seventh-century group known as the Kharijites that developed around the same time as Shi'a Islam as a response to what they perceived as unjust rule. Muslim extremist groups have historically been marginalized by the mainstream and have eventually disappeared over time. Islamic extremism today is in many ways a reaction to various developments in the last two centuries. One of these was the decline and subsequent colonization of many Muslim-populated areas by European powers, which resulted in modernization and Westernization policies in many Muslim-populated countries in the 19th and early 20th centuries that viewed Islam as backwards, outdated, and a barrier to progress. In response to this new and humiliating circumstance, some Muslim groups espoused a return to the original practices of Islam as they understood them to have been practiced during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad and his immediate successors. Commonly known as revivalist or fundamentalist movements, they sought solutions to the many problems facing Muslim societies through a literal and sometimes puritanical vision of Islam. These movements have sometimes taken on political overtones or issued calls for an 'Islamic state', and in some cases have resorted to violence. This has occurred in situations where, in addition to the previously mentioned factors, various extremist groups formed in response to specific issues or causes, many of which stem from conflicts over land and independence, such as the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and Chechnya, the Indian occupation of Kashmir, the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, and the American occupation of Iraq. Additionally, some extremist groups formed in opposition to their own despotic governments; for example, in Egypt the Muslim Brotherhood was initially formed to resist British occupation, but then turned against Egyptian rulers when they also failed to live up to their expectations, and eventually gave rise to more extremist groups such as Islamic Jihad. What is clear from many of these groups is that their extremist version of Islam is often a motivating factor, just as the power of religiously driven zeal has been used throughout history to fuel and galvanize popular movements that arise in response to perceived ills. This is not unique to Islam or Muslims but rather spans the gamut of the human condition.

Question 56

56. What is Wahhabism?

Accepted Answer

Wahhabism began as an 18th-century reform movement in the Arabian Peninsula and focused on what its founder Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab perceived as the deviation of Muslims from what he considered to be 'pure Islam.' Wahhabism then evolved into an extremist and reductionist interpretation of Islam that is practiced mainly in Saudi Arabia but has spread to other Muslim-populated countries through well-funded literature and educational campaigns. This ideology has not, however, won over most mainstream traditional Muslims in those countries, and today the majority of Muslims worldwide, including Muslim Americans, reject this strict and intolerant version of Islam and those who attempt to impose it upon other Muslims.

Question 57

57. Is Islam a political movement or ideology?

Accepted Answer

Neither. Islam is a way of life, and in many ways more than the popular notion of 'religion' that is reduced to ritual practice and ceremony. Muslims contend that Islam informs all aspects of their lives, including the imperative to treat all people justly and compassionately, whether they share one's beliefs or not, and to actively work for the betterment of individual lives and of society.

Question 58

58. How does Islam view other religions?

Accepted Answer

We believe that respect for freedom of religion and conscience is a basic Islamic principle, and we believe that diversity, including religious diversity, is part of God's divine plan. Moreover, we believe that the salvation of all people, Muslims included, lies with God alone.

Question 59

59. Who are 'People of the Book' and what does the Qur'an say about them?

Accepted Answer

The Qur'an refers to the followers of the previous Abrahamic holy books as 'Ahl al-Kitab,' translated as 'People of the Book' and generally interpreted to mean Jews and Christians. The term reflects their shared belief in revealed scriptures sent to the four previous prophets who appear in the Hebrew Bible and New Testament: Abraham, Moses, David, and Jesus. As it does with Muslims, the Qur'an describes some of the People of the Book as pious and righteous adherents of their religions, while criticizing others for failing to follow the commandments that were sent to them. The Qur'an also takes issue with some of the beliefs of Judaism and Christianity, such as the Christian belief in the Trinity.

Question 60

60. Whom do Muslims consider to be 'infidels' and how should they treat them?

Accepted Answer

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the English word 'infidel' means 'a person who does not believe in religion or who adheres to a religion other than one's own.' The Arabic word kafir (plural kuffar) is sometimes translated as 'infidel'. A more common translation of the word is 'disbeliever' or 'unbeliever'. In the Qur'an, kafir usually refers to a person who not only rejects the beliefs of Islam but also takes a hostile stance toward Muslims and their religion; it is used primarily to refer to the Meccans who did not accept the adoption of a new religion by their kinsmen and persecuted and fought against the growing Muslim community. In modern Arabic, kafir is often used to mean simply 'non-Muslim,' without any negative connotation. We strongly believe that people of other faiths should be treated with love and respect, affirming the Islamic principle respect for freedom of religion and conscience. According to global Pew polls, strong majorities of Muslims in nearly every country surveyed support the right of non-Muslims to practice their religion freely, a right that was historically upheld by most Muslim societies.

Question 61

61. Why are there references in the Qur'an that are highly critical of Christians and Jews? Is that not equivalent to anti-Semitism?

Accepted Answer

The Qur'an contains passages critical of those who fought against the early Muslims, including some pagans, Christians, Jews, and even hypocrites within the Muslim community. These passages speak to the specific historical circumstances in which they were revealed. They are not condemnations of Jews and Christians in general, but of the behaviors of specific people—including, as noted, some Muslims. We hold that respect for freedom of religion and conscience is basic to our vision of Islam.

Question 62

62. Does the Qur'an teach the hatred or subjugation of non-Muslims?

Accepted Answer

We understand the Qur'an to explicitly forbid hatred towards, subjugation of, or forcible imposition of religion on any person or people when it states 'there is no compulsion in religion' (Qur'an, 2:256) and describes religious pluralism as part of God's plan. The existence of old churches, temples, and synagogues throughout the Muslim world in places like Egypt, Turkey, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, India, and Bosnia and the presence of minority religious populations in those areas demonstrates that this command was historically followed by most Muslim societies.

Question 63

63. Do Muslims believe in the Bible and Torah?

Accepted Answer

While the majority of Muslims believe in the four previous holy books or scriptures mentioned in the Qur'an as original revelations to the prophets (the Scrolls as revealed to Abraham; the Torah as revealed to Moses; the Psalms as revealed to David; the Gospel as revealed to Jesus), they do not believe that they have been preserved in the original form or language in which they were first revealed. However, Muslims believe that the Qur'an affirms many of the same teachings of these previous scriptures.

Question 64

64. What is your proof of the authenticity of the Qur'an?

Accepted Answer

Muslim historians and scholars describe the history of the Qur'an and the efforts of Muslims since the early days of Islam to preserve the Qur'an in its original form. During the Prophet Muhammad's life, scores of people memorized, recited, and wrote down the Qur'an. Shortly after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, the Qur'an was compiled and transcribed by experts who carefully verified every verse by matching it against both the written word and memorized verses. The completed transcript was then copied and distributed across the growing Islamic empire. These copies served as the basis for all copies of the Qur'an written or printed since. Today these earliest written versions of the Qur'an are identical to contemporary copies of the Qur'an. While translations of the Qur'an may vary, all copies of the Qur'an in Arabic contain nearly identical language. This standardization, coupled with the millions of people who continue to memorize the entire Qur'an, ensures the text's authenticity.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Islam and Muslims

Introduction

1. Core Beliefs of Islam

2. The Quran, the Prophet Muhammad, and the Prophets

3. Worship and Everyday Practice

4. Family, Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality

5. Sharia

6. Islamic Law, Modernity, and Governance

7. History, Diversity, and Interfaith Relations

8. Muslims in America

9. War, Peace, and Contemporary Conflicts

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