The narrative surrounding Islam today is often stripped of its historical, cultural, and theological complexity, leaving a void that is quickly filled with misinformation. To understand the faith is to appreciate its history. The religion of Islam emerged in the 7th century CE in the Arabian Peninsula. Its foundation lies in the concept of tawhid, or the absolute oneness of God (Allah in Arabic). It is not a new faith but is presented as the final culmination of the Abrahamic tradition, tracing its lineage through prophets like Adam, Noah, Abraham (Ibrahim), Moses (Musa), Jesus (Isa), and finally, Muhammad (peace be upon him). Islam’s core message was a revolutionary call for justice, equality, and radical change in a tribal, polytheistic society marked by social injustice, infanticide, and a lack of rights for women and the poor. Understanding this context is crucial, as the religion’s practices and laws were often pragmatic solutions to deeply entrenched societal problems of the time.
Perhaps no single word is more misunderstood or weaponized than Jihad. In Western discourse, it has been monolithically reduced to "holy war," a term that is, at best, misleading. The Arabic word Jihad literally means "to struggle" or "to strive." Islamic teachings define two main types. The Greater Jihad (al-jihad al-akbar) is the most important and refers to the internal struggle against one's own ego, vices, and temptations—the daily effort to be a better person and follow God's commands. The Lesser Jihad (al-jihad al-asghar) refers to external defense. This lesser form only permits warfare in strictly defined circumstances, primarily self-defense against aggression, the protection of the oppressed, and the defense of the faith. It is not, and has never been, a call for unprovoked aggression, forced conversion, or terrorism. The rules of engagement in Islam are exceptionally strict, prohibiting harm to non-combatants, women, children, the elderly, and even destroying trees or livestock.
One of the most persistently used attacks on the character of the Prophet Muhammad and the faith itself is the story of his marriage to Aisha, often cited as occurring when she was nine. This is an uncomfortable subject for modern sensibilities, yet it must be viewed through the lens of 7th-century Arabian marriage practices. At that time, in many cultures, including those of the Middle East and parts of Europe, marriages were often arranged based on customs far removed from today's norms. There was no standardized "age of consent" as we understand it, and the practice of marrying young girls after they reached physical maturity was not uncommon. More importantly, historical records suggest the age of nine refers to the consummation of the marriage, not necessarily the contracting of the marriage, which happened earlier. Furthermore, Aisha's marriage was essential in establishing a close familial bond between the Prophet and Abu Bakr, one of his most trusted and important companions, cementing alliances crucial to the nascent Muslim community’s survival. It is not an argument for this practice today, but an essential recognition that history is not morality. To judge a historical event by modern, post-Enlightenment standards is known as presentism, and it distorts understanding.
The practice of polygyny (a man having multiple wives) is another lightning rod for criticism. The Quran, specifically in Surah An-Nisa (Chapter 4), Verse 3, states that a man may marry up to four women. However, this verse is fundamentally a limitation and a social regulation, not a blanket endorsement. Prior to Islam, there was no limit on the number of wives a man could have in Arabian society. The verse was revealed following the Battle of Uhud, which resulted in the deaths of many Muslim men, leaving numerous widows and orphans. The allowance of marrying up to four women came with a crucial, rarely mentioned caveat: “...but if you fear that you will not be able to deal justly with them, then only one...” The condition of absolute justice and equity among the wives is so stringent that many Islamic scholars argue that, in today's context, it is virtually impossible to uphold, thus implicitly favoring monogamy. The allowance was primarily a mechanism for social welfare, ensuring the protection, financial security, and rights of widows and their children in a vulnerable, war-torn society, not merely a sanction for male desire.
Halal is an Arabic term that translates literally to "lawful" or "permissible" and is central to Islamic jurisprudence, extending far beyond diet. While it is most commonly associated with food—specifically meat slaughtered according to the humane method of dhabihah, and the exclusion of prohibited items like pork and alcohol—the concept of Halal encompasses all matters of daily life. It governs ethical conduct in business and finance, appropriate dress, and general actions, representing a commitment to cleanliness, ethical sourcing, and living within the boundaries set by the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad. Its opposite is Haram, which signifies anything forbidden or unlawful.
Islam’s teachings fundamentally reject the notion of female suppression when viewed within its historical context and primary texts.Prior to Islam in 7th-century Arabia (Jahiliyyah), women were largely without legal status, denied inheritance and property rights, and subjected to practices like female infanticide.Islam arrived and immediately abolished infanticide and established women as spiritual equals to men before God, stating that both receive the same rewards for their deeds (Quran 3:195).Crucially, it granted women the right to own and manage their own property and wealth, the right to inherit (even if often a different share than men, which is balanced by men's sole financial obligation to the family), the right to consent to marriage, and the right to seek a divorce (khul'a). While cultural practices in various Muslim-majority nations may restrict women, the core religious texts and the example of the Prophet Muhammad, who strongly advocated for the kind and just treatment of women, represent a revolutionary framework of protection, financial independence, and legal rights that was centuries ahead of its time.
The relationship between Islam and Christianity is often one of division, yet Islam holds Jesus (Isa) in high regard as a noble prophet of God. Muslims believe that Jesus brought the same fundamental message of tawhid (Oneness of God) and submission to God's will. However, Islam maintains that the people to whom Jesus was sent were not yet ready for the complete, final, and universal message that would govern the last age of humanity. Jesus's teachings, in the Islamic perspective, were contextual and intended for the Children of Israel at that specific time. The need for a final revelation arose because previous scriptures, including the Gospel (Injil), were believed to have been altered or corrupted over time, leading to misunderstandings, divisions, and the loss of the core concept of absolute monotheism.
This leads us to the Quran, the final book of revelation in Islam, which Muslims believe is the literal word of God, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over 23 years. What makes the Quran the final and most protected revelation? Muslims believe that God promised to safeguard the Quran from human alteration. Unlike previous scriptures, the Quran was meticulously memorized by thousands (Hafiz) and written down contemporaneously. Its Arabic text has remained unchanged for over 1,400 years, offering a singular and consistent source of divine guidance. The Quran is not merely a book of law; it is a profound text that addresses the entirety of the human condition: love, loss, justice, ethics, faith, cosmology, and the purpose of life. It provides a comprehensive worldview, offering solutions and guidance that are meant to be timeless and universally applicable, standing as the ultimate testimony to God's complete message for humankind.
We must move beyond the soundbites and the fear-mongering to engage with the reality of a faith practiced by nearly two billion people. It requires informed reflection, not blind acceptance of sensationalized myths.
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