Truth of Islam

Since the last revelation of Allah (Islam) came to human beings, many people who did not accept it tried to bring sensible reasons not to believe. There were none. all the reasons they came up with translated either their ignorance about the revelation, or their effort to deliberately distort it. These efforts are called LIES.

First, what's the definition of a lie? "A lie is the dissimulation or willful deformation of the contents of a thought that the subject deems to be true" (Wikipedia).

Throughout the ages, the same pattern of false facts and distortions came over again and again and again. Fortunately though, brilliant muslim scholars and defenders of the truth answered them one after the other, again and again and again. The truth was therefore never distorted.

"Their intention is to extinguish Allah's Light (by blowing) with their mouths: but Allah will complete (the revelation of) His Light, even though the Unbelievers may detest (it)." [Sura As'Saf (61 ) V.8] 

By similarity, all the lies, generalizations, misconceptions, misinterpretations that we hear in the modern era are not driven by people who really seek the truth, but just people whose pride doesn't let them admit the truth (which is the definition of islam = surrender to the truth). so they continually make new LIES.

Now you could say "well, now it's different because we have ultrafast communications and freedom of speech, which means two things:

- The reports made by journalists about muslims, as well as the books issued by experts from fancy universities are reliable, they can't be lies

- Muslims are free to present what they want to public opinion without any bias, and let people judge by themselves

At first it may seem to hold together. but a closer look reveals that:

- High-Tech communication does not mean comprehensive information. In fact, information is filtered at the source way before it reaches the consumer's newspaper or TV

- Freedom of speech doesn't mean "equal of opportunity of speech". Access to providing wide scale information is so vital and strategic that the deciders simply don't let anyone have the same opportunity. This is where delusion plays an important role:

"truth is so precious that she should always be attended by a bodyguard of lies" (Winston Churchill)

Fortunately, all the lies that have bodygarded the truth have been answered. But because of limited access to public opinion, the answers were not as widespread as the lies. In this post, I will try to gather some of the principal lies and the answers to them. If you have more issues that you consider important I encourage you to add them to this post. I will mainly adress the issues of Islam and violence, Islam and women, Islam and minorities, Islam and Shariaa and Islam and muslims:


Islam is a religion spread by the sword, and the prophet (pbuh) was a warlord

That's the most "fashionable" lie of these days because of terrorism. 

Islam was spread by the "word", not the sword. I'll tell you why and how:

The prophet did not fight any offensive war, his actions were DEFENSIVE: I'll give you some examples: (for the sake of concision I put just highlights, but I can give more details if you like, just tell me)

- Battle of Badr: he was going to recuperate the goods of his followers, goods that were taken up by the unbelievers who forced them out of the city of Mecca.
- Battle of Uhud: defensive against the unbelievers of mecca who came with their army to strike him in his city
- Battle of the coalition (Al Ahzab): whereby the city of the prophet (al Medina) was put under siege by a coalition of unbeliever tribes, but they did not succeed to take the city.
- the battles that occured between al Ahzab and the opening of Mecca: they were directed against the tribes which participated in the siege of the coalition. NO OTHER TRIBE WAS TARGETED.
- The battle of Taiif: Against the byzantines who were preparing to attack the north outskirts of muslims' lands. During the long travel to the north, the muslim army passed by numerous non muslim tribes AND ATTACKED NONE.

So in a nutshell, the prophet's battles were strike-backs against the ones who deliberately harmed the muslims.

In Islam, it is a duty to defend oneself against any aggression. and I know no sensible nation or politician that would disagree with that (all nations have armies, even christian nations)

By the way, our christian brothers claim that christianity is a non violent religion. If so, then why are there pastors and preachers in the armies of christian countries today? What do they tell the soldiers? aren't they against war? 

Now let's talk about islam after the prophet (pbuh)

Islam spread in all directions, yes there were armies leading the message but there is a VERY IMPORTANT set of facts that should be told here:

- No struggle was engaged, unless the free territory opposed the spreading of the message with force. The best proof about that is the fact that one companion of the prophet, Saad Ibn Abi Waqqas (Allah agrees him), was sent to China to deliver the message of Islam. the Emperor of the Tang dynasty (who ruled China at that time) listened to him and said "What you have brought does not conflict with the teachings of Confucius" and he let him spread the message in China without need of any army of any kind. Even more, he erected a mosque so the muslims can pray. Remains of that mosque are still present TODAY in the south-western part of China. 

- The muslim armies were often HELPED OUT BY LOCALS AGAINST THEIR OWN REGIMES (persian, byzantine mostly) because they opressed them by taking high taxes, while muslims only asked them to pay the "protection tax" for protecting them and because they (the locals) had no obligation to join the muslim armies. By the way, the muslim tax was less than 2,5% and only for people who could afford it. People who couldn't afford it were not only exonerated, they were given money from the alms of muslims!

- The muslims NEVER FORCED locals to convert simply because it is forbidden in Islam. ("Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error" [Sura Al Baqara (2) verse 256]). Instead, they handed out the last revelation to them and let them free to chose whether to revert or to keep their original faith. I challenge anyone to bring contrary evidence.

- The muslims did not take the locals' lands, property or wealth. Moreover, If the governor of the area tha has been opened accepted to revert, he was often KEPT IN HIS POSITION. I challenge anyone to give me a similar example in other civilizations. There are simply none.

- Most muslim reverts embraced Islam out of trade and not after city openings. it is the case of all eatern muslims in the indian peninsula, China and south eastern Asia (Malaysia and Indonesia), who constitute THE VAST MAJORITY OF MUSLIMS (over 80%).

Islam spread so quickly and so durably by the power of the WORD, never the sword.

Wherever Islam passed by, it did not wreak havoc, It brought justice and tolerance. That was possible only because of one thing : It is the truth, and no lie can stand beside it.


Islam mistreats women

It's the second most fashionable lie nowadays. 

My mother and my sister both wear the Hijab and they never told me that they were mistreated. You may say "well maybe they are exceptions". 

Then Why Islam is the fastest growing religion in western countries, and why are most converts FEMALES? (for each male convert to Islam, 4 females convert to Islam in the USA, according the the US sensus bureau)

So let's see what Islam offers to women:

- Women are allowed to marry WHOM THEY WANT, The decision of marriage is theirs. There is no such thing as forced marriage in islam
- They are allowed to divorce (it's called Khul3)
- They are allowed to own property, to have businesses and to work. But the good news are: They are not REQUIRED to work and to bring an income to the house. Their money is THEIRS. While the man is REQUIRED to sustain his family and his money is the family's.
- In Islam, the husband is REQUIRED to make his wife fulfilled at all levels, including his obligation to seek her pleasure and satisfaction.
- The husband is also required to protect her. She has the right to feel protected and treasured.

outside marriage, women are required to wear a non attractive clothing and to wear their veils (Hijabs) for a simple reason: Women are naturally attractive to men. So who would like his wife to attract other men? you know the answer.

In life, you protect the most valuable things you have. In Islam, Women are protected, not exposed. They truly ARE the most valuable thing for muslims. Who can dream of a better religion?


Islam does not tolerate other religions and minorities

let's compare How muslims and Christians dealed with minorities :

Wherever Islam passed by, no one was forced to convert as I said. Moreover, they were treated equally as muslims and were given full rights, including the freedom to practice their religion. The best proof of that is that there are STILL non muslim minorities that remained 
intact for centuries till the present day (in egypt, in the middle east and in south eastern Asia). some of them even speak their native languages.

Christians forced conversions of jews in the middle ages and forced muslims in Andalucia (now Spain) not to pray, not to take baths (because they were the only ones taking baths) and to eat 
pork! Shortly after, the remaining muslims AND JEWS living in spain were massacred, despite the promises of protection given to the fallen muslim governors! This is a historical fact that no historian can deny. this fact is passed under silence of course.

Talking about jews, jews were never massacred by muslims, the golden age of jews was never judeo-christian, it was Judeo-muslim.

No Comment


Islam is against science and technology

Islam is the ONLY religion that ENCOURAGED science and technology instead of fearing it.

In islam, more science leads to more faith, simply because everything in islam holds together and makes sense. During the era of islam, many new disciplines of science were founded. The first hospitals in the world were muslims' (of course medicine student are not told that, the first discovery of the roundness of earth was muslim, Algebra was founded, digits were invented (123456789), the zero (0) was invented (of course, math students don't know that), Sociology was founded (by Ibn Khaldoon, of course sociology students are not told that), the first accurate maps were drawn, and the list goes by..

In fact, Islam put science at a level so prestigious that without islam, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO WESTERN RENAISSANCE

These facts that no historian can deny are totally passed under silence. Because if they were taught to students, it will not drive the picture of islam as a barbarian religion.


The shariaa is an scandalous rigid middle-age-like jurisdiction

Shariaa is a word that means the rules that a believer follows. it's a generic word that can be applied to any religion. so it's more accurate to say "the islamic shariaa".

It is often claimed that the shariaa is harsh and cruel, and give examples such as cutting the stealer's hand etc. What they "forget" to mention is that IN THE FIRST 400 YEARS OF ISLAM, ONLY 6 HANDS WERE CUT! Who can claim a better security and a lower crime rate?

apart from that, almost nothing is told about the islamic shariaa, like the protection of the poor's rights by the alms, the protection of the orphan's rights by tutorship, the regulation of trade by forbidding false bidding and deceitful buys, the protection of society by forbidding gambling, alcohol, unmarried relations and affairs.

The islamic shariaa is therefore a comprehensive and fair system. Moreover, it's an OPEN SYSTEM: to any new issue there are general rules to follow and scholars are required to find the most appropriate solution to specific problems in specific times or places. So the 
islamic shariaa has JURISPRUDENCE, always seeking the best and most equal solution. Who can design better? Who but our creator..


Muslims are just people from the third world who are stubborn, uneducated, corrupted and stuck in the middle ages.

Sorry to disappoint some of you, but this is not a total lie. there is some truth in this last allegation. In fact it is the reason why muslims DO NOT REPRESENT ISLAM (except a few). 

The more they got away from the straight path, the more they became just people like others, prone to corruption and deterioration.

Therefore, our goal as "people who claim to be muslims" is firstand foremost to BE GOOD MUSLIMS, and then, and only then, to show the world what is true Islam.

MY OPINION OF POLYGYNY - OMAN OBSERVER, OMAN

MY OPINION OF POLYGYNY

Kawthar Hameed Abdullah Al-Hadhrami

The word "polygamy" means having more than one spouse. Having more than wife is called "polygyny", Islam allows polygyny with conditions that restrict the number. In this article I will talk about polygyny and my opinion of it.

I will first state that I am an American Muslim convert. I was married to an Omani for over 17 years. Unfortunately, that marriage ended in divorce. I am now married to another man as a second wife.

I must say, that when I first converted to Islam in 1984, I was one of these women that spoke out against plural marriage. I could never imagine or understand how anyone could ever agree to such a situation. It just wasn't normal, it just wasn't right. When I got married in 1985 I made sure it was in my marriage contract that my husband could never take another wife. Later I found out this clause is not acceptable and the contract could be considered void.

As I have developed as a Muslim and grown in understanding of my faith, I feel I have gained a more realistic outlook on many rulings and fatwas I thought were hard in Islam when I was new to the faith. Now as I look at polygyny, I see it as a gift from Allah, in all his wisdom, he has allowed for a man to take more than one wife. I feel that this can be a blessing for both the man and the woman.

In my opinion, I will state, I feel that it is important for a woman to be married in this society. I feel that there are many situations that should be done by a man. Such as: maintenance work, dealing with workers, paying bills and other basic things which are done differently in this country compared to western cultures. I feel these situations that need a man are difficult for a woman to do by herself. She will get gawked at and harassed if she is doing these duties alone.

WHAT CAN POLYGYNY GIVE?

As I have stated, I feel polygyny can be a gift for both the man and the woman. For instance, say a woman who is divorced or widowed finds herself alone with children, a polygynist situation may be ideal for her. In most cases, single men do not want a ready-made family, the woman herself may not want anymore children, and also finding a divorced or widower isn't easy. However, it may be possible to find a man that is willing to take her as a second wife, accept her children as his own and maybe love those children as he loves his own. It would give the woman and children a sense of stability, a sense of family, a sense of belonging; they would feel loved and respected by her new husband and she wouldn't feel as if she were alone in this world and in this life. It would also give the woman a best friend, someone she could rely on when she is down or when she doesn't know where to turn.

A woman can find in a polygynist marriage a real companion. Yes, she may not have him all the time. However, if the man is able to arrange himself in the correct way, she will find a man that will love and respect her. She will grow to know and understand that he loves her, even when he is away with one of his other wives.

Just because a man takes another wife, in my opinion, it has nothing to do with the love he feels for his other wife. He still loves her in most cases, but maybe he found someone that can complete him in another way. Some first wives may say, "This woman was after my husband." In most cases, this will be an incorrect statement. Sometimes love happens at the work place. Sometimes there is a man with a good heart and he sees a single woman struggling with her children and he wants to be there for her, but in the halal way; in many cases, going against their families to do so. In this regard, I would have to say these men are the best of the best.

There will be a lot of doubts, anger, tears and jealousy at the beginning of the marriage. This is something natural and something that all concerned should expect. It takes a strong man to ride these problems out. However, I firmly believe, those having strength in Allah will be able to ride these problems out and in some cases the co-wives becoming the best of friends. This of course would be the ideal situation, when the wives can live in peace, in friendship, and not put stress on their husband.

It would be difficult for any woman coming from a marriage that she was the one and only and going into a marriage where she would have to share a husband. Subhan'allah, many women have learned to deal with it by the grace of Allah. As for me, I could have never imagined myself in such a situation five years ago, but now as I have grown both in faith and maturity, I found it is easy for me and I have no problem dealing with this situation. Yes, I do have issues with jealousy; but what woman doesn't? However, I have learned to control those issues and keep them to myself.

Many women that I know in plural marriages have told me that they feel they have made right decision for themselves and their children. Yes, there were doubts on the part of the women, but in most cases not on the part of the husband. He knew he loved his wives, whether they were the first, second and in one case, the third wife. However, all agreed when their husbands asked them to marry them, and for the most part, most of them are happy and wouldn't change their decision- because they love their husbands. They all say their husband makes them very happy and he is doing his best to make things fair for both parties which the wives respect. Yes, of course, as with any marriage there are good days and bad. However, these women also say the good days with their husbands are much more than the bad. One thing they say is that they know in their hearts that all their husbands are good men, good friends, and good fathers to all their children; even to those that aren't theirs and these men do their best to make everyone around them happy. They thank Allah everyday for bringing these men into their lives.

Another thing worth noting is some of these wives are married to their husband in secret. Even though they are not completely satisfied with the situation, but are willing to make this sacrifice because of the love they have for their husbands. Why are these marriages in secret? There are many answers for this question. Some of the men don't want to cause family problems, but they want this woman as their wife, and some others do not want to hurt the first wife. I highly respect both these women and men because the women are willing to take the sacrifice and situation because of the love they feel for their husband, and the men want to marry these women and do the right thing but do not want to hurt others in the process. They all say that the people that need to know about the marriage already know. In some cases the first wife knows but the extended family doesn't. However, the most important thing to remember here is that the couples are happy. Its doesn't matter who knows and who doesn't, what matters is that they are married in front of Allah and that they are happy with each other.

Now, when you mention a situation like this to someone from the West, they do not understand how one could allow such a situation. They will think it's strange, immoral and just downright bizarre. However, if we really look into the western world, we will find polygyny exists, but in the a manner which we can say is haram or forbidden and mostly in secret. When we look at the West, we can actually discover that there are three kinds of polygyny practiced in the western world:

1. A married man, having and supporting mistresses here and there

2. An unmarried man, having a number of girlfriends

3. Ongoing polygyny, meaning one gets married and then divorced, married again, divorced and so one any number of times.

Western cultures take the view that monogamy protects the rights of women. The truth of the matter is that monogamy actually protects men. It allows them to fool around, having haram relationships or affairs without any kind of accountability. The woman in the end is the one who will suffer. She will be alone with unwanted pregnancies and a man that leaves her when he finds out that she is expecting. Islam on the other hand, protects the woman from this kind of ordeal and gives rights to the woman. She has the right to support and she has the society's respect.

Polygyny of the haram is being practiced in America, Europe and other parts of the world: The practice of having a mistress or mistresses. The fact is these men have no legal obligations or responsibilities towards their mistress' or their children. However on the other hand, Muslim husbands have complete legal obligation and responsibilities to take care of and provide for all of his wives and their children. He must provide for all of their needs. This is not required for the men that are having mistresses. He needs not to provide anything for her.

In Islam, there is no doubt that a second wife, who is legally and Islamically married and treated kindly, is better off than a mistress who has no legal rights. In addition, a child born into a polygynist marriage, who has all the rights and privileges of a son or daughter, is much better of than the unwanted or wanted child, born outside of the bonds of marriage.

Sadly, I have heard other Muslim women comment that they would prefer that their husband have an affair than have him marry a second wife! What kind of Muslim woman would prefer that her husband do the haram? What kind of moral status have we become as muslims to even think of such a thing? I would prefer my husband do the halal and not the haram.

I have also run into Muslim men that are against polygyny. They say it's too difficult, and it is not for these days. They state that these rules applied only for the time of the prophet; that one wife is enough and that no man in their right mind would think of another. I must say I want to remind these men, the Islamic rules of yesteryear are the same rules that should be applied today, especially those dealing with morality, marriage and divorce. Some of these men would just prefer to have an affair then give "their woman" the rightful Islamic rights as his wife.

Polygyny solves the problem of adultery among men. It also minimizes divorce as men are given the option to marry other women of their choice without having to divorce their present wife. It puts a stop to the occurrence of sexually transmitted diseases. It also eliminates infidelity, therefore, greatly dropping the amount of children born out of the bonds of marriage. Children that have been born out of the bonds of marriage are usually not accepted by society in the same way that their mothers are being looked down upon by the society.

In ending, I want to share a story about four co-wives I once knew. When I first came to Oman I met four charming women that were married to the same man. The women were so close to each other; they went everywhere and did everything together. They all lived in the same house. They helped with the household and took care of each others children. I had never seen anything like it. They told me once, "We all love our husband, but we need each other more than we need him." One day while traveling to Dubai one of the co-wives was in a horrible traffic accident and died. I went to see the other co-wives and they were torn apart about the death of their co-wife and sister. They didn't know what they were going to do without her. They loved her so much and so deeply. This is what being a real co-wife should be like. Not jealousy or plotting against your co—wife. It should be true sisterhood.

I conclude, by again saying that I feel that polygyny is both a gift for both men and women for the reason that in polygyny the women and children have rights as offspring and wives of the man. Also it can bring the women together as one family and bring together true sisterhood, if the circumstances allow. It can give a divorced or widowed woman a home and family. What ever the disadvantages of polygyny the advantages are much greater.

Special Needs Children in Oman

I am an Omani/American teenager living in Oman and my mother is a special needs teacher. When she first started working here she worked as an elementary school teacher, but then realized she was much more needed as a special needs teacher.

In the United States and Europe special needs children are educated and cared for and treated as ordinary children, regardless of disability. They are trained to work and be dependant on themselves. However, in Arabian countries such as Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt this is not the case. These children are looked upon as a shame and embarrassment on society. The governments believe they are incapable of succeeding in anything. They are locked away in their houses without any form of education at all. My own brother, a dyslexic child, was tossed out of his school for his mild special needs. The teachers could not understand he had a mild problem and believed him to be incapable of learning.

My mother has opened the first special needs educational center in Oman to educate these children. My two brothers are among these children as are so many others she private tutored over the years since no school in this country will take special needs children apart from government centers that mainly keep the children busy for the day just to get them out of their parents' way.

I have volunteered at the center as a helper and have had the advantage to watch these children gain a true education and reach success at the end of the school year. These children are truly special children. They may be different, but they are truly capable of succeeding, despite the government's view on these children.

For more information on the center and our special children you may go to the website:
clc-om.com