Tell me what you know about Islam

After discussing here i realised that islam is really alien to most so got an idea to just find out what is the level of knowledge about islam among posters.
So can you all just post in short what you know about islam, i am hopeful that it would be educating and entertaining. Do post even if you know or heard weird things too.
Let me start by stating an example i heard from a friend.
"muslims dont like pigs because once a pig drenched in filth rubbed itself on the wall of a mosque and soiled it"

I don't know a great deal about Islam to be fair but I will list the main points that I know.

Islamist believe that they have been put on this earth to beg for Allah's forgiveness and to be allowed back into their "heaven". Their sole purpose on this earth is to pray to Allah.

They do not eat pork because it has been classed as an unclean animal.

All things other than humans have been put on this earth for us by Allah, they do not have soul's like us humans so it is ok to eat them.

You are not allowed to be intoxicated.

You must give to charity or be charitable and not harm anybody.

Only Allah can convert a non believer to Islam and we must not try to convert.

reply to post by michael1983l


nice! And you know close enough. Sending on earth is a test.
Sole purpose is to worship, but not just sit in masjid(mosque) and pray, doing the right things, standing up for justice, helping Allah's creation is all worship. Animals have souls but yes some are permitted to be eaten if we thank and acknowledge Allah before slaughtering them. The last, yes only Allah can make a person believe so a muslim's job is to just give information and not take it as an ego challenge to push Islam down someone's throat.

I know the ones I've met are good people. The Islamic extremist have given a generally peaceful and loving group of people a bad name. In my experience, they're no different than you or I. ...everyday people following what they believe to be a greater truth. A truth that resides at the core of every religion I've encountered. Anything else is purely aesthetic.

reply to post by OpsSpecialist


True Muslim people are generally the most generous I have ever met. Their religion commands that they help those less well off than them and they do this with pride. The Charitable Donations the UK gave to Pakistan after there recent disaster was huge in comparrison to most other foreign nations and this was mainly down to the large , wealthy and charitable Muslim population we have in the UK.

Religion is a boundry for fear, when others do not understand their view point and culture. One day we will all realise that it is not what religious belief the person has but what the persons intentions are that matter. I am not scared of the UK gaining a large Muslim population as long as each others cultures and beliefs are respected.

reply to post by OpsSpecialist

I know the ones I've met are good people.

i have read this statement a lot here. Yes in general the people who dont know muslims have a worst opinion.

In my experience, they're no different than you or I. ...everyday people following what they believe to be a greater truth. A truth that resides at the core of every religion I've encountered. Anything else is purely aesthetic.

thats true, if the layers are cleared away the core is the same truth.

reply to post by logical7
They are different people than I am they have different view's than I do.I've read information that they are really strict people and catching a beating or the death penalty for simple crimes over their is a commonplace.I heard they beat their wife's,and children.They are kinda mean and cold hearted bunch from what my intel has gathered.

Originally posted by Onewhoknowsjesus
reply to post by logical7

 

They are different people than I am they have different view's than I do.I've read information that they are really strict people and catching a beating or the death penalty for simple crimes over their is a commonplace.I heard they beat their wife's,and children.They are kinda mean and cold hearted bunch from what my intel has gathered.

thanx for replying. yes there are strict muslims, strict to a fault. The wife and children being beaten also happens, but there are other factors playing too, developing countries have illiteracy, poverty etc that makes gender equality a dream.
In general, in muslim families too the wife rules just like anywhere, if you know what i mean!

reply to post by Onewhoknowsjesus


That was once common place in Christianity too and still is in some parts of the world.

I know my wife teaches muslims and at Christmas when they made a hamper for the less fortunate one girl refused as it was a christian thing.
I also know the whole class (muslims) turned on her (the girl) and said that helping the needy is a pillar of their faith and how dare she not contribute.

Similar levels to Michael1983l, plus a bit on Muslim marriage - i had to teach R.E (amongst other subjects) in a previous career. That said, religion is not a specialist area so, if i am honest, that is an area i was never comfortable teaching in. It was teaching by notes rather than knowledge, if that makes any sense to you.

However, if we are talking about Yusuf Islam (rather than the religion), then not very much at all other than he was Cat Stevens and he has done a few nifty tunes over the years........

Originally posted by cody599
I know my wife teaches muslims and at Christmas when they made a hamper for the less fortunate one girl refused as it was a christian thing.
I also know the whole class (muslims) turned on her (the girl) and said that helping the needy is a pillar of their faith and how dare she not contribute.

interesting! Yes the majority know that the basics/pillars are more important than bycotting a festival on principles and refusing to acknowledge a birthday of another god. Some adults do that too and they lean towards extremism, even some christians refuse to celebrate as its a pagan festival disguised and assimilated into christianity.

reply to post by logical7


I think the kids are more honest as they don't pervert the religion.
It's the power hungry adults that twist it to their own ends.
Regardless of religion (it doesn't seem to be an issue at the school) The important thing (for the kids) is that it snowed and all they get a snow day and get to play A snowball does not respect religion.

reply to post by Flavian


yes i get what you mean, you were giving just information rather than your own knowledge/understand.

However, if we are talking about Yusuf Islam (rather than the religion), then not very much at all other than he was Cat Stevens and he has done a few nifty tunes over the years........

hahaha, NO! I am afraid we are not talking about this Islam, it would not just be off topic but also off section!

reply to post by logical7


I don't know much, but I got a question...

What's that about?

No disrespect intended I just want to understand...

S's&F

Originally posted by Akragon
reply to post by logical7

 

I don't know much, but I got a question...

What's that about?

No disrespect intended I just want to understand...

S's&F

This is a basic start But I'd reccomend reading up on it. I did many years ago and found it fun to research.

reply to post by cody599


I don't wanna read up on it... I'd like to hear it from him...

Thanks though...

Okay, cool thread.

I've read the responses so far.

Before I list my impressions, I want to make it clear that these are my impressions only, and I don't truly "know" about Islam beyond my impressions. In my worldview, I would need to immerse myself in the culture - or at least with people of the culture - to be "knowledgeable". An outsider's view is never the same as a participant or an immediate connection.

Here goes, these are the things I've been made aware of, whether TRUE OR NOT, I don't know.:

-- Islam claims that Mohammed is the last prophet.

-- He was not a pillar of "good behavior".

-- Jesus was a Messiah, and Mohammed was a prophet.

-- Allah is "God", the only "God."

-- Women are to be covered up completely or at least their heads covered, so that they are not "seductive" to men.

-- Women are not allowed to speak to men other than their family members.

-- Muslims have prayer rugs and use those to "pray", wherever or at any time. (I thought they were supposed to face "Mecca" while doing this, but the taxi drivers I saw every day usually aimed North rather than East).

-- They are not to proselytize or try to convert others

-- If a person embraces Islam, they cannot "unembrace it" without penalty.

-- Death is the sentence for any sort of sexual impropriety.

-- No use of mind-altering substances (drink, smoke, etc) ever

-- Infidels should be destroyed. (This point is one I don't get very well at all -- considering some say they honor everyone else's beliefs and want peace). From time to time "leaders" issue "jihads" and "hadiths" against others.

-- Anyone can become an Imam.

-- Martyrs are rewarded with 72 virgins for dying while killing infidels.

-- Sharia law is not bound by secular law (much like the Vatican has their own courts, banks, etc - so does Islam)

-- Certain foods are forbidden

-- They have jinns, djinns, and a belief in satan/hell and devils. (Saw a couple of videos about "flying jinns" going into trees.... )

-- They are not supposed to marry outside their faith. (This I know, however is not followed by all of them)

-- They despise Jews and blame them (and the West for helping them) for their troubles, and want to destroy Israel.

-- They want to conquer the world and make the entire world Muslim and obedient to Sharia law.

-- Anything that is presented that disagrees with the Quran is rejected.

-- They want peace and peaceful coexistence.

-- There are warring sects, (Shia and Sunni - one believes in blood-line inheritance of power only, the other in merit-based power)..

My sources are: what people have told me, what I have witnessed personally, books and texts (such as The Looming Tower, The Kite Runner), members of ATS who have kindly and graciously answered my questions, propaganda junk mail before the election about how brutal "Sharia law" is and that Islam wants to implement Sharia here in the USA.

Please, knock my socks off with disabusing me of my obvious ignorance of the actual practices and beliefs of the faith...
S/F

reply to post by wildtimes




Brutal hun...

*hides in the corner*

reply to post by wildtimes


So in short not much fun
I'll stick to scotch and coke