Extremists
are trying to
DIVIDE us.
are trying to
DIVIDE us.
Let’s UNITE instead.
start with
Discover what True Islam is
directly from Muslims (not the
extremists). Understand these
eleven truths about our faith
directly from Muslims (not the
extremists). Understand these
eleven truths about our faith
True Islam
...is a religion that
True Islam rejects all acts of terrorism. The Holy Quran forbids Muslims from creating disorder in the world: “Do not go about committing iniquity in the earth and causing disorder” (29:37); “They seek to create disorder, and Allah loves not those who create disorder” (5:65); “Seek not to create disorder in the earth. Verily, God loves not those who seek to create disorder” (28:78).
The Holy Quran recognizes the sanctity of all human life: “Whosoever killed a person … it shall be as if he had killed all mankind; and whoso saved a life, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind” (5:33).
True Islam recognizes that no justification exists for terrorism against any individual, government, or nation—for any reason. Therefore, the actions of extremists and terrorists ascribing to Islam are in absolute contravention to Islamic teachings.
The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa rejected all types of terrorism in the name of Islam, even while Muslims faced twelve years of vehement persecution in Mecca. He did not allow any violent response. Instead, the Holy Prophet Muhammadsaordered his followers to migrate to another land. This act was in exact accordance with the Holy Quran’s teachings: “…They will reply, ‘We were treated as weak in the land.’ They will say, “Was not Allah’s earth vast enough for you to emigrate therein?” (4:98). Thus, the Holy Quran teaches that even in the face of intense persecution, a Muslim must sooner emigrate as a means to maintain the peace, rather than retaliate.
True Islam categorically rejects and condemns every form of terrorism. It does not provide any cover or justification for any act of violence, be it committed by an individual, a group or a government. True Islam most strongly condemns all acts and forms of terrorism because not only Islam but also no true religion, whatever its name, can sanction violence and bloodshed of innocent men, women and children in the name of God.
Therefore, True Islam condemns all forms of terrorism.
True Islam recognizes that jihad means to struggle and strive in good works to attain nearness to God. True Islam teaches that violent jihad has no place in today’s world. The Holy Quran declares, “…whosoever killed a person…it shall be as if he had killed all mankind” (5:33). The Holy Quran explicitly places equal value on all human life.
True Islam rejects violent jihad, whether it be against Muslims or non-Muslims. The Holy Quran explains that Muslims are permitted to fight only in specific situations: “Permission to fight is given to those against whom war is made, because they have been wronged” (22:40). True Islamrecognizes that fighting is only permissible in self-defense, and only after an aggressor first wages war. The Holy Quran further clarifies the purpose of war: “And if God did not repel some men by means of others, there would surely have been pulled down cloisters and churches and synagogues and mosques, wherein the name of God is oft commemorated” (22:41). Thus, even when war in self-defense is permitted, its purpose is to ensure freedom of religion for all faiths, not just Islam.
Instead of violent jihad, True Islam champions a bloodless intellectual “jihad of the pen” (part of one’s perennial jihad to acquire knowledge) to engage in dialogue regarding matters of faith, without any compulsion. The Holy Prophet Muhammad’ssa life illustrates this belief. When he became the de facto ruler of Mecca, he forgave his former persecutors on the singular condition that they respect freedom of religion for all faiths—paganism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
In fact, the Holy Quran’s first revealed verses demonstrate that the jihad of the pen is the only way to propagate Islam: “Convey thou in the name of thy Lord Who created, Who created man from a clot of blood. Convey! And thy Lord is most generous, who taught man by the pen” (96:2-5). The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa has reported to have said: “The ink of the scholar is holier than the blood of the martyr.”
Therefore, True Islam advocates non-violent jihad as a fundamental tenet.
True Islam recognizes the practical equity and spiritual equality of men and women. The Holy Quran declares, “But whoso does good works, whether male or female, and is a believer, such shall enter heaven…” (4:125). According to True Islam, the most important goal and greatest objective of a human being is to attain righteousness and nearness to God—and both men and women have equal capacities in achieving this goal.
The Holy Quran states, “Surely men who submit themselves to God, and women who submit themselves to Him, and believing men and believing women, and obedient men and obedient women and truthful men and truthful women, and men steadfast in their faith and steadfast women, and men who are humble and women who are humble, and men who give alms and women who give alms, and men who fast and women who fast, and men who guard their chastity and women who guard their chastity, and men who remember Allah much and women who remember Him—Allah has prepared for all of them forgiveness and a great reward” (33:36). This verse highlights that men and women will be rewarded equally for their actions.
While the spiritual realm is most important, Islam immensely values the equitable status of women in the secular world. Islam was the first religion to champion the educational and economic rights of women. The Holy Prophet Muhammadsaremarked, “It is the duty of every Muslim man and every Muslim woman to acquire knowledge” (Ibne Majah). The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa had such high respect for the knowledge, education, and wisdom of his wives, that he stated, “Half the religion of Islam can be learned from Ayesha.” Indeed, after his death, the entire Muslim community sought the advice of his wives. This demonstrates that women in Islam are respected as important sources of knowledge.
Islam also granted economic rights to women fourteen centuries ago, establishing for women the ability to own, keep, and manage their own property and wealth, to seek divorce, to remarry, to inherit, and to ensure their own economic independence. The Holy Prophet Muhammad’ssafirst wife, Khadijahra, owned and operated her own thriving trade business.
While Islam urges both sexes to dress modestly and guard their eyes, women are enjoined to cover their heads and wear an outer garment to conceal their beauty from strangers. Her dress encourages society to focus on her intellectual merit rather than her physical characteristics. Contrary to some assumptions, Muslim women are active in every sphere of life and are among the most educated women in the world. There are Muslim female heads of state, doctors, lawyers, journalists, engineers, as well as mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters. Therefore, True Islamrecognizes the equity and equality of women.
True Islam teaches that every human being has the right to freedom of speech and freedom of religion without the threat of coercion or punishment. This understanding stems directly from the Holy Quran, which clearly declares, “There is no compulsion in religion” (2:257).
Therefore, True Islam wholeheartedly supports the First Amendment of the United States Constitution as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights—both of which, like True Islam, guarantee freedom of conscience, religion, and speech.
The Holy Quran and the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa demonstrate that True Islam does not sanction death or any other worldly punishment for changing one’s faith (i.e., apostasy). For example, the Holy Quran declares, “And if Allah had enforced His will, they would not have set up gods with Him. And We have not made [Muhammad] a keeper over them nor art thou over them a guardian” (6:108). This verse demonstrates that no person has any right to compel others in matters of faith. Forced faith is no faith at all. True Islam recognizes that Islam only permits capital punishment as a possible consequence of murder or treason.
In response to those who insult or deride Islam, i.e. commit “blasphemy,” True Islam advocates complete restraint, just as the Holy Quran prescribes: “And the servants of the Gracious God are those who walk on the earth in a dignified manner, and when the ignorant address them, they say, ‘Peace!’” (25:64). Moreover, the Holy Quran addresses blasphemy on five separate occasions but never permits any worldly punishment for it. Accordingly, True Islamopposes the current anti-blasphemy laws in Muslim-majority countries.
True Islam condemn any worldly punishment levied upon an apostate or a blasphemer because it recognizes that only God can judge any act of apostasy or blasphemy. Therefore, True Islamadvocates freedom of conscience, religion, and speech as a fundamental tenet of Islam.
True Islam teaches that Islam advocates complete separation of mosque and state. The Holy Quran does not endorse a specific form of government, but instead requires that justice oversee whatever form is used: “Verily, God commands you to make over the trusts to those entitled to them, and that, when you govern between men, you judge with justice” (4:59). Therefore, True Islam recognizes that justice, not religion, is the determinative factor when governing society.
The Holy Quran categorically forbids imposition of Islamic Shariah and forbids all religious compulsion, stating, “There is no compulsion in matters of faith” (2:257). Any attempt to implement Shariah on non-Muslims would be tantamount to coercion, and therefore function in direct opposition to the Holy Quran.
In Arabic, Shariah simply means “a path” and refers to the rules and customs that guide Muslim life in aspects ranging from daily prayers to familial and financial matters. The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa never imposed Islamic Shariah on non-Muslims. On the contrary, as the de facto ruler of Arabia, he settled disputes between Arab citizens according to their individual faiths—offering them a choice between the Jewish law, Islamic Shariah, or secular arbitration. Therefore, Islamic precedent ensures a strict separation of mosque and state, especially with matters pertaining to non-Muslim minorities.
Likewise, the Holy Quran, while addressing the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, states, “Admonish, therefore, for thou art but an admonisher; thou art not appointed a keeper over them” (88:22-23). The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa was accountable for the plain delivery of the message, not its imposition. True Islam recognizes that like the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, no Muslim can require others to adhere to Islam.
Islam pleads for the secular type of government more than any religion and more than any political system. The very essence of secularism is that absolute justice must be practiced regardless of the differences of faith and religion and color and creed and group. This is exactly what the Holy Quran admonishes us to do in matters of state.
Therefore, True Islam recognizes that separation of mosque and state.
True Islam requires a Muslim’s loyalty and obedience to their respective country of residence and laws. The Holy Quran states, “O ye who believe, obey Allah and obey the Prophet and obey those in authority from among you” (4:60).
This verse demonstrates that a Muslim’s obedience and loyalty to the government is required, regardless of the faith of those in power. In this respect, the Holy Prophet Muhammadsadeclared, “You should listen to and obey your ruler, even if you [despise him]” (Bukhari). Likewise, the Holy Prophet Muhammadsainstructed that obedience to the government is a religious duty: “Whoso obeys the ruler obeys me, and whoso disobeys the ruler disobeys me” (Muslim).
The Holy Prophet Muhammad’ssa life reflected this teaching. Despite enduring bitter persecution for more than 12 years in Mecca, the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa and his followers did not defy the Meccan government. Rather, the Muslims peacefully left Mecca, abstaining from sowing any seed of dissension—exemplifying the Quranic teaching, “Create not disorder in the earth” (7:57).
True Islam teaches that Muslims are not only obligated to obey their government, they must also be grateful for the rights and freedoms their governments provide. Indeed, the Holy Quran reminds Muslims, “Is the reward of goodness anything but goodness?” (55:61). Because American Muslims benefit from this country’s freedoms, they are duty-bound to repay the government with their loyalty. The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa declared, “He who is not grateful to his people can never be truly grateful to God.”
Loyalty and gratitude to America do not forbid dissent. Dissent must be expressed, however, within the confines of the law—no Muslim can take the law into his own hands. The Holy Quran states that creating disorder and threatening the stability of a society is a path to damnation, not salvation (2:12-16).
Therefore, True Islam advocates loyalty to one’s own country as a fundamental tenet.
True Islam values all human life, recognizing universal human rights as a fundamental tenet of Islam. True Islam emphasizes that mankind’s equality derives from man sharing a Single Creator and rejects any notion of racial or ethnic superiority. The Holy Quran states, “O mankind, We have created you from a male and a female; and we have made you tribes and subtribes that you may know one another. Verily the most honorable among you in the sight of Allah is he who is the most righteous among you. Surely Allah is All Knowing, All Aware” (49:14). Therefore, True Islam rejects any concept of inequality in mankind, and instead encompasses the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Moreover, in his farewell sermon Prophet Muhammadsa declared, “All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor does a black have any superiority over a white except by piety and good action.” Therefore, True Islam treats all mankind equally, regardless of their race or nationality.
Upon enjoining one to be kind to his parents, the Holy Quran extends this teaching to all of mankind, “And worship Allah and associate naught with Him and show kindness to parents, and to kindred, and orphans, and the needy, and to the neighbor who is a kinsman, and the neighbor who is a strange, and the companion by your side and the wayfarer and those from whom your right hand possess. Surely Allah loves not the arrogant and the boastful” (4:37). Furthermore, the Prophet Muhammadsa stated, “You are as brothers, one to another, so let no one transgress another nor leave one another to endure transgression unaided” (Tirmidhi).
Therefore, True Islam advocates universal human rights.
True Islam teaches that every verse of the Holy Quran is valid and that there are no superfluous or contradictory verses. The Holy Quran states it contains “no excess” (6:39).
Extremists, attempting to exploit Islam, argue that so-called ‘violent’ verses abrogate any Quranic verses advocating peace. For example, they argue that verse 9:5, “And when the forbidden months have passed, kill the idolaters wherever you find them and take them prisoners, and beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them at every place of ambush …” abrogates 2:257 “There is no compulsion in religion.” However, 9:5 refers to actions Muslims are permitted to take in self-defense when attacked while 2:257 demonstrates that under no circumstance are Muslims ever allowed to compel their faith on others. No contradiction or abrogation exists. Extremists also cite, “Whatever Sign We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring one better than that or the like thereof …” (2:107), to demonstrate that later verses abrogate earlier verses. However, this misguided view disregards the fact uncovered from simple contextual examination that 2:107 refers to the abrogation of previous non-Muslim scriptures, not previous Quranic verses.
The Holy Quran declares, “He it is Who has sent down to thee the Book; in it there are verses that are decisive in meaning—they are the basis of the Book—and there are others that are susceptible of different interpretations. But those in whose hearts is perversity pursue such thereof as are susceptible of different interpretations, seeking discord and seeking wrong interpretation of it. And none knows its right interpretation except Allah and those who are firmly grounded in knowledge; they say, ‘We believe in it; the whole is from our Lord.’ — And none heed except those gifted with understanding” (3:8) and “Allah has sent down the best Message in the form of a Book, whose verses are mutually supporting…” (39:24). The Holy Qur’an declares that its mutually supporting verses and complete Divine origin categorically reject abrogation.
Extremists—Muslims and non-Muslims alike—also argue that Islam permits treachery (“taqiyya”). But this belief is utterly false. The Holy Quran states, “And confound not truth with falsehood nor hide the truth, knowingly” (2:43), and “Therefore follow not low desires so that you may be able to act equitably. And if you conceal the truth or evade it, then remember that Allah is well aware of what you do” (4:136). The Holy Prophet Muhammadsaalso instructed Muslims, “It is obligatory for you to tell the truth” (Muslim). This demonstrates that deception and lying are incompatible with Islam.
Therefore, True Islam categorically rejects the doctrine of abrogation and lying (taqiyya).
True Islam recognizes that no one religion holds a monopoly over salvation. The Holy Quran clearly supports this belief as it declares, “Surely, those who believe and the Jews and the Christians and the Sabians—whichever party from among these truly believes in God and the Last Day and does good deeds shall have their reward with their Lord, and no fear shall come upon them, nor shall they grieve” (2:63).
This verse demonstrates that it is not just Muslims who will receive the rewards of their good deeds. Jews, and Christians, and Sabians—those who are of non-Abrahamic religions—will all be rewarded for their good deeds and their faith. Indeed, it is impossible for Muslims to declare a monopoly on salvation when the Holy Quran clearly states that those of other religions who do good deeds will have no fear.
True Islam recognizes that the right to decide who goes to heaven and who goes to hell is one that is exclusive to God. Human beings—Muslims or otherwise—cannot make this decision. Likewise, the Holy Quran states, “As to those who believe…verily, Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection. Surely, Allah watches over all things” (22:18).
The Holy Quran is likewise clear that God’s grace and mercy are His most powerful attributes: “God replied, I will inflict My punishment on whom I will; but My mercy encompasses all things” (7:157). Therefore, True Islam recognize that ultimately, God’s mercy will encompass all human beings, regardless of their faith. Indeed, True Islamteaches that if mercy were not one of the attributes of God, no one would be delivered.
Therefore, True Islam rejects any type of a monopoly on salvation.
True Islam believes in unified spiritual leadership to peacefully guide Muslims. This understanding stems directly from the Holy Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad’ssa example.
Indeed, the Qur’an teaches that sectarian violence exists today as a form of punishment from God for refusal to unite under spiritual leadership, “Say, ‘He has power to send punishment upon you from above you or from beneath your feet, or to confound you by splitting you into sects and make you taste the violence of one another.’” (6:66) Therefore, the Holy Qur’an implores Muslims to promote peace by remaining united, “Hold fast, all together, by the rope of Allah and be not divided; and remember the favour of Allah which He bestowed upon you when you were enemies and He united your hearts in love, so that by His grace you became as brothers; and you were on the brink of a pit of fire and He saved you from it.” (3:104) Therefore, True Islam teaches it is incumbent upon Muslims to remain united as one community, as that is the best protection against violence and discord.
Prophet Muhammad’ssa practical example demonstrates the Qur’anic teaching to ‘be not divided.’ As the Chief of Medina, Prophet Muhammad kept Muslims unified and established the secular Charter of Medina. Article 15 of the Charter of Medina says, for example, “Believers (i.e. Muslims) are all friends of one another…” Likewise in Article 19 the Prophet Muhammad wrote, “The peace of the Believers of the State of Medina cannot be divided.”
In his farewell sermon Prophet Muhammadsadeclared to all Muslims everywhere, “Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood.” Muslims embraced this teaching and upon Prophet Muhammad’ssa demise, Muslims everywhere united under the Islamic institution of Divinely appointed Caliphate. This was according to the Qur’anic teaching that God Himself establishes Islamic leadership for those who believe in God and serve humanity, “Allah has promised to those among you who believe and do good works that He will surely make them Successors in the earth, as He made Successors from among those who were before them; and that He will surely establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them; and that He will surely give them in exchange security and peace after their fear.” (24:56)
Therefore, True Islam believes in Divinely appointed spiritual Khilafat.
True Islam rejects the concept of a bloody Messiah. The Holy Quran states that any “Messenger is only responsible for the clear conveying of the Message” (29:19). This verse demonstrates that each prophet is sent to simply convey a message and cannot resort to force.
The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa foretold the advent of a Messiah in the latter days of Islam. But in misrepresenting the words of the Holy Prophet, some Muslims believe that the Messiah will literally break crosses and literally kill swine—destroying anyone who opposes him. Contrary to these misrepresentations, True Islam recognizes that the Messiah may only use logical reasoning and powerful arguments, never violence, to illustrate the true teachings of Islam. Likewise, True Islam recognizes that the Messiah can never attempt to bring harm to those who do not accept Islam.
According to extremists, the alleged bloody Messiah will literally exterminate all swine. True Islam recognizes that this is a metaphorical prophecy to signify that the Messiah would exterminate uncouth and impure conduct. Throughout the history of mankind, no prophet of God ever engaged in the bloody feats that extremists attribute to the second coming of the Messiah. The real task assigned to the awaited Messiah in this prophecy was to lovingly guide mankind away from inhumane behavior.
That is why True Islam teaches that the awaited Messiah will be a peaceful prophet. He will rid the world of injustice and misguided beliefs through rational and logical arguments—not violence. This belief is in exact accordance with the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa: “I swear by Him Who has my life in His hand that the Son of Mary will indeed descend among you, and he will arbitrate with justice.” (Bukhari)
Therefore, True Islam rejects the concept of a bloody Messiah because it is a concept wholly contradictory to Islam and the Holy Quran.
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