Misconception About Islam 3

Muslims worship a different God.

Allah is simply the Arabic word for God. For Muslims Allah is the greatest and most inclusive of the Names of God, it is an Arabic word of rich meaning, denoting the one and only God and ascribing no partners to Him. It is exactly the same word which the Jews, in Hebrew, use for God (eloh), the word which Jesus Christ used in Aramaic when he prayed to God. God has an identical name in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; Allah is the same God worshiped by Muslims, Christians and Jews.

Muslims believe that Allah's sovereignty is to be acknowledged in worship and in the pledge to obey His teaching and commandments, conveyed through His messengers and prophets who weresent at various times and in many places throughout history.However, it should be noted that God in Islam is One and Only. He, the Exalted, does not get tired, does not have a son ie Jesus or have associates, nor does He have human-like attributions as found in other faiths.

Misconception About Islam 2

Islam Oppresses Women

The image of the typical Muslim woman wearing the veil and forced to stay home and forbidden to drive is all too common in most peoples thoughts. Although some Muslim countries may have laws that oppress women, this should not be seen as coming from Islam. Many of these countries do not rule by any kind of Shari'ah (Islamic law) and introduce their own cultural standpoints on the issue of gender equity.

Islam on the other hand gives men and women different roles and equity between the two is laid down in the Quran and the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Islam sees a woman, whether single or married, as an individual in her own right, with the right to own and dispose of her property and earnings. A marriage gift is given by the groom to the bride for her own personal use, and she keeps her own family name rather than taking her husband's. Both men and women are expected to dress in a way that is modest and dignified. The Messenger of God (peace be upon him) said: "The most perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best in manner and kindest to his wife."

Violence of any kind towards women and forcing them against their will for anything is not allowed. A Muslim marriage is a simple, legal agreement in which either partner is free to include conditions. Marriage customs thus vary widely from country to country. Divorce is not common, although it is acceptable as a last resort. According to Islam, a Muslim girl cannot be forced to marry against her will: her parents simply suggest young men they think may be suitable.

Top 10 Misconceptions about Islam

Misconception 1
Muslims are violent, terrorists or extremists.

This is the biggest misconception in Islam, no doubt resulting from the constant stereotyping and bashing the media gives Islam. When a gunman attacks a mosque in the name of Judaism, a Catholic IR guerrilla sets off a bomb in an urban area, or Serbian Orthodox militiamen rape and kill innocent Muslim civilians, these acts are not used to stereotype an entire faith. Never are these acts attributed to the religion of the perpetrators. Yet how many times have we heard the words 'Islamic, Muslim fundamentalist. etc.' linked with violence.

Politics in so called "Muslim countries" may or may not have any Islamic basis. Often dictators and politicians will use the name of Islam for their own purposes. One should remember to go to the source of Islam and separate what the true religion of Islam says from what is portrayed in the media. Islam literally means 'submission to God' and is derived from a root word meaning 'peace'.

Islam may seem exotic or even extreme in the modern world. Perhaps this is because religion doesn't dominate everyday life in the West, whereas Islam is considered a 'way of life' for Muslims and they make no division between secular and sacred in their lives. Like Christianity, Islam permits fighting in self-defense, in defense of religion, or on the part of those who have been expelled forcibly from their homes. It lays down strict rules of combat which include prohibitions against harming civilians and against destroying crops, trees and livestock.

NOWHERE DOES ISLAM ENJOIN THE KILLING OF INNOCENTS

The Quran says: "Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors." (Quran 2:190) "If they seek peace, then seek you peace. And trust in God for He is the One that heareth and knoweth all things." (Quran 8:61) War, therefore, is the last resort, and is subject to the rigorous conditions laid down by the sacred law. The term 'jihad' literally means 'struggle'. Muslims believe that there are two kinds of jihad. The other 'jihad' is the inner struggle of the soul which everyone wages against egotistic desires for the sake of attaining inner peace.

Story about Masjid al-Aqsa

Sûrah Al-Isrâ' (The Journey by Night) XVII , Ayât 1

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلا مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الأقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا إِنَّه هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ

Glorified (and Exalted) is He (Allâh) [Above all that (evil) they associate with Him] {Tafsîr Qurtubî} Who took His slave (Muhammad Sala-llahu Alahi Wa Salam) for a Journey by Night from Al Masjid Al Harâm (at Makkah) to Al Masjid Al Aqsa (in Jerusalem), the neighbourhood whereof We have blessed, in order that We might show Him (Muhammad Sala-llahu Alahi Wa Salam) of Our Ayât's (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer. (TMQ* 17 : 1)

Al Masjid Al Aqsa is the second Masjid ever to be build for the sole worship of Allâh Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala. Throughout the ages Al Masjid Al Aqsa has suffered many transformations and destruction. When Umar Ibn Khattab Radi-Allahu 'anhu entered Bait Al-Maqdis in 15 Ah he ordered that the area, where he believed the Masjid location had been, to be cleared to start the building of the initial structure of the Masjid. The actual building started in 18 AH and the Masjid was made out of timber. Abd Al Malik Ibn Marwan began the construction of Al Masjid Al Aqsa in its new shape and structure but it was his son Al Waleed who completed it in 90 AH. The present structure has remained essentially intact since it was last reconstructed in 424 AH by Al Khalifah Ath-Thaahir who did not alter it from its previous architecture; he only narrowed it on each of its east and west sides.

Nowadays, there is a very unique phenomenon; unfortunately too many Muslims do not understand to differences between Al Masjid Al Aqsa and The Dome of the Rock (Qubbat al-Sakhra). There are pictures of the Dome of the Rock and misinterpret that to be Al Masjid Al Aqsa and vice versa; there is a difference. Al Masjid Al Aqsa is the place of prayer and is situated in the southern portion of the plateau (see the picture on the right), and the Dome of the Rock is an architectural structure built on the raised rock (from the Prophet Muhammad Sala-llahu Alahi Wa Sala accession during the Isrâ and Mi'raj) that is situated in the middle of the plateau in Jerusalem.

Why this confusion? The main reason is simple lack of knowledge and understanding. Whenever there is mention of Al Masjid Al Aqsa, pictures of The Dome of the Rock appear in the media and newspapers. We even have similar posters in our homes, offices and schools of The Dome of the Rock with our belief it is Al Masjid Al Aqsa. It's the ubiquitous plan to eventually try to destroy Al Masjid Al Aqsa and build a temple on that location, and if anyone complains they will be shown pictures of The Dome of the Rock as justification that in fact it has not been destroyed. We have to educate ourselves and the Islâmic community so we do not fall prey to systematic plan to destroy our Islâmic culture, customs, values, beliefs and history.

The Dome of the Rock was built by Khalifah Abd Al Malik Ibn Marwan in 72 AH. It says in al-Mawsoo’ah al-Filasteeniyyah (4/203): “The name Al Masjid Al Aqsa was historically applied to the entire sanctuary (al-Haram al-Shareef) and the buildings in it, the most important of which is the Dome of the Rock which was built by ‘Abd Al Malik Ibn Marwan in 72 AH/691 CE, which is regarded as one of the greatest Islamic historical buildings. But today the name is applied to the great mosque which is situated in the southern part of the sanctuary plateau.”

This is supported by the words of Sheikh al Islam Ibn Taimiyah in Majmoo’at al-Rasaa’il al-Kubra, 2/61: “Al Masjid Al Aqsa is the name for the whole of the place of worship built by Sulaimân Alahi Wa Salam. Some people started to give the name of Al Masjid Al Aqsa to the Salât-place which was built by ‘Umar Ibn al Khattab Radi-Allahu 'anhu in front of it. Perform Salât this Salât-place which ‘Umar Radi-Allahu 'anhu built for the Muslims is better than perform Salât in the rest of the Masjid.

The importance of Al Masjid Al Aqsa and Jerusalem has been central to the Muslim Ummah since its creation.

Abû Dharr Radi-Allahu 'anhu he asked Prophet Muhammad Sala-llahu Alahi Wa Salam,

'O Messenger Sala-llahu Alahi Wa Salam of Allâh Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, which Masjid was built first on earth first? He said, 'Al Masjid Al Harâm (in Makkah).' I said 'Then which?' He said, 'Al Masjid Al Aqsa' I said how much time was there between them? He said, ' Forty years'. So wherever you are when the time for prayer comes pray, for that is the best thing to do'

(Sahîh Al Bukhâri and Sahîh Muslim (TMH**)

Al Masjid Al Aqsa was the first Qiblah. Muhammad Sala-llahu Alahi Wa Salam and his followers perform Salât for 16 months towards the Al Masjid Al Aqsa, until the Qiblah was changed towards the Ka'bah in Makkah. It was at Al Masjid Al Aqsa where Prophet Muhammad Sala-llahu Alahi Wa Salam led all of the Prophets Alahi Wa Salam of Allâh Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala that came before him in Salât and then ascended to Jannah to receive Allâh Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala command to the Muslims to perform Salât 5 times a day. Therefore , the whole of Al Masjid Al Aqsa area is unique in that this is the only place on earth where all the Prophets Alahi Wa Salam preformed Salât in congregation.

Al Masjid Al Aqsa also represents one of only three Masjid's where we are recommended to visit for sole purpose of praying Salât. The virtues of praying in Al Masjid Al Aqsa are multiplied by a thousand times.

Abu Hurairah Radi-Allahu 'anhu is quoted as saying that Allâh Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala Messenger said: '"There are only three Masjid's to which you should embark on a journey: the sacred Masjid (Al Masjid Al Harâm (Makkah Saudi Arabia), this Masjid of mine (Al Masjid Al Madînah An Nadi, Madînah Saudi Arabia), and the Al Masjid Al Aqsa (Jerusalem)."

( Sahîh Al Bukhâri and Sahîh Muslim TMH**)

The virtues of perform Salât in Al Masjid Al Aqsa are exalted:

Abû Dardaa Radi-Allahu 'anhu is quoted as saying the Prophet Muhammad Sala-llahu Alahi Wa Salam said a Salât in the Sacred Masjid (Al Masjid Al Harâm (Makkah Saudi Arabia) is worth 100.000 Salât, a Salât in Masjid of mine (Al Masjid Al Madînah An Nadi, Madînah Saudi Arabia) is worth 1.000 and a Salât in Al Masjid Al Aqsa (Jerusalem) is worth 500 Salât more then any other Masjid.

(Sahîh Al Bukhâri TMH**)

Allâh Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala through Ayât's (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) in the Qur'ân Al Kareem, Prophet Muhammad Sala-llahu Alahi Wa Salam teachings and his visiting Al Masjid Al Aqsa during Isrâ and Mi'râj has made this Masjid central to our belief. During these times of conflicts, persecution and blatant daily injustices, we as Muslims should perform Salât for the safety of Al Masjid Al Aqsa, The Dome of Rock, its surroundings areas and our Muslim brothers and sisters who struggle to restore and keep this land in peace for all the people Insha' Allah.

* = Translation of the Meaning of the Qur'ân Al Kareem. This translation is for the realized meaning, so far, of the stated (Sûrah : Ayât) of the Qur'ân Al Kareem. Reading the translated meaning of the Qur'ân Al Kareem can never replace reading it in Arabic, the language in which it was revealed.

**= Translation of the Meaning of the Ahâdith or Hadîth. This translation is for the realized meaning, so far, of the stated of the Ahâdith or Hadîth. Reading the translated meaning of the Ahâdith or Hadîth can never replace reading it in Arabic, the language in which it was revealed

source from : www.dawaatelislam.com

Difference Between al-Aqsa Mosque and al-Qubbah al-Shakhrah Mosque (Dome Of The Rock)

al-Qubbah al-Sakhrah Mosque View

al-Aqsa Mosque View

al-Qubbah al-Sakhrah Mosque (The Dome of The Rock)

al-Aqsa Mosque

For all the muslims brother and sisters, hopefully you could continue you fasting with your best. This post also talking about the difference between al-Aqsa Mosque and the Qubbah al-Sakhrah Mosque ( The Dome Of The Rock) which always make some of us confuse and this thing already planned by them which hate Islam and Muslim. So to avoid this confuse remain, all of you could see all these picture above, and you can see the difference of these two buildings clearly and make yourself clear too. We also should tell to all of our friends about this things to make sure they also have no missperception.