What Are the Most Common Misconceptions About Islam?
Answered by Shaykh Bassem Itani
Question
What are the most common misconceptions and assumptions about Islam?
Answer
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, his Family, and all his Companions.
Common Misconceptions About Islam
Some of the most common misconceptions and assumptions about Islam include doubts about the authenticity of the Quran, skepticism toward the Sunna (Prophetic tradition), and the claim that Islam spread by the sword. Other misconceptions include misunderstandings about polygamy, false accusations regarding the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) character, and misunderstandings about inheritance laws, such as the inheritance of a female being half that of a male.
Further misconceptions involve the value of a woman’s testimony being half that of a man’s, claims that women are deficient in intellect and religion, and misunderstandings regarding the hijab. The hadith “A people who appoint a woman as their leader will not succeed” is often misinterpreted, contributing to the false idea that Islam oppresses women.
Additional misconceptions include the belief that Muslims do not revere Jesus (peace be upon him), the idea that Muslims worship the Ka‘ba, and the claim that Islam promotes terrorism, along with the widespread phenomenon of Islamophobia.
Correcting Misunderstandings
These misconceptions arise from a lack of proper understanding, which can be corrected through a sound, comprehensive, and well-informed grasp of Shari‘a (Sacred Law).
To effectively refute these fallacies, one must seek answers from knowledgeable scholars and experts in this field. Our refutation of these misconceptions is based on the belief that Islamic Sacred Law is a divine revelation from Allah alone, delivered to the heart of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who conveyed it truthfully. Allah (Most High) says,
“Your fellow man is neither misguided nor astray. Nor does he speak of his own whims. It is only a revelation sent down (to him).” [Quran, 53:2-4]
Recommended Resources for Further Study
Numerous seminars and conferences have been held, and many books have been authored to address misconceptions about Islam. I recommend the following books for a detailed response to common misconceptions:
- “Difa‘ ‘an al-Sunna wa Radd Shuba al-Mustashriqin” by Abu Shahba
- “Qissat al-Iman” by Nadim Jisr
- “Al-Islam fi Qafs al-Ittiham“ by Dr. Shawqi Abu Khalil
- “Haqa’iq al-Islam wa Abatil Khusumihi” by ‘Aqqad
Additionally, there are hundreds of other valuable resources. I also direct you to the Al-Azhar website, which offers a dedicated page for “Haqa’iq al-Islam fi Muwajihat al-Mushakkikin” (The Truth of Islam in the Face of Deniers) that systematically addresses and refutes the accusations made against the Quran and Sunna.
And Allah is the source of guidance.
[Shaykh] Bassem Itani
Shaykh Dr. Bassem Hussayn Itani was born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1965. He earned his Ph.D. in Islamic Studies in 2005. Among his mentors were Shaykh Muhammad Taha Sukkar, Shaykh Adib al-Kallas, Shaykh Mulla Abdul ‘Alim al-Zinki, Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Shaghouri, Shaykh Abdul Razzaq al-Halabi, Shaykh Dr. Mustafa Dib al-Bugha, Shaykh Dr. Wahba al-Zuhayli, Dr. Muhammad al-Zuhayli, and others, may Allah have mercy on them all.
Shaykh Itani has a rich background in both academic and administrative fields. He has held significant positions in many governmental and non-governmental institutions in Lebanon and abroad. This includes his role as a member of the Academic Committee at SeekersGuidance and a senior teacher with the free online global seminary.
From 2020 to 2021, he served as the Dean of the College of Da‘wa – University for Islamic Studies (Lebanon) – Postgraduate Studies. He was the Director of Dar Iqra for Islamic Sciences from 1998 to 2018. Shaykh Itani is a well-versed teacher in several academic subjects, including Fiqh, Usul, Aqida, and Tafsir. He has supervised and examined numerous Master’s and Doctoral theses at various universities and colleges in Lebanon.
His contributions to Islamic sciences are also evident in his writings and research. His notable works include “The Relied-upon Statements of Imam Zufar in the Hanafi School,” “Collective Ijtihad: The Sublimity of Thought in the 21st Century,” and “Custom and its Impact in Islamic Jurisprudence.” Shaykh Itani has actively participated in numerous scientific conferences and seminars, both in Lebanon and internationally. He is linguistically adept, excelling in Arabic, proficient in French, and comfortably conversant in English.
