Islam is often misunderstood—but what if the “extremist” faith you hear about is nothing like the religion of 1.8 billion people? What if the “violent” or “oppressive” Islam portrayed in media is a myth rather than reality?
In a world where misinformation spreads rapidly, understanding the authentic teachings of Islam becomes increasingly important—not just for Muslims seeking to deepen their faith, but for all who wish to navigate our diverse global community with compassion and wisdom.
This article explores ten common misconceptions about Islam, examining each through the lens of the Quran, authentic Hadiths (sayings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ), and historical context. By separating fact from fiction, we hope to foster greater understanding and bridge divides between communities.
Myth 1: “Islam Promotes Violence and Terrorism”
The Quranic Truth
The Quran, Islam’s holy book, explicitly condemns violence against innocent people:
“Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or corruption [done] in the land—it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one—it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:32)
This powerful verse establishes the sanctity of human life in Islamic teaching. Furthermore, another verse clarifies:
“Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:190)
This verse specifically limits fighting to self-defense while prohibiting aggression.
Prophetic Wisdom
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ consistently emphasized mercy:
“The merciful are shown mercy by the Most Merciful. Be merciful to those on earth, and the One above the heavens will be merciful to you.” (Sunan Abu Dawood)
Historical Context
The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah exemplifies Islam’s preference for peace over conflict. In this remarkable historical event, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ accepted seemingly unfavorable terms to establish peace rather than continue hostilities—demonstrating that peaceful resolution, not violence, is the Islamic ideal.
The actions of violent extremists directly contradict these fundamental Islamic principles. Such groups cherry-pick isolated verses without context while ignoring the overwhelming emphasis on peace, mercy, and justice that permeates Islamic teachings.
Myth 2: “Islam Oppresses Women”
Quranic Clarification
The Quran establishes equality between men and women in spiritual matters:
“The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong.” (Surah At-Tawbah 9:71)
In another verse:
“Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while being a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life.” (Surah An-Nahl 16:97)
These verses establish spiritual equality regardless of gender, contradicting the notion that Islam views women as spiritually inferior.
Historical Examples
Khadijah (RA), the Prophet’s first wife, was a successful businesswoman who employed Muhammad ﷺ before their marriage. She was the first person to accept Islam and financially supported the early Muslim community.
Aisha (RA), another wife of the Prophet, became one of Islam’s greatest scholars, transmitting over 2,000 hadiths and providing religious guidance even to male companions after the Prophet’s death.
Misconception vs. Reality
While cultural practices in some Muslim-majority countries may indeed oppress women, these often stem from cultural traditions rather than Islamic teachings. The hijab, often portrayed as a tool of oppression, is understood by many Muslim women as a symbol of modesty, identity, and empowerment—a personal choice that allows them to be valued for their intellect rather than appearance.
Early Islamic law granted women property rights, inheritance rights, and the right to divorce centuries before Western legal systems recognized similar protections.
Myth 3: “Muslims Worship a ‘Moon God'”
Fact Check
The Quran explicitly states:
“Say, ‘He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.'” (Surah Al-Ikhlas 112:1-4)
This chapter, among the most frequently recited in Islamic prayer, clearly establishes monotheism and refutes any notion of Allah as a moon deity.
The Arabic word “Allah” simply means “The God” and is used by Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews to refer to the God of Abraham—the same God worshipped by all three Abrahamic faiths.
Historical Proof
Pre-Islamic Arabia was indeed polytheistic, with moon worship among various pagan practices. However, Islam explicitly rejected these practices in favor of strict monotheism. The crescent moon symbol often associated with Islam today was not an early Islamic symbol but was adopted centuries later during the Ottoman Empire.
Myth 4: “Jihad Means Holy War”
Quranic Definition
The word “jihad” in Arabic means “struggle” or “striving” and appears in various contexts in the Quran:
“And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him.” (Surah Al-Hajj 22:78)
This verse refers to the spiritual struggle to live according to God’s guidance.
Greater vs. Lesser Jihad
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ distinguished between two types of jihad:
- The Greater Jihad: The internal, spiritual struggle against sinful desires and ego.
- The Lesser Jihad: The external struggle, which includes defensive warfare governed by strict ethical rules.
Upon returning from a battle, the Prophet stated: “We have returned from the lesser jihad to the greater jihad.” When asked what the greater jihad was, he replied, “The struggle against oneself.”
Even in the context of defensive warfare, Islamic ethics forbid killing civilians, destroying religious buildings, harming the elderly, women, or children, and damaging crops or trees.
Myth 5: “Islam Forces Conversions”
Quranic Command
The Quran explicitly states:
“There is no compulsion in religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:256)
This foundational principle establishes that faith must be a matter of personal conviction, not coercion.
Historical Example
The Constitution of Medina, drafted by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, guaranteed religious freedom for non-Muslim communities. This early document established protections for religious minorities within an Islamic society.
Throughout Islamic history, when Muslim rulers conquered new territories, non-Muslims were generally permitted to retain their faith while paying a tax called jizya. While this system had flaws by modern standards, it represented remarkable religious tolerance compared to contemporaneous societies where religious conformity was often violently enforced.
Myth 6: “Muslims Reject Jesus (AS)”
Quranic Truth
The Quran holds Jesus in high esteem:
“We gave Jesus, son of Mary, clear proofs and supported him with the Holy Spirit.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:253)
Another verse states:
“The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him.” (Surah An-Nisa 4:171)
Beliefs Clarified
Muslims revere Jesus as one of God’s mightiest prophets, born miraculously to the Virgin Mary. Islamic tradition affirms many miracles performed by Jesus, including healing the sick and raising the dead.
The primary difference is that Islam views Jesus as human, not divine—a prophet of God rather than God incarnate. Muslims believe Jesus was not crucified but was raised to heaven by God and will return before the Day of Judgment.
Far from rejecting Jesus, Muslims consider belief in him an essential part of faith, and his name (Isa in Arabic) appears in the Quran 25 times.
Myth 7: “Islamic Law (Sharia) Is Barbaric”
Misconception vs. Reality
Sharia is a comprehensive ethical framework covering all aspects of Muslim life—from prayer and fasting to charity, family law, business ethics, and governance. Criminal punishments (hudud) represent only a small fraction of Sharia.
Even regarding punishments, Islamic jurisprudence established stringent evidentiary requirements that made harsh penalties exceedingly difficult to implement. For example, conviction for theft requires two witnesses and proof that the item wasn’t taken out of necessity (like hunger).
Historical Context
Classical Islamic legal systems emphasized rehabilitation over punishment and established pioneering concepts like the presumption of innocence. During medieval times, when European legal systems routinely used torture, Islamic courts generally prohibited it as evidence-gathering.
The primary objectives of Sharia are to protect human dignity, life, intellect, faith, property, and family—principles that align with universal human rights.
Myth 8: “Muslims Are Forbidden to Be Friends with Non-Muslims”
Quranic Verse
The Quran explicitly permits positive relations with peaceful non-Muslims:
“Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes—from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.” (Surah Al-Mumtahanah 60:8)
Historical Example
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ maintained cordial relations with non-Muslims, including treaties with Christian monks at St. Catherine’s Monastery, which guaranteed their protection. The Prophet also had a Jewish neighbor whom he regularly visited and cared for when sick.
Islamic history is filled with examples of Muslims, Christians, and Jews cooperating in diverse societies, particularly during the Andalusian period in Spain and under the Ottoman Empire.
Myth 9: “Islam Is a New Religion”
Fact
Islam views itself not as a new religion but as the continuation and completion of the same monotheistic message sent by God through various prophets throughout history.
Quranic Reference
“Say, [O believers], ‘We have believed in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Descendants and what was given to Moses and Jesus and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him.'” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:136)
Muslims believe that Islam represents the original, uncorrupted monotheism practiced by Abraham and all subsequent prophets, including Moses and Jesus. The Quran acknowledges that the core message of all divine revelations has been the same: worship of One God and living righteously.
Myth 10: “Muslims Hate the West”
Reality Check
Millions of Muslims live peacefully and productively in Western countries, contributing to medicine, science, arts, sports, and civic life. Muslim communities have established religious, educational, and charitable institutions that enriched their Western host societies.
Many Muslims admire Western advancements in science, technology, and governance while maintaining their Islamic identity. Criticisms of specific Western policies (particularly regarding conflicts in Muslim-majority countries) should not be conflated with hatred of Western civilization or people.
Quranic Command
The Quran instructs Muslims to uphold justice regardless of personal feelings:
“O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:8)
This verse commands Muslims to maintain justice even with those they might have grievances against—a principle that contradicts any notion of generalized hatred.
Key Takeaways
Myths vs. Reality: At its core, Islam emphasizes peace, justice, and mercy. The actions of extremists contradict authentic Islamic teachings.
Education is Key: Combating ignorance requires referencing authentic sources rather than media stereotypes or cultural practices that may diverge from Islamic principles.
Shared Values: Islam shares many values with other faith traditions and ethical systems, including respect for human life, justice, compassion, and intellectual inquiry.
The journey toward understanding Islam—like any spiritual path—requires looking beyond surface-level stereotypes to engage with its authentic teachings. When we approach one another with genuine curiosity rather than presumption, we create space for meaningful dialogue and mutual respect.
Concluding Du’a
O Allah, open hearts to the truth of Islam and protect us from spreading falsehood. Guide us all to greater understanding and compassion for one another. Ameen.