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In the previous two articles we discussed the fact that not all Muslims represent the religion of Islam. Our focus was Islam\u2019s attitude towards war, violence and terrorism. \u00a0We established that Islam is a religion of peace, and that unjustifiable killing or violence is absolutely forbidden. \u00a0Sadly many Muslims around the world have sullied the name of Islam by committing acts and atrocities that have no place in a religion based on the concepts of justice and mercy. \u00a0However this is not the only way that Muslims themselves misrepresent Islam. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n From the outset it is important to understand the foundation of Islam – God is One. \u00a0He has no partners,<\/span> no sons, daughters or helpers.\u00a0 He alone created, and sustains the universe. Nothing happens without His permission.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHe is Allah, (the) One.\u00a0 Allah-us-Samad (The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks).\u00a0 He begets not, nor was He begotten; And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him.\u201d <\/span><\/strong>(Quran 112)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIs there any god with Allah<\/span><\/strong>?\u00a0 High Exalted be God above all that they associate as partners (to Him)!\u201d <\/span><\/strong>(Quran 27:63)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Muslims believe this with certainty, there is no god but Allah, and they believe that the prophets and messengers were sent by God to guide humankind to the truth that God is One. Therefore, in Islam there is no room for intercession of any kind. \u00a0It is God Alone that Muslims worship and God Alone that they ask for help, in any and all endeavours. \u00a0This concept is known as tawheed<\/em> and it forms the basis of the religion of Islam.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Sadly however, when we look at the behaviour of some Muslims we find practices and superstitions that are actually forbidden in Islam. \u00a0Sincere worship for God Alone has become adulterated by the local customs and traditions, yet many Muslims are unwilling to admit that such corruption exists.\u00a0 The fact is not all Muslims worship in the correct way and not all Muslims are representative of Islam.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n One of the gravest sins is calling on somebody or something other than God. This is forbidden in Islam, yet around the world these deeply entrenched cultural practices remain. \u00a0Muslims who call on the dead to intercede for them do not represent the religion of Islam. \u00a0Muslims, who believe that righteous people are able to intercede between ordinary people and God, do not represent the religion of Islam. \u00a0Muslims who wear good <\/span>luck charms and amulets in the belief that they can somehow ward off evil or bring good, do not represent the religion of Islam. These are direct contradictions to the Oneness of God.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Corruption of worship is evident in the many myths and traditions that surround pregnancy and childbirth. \u00a0Many traditions involve the use of charms spells and amulets. \u00a0A Muslim however, knows that everything is from God, and that there is no luck or randomness involved. \u00a0Strange superstitions can neither bring harm or good. \u00a0Islam teaches that there is no power or strength except with God, it dispels these myths and superstitions thereby freeing humankind from this type of bondage.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Bearing this in mind let us examine the cultural practices surrounding two fictional women. \u00a0The women in these anecdotes are entirely fictional but the practices are real and form just a small part of hundreds of traditions and practices used throughout the Muslim world to ward off evil or obtain good.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n In a small village outside Mogadishu in Somalia, 18 year old Nura has just given birth to her first child. \u00a0A beautiful healthy boy. \u00a0Nura and her family believe that the bracelet he wears made from string and herbs will protect him from the evil eye. \u00a0Most Somali people link their identity with Islam however a large number of pre Islamic practices have survived.\u00a0 There is a strong belief in jinn<\/em> (devil) possession and zar<\/em> (a cult in which women are willingly possessed) and most Bedouin Somalis routinely wear protective amulets.\u00a0 Prior to Islam the belief system in Somalia was largely animist, it dates back to the Palaeolithic age in which every object, be it animate or inanimate had a soul.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n These traditions and practices usually evolve around major life experiences such as birth and death and often involve the use of plants and herbs both for their medicinal properties and the belief that such plants and herbs offer protection from malevolent spirits. \u00a0Thus a new born baby would be given an amulet to safeguard him from harm. \u00a0This practice clearly denies the Oneness of God.\u00a0 These are traditions that do not make sense when the true nature of God is revealed through Quran and the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad, may God praise him.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Far away in Turkey in the thriving metropolis of Istanbul Ceylan\u2019s mother and aunts are adorning the wall of the room in which she will give birth with strings of onion, garlic and blue beads. \u00a0They believe that this will protect Ceylan and the newborn baby from the evil eye and evil jinn known in Turkey as the \u201cbaby snatcher<\/span>\u201d. \u00a0Amongst the strings of herbs being hung in the birthing room in Turkey you may also find blue beads.\u00a0 These are prevalent in many Muslim communities. \u00a0People wear amulets, keep them on hand to give to guests, hang them near the doors of their homes or in their cars. \u00a0The beads are usually made of glass in order to reflect any bad luck or evil and the belief is that like a mirror it draws positive energy away and reflects the bad intentions back.\u00a0 According to this false belief, if the evil is too strong for the blue eye to push away, it breaks and sacrifices itself.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The origin of the blue beads is difficult to trace however it is common in all countries around the Mediterranean Sea including Greece, Cyprus and Egypt.\u00a0 It may even date back as far as the ancient Egyptians. \u00a0The eye of Horus (ancient Egyptian symbol of protection and power) may be the origin of this widespread belief, and the colour blue has been used since antiquity to denote healing and protection. \u00a0Islam is clear, healing and protection is from God Alone.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Corrupted worship and superstitious practices are prevalent in Muslim communities throughout the world. \u00a0You may have noticed some in your own community; however they are not representative of Islam.\u00a0 Islam is the religion of informed knowledge, not blind belief and strange superstitions. \u00a0The power of God is Omnipotent. \u00a0When Muslims behave in a manner that seems to encourage superstitions and strange behaviour, they do not represent Islam. \u00a0The message of Islam is clear. \u00a0There is no power or strength except with God, and Prophet Muhammad is His final Messenger.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Ref: www.islamreligion.com \u00a0 \u00a0 In the previous two articles we discussed the fact that not all Muslims represent the religion of Islam. Our focus was Islam\u2019s attitude towards war, violence and terrorism.… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":1588,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1589","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-misconceptions"],"yoast_head":"\n
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