Common Misconceptions about Islam and Muslims

I have lived in the United States all my life and I have met people from different countries and religious backgrounds. Every time I meet someone new and I introduce myself as Muslim, they seem to have already associated me with very inaccurate stereotypes. So this is a list of the misconceptions that I personally hear most often and I give you a more accurate explanation.

1. Muslims don’t eat meat. 

Our Religion allows us to eat meat. The only animal we are forbidden to consume meat from is pigs. When killing the animals we will eat, we must slaughter it in a respectful way to the animal and Allah for giving us these animals. If you met a Muslim and they don’t order meat from Fast food places and restaurants, that’s probably because in most restaurants they have mass slaughtered animals in ways that don’t fit Islamic Guidelines. 

2. Muslims don’t believe in Jesus. 

We do. He’s well respected in our religion and is considered a very significant prophet. This is a common misconception because usually when you learn about Islam, there is a big emphasis on how we follow the Prophet Muhammad as a role model. The truth is the Quran speaks about many important figures in Bible like Abraham and Moses. 

3. Islam is not a nice religion for Women. 

Not True. Cultures and Misogynistic Governments that benefit off of exploiting our religion to fit their selfish agendas is what causes this misconception. It is true many Muslim Countries are not nice places for women, but this is not the fault of the religion. In Islam it is clear men and women are equal, it is just that because we are different, the responsibilities handed to us differ as well. 

4. Forced Marriages

You can't force a marriage, it is forbidden to force to people into a marriage they don't want to be in.  For a marriage to be valid, both parties must be consenting. Many cultures with a majority Muslim population have cultural practices where they do force upon Marriages, it is not Islam and it needs to be talked about and removed from all cultures. 

5. Islam is a religion with more than one God. 

False. Islam is monotheistic meaning there is only one God. We believe that our God is Allah and he has prophets which helped spread the message of Islam. Our last prophet was Prophet Muhammad pbuh and he was the one to spread the beliefs and practices taught in the Quran. 

6. Muslims are all Middle Eastern. 

The truth of the matter is that the largest Muslim population resides in Indonesia. Being one of the largest practicing religions in the world, Muslims do come from different cultures, nationalities, and races.