10 Things I want you to know about Islam

Converting to Islam over two years ago after being raised Protestant, I have a unique perspective on why many non-Muslims fear Islam. After all, it is human nature to fear the unfamiliar.

I have not yet written my conversion story or testimony as a Christian would refer to it, but it’s being written line-by-line in my mind for a while now and one day I’ll put it all down. For now, I’d like to introduce my non-Muslim friends and readers to basic Islamic concepts so that… …you have the opportunity to learn, and, my prayer is that, in the end, you are not quite as scared of the Muslims you may already know or will meet in your life.

Ten Things I want you to know about Islam

1. Islam means ‘to submit.’ Because a Muslim is a follower of Islam, a Muslim is one who submits to God.

2. Islamic phrases  We greet one another with the Arabic phrase Asalaamu Alaikum, which simply means Peace be upon you. When planning for the future, we say In Sha’Allah, which means If Allah Wills. This is similar in meaning to the Christian’s God-willing. When expressing happiness or excitement, we say Ma Sha’Allah, which means Whatever Allah Wants to Give, Allah Gives.

3. The God of the Muslims is the God of the Christians and the Jews. As a Muslim, I refer to our Creator as both Allah (the Arabic term for Almighty God) and God. Islam is a monotheistic religion, and we worship the God of Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and all of the other prophets, peace be upon them.

4. Prophet Muhammed (s.a.w.)  The last and final prophet God sent to humanity was the Prophet Muhammed (s.a.w).

5. Muslims believe in Jesus. We believe that Jesus is a prophet but is not God’s son as the Christians believe.

6. The Quran is God’s final revelation to humanity and is the literal word of God given to Prophet Muhammed. It is exactly the same today as it was 1400 years ago when it was first revealed, and Muslims around the world memorize every word. It is written in Arabic and spoken and memorized in Arabic. Of course, many Muslims, like me, who have not learned Arabic depend on English translations.

7. Mothers are highly revered. ‘Heaven is at the feet of Mothers’ is a basic Islamic teaching

8. Not all Muslim women wear a headscarf (hijab) 24/7.  Discussing to-hijab or not-to-hijab always leads to a heated and interesting conversation among Muslims, both women and men. Some believe Muslim women are required to veil and others, like me, do not believe it is obligatory. (To clarify, we do cover in prayer and while reading the Quran.)

9. Muslim women cannot be forced to marry. Cultural traditions aside, Islam requires mutual consent between the bride and her groom. If a woman does not want to marry, she cannot be forced.

10. We do not eat pork. It is written in the Quran that eating pork is forbidden; it is also banned in Judaism. Pork-abstinence is also mentioned in the Bible in Deuteronomy 14:8.

Footnote: It’s all about respect – As seen in #3, Peace Be Upon Him (p.b.u.h.) is the Arabic expression for ‘Alaihis Salam’ and is said/written after the name of a prophet. As seen in #4, s.a.w. stands for ‘Salla Allahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam’ which is the full expression of ‘Alaihis Salam,’ and is said/written after the name of Prophet Muhammed (s.a.w.).