Islam (2nd Edition)

Observing the current international affair these days, I have to say more and more non-Muslims are misinformed about Islam every single day. Not to really blame them though since most them still think vice-versa that Islam is Muslim and Muslim is Islam. They are not only misinformed, they are also misunderstood of it, especially when they see more Muslim terrorist on media, although those Muslim terrorist are just a very small portion of all terrorist around the world. Some might ask, why we see more Muslim terrorist then, compared to 'non-Muslim terrorist'? I must say it is the fault of the mass media. We have seen much fraud from mass media so why must we have to entirely trust it, right?

To my non-Muslim friends out there, here is my explanation of Islam. Islam is not a religion of mere ritual and spiritual only, but it is a complete civilization. Since Islam is, unlike any other religion, it is the most complete way of life to any Muslim, any attempt to change the way of life of a Muslim is actually considered as an attempt to interfere with their religious issue, or in other words, an attempt to alter their religion, which is a taboo in Islam itself. Therefore, non-Muslim should never question Muslim's religious way of life.

Islam is not just about the Koran and hadith only. It is a system that includes the whole way of life. Not even a single element of life is not covered by a true Islamic system. It covers everything from the moment we wake up until the next time we awake. This makes Islam different from the rest of other existing religion, not even the other Abrahamic religions like Judaism and Christianity.

I remember some time ago when some artists caused a stir in the Muslim world by drawing images to have said depicting Prophet Muhammad. For me, this is a really bad move, even if it is for historical purposes. The problem is, do the world need the image of him, when the Muslim themselves never bother to draw it? That is why the action is considered as an insult and disrespectful. Of course, Islam forbids its believer to draw the picture of Prophet Muhammad so we can say this restriction is valid to Muslims only. True, but only to certain extent. Say Islam forbids Muslims from stepping on the Koran, so does that means non Muslims can step on the Koran? This is not about the so-called restrictions, this is about respect. It does not matter whether you are believer or not, do not ever show disrespectful towards any religions or beliefs. Even if you are non believer or non-Muslim, what would you feel if somebody openly depicts atheism or any other religion as something that may annoy or disturb you? If you'd feel offended, congratulations because then you knew how the Muslims feel when people do such thing to them. If you feel nothing, I must say you are admitting that you don't believe in restrictions and you are thinking that this 'respect' thingy is a crap. And why must the non Muslims bother to draw the image of Prophet Muhammad in the first place, even for Christ's sake? The Muslims don't even bother to draw Jesus's image when learning history because we know it is pretty unnecessary. It's not that we are going to meet him (Prophet Muhammad) anywhere in the near future (at least in this life) so it is clearly pointless to have his graphical depictions openly displayed, even in the internet.

"I thought you're a Christian, aren't you?" you asked me? No, I am a born Muslim, always have, always will, and always be. Some of you may have thought that I am a Christian because of my 'seemingly religious' statements about Christianity all this time. Well, you may keep thinking like that if you want, but please think of me as a Christian who believe the prophethood of Christ, a Christian who believe that Christ was not crucified, a Christian who believe that Christ was ascended by God to heaven alive, a Christian who believe that Christ acknowledged the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad, a Christian who believe Christ taught the Bible directly to his people, a Christian who believe that Christ is not the son of God. And that makes me a Muslim.


p/s: pardon me if you found any of my words are harsh or sounds insulting to you. I really have no intention to offend anybody.