Hadhrat Jareer (r.a.) reports that they were once with Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) one morning when some people belonging to the Mudar tribe arrived. They were barefoot and practically naked. All they had were striped shawls or cloaks and their swords hanging from their necks. The expression on Rasulullaah’s face actually changed when he saw their poverty. He then went into his room and when he emerged, he gave instructions to Hadhrat Bilaal (r.a.), who duly called out the Adhaan and then the Iqaamah. After Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) led the salaah, he addressed the people with the following verses of the Qur’aan:

“O mankind! Fear your Rabb who created you from a single soul (from Aadam), created its spouse (Hawwa) from it, and spread great numbers of men and women from the two (from Aadam and Hawwa). Fear that Allaah in Whom (in Whose name) you ask (things and take promises) from each other and (fear breaking) family ties, Verily Allaah is Watchful over you,” {Surah Nisaa, verse 1}

“Fear Allaah and let every soul see (consider) what (good deeds) it has sent ahead for tomorrow (to be rewarded on the Day of Qiyaamah).” {Surah Hashar, verse 18}

Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) then continued to say, “A man should therefore contribute something from his Dinaars, from his Dirhams, from his clothing, from his Saa of barley, from his Saa of dates.” Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) continued until he said, “Even if it be a piece of a date (Everyone ought to give something regardless of how little it is),”

An Ansaari Sahabi (r.a.) then brought a bag (of food that was so full) that he could not even carry it. Hadhrat Jaabir (r.a.) says, “The others soon followed suit until I saw two heaps of food and clothing and I saw the face of Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) gleam as if it were a piece of gold. Rasulullaah  (s.a.w.) then said, ‘Whoever starts a good practice in Islaam will receive the reward for it in addition to the rewards of all those who do the same after him, without any of their rewards being diminished in the least. On the contrary, whoever starts an evil practice in Islaam will be burdened with the sin of it in addition to the sins of all those who do the same after him, without the burden of any of their sins being lightened in the least.” (1)
(I) Muslim, Nasa’ee and others. as quoted in Targheeb wat Tarheeb (VoL I Pg.53)

Source: hopingforparadise

The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said “The devil continually pursues humans as a wolf pursues sheep. The wolf only dares to attack those sheep which have separated from the rest of the flock and are standing alone. And so, my followers and my devotees! Save yourselves from being caught in the traps of misguidance and firmly remain with the largest and most well known group of Muslims!” (Ahmad)

Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.) said ” Allah will never allow my Ummah to unite upon misguidance and incorrect beliefs. Allah’s mercy, blessings and protection are with the largest group of Muslims. And he who deviates from this largest group of Muslims will be thrown into Hell.” (Tirmidhi)

Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman (r.a.) said, “People used to ask the Prophet (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) about good things, but I used to ask him about bad things because I was afraid that they might overtake me.
I said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, we were lost in ignorance (Jahiliyyah) and evil, then Allaah brought this good (i.e. Islaam). Will some evil come after this good thing?’ He said, ‘Yes’ I asked, ‘And will some good come after that evil?’ He said, ‘Yes, but it will be tainted with some evil’ I asked, ‘How will it be tainted?’ He said, ‘There will be some people who will lead others on a path different from mine.You will see good and bad in them.”
I asked, ‘Will some evil come after that good?’ He said, ‘Some people will be standing and calling at the gates of Hell; whoever responds to their call, they will throw him into the Fire.’ I said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, describe them for us.’ He said, ‘They will be from our own people, and will speak our language.’ I asked, ‘What do you advise me to do if I should live to see that?’ He said, ‘Stick to the main body (jamaa’ah) of the Muslims and their leader (Imaam).
I asked, ‘What if there is no main body and no leader?’ He said ‘Isolate yourself from all of these sects, even if you have to eat the roots of trees until death overcomes you while you are in that state.’ ”
(Bukhari, Kitaab al-Fitan, 9/65)

Anyone with a TV can see that Muslims are the new scapegoats. Feeling depressed? Blame the Muslims. Had bad food at your favorite restaurant? It’s the Muslims and their conspiracy to make all food spicy! Have gas? Well go ahead and blame the Muslims, everyone else is.

In this day and age, being a Muslim, by the mainstream media, is maybe not our choice and our fathers forced us to be Muslim? No, in fact that is NOT the case. I know that many groups out there have portrayed Islam as some sort of demonized religion when that could not be further from the truth. If one were to notice the subtle undertones of many news reports on Islam and Muslims it makes it seem like we, as Muslims, had no choice in being Muslim, as if all of us are being abused and such.

The problem in thinking this way is that everyone wants to be a hero. There are some areas in the world where Muslims are ignorant and pursue cultural practices rather than what is ordained in Islam, or even worse, say that their cultural practices ARE a part of Islam. Sadly, these are the ones that are showing in the news or in videos and are portrayed as the “average Muslim.” Thinking that the “average” Muslim is in trouble and is abused, many people come to “save” them when there is no need to be saved.

When one relies on pseduo-analysts about Islam and would rather “Google” what Islam is about, rather than actually go to a mosque to learn about the religion, there are going to be misconceptions. I don’t have to go far to point out misconceptions, so let’s start with the latest scandal involving Muslims.

Apparently 85% of mosques preach radicalization. Hmm, that’s news to me and nearly all Muslims in America. First off, let me correct the misconception that Muslims are forced to be Muslim. To us, the highest power is the Qu’ran, the direct word of God. Now, now I know some of you may have your dresses in a bunch by saying, “That’s not the word of God!” Folks, I’m talking about what we Muslims believe, not your beliefs. As I was saying, to us the highest word is the word of God. So in the Qu’ran it is clearly stated, there is no compulsion in religion. No one is FORCED to be Muslim:

(2:256) “There is no compulsion in religion, for the right way is clearly from the wrong way. Whoever therefore rejects the forces of evil and believes in God, he has taken hold of a support most unfailing, which shall never give way, for God is All Hearing and Knowing.”

Now that we have established the fact that no one is forced to be Muslim, let’s move onto why we’re deemed as being “demons” or “aliens.” Many of the very people that feed Islamophobic rhetoric do not realize how similar Muslims are to them.

Lately the “conservative” branches of the US government like to make Muslims seem like evil creatures from the darkest regions of hell. Funny, I never really thought I’d look good with horns, but whatever floats your boat. To these fear mongers, we Muslims spend all day devising plots on how to take over the world.

Let’s let you all in on a secret, most of us don’t want to rule the world. Do you want to see the average Muslim schedule?

The average practicing Muslim has the following schedule:

05:00- Wake up groggily for morning prayer (Fajr prayer).
06:00- Begin to get ready for school/work
08:00-1:00- Work/School
1:00-2:00- Dhuhr prayer/Lunch
2:00-4:00- After activities/Work
4:00-6:00- Asr Prayer (It does not take an hour but that is the time range)
6:00-7:00- Mughrib prayer
7:00-9:00- Dinner/Family time
9:00-11:00- Isha prayer
11:00-Well before Fajr: Sleep

I don’t see terrorism in there anywhere. For the sake of the argument that 85% of Mosques teach radicalization, the average Muslim only has time on Friday prayers to actually go to the mosque. If it wasn’t enough that our religion forbids terrorism, our schedules simply don’t allow it.

As for the conservative agenda, there is no one MORE conservative than Muslims!

The conservative agenda usually consists of:

1) Anti-Abortion
2) Lower taxes for the rich
3) No gay marriage (religious beliefs)
4) High family priority
5) Living lives based on morality
6) Strong state governments/Limited national government

Well that’s basically what Muslims believe. 40% of our population is highly educated and hold well paying jobs, we don’t want taxes ruining our lives either! Plus we believe in dressing modestly! So who’s more conservative?

The point of this post? We’re more alike than you think. Stop the fear mongering. Visit a mosque before you judge our population.

Source:  thecuriousmuslimah