You surf the net and click on a link, or someone gives you his/her favorite URL.
How do you know you can trust the information on this site to reflect authentic Islamic beliefs?
Some webmasters do not openly mention their ideology.
Other webmasters put up a webpage for the purpose of lying on Islam
Reading the words "True Path" or "True Islam" does not really mean anything since many sects use similar expressions.
We will review briefly what IS and what is NOT Islam, then, we will suggest a methodology for evaluating the authenticity of a source of information.
We will conclude by presenting a list of trusted sites.
Warning:
Some evil and sick minds have put up webpages pretending to offer translation of the Quran. For example: they have modified verses from the Bible containing such heresy as belief in the Christ son of God and tell the reader that this is from the Quran.
Other diseased minds pretend to make a comparison between Islam and Christianity but they modify Islamic beliefs to suit their evil purpose. Some even made up a "quran" with 77 chapters and filled it up with heresy!!!
Muslims trust these translations of the Quran -->
http://www.ummah.com/what-is-islam/quran/naeindex.htm
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/
ANY translation CONTRADICTING them SHOULD BE REJECTED
What IS and What is NOT Islam
Qur'an - Sunnah - Methodology
- Islam --> the religion is COMPLETE
- Islam --> Qur'an is the LAST Book
- Islam --> Quran PLUS Sunnah
- Islam --> methodology of the Prophet (sallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) and the first three generations of his companions (radiya Allaahu 'anhum)
- attempting to change the Qur'an and/or its message (i.e. by making a translation which has a different meaning than the original Qur'an in Arabic), this has NOTHING to do with Islam, SEE warning above
- rejection of Hadith/Sunnah contradicts the Quran and is NOT tolerated
- ANY innovation (bid'ah) in worship is TOTALLY rejected
Prophethood
- Islam means the belief that Muhammad (sallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) is the LAST Prophet and Messenger.
- absolutely NO reincarnation in Islam
- Jesus ('alaihis salaam) was a PROPHET, he was NOT son of God
Saints - Imaam/Shaykh - Shrines
- muslims believe in pure monotheism and pray DIRECTLY to Allah (subhaanahu wa ta'aala)
- in Islam, there are two Sacred Mosques: Masjid Al Haraam in Makkah, Masjid An Nabawi in Madinah
- muslims pray facing the Ka'abah,
- the pilgrimage is part of their WORSHIP OF ALLAH (subhaanahu wa ta'aala)
- muslims DO NOT worship the Ka'abah, NOR the Black Stone, NOR any other physical object
- muslims DO NOT ask the dead NOR any other created being for help
- in Islam, there are NO saint, NO great imaam/shaykh to pray to and ask for intercession/favor, therefore NO shrine to ANYONE/ ANYTHING whatsoever
- an imaam/shaykh DOES NOT have ANY power such as infallibility, and, whether dead or alive, he CAN NOT be an intermediary between a living person and Allah subhaanahu wa ta'aala
- NO muslim, even an imaam or a shaykh, can claim knowledge of the unseen/future
Loved and Respected Muslims
- in Islam, the first four Khalifs were:
Abu Bakr, Umar Ibn Khattab, Uthman, Ali Ibn Abu Talib.
Muslims accept, love and respect ALL of them, without exception.
- in Islam there is respect for ALL the members of the family of the Prophet (sallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) who accepted Islam, no exception
- disrespecting /insulting ANY muslim member of the family of the Prophet (sallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), and/or ANY of the rightly guided Khalifs, is NOT tolerated,
example: talking against 'Aisha, backbiting Abu Bakr and/or Umar (radiya Allaahu 'anhum)
- muslims DO NOT "count" imaams, not 7 and not 12 either
Universality
- Islam is for ALL creation, for the whole universe
- there is NO "chosen" race/ethnic group in Islam
Evaluating the Information
Surf Through the List of Links on a Site.
- If you see links to ANY sites which do not meet ALL of the above points of authentic Islam, then you do not want to stay at that site.
- If the webmaster does not care about which links he gives, then he might not care so much about the accuracy of the information on his site.
- Remember, that many misleading sites share common links with trusted sites.
- The presence of a few trustworthy links is not a proof that the website reflects authentic Islamic views and/or beliefs.
Examples of trusted links which might be posted on a non-reliable website:
- Qur'an Recitation - Info about Fasting - Islamic History - Seerah
- for any Quran Translation -> be very careful and SEE warning above
Scholars
Check the list of scholars and compare it to the list on a trusted site.
If none of the scholars of the trusted sites are mentioned, then hurry and leave.
If the site puts down a reknowned and widely accepted scholar, then you don't want to know what else there is on that site.
Example: a 100% negative article about Ibn Taymiyyah or Sheikh Al Albanee.
Scholars bashing is NOT part of Islam.
Some scholars might not agree on every detail (they DO agree on beliefs) but this is different than trying to purposely destroy the reputation of a prominent scholar of Islam.
Source of the Information
Trusted sites usually give information such as:
- author of the article, and name of the translator (when applicable),
- title and author of the book used as a source for the article,
- EXACT references from Hadiths and/or Qur'an,
- and, quite often, footnotes accompany long articles and/or excerpts of books.
- trusted sites prefer these links for English translation of the Quran:
http://www.ummah.com/what-is-islam/quran/naeindex.htm
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/
Copy-cat sites often omit to identify the author of the article and essential references.
They build up their site by copying articles without giving credit to their sources.
They offer information as if they wrote all those articles ... And then ... some webmasters post anything with the word Islam ...
"Hate Sites" obviously CANNOT use authentic sources to back up their lies
Original muslim sites are preferable. You need to be able to check the references and you need to know that the author can be trusted to provide authentic information about Islam.
Identifying the Source of Information
Whenever the author of an article is not identified, refer to the points on What is and What Is Not Islam, and check:
- the name of the web host of the link/article (i.e. is the source of the article a misleading site)
- the list of links/articles on that site (i.e. are untrustworthy links included or not)
- the names of the authors of other articles on that website
- the overall views/beliefs presented on the site (i.e. are Sahaba respected or not, are hadiths accepted or rejected, check for the presence of innovation/bid'ah such as celebration of the birthday of the Prophet (sallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), or belief in intermediaries)
A Reminder: Beware of Untrustworthy Websites
Many deviant groups seem reluctant to openly state the Ideology they follow.
Evil and sick minds put webpages misrepresenting Islam
You will realise their claim to represent True Islam is misleading because they conveniently omit to state that:
- Islam requires belief in BOTH the Qur'an and the Sunnah
- Islam requires belief in the FINALITY OF PROPHETHOOD in Muhammad (sallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam)
- Islam is Universal, there is NO chosen race in Islam
- Islam is pure monotheism therefore NO son of God and NO intermediary between us and Allah subhaanahu wa ta'aala
- There is ONE Quran and it is the original Arabic Quran, therefore ALL TRUSTED translations are very closely related
Protect Your Faith and Your Knowledge
Advice to all seekers of knowledge:
(persons interested in Islam, new muslims, muslims)
In the beginning, visit ONLY reliable sites and learn FIRST about authentic Islam, i. e. Islam based on the Qur'an and Sunnah, and believed and practiced by the Prophet (sallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) and the first three generations of his companions (radiya Allaahu 'anhum).
One day, in sha Allah, AFTER you have acquired sufficient knowledge about Islam, you might be able to readily detect major errors/innovations in beliefs and worship, and possibly minor ones too.
Until then, reading at the same time about authentic Islam and about beliefs of the sects will simply confuse you. Eventually you might have no idea if you read a certain information on a reliable site or on a misleading site or on a "hate site".
Let us Remember it is our duty to seek knowledge and apply this knowledge in our practice of Islam. We need to protect this knowledge from being infiltrated by errors and innovations.
In sha Allah, a careful evaluation of a website (or any other source of information such as a chat room) will help you identify the underlying Ideology and protect you from being mislead.
Scroll down to access "List of Some Trusted Sites".
May Allah guide us all in our search for beneficial knowledge. Ameen
Webmaster of Islamic-Knowledge.com
Guide to Islam - What to do and learn before and after embracing Islam
Islamic Knowledge - Islam Information Page - A research tool to facilitate the task of muslims and non-muslims seeking knowledge about Islam, muslims, the Quran and the Sunnah
Le Musulman Francophone - Un outil de recherche pour assister les musulmans et non-musulmans désirant se renseigner sur l'Islam, le Coran et la Sounnah.
List of Some Trusted Sites
for more extensive lists by topics,
please consult the websites listed above
Audio - Recitation and Lectures - see also "Islam for All"
Audio Islam - extensive list of lectures
Islam way com - Quran - lectures - prayer
Nullifiers of Islam - ten matters which put a person out of Islam
Books/Articles to Read Online
Institute of Islamic Information and Education - 30+ pamphlets
The Dangers of the Tongue - from backbiting to shirk
The First and Final Commandment - why the author left christianity for Islam
The Plain Truth - written by a convert
The Prerequisites of the Shahadah ( Testimony of Faith) - learn to live the Shahadah
What Negates One's Islam - actions/ beliefs which put you out of Islam
Introduction to Islam
A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam
Al Haramain Islamic Foundation - also offers free books
Explore, Discover & Be Convinced - also offers free books
I Want to Embrace Islam But ... - answers to many questions
Understanding Islam - new site presenting articles /audio on authentic Islam
Islam for All
Al-Islam - articles and audio
Ghuraba - forum and lectures
The Islamic Network - articles and audio
The Last Prophet of God - all about Muhammad (sallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam)
The Qur'an and Sunnah Society of North America
Links and References
Islamic Knowledge - classified links to other sites
The Sunnah Islamic Webpage - links to other sites
Islamic Knowledge
Guide to Islam . Islam Information Page .