I Bet You Didn’t Know
On June 27 to June 28th Muslims throughout the world will celebrate Eid al-Adha. According to al Jazeera, this holiday is the second most significant holiday in Islam and, quoting directly from Al Jazeera: “honors the devout Muslim Ibrahim (Abraham in Hebrew) as he willingly sacrificed his son Ismail to oblige Allah’s command without a shadow of hesitance.” (Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2022/7/9/millions-of-muslims-commemorate-eid-al-adha).
In observance of this special holiday, I think it is fitting to acquaint my readers with some insights into the religion because Westerners, in general, don’t know many important things about it. Many non Muslims are often surprised by some of the tenants of a religion that is now practiced by an estimated one billion people world wide. So, without further adieu, here are some of the Islamic teachings and rules that I bet you didn’t know.
First, I bet you didn’t know that you were BORN A MUSLIM. It’s true. All children come into this world being a Muslim, but when they are born to non Muslim parents, they are sinfully converted to other faiths.
If male, I bet you didn’t know that you can lawfully BEAT YOUR WIFE if you “fear disobedience.”
If male, I bet you didn’t know that your testimony is worth four times that of a woman.
Whether male or female, I bet you didn’t know that the the Holy Quran was written by Allah BEFORE the creation of the universe. And it was written EXACTLY as it appears today (despite some evidence that it was originally written in Syriac, which is a branch of Aramaic).
Wether male or female, I bet you didn’t know that you must NOT purchase insurance, which is considered to be a form of gambling and, as such, is “haram” or forbidden.
Whether male of female, I bet you didn’t know that you must not charge interest on any loan you may provide. Charging interest is considered to be usury and is haram.
Whether male or female, I bet you didn’t know that you must not eat any meat that was taken from an animal that was not fully AWAKE when it had it’s throat cut.
Whether male or female, I bet you didn’t know that you must use three stones to clean up after defecating. And if three are not enough, you may use more, as long as you use an odd number of stones.
Whether male or female, I bet you didn’t know that you must never ever drink alcohol.
If you are a male, I bet you didn’t know that you can divorce your wife simply by reciting the “triple talaq”: “I divorce you. I divorce you. I divorce you.” Simple as that. The only controversy I’ve encountered regarding this law is whether or not the talaq can be delivered by email.
If you are female, I bet you didn’t know that you can NOT divorce your husband unless he gives permission.
If you are a non Muslim male, I bet you didn’t know that is required that you remain clean shaven so that you can be readily identified as a kaffir (infidel).
If you are a female, I bet you didn’t know that you can not leave your home without the permission of your husband.
If you are a female, I bet you didn’t know that it is required that you have had or will have a clitoridectomy (the clitoris is called the “bizr” in Arabic and the clitoridectomy is sometimes referred to by Imams as “female circumcision”). And, ladies, the bad news is that it’s supposed to be done WITHOUT ANESTHESIA.
Whether you are Christian or Jew, I bet you didn’t know that it is required that you must walk behind Muslims on the street. This is part of “dhimmitude” (Muslim laws which apply to all Christians and Jews so that they feel “subdued.”).
If you are a female, I bet that you didn’t know that if you commit adultery, you will be STONED TO DEATH.
Whether you are either male of female, I bet you didn’t know that you must NOT own a dog.
Whether you are either male or female, I bet you didn’t know that you must not have a picture of a person or animal in your house.
If you are male non Muslim, I bet you didn’t know that you are forbidden to marry a Muslim woman.
Whether you are Christian or Jew, I bet you didn’t know that you must not worship in public.
If you are a male, I bet you didn’t know that you are superior to your wife because Allah has made you that way and because you spend your money to maintain her.
Whether male or female, I bet you didn’t know that if you steal, you will have your hand cut off.
If you are male, I bet you didn’t know that if you are caught engaging in homosexual sex you (and your partner) will be thrown off a cliff (or high rise parking garage if no cliff is readily available).
If you are a male Muslim, I bet you didn’t know that you can lawfully OWN SLAVES, or as they are described in the Quran, “captives of the right hand,” as long as they are not Muslim.
Whether you are male or female, I bet you didn’t know that you have NO right to freedom of speech.
Whether male or female, I bet you didn’t know that if you slander the Prophet (PEACE BE UNTO HIM, PBUH) you will be beheaded.
If you are male, I bet you didn’t know that if you die a martyr you will have sexual access to young boys, like “scattered pearls.” (The Holy Quran, Surah 17.19)
If you are a male, I bet you didn’t know that, if you die a martyr, you will be provided 72 virgins for your sexual pleasure. Many Muslim apologists claim that this teaching is a myth, but as explained in the Hadith of Imam al-Tirmidhi, verbatim: A martyr is “wed with seventy-two wives from the beautiful Maidens of paradise.”
Although there are many more surprising tenants of Islam that I could mention, I think the listing presented above showcases many aspects of the religion that are little known to westerners and explains why this religion is so often misunderstood.
The above tenants are provided with guidance from the Al-Hadith (the Al-Bukari edition, published by Mohee Uddin), the Holy Quran (the Dawood translation, published by Penguin Classics), the Sirat Rassul Allah (the Ibn Ishaq treatise translated by A. Guillaume and published by Oxford Press) and the Reliance of the Traveller (Ahmad ibn Naqib Al-Misri, translated by Nuh Ha Mim Keller, and published by Amana Publications), all part of Islamic Holy Scripture, and all of which are available through Amazon.com (as well as other vendors) and all of which I commend to the interested reader.
Have a blessed Eid al-Adha!
I learned a lot. So many odd things. Hard to believe.
I learned a lot. So many odd things. Hard to believe.