“Islam yang Disalahpahami: Menepis Prasangka, Mengikis Kekeliruan” by M. Quraish Shihab
This is the 3rd book of an enlightening series about Islam, written by one of Indonesia’s most beloved Islamic teachers and scholars, M. Quraish Shihab.
In this book Ustadz Shihab addresses some of the most misunderstood parts of Islam, such as the misconception that Islam spread with violence, on slavery, adultery, murder, the Jizyah (tax) imposed towards non-Muslims during the empire days, or one of the most criticised ones especially in Wahhabi strongholds: the punishment for stealing (including the chopping off of hands).
The book also addresses Islam’s true point of views – through Qur’an verses and Hadiths – that are often misinterpreted or even violated by Muslims, such as on women equality with men, on inheritance law, or on dealing with Murtad (deserted of Islam and convert to other religion) and the false stigma that they should be killed.
It also answers some of the most difficult controversies, such as the fact that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) practiced polygamy and married a 9-year-old Aisha, where Ustadz Shihab addressed them all using the appropriate historical contexts. That during the 7th century polygamy was the norm but the Prophet (PBUH) practiced monogamy for 25 years before Siti Khadijah passed away, and he began to take more wives to help old widows and forged an alliance with many different tribes, as well as marrying a 9 year old Aisha whom never consummate their marriage until she was 12, the common age for marriage in those days (Virgin Mary was also 12 when she gave birth to Jesus).
All in all, the book is undoubtedly an excellent conclusion to a brilliant series on understanding Islam, with the first book provides a compact introduction about Islam, the second book dwells into Islam in the context of socio-political issues, and this one addresses the misconceptions of Islam. I can’t recommend them enough.
EDWIN SETIADI 