1. This is perhaps the most common misconception amongst all people, including Muslims. There are many misunderstandings about religion ingeneral, their beliefs and practices, but especially with regard to "islam". The first key thing to appreciate is the word "islam" and what it represents. It is an Arabic wordand it existed before The Quran was written and was usedto describe an attribute, an action, a state of being: self-surrender or to make peace. It comes from the verb"aslama" meaning to give over. A "muslim" is simply onewho is in "islam" (i.e. one who surrenders or makespeace).

2. It should be noted that this word had noreligious connotation and was not a title of something, even though it has come to beused as a title these days. According to TheQuran itself, everything in theuniverse, willingly or unwillingly hasultimately surrendered to God, thus thebasic concept of islam is as old as theuniverse itself: 3. Do they seek other than thesystem of God, when all things in the heavens and theearth, willingly or unwillingly have surrendered / given over to Him, and to Him they will bereturned. [Quran, 3:83] 4. This is an important point to reflect upon, because many people do not realise that "islam" first and foremost is a state of being, not a title of a religion. For example, there is a differencebetween saying "the pillow is soft" and "the pillow is Soft". The latter could mean anything, due to the capitalised "S" in"Soft", and we would have to find out what "Soft" refers to before we understood the statement, whereas the word "soft" is self-explanatory, it is describing an attribute the pillow has.Similarly, there is a difference between saying "the person is inislam" and "the person is in Islam". The latter refers to the title of a group, whilst the former describes an attribute the person has. This attribute is present in everything around us, in the very fabric of the universe itself... it may even be present within you. 5. Now that we understand islam as an attribute, it becomes clear that an attribute is not exclusive to anygroup. For example, no product has the monopoly on being soft, many items can be soft. This is where thesystem described in The Quran differs significantlyfrom religions. Many people do not realise that it is an inclusive system which promotes beliefs and actionsthat are not exclusive to any group, and repeatedly points this out. It is simply a continuation and completion of the same message that has been givensince the dawn of mankind. 6. Surely those who believe, and those who areJews, and the Nazarenes*, and theSabians, whoever believes in God and the Lastday and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear uponthem, nor shall they grieve. [Quran, 2:62] *commonly translated as "Christians" but morelikely refers to the followers of Jesus ofNazareth, hence Nazarenes. 7. Say: "We believe in God and what has been revealed to us, and what wasrevealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and what was given to Moses and Jesus and to theprophets from their Lord; we do not makeany distinction between any of them, andto Him do we submit. [Quran, 3:84] 8. The core theme throughout The Quranis monotheism: belief in the oneness anduniqueness of God, the source from which all ofcreation originates and the source we will all returnto. This concept is closely related to a recognition ofunity and oneness amongst all things with regard topurpose and direction, and when we become in harmony with our true state of being, like how every component in the universe serves the whole, i.e. God, we can be said to be in the state of islam: we self-surrender or make peace. 9. The system in The Quran promotes unity, and asystem of governance that is just and beneficial forall of society, even if one is of no particular faith. Itdetails an environment that allows humans to live and grow to their full potential. Shortly after The Quran came into existence, it is well documented that the Arabs excelled in all areas of science for example and spread their knowledge andgovernance to many countries, producing the mostadvanced and productive societies of the time, e.g.Cordoba of Al-Andalus. 10. So, how can we acheive this?The Quran contains the same truth that was revealed in previous scriptures (e.g. the same message that was given toAbraham, Moses, Jesus and others) and considers itself as the final divine revelation to mankind. It urges people of other monotheistic faiths to return to their original teachings, anddiscard all the additions added by man-madelaws, tradition, culture, various sects and scholars etc. Its objective and its method of explanation is that of educating the minds and changing human attitude towards life. Its aim is tostrip away the inessentials, reveal our true form and bring abouta revolution inside the man himself, for after all, the externalmaterial civilization is the expression of the internal spiritual 11. Interestingly, it refers to itself many times as a reminder, implying it is teaching us universaltruths already present within us and around us. We will show them Our signs in the horizons,and within themselves, until it becomes clear tothem that this is the truth. Is it not enough that your Lord is witness over all things? [Quran,41:53] 12. Quite simply, it is a book all about us, discussing: ourcreation, purpose, history, spirituality, psyche, lifes big questions, justice, governance etc. It is a guide on howto realise our potential, individually and collectively, ifone chooses to seek this path. It should be read like anyother book: do not read to contradict and refute, nor tobelieve and take it for granted but simply to weigh and consider.We have sent down to you a book in which is yourremembrance/mentioning. Will you not, then, usereason? [Quran, 21:10] 13. Thus, unlike religions which commonly have anexclusive nature or promote beliefs without theuse of reason, The Quran repeatedly emphasisesunity and promotes the use of our hearts as well as our minds. If you have read the many misconceptions about islam discussed on thissite, then you will know there is a big differencebetween what you think islam is or what youthink The Quran says and what islam actually isand what The Quran actually says. 14. Luckily, The Quran has been translated intomany languages, and is often available to read inyour local library. Even though a translation cannever fully represent the original, it may be agood starting point. The following websitecontains links to many translations, and otherresources (e.g. search Quran by word, browse by topic, listen to mp3 audio) and you can even order a free copy if you wish: www.StudyQuran.org 15. Or alternatively, buy it from most book stores. There are also many online articles and videos about islam, muslims and The Quran, but rather than relying on second-hand information, it is best to study it from the source, to the best of your ability. This would be the sincere and sensibleapproach.