ONLINE ONLY - Neither Polytheistic, Nor Costumed

January 11, 2012

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Why is the phrase “no god but God” revelatory about Muslim beliefs and history? And what's appropriate attire for delivering a school report on Muhammad? Some answers are in this excerpt from Sumbul Ali-Karamali's book, The Muslim Next Door: The Qur'an, the Media and that Veil Thing. (White Cloud Press, $16.95)

The phrase “no god but God” may sound strange to the Western ear. But the wording and capitalization both intend to clarify that no other gods exist. Only the God. And it is a better translation than, “no god but Allah,” because that implies Allah is something other than God. I also prefer the first version because, in Islam, God is neither male nor female.

The reason for this declaration is largely the rejection of polytheism. As Islam was revealed in an idol-worshipping, polytheistic society, Muslims have a particularly strong abhorrence of polytheism and anything that could lead to polytheism. Because of the uncompromising monotheistic nature of Islam, Muslim tradition prohibits the visual portrayal and depiction of Muhammad and other religious figures. Other figures, as well as animals, may be portrayed. In the Muslim view, it would be too easy to begin worshipping the human figures who brought the message of God rather than God Himself. . . .

My son's teacher called me last year to see if I would be offended if one of the children in the school dressed up as Muhammad for Halloween. At my son's school, the children choose historical characters to dress up as at Halloween and write reports on them. They must choose people who did more good things than bad things. My first impulse was gratitude that this teacher had thought to call me. My second impulse was the urge to laugh at the thought of a little Halloween Prophet of Islam.

I told her I would not be offended and that I was actually pleased a child would even know about Muhammad, much less want to dress up as him and portray him positively. I did tell the teacher, reluctantly, about the religious prohibition on visually portraying the angels and religious figures. This prohibition meant that dressing up as Muhammad would be contrary to Islamic principles. She understood immediately.

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