People of Rochester - Muhammad

I had photographed Muhammad and a small group of young men at the “Meet a Muslim” table at the Rochester Public Market, two years ago, before I started this blog. I thought it would be interesting to have a conversation with Muhammad now and share what I learned about him.

Muhammad emigrated from Pakistan in 2009; he’s an American citizen now. He came here because his brother was already settled in the U.S. He works for the University of Rochester, in the pharmacy department, managing billing, finances, etc., and he’s happy with that job, he says.

Muhammad said that the main purpose of the “Meet a Muslim” table is to clear up misunderstandings and answer questions about Islam (which is the world’s second-largest religion). He wants to raise awareness of Islam, to communicate the true teaching of Islam, and not have people be misinformed by watching TV or YouTube. He is practicing the true teaching(s) of Islam, and he wants people to come to him if they have questions.

I asked what a common misunderstanding is that people have about Islam, and Muhammad said that the main misunderstanding he’s seen is around the concept of “jihad.” He says many people think that “jihad” is a struggle or war against the enemies of Islam, but the true teaching defines jihad as a spiritual struggle within oneself, against one’s own immoral impulses.

In old times, a jihad was fought with swords and physical force, but now the jihad is fought with a pen, Muhammad said. "You teach people; you take care of your neighbors; you reform yourself."

The primary sacred text of Islam is the Quran (or Koran). The Quran is the word of God, Muhammad said. “You can say God; you can say Allah; everyone has different words to describe the supreme being, the one supreme power.” Then he said, “There is one verse in the Quran that says, if you save one life, you are saving all of humanity.”

Thanks, Muhammad!