Islamophobia is the most used term to describe prejudice, negative sentiments, and hostility toward Islam and Muslims. Islamophobia is a neologism which is a debatable topic in different countries across the globe. The term is coined on the stereotypes created by people about the religion ‘Islam’. People associate terrorism with the religion ‘Islam’ whereas, terrorists have no religion. Terrorists attack in the name of Islam and believe they will be rewarded, but this is their wrong perception of Islam. Allah says:

وَإِنْ أَحَدٌ مِّنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ اسْتَجَارَكَ فَأَجِرْهُ حَتَّىٰ يَسْمَعَ كَلَامَ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ أَبْلِغْهُ مَأْمَنَهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لَّا يَعْلَمُونَ

“If anyone of the idolaters seeks your protection, then grant him the protection that he may hear the words of Allah. Then deliver him to his place of safety. That is because they are people who do not know.” (Surah al-Tawbah 9:6)

Islamophobia is a new name but a very old type of racism. Islam is the religion of peace and morality. If somebody claims that he is doing something which is liked in Islam, then before believing, people should cross-check first whether that activity is actually encouraged by Islam or not. The one who claims fallacies about Islam will be punished on the Day of Judgment and this is something considered as ‘Haram’ by Allah.

لَا تَقْتُلُوا النِّسَاءَ وَلَا الصِّبْيَانَ وَلَا الشَّيْخَ الْكَبِيرَ وَلَا مَنْ أَلْقَى إِلَيْكُمُ السَّلَمَ وَكَفَ يَدَهُ فَإِنْ فَعَلْتُمْ هَذَا فَقَدَ اعْتَدَيْتُمْ

“Do not kill women, or children, or old men, or whoever comes to you with peace and he restrains his hand from fighting, for if you did that you would certainly have transgressed.” (Tafseer At-Tabari 2:190)

Every religion has some unique styles and words to greet each other. Muslims spread the word of peace. Islam is the most beautiful religion that says Muslims to wish each other with good words and good intentions. Islam teaches humanity better than any other religion. Religion rewards the person by just paying good wishes. Islam never says to kill innocent people. Even Allah says in the Quran that whoever kills innocent people has killed the whole of humanity.

Islamophobia is used shorthand way of referring to dread or hatred of Islam:

1. Islamophobia, popularized, refers to indiscriminate negative attitudes
2. Islamophobia is for expelling all Muslims from Western territories
3. Islamophobia organized mobilization against Islam and Muslims
4. Islamophobia is negative feelings and evaluations of Muslims
5. Islamophobia refers to unfounded hostility towards Islam
6. Islamophobia is to control and limit the practice of Islam 
7. Islamophobia used for the explicit conceptualization
8. Islamophobia is the most used prejudice sentiments
9. Islamophobia is an anti-Islamic activists idea
10. Islamophobia is to halt Muslim immigration
11. Islamophobia  is certain anti-Islamic attitudes
12. Islamophobia deviate from the norms of society
13. Islamophobia is a false  campaign against Muslims
14. Islamophobia is to anti-Islamic attitudes in the mass
15. Islamophobia is an explicit rejection of Muslim practices
16. Islamophobia is a negative act  toward Islam and Muslims
17. Islamophobia has been used both in politics and academia
18. Islamophobia can be based on ideas about Islam as a religion
19. Islamophobia is an aimless negative emotion directed at Muslims
20. Islamophobic ideas portray Islam and Muslims as an existential threat

Islamophobia affects more than a small fringe group of Muslims. Religion and culture outpace politics across all regions surveyed as the root cause of tension between the Muslim and Western worlds. This is significant in discussions about Islamophobia, considering political interests can vary and change while cultural and religious differences are more ingrained within populations. Allah says:

وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا

“The servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say words of peace.” (Surat al-Furqan 25:63)

Islamophobia has been a controversial concept ever since it first gained popular currency. One of the main sticking points over the term is whether or not it refers to religion. For both detractors and advocates of the term alike, religion should be or is removed from the meaning of Islamophobia, which is conceived as a form of anti-Muslim racism. Allah says:

وَإِن جَنَحُوا لِلسَّلْمِ فَاجْنَحْ لَهَا وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

“If they incline to peace, then incline to it also and rely upon Allah. Verily, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.” (Surah al-Anfāl 8:61)

Islam isn’t a race. But it still makes sense to think of Islamophobia as racism. Islam, we might say, is thereby removed from Islamophobia. Yet, in doing so, it falls short of two of its key objectives, i.e., identifying the particular forms of discrimination that Muslims face in society and subsequently providing a positive basis from which to address this discrimination.

Muslims aim to fight Islamophobia via Quran education:

• “Truly the religion with Allah is Islam.” (Quran: 3:19)
• “Guidance for those conscious of Allah.” (Quran, 2:2)
• “And speak to people in the best manner.” (Quran 2:83)
• “Then We will save the ones who had taqwa.“ (Quran, 19:72)
• “It describes reconciliation as the best policy.” (Quran: 4:128)
• “Truly, in remembering God do hearts find rest.” (Quran 13:28)
• “Have taqwa of Allah so that you might succeed.” (Quran, 3:200)
• “and states that God abhors any disturbance of the peace.” (Quran: 2:205)
• “Indeed, this Quran guides to that which is the most upright way.” (Quran 17-9)

Islamophobic ideas portray Islam and Muslims as an existential threat to non-Muslims. We Muslims have always been peaceful, kind, caring and charitable. Our religion instils some of the best qualities a human should possess. They include tolerance, patience, and resilience in the face of adversity. Our Prophet Muhammad(S.A.W) was sent to us as the perfect example of what a human being and a Muslim should be like, they will understand what Islam truly stands for. Allah says:

‏وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّلِحَتِ ۙ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌۭ وَأَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌۭ ‎

“Allah has promised those who believe and do good ˹His˺ forgiveness and a great reward.” (Surah Al-Maidah 5:9)

Islam provides a social order which cannot only tend to be universal but must become universal. Islam spread far and wide during the proceeding centuries. We should pray for those who are planting the seed of hatred in the hearts of our fellow and those who burnt the Quran. Perhaps there will be among their offspring who will be not only supporters of Islam but those who will be carriers of Islamic flags. Allah says:

يَٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُونُوا۟ قَوَّمِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَدَآءَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۖ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَـَٔانُ قَوْمٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا۟ ۚ ٱعْدِلُوا۟ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ ‎

“And let not the hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is next to piety; and fear Allah, for Allah, is well-acquainted with all that you do.” (Surah Al-Maidah 5:8)

Islam not only forbids killing innocent people but it is also commanding to save humanity by even saving one person. Hence, before creating Islamophobia among ourselves, we are badly needed to study the real Islam. Terrorism is not associated with any religion. Terrorists are nobody but the murderers, and for whom Islam has severe punishments. Islam strictly discourages violence, killings, and cruelty.