Islam Part 2

1 John 4:1–6 KJV 1900

1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Today we are going to talk about the second largest religion in the world, which estimates will place at about 25% of the world population today. The largest religion in the world is Christianity at about 31% of the world’s population.

What religion are we talking about today?

Islam.

It is known as the fastest growing religion in the world today. This was also true when I was in college, there were some interesting demographics that we may or may not cover in this lesson.

Ever since the Attack on America on September 11, 2001, we have heard a never-ending chorus of voices from government, academia, and the media assuring us that the Islamic terrorists who attacked the Trade Towers and the Pentagon are not representative of “true Islam.” We have been likewise assured by spiritual leaders — even some Christian spokesmen — that Islam is a religion of peace, and that Muslims worship the same God as Christians and Jews.

You may have heard this very quote in the media:

“Our war is not against Islam,” we have been told repeatedly. “Our war is against terrorism.”

Central Questions

Are Muslims the spiritual brothers and sisters of Christians and Jews?

Do we all worship the same God?

Are the Islamic holy scriptures, known as the Quran, inspired by God?

Is Islam another path to God by which one can attain eternal life?

Are the Islamic fundamentalists representative of true Islam, or are they a terrible aberration of an otherwise peace-loving religion?

Is our war really a political one against international terrorists, or is it a spiritual battle against a demonic, intolerant, militant, and imperialistic religion known as Islam?

Who founded Islam?

Muhammad.

When did Muhammad found Islam and how old was he?

He founded Islam in 610 AD when he was 40 years old.

Sounds like a mid-life crisis in many was to be honest.

He claimed to have received his first revelation from God through the angel Gabriel in approximately 610 AD, at the age of 40, while meditating in a cave on Mount Hira near Mecca[1][2][3].

This event marked the beginning of his prophetic mission and the foundation of Islam. Muhammad began preaching these revelations three years later, around 613 AD[2].

[1] David B. Cook, “Muhammad,” ed. H. Wayne House, The Evangelical Dictionary of World Religions (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books: A Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2018), 332. [2] Victor Vadney, The Arrogant Journey: Hermeneutics and Church History (Abilene, TX: Desert Willow Publishing, 2012), 155. [3] Zane Pratt, “Understanding Islam,” in Missiology: An Introduction to the Foundations, History, and Strategies of World Missions, ed. John M Terry (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2016), 337.

What two books do Muslims use as their source of faith and practice?

The Quran and The Hadith According to Al Bukhari.

What is the Hadith?

It is a collection of the sayings and actions of the prophet Muhammad.

The Hadith is considered to be the most authentic sayings and actions of Muhammad and thus will be one of the main sources of the Islamic faith.

As westerners we often hear about the Quran but not many will know about the Hadith.

Let’s talk a bit about the founder Muhammad.

He was believed to be born around 570 AD and lived until 632 AD. He began to proclaim his revelation from the angel Gabriel after about 3 years of the original revelation that he had in the the cave near Mount Hira. He was forced to leave Mecca in 622 after the people there wanted to have him assassinated. The tribe in Mecca at the time (his native tribe) was the Quraysh tribe, which were polytheistic and rejected Muhammad who was teaching about monotheism.

Muhammad’s father died before he was born and his mother would die when he was six years old. He would then be raise by his grandfather and later an uncle.

He was illiterate throughout his life.

He worked in the caravans of merchants until the age of 25 when a wealthy widow woman fell in love with him, she was at the time 40 years old. Her name was Khadija bint Khuwaylid.

This marriage allowed Muhammad to live a life of leisure from that point onward.

During his extensive travels in the caravan, he encountered many Christians and Jews. Through his conversations with them, he picked up bits and pieces of both Judaism and Christianity.

His vision at the age of 40 years old as he stated Gabriel told him that he was called to be God’s ‘prophet’ and ‘apostle’.

We need to stop here for one moment and ask this question:

In the Arabian religions, were there prophets and apostles?

No. This was Muhammad’s attempting to appeal to the Jews and Christians.

His revelation or visions appeared to him 15 years after his marriage and his wife was the first one to validate his visions. Which is very controversial given the view of women in the Islamic faith.

Muhammad continued to have spirit visitations. They would throw him into a trance, and his utterances during the trances were written down by scribes.

Muhammad continued to have visions and revelations that would place him in a trance like state and then someone would record the visions.

These ethereal statements became the Koran, but they were not compiled until after Muhammad’s death.

When the compilation was made, the utterances were not organized either chronologically or by subject matter. The result was a jumble of disorganized and often incoherent sayings which are frequently contradictory.

Here are a few examples from the Quran:

Suras 53 and 81 — God, or Allah as he is called in Arabic, personally appeared to Muhammad.

Suras 16 and 26 — The call was from the Holy Spirit.

Sura 15 — Angels issued the call.

Sura 2 — Gabriel was the one who appeared to him.

It should be noted here that Islam does not believe in the trinity and view that as polytheistic. Also they do not really believe in the Holy Spirit in the same manner so this would be an issue to be honest. Because if only Allah gave you the utterance, then how can the Quran say that the holy spirit brought the revelation?

I got questions..

The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an Surah 16—The Bee

102. Say, the Holy Spirit has brought the revelation from thy Lord in Truth, in order to strengthen those who believe, and as a Guide and Glad Tidings to Muslims.

It should also be noted that after Muhammad was rejected by the Christians and Jews, that became hostile towards them. We can find this in the Quran:

The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an Surah 5—The Table

O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust.

The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an Surah 9—Repentance

29. Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Apostle, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.

30. The Jews call ‘Uzair a son of Allah, and the Christians call Christ the son of Allah. That is a saying from their mouth; (in this) they but imitate what the unbelievers of old used to say. Allah’s curse be on them: how they are deluded away from the Truth!

Who are the people of the book?

Christians and Jews.

What is the Jizya?

It is a tax that all non-muslims must pay to practice their religion and be exempt from military service.

In 622 AD Muhammad left Mecca and moved north to Medina. Here he found a receptive audience of Islam and would build from here.

The Islamic calendar starts from this year of 622 AD and thus at the year 2001 it was 1422 in the Muslim calendar year.

The Islamic calendar dates from this year when Muhammad fled to Medina and found a receptive audience, resulting in the formal establishment of Islam as a religion. It was the year 622 A.D., and that date represents year one of the Muslim calendar, which is a lunar calendar. The year 2001 is the year 1422 in the Muslim dating system.

After the death of his wife, Muhammad married at least 11 other women (some sources place the total as high as 16).

She died 3 years after leaving Mecca.

He also took several concubines. He married one girl who was only six years old and had sexual relations with her when she was 9.2 According to the Koran, only the prophet could have unlimited wives. All other Muslim men are limited to four (Sura 4:3).

The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an Surah 4—Women

If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, Marry women of your choice, Two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice.

Let’s talk about the spread of Islam.

The spread of Islam began in 632 following the death of Muhammad and they would go on a military campaign that would last until about 1096 AD. Muslim forces rapidly expanded across the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Europe, conquering territories previously under Christian rule.

The Islamic armies used a tactic of ‘covert and conquer’. Those who did not convert to Islam were usually killed as a response to their infidelity.

The Christian Crusades were a direct response to this Muslim expansion, particularly aimed at regaining control of the Holy Land in the Levant. The main objective to regain control of Jerusalem and the surrounding areas.

Muslims follow five basic pillars that are essential to their faith. These include:

Shahada: to declare one’s faith in God and belief in Muhammad.

Salat: to pray five times a day (at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening) facing Mecca.

Zakat: to give to those in need.

Sawm: to fast during Ramadan.

Hajj: to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once during a person’s lifetime if the person is able.

Sharia Law

Islam’s legal system is known as Sharia Law. This faith-based code of conduct directs Muslims on how they should live in nearly every aspect of their lives.

Sharia law requires men and women to dress modestly. It also outlines marriage guidelines and other moral principles for Muslims.

If crimes are committed, Sharia law is known for its harsh punishments. For example, the punishment for theft is amputating a person’s hand. Adultery can carry the penalty of death by stoning. However, many Muslims do not support such extreme measures.

Sharia law is well known for being very brutal in punishment and very little forgiveness within the system. Almost all penalties are extreme in our modern world.

It should be noted that much of this might not be considered very extreme for the time it would be in place during Muhammad’s lifetime. As most ancient cultures had extremely strict laws and regulations, most penalties were extreme in those days.

So let’s start this class with the central questions I posed at the beginning of the last class:

Central Questions

Are Muslims the spiritual brothers and sisters of Christians and Jews?

Do we all worship the same God?

Are the Islamic holy scriptures, known as the Quran, inspired by God?

Is Islam another path to God by which one can attain eternal life?

Are the Islamic fundamentalists representative of true Islam, or are they a terrible aberration of an otherwise peace-loving religion?

Is our war really a political one against international terrorists, or is it a spiritual battle against a demonic, intolerant, militant, and imperialistic religion known as Islam?

Based on these questions I think we can begin to answer some of them.

Muslims are not the spiritual brothers/sisters of Christians and Jews as Muslims view both as polytheistic. They believe in allah and not in the trinity.

Based solely off the fact they do not believe in the trinity, they do not worship the same God as the Christians or Jews. They worship an entirely different god, one who seems to desire to be appeased by a Muslims good works.

It is clear from reading the Quran, that it seems more like the incoherent babblings or rantings of a man who has a vendetta against those he has interacted with in his life.

The original writer Muhammad is an interesting character as all the Hadith’s written about him have been written by Muslims who worshiped him and thus wrote of him in the best light as they worshiped him as a god.

Muhammad himself did not write the Quran, as if you remember he was illiterate throughout his life and thus he only spoke what he claimed was from allah or Gabriel.

What does the Quran teach doctrinally about sin and original sin?

The quran denies the need for forgiveness of sin, and Islam itself denies the fall of man with Adam and Eve.

There are many issues with their view, for instance they believe that they simply forgot God’s commandment and that God promised to give them ‘guidance’ and not to worry. They also believe that the fall occurred in heaven and not on earth.

Since Islam denies original sin, there is no need for savior in Islam.

So how does one inherit eternal life in Islam?

Islam offers no assurance of eternal life. Only that if a person does good works, Allah may forgive them if it pleases him.

The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an Surah 23—The Believers

102. Then those whose balance (of good deeds) is heavy—they will attain salvation:

103. But those whose balance is light, will be those who have lost their souls, in Hell will they abide.

Did you know that there is an unpardonable sin?

In the bible, we are told that whoever commits blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be pardoned.

Most, myself included believe that this to reject the gospel and call it a lie. Falling into deceit and refusing to believe in what the Holy Spirit has confirmed.

In Islam, it is called Shirk.

This is a denial of the unity of Allah. Specifically, God cannot be three and one at the same time. Therefore, anyone who holds to the doctrine of the Trinity commits the unpardonable sin.

Meaning that as Christians, we have committed the unpardonable sin.

Matthew 12:31 KJV 1900

31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

What does the quran say about forgiveness?

The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an Surah 35—Orignator

For those who reject Allah, is a terrible Penalty: but for those who believe and work righteous deeds, is Forgiveness, and a magnificent Reward.

The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an Surah 4—Women

Allah forgiveth not that partners should be set up with Him; but He forgiveth anything else, to whom He pleaseth; to set up partners with Allah is to devise a sin Most heinous indeed.

The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an Surah 4—Women

O ye who believe! Approach not prayers with a mind befogged, until ye can understand all that ye say—nor in a state of ceremonial impurity (Except when travelling on the road), until after washing your whole body. If ye are ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from offices of nature, or ye have been in contact with women, and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands. For Allah doth blot out sins and forgive again and again.

I actually find this last one interesting because in this same chapter a few verses ahead, is where it talks about beating women…

The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an Surah 4—Women

Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband’s) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all).

Now, I have read this verse in many iterations and I can say that none of them, except this variant, showed the word ‘lightly’ in parenthesis. Take that as you will.

Let’s deal with the last two questions together as I think that is the best way to tackle them.

Let’s start with this question:

Is Islam really a religion of peace?

After all, we have heard this numerous times in the media that Islam is not a group of terrorists and that is a misrepresentation of Islam, the religion of peace.

I will let you be the judge. The quran mentions the word ‘peace’ 44 times.

The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an Surah 60—Examining Her

It may be that Allah will grant love (and friendship) between you and those whom ye (now) hold as enemies. For Allah has power (over all things); And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an Surah 2—The Cow

Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors.

As a side note here, I found this verse in the quran that basically seemed to say a man could take your wife if he ascertained her as a believer and her husband an infidel.

The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an Surah 60—Examining Her

O ye who believe! When there come to you believing women refugees, examine (and test) them: Allah knows best as to their Faith: if ye ascertain that they are Believers, then send them not back to the Unbelievers. They are not lawful (wives) for the Unbelievers, nor are the (Unbelievers) lawful (husbands) for them. But pay the Unbelievers what they have spent (on their dower), and there will be no blame on you if ye marry them on payment of their dower to them. But hold not to the guardianship of unbelieving women: ask for what ye have spent on their dowers, and let the (Unbelievers) ask for what they have spent (on the dowers of women who come over to you). Such is the command of Allah: He judges (with justice) between you. And Allah is Full of Knowledge and Wisdom.

Where does the quran teach or promote violence or war?

The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an Surah 9—Repentance

But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an Surah 9—Repentance

O ye who believe! Truly the Pagans are unclean; so let them not, after this year of theirs, approach the Sacred Mosque. And if ye fear poverty, soon will Allah enrich you, if He wills, out of His bounty, for Allah is All-knowing, All-wise.

29. Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Apostle, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.

30. The Jews call ‘Uzair a son of Allah, and the Christians call Christ the son of Allah. That is a saying from their mouth; (in this) they but imitate what the unbelievers of old used to say. Allah’s curse be on them: how they are deluded away from the Truth!

If Islam is a religion of peace, then why does the quran teach that they should subdue and make war with those who are not muslim?

Many would say the same about Christianity, but what sets is apart is that the bible teaches us not to live violently and rather to live peaceable with all men.

Romans 12:18 KJV 1900

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Jesus even warned that those who live by the sword die by it. Meaning that those who live violent lives will have violence.

Matthew 26:52 KJV 1900

52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

Let’s look at the history of Islam to further investigate the idea of it being a peaceful and loving religion.

During Muhammad’s life, he went out to conquer and convert people. It is estimated that he lead at least 27 military campaigns before his death. Once he moved to Medina from Mecca, and established a following of muslims, he began a military campaign.

His first campaign was against his own tribe in Mecca and from there he expanded.

Following his death in 632, muslims expanded rapidly conquering many non-mulsim, Jewish, and Christian ruled areas on a campaign of conquer and convert. Infidels were usually slain and some were kept for jiyza to provide slaves and income.

From 632 until 1096 the Islamic armies expanded with little to no resistance. In 1096 the first of the crusades began and would continue to fight against the Islamic rule in an effort to regain the holy land and provide a means of safety to travel. This was also an effort to re-establish christian rule rather than the harsh rule of Islam.

Over the centuries there has been an aggressive change in the tactics of Islam with warfare. Let’s address one of the most controversial. “Suicide bombers”.

This idea typical stems from the verse in the quran:

The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an Surah 2—The Cow

And say not of those who are slain in the way of Allah: “They are dead.” Nay, they are living, though ye perceive (it) not.

The idea is that they are not dead nor did they commit suicide for they died in the way of allah. Meaning they died for his cause and thus they will be rewarded.

Less than two months after 9/11 Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, a Muslim Brotherhood acolyte who serves as Al-Jazeera’s religion specialist and was once welcomed in European countries as a moderate, spoke about why no one should use the term suicide bombing. “This is an unjust and misleading name because these are heroic commando and martyrdom attacks and should not be called suicide under any circumstances,” he said.

Remember suicide in the Islamic faith is not allowed and those who commit suicide will be punished in hell.

What then is the reward of allah?

I’m sure we have all heard that it is the 72 virgins in paradise. But this is not in the quran. Where then is this found?

A hadith in Jamiʽ at-Tirmidhi states that a martyr will be married to 72 houris in Paradise. The hadith also says that the martyr will be forgiven, shown their place in Paradise, and protected from punishment in the grave.

The concept of martyrs receiving 72 virgins in paradise is not mentioned in the Quran, but rather comes from a collection of sayings attributed to the Prophet Muhammad known as the Hadith. Specifically, this idea is found in the Sunan al-Tirmidhi, which is one of the six major Hadith collections in Sunni Islam[1]. According to one of the articles, a hadith narrated by al-Miqdam bin Ma'di Yakrib states that a martyr has six rewards from God, one of which is that "he is married to (wives) from among the wide-eyed houris"[2]. Another article mentions that the martyr "marries seventy-two virgins and he visits them in one night where he is given the capacity to do so"[2]. It's important to note that interpretations of these texts vary among Muslim scholars and communities, and some consider such descriptions to be metaphorical rather than literal[1][3].

[1] Timothy J. Demy and Thomas Ice, Answers to Common Questions about Heaven & Eternity (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2011), 87. [2] Erik Skare, Palestinian Islamic Jihad: Islamist Writings on Resistance and Religion (London, WC: I.B. Tauris, 2021), 235. [3] Jason K. Swedene, Staying Alive: The Varieties of Immortality (Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 2009).

So given our differences and tense atmosphere between Christianity and Islam, how should we approach reaching them for Christ?