World Religions: Islam

Islam

What is Islam?

(All Islam info in this section from So What’s the Difference? by Fritz Ridenour Chapter 5 on Islam except where noted.)

Islam means submission.

Muslim

A believer in Islam is called a Muslim, which means one who lives his life according to God’s Will.

In 2015, there were 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide, a little over 24% of the world’s population.

Rachid’s Story (from Engaging with Muslims by John Klaassen)

Difference between Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims

(Statistic from https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/04/06/why-muslims-are-the-worlds-fastest-growing-religious-group/ accessed on 08/07/19.)

(Discussion of differences from Engaging Muslims, 19, 20)

When: 6th Century at the death of Muhammad.

Why: Shi’ite

The split came because the “Shi’ites believed Ali ben Talib, Muhammad’s son-in-law, was the legitimate next leader of Islam.”

Ali was the husband to Fatimah who was Muhammad’s only daughter. He had very devoted and enthusiastic for the Islamic cause. He also claimed that Muhammad had endowed him with his designation called “ilm” and with special spiritual knowledge know as “nass”. Ali also claimed that he would be able to speak directly to God as Muhammad had and would continue to receive special knowledge.

The Majority of the the people did not support him, though, because they thought he was “quick tempered, out of control and unreliable.” (19)

Why: Sunni

The Sunni’s support Abu Bakr, Muhammad’s father-in-law. He had also distinguished himself as a leader and wise man. After Muhammad died they wanted to make Muhammad a deity. Abu took charge and settled the issue saying, “If anyone worships Muhammad, Muhammad is dead; but if anyone worships Allah, he [Allah] is alive and does not die.” (Engaging 19, emphasis original) This settled the issue and provided stability for the people. The people made Abu the first “caliph” the successor to Muhammad. The Ali supporters were not in favor of this and this started the split. The Arabic word for splinter is “shia” so it became the Shi’ites (the minority) and the Sunnis (the majority).

One of the first questions to ask your Muslim friend is “Are You Shi’ite or Sunni?” (Engaging 20, emphasis original) It would be like being Catholic or Protestant; there are massive differences but both call themselves Christians. So too both the Shi’ites and Sunnis call themselves Muslims. To ask this question will not offend them.

Inside of both of these groups you will find a continuum of belief: from radical fundamentalist who want the whole world to convert to Islam, to liberal inclusivists who believe everyone has a chance if they believe in the “one true God.” There are also many “cultural Muslims” who have no idea what they believe, they just know they are Muslims and their children should only marry Muslims.

Islam was founded by Mohammed and includes submission to Allah.

The

There are main groups of Muslims, the Sunni and the Shi’ites.

In 2015, there were 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide, a little over 24% of the world’s population.

A believer in Islam is called a Muslim, which means one who lives his life according to God’s Will.

Islam was founded by Mohammed and includes submission to Allah.

Who is Allah?

Elohim means supreme one or might one in Hebrew. The word refers to God in the Old Testament but also refers to human rulers, judges and even angels. It does not mean that God is the Supreme being like Yahweh, but it emphasizes God’s power and might.

“When referring to God, Muslims use the word “Allah,” which is the Arabic translation of the Hebrew word Elohim.” (https://www.imb.org/2018/05/11/do-you-know-the-basics-of-islam/ accesed on 08/10/19)

Allah is is the Arabic translation of the Hebrew word Elohim.

“If population estimates prove accurate, Islam will become the dominant belief system by the end of the twenty-first century.”

Elohim means supreme one or might one in Hebrew. The word refers to God in the Old Testament but also refers to human rulers, judges and even angels. It does not mean that God is the Supreme being like Yahweh, but it emphasizes God’s power and might.

Allah is the holy creator and sustainer of all things.

“They believe Allah is the holy creator and sustainer of all things. Muslims attribute to Allah most of the qualities Christians bestow on God. Muslims and Christians agree that God is the one and only God, but the God of the Bible is vastly different than the Allah of Islam. For instance, but Muslims deny the biblical teaching that God is one being in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Muslims believe Allah is merciful, just , and compassionate , Yet he is unknowable.

Furthermore, Muslims believe Allah is to be esteemed in such a way that makes it inappropriate or impossible to call him “father.” He is merciful, just, and compassionate, but simply unknowable beyond facts related to his perfection.” (https://www.imb.org/2018/05/11/do-you-know-the-basics-of-islam/ accesed on 08/10/19)

The Six Doctrines of Islam

(So What’s the Difference? Ridenour pg. 79-80 Unless otherwise noted. Doctrines are direct quotes. )

There are six doctrines every Muslim is required to believe:

1. God. There is only one true God and his name is Allah.

Allah is all-seeing, all-knowing, and all-powerful.

2. Angels. The chief angel is Gabriel, who is said to have appeared to Mohammed. There is also a fallen angel named Shaitan.

Shaitan comes from the Hebrew “Satan”. There are also followers of Shaitan called the jinns, which are demons.

3. Scripture. Muslims believe in four God-inspired books: the Torah of Moses, the Zabur, the Injil, and the Qur’an.

The Torah of Moses is the first five books of the Old Testament.

Genisis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

Genisis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

The Zabur are the Psalms of David.

The Arabic word zabuur means "book" "inscription," or "writing." [2] An alternate, less accepted origin for the title zabuur in the meaning of "psalm" is that it is a corruption of the Hebrew zimrah (Hebrew: זִמְרָה) meaning "song, music" or sipur (Hebrew: סִפּוּר‎), meaning "story." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zabur accessed 08/07/19)

An alternate, less accepted origin for the title zabuur in the meaning of "psalm" is that it is a corruption of the Hebrew zimrah (Hebrew: זִמְרָה) meaning "song, music" or sipur (Hebrew: סִפּוּר‎), meaning "story."

The Injil is the Gospel of Jesus.

The life and proclamations of many of these prophets are recorded in the Qur’an. Many of Islam’s esteemed prophets, such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, and John the Baptist, are also recognized by Christians.”

Muslim scholars have resisted identifying the Injil with the New Testament Gospels. Some have suggested the Injil may be the Gospel of Barnabas or Gospel of Thomas.[3] More commonly, Muslim scholars have argued that the Injil refers to a text now lost or hopelessly corrupted.

For example, Abdullah Yusuf Ali wrote: The Injil (Greek, Evangel equals Gospel) spoken of by the Qur'an is not the New Testament. It is not the four Gospels now received as canonical. It is the single Gospel which, Islam teaches, was revealed to Jesus, and which he taught. Fragments of it survive in the received canonical Gospels and in some others, of which traces survive (e.g., the Gospel of Childhood or the Nativity, the Gospel of St.Barnabas, etc.)." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_in_Islam accessed 08/07/19)

Muslims believe that Jews and Christians corrupted their Scriptures, so the Qur’an is Allah’s final word to mankind. It supersedes and overrules all previous writings.

“Muhammad received a series of revelations from Allah, spanning several years. Because he was illiterate, he recounted these revelations to close friends who could record them. The collection of these recordings became the Muslim holy book, the Qur’an.

The Qur’an is believed to be the infallible word of Allah, perfectly preserved over time.

Muslims highly revere the Qur’an and believe it should only be read in its original language, Arabic, so as to not risk changing its meaning through translation.

Although the Qur’an is venerated because it is the perfect word of Allah, hadith reports are also esteemed because they communicate the sayings and deeds of Muhammad himself. Large hadith collections were gathered over the span of several hundred years following Muhammad’s death, and they provide more detailed guidance than the Qur’an on how to practice Islam. For instance, Muslims observe the five ritual prayers as Muhammad outlined them in the hadith. Muslims also study the hadith in order to interpret the Qur’an. Beliefs vary on which hadith are legitimate.” (https://www.imb.org/2018/05/11/do-you-know-the-basics-of-islam/ accesed on 08/10/19)

(https://www.imb.org/2018/05/11/do-you-know-the-basics-of-islam/ accesed on 08/10/19)

4. Mohammed. The Qur’an lists 28 prophets of Allah. These include Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Jonah and Jesus. To the Muslim, the last a greatest prophet is Mohammed.

“The life and proclamations of many of these prophets are recorded in the Qur’an. Many of Islam’s esteemed prophets, such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, and John the Baptist, are also recognized by Christians.”

The Injil (Greek, Evangel equals Gospel) spoken of by the Qur'an is not the New Testament. It is not the four Gospels now received as canonical. It is the single Gospel which, Islam teaches, was revealed to Jesus, and which he taught. Fragments of it survive in the received canonical Gospels and in some others, of which traces survive (e.g., the Gospel of Childhood or the Nativity, the Gospel of St.Barnabas, etc.)."[4]The life and proclamations of many of these prophets are recorded in the Qur’an. Many of Islam’s esteemed prophets, such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, and John the Baptist, are also recognized by Christians.”

The Qur’an also values Jesus and records his performance of miracles. Muslims say that Jesus was a Muslim because he worshiped the one true God. There is no uniform consensus among Muslims on how or if Jesus died. Some Muslims believe Jesus, having been nailed to the cross, was given a substitute to die on the cross and was taken up to heaven before death. Others believe Jesus died on the cross and was taken directly to heaven by Allah. The Qur’an does specify Jesus as the one who will come back to judge the nations and preserve true followers of Islam.

Muhammad is generally distinguished from other prophets because Allah chose him as the one to supply the Qur’an through revelations. He is recorded in the Qur’an as “the seal of the prophets,” meaning the last and greatest of Allah’s prophets (33:40). When Jesus comes back for the final judgment, Muhammad will, according to the Qur’an, be the first to be resurrected and enter into Paradise.” (https://www.imb.org/2018/05/11/do-you-know-the-basics-of-islam/ accesed on 08/10/19)

How did Mohammed become a prophet?

(So What’s the Difference? Ridenour pg. 76-77 Unless otherwise noted.)

He was born in Arabia in the city of Mecca in A.D. 570.

He came from a prominent and highly respected family. His father died a few days before his birth and his mother died when he was 6 years old. His grandfather took him in but died when Mohammed was nine. He went to live with his uncle Abu Talid, his uncle and herded flocks. As he got older he got into caravan trade and accompanied his uncle on trips to Syria and Persia.

Scholars believe he developed his concept of monotheism from his encounters with from people who believed Christ only had a divine nature or had both natures separate from one another. He also absorbed a great deal of teaching from Jews from the Talmud. Bottomline is that he learned about Jesus and the Old Testament from people who twisted the Scriptures or didn’t really understand them. As a result we will look at some of the theologically flawed ideas he expresses in the Qur’an.

At age 40, Mohammed claims to have received his first revelation form the archangel Gabriel while contemplating in a cave on Mount Hira.

According to Mohammed, Gabriel came to him in a dream and told him to

Read in the name of thy Lord who created, who created man of blood coagulated. Read! Thy Lord is the most beneficent, who taught by the pen, taught that what they know not unto men.

From this command to “read” comes the name for the Qur’an which means “the reciting” or “the reading”.

After receiving this first revelation, was deeply disturbed and told his wife that he though he might be possessed by jinns (demons). His wife and her cousin assured him that his words were true because of their limited familiarity with Jewish and Christian concepts of monotheism.

Mohammed hated the idolatry and the immorality of the Arabs who lived in Mecca.

He spoke against these things and taught Islam. His uncle kept him safe for many years but after his uncle’s death they plotted Mohammed’s death. He had to flee from Mecca. The Meccans organized an army to destroy Mohammed and his followers but in A.D. 630 the Islamic forces triumphed.

Mohammed entered Mecca and destroyed every idol in the Kaaba (ca-buh), the main temple, except the Black Stone, also known as the Kaaba Stone.

The Kaaba stone is a sacred meteorite that the Muslims believe was found by Abraham and his favorite son Ishmael.

5. The end times. On the “last day,” the dead will be resurrected. Allah will be the judge, and each person will be sent to heaven or hell.

Heaven is a place of sensual pleasure. Hell is for those who oppose Allah and his prophet Mohammed.

6. Predestination. God has determined what He pleases, and no one can change what He has decreed. This “doctorine of fate” is called kismet.

“If it is Allah’s will” is a common Islamic phrase.

The Five Pillars of Islam

(https://www.imb.org/2018/05/11/do-you-know-the-basics-of-islam/ accesed on 08/10/19)

Muslims believe true submission to Allah requires specific acts of worship and obedience. The most important acts are called The Five Pillars of Islam.

Muslims believe true submission to Allah requires specific acts of worship and obedience. The most important acts are called The Five Pillars of Islam.

“Muslims believe true submission to Allah requires specific acts of worship and obedience. The most important acts are called The Five Pillars of Islam.”

1. The shahada, or the creed, is a confession of faith normally recited in Arabic.

“I testify that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.” Reciting the shahada is the only requirement to become a Muslim.

2. Salat, or ritual prayers, are commanded by the Qur’an, described in detail in the hadith, and performed five times a day in Arabic.

No matter where these prayers are performed, Muslims pray facing the direction of Mecca, Islam’s holy city. The times these are performed are daybreak, noon, mid-afternoon, after sunset, and early evening.

3. Zakat is the giving of wealth to charitable causes and the downtrodden.

It’s expected that Muslims will take a precise percentage of the wealth that Allah has given them to give to those in need. Muslim law today requires 1/40th of his profit (2.5%) to go to widows, orphan, the sick or other unfortunates.

4. Saum, or fasting, takes place for thirty days every year during the month of Ramadan.

During the month, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking during daylight hours so as to grow closer to Allah. Smoking and sexual pleasures are also forbidden. All of these things are only forbidden during the daylight hours. Pregnant women and the infirm are not required to observe the fast. Muslims eat two meals during this time one just before sunrise and the other after sunset. Sunset is judged as when one cannot distinguish a scarlet thread from a white one.

During Ramadan, the Muslim must not commit any unworthy act. If they do, his fasting is meaningless.

5. Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca, should be made at least once in a Muslim’s life for those who can afford it and are well enough to travel.

Muslims participate in a variety of traditions at Mecca to commemorate events in the life of Abraham. These include circling the Kaaba while reciting prescribed prayers to Allah and sacrificing an animal. However, if the pilgrimage is too difficult or dangerous for the believer, one can be sent in their place.

A Few Ways the Qur’an Contradicts the Bible

(So What’s the Difference? Ridenour pg. 81-83 Unless otherwise noted.)

For Muslims, God is one, period.

The Qur’an expilitly attacks the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. Any addition to Allah is considered shirk, which is blasphemy.

Many Muslims teach that Christians believe are really tri-theists (believe in three separate Gods) God the Father, Mary the Mother and Jesus the Son.

Allah is transcendent (all-powerful) and relatively impersonal.

Of the 99 names ascribed to Allah in Islam “Father” is omitted. Jesus specifically teaches us to Pray in , “Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name” and , “Father, hallowed be your name...” While one of the names of Allah is “the Merciful” this has more to do with being a righteous judge to whom the Muslims must give an account.

The Qur’an denies that Jesus is the Son of God.

It describes the virgin birth in a similar passage to . (Surah 3:45-47) But the Qur’an calls Jesus a prophet, equal to Abraham, Jonah and others, but far below the rank of Mohammed. In Surah 4:171 it says that “Jesus…was only a messenger of Allah…Far is it removed from His transcendent majesty that He should have a son.”

Did Jesus claim to be God?

(Private Correspondence with Kent Gearner)

Q 3:135 who can forgive sins except Allah? - Yahweh - Jesus

- Yahweh

Jesus has authority

- Jesus

Q 57:3 He is the First and the Last - Yahweh - Jesus

- Yahweh

Jesus in

- Jesus

Q 22:56-57 Allah will judge the world. - Yahweh - Jesus

God will judge the nations

Q 22:56-57 Allah will judge the world.

The Son of Man will judge the nations.

Q 22:7 Raises the dead. - Yahweh - Jesus

God raises the dead.

The Son of God will raise the dead.

The Son of God will raise the dead.

Q 57:1 the heavens declare the glory of Allah. - Yahweh - Jesus

God will not share his glory with another.

Jesus shares glory with the Father.

The Qur’an says that Christ never really died on the cross.

Surah 4:157 :They slew him not nor crucified, but it appeared so unto them.”

How? Allah took Jesus to heaven before the crucifixion. They say Judas or Simon of Cyrene died but they looked like Jesus so even Mary and the Disciples were fooled. Another theory is that Jesus was in a coma on the cross and later revived but this theory is now mostly abandoned.

The Crucifixion is central to God’s redemptive plan. It was prophesied in the Old Testament in and there are eye witness accounts in all the Gospels.

Jesus predicted it and promised that His shed blood would allow “forgiveness of sins” in .

So how do Muslims atone for sin?

The Qur’an declares that each person must take care of their own sins.

Muslims must earn salvation from sin by following the Five Pillars of the Faith. If they don’t make it, then it is their own fault. If one is not faithful in the Five Pillars they may be able to get on Allah’s good side through Jihad.

Jihad is an Arabic word which literally means striving or struggling especially with a praiseworthy aim.

In an Islamic context, it can refer to almost any effort to make personal and social life conform with God's guidance, such as struggle against one's evil inclinations, religious proselytizing, or efforts toward the moral betterment of the ummah, though it is most frequently associated with war. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jihad accessed on 08/07/19)

especially with a praiseworthy aim. In an Islamic context, it can refer to almost any effort to make personal and social life conform with God's guidance, such as struggle against one's evil inclinations, religious proselytizing, or efforts toward the moral betterment of the ummah, though it is most frequently associated with war. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jihad accessed on 08/07/19)

This is where a undevout Muslim can commit an act against infidels in hopes to sway Allah to be merciful to him. They have caught bomber before they blew themselves up and they have iron girdles to protect the part they hope to use in the sensual paradise mentioned earlier.

This outlines the major worldview differences between Islam and Christianity.

Islam is Submission to a distance, violent God who demands the subduing of all peoples outside of Islam. They have no assurance of salvation only a works based religion that is lived in hopes of gaining access to a heaven that is based on sensual lust.

Christianity is a personal relationship with a loving God, who willing took on our sins, paying for them on the cross, so that we might spend eternity relating to Him. We have assurance in Jesus that we will be forgiven and kept into eternity.

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