CHRIST AND ISLAM – Understanding the Faith of the Muslims St. Andrews Road Church of Christ Instructor: Stewart Schnur Lesson Two of Six The Basics About Islam Islam like Christianity is difficult to understand.  The difficulty comes in the fact that multitudes who claim to represent these faith systems define their faith differently.    There are three major sects of Christianity identified as Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant.  In Islam there are two major sects the Suini and the Shiite.  We will talk further of these sects latter.  There is a multitude of smaller sects that claim to be Islamic. Fundamental Realities About Islam First: Islam is essentially about a VERY DEFINATE UNDERSTANDING OF GOD. To Muslims, Allah is the transcendent eternal Creator who is beyond comprehension. Their vision of God does emphasize predestination and the total sovereignty of God.  Islam is more Calvinistic in its outlook than John Calvin!   The vision of God in Islam is of an absolute potentate, a deity who has absolute freedom in his rulings, a God who is simply above any framework of human understanding.  This leads to a real sense of dependence on God but also to a lack of assurance regarding salvation among Muslims.  There is also a pervasive fatalism and passivity in Muslim self-understanding as a consequence of the vision of God as an arbitrary being.  The Quran talks repeatedly about the mercy and compassion of Allah, this emphasis hardly influences the more dominant teaching regarding Allah as an omnipotent Judge.  Because of these things the idea of having a personal relationship to Allah is non-existent.  There is no “blessed assurance.” Second: Islam is essentially about the prophet MUHAMMAD. Muslims do not believe Muhammad is divine.  Islamic tradition has elevated him so much that he is nearly sinless.  Anyone who dares to question the character of Muhammad leaves themselves open to extreme criticism and possibly violence.  Remember Salman Rusthie and the “Satanic Verses”?  Islam can only be understood in knowing the dynamics of the life of Muhammad and the role he plays in the faith of Muslims.  For centuries after Muhammad died, Muslims gathered stories about him, and these traditions (called the HADITH) have played a central role in the development of Islamic doctrine. Christians need to understand the importance of Muhammad by realizing that Jesus is viewed as inferior to Muhammad.  While there is no desire in Islam to denigrate Jesus (at least I an overt or intentional way), the Christian emphasis on Jesus would be simply dismissed with a dogmatic view that the Christian tradition has missed out on the greatest human being who has ever lived: Muhammad!  Both Muslims and Christians get defensive when their respective leaders are questions.  It should be noted that Muslims hate being called Muhammadans, however they do love Muhammad. Third, Islam is essentially about the QURAN.   The Jewish religion puts its emphasis on the Torah (the five books of Moses), and Christians on the New Testament.  Islam places a greater emphasis on their holy book the Quran than most Jews and Christians do on their holy books.  The original Quran is in Arabic and is learned and memorized in Arabic today.   Today most Christians and Jews recognize the fact that there is a human element regarding their inspired religious writings.  The majority of Muslims believe that the human side of the Quran is that it was dictated word for word to Muhammad by the angel Gabriel over a period of twenty-three years.  Most Muslims believe he was totally illiterate and therefore the Quran is a totally supernatural book.  It should be noted that the order of the alleged revelation given to Muhammad and the order of the Quran is different today.  Many Muslim religious leaders have memorized the entire Quran which is about the same size as our New Testament.  The Quran is to be handled with respect as the one using it is to use it with clean hands and noting is ever to be placed on top of the Quran.  Most believe the Quran should not be translated into other languages since only the original Arabic is the very word of God.  Muslims are quick to point out that all non-Arabic renderings are inferior to the Arabic translation.    The message of the Quran is said to be given to Muhammad over a period of twenty-three years by the angel we know as Gabriel. Fourth, Islam is essentially about LAW. Hans Kung the Roman Catholic German theologian has observed that there are three major religions that have law as their central focus: Judaism, Roman Catholicism, and Islam.  Those of us who are IN Christ often think we have a lot of rules and regulations, but there is really no comparison between us who have learned to appreciate the gift of God's grace and the law-centered traditions mentioned here. On the Internet you can learn of the legalism found among the Muslims.  An example would be the laws or rules for women praying.  They can not pray with nylons on, and they can pray if they have holes in their wool socks as long as the holes are not too big.  This legalism enjoined in Saudi Arabia for example by the religious police has to make all uptight about exactly what submission means.  In one geographic area the legalistic idea of female circumcision is bound and in another it is not.  Just how is one to with certainty be a good Muslim?  This is one of the major problems of the Muslim faith in that there is no real certainty or absolute truth revealed.  Allah has all the authority and it is uncertain even how Allah will make the calls.  All the judgments of Allah are seen as correct but no one with certainty knows what they are. Fifth, Islam is essentially about POLITICAL AND SOCIAL VISION. In Islam there is virtually no separation of mosque and state, at least in theory.  In most Muslim countries the political and social agenda are set by Islamic law.  IT IS INCONCEIVABLE TO THE MUSLIM MAN THAT A RELIGIOUS PERSON COULD POSSIBLY DESIRE A SECULAR STATE.  "Why would anyone not want a nation ruled by God's principles?" the Muslim would ask.  Maybe if this is true we ought to be asking ourselves as American how realistic is it that we are trying to help Afghanistan and Iraq to develop into free democracies.  The political and social vision of Islam must not be viewed as different from its spiritual vision.  For Muslims they are one in the same.  In many Arab countries the major political decisions are heavily influenced by the opinions of the leading Muslim teachers be they Imams or Ayatollahs.  Arab politicians who may be somewhat secular and ignore Muslim holy men can pay for it with their lives.   Remember President Anwar Sadat, the Egyptian leader who was as a result of the animosity he created by not submitting to Muslim militants, assonated.  They can condone the murder of either infidels or other Muslims if their religious leader authorizes it in the blessed merciful and compassionate name of Allah. The Five Pillars of Islam This is the brief and core definition of this religion.  This refers to five religious practices that constitute the very heart of Islamic spirituality.  Muslims around the world practice many diverse rituals; these five pillars are common to Muslims everywhere. #1 SHAHADAH is a one sentence statement that is the equivalent to our John 3:16 or Mark 16:15-16.  The Muslim recites this confession often.  To you and me it might seem to be a form of self-brain-washing.   This SHAHADAH confession is, "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger."  All that is necessary to become a Muslim is to say this with sincerity.  The SHAHADAH affirms both the identity of God (Allah) and opposition to polytheism.  Clearly in this confession is a denunciation of the concept of the Trinity or Godhead.  The confession also affirms the centrality of Muhammad in Islam.  Muhammad is not the only messenger of Allah, but he is the greatest and final prophet. #2 SALAT.  The Muslim is to be known as a person of prayer.  This is known as SALAT.  The guidelines for prayer involve a command to pray towards Mecca five times daily.  Also, Muslims are required to attend the prayer service every Friday at the mosque.  In communal worship Muslims must wash themselves by following very specific instructions before they recite the prayers in Arabic.  Even those who do not speak Arabic are expected to learn to recite the prayers in Arabic.   #3 ZAKAT.  Muslims are expected to be generous financially.  This is mandated in Islam through ZAKAT or alms-giving.  This involves giving 2.5% of one's income to others, and this is mandatory in some Muslim countries.  Muhammad was very generous with his wealth, and the Quran has charity as one of its central motifs.  Do not think of ZAKAT as being like our income tax. #4 SAWM.  This involves the idea of fasting.  Fasting is the duty of all Muslims during the daylight hours of the month of Ramadan which is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar.  During this month during daylight hours Muslims refrain from food or drink or sexual relations.  This is a special time for Muslims as they believe that Muhammad received the first revelations from Allah during this time #5 HAJJ.  Muslims are also required to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime if they can afford it.  Only Muslims are allowed in their chief holy city Mecca.  The pilgrimage is known as the HAJJ.  The visit to MECCA usually lasts seven days and involves participation in rituals (about dress, prayer, ablution, and animal sacrifice) that date back centuries, some to the time of Muhammad.  Mecca's attraction is twofold.  Not only is it Muhammad's birthplace and the city to which he returned in triumph after exile in Medina, but Muslims also believe that ABRAHAM built a temple in Mecca (called the Ka'ba) after Allah provided a ram to take the place of his son Ishmael as a sacrifice.  They believe the ram sacrifice spoken of in (Genesis 22:1-13 with reference to Isaac not Ishmael) took place in Mecca and not on Mt. Moriah. The Quran and Muslims teach that the blessing of God to His people came through Ishmael the firstborn of Abraham who came through Sarah's maid the Egyptian (bondwoman) Hagar (Gen. 16:1-16).  Compare with Galatians 4:21-31 and Hebrews 11:17-20.  A major distinction is made here uniting Christians and Jews in their belief that God's blessing did come through Isaac the son of Abraham and Sarah and did not come through Ishmael the son of Abraham and Hagar.  The Arab peoples today trace their heritage through Ishmael (Abrahamic branch) (Gen. 17:19-21; 25:12-18) and Joktan (Gen. 10:25-29).  All these are descendants of Noah’s son Shem and therefore all of these (Arabs and Jews) are Semitic (Shematic) peoples.  Do observe the providence of God in that the angel of God (God Himself) does promise Hagar that Ishmael will be made to be a great nation (twelve princes).  God was with Ishmael (Gen. 21:8-21).   Though God does make this promise of blessings, one must be reminded that there is a physical blessing passed on to both Ishmael and Isaac.  There is to be from God a special spiritual blessing in that there should be one who would come through Abraham in whom all the earth would be blessed (Gen. 12: 1-3; Gen 22:18).  God speaks of Isaac as being Abraham's only son (Gen. 22:15-18).  This spiritual promise is made again to both Isaac (Gen 24:7) and Jacob (Gen. 28:13-14) but is never given to Ishmael.  We know the promised one to be Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:16) a descendent of Isaac and Jacob (Israel) and not Ishmael. The lesson we might need to learn from this situation is that we should wait on God to satisfy His plans for us and not try to help Him out with our own thinking.  Sarai wanted to help so she gave to her husband her hand maid Hagar to have a relationship with and birth a child with her.  Abraham listened to his wife and went along with the idea.  Let us not run ahead of God's plan.  Let us develop patience and wait upon the Lord. Islamic and Christian Doctrine To understand some differences it is beneficial to make come contrasts and comparisons.  In the list on the next page you may find a few Muslims who might disagree with some of the views in the latter part of this list. ISLAMIC DOCTRINE There is One God – Reject concept of Trinity Believe Jesus to be a prophet Reject his being the Son of God Believe Bible is holy book, But corrupted by Jews/Christians Believe Quran final revelation of God Believe Muhammad is the final prophet from God. Believe God is creator Usually deny theory of evolution CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE There is One God – Accept three in One concept Believe Jesus is the Son of God Believe the Bible to be the inspired word           of God. Do not believe the Quran is from God Do not believe Muhammad is a prophet. Believe God is the creator of all things Do not believe in original sin. Believe salvation is earned by good works.  No concept of grace. Believe in angels, especially four archangels, Gabriel gave Quran to Muhammad Believe in JINN, created from fire different from humans or angels. Believe Satan (Iblis) was either angel or JINN who rebelled against God Believe in five chief prophets Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. Believe in a soul which is conscious after death. Believe in an eternal heaven (paradise) and an eternal hell. Believe in a final day of judgment where a great figure will return to crush an evil human leader. Believe those who deny the unity of God or that Muhammad is the prophet will perish. Do not believe in original sin. Believe salvation is a gift from God received through an obedient faith. Believe in angels.  Including Michael and Gabriel. Do not believe in Jinn. Believe Satan was angel who rebelled against God We believe these are men of God with the exception of Muhammad. Believe in a soul which is conscious after death. Believe in an eternal heaven and hell. Believe Christ will return in clouds and take the godly to be with Him forever. Believe none relate to God except through Christ (Jn. 14:6) JIHAD: The Sixth Pillar of Islam? JIHAD is one of the most loaded words in the Muslim vocabulary.  To the non-Muslim this term conjures up a vision of human carnage and death my Islamic militants who engage in wanton acts of destruction as is viewed in 9-11-01.  JIHAD also brings to our minds the radical enforcement of Islamic law (Sharia & Fatwa).  A Fatwa is a legal opinion by prominent scholars in each country and carry equal weight with the Quran.  Religious leaders in Islam can use and do use their power to promote well meaning manipulation and intimidation for the compassionate and merciful Allah. Death orders for those who present a viewpoint uncomplimentary of Islam – Remember            Salman Rushdie and his book “The Satanic Verses”? Use power to create a SUBMISSION by fear and intimidation.  A Muslim girl has acid poured on her face by      Muslim leaders because she allowed one wisp of hair to protrude out from under her veil. In Pakistan drinking alcohol is punishable by eighty stripes of the whip. 300,000 followers of the Bahai faith experience persecution in Iran. Many African Muslim leaders defend the practice of female circumcision. In Saudi Arabia squads of young men travel the streets of cities to enforce obedience to strict Islamic law. In the Sudan, Christians from the southern part of the country are sold into slavery by Muslims. Muslim extremists in the name of Allah blow up the World Trade Center in New York. Under the Taliban in Afghanistan girls have not been permitted an education. Islamic law in some Muslim countries forbids women the right to drive a car. What shall one conclude about Islam in the light of such realities?  It appears that everyone is doing what is right in their own minds (Judg. 21:25).  Some follow this leader and in other places other follow someone else.  There is no real absolute authority to represent Allah.  They want to say they all follow the Quran and they all represent Islam.  Is it any wonder that they in their various sects hate and kill each other (Iran & Iraq) in the blessed name of Allah in their Jihads?  Muslims want to dismiss any hint that such acts of Jihad are relevant to orthodox Islam.  Critics dwell on these ideas to say Islam is a religion of the sword.  Let us put forth the effort to observe a balance regarding this term JIHAD and see that this is a complex term. FIRST it would be unfair to dismiss all Muslims as blood-thirsty warriors in a global Islamic Jihad.  It is equally unfair to say that the Crusades represent the mind set of all Christians.  Observe that those who are either Christians or Muslims can use such terms to inflame prejudice either for against the other if that is their desire.  Too much of this is done by both sides. SECOND Muslims do declare Jihad against one another.  Iran and Iraq have been in several “holy wars” Jihads against each other where millions of Muslims have died.  Militants in various Islamic countries have had religious leaders declare Jihad against leaders they believe to be too secular or too western in their stands. THIRD most Muslim scholars use the term Jihad to refer to a far broader meaning of battle than a military one.  It is used to indicate the war against selfishness that is at the heart of holy living.  It involves the battle against temptations, and the struggle to be holy and pure, to be faithful in prayer, to obey the Quran, and to follow the model set by Muhammad himself.  You may remember the controversy around Zayed Yasin as he spoke at the Harvard commencement on June 6, 2002 where he focused on the good (spiritual) use of the term “Jihad.” Jesus speaks to us regarding this war in passages like Matthew 10:34-39.  Paul speaks of our armor we are to wear in our spiritual battles in Ephesians 6:10-18.  Let us be reminded that our Savior calls us to militancy for our cause that can not ever be compromised.  Muslims for the most part use the term JIHAD in this same kind of context. FOURTH and finally let us acknowledge that we have every right to be alarmed about the actual scope of the militant-violent side of Islam.  The preceding points of balance should not dull our sense of concern about the reality of a darker side to Islamic Jihad.  It will not do to simply argue that this is not pure Islam.   It will not do for the majority of Muslims to be silent while a minority of Muslims do the dirty work of killing non-Muslims in the name of blessed Allah and the Holy Quran.  If the so called “silent” majority of Muslims are peaceful then why can’t they speak up boldly and expose the error of their brothers?  They can’t and won’t because the Quran forbids them to expose and oppose one another.  It appears that this is the way Islamic peoples maintain “peace” among themselves.  They will do Jihad when they want to and they will expose and oppose simply when they want to.  There is no predictability, uniformity, or figuring it out.  That is the problem with the following of Imams in that they are all sincere and they all think they uniquely have a special connection with Allah.  Furthermore the “submissive” give themselves over to them to do the thinking for them. There are Hamas suicide bombers who are women and as young as ten years old.  Such individuals are taught it is Jihad and glorious to die as a martyr for blessed Allah and that they have great rewards for dying this way in the after life.  Furthermore Hamas does give a monetary reward or compensation to the family of the one martyred.  These genuinely believe they are doing the will of Allah.  Yes Islam (submission) is the message to the one who dies and their family and those who are killed.  Salman Rushdie the author of “The Satanic Verses” is still in hiding because of a “fatwa” legal opinion that says he should be murdered by the authority of the blessed Allah.  We must not be ignorant about the extremism that is at the heart of some forms of Islam. Extremist use Surah 9:5; 5:51; 9:29 and others to justify their killing of Zummis (pagans also called “pig dogs” – Jews or Christians).  The so called Holy Quran does include from Allah such prejudicial language. Consider the following WEB sites to learn more.  These WEB sites are not to my knowledge put together by our brethren but they do represent a view that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God.  These WEB sites exist to help Muslims see the reasonableness of believing as we do in Jesus called Isa in the Quran. www.prophetofdoom.net This site is promoting a new book “Prophet of Doom” and has a lot                   of helpful information about Islam. www.answering-islam.org This is an exhaustive site that has a great “index to Islam”. www.islamreview.com See the section that speaks of the Jesus presented in the Quran and                               see the contrast to the Jesus of the Bible.  A book “The                                                Islamization of America” is interesting. www.aboutisa.com Isa is the Arabic word for Jesus.  This site has some interesting                          information about “Other (so called) Gospels” Some Islamic sights are clearly anti-American and anti-Jewish.  Some champion the practice of female circumcision.  There is a book entitled “The Paradox of Cruelty” where under the guise of goodness the most cruel things are being sanctioned.  This brings to our attention the darkest forms of Islamic Jihad and the handling of the Quran.  Boys and girls who are directed by Hamas to commit suicide believe that this is the will of Allah and that they will go right to paradise. We must realize that militant Islam gains its strength out of both real and perceived inequalities and injustices.  This fact obviously does not justify to the Christian the atrocities done by Hamas or other militant groups like Al Qaeda.  With our objections to Islamic Jihad there are still difficult questions to ask concerning Muslims and democracy.  Though there are terrorists in democratic Turkey we do see that these ideas can be compatible with one another.  We still need to ask hard and difficult questions of Israel regarding the social and economic equality which does not exist for the Arabs today. It is not fair to lump all who call themselves Christians as really representing Christ and it is not fair to lump all Islamics as being the same either.  Facts are that in the Middle East today there are about ten countries that are purposefully turning a blind eye towards militant Islam.  We must not become like them and turn a blind eye to the fact that there is both glory and shame to the story about Islam.  Do not become blinded and prejudiced to see Islam as only a history of the sword.   ________________________________________________________________________ ABRAHAM (father of many nations – Gen. 17:5) Abraham & Hagar (Gen. 25:12-16) (wife: Gen. 16:3) Ishmael (Ishmaelites) (Gen. 17:20) (12 Princes (tribes): 1 Chronicles 1:29-31) Nebajoth      Kedar      Adbeel        Mibsam       Mishma     Dumah     Massa     Hadar        Tema       Jetur         Naphish      Kedemah Husbandry   Dark        Disciplined Sweet Odor Hearing     Silence     Burden    Fierceness Sunburnt Nomadic Numerous   Toward Nabat           Kedar                   of God    Balsam                                                                                             Camp                            the East Abraham & Keturah (Gen. 25:1-4) (concubine) 1 Chronicles 1:32 Zimran          Jokshan          Medan          Midian          Ishbak          Shuah Celebrated    Fowler            Judgment     Place              Leaving       Prosperity                                                                of                                                                Judgment Abraham & Sarah (Gen. 21:1-7) 1 Chronicles 1:34 (Hebrews 11:11) Isaac (Twins) Esau           Jacob (Israel) Quran promotes Unity 3:103; 4:59; 8:63; 42:13 Dreadful Penalty for Dividers (Sects or Mosque and State) 3:105; 6:159 Unity while Muhammad lived – Died 632 AD was buried Unexpected death – no successor (caliph) chosen Today over 150 Islamic sects Sunnis Believe successor (Khalifa) could be elected 4 candidates: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, & Ali Believe Muhammad suggested Abu Bakr Believe leaders secular matters only No spiritual authority Many divisions: 4 prominent Hanafi, Shafi’y, Maliki, Hanbali Sects differ greatly interpretation Quran/Hadith Shiites The sect of Ali (office of the Caliphate) Insist successor from bloodline of Muhammad. Those who reject bloodline: not true believers Believe in Imams/Imamate not Caliphate Imams both spiritual and secular The “Twelvers” is the largest Shiite sect Quran created Infallible guide religious matters: Imam Divinely appointed at birth Other Sects Kharijis: Wahhabis: Sufis: Twelvers: Seveners (Ismailis): Fivers (Zaydis) Theory: Quran does not promote killing of unbelievers. Let the Quran speak 2:216    Fighting is prescribed Upon you and ye dislike it. But it is possible That ye dislike a thing Which is good for you, And that ye love a thing Which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, And ye know not. 2:190-193 Fight in the cause of Allah Those who fight you, But do not transgress limits; For Allah loveth not transgressors. And slay them Wherever ye catch them, And turn them out From where they have Turned you out; For tumult and oppression Are worse than slaughter; But fight them not At the Sacred Mosque, Unless they (first) Fight you there; But if they fight you, Slay them. Such is the reward Of those who suppress faith. But if they cease, Allah is Oft-Forgiving. Most Merciful. And fight them on Until there is no more Tumult or oppression, And there prevail Justice and faith in Allah; But if they cease, Let there be no hostility Except to those Who practice oppression. 4:74 Let those fight In the cause of Allah Who sell the life of this world For the Hereafter. To him who fighteth In the cause of Allah Whether he is slain Or gets victory Soon shall We give him A reward of great (value). 9:29 Fight those who believe not In Allah nor the Last Day, Nor hold that forbidden Which hath been forbidden By Allah and His Messenger, Nor acknowledge the Religion Of Truth, from among The People of the Book Until they pay the Jizyah With willing submission, And feel themselves subdued. 9:5 But when the forbidden months Are past, then fight and slay The Pagans wherever ye find them, And seize them, beleaguer them, And lie in wait for them In every stratagem (of war); But if they repent, And establish regular prayers And practice regular charity, Then open the way for them: For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 5:33 The punishment of those Who wage war against Allah And His Messenger, and strive With might and main For mischief through the land Is: execution, or crucifixion, Or the cutting off of hands And feet from opposite sides, Or exile from the land: That is their disgrace In this world, and A heavy punishment is theirs In the Hereafter; 8:38-40 Say to the Unbelievers, If (now) they desist (from Unbelief), Their past would be forgiven them; But if they persist, the punishment Of those before them is already (A Matter of warning for them). And fight them on Until there is no more Tumult or oppression, And there prevails Justice and faith in Allah Altogether and everywhere; But if they cease, verily Allah Doth see all that they do. If they refuse, be sure That Allah is your Protector The Best to protect And the Best to help. 8:15-17 O ye who believe! When ye meet The Unbelievers In hostile array, Never turn your backs To them. If any do turn his back To them on such a day Unless it be in a stratagem Of war, or to retreat To a troop (of his own) He draws on himself The wrath of Allah, And his abode is Hell An evil refuge (indeed)! It is not ye who Slew them; it was Allah: When thou threwest (a handful Of dust), it was not Thy act, but Allah’s: In order that He might Test the Believers By a gracious trial From Himself: for Allah It He Who heareth And knoweth (all things).