ISLAM3


	CHRIST AND ISLAM – Understanding the Faith of the Muslims St. Andrews Road Church of Christ Instructor: Stewart Schnur Lesson Three of Six Muhammad: The Prophet of God? Muhammad is pivotal in the origin of Islam. The claim is that Islam goes back to Adam is made from the perspective given by Muhammad. Islam truly has only one significant prophet and that is Muhammad for without him there would be no Islam. Our Christian response to Islam hinges on a proper assessment of this powerful figure. The Significance of Muhammad Why is Muhammad so crucial in our assessment of Islam? Let me mention five significant signals of his importance. FIRST, for Muslims Muhammad is the most important person who has ever lived. As we will examine in more detail later, Muslims place Muhammad higher than Jesus in their understanding of spiritual truth. While they do not believe that Muhammad is divine, he is to them the apex of human perfectibility. SECOND, Muhammad is the human agent through whom the Quran was revealed to humanity. While most Muslims would never say Muhammad wrote the Quran, he is the human recipient of what Islamic faith regards as the greatest and ultimate revelation of God. THIRD, Muslims look to Muhammad as the model for proper obedience to God. Many Muslims regard him as sinless. Muhammad's life story is examined by Muslims in order to assess what behavior should be allowed in every aspect of life. His sayings and actions became the basis of Islamic law. Stories about him circulate to this day as a source of devotional guidance. The famous Islamic theologian al-Gahazali even said that one's toenails should be cut on the basis of the example set by Muhammad. FOURTH, a negative attitude to Muhammad is deeply offensive to Muslims. The death order on Salman Rushdie is rooted in large part in his alleged contempt for the Islamic prophet expressed in the mostly fictional work THE SATANIC VERSES. Rushdie is in permanent hiding because Muslims believe he expressed malice and hatred to Muhammad. Wilfred Cantwell Smith, one of the famous scholars of Islam, believes that Muslims can tolerate an attack on Allah more than an attack on Muhammad. FIFTH, regardless of what many Christians may want, Muhammad has had an absolutely incredible impact on history and on contemporary world realities. Islam is the second largest religion in the world, and there are predictions that it will become the dominant religion in the next millennium. This speaks clearly of the powerful influence of Muhammad. Different Perspectives on Muhammad Though we all know the crucial difference perspective makes on most topics, the impact of perspective in understanding Muhammad must be in constant focus. The Christian mission to the Muslim world demands attention to the difference that worldview and overall outlook make in the assessment of the Islamic prophet Here's an example of the difference that perspective makes. Both in the Quran and in the traditions (Hadith) about Muhammad there are references to physical marks on his body that are viewed as proof of his prophetic status. From the Islamic perspective, these marks are simply one element in a chorus of proofs for Muhammad. What is one to make of the claim, for example, that a mole on the back of Muhammad is evidence that he is a messenger from God? From the perspective of a Muslim, the question is almost insulting. After all, the Quran is God's Word and it tells us that God gave this sign for his people to believe. Further, to the Muslim, how can anyone ask such a question about Muhammad? "The prophet himself would have told us if the mole was not a sign from Allah," one can hear the Muslim say. Robert Morey a prominent evangelical critic of Islam minces no words in his reaction. In a pamphlet titled "By their moles ye shall know them" he expresses utter disgust that Muslims would think that a dark, hairy mole would validate Muhammad. To Morey, it is proof that Muhammad was an occult figure and that Muslims are superstitious and gullible. The difference here is not on the basic facts about certain physical marks on Muhammad’s body. The distinction is about perspective. Muslims respect their scripture, their prophet, and the traditions about him. Morey has no respect for any of the three. To Morey, Muslims are making a mountain out of a mole. For Muslims, Morey will suffer eternal punishment for his unbelief. Let's consider another more serious issue. In 1993 a bomb exploded at the World Trade Center in New York City. The American people were outraged by this terrorist act and celebrated the capture of Islamic terrorists. Sheikh Abdel Rahman, a famous Egyptian Muslim, was behind the plot. Many of his followers believe that the bombing was morally defensible. Why? Because they believe that it follows the implicit teaching and explicit example of Muhammad, the great prophet of God. For our purposes, four dominant perspectives on Muhammad in the history of interpretation are significant. * The orthodox Muslim view: Muhammad is the prophet of God, the greatest human being, the moral and spiritual exemplar of humanity. * The traditional Christian (Roman Catholic) view: Muhammad is a tool of Satan, totally wicked, an agent of vice, an illiterate dictator, a deluded false prophet who is an enemy of the Gospel. * Our current view? Muhammad fundamentally misunderstood the Gospel, (never heard it) and is not a prophet of God, but is not as evil as the prejudicial portrait presented since medieval times through the Roman Catholic Church. Our understanding based upon the Bible would conclude that Muhammad was deluded in his alleged revelation (the Quran) supposedly from the angel Gabriel. * The liberal "Christian" view: Though Muhammad misunderstood the Gospel, he is in some sense a prophet of God who restored monotheism to a pagan culture and has brought much good to the world. While there is some symmetry between the first and last positions, Muslims would deny the view that all religions are basically the same or that Muhammad is simply one among many messengers to God. Likewise, liberal "Christians" would deplore the narrow and extreme versions of Islam that have been dominant since the Quran was first written. The traditional and Christian views are unified in their fundamental objections to Muhammad, but there are obvious differences over the depth and style of complaint about the famous religious leader. Before we examine these views in further detail, our study of Islam demands knowledge of the significant moments in the life of Muhammad. The Life of Muhammad There are over 70,000 biographies of Jesus and Muhammad has also been the subject of thousands of books. The Hadith is the number one source for Muslims regarding the life of Muhammad. This writing in reliability to the Muslim is comparable to the Quran. The main events in Muhammad’s life can be grasped quite quickly and easily. Here are twenty-five key episodes in his life. 1. Muhammad was born in Mecca about A.D. 570. 2. His father and mother both die by A.D. 576. 3. From 576 through his teen years Muhammad was cared for by his grandfather Abd Ol Mottalab B. Hashem (who dies in 578) and then his uncle Abu Talib. 4. In 595 Muhammad (then about 25) married Khadijah, an older woman who was a merchant. 5. In 610 Muhammad claimed to have revelations from God in the form of mystical encounters and angelic visitations. These alleged revelations lasted till his death in 632 and are written in the Quran. 6. In 613 Muhammad began to preach his monotheistic message to the Arabs in and around Mecca. He soon received intense opposition from Arabs who believed in traditional Arabian gods. 7. In the same year Muhammad received an alleged revelation from God that stated that it was okay to worship three idols (53:19-20). Later, Muhammad claimed that this revelation was actually from Satan. The relevant verses were taken out of the Quran and have been called "the Satanic Verses" ever since. This is the basis for the title of Salman Rushdie's infamous novel. 8. In 619 his wife Khadijah passed away. Muhammad then married a woman named Sawdah. She was the first of many polygamous wives. 9. In 620 Muhammad claimed that the angel Gabriel (Jibril) took him (by a heavenly steed called BURAQ) at night to Jerusalem where Muhammad met Moses, Abraham and Jesus. Muhammad and Gabriel ascended by ladder (called a MIRAJ) through the seven heavens. 10. In 622 after seven years of opposition, Muhammad and his Muslim followers settled in Medina, 250 miles north of Mecca. The Islamic calendar starts year one from the time of the HIJRAH or emigration to Medina. 11. In March of 623 the Muslims made their first military raid on a Meccan caravan. Muhammad chose political and military power as a strong component in his quest for spiritual domination. 12. In April of 623 Muhammad married Aisha, who was very young, possibly just nine years old. Over time she became Muhammad's favorite wife. 13. In February and March of 624 Muhammad commanded that prayers be made facing Mecca and that a month of fasting be instituted. 14. On March 15, 624 the Muslims (under Muhammad's leadership) defeated their Meccan enemies at the battle of Badr. This is the most significant military victory in Muhammad's entire life and is equivalent for Muslims to the Jewish victory over Pharaoh in the Exodus. 15. A year later on March 23, 625 the Muslims barely survived the battle of Uhud. This military blow, at the hands of Meccan enemies, hurt the spiritual certainty of some of Muhammad's followers. 16. In May of 626 the chief of a Jewish clan was assassinated by Muslims, a signal of ongoing tensions between Jews and Muslims, and a warning that opposition to Muhammad came at an enormous price. 17. In 627 Muhammad married Zaynab, his cousin, who had been previously married to Zayd, Muhammad's adopted son. This marriage caused great turmoil among Muhammad's followers since he was breaking traditional Arab rules against marriage of a son’s ex-wife. 18. In March of 627 the Meccans tried to lay siege to Medina but they lost the war. 19. In the same year Muhammad raided the Jewish clan of Qurayzah for their complicity in the prior raid on Medina. Through the Jewish leaders surrendered, all the Jewish men (about 700) were beheaded and their bodies thrown into a trench. One Jewish woman was put to death, and the rest of the women (and children) were sold into slavery. 20. In 628 Muhammad signed a treaty with key Meccan leaders at Hudaybiyah. Though some Muslims were upset by the treaty, believing that it was not in keeping with the Islamic concept of JIHAD (or holy war), the treaty was also a signal that Meccan opposition to Muhammad had weakened in light of his growing military, political and financial resources. 21. In 629 Muhammad and 2600 followers made a pilgrimage to Mecca where they were allowed to worship at the Ka'aba or Black Stone, the site where Muslims believe Abraham and Ishmael built the first temple to God in Arabia. 22. In early January 630 Muhammad led an army of 10,000 to Mecca and conquered his enemies. The Ka'aba was cleansed of idols and shrines to two pagan gods were destroyed. There is a tradition that Muhammad allowed pictures of Jesus and Mary to remain on the walls. 23. On January 31, 630 Muhammad achieved military victory over Arabic tribes at the Battle of Hunayn. Later that year he led 30,000 soldiers in military raids to northern Arabia. 24. In 630 Muhammad had significant troubles dealing with jealousy and bitterness among his many wives and threatened to divorce all of them unless they lived in harmony with one another. 25. After two years of peace with Mecca, Muhammad made a final pilgrimage there in 632. He was in ill health at the time, returned to Medina, and died in the arms of Aisha, his favorite wife, on June 8, 632. This listing of key events in Muhammad's life shows how much his life was one of political strife and military conquest. Hans Kung the famous German theologian makes the following comparison between Jesus and Muhammad. "Jesus would not carry the sword, but Muhammad did." We must neither overstate or understate the reality of the sword in the life of Muhammad. He was primarily a religious leader not a warrior, but he believed in the Holy war of JIHAD. He could be gentle and compassionate with his family and friends but bloody conquests of his enemies make it impossible to call him "the prince of peace." He could be forgiving to those he conquered, but it was on his terms as the victor. Common Criticisms of Muhammad In understanding Muhammad one has to deal with the recurring criticisms that have dominated Western thought (both Christian and secular) and think how these measure up to what we believe is fair and true. Here are fifteen common criticisms. 1. CLAIM: Muhammad was illiterate. REALITY: This accusation is actually borrowed from Islamic tradition where the view that Muhammad could not read or write was used positively to defend the divine authorship of the Quran. Orthodox Muslims still believe that the prophet was illiterate. Western scholars of Islam usually say that he had to have some writing skills as a merchant and political leader, though there is room for debate. 2. CLAIM: Muhammad was stupid. REALITY: Muhammad showed extreme intelligence in many of his political, economic and military strategies. He was not trained academically, but he was far from being dumb. Though Christians have a right to believe that he was ignorant of many biblical truths, he was not stupid in the ordinary meaning of the word. 3. CLAIM: Muhammad was an idolater. REALITY: This view is based on the Arabic background of Muhammad and the dominant pagan outlook of his culture. What is ignored here is Muhammad's radical assertion of monotheism and his contempt for idol worship. 4. CLAIM: Muhammad was simply a creature of lust and used women as sexual objects. REALITY: The evidence suggests that Muhammad was a decent husband in many respects. However, he did have access to concubines (female slaves that provided sexual pleasure) and this runs counter to the Christian ideal. In the Islamic tradition, where Muhammad can do no wrong, there are stories that brag about Muhammad's sexual prowess. 5. CLAIM: Muhammad was against freedom. REALITY: Generally speaking, this is a fair criticism. While Muhammad allowed Christians and Jews to follow their own religion, he had no tolerance for Muslims who abandoned their faith and was very harsh on anyone who made fun of his prophetic claims. Muhammad became more intolerant as he faced opposition and as he gained more political power. 6. CLAIM: Muhammad was a racist. REALITY: While Muslim involvement in the slave trade (through the centuries and in our time) needs to be noted, Muhammad's first convert was a black slave. There is no indication that Muhammad was anti-Jewish on racial lines. In fact, Jews have suffered more at the hands of so-called Christians through the centuries than by the Islamic sword. Muhammad's contempt for Jews (and Christians) was rooted in his anger over religious differences, not issues of race. 7. CLAIM: Muhammad's alleged revelations were rooted in epilepsy. REALITY: While there is some evidence that Muhammad had epileptic seizures, it is impossible to explain the Quran or his intense religious beliefs simply by reference to the fact that he may have had epilepsy. 8. CLAIM: Muhammad was anti-women. REALITY: Muhammad was close to many women in his family life and in this religious community. He did believe that women were, in some respects, inferior to men. He had a very chauvinistic attitude about women in terms of law, religious position, and husband-wife relations. These are very divisive issues in the Islamic world today. 9. CLAIM: Muhammad had many bizarre beliefs. REALITY: The traditions about Muhammad (HADITH) do mention views of Muhammad that seem superstitious and bizarre. These involve wild claims about demonic power or strange beliefs about proper bathroom etiquette, for example. 10. CLAIM: Muhammad was a cold-blooded killer. REALITY: Muhammad was the leader of a physical army that engaged in battle where people died. That is not what one normally means by cold-blooded killer. However, his revenge against the Jewish men of Qurayzah, and his approval of the death of some of his critics, makes it difficult to exonerate him simply by reference to the stark necessities of war. 11. CLAIM: Muhammad was a hypocrite who simply wanted power. REALITY: While Muhammad enjoyed much power in his final years, there is no evidence at all that he was insincere in his religious beliefs. Many would also say the both Joseph Smith of the Mormons and even Jim Jones of the People's Temple were also sincere but we observe that they are still wrong. If fact, he illustrated his sincerity by enduring criticism and animosity from relatives and friends when he announced that he was a prophet of God. As well, he was generous with his possessions and did not live in luxury. 12. CLAIM: Muhammad believed in his faith because he hoped for a carnal heaven where sinful pleasures abound. REALITY: There are verses in the Quran which speak of wine and women in heaven for faithful Muslim males. Later Islamic traditions amplify greatly on these themes. However, all Muslims believe that fine drink and sexual pleasure in heaven are not sinful but are the blessings of Allah. As well, Quranic verses also teach that Muslim women will enjoy the benefits of paradise. 13. CLAIM: Muhammad forced people to convert to Islam by the threat of the sword. REALITY: Muhammad never said that non-Muslims would be killed if they did not convert. The coercion that took place in his lifetime was more subtle since tribal leaders would often announce conversion to Allah, and there would be obvious pressure to follow the tribe. Also, there were times when it was financially advantageous to join with the dominant Muslim presence, and this would make conversion an attractive option. 14. CLAIM: Muhammad worshipped the mood god Allah. REALITY: It is possible that Allah was the term sometimes used by pagan Arabs for the moon god. However, Muhammad changed the meaning of Allah by giving it reference only to the one eternal God who created everything. 15. CLAIM: Muhammad is the Anti-Christ. He hated the gospel of Jesus Christ. REALITY: Islam represents the most serious opposition to Christian faith in our time. Sadly, Muhammad did not know the gospel since, as we shall see, he only had a fragmentary knowledge of the Bible. His ignorance led him to distort spiritual truth and miss many fundamental truths about Jesus. Any summery of the life of Muhammad shows an emphasis on the sword and on military battle. While this may be somewhat consistent with certain Old Testament accounts, it is hard to reconcile Muhammad's life with the model offered by Jesus in the New Testament. In the end, the lack of symmetry between Muhammad and Jesus is the most telling objection to the suggestion that Muhammad is a prophet in any sense comparable to Jesus. As we think further on this question, we must also examine what Muhammad believed. This means a reaction to the teachings of the Quran which he believed were revealed to him directly from God. ________________________________________________________________________ Those who want something extra: I need two volunteers each week to make five minute reports. These reports will be done either at the end of class or the first thing after class is over at 8:00 PM for those who want to stay a maximum of fifteen additional minutes (8:15 PM). BROTHERS: SEE STEWART if you would volunteer to give a five minute report. ___ Book: “Islam Revealed” chapter 4 “The Crucifixion: Fact or fiction?” pp 107-137 ___ Brochure: “What You Need to Know About Islam” from Gospel Advocate These reports need to be given at the end of our first class on Tuesday June 22, 2004. Life of Muhammad (Supplemental) · As far as we know no non-Muslim source of information about Muhammad exists. Any and all materials were lost or destroyed. · Born in Mecca 570 AD from the Quaraish tribe. Baby named “Muhammad”, “The Praised One.” · His father (‘Abdu’llah) died shortly after his birth. · Nursed not by mother but was placed with a Bedouin woman Halima. · At five child had numerous epileptic fits – Halima thought the boy to be demon possessed. He was returned to his mother. · Muhammad’s mother (‘Amina) will die when he is about six. · Muhammad will be cared for by his grandfather (Abd Ol Mottalab B. Hashem) who will die when Muhammad is eight. · At eight Muhammad will be raised by his uncle (Abu Talib). · Uncle takes Muhammad to Syria where he meets Bahira a Christian monk who teaches Muhammad about one God when he is twelve. · At 25 (595AD) Muhammad will marry a rich merchant widow of Mecca (Khadija) who is 40. She will bear him two sons who will die in their infancy. · Khadija will die in 620. After this time Muhammad will have as many as fifteen wives. · Will marry Sauda (Sawdah) · Will marry ‘Ayisha at (10 or 11) and another wife every year for the rest of his life. · Ka’bah cubed stone building housing 360 idols of Arab tribes. This is were Adam was given a black stone and Abraham was to have identified this as the place to worship Allah. · Would meditate in cave of Mount Hira’ a few miles from Mecca. Here receive alleged revelation of Quran from angel Gabriel over a period of 22 years from 610 to his death in 632. · Muhammad could read and write. This is contrary to their claims of illiteracy. 1. Treaty with Meccans (Apostle of Allah) he struck out and wrote in “Muhammad, son of ‘Abdu’llah.” 2. Motioned to Ayisha to bring him something to write the name of his successor. 3. Worked as caravan merchant who would know how to read, write, and do arithmetic. 4. St. Catherine’s Monastery letter guaranteeing their freedom. 5. Till age 5 and afterwards with the Bedouins learned the classical language. 6. The command of Gabriel (96:1-5) to read. · First converts were his wife Khadija and Ali his cousin and Zeyd his adopted son and then Abi Bakr. · Muhammad defended himself in an attack in Mecca from idolaters and will hit his opponents with a camel’s goad spilling the first blood for His cause. · Will retreat 250 north to Yathrib (Medina) June 25, 622. This date will begin the Muslim calendar as Muhammad’s Muslim forces will gel in Medena. Muhammad In the Bible? Muslims believe both Jews and Christians have corrupted the Torah and the New Testament. They believe that the Gospel of Barnabas is an accurate account of the life of Christ. Somehow the Jews and Christians did not corrupt all of the Bible in that the Muslims claim that there are passages which refer to Muhammad. It seams as if they want to both condemn the credibility of the Bible and accept the credibility of the Bible at the same time. Gen. 49:10 Judah (to praise in Hebrew) and Muhammad (to praise in Arabic) Deut. 18:15, 18 Muslims make comparison of Moses to Muhammad (Ishmael) Ps. 45:3-5 Islam calls Muhammad “The Prophet with the Sword” Isa. 21:7 chariot donkeys / chariot camels – Jesus rode donkey / Muhammad rode camel. Mt. 3:2 Kingdom of Heaven at hand (prophesy about Islam)? Mk. 1:7 They say Jesus not John the Baptist speaks of one to come after him… Jn. 4:21 Prophecy the Jerusalem will no longer be the holy city. Mecca? Jn. 14:16, 17, 26 “Another Helper (Comforter) – Muhammad? They believe Gabriel (Holy Spirit) bore witness to Christ as a prophet