Islam

Islam

Introduction

I love all human beings, regardless of what religion that they identify with. I love Muslims. I don’t wish them any harm or ill-will. 

This is not a mean-spirited attack on Muslims. 

This is an examination of the facts regarding the religion of Islam; the origin and founder of Islam; the current state of Islam; and the teachings of Islam, and how they differ from Christianity.

The Origin and Founder of Islam

Muhammad

·      The prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in A.D. 570. Islam teaches that he was the final prophet sent by Allah, to reveal the faith of Islam to humanity.

·      According to Islamic writings and tradition, in AD 610, an angel named Gabriel visited Muhammad while he was in a cave meditating. The angel Gabriel commanded Muhammad to write the words of Allah.

·      Islam teaches that Muhammad continued to receive revelations from Allah for the rest of his life.

·      In AD 613, Muhammad began preaching around Mecca the revelations that he received. He taught that there was no other God, but Allah and that Muslims should submit their lives to Allah.

The word “Islam” means “submission to the will of God.”

Followers of Islam are called Muslims.

Muslims are monotheistic and worship one, all-knowing God, who in Arabic is known as Allah.

Followers of Islam aim to live a life of complete submission to Allah. They believe that nothing can happen without Allah’s permission, but humans have free will.

Mosques are places where Muslims worship. Friday is their day of worship. Muhammad is quoted as saying "The best day the sun rises over is Friday; on it Allah created Adam. On it, he was made to enter paradise, on it he was expelled from it, and the Last Hour will take place on no other day than Friday." [Ahmad and at-Tirmithi].

Some important Islamic holy places include the Kaaba shrine in Mecca, the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, both in Jerusalem, and the Prophet Muhammad’s mosque in Medina.

·       In 622, Muhammad traveled from Mecca to Medina with his disciples. This journey became known as the Hijra which now marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.

·       Some seven years later, Muhammad and his many disciples returned to Mecca and conquered the area. He continued to preach until his death in 632.

·       After Muhammad’s passing, Islam began to spread rapidly. Islam teaches that he’ll be the first to be resurrected. A series of leaders, known as caliphs, became successors to Muhammad. This system of leadership, which was run by a Muslim ruler, became known as a caliphate.

·       The first caliph was Abu Bakr, Muhammad’s father-in-law and close friend.

·       Abu Bakr died about two years after he was selected and was succeeded in 634 by Caliph Umar, another father-in-law of Muhammad.

·       When Umar was assassinated six years after being named caliph, Uthman, Muhammad’s son-in-law, took the role.

·       Uthman was also killed, and Ali, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, was selected as the next caliph.

·       Under the rule of the first 4 caliphs, Arab Muslims conquered, by the sword, large regions in the Middle East, including Syria, Palestine, Iran and Iraq. Islam also spread throughout areas in Southern Europe, Northern Africa, and parts of Asia. The caliphate system lasted for centuries and eventually evolved into the Ottoman Empire, which controlled large regions in the Middle East from about 1517 until 1917, when World War I ended the Ottoman reign. The Franks in Germany put a stop to the advance of Islam in that area of Europe. Islam was relatively quiet from the end of the first World War I to the beginning of the 1980s.

The Current State of Islam

Today, Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world, a main reason being that the average Muslim family has 8 children.

·      In 1982, there were around 450 million Muslims in the world. In 2024, there are an estimated 1.9 billion Muslims in the world. Muslims are the majority in 49 countries in the world.

·      There are more Muslims than Catholics in the world today.

·      There are an estimated 4 million Muslims living in the United States of America. There are approximately 30,000 converts to Islam per year in the USA.

·      In recent years, Islam’s supposed association with terrorism and mass murder has sparked a political debate in many countries. The controversial term “radical Islam” has become a well-known label to describe the religion’s connection to acts of violence.

·      Recent surveys have found that in countries with high Muslim populations, the majority of Muslims have overwhelmingly negative views of terrorist groups like ISIS, Hezbollah, Hamas, and others.

·      Experts predict that Islam will surpass Christianity by the end of the century.

·      A recent survey stated that approximately 50,000 Muslims per year are converting to Christianity. 

Sunnis and Shiites 

When Muhammad died, there was debate over who should replace him as leader. This led to a schism in Islam, and two major sects emerged: the Sunnis and the Shiites.

·      Sunnis make up nearly 90 percent of Muslims worldwide. They accept that the first four caliphs were the true successors to Muhammad.

·      Shiite Muslims believe that only the caliph Ali and his descendants are the real successors to Muhammad. They deny the legitimacy of the first three caliphs. Today, Shiite Muslims have a considerable presence in Iran, Iraq and Syria.

Other, smaller Muslim denominations within the Sunni and Shiite groups exist. Some of these include:

Wahhabi: This Sunni sect, made up of members of the Tameem tribe in Saudi Arabia, was founded in the 18th century. Followers observe an extremely strict interpretation of Islam that was taught by Muhammad bin Abd al-Wahhab.

Alawite: This Shiite form of Islam is prevalent in Syria. Followers hold similar beliefs about the caliph Ali but also observe some Christian and Zoroastrian holidays.

Nation of Islam: This primarily Black, Sunni sect was founded in the 1930s in Detroit, Michigan. Black Muslims now comprise one-fifth of all Muslims in the United States. Louis Farrakhan was its leader. Malcolm X was a member before converting to Sunni Islam.

Sufism: A mystical denomination of Islam, those who follow the Sufi faith seek to attain a purer state of existence through their personal and direct relationship with God.

Kharijites: This sect broke from the Shiites after disagreeing over how to select a new leader. They are known for radical fundamentalism, and today are called Ibadis.

A central idea in Islam is “jihad,” which means “struggle.” While the term has been used negatively in mainstream culture, Muslims believe it refers to internal and external efforts to defend their faith. This can include military jihad if a “just war” is needed.

The Teachings of Islam

·       Christianity and Islam are the two largest monotheistic religions in the world. They are similar in that both are Abrahamic religions that believe that the prophet Abraham was one of the original founders of the faith and rely on the teachings of a holy book, the Bible for Christians and the Quran for Muslims.

Muslims believe several prophets were sent to teach Allah’s law. They respect some of the same prophets as Jews and Christians, including Abraham, Moses, Noah and Jesus. Muslims contend that Muhammad was the final prophet.

·       The Quran (means recitation) is considered the most important holy book among Muslims and is Allah’s final revelation to the world. The Hadith is another important book. Muslims also revere some material found in the Judeo-Christian Bible.

·      It contains some basic information that is found in the Hebrew Bible as well as revelations that were given to Muhammad. The text is considered the sacred word of God and supersedes any previous writings.

·      Most Muslims believe that Muhammad’s scribes wrote down his words, which became the Quran. (Muhammad himself was never taught to read or write.)

·      The book is written with Allah as the first person, speaking through Gabriel to Muhammad. It contains 114 chapters, which are called surahs.

Muslim Scholars believe the Quran was compiled shortly after Muhammad’s death, under the guidance of Caliph Abu Bakr. Muhammad’s disciples wrote the Quran from memory. 

Muslims practice their faith by worshipping Allah through prayer 5 times per day and reading the Quran. They believe there will be a day of judgment, and life after death.

The 4 Books of Allah

·      Moses

·      David’s Psalms

·      Gospel of Jesus 

·      The Quran (Surah 4:82; 34:50; 65:4;)

Five Pillars of Islam 

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)

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.

·       Islam’s goal is global domination. 

Conclusion:

The Quran agrees with the Bible on some things, but it does not agree with the Bible on the most important things, such as the crucifixion of Christ, the resurrection of Christ, and the Deity of Christ.

·      Islam teaches that Christ was a prophet, but He failed on His mission to bring the people back to God.

·      Islam believes in the inspiration of the Bible, but the teachings of Quran contradict the Bible, why?

·      Islam teaches that the Bible has been corrupted. 

5 Reasons Islam is not of God.

·      The continuation error of the Quran. 

It claims to be a final revelation in a series of revelations from God, the order being the Torah, the Gospel, and then the Quran.

·      The denial of the Crucifixion of Christ. (Surah 4:156-157)

Ø  The replacement theory. Judas replaced Jesus.

Ø  The swoon theory. He survived Crucifixion.

·      The misunderstanding of the Trinity. (“Don’t say 3 only say 1.”)

Ø  The Quran falsely identifies the Trinity as God, Jesus and Mary. (Surah 5:116)

Ø  400 years before Muhammad, the Church fathers were writing about the Trinity.

·      Apostasy from Islam deserves the death penalty.

Ø  This teaching is barbaric and breeds fear in those who would think of leaving.

·      The lack of love in Islam.

Ø  In Islam, God‘s love is restricted to those who love him first. (Surah 30:43-45)

Ø  The Quran calls, Jews, and Christians the worst of creatures. (Surah 98:6)

Ø  Matthew 5:43-48

10  Contradictions in the Quran.

·      6 or 8 Days of Creation. (Surah 7:54; 41:9-12)

·      Will Christians go to paradise or hell? (Surah 5:72; 2:62)

·      Blood, clay, dust, or nothing? (Surah 96:2; 15:26; 19:67; 16:4)

·      No compulsion on religion. (Surah 2:256; 9:3)

·      The first Muslim. (Surah 39:12; 2:132)

·      Forgive or not forgive? (Surah 4:48; 4:133)

·      Drinking wine: good or bad? (Surah 5:90; 47:15; 83:22-25)

·      Did Noah’s son drown? (Surah 21:76; 11:53)

·      Is evil from God? (Surah 4:78; 4:79)

·      A day with Allah? (Surah 22:47; 32:5; 70:4)

How does a Muslim get to go to Paradise?

The Following are some ways regarding the hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) which will show us how to get Jannah in the hereafter.

o   Faith and good deeds will lead us to get Jannah. In Holy Quran, Allah Almighty says: “But those who have faith and work righteousness, they are the Companions of the Garden: Therein shall they abide forever.” (Quran, 2:82)

o   Seeking knowledge also leads to Paradise. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said in one of His hadith in these words: “Whosoever takes a path that leads to knowledge, Allah, the Almighty will pave his way to Jannah.”(Muslim)

o   Another simple way that can play a vital role in a Muslim’s life leads to Jannah is going to the mosque. Holy Prophet (PBUH) said regarding this: “Whosoever goes to the Masjid and returns back from it, purely for the sake of Allah, Allah the Almighty will prepare an abode in Jannah for every time he goes and comes back.”(Muslim)

o   Being good to parents also a reason to get Jannah. In one of hadith of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “A father’s pleasure is Allah’s pleasure, a father’s displeasure is Allah’s displeasure”(Tirmidhi). Further, He (SAW) said about mother: “Paradise lies at the feet of your mother.” (Nasai)

o   Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said in one of His hadith: “Whoever believes in Allah and His Messenger (PBUH), and establishes the prayer and fasts in the month of Ramadan, it is incumbent upon Allah that He enters him in Jannah.” (Sahih Bukhari)

o   Whoever remained righteous will lead towards Jannah. “Indeed, truthfulness leads to righteousness and indeed righteousness leads to Jannah.” (Sahih Bukhari)

o   Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Anyone whose soul leaves his body and he is free of three things, will enter Jannah: Arrogance, stealing from the spoils of war, and debt.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)

o   Above all, Quran recitation is perhaps one of the most effective ways of getting Jannah.

o   Many Muslims also argue that death in jihad as a martyr assures one of Paradise based on Sura 3:157: "And if ye are slain, or die, in the way of Allah, forgiveness and mercy from Allah are far better than all they could amass."

Sharing Christ with Muslims:

·      Most Muslims in America are not jihadists, although there are some.

·      Most Muslims believe that Christians hate them and love the Jews.

·      Not all Muslims hate Jews and Christians.

·      Ask them how they are doing in the 5 pillars of Islam.

·      Don’t start debating but stick to the message of the Gospel.

·      Address them respectfully. 

·      Don’t stereotype them. 

·      Share the Truth in Love.

·      The foundation of the religion crumbles under closer examination of the facts.