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ISLAM
A Study of the ISLAM Faith
Central Union Church of Christ
Winter Quarter 2014
Main Reference Material Used in this Study
Beverley, J. (2009). Nelson's illustrated guide to religions.
Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson.
Rieber, N. (1993). A resource for the study of Islam. Ft.
Worth, Tex.: Star Bible Publications.
Williams, J. (2008). A christian perspective on Islam.
Bulington, NC.: NDI Press.
INTRODUCTION – Why Study Islam?
• The most important reason to study Islam is to equip
Christians to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those
of the Islamic faith in such a way that it will be accepted
and obeyed.
• A study of Islam is needed so that Christians can
understand how approximately one fifth of the world
perceives their God.
• Recent world events have focused our attention on the
Islamic world.
• Islam has nothing short of world domination as its goal!
INTRODUCTION
Four absolutely key realities in the faith of all Muslims:
1. Total belief in Allah (the Arabic term for God).
2. Muslims also believe that Allah has spoken to the world
through Muhammad, the final, ultimate and greatest
prophet. The vast majority of Muslims believe
Muhammad (who died in A.D. 632) was sinless.
3. Further, the Qur’an is absolutely pivotal to all Muslims.
This is the Holy Book of Islam.
4. Islam is also a religion of law.
ISLAM’S NINETY-NINE NAMES OF GOD
Allah – The God
Al Rahim – The Merciful
Al Quddus – The Holy
Al Mu’mim – The One with Faith
Al ‘Aziz – The Mighty
Al Mutakabbir – The Imperious
Al Bari’ – The Maker
Al Ghaffar – The Forgiver
Al Wahhab – The Bestower
Al Fattah – The Opener
Al Quaibid – The Contractor
Al Khafid – The Humbler
Al Mu’izz – The Honorer
As Sami’ – The Hearer
Al Hakam – The Judge
Al Latif – The Subtle
Al Halim – The Gentle
Al Ghafur – The Forgiving
Al Ali – The Lofty
Al Hafiz – The Guardian
Al Hasib – The Reckoner
Al Karim – The Generous
Al Mujib – The Responder
Al Hakim – The Wise
Al Majid – The Glorious
Ash Shahid – The Witness
ISLAM’S NINETY-NINE NAMES OF GOD
Al Wakil – The Trustee
Al Matin – The Firm
Al Hamid – The Praiseworthy
Al Mubdi’ – The Originator
Al Muhyi – The Life-Giver
Al Hayy – The Living
Al Rahman–The Compassionate
Al Malik – The King
As Salam – The Peace
Al Muhaymin – The Protector
Al Jabbar – The Repairer
Al Khaliq – The Creator
Al Musawwir – The Fashioner
Al Qahhar – The Dominant
Al Razzaq – The Provider
Al ‘Alim – The Knower
Al Basit – The Expander
Al Rafi’ – The Exalter
Al Mudhill – The Abaser
Al Basir – The Seer
Al ‘Adl – The Just
Al Khabir – The Aware
Al ‘Azim – The Mighty
Ash Shakur – The Grateful
Al Kabir – The Great
Al Muqit – The Nourisher
ISLAM’S NINETY-NINE NAMES OF GOD
Al Jalil – The Majestic
Ar Raqib – The Watcher
Al Wasi’ – The Englober
Al Wadud – The Loving
Al Ba’ith – The Resurrector
Al Haqq – The Truth
Al Qawi – The Strong
Al Wali – The Friend
Al Muhsi – The Counter
Al Mu’id – The Restorer
Al Mumit – The Death-Giver
Al Qayyum – The Self-Subsistent
Al Wajid – The Finder
Al Ahad – The One
Al Qadir – The Able
Al Muqaddim – The Expediter
Al Awwal – The First
Az Zahir – The Manifest
Al Wali – The Governor
Al Barr – The Benefactor
Al Muntaqim – The Avenger
Ar Ra’uf – The Pardoner
Dhu ‘l-Jalal wa ‘l-Ikram – Lord of
Majesty and Generosity
Al Jami’ – The Gatherer
Al Mughni – The Enricher
Ad Darr – The Distresser
ISLAM’S NINETY-NINE NAMES OF GOD
An Nur – The Light
Al Badi – The Incomparable
Al Warith – The Inheritor
As Sabur The Patient
Al Majid – The Noble
As Samad – The EternalAbsolute
Al Muqtadir – The Powerful
Al Mu’akhkhir – The Deferrer
Al Akhir – The Last
Al Batin – The Hidden
Al Muta’ali – The Exalted
At Tawwab – The Acceptor of
Repentance
Al ‘Afuw – The Pardoner
Malik al-Mulk – The Ruler of
the Kingdom
Al Muqsit – The Equitable
Al Ghani – The Self-Sufficient
Al Mani – The Preventer
An Nafi’ – The Benefactor
Al Hadi – The Guide
Al Baqi – The Enduring
Ar Rashid – The Rightly
Guided
Months of the Islamic Calendar (Hijri)
1. Muharram (30)
2. Safar (29)
3. Rabi’ al-awwal (Rabi’ I)
(30)
4. Rabi’ al-thani (Rabi’ II)
(29)
5. Jumada al-awwal
(Jumada I) (30)
6. Jumada al-thani
(Jumada II) (29)
7. Rajab (30)
8. Sha’ban (29)
9. Ramadan (30)
10. Shawwal (29)
11. Dhu al-Qi’dah 930)
12. Dhu al-Hijjah (29/(30))
Total Days = 354/(355)
Monday, December 1, 2014 equals
Monday Safar 8 1436 A.H.
Julian Day 2456993
MECCA
The Five Pillars of Islam
1. Shahadah: Confession of Faith: “There is no God but
Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger.”
2. Salat: Prayer: All Muslims are to pray five times per day,
facing Mecca, the holiest city.
a. Salat-Ul-Fajr: the Morning Prayer,
b. Salat-Ul-Zuhr: the Noon Prayer,
c. Salat-Ul-Asr: the Afternoon Prayer,
d. Salat-Ul-Maghrib: the Evening Prayer,
e. Salat-Ul-Isha: the Night Prayer.
The Five Pillars of Islam – Salat: Prayer
The Five Pillars of Islam – Salat: Prayer
The Five Pillars of Islam – Salat: Prayer
The Five Pillars of Islam – Salat: Prayer
The Five Pillars of Islam – Salat: Prayer
The Five Pillars of Islam
3. Zakat: Tithing: Muslims must give financially to the poor
and the needy. This involves giving at least 2.5% of
their total wealth.
4. Sawn: Fasting: During the holy month of Ramadan,
Muslims are to refrain from food, water and sex from
sunrise to sunset.
5. Hajj: As far as possible, at least once in a lifetime,
Muslims are to travel to Mecca to engage in rituals of
prayer and worship at the central shrine in Islam’s
holiest city.
A Sixth Pillar: Jihad
• Jihad, or “striving in the way of Allah.” Many Muslims,
especially those of a fundamental bent, see this as an
essential “6th Pillar” in the theological superstructure of their
faith.
• While many more moderate Muslims interpret jihad as any
type of “spiritual striving” for the progress of their faith, there
are millions of others who translate this striving as “holy war.”
• September 11 has forever altered the significance of the word
jihad to the modern world.
• In February 1998, three and a half years before September
11, Osama bin Laden made his own views clear. Along with
other extremists from Egypt, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, he
issued a fatwa or ruling that called on Muslims “to kill the
Americans and their allies – civilian and military.” He called
this “an individual duty for every Muslim who can do it in any
country in which it is possible to do it.”
Background to the Two Islams
Here are some key facts that shape the world of Islam today:
• The Qur’an uses the term jihad in terms of spiritual struggle.
• The Qur’an also uses jihad about “holy war” or just war.
• The Prophet engaged in battles of war.
• The Prophet taught that Islam must be spread to the whole
world.
• Islamic law justifies self-defense and certain acts of war.
• Muslims conquered non-Arab lands and people through war.
• Muslims divide the world into two: Islam and non-Islam.
• Many Muslims believe that all countries should follow Islamic
law.
• Many Muslim countries are non-democratic and crush dissent.
The Branches of Islam
Muslims can be grouped under three major branches or types.
1. Sunni
•
Name comes from Sunna/Sunnah, meaning “trodden path” or
“custom.”
•
Sunna, or “written traditions,” fill in areas where the Qur’an is either
silent or unclear.
•
These “written traditions” from “oral tradition” are called the Hadith.
2. Shi’a, also known as Shi’ite
•
Shi’ite comes from the word Shia, meaning “party” or “faction.”
•
Largely reside in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and other Persian Gulf
States.
•
do not believe in a separation of civil and religious authority – but
that political and religious power should be in the hands of the
religious leaders.
3. Sufi
Other Major Items in Islam
1. Contrary to popular opinion, Muslims do not believe that their
religion began with Muhammad. They believe:
• Islam started at creation when God created Adam and Eve.
• Islam was the religion of faithful Jews and Christians.
• Jews in the time of Moses were Muslims, and Christians in the
time of Jesus were Muslims!
2. Though Muslim views derive in part from Christian tradition,
Muslims do not believe in original sin.
• (This is the concept that all human beings are born with a sinful
nature.)
• Believe that Adam rebelled against God’s law in the Garden of
Eden but there was no fall of the human race.
• Humans are frail and weak, prone to temptation but not
predisposed toward sin.
Other Major Items in Islam
3.
4.
Islam’s emphasis on the majesty and total sovereignty of God cannot
be overstressed.
• Muslim theologians developed a very rigid doctrine of predestination
out of the emphasis on Allah’s total supremacy.
Qur'an 3:145 And no person can ever die except by Allah's
leave and at an appointed term…
Qua’an 3:154 “…Even if you had remained in your homes,
those for whom death was decreed would certainly have gone
forth to the place of their death…”
• If God is all-knowing and all-powerful, is he not, in some sense,
responsible for everything?
Islam also teaches that our universe is home to angels, devils, and
another kind of spirit known as jinns.
• Belief in Satan or the supreme devil, an angel who chose to rebel
against Allah.
• Believe in angels, disembodied spirits who obey God.
• The English term genie derives from Muslim stories about the jinn,
supernatural entities who can do both good and evil.
Other Major Items in Islam
5. Islam has very definite views about the Day of Judgment.
• At a time known to Allah, the world will end.
• All humans will be judged by their deeds.
• Humans await either eternal punishment in hellfire or
eternal bliss in heaven.
• No notion of purgatory and virtually no openness to any
idea that all humans will eventually reach paradise.
• One noted verse in the fourth surah (chapter) of the Qur’an
states: “Those who reject our Signs, We shall soon cast
into the Fire: as often as their skins are roasted through,
We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste
the penalty: for God is Exalted in Power, Wise” (v.56).
Other Major Items in Islam
6. Islam views heaven as the eternal abode of those chosen by Allah.
• Heaven is a paradise of bliss and perfection, where sin, evil,
pain, sorrow, and death are no more.
• Both males and females will be in heaven.
• Significant emphasis in Islamic history on the promise that
faithful Muslim males will enjoy sexual pleasure in heaven with
their own harem of virgins. This teaching has been the focus of
recent study because of promises made to Palestinian suicide
bombers that their death will lead them to a paradise where
virgins await their arrival.
7. Muslims claim that Jesus (Isa) is a prophet of Islam.
• Muhammad is the chief prophet.
• Muslims also look to Jesus as a spiritual guide.
• There are significant differences between Muslim and
Christian understandings of Jesus.
Muhammad (570-632 A.D.): the Prophet of Islam
• Muslims believe that the most important fact to grasp is that
Muhammad is the Prophet, the final Messenger of Allah.
• Muslims believe Muhammad was born about 570 A.D.
• According to Islamic tradition, his father died before
Muhammad was born and his mother (Amina) died shortly
after his birth (576 A.D.).
• Tradition states that Muhammad was raised by his
grandfather and then by an uncle (Abu Talib) until he reached
his teen years.
• When Muhammad was 25 (595 A.D.), a dramatic event
happened in his life that forever changed his fortunes.
Muhammad married a rich 40 year old widow named
Khadijah.
Muhammad’s Wives
•
•
•
•
•
Islamic law allows up to four wives.
Mandates that they all be treated equally.
Muhammad violated this law.
Muslims believe that a prophet can do not wrong.
Muslims must justify the excessive number of wives that
Muhammad took to himself.
• Consider the law that tells them the number of wives they can
have.
Surah 4:3 “If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly
with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two, three,
or four; but ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal just
(with them) then only one, or (a captive) that your right
hand possess. That will be more suitable, to prevent you
from doing injustice.”
Muhammad’s Wives
• Some contend that he had as many as fifteen wives.
• Special revelation excused him from the law of four wives.
Surah 33:50 O Prophet! We have made lawful to thee thy
wives to whom thou hast paid their dowers; and those
whom thy right hand possesses out of the prisoners of war
whom Allah has assigned to thee; and daughters of thy
paternal uncles and aunts, and daughters of thy maternal
uncles and aunts, who migrated (from Mecca) with thee;
and any believing woman who dedicates her soul to the
Prophet if the prophet wishes to wed her; this only for
thee, and not for the Believers (at large); we know what
We have appointed for them as to their wives and the
captives whom their right hands possess; in order that
there should be difficulty for thee. And Allah is OftForgiving, Most Merciful.
Muhammad’s Wives
First Wife – Khadija
• She was his employer, wealthy and a widow.
• He was her representative as a merchant in camel
caravans.
• Khadija was 40 and Muhammad was 25 when they were
married.
• She bore him two sons and four daughters.
• As long as she lived, she was Muhammad’s only wife.
• The other wives came only after her death.
• Khadija was died at age 65 (619 A.D.).
Muhammad’s Wives
Second Wife – Sauda (Sawdah)
• Within a short two month period, Muhammad overcame
his grief and began his accumulation of wives.
• Sauda was a widow of one of his followers.
• The reason for marriage was to demonstrate to the
Muslim warriors that their loved ones would be cared for
by the Muslim community if they fell in battle.
Third Wife – Aishah (Ayisha)
• Ayisha was the daughter of Muhammad’s best friend
Abu Bakr.
• Different writers record her age between 7 and 11 years
old at the time of marriage.
Muhammad’s Wives
Fifteen Wives
• No qualms about taking women as wives.
• No qualms about taking more than the allotted four.
• Did see it necessary to justify multiplying wives to
himself by receiving a special revelation.
• Based on several historical accounts, Muhammad had
as many as 15 wives and married someone new every
year after Khadija’s death.
Muhammad’s Illiteracy
• Muslims believe Muhammad is the messenger from
God.
• They believe God’s revelation was made to Muhammad
through the angel Gabriel.
• He is believed to have been illiterate, so his spoken
words were recorded by others.
• Muhammad is considered to be the final prophet and the
comforter promised by Jesus in the Injil (See John
chapters 14 through 16).
Muhammad (570-632 A.D.): the Prophet of Islam
• Muhammad’s life (and the world) changed forever in the year
610, on the seventeenth night of the Arabic month of
Ramadan.
• Muhammad claimed that the angel Gabriel visited him on
Mount Hira, near Mecca.
• Muslims believe that in 620, one year after the death of
Muhammad’s first wife, the angel Gabriel brought Muhammad
by night to Jerusalem on the back of a heavenly horse named
Buruq.
• Here is the Qur’anic passage that they base this belief
upon:
“glory to Allah who did take His Servant for a Journey by
night from the Sacred Mosque to the Fartherest Mosque,
the precincts which we have blessed…” (Surah 17:1)
Muhammad (570-632 A.D.): the Prophet of Islam
• Threats increased to Muhammad’s life in Mecca; so, in 622
AD, Muhammad migrated to Medina, 250 miles to the north of
Mecca.
• There he became the military, political and religious head of
this new “Nation of Islam.”
• The journey of Muhammad to Medina was known as the
Hegira, and is one of the most important dates in the history
of Islam.
• Islamic history begins from this date, which is “year 1” of the
Muslim calendar marked by the letters A.H. or Anno Hegirae,
or “after the Hijra.”
• The city of Yathrob was renamed Medina, which meant “City
of Prophet.”
Muhammad (570-632 A.D.): the Prophet of Islam
• For the next 8-10 years, Muhammad worked from Medina to
unify the various Arab tribes into an invincible fighting force.
• Finally, in January, 630 AD, Muhammad marched on Mecca
with a force of 10,000 men.
• It fell with hardly a fight. Reputedly, only 28 Meccans and 2
Muslims were killed.
• When Muhammad entered Mecca, he encircled the Kaaba 7
times, and paid homage to the “Black Stone” as the symbol of
monotheism.
• Muhammad purified the Kaaba of its idols and destroyed
them.
• According to Muslim tradition, Muhammad destroyed all the
idols of the Kaaba except the statues of Jesus and Mary.
Muhammad (570-632 A.D.): the Prophet of
Islam
• So, believing the Kaaba in Mecca to have been built by their
patriarch, Abraham, it became the spiritual heart of this new
religion.
• However Medina, continued to be his base from which he
conducted military campaigns into Syria.
• During this same period, Muhammad also made treaties with
the Christian tribes in the area.
• However, Muhammad increasingly persecuted anyone and
everyone who criticized or opposed him in any way.
• Muhammad made a final pilgrimage to Mecca in 632 AD.
• Muhammad died in Medina on June 8, 632 AD.
• Muhammad was buried in Medina, the “City of Prophet” in the
now famous “Prophet’s Mosque,”
The Qur’an: The Muslim Holy Book
• Yasaf Ali’s English translation of the Qur’an runs to 597
pages in a paperback edition with approximately 6,000
verses.
• Many Muslims, including young boys and girls, have
memorized the Entire Qur’an, cover to cover, in Arabic.
• It is a sin for a Muslim to place any book or object on top
of the Qur’an.
The Qur’an: The Muslim Holy Book
The Origin of the Qur’an
• Most Muslims believe the origin of the Qur’an lies in the
eternal mind of Allah.
• Then, when the time was right, according to the will of
Allah, the angel Gabriel dictated the revelations to
Muhammad.
• Islam states quite plainly that the Qur’an has one author:
Allah. It is not Muhammad’s book.
• To question the Qur’an is to risk eternal punishment. To
obey it is to gain eternal life.
• Muslims believe the Qur’an is perfect and contains no
errors.
The Qur’an: The Muslim Holy Book
The Structure of the Qur’an
• Contains 114 surahs or chapters and over six thousand verses.
• The surahs are arranged by size, with the shorter chapters near the
end.
• Generally believed the chapters near the end of the Qur’an were
actually written first, most during the time when the prophet was in
Medina (A.D. 622-30).
• The longer chapters were written last and were revealed after the
Prophet conquered Mecca in A.D. 630.
• The titles of the various chapters are based on some word or idea
that appears in the chapter, though the titles do not usually suggest
the main theme of the chapters, if one exist.
• Some Muslim scholars have attempted to show that there are
hidden scientific truths and mathematical wonders in the Qur’an.
Major Themes of the Qur’an (Allah)
1. Allah
• He is the Creator.
• Surah 6:101-102 “He created all things, and He
hath full knowledge of all things. That is God, your
Lord! There is no god but He, the Creator of all
things.”
• Surah 59:24 “He is God, the Creator, the Evolver,
the Bestower of Forms (or Colours). To Him
belong the Most Beautiful Names: whatever is in
the heavens and on earth, doth declare His
Praises and Glory: and He is the Exalted in Might,
the Wise.”
Major Themes of the Qur’an (Allah)
• He is eternal.
• Surah 2:25 “God! There is no god but He, the
Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber
can seize Him, nor sleep.”
• Surah 2:3 “God! There is no god but He, the
Living, the Self-Subsisting, Eternal.”
• Surah 112:2 “God, the Eternal, Absolute.”
Major Themes of the Qur’an (Allah)
• He is the Guardian.
• Surah 89:14 “For thy Lord is (as a Guardian) on a
watch-tower.”
• Surah 4:1 “O mankind! Reverence your GuardianLord, who created you from a single person,
created, of like nature, His mate, and from them
twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and
women; reverence God, through whom ye demand
your mutual (rights), and (reverence) the wombs
(that bore you): for God ever watches over you.”
Major Themes of the Qur’an (Allah)
• He is Holy.
• Surah 62:1 “Whatever is in the heavens and on
earth, doth declare the Praises and Glory of God,
the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Exalted in Might,
the Wise.”
• He is the Lord of All.
• Surah 41:9 “And do ye join equals with Him? He is
the Lord of (all) the Worlds.”
• He is the All-knowing.
• Surah 35:38 “Verily God knows (all) the hidden
things of the heavens and the earth: verily He has
full knowledge of all that is in (men’s) hearts.”
Major Themes of the Qur’an (Allah)
• He is Merciful.
• Surah 12:64 “He is the Most Merciful of those who
show mercy!”
• The phrase “Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful” is used
over and over in the Qur’an, 6 times in Surah 9
alone.
• He is the Revealer.
• Surah 5:56 “If only they had stood fast by the Law,
the Gospel, and all the revelation that was sent to
them from their Lord, they would have enjoyed
happiness from every side.”
Major Themes of the Qur’an (Allah)
• He is the Sustainer.
• Surah 7:54 “Your Guardian-Lord is God, Who
created the heavens and earth in six days, and is
firmly established on the throne (of authority): He
draweth the night as a veil o’er the day, each
seeking the other in rapid succession: He created
the sun, the moon, the stars, (all) governed by
laws under His command. Is it not His to create
and govern? Blessed by God, the Cherisher and
Sustainer of the worlds!”
Major Themes of the Qur’an (Allah)
• He is worthy of Worship.
• Surah 20:14 “Verily, I am God: There is no god but
I: So serve thou Me (only), and establish regular
prayer for celebrating My praise.”
Major Themes of the Qur’an (Muhammad)
2. Muhammad.
• Muhammad is only mentioned by name four times.
• Islam teaches that Gabriel dictated to Muhammad material that
was to be put in the Qur’an about Muhammad.
• Teaches that Muhammad is, “the Seal of the Prophets.”
• Muhammad is a judge to his followers (4:65) and is to be
respected by them (2:104; 4:46).
• Allah himself is a witness to Muhammad’s mission (13:43; 46:8).
• Teaches that Muhammad’s prophetic work was predicted by
both Moses (46:10) and by Jesus, of whom the Qur’an says:
“And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary said, ‘O Children of
Israel! I am the apostle of God (sent) to you, confirming the Law
(which came) before me, whose name shall be Ahmad.’”
• The universal messenger from God (34:28).
• The symbol of Allah’s mercy to the world (9:61; 28:46-47; 76:2426).
Major Themes of the Qur’an (Muhammad)
• Inspired by Allah: “So did (God) convey the inspiration to His
Servant – (conveyed) what He (meant) to convey. The
(Prophet’s) (mind and) heart in no way falsified that which he
saw. Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he saw?”
(Surah 53:10-12).
• Describes Muhammad as gentle (3:159), very concerned about
his followers (9:128), and in deep distress for unbelievers (12:97;
25:30).
• Man of prayer (74:3) and had an “exalted standard of character”
(68:4).
• Often mocked by his enemies in Mecca and was accused of
being mad (7:184) and under the power of demons (81:82)
• Muhammad is told to adore Allah (96:19), faithfully stick to the
message that he is given from God (46:9), follow Allah’s duty for
him (30:30), and work hard (66:9).
Major Themes of the Qur’an (Qur’an)
3. Qur’an.
• Takes up itself as a subject.
• Tells us that Satan is not the auther.
• Muhammad could not be the author either, since, the
Qur’an argues, he was completely illiterate.
• Only Allah could have produced such a book.
• The Qur’an says of itself that it is clear,
understandable, written in pure Arabic, free from
error, and that it contains the universal message, one
that will guide its hearers into health and into eternal
salvation.
Major Themes of the Qur’an (Biblical Material)
4. Biblical Material.
• Gives considerable attention to various Old and New
Testament figures.
• Muslims claim that Islam began with creation and that
Allah revealed himself to Jews and Christians, though both
altered their Scriptures.
• Moses gets the most mention with more than 500 verses
or almost 10% of the text dealing with him.
• Other figures include Noah, Abraham, Joshua, David,
Jesus, Mary.
• Muslims find it easy to draw comparisons between
Muhammad and Moses the law-giver, and also with King
David, the warrior of God.
Major Themes of the Qur’an (Jesus)
5. Jesus.
• Treats Jesus with respect as a prophet, a teacher and a sign from
God.
• States Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, performed miracles and
that his followers were called Muslims.
• Points out that it is a serious error to think that Jesus is the Son of
God or that God is a trinity of three Persons, as in Christian tradition.
• For the Qur’an, Jesus is an apostle, but not more than that.
• Muslims do not believe Jesus died on the cross.
Surah 4:157 “And because of their saying (in boast), “We killed
Messiah ‘Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), the Messenger of
Allaah,” – but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but he the
resemblance of ‘Iesa (Jesus) was put over another man (and they
killed that man), and those who differ therein are full of doubts.
They have no (certain) knowledge, they follow nothing but
conjecture. For surely; they killed him not [i.e. ‘Iesa (Jesus), son of
Maryam (Mary)]:”
Major Themes of the Qur’an (True Believers)
6. True Believers.
• Hundreds of verses in the Qur’an are devoted to a portrait of the
true believer.
• Vast majority of passages deal with behavior, both the path that
is right and the path that is wrong.
• This is in keeping with the common assertion that Islam is a
religion about the right path, much more that it is a religion about
the right ideas.
• Muslims are to follow Allah, fear him, and turn from false gods.
The true believer patterns his life after the model of the prophet
Muhammad.
• Muslims are to be people of prayer and contemplation.
• He or she is peaceful, faithful, humble and forgiving.
• True believers strive to do good works and protect one another.
Major Themes of the Qur’an (True Believers)
• Are to be charitable, according to the Qur’an, and are
to be united in their faith.
• The disciple of Allah engages in fasting and follows
Allah’s will on proper marriages (no more than 4
wives) and proper inheritance laws.
• Believers are to remember the rewards of heaven and
the pains of hell.
• Resistance to evil and sin also identify the true
believer.
• Muslims are to avoid gambling and drinking.
• Certain foods are forbidden.
Major Themes of the Qur’an (Unbelievers)
7. Unbelievers.
• The whole human setting of the Qur’an involves the storm
created by Muhammad’s prophetic call to decision.
• His message creates two options: belief or unbelief.
• Considerable discussion of those that the Qur’an calls
hypocrites and unbelievers.
• Those who reject Allah’s message are deaf, blind, and full
of disease. They are arrogant, foolish, hate the truth, live
in delusion, and their prayers are in vain, and a deceiver.
• Muslims should avoid unbelievers given their perversity.
They will be sent into the depths of hell unless they repent.
Major Themes of the Qur’an (Heaven, Hell,
Judgment Day)
8. Heaven, Hell, and Judgment Day.
• Qur’an gives enormous weight to life after death.
• Hundreds of verses about paradise, the pains of hell and the
reality of a final judgment day by God.
• Heaven is pictured as a garden paradise with mansions,
fountains, food and drink, and sexual pleasure where believers
are full of happiness, peace, and joy in the presence of God.
• Qur’an depicts hell as a place of blazing, eternal fire. The
unbelievers will taste the boiling fluids of hell, with their faces
covered in flames. They will wear garments of fire, will live in
eternal regret and will beg for destruction.
• The Day of Judgment is an absolute certainty, though the
righteous have no reason to fear. Justice will be done and
human deeds will be weighed in the balance, when the last
trumpet sounds.
Helpful Ministry Tips with Muslims
• Speak in loving terms to them – never be loud, harsh,
judgmental or condescending. Remember the principle that
says: “It is not until love is felt that the message is heard.”
• As you have the opportunity, seek to build a relationship and
friendship first – rather than trying to make a convert. And
begin with acts of Christian hospitality. Invite them into your
home for refreshments and meals (never offer pork).
• Approach them humbly with a servant’s heart and the spirit of
a learner, rather than from a haughty know-it-all attitude of
pride or spiritual superiority. Ask them questions about their
faith and beliefs first rather than trying to force your faith upon
them.
Helpful Ministry Tips with Muslims
• Avoid arguments and debates. This is what they are
expecting and are mentally prepared for. But as you
have the opportunity, seek to clarify any wrong
understandings about Jesus Christ, Christianity, the
church, etc., that come up in your discussion.
• Try to keep Jesus as the focus of the conversation and
speak of him as Isa Al Masih, “Jesus the Messiah.”
Focus on His teachings since the Qur’an speak little of
this.
• Emphasize the love of God and the assurance of
salvation that He gives his children, along with the
forgiveness of sins and certainty of eternal life in heaven
when you die.
Helpful Ministry Tips with Muslims
• Pray with them as you have the opening. Especially ask them
if you can pray for their personal needs, family matters,
children, worries, concerns, etc. However, do not initially use
terms like “Father” or “Abba” since that is a misunderstood
concept to them with sexual overtones. Use phrases like
“Almighty God” or “Lord God Almighty” – and then close in
Jesus’ Name.
• If you have our Bible with you, handle it with respect and
never drop it or throw it down. Muslims have a high and holy
regard for the Qur’an, so you must show the same respect for
your Bible.
• Be sensitive to the gender issue in relating Muslims – and
always interact “man to man” and “woman to woman.” It is a
taboo in Islam for a man to have personal contact with a
woman and vice versa. A woman should never look directly
into the eyes of a Muslim man. This is considered forward.
Helpful Ministry Tips with Muslims
• Women, be modest in your dress around Muslims.
• If you are invited into their home, leave your shoes at the door
in keeping with their custom. Do not sit in such a way that the
sole of your shoe or foot is facing them. This is highly
offensive.
• Never use your left hand for hand-shaking or eating since this
is the “unclean hand.” Use your right hand for everything,
especially when eating. Muslims often eat from common
dishes.
• Above all, NEVER say anything negative or derogatory about
Muhammad. Because of their reverence and respect for him,
those words will close any open door you might have and
result in great hostility.
Helpful Ministry Tips with Muslims
• Finally, seek to relate to them through the Golden Rule of
“doing unto others what you would like for them to do unto
you.”
But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are
blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to
give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope
that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good
conscience, that when they defame you as evil doers, those who
revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is
better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for
doing evil.
- 1 Peter 3:14-17
If you wish to have a copy of the notes used in this study:
• Email me at [email protected] and I will reply
Or
• Bring a USB memory stick and we will download from
the church laptop.