Islam / Muslim
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1.
Examining Islam (3 videos)
1. What are its key dogmas?
2. How does it contradict Judaism and Christianity?
3. Is Allah the biblical God?
4. How are we to witness to Muslims?
3. Other Islamic branches.
Muslim / Islam were called Turks and Moores prior to the 1900’s. Islam = submission to God.
Texts: Koran / Quran = reading, divided into 114 chapters / surras, not chronological, just according to length. Other writings include; The Hadith, which is supposed to have the teachings of Muhammad. Does not try to explain who God is, just what His laws are. When God is speaking it is first person plural - We.
Founder:
Muhammad, born 570ad, supposedly began receiving revelations at age 40 from
the angel Gabriel. He did not write down any of his revelations over a number
of years, and were recited and written down later by others.
There are 8 different groups. The 2 most popular are the Sunni / Shiites.
Islam Fact Sheet
1. Islam claims to have 1.6 billion followers, mostly in the East and claims to be the fastest growing religion. If you are born in a Muslim nation you are considered to be Muslim. Conversion to Islam is forced in Muslim nations. Those who choose not to believe, or convert, place their lives in hardship and jeopardy and are in danger of being disowned, imprisoned, persecuted, considered to be dead, or executed. Islam = submission. They were called Turks and Moors prior to the 1900’s.
2. Muhammad was born in 570ad, had his first vision in 610ad, left Mecca for Medina in 622ad and died in 632ad. He was an orphan and was raised by his uncle. He married a woman 15 years older than him who financially supported his visions. After her death, at age 50 he had 11 wives and 3 concubines. He claimed to have also been married to Miriam, Moses’ sister, and Mary the mother of Jesus, who both lived hundreds of years before he was alive. Islam teaches that you can only have 4 wives. Muhammad being the greatest prophet can have more.
3. Muhammad claims to have received visions from Allah, the supreme Semitic god, and given what to write through the Angel Gabriel. These visions were similar to epileptic seizures and Muhammad originally thought they were “satanic verses.” Though he was considered to be illiterate, the writings were written down by others and collected in the “Quran.” The Quran contains 114 chapters, or “Suras,” arranged from longest to shortest and is not in any chronological or topical order. The 9 volume commentary or teachings called the “Hadith” is said to contain the teachings of Muhammad. When Allah is speaking it is first person plural - We. There are 99 names for Allah.
4. Islam claims that both the Jewish and Christian scriptures (Torah, Psalms, Gospels) were once inspired but later corrupted and that Muhammad alone is the “final prophet” (the “Comforter”) raised up to bring things back to the truth.
5. There are 8 divisions of Muslims today. The most popular are the Sunni and Shiite. Sunni’s (80% of Muslims today) follow a Caliph or leader. Shiite’s claim their leaders are in direct descent from Muhammad and are awaiting the 12 Amman. Others include Suffis (non-violent mystics) and Wahabi.
6. There are 5 main tenants of faith for Muslims; 1. “There is only one God who is Allah and Muhammad is His last prophet, (among 125,000 prophets most are biblical prophets).” 2. Alms giving. 3. Prayer 5 times a day facing Mecca and Friday recognized as the weekly holy day. 4. A pilgrimage or Hajj to Mecca once in your lifetime. 5. Fasting is required during Ramadhan. There is also a great emphasis on remaining clean, or purification.
7. Muslims are judged according to the “scales.” There are various levels of sins and righteousness is arbitrarily determined by Allah. Your good works must be more than your sins (51%) in order to enter paradise; martyrdom is the surest way of going to Paradise. You are assigned 2 angels who record the good and bad works and salvation in never assured.
8. If a Caliph, or a recognized Muslim leader, writes a “Fatwa,” or legal opinion, calling for “Jihad,” or defending Islam, you must be willing to fight even unto death, or suffer hell-fire. 1,500 years of Muslim history clearly defines how Jihad has been interpreted. A male martyr goes directly to paradise and receives virgin wives. A women martyr is able to take family or friends to paradise with her. Many Muslim States follow what is called “Sharia law,” which is a strict adherence to Muslim Quranic law.
9. Jesus, or “Isa” (mentioned 97 times) is just a prophet, and Mary, or Miriam Jesus’ mother, are greatly revered. They even believe in the virgin birth of Jesus. But Jesus is not God’s son because God has no son, or children. They do not believe Jesus needed to die to atone for sin, so there was never a crucifixion, resurrection, or ascension. Jesus was taken up to heaven and another died on the cross in his place who others believed to be Jesus. They teach that when Jesus returns He will destroy all the churches / crosses, swine, Jews and Christians. They also teach against the idea of the Trinity.
10. Allah only loves the righteous, not sinners. Islam = submission and servitude. Allah does not have a father / creator and child (son) relationship with any one, all are just his servants.
11. They redact or change Jewish and Christian scriptures. One example of this is that it was said to have been Ishmael and not Isaac who was about to be sacrificed by Abraham on Mount Moriah. The Quran changes its teachings based on whether or not it was written while in Medina or Mecca (post or pre-flight). Older writings overwrite earlier ones.
12. Under Sharia Law, the role of women is that of property and they are not allowed to be educated and must wear coverings (especially among Shiites). If a wife is unfaithful they can be beaten, or killed.
13. Muslim nations teach religious toleration (Pact of Rumar) not freedom. Christians are taxed and not allowed to proselytize, or build churches. They are also severely treated and even imprisoned.
Is Allah our Biblical God?
According to strict Muslims and those in Muslim nations, Allah
is NOT the Jewish and Christian God.
None of the 99 names for Allah is relational. There is no direct contact with
God.
Allah’s justice is not like our understanding. He forgives based on whatever
he wills not based on justice. There is no need for a substitution sacrifice.
How are we to witness to Muslims?
Through acts of kindness. Strict Muslims will not take Christians
as friends.
Speak of grace not works as means to God’s acceptance.
State that the NT speaks of Jesus as more than just a prophet, even though they
believe we have distorted the Gospels. He cannot be a good prophet as the Koran
teaches because He declared Himself to be God’s Son. Jesus is either God,
or a false prophet.
Be familiar with the Koran and key Muslim teachings.
Other Branches and Sects of Islam
For a list of various Islamic Branches click here Branches
Founders and Leaders: the self proclaimed prophet Elijah Muhammad. Today's leader is Louis Farrakhan.
Teachings: Emphasis on the superiority of the African people. Allah is black. All civilizations came from Africa. Primarily an American sect of Islam. Malcolm X was one of its leaders who was later assassinated after questioning Elijah Muhammad’s multiple affairs, wives and children. Not recognized as legitimate among Muslims.
A sect of Islam led by Mulla Husayn in 1844, while in search
for a divine messiah who was Mirza Mohammad Ali the “Bab or gate of God.”
He was martyred and claimed to be a type of John the Baptist. In 1863 Mirza
claimed to be the promised one. Emphasized the oneness of mankind, unity of
all religions, racial integration, world peace and justice. Man does not need
salvation only enlightenment. Predicted the end of the age to be 1957. Not recognized
as legitimate among Muslims.
Websites
For a list of heresies through the centuries click here: heresies heresies
For a list of cults click on the following:
Alphabetical List of Cults and Religions
| Ex-Muslim | Ex-Muslim | Islam | Islam | Islam | Terms | Glossary |
| Index | Dictionary | Hadith | Quran | Topical Study of Quran | Written Debates | Encyclopedia of Religions-Cults |