Islam
By Phil Roberts
Official Name: Islam
Key Figure in History: Muhammad (A.D. 570-632)
Date of Its Establishment: A.D. 622
Adherents: Worldwide: Estimated 1.28 billion; 69 percent
live in South and Southeast Asia; 27 percent in Africa; 4 percent other; United
States: Estimated 5 to 8 million
What is Islam?
Islam is the world's youngest major world religion. It claims to be the
restoration of original monotheism and truth and thus supersedes both Judaism
and Christianity. It stresses submission to Allah, the Arabic name for God, and
conformity to the "five pillars" or disciplines of that religion as essential
for salvation. From its inception, Islam was an aggressively
missionary-oriented religion. Within one century of its formation, often using
military force, Islam had spread across the Middle East, most of North Africa,
and as far east as India. While God is, in the understanding of most Muslims,
unknowable personally, His will is believed to be perfectly revealed in the
holy book, the Qur'an.1 The Qur'an is to be
followed completely and its teachings form a complete guide for life and
society.
Who Was Muhammad?
Muhammad is believed by Muslims to be the last and greatest prophet of
God-"the seal of the prophets." It was through him that the Qur'an was
dictated, thus according him the supreme place among the seers of God. A native
of Mecca, Muhammad was forced to flee that city in A.D. 622 after preaching
vigorously against the paganism of the city. Having secured his leadership in
Medina, and with several military victories to his credit, Muhammad returned in
triumph to Mecca in A.D. 630. There, he established Islam as the religion of
all Arabia.
What Is the Qur'an?
The Qur'an is the sacred book of Islam and the perfect word of God
for the Muslim. It is claimed that the Qur'an was dictated in Arabic by the
angel Gabriel to Muhammad and were God's precise words. As such, it had
preexisted from eternity in heaven with God as the "Mother of the Book" and was
in that form uncreated and coeternal with God. Islam teaches that it contains
the total and perfect revelation and will of God. The Qur'an is about
four-fifths the length of the New Testament and is divided into 114 "surahs" or
chapters. While Islam respects the Torah, the psalms of David and the four
Gospels, the Qur'an stands alone in its authority and absoluteness. It
is believed to be most perfectly understood in Arabic and it is a religious
obligation to seek to read and quote it in the original language.
What Are the Five Pillars of Islam?
They are the framework for the Muslim's life and discipline. Successful and
satisfactory adherence to the pillars satisfies the will of Allah. They form
the basis for the Muslim's hope for salvation along with faith and belief in
Allah's existence, the authority of Muhammad as a prophet, and the finality and
perfection of the Qur'an.
The five pillars are:
1. The Confession of Faith or
Shahada: It is the declaration that there is no god
but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet. Sincerity in the voicing of the
confession is necessary for it to be valid. It must be held until death and
repudiation of the Shahada nullifies hope for salvation.
2. Prayer or Salat: Five times a day,
preceded by ceremonial washing, the Muslim is required to pray facing Mecca.
Specific formulas, recited from the Qur'an (in Arabic), along with prostrations
are included. Prayer is, in this sense, an expression of submission to the will
of Allah. While most of Islam has no hierarchical priesthood, prayers are led
in mosques by respected lay leaders. The five times of prayer are before
sunrise, noon, midafternoon, sunset, and prior to sleep.
3. Almsgiving or Zakat: The Qur'an teaches
the giving of two and one-half percent of one's capital wealth to the poor
and/or for the propagation of Islam. By doing so, the Muslims' remaining wealth
is purified.
4. The Fast or Sawm: During the course of the
lunar month of Ramadan, a fast is to be observed by every Muslim from sunrise
to sunset. Nothing is to pass over the lips during this time, and they should
refrain from sexual relations. After sunset, feasting and other celebrations
often occur. The daylight hours are set aside for self-purification. The month
is used to remember the giving of the Qur'an to Muhammad.
5. Pilgrimage or Hajj: All Muslims who are
economically and physically able are required to journey as a pilgrim to Mecca
at least once in their lifetime. The pilgrim's required simple dress stresses
the notion of equality before God. Another element of the Hajj is the mandatory
walk of each pilgrim seven times around the Kaabah-the shrine of the black
rock, the holiest site of Islam. Muhammad taught that the Kaabah was the
original place of worship for Adam and later for Abraham. The Kaabah is thus
venerated as the site of true religion, the absolute monotheism of Islam.
The Doctrines of Islam
God: He is numerically and absolutely one. God is beyond
the understanding of man so that only His will may be revealed and known. He is
confessed as the "merciful and compassionate one."
Sin: The most serious sin that can be ascribed to people is
that of "shirk" or considering God as more than one. Original sin is viewed as
a "lapse" by Adam. The fallen nature of humankind is not endorsed by Islam.
Humankind is considered weak and forgetful but not as fallen.
Angels: Islam affirms the reality of angels as messengers
and agents of God. Evil spirits or Jinn also exist. Satan is a fallen angel.
Angels perform important functions for God both now and at the end of time.
Final Judgment: The world will be judged at the end of time
by God. The good deeds and obedience of all people to the five pillars and the
Qur'an will serve as the basis of judgment.
Salvation: It is determined by faith, as defined by Islam,
as well as by compiling good deeds primarily in conformity to the five
pillars.
Marriage: Muslims uphold marriage as honorable and condemn
adultery. While many Muslim marriages are monogamous, Islamic states allow as
many as four wives. Men consider a woman as less than an equal, and while a man
has the right to divorce his wife, the wife has no similar power (see Surah
2:228; 4:34). Nonetheless, the female has a right to own and dispose of
property. Modesty in dress is encouraged for both men and women.
War: The term jihad or "struggle" is often considered as
both external and internal, both a physical and spiritual struggle. The enemies
of Islam or "idolaters," states the Qur'an, may be slain "wherever you find
them" (Surah 9:5.) (See Surah 47:4.) Paradise is promised for those who die
fighting in the cause of Islam (see Surah 3:195; 2:244). Moderate Muslims
emphasize the spiritual dimension of jihad and not its political element.
Diet and Food: Muslim dietary codes forbid the eating of
pork and the use of intoxicating drinks. Other meats may be eaten from animals
slaughtered by devout Muslims. Healthy diet and lifestyle are encouraged.
Answering Muslim Objections to Christianity
Christians and Jews are acknowledged as "people of the book," although their
failure to conform to the confession of Islam labels them as unbelievers.
Following are several questions that Muslims have about Christianity.
Is the Trinity a belief in three gods?
Christians are monotheistic and believe that God is one. But both in His
work in accomplishing salvation through the Person of Jesus Christ and through
biblical study it has become clear that His oneness in fact comprises three
Persons- Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and the third Person of the Godhead, the
Holy Spirit. Mary is not part of the Godhead. The notion of God, who is
three-in-one, is part of both the mystery and greatness of God. God is in
essence one while in Persons three. This truth helps us understand God as truly
personal and having the capacity to relate to other persons. As well,
Christians confirm the holiness, sovereignty, and greatness of God.
How can Jesus be the Son of God?
Scripture affirms that Jesus was conceived supernaturally by the Holy Spirit
and was born of the Virgin Mary. It does not in any way claim that Jesus was
directly God the Father's biological and physical son. It rejects the notion of
the Arabic word for son walad, meaning physical son, for the word ibin, which
is the title of relationship. Jesus is the Son in a symbolic manner designating
that He was God the Word who became man in order to save humankind from its
sin. The virgin birth was supernatural as God the Holy Spirit conceived in
Mary, without physical relations, Jesus the Messiah. In this manner even the
Qur'an affirms the miraculous birth of Christ (see Surah 19:16-21). Jesus was
in this sense "God's unique Son." During His earthly ministry He carried out
the will of the Father. Notably the Qur'an affirms Jesus' supernatural birth,
life of miracles, His compassion, and ascension to heaven. (see Surah
19:16-21,29-31; 3:37-47, 5:110.)
How could Jesus have died on the cross, especially if He's God's
Son?
The testimony of history and of the Injil or the four Gospels is that Jesus
died on the cross. If it is understood that God is love, and that humankind is
lost in sin, then is it not likely that God would have provided a sacrifice for
sin? Jesus is God's sacrifice for all the sins of the world and is a bridge
from a holy God to fallen and sinful humans.
This truth is revealed in the Injil-John 3:16. Even the Qur'an states in
Surah 3:55 that "Allah said: O Isa [Jesus], I am going to terminate [to put to
death] the period of your stay (on earth) and cause you to ascend unto Me."1
What other way could this concept have any meaning apart from Jesus' death for
sin and His subsequent resurrection?
Muslims believe that God took Jesus from the cross and substituted Judas in
His place, or at least someone who looked like Jesus. He was then taken to
heaven where He is alive and from where one day He will return.
Answering Muslims' Questions to Christians about Islam
What do you think about the prophet Muhammad?
Muhammad was apparently a well-meaning man who sought to oppose paganism and
evil in his day. While he succeeded in uniting the Arabian peninsula and upheld
several important virtues, we do not believe he received a fresh revelation
from God. Jesus Christ fulfilled not only the final prophetic role from God,
but He is the Savior of the world and God the Son. While Islam believes that
some Bible passages refer to Muhammad (see Deut. 18:18-19; John 14:16; 15:26;
16:7), that is clearly not the meaning of the texts. Other passages may help in
understanding and interpreting the previous texts (see Matthew 21:11; Luke
24:19; John 6:14; 7:40; Acts 1:8-16; 7:37).
What is your opinion of the Qur'an?
It is a greatly valued book for the Muslim. It is not received or believed
to be a divine book by the Christian. The statements of the Qur'an are accepted
only where they agree with the Bible.
What is your opinion about the five pillars?
Salvation is from God and comes only through the saving work of Jesus
Christ. When we put our faith in Him, we will be saved (see John
3:16-21,31-36).
Witnessing to Muslims
1. Be courteous and loving.
2. Reflect interest in their beliefs. Allow them time to articulate their
views.
3. Be acquainted with their basic beliefs.
4. Be willing to examine passages of the Qur'an concerning their
beliefs.
5. Stick to the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith but also take time
to respond to all sincere questions.
6. Point out the centrality of the Person and work of Jesus Christ for
salvation.
7. Stress that because of Jesus, His cross, and resurrection, one may have
the full assurance of salvation, both now and for eternity (see 1 John
5:13).
8. Share the plan of salvation with the Muslim. Point our that salvation is
a gift and not to be earned.
9. Pray for the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Trust Him to provide wisdom and
grace.
10. Be willing to become a friend and a personal evangelist to Muslims.
1. The Holy Qur'an, translated by M.H. Shakir (Elmhurst, N.Y.:
Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an, Inc.).