A SURVEY OF ISLAM
Acts 4:12 / John 14:6 / Genesis 16:11-12
Islam is a religious, social and political force and every Christian should be aware of it. With so many millions (& soon to be billions) embracing the Islamic faith and with entire countries ruled and dominated by Islamic teachings, practices, and laws their world-view is becoming more and more prevalent, even in America. [The number of mosques has increased significantly in the U.S. in the last decade. There was a 74 % increase in the number of Islamic houses of worship rose from 1,209 in the year 2000 to 2,106 in 2010. USA Today, February 29,2012.]
Our world is dependent on Islamic nations for a major portions of its oil needs. Western towns, universities, and businesses are seeing a larger influx of Muslims than ever before in history. We need to equip ourselves to give a defense of biblical faith against the aggressive claims of Islam and be able to share effectively in love the Good News of Jesus Christ with the followers of Mohammad. With awareness of this challenge let us begin our survey of Islam.
To facilitate our study let’s use the following outline:
I. DEFINITIONS
II. BRIEF HISTORY / BACKGROUND.
III. WRITINGS.
IV. CORE BELIEFS OF ISLAM.
V. THE 5 PILLARS OF ISLAM
VI. PRACTICES / SHARIA LAW
VII. ISLAMIZATION
VIII. TERRORISM AND RADICAL ISLAM
IX. HOW THEN CAN WE REACH A MUSLIM WITH THE GOSPEL?
SOME DEFINITIONS
Islam, like many religions, has its own vocabulary to describe its beliefs. A quick look at some of the most important religious terms in Islam will help us as we discuss Islamic history and belief.
Islam, the Arabic term for "submission," is the name of the religion that came out of the revelations and teachings of Muhammad. [Present day emphasis is on the established system of religious beliefs and practices.]
Muslim is the name given to one who adheres to the religion of Islam. Muslim is a cognate of Islam, and means "one who submits." The Muslim submits to the will of Allah as revealed by Muhammad.
Allah is the Arabic term for God. Muslims feel strongly that the English word God does not convey the real meaning of the word Allah.
Muhammad was an Arab born in the city of Mecca in A.D. 570 (died A.D. 632). He claimed that he was the prophet to restore true religion and the praise of Allah throughout the world, just as Jesus Christ was a prophet in His time for His people. Muhammad means "the one who is praised."
Qur’an (Koran is the older spelling) is Arabic for "the recitation," and refers to the collection of revelations supposedly given by Allah through his archangel to Muhammad and preserved as the Islamic scripture. Muslims believe in the Law of Moses, the Psalms of David, and the Injil, or Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, they believe that those Scriptures were superseded by the scripture given through Muhammad, and that the Bible used by Christians and Jews is a distorted version of those other scriptures. Wherever the Bible contradicts Islam, the Muslim says the Bible is incorrect. Sura refers to the divisions within the Qur’an, much like the "chapters" in the Bible. The Qur’an contains 114 revelations, each composing one sura or chapter. Apart from the famous first chapter of the Qur’an, the shortest revelations appear first, the longest ones last.
The Hadith, Arabic for the "collected traditions," is also important in Islamic literature. These are the supposed words and deeds of Muhammad and are used to provide the basis of every aspect of Islamic law and practice.
Caliph is Arabic for "deputy" and refers to the main leaders of Islam, especially the immediate successors of Muhammad.
Ayatollah refers to a spiritual master or leader in Shi’ite Islam (2nd largest school of thought among the ½ dozen or so, main type in Iran. Shi’ite means partisans -of Ali). [Imam refers rightful leader of Shi’ite Islam.]
The imam is the permanent prayer leader of a mosque or congregation in Sunni Islam (far & away the largest school of thought among the ½ dozen or so). [The Kingdom of the Cults, Walter Martin. Bethany House. 2003. pp 436-7.]
Jihad refers to a Muslim holy war or spiritual struggle against infidels. It is the doctrine that calls on Muslims to combat the enemies of their religion. It is a holy war or crusade undertaken as Islamic duty. The jihad of the sword involves waging war against enemies of Islam. Muslims contend that those who die in combat become martyrs and are guaranteed a place in paradise. In strict Islamic law jihad is a duty on all adult male believers until Islam has attained universal domination; hence there can be no peace with unbelievers but only limited truces. Another word that shares the same root word is mujahed (guerrilla fighter), mujahedin is the plural form.
II. BRIEF HISTORY / BACKGROUND.
Islam dates from the time of the last ten years of the life its founder, Muhammad Ibne Abdullah, or simply the prophet Muhammad. He was born at or around 570 A.D. in the city of Mecca, which is now located in Saudi Arabia. Muhammad was orphaned early in his life and tradition says that he was raised by his grandfather [who also died] and then his uncle, Abu Talib. Muhammad (age 25) was a poor man until he married a wealthy widow named Khadija (age 41). His wife gave him love, wealth, leisure, and an influential position Meccan society. He had two sons, who die in infancy, and four daughters. At about the age of 40, Muhammad is said to have begun to see visions and receive revelations.
It was at this time that Muhammad began preaching publicly against the multiplicity of idols which were worshiped at Mecca’s central shrine, the Ka’ba [meaning “cube” with its black stone- a meteorite]. Muhammad believed, or at least reported, that he had received his visions from Allah, through the angel Gabriel. For his monotheistic beliefs he was an enemy to many, not the least of which were the merchants whose wealth stemmed from the sale of goods and idols to pilgrims traveling to the Ka’ba to worship their gods.
Muhammad and his many followers were forced to leave Mecca for Yathrib, a mainly Jewish city 280 miles north where Muhammad had converted some pilgrims coming to Mecca. So many became converts that the city became what became known as Medina, “the city of the Prophet.” From that time it took Muhammad, only ten years to build his band of followers into a strong army which conquered nearly all of central and western Arabia. Muhammad, who had been previously cast out of Mecca, returned less than a decade later and made it his capital.
Muhammad was clearly a great military leader. He also considered himself to be the prophet of Allah, and as such, he founded Islam, which he taught was a return to the pure worship of the one true God of Abraham. Muhammad believed that God’s true path came from Ishmael the first son born of Hagar to Abraham, when Abraham disobeyed God’s command to wait for a child to be born of his aging wife, Sarah (Gen 16:11-12).
[God had already preserved His written word through the nation of Israel, through Abraham’s son Isaac. He had already fulfilled the promises made to Abraham through His son, Jesus Christ.]
This connection is crucial to understanding the Islamic religion. The Ka’ba, which was the central shrine of Arabs in Mecca, Muhammad believed to have been built by Abraham as a place of worship to God. Muhammad considered Abraham to be his father and thus, the religion he founded was to be, not so much a new thing, but a return to the worship of the one true God of his father.
It is important to note, however, that the name given to god by Muhammad, Allah, does not find its roots in the true worship of Abraham, but in pagan traditions. “Allah corresponded to the Babylonian god Baal, and Arabs knew of him long before Mohammed worshiped him as the supreme. Allah was the god of the local Qurish tribe which was Mohammed’s tribe before he invented Islam to lead his people out of their polytheism.
Allah was known as the Moon God, of which he had 3 daughters who were viewed as intercessors for the people into Allah. Mohammed drove the other idols away; he made one god now the only god and he was its messenger. Mohammed used the name Allah, which was of a specific idol without ever distinguishing it from the idol the Meccans were already worshiping… These names show the devotion of Mohammed’s pagan roots, and also prove that Allah was part of a polytheistic system of worship before Allah was made the supreme and only god from the other God’s. The crescent moon was the symbol of the moon God Allah and is used as a symbol of Islam today.” (www.answers-islam.org)
Islam did not arise until the Church was more than six hundred years in existence. Muhammad’s interest in establishing Islam seems to be almost entirely driven by a desire for power and a desire to unify that power around a central ideal or religion.
In driving out the other pagan gods, the pantheon of more than 360 gods worshiped in the region of Mecca, and unifying people around just one of those gods, Allah, the moon god, he effectively unified his power by merging his political power, which had won by the sword, and his religious power where he had claimed to be the prophet of the only god worthy of affection.
[From what we know of the history of Muhammad it seem clear that he was seeking for God. Yet he didn’t make a serious effort to learn what was written in the Holy Scriptures which he knew were in the hands of the Christians and Jews for he later attested them to basically be true. The content of the Bible he received was from people who were evidently unable or unwilling to give him the correct way of salvation. How sad for him and for the billions who now follow his false teachings.]
[From the historical example of the Medinan Jews, to the more recent examples of the 50,000 Greeks and Armenians massacred in 1822, the 10,000 Armenians and Nestorians murdered in 1850, 11,000 Maronites and Syrians in 1860, 15,000 Bulgarians in 1876, 10,000 Armenians in 1894, 325,000 Armenians from 1895 to 1908, 30,000 Armenians in 1909, and 80 percent of the Armenian population (1.5 million) wiped out in 1915 to 1918, religious persecution has been a frequent occurrence under Islam. In the 1980s and 90s, Muslims in North Sudan were either starving or selling into slavery Black Christians and animists in the South. Oppression against non-Muslims in general, but Christians in particular, has also occurred in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Libya, Mauritania, Nigeria, and Tanzania. In 1990 it was believed that Mauritania had at least 400,000 slaves. In 1994 Iran began a campaign of persecution against Christians. [Kenneth Baxter Wolf, "The Earliest Spanish Christian Views of Islam," Church History, 55:3 (September 1986). Christians have every right to be critical of Islam for the persecution of the church.]
III. WRITINGS.
Islam is a religion of revelation. Muhammad never claimed that he had performed miracles to prove that he was a prophet. When asked what sign he could show to convince the people that God had sent him, he replied that his miracle was the Qur’an, because no one was able to produce any thing like it. The verses of the Qur’an are called signs (suras) in Arabic. [William M. Miller. A Christian’s Response To Islam. Presbyterian & Reformed Publishing Co. Phillipsburg NJ.1976. p 25.]
The primary sources of knowledge of Islam for a Muslim are the Qur’an and the Hadith. The Qur’an is the central source for Muslims. When read by a good reader the Qur’an makes a tremendous impression on those who listen, even when they do not fully understand the meaning. Muslims treat their copies of the Qur’an with reverence, often keeping them wrapped in beautiful covers, and never placing anything on top of them.
Even in a translation, the opening Sura of the Qur’an, which is called Fatiheh, is very impressive. In Arberry’s translation it is as follows:
“In the Name of God, The Merciful, The Compassionate.
Praise belongs to God, the Lord of all Being,
The All-merciful, the All-compassionate, The Master of the Day of Doom.
Thee only we serve, to Thee alone we pray for succor.
Guide us in the straight path, the path of those whom Thou has blessed.
not of those against whom Thou art wrathful, nor of those who are astray.”
It is considered to be Allah’s final revelation to humanity and is said to have been revealed to Muhammad by the angel Gabriel over a period of 22 years. THE QUR’AN is divided into 114 chapters, known as “suras.” It’s not arranged in any chronological or narrative order, which makes it confusing to read. The only thing I was able to observe is that the beginning chapters are excruciatingly long, while the final chapters are brief. It’s filled with rules and warnings and laws, with no narratives or plot. I found it to be a downer to read and couldn’t wait to pick up my Bible again!
Another book that is followed is called the Hadith or Sunnah, which is a collection of oral traditions surrounding the sayings, teachings, and examples of the prophet Muhammad himself (reports of Muhammad’s words and actions outside of the Qur’an in 6 collections). It has become the standard for how Muslims should live. If you listen carefully, you’ll hear Muslims quote both the Qur’an and the Hadith as being authoritative for their lives.
Holy Books. While Muslims give credence or respect to sections of the Bible (the Torah, the writings of David, and the gospels-Injil), they believe that they have been corrupted and that the Qur’an has corrected them. Technically speaking, since they believe the Qur’an was given by the angel Gabriel in Arabic, translations into other languages are not authoritative. Interestingly, they believe that the Arabic words of the Qur’an have supernatural power whether the hearer understands them or not. Just as they believe that Muhammad is more important than Jesus, so too, they believe that since the Qur’an came after the Bible, it is the final revelation and supercedes or abrogates the Bible. Only the commands of Mohammad, which are the very words of Allah, are binding on the Muslim.
Though it sounds hopeful that even some Christian Scriptures are accepted, it is in direct violation of Revelation 22:18: “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.” Galatians 1:8 adds: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!”
IV. CORE BELIEFS OF ISLAM
Islam, which means “surrender or submission,” began about 600 years after Christ was born. Adherents to Islam are called Muslims. The key figure in this faith is Muhammad, who Muslims believe to be the final prophet. As a merchant living in Arabia he purportedly had a number of visions over a period of 23 years. These visions became the Qur’an, which is the holy book of the Muslims.
Founded by Muhammad in A.D. 622, Islam is the youngest major world religion. Muslims believe Muhammad is the last and greatest prophet who listened to the angel Gabriel dictate in Arabic God’s precise words or the Qur’an, the “perfect word of God for the Muslim.” These messages that were written down and collected by others were compiled after his death (into what is the Qur’an). Muhammad was convinced that these words came from Allah by means of the jinn Gabriel and he was only the “reciter.” Although Islam respects the Torah, the Psalms, and the Four Gospels, the Qur’an is the absolute authority for a Muslim and should be read and memorized in the original language—Arabic.
At first glance, Islamic belief appears to be almost compatible with Christianity and/or Judaism. Often people claim that the Muslims believe in the same God as Christians: "They just don’t accept Jesus Christ." However, as we shall see, the Muslim God is not like the Christian God. Islam rejects the biblical doctrines of the Trinity and the deity of Christ (1 John 2:21-24).
Muslims’ hope for salvation begins with a belief in Allah. Their salvation depends upon their own efforts. They perform good deeds hoping that these will outweigh their sins. A faithful Muslim will lead a disciplined life by following the Five Pillars of Faith which we will look at later.
There are at least six core beliefs of Islam that are held by Muslims from all nationalities (some of this information comes from “Breaking the Islam Code” by J.D. Greear).
Allah. This is an Arabic term meaning, “the deity.” Out of the rampant polytheism in Muhammad’s day, the message of Islam is that there is only one God. The unforgivable sin in Islam is “shirk,” which is to worship Jesus as God. The “Allah” of Islam is in direct contrast to the God of the Bible. Let me be clear that they are not identical. Those who say they are the same have to sidestep many Scriptures, including 1 John 2:23: “No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.”
The Prophets. Muslims believe that Allah in mercy sent many prophets to all the nations of the world to guide men in the right way, and to convey his word to them. Muslims generally believe that there are 25 primary prophets, beginning with Adam as number one and Jesus as number 24. Muhammad is number 25 and the final prophet. Being the last, he supercedes and is greater than all the other prophets. This is important to understand because while Muslims honor Jesus as a great prophet, because Muhammad came after Him, what Muhammad says trumps Jesus. [Jesus must not be worshiped as God, Sura 4:169)
Angels and Demons. Muslims engage in a whole series of rituals designed to avoid the curses of demons and invite the blessings of angels. Iblis (diabolos or Satan) is the chief enemy of man (because he refused Allah’s command to worship Adam and rebelled against Allah) and is head of all the demons and evil jinn. (These jinn are invisible moral beings that can choose obedience or disobedience).
Two fierce black angels visit corpses in the grave shortly after death and ask them, “Who is your Lord? What is your religion? Who is your prophet?”
The Final Judgment. Images of paradise, especially for men, are very prominent. Muslims also believe in hell. Even with all their devotion, a Muslim can never be sure of where he or she will spend eternity because one’s ultimate destiny is subject solely to the capricious will of Allah. According to Surah 3:157, the only way to know for sure that you will spend eternity in paradise is to die in jihad. All other Muslims must await the day of resurrection were their deeds will be weighed in Allah’s scales. Then they must cross the long narrow bridge Sirat where the wicked will fall into hell.
Predestination or predetermination. Muslims believe that Allah has decreed everything that will happen and testify to this with a frequent phrase, inshallah, which means, “If God wills.” It could be called fatalism.
Holy Day. Friday is the Muslim Holy Day. Mohammad preached his first sermon after his arrival in Medina on Friday which then became the day for congregational worship in Islam. Twelve noon is when services begin
Conversion. The sword is more effective than the tongue in making converts to Islam. Sura 9:74, “O Prophet, contend against the infidels and be rigorous with them.” Sura 9:5 ...”kill those joined to other gods wherever you find them, and lay in wait for them with every kind of ambush; but if they will convert and observe prayer and pay the obligatory alms let them go their way.”
Christians also should understand Muslims objections to, or misconceptions of Christianity. Muslims think that Christians worship many gods—The Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Jesus’ Mother, and various saints. Muslims, like Jews, are monotheistic. The idea of a Trinity is appalling to them. To Muslims, Jesus is a prophet because their holy scriptures (Qur’an) state that Jesus was a great prophet but never refer to Him as Savior, Son of God, or Messiah.
Another objection to Christianity is the unholy lifestyle of Westerners. All Westerners are viewed as “Christian” not because of a relationship with Christ but because of birthplace. The Western culture is judged as sexual, violent, corrupt, and non-religious.
V. THE 5 PILLARS OF ISLAM
The Islamic worldview is based on upholding the Pillars of Islam. For a Muslim, God has not provided a savior; there is no shed blood of Calvary for them. In their view, they are working hard every day to perhaps earn the opportunity for eternal life and favor from God.
Along with established core beliefs we have discussed, a Muslim is also governed by expected behavior, known as the five pillars of Islam. [The doing of these actions is meritorious. In the day of judgment these good deeds will be weight in the balance to help cancel their evil deeds.] These sacred duties are sometimes called “Pillars of Faith.” Let’s look at them. There are usually considered to be five of them [ibadats].
The one now generally considered as the first pillar is The Confession of Faith (Shahabad). Muslims continuously recite a simple statement that is also quite comprehensive in scope. It is professing the oneness of Allah and accepting the Prophet Muhammad as his messenger to humanity. Muslims declare, “that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet.” As a profession of their faith, they would say, in Arabic, “I testify that there is only one god Allah and that Muhammad (Peace Be Unto His Name) is his messenger.” To become a Muslim, you must simply repeat this confession three times. If this is denied, salvation is lost.
James writes, “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe and shudder” (James 2:19).
The second pillar of Islam is The Prayers or Salat. This requires practicing Muslims to face Mecca five times a day at specific time for prayer [at daybreak, noon, afternoon, sunset, and early night]. The call to prayer is sounded from minarets and housetops. Each prayer is preceded by a ceremonial washing with water [ablution]. These prayers toward Mecca [or facing the Ka’aba stone] are very important as a way of earning merit. If they can recite these [Fatiheh] phrases in a mosque, that’s even better because these prayers are worth 25 times as much as recitations said at home, out in the market, or at work.
The worshiper bows, kneels, touches his forehead to the ground twice for one rak’ah. During the five times of daily worship 17 rak’ah must be performed.
The third pillar is the Giving of Alms or Zakaat. Alms-giving which is required from all who are able to do so. Since Muhammad was a poor orphan it is a Muslim’s duty to help the poor and the orphans. To purify their wealth, Muslims are expected to follow the Qur’an’s teaching to give 2.5% of their overall estate or 10% of their income to the poor each year. [Some wealthy Muslims discharge this duty by gifts to mosques, schools, or hospitals.] In some countries this may be an actual purification tax.
A fourth pillar, is the Ritual Fast called Sawm, during the 9th [lunar] month of the Islamic year, the season of Ramadan (the ninth month of the Muslim calendar). Muslims have to abstain from food, drink, smoke, and sexual relations from dawn to dusk during this month. They are also to be especially mindful of other sins. They do this annually as a reminder that the Qur’an was given to Muhammad. At sundown, feasting and celebrations take place. It is a time of religious fervor and proselyting with Mosques holding special meetings.
The last pillar is the Pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca. The Haji is a pilgrimage that occurs during the Islamic [12th] month of Dhu al-Hijjah to the holy city of Mecca. From ancient times a sacred city Muhammad made his birth-place the center of Islam when he conquered it. Every Muslim who is physically and economically able is obliged to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. Many save all their lives in order to have this experience with hundreds of thousands of others. A trip to Mecca counts the same as 50,000 prayers in a mosque. Though the experience of a life time for a Muslim, the journey to Mecca and kissing the black stone in the wall of the Ka’aba unfortunately seems to produce no moral results in the lives of the pilgrims. [For more information, go to www.namb.net/interfaith.]
Originally and still for some Muslims the first two pillars are combined and the last pillar of Islam is the jihad or holy war. Today it is often referred to as the sixth pillar of Islam. A revelation came to Muhammad (Sura 9:5) that he should make war on idolaters and force them to submit and become Muslims, and so he did. Muslims see the world divided into two hostile camps, that of Muslim believers and that of Infidels and there must be war till Allah’s army prevails. Some modern Muslims take jihad as a personal struggle for the cause of God and are more in favor of missionary efforts other than the sword.
[William M. Miller. A Christian’s Response To Islam. Presbyterian & Reformed Publishing Co. Phillipsburg NJ.1976. p57-63].
VI. PRACTICES / SHARIA LAW
The western mind thinks of Islam as merely a religion of much of the world. That’s because in the west we view our religious convictions at most as a major or a central part of our life. But in Islam, the teachings of Muhammad dominate all areas of personal, social life, religious, and governmental life.
Therefore all aspects of a Muslim’s life, including daily routines, family and religious obligations, and financial dealings, are to be governed by Sharia. Sharia law comes from a combination of sources including the Qur’an, the sayings of the prophet (hadith) and the rulings of Islamic scholars. This custom-based body of law is called the Sacred Law of Islam, Islamic Law and also is referred to as Muslim Law. Because Muslim states are theocracies religious texts are the law and their application is known as Sharia or Sharia law.
Sharia began developing several hundred years after the Prophet Mohammed’s death in 632 AD as the Islamic empire expanded to the edge of North Africa in the West and to China in the East. Meaning "path" in Arabic, Sharia law is derived primarily from the Qur’an and the Hadith or Sunna–the sayings, practices, and teachings of the Prophet Mohammed. Since the Prophet Mohammed was considered the most pious of all believers, his life and ways became a model for all other Muslims and were collected by scholars into what is known as the hadith. [As each locality tried to reconcile local customs and Islam, hadith literature grew and developed into distinct schools of Islamic thought: the Sunni schools, Hanbali, Maliki, Shafi’i, Hanafi, Ja’fari, and the Shiite school.] Precedents and analogies applied by Muslim scholars are used to address new issues. [The consensus of the Muslim community also plays a role in defining this theological manual.]
[Interpretation of sharia is a right reserved for the mufti, who can issue fatwas, or ‘legal opinions.’ The mufti is a religious leader in Islam who deals with juridical questions from the fiqh books or sharia. The mufti is the only who can issue a fatwa, which gives him the power of handling cases where there is doubt among other learned Muslim. [The root for ’fatwa’ and ’mufti’ is the same: f-t-w.] The most infamous example of the latter is when Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran pronounced a death sentence on author Salman Rushdie in 1989.]
In a country where the pure Islamic faith is in control Muslims dominate the legal system through what is known as Sharia law. Sharia (meaning “way” or “path to the water source”) is the legal framework for all that goes on in a Muslim society. It offers strict guidelines for politics, economics, family, banking, sexuality, hygiene, and social issues.
Author and lecturer Nonie Darwish says the goal of radical Islamists is to impose Shariah law on the world, ripping Western law and liberty in two. She authored the book, Cruel and Usual Punishment: The Terrifying Global Implications of Islamic Law.
Darwish was born in Cairo and spent her childhood in Egypt and Gaza before immigrating to America in 1978, when she was eight years old. Her father died while leading covert attacks on Israel. He was a high-ranking Egyptian military officer stationed with his family in Gaza . When he died, he was considered a "shahid," a martyr for jihad. His posthumous status earned Nonie and her family an elevated position in Muslim society. But Darwish developed a skeptical eye at an early age. She questioned her own Muslim culture and upbringing. She converted to Christianity after hearing a Christian preacher on television.
In her latest book, [Cruel and Usual Punishment: The Terrifying Global Implications of Islamic Law] Darwish warns about creeping sharia law - what it is, what it means, and how it is manifested in Islamic countries. She warns that radical Islamists are working to impose sharia on the world. If that happens, Western civilization will be destroyed.
Westerners generally assume all religions encourage a respect for the dignity of each individual. Islamic law (Sharia) teaches that non-Muslims should be subjugated or killed in this world. Westerners tend to think that all religions encourage some form of the golden rule, Sharia teaches two systems of ethics - one toward Muslims and another toward non-Muslims. Building on tribal practices of the seventh century, Sharia encourages the side of humanity that wants to take from and subjugate others, in this case non-Muslims.
Peace and prosperity for one’s children is not as important as assuring that Islamic law rules everywhere in Muslim countries and eventually in the world. While Westerners tend to think in terms of religious people developing a personal understanding of and relationship with God, Sharia advocates executing people who ask difficult questions that could be interpreted as criticism. It’s hard to imagine, that in this day and age, Islamic scholars agree that those who criticize Islam or choose to stop being Muslim should be executed. Sadly, while talk of an Islamic reformation is common and even assumed by many in the West, such murmurings in the Middle East are silenced through intimidation or worse.
Westerners have experienced an increase in religious tolerance over time, Darwish explains how petrol dollars are being used to grow an extremely intolerant form of political Islam in her native Egypt and elsewhere... In twenty years there will be enough Muslim voters in the U.S. to elect the President by themselves! Rest assured they will do so... You can look at how they have taken over several towns in the USA .. Dearborn Mich. is one... and there are others... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonie_Darwish
In those Muslim countries that have gone through a phase of Islamization, where Islam is the official religion listed in the constitution, sharia is declared to be the source of the laws. Examples include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Sudan, Afghanistan, Yemen, the Palestinian Authority, the United Arab Emirates and Iran where the governments derive their legitimacy from Islam. In Pakistan, Egypt, Iran, and Iraq, among others, it is also forbidden to enact legislation that is contrary to Islam. [Saudi Arabia employs one of the strictest interpretations of sharia. Women are not allowed to drive, are under the guardianship of male relatives at all times, and must be completely covered in public.]
Many majority Muslim countries have a dual system in which the government is secular but Muslims can choose to bring family and financial disputes to sharia courts. The exact jurisdiction of these courts varies from country to country, but usually includes marriage, divorce, inheritance, and guardianship. Examples can be seen in Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Lebanon and Indonesia which have sharia courts that rule on family law for Muslims.
In the west, in countries that have a sizable Muslim population, there have been calls for the Sharia to be adopted for the Muslim community. These calls should be vigorously opposed; the Sharia conflicts with many basic human values, such as equality before the law, that punishments should be commensurate with the crime.
Honor killings, murders committed in retaliation for bringing dishonor on one’s family, are a worldwide problem. While precise statistics are scarce, the UN estimates thousands of women are killed annually in the name of family honor (National Geographic). Other practices that are woven into the sharia debate, such as female genital mutilation, adolescent marriages, polygamy, and gender-biased inheritance rules, elicit as much controversy.
One example of a concern regarding Sharia law is its treatment of women. [The following is from the book, Joys of Muslim Women by Nonie Darwish.] Under SHARIA LAW women are treated as second class citizens with little or absolutely no voice whatsoever. Muslim SHARIAH LAW controls the private as well as the public life of the woman. In the Muslim faith a Muslim man can marry a child as young as 1 year old and have sexual intimacy with this child. Consummating the marriage by 9. The dowry is given to the family in exchange for the woman (who becomes his slave) and for the purchase of the private parts of the woman, to use her as a toy. Even though a woman is abused she can not obtain a divorce. To prove rape, the woman must have four male witnesses. Often after a woman has been raped, she is returned to her family and the family must return the dowry.
The family has the right to execute her (an honor killing) to restore the honor of the family. Husbands can beat their wives ’at will’ and he does not have to say why he has beaten her. The husband is permitted to have four wives and a temporary wife for an hour (prostitute) at his discretion.
After the death of Muhammad’s first wife, Khadijeh, he took more and more wives. He even had his adopted son divorce his beautiful wife so he could marry her as wife number 7. At his death he had at least 12 wives and two concubines.
In the West World (America ) Muslim men are starting to demand Shariah Law so the wife can not obtain a divorce (only men can initiate divorce) and he can have full and complete control of her. Under Sharia law, a husband may divorce his wife by telling her three times that he wishes to dissolve the marriage. It is amazing and alarming how many of our young ladies attending American Universities are now marrying Muslim men and submitting themselves and their children unsuspectingly to the Shariah law. By passing this on, enlightened American women may avoid becoming a slave under Shariah Law.
VII. ISLAMIZATION
The vast majority of Muslims in the U.S. and around the world (90 percent plus) are peaceful, conservative people. They don’t believe in jihad. They are not suicide bombers or terrorists. They want good jobs, good schools for their kids, and the right to practice their faith without persecution or government interference. But there is a growing exploitive percentage of Muslims that are highly dangerous. They believe that Islam is the only answer, and violent jihad is the mandated way. Westeners need to talk about both groups. We need to learn about and discuss the differences.
We encourage and applaud the courageous reformers of this ancient religious system. Many of them risk friends, family, and even life to speak out for reinterpretation of sharia and against extremists and their brutal tactics. At the same time, we need to understand that there is a subset of Radical Muslims who are dangerous. They don’t simply want to terrorize us; they want to annihilate us.
When Muhammad started his new movement, he encouraged nonbelievers to freely consider Islam. Sura 2:256 says, "Let there be no compulsion in religion." Later, however, he seemed to have developed a much harsher attitude, probably in reaction to the rejection of his message. The Qur’an states in Sura 9:5: "Fight and slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and seize them, and besiege them, and lie in wait for them." What may be considered crimes against the state and crimes against Allah are dealt with in Sura 5:33. "The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Apostle, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land." Jews and Christians are "People of the Book" (Sura 5:5; 5:19), but that does not mean that Muhammad had the highest regard for them. Sura 9:29 “Fight against such of those who have been given the Scriptures (Bible) as believers not in Allah…” In Sura 5:41 Jews are called people "who will listen to any lie" and Christians are enemies (Sura 5:14). So Muslims are not to have Christians and Jews as friends. Sura 5:51, “O you who believe: Take not Jews and Christians for your friends…”
Sura 60:4, “And there has arisen between us and you hostility and hate forever until you believe in Allah only.” These and other passages and renewed zealous fervor among Muslims in these days (last days?) have given impetus to a modern movement called Islamization.
Islamization is the process where by Muslims living in a country push that country toward Islam. Islamization is a phase where a country is moving toward Islamic rule. The goal of Islamization is to make Islam the official religion listed in the constitution and for Sharia to be declared the source of the law of the land.
Islam is the second largest religion in the world, following only Christianity. It boasts 1.8 billion adherents, which Christianity, the largest world religion, boast 2.1 billion followers. Islam is most prevalent in Indonesia [with over 238 million people, it is the world’s fourth most populous country, and has the world’s largest population of Muslims - 86%], the northern half of Africa, the Middle East. It is in India, Russia, and eastern Europe to a lesser degree.
Islam is on the rise today. [In the west it is a more peaceful form of Islam that is taking root.] The Bishop of Nigeria, E.C. Okoye, tells why Islam is on the rise today. “In Nigeria and elsewhere, the reason Islam grows is because they are very pro-active in their missionary efforts. Islam in Africa receives support from Muslims in oil-rich Islamic nations for the building of schools, roads, and hospitals. When you are poor and Islam built the school you attend and the hospital that cares for you it is easy to trust in Allah.”
Now I’m not of the school of thought that says Islam is a peaceful religion with a few extremists who have perverted it. The evidence is to the contrary. Islam is a religion of works and war created by a warlord. Muhammad conquered territories and then rallied the conquered peoples around a religion, which, do not forget, he created. Islam is a religion whose past and present is bathed in bloodshed.
There are mellow Muslims, especially in the United States, to be sure, but let’s speak plainly to this issue. Islam is not another way of worshiping the one true God. It is not a similarly peaceful religion. It is a religion of working to earn Allah’s favor and of evangelism by the sword.
Jerry Rassamni, a former Muslim extremist who converted to Christ, wrote the book “From Jihad to Jesus.” He writes, “In Islam, the world is traditionally divided into two camps. Those are Dar Al Islam (literally Islam, or submission, house of peace) meaning House of Peace, and Dar Al Harb or House of War.”
Although the interpretation of these terms vary widely, the traditional interpretation is as follows: Countries that are under Muslim rule are grouped in the House of Peace, whereas countries that are not under Muslim rule are grouped under the House of War. Muslim fundamentalists have the goal of Islamic world domination in mind. They are on a jihad until the whole world confesses the Islamic creed which is featured on the Saudi Arabian flag. The dominant Islamic sect in Saudi Arabia is Wahabis. Their war cry was: “kill the infidels.” The national flag of Saudi Arabia, the religious center or Mecca of Islam, has the words, “La Illaha Illa Allah” (There is no god but Allah - and Muhammad is his prophet). Beneath those words, is the key to making that happen – a [depiction of a] sword. [Show a flag.]
Remember, Islam is not a simply a religion. In its fullest form, it is a 100% total, complete personal and national system for life. Islam has religious, legal, political, economic, social, and military components. The religious component is a spring board for its other components. [The following is adapted from Dr. Peter Hammond’s book: Slavery, Terrorism and Islam: The Historical Roots and Contemporary Threat]
Islamization begins when there are sufficient Muslims in a country to agitate for their religious privileges. When politically correct, tolerant, and culturally diverse societies agree to Muslim demands for their religious privileges, some other components tend to creep in as well.
Here’s how it works. As long as the Muslim population remains around or under 2% in any given country, they will be for the most part be regarded as a peace-loving minority, and not as a threat to other citizens. This is the case in:
United States -- Muslim 0.6%
Australia -- Muslim 1.5%
Canada -- Muslim 1.9%
China -- Muslim 1.8%
Italy -- Muslim 1.5%
Norway -- Muslim 1.8%
At 2% to 5%, they begin to proselytize from other ethnic minorities and disaffected groups, often with major recruiting from the jails and among street gangs.
This is happening in:
Denmark -- Muslim 2%
Germany -- Muslim 4.9%
United Kingdom -- Muslim 2.7%
Spain -- Muslim 4%
Greece -- Muslim 4%
Austria -- Muslim 4.2%
Thailand -- Muslim 4.6%
From 5% on, they exercise an inordinate influence in proportion to their percentage of the population. For example, they will push for the introduction of halal foods (clean by Islamic standards), thereby securing food preparation jobs for Muslims. They will increase pressure on supermarket chains to feature halal on their shelves -- along with threats for failure to comply. This is occurring in:
Philippines -- 5%
Sweden -- Muslim 5%
Switzerland -- Muslim 4.3%
The Netherlands -- Muslim 5.5%
Trinidad & Tobago -- Muslim 5.8%
At this point, they will work to get the ruling government to allow them to rule themselves (within their ghettos) under Sharia, the Islamic Law. The ultimate goal of Islamists is to establish Sharia law over that country and eventually over the entire world.
When Muslims approach 10% of the population, they tend to increase lawlessness as a means of complaint about their conditions. In Paris, we are already seeing car-burnings. Any non-Muslim action that offends Islam results in uprisings and threats, such as in Amsterdam, with opposition to Mohammed cartoons and films about Islam. Such tensions are seen daily, particularly in Muslim sections, in:
Guyana -- Muslim 10%
India -- Muslim 13.4%
Israel -- Muslim 16%
France -- Muslim 11%
Kenya -- Muslim 10%
Russia -- Muslim 15%
After reaching 20%, nations can expect hair-trigger rioting, jihad militia formations, sporadic killings, and the burnings of Christian churches and Jewish synagogues, such as in:
Ethiopia -- Muslim 32.8%
Benin -- Muslim 24.4%
Cyprus -- Muslim 22.7%
Mozambique -- Muslim 22.8%
At 40%, nations experience widespread massacres, chronic terror attacks, and ongoing militia warfare, as occurs in:
Bosnia -- Muslim 40%
Chad -- Muslim 53.1%
Nigeria -- Muslim 50.4%
Lebanon -- Muslim 59.7%
From 60%, nations experience unfettered persecution of non-believers of all other religions (including non-conforming Muslims), sporadic ethnic cleansing (genocide), use of Sharia Law as a weapon, and Jizya, the tax placed on infidels, such as in:
Albania -- Muslim 70%
Malaysia -- Muslim 60.4%
Qatar -- Muslim 77.5%
Sudan -- Muslim 71.3%
Sierra Leone -- Muslim 71.3%
After 80%, expect daily intimidation and violent jihad, some State-run ethnic cleansing, and even some genocide, as these nations drive out the infidels, and move toward 100% Muslim, such as has been experienced and in some ways is on-going in:
Bangladesh -- Muslim 89.6%
Egypt -- Muslim 94.6%
Libya -- Muslim 96.7%
Indonesia -- Muslim 88.2%
Iraq -- Muslim 97%
Jordan -- Muslim 98.2%
Pakistan -- Muslim 97%
Palestine -- Muslim 99%
Syria -- Muslim 92.2%
Senegal -- Muslim 96%
Tajikistan -- Muslim 84.1%
Turkey -- Muslim 98%
Uzbekistan -- Muslim 96.3%
[Pew Research Center Mapping the Global Muslim Population, October 2009]
100% will usher in the peace of ’Dar-es-Salaam’ -- the Islamic House of Peace. Here there’s supposed to be peace, because everybody is a Muslim, the Madrases are the only schools, and the Qur’an is the only word, such as in:
Afghanistan -- Muslim 99.8%
Saudi Arabia -- Muslim 100%
Somalia -- Muslim 98.5%
Morocco -- Muslim 99%
Yemen -- Muslim 100%
Gaza -- Muslim 98.7%
Iran -- Muslim 99.4%
Tunisia -- Muslim 99.5%
Yemen -- Muslim 99.1%
Unfortunately, peace is never achieved, as in these 100% states the most radical Muslims intimidate and spew hatred, and satisfy their blood lust by killing less radical Muslims, for a variety of reasons.
“Before I was nine I had learned the basic canon of Arab life. It was me against my brother; me and my brother against our father; my family against my cousins and the clan; the clan against the tribe; the tribe against the world, and all of us against the infidel.” -- Leon Uris, ’The Haj’
A better understanding is found in Genesis Chapter 16 concerning Sarai’s hand maid Hagar and her son Ishmael. The Angel of the Lord prophesies about Ishmael in verse 12, “He will be a wild donkey of a man. His hand will be against him and everyone’s hand against him [and he will live to the east of all his brothers].” [Also see 17:20-21.]
It is important to understand that in some countries, with well under 100% Muslim populations, such as France, the minority Muslim populations live in ghettos, within which they are 100% Muslim, and within which they live by Sharia Law. The national police do not even enter these ghettos. There are no national courts, nor schools, nor non-Muslim religious facilities. In such situations, Muslims do not integrate into the community at large. The children attend madrases. They learn only the Qur’an. To even associate with an infidel is a crime punishable with death. Therefore, in some areas of certain nations, Muslim Imams and extremists exercise more power than the national average would indicate.
Today’s 1.7 billion Muslims make up 23% of the world’s population. But their birth rates dwarf the birth rates of Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, and all other religions. Muslims will exceed 50% of the world’s population by the end of this century.
[Adapted from Dr. Peter Hammond’s book: Slavery, Terrorism and Islam: The Historical Roots and Contemporary Threat ]
VIII. TERRORISM AND RADICAL ISLAM
On 9/11 America woke to the fact that terrorist were now living in our land, studying in our schools, and blending into our society. Islam had constantly tried to gain a foothold of credibility and presence in our country. It was slowly making progress until 9/11, but once its agenda became clear our government and people quickly sought to close off its easy access. This was the 9/11 mentality.
Times have change again. In the last few years Muslim boldness has increased, their cunning doubled and their cause is again advancing in America. A pro-Muslim mind set has made progress into the heart of our country and the life of its citizens, and now we find ourselves in a 9/12 mentality.
After 9/11 we’ve learned new vocabulary. We have learned Islam, Mohammad, Allah, Jihad, Taliban, and al Qaeda. Previous to 9/11 these were silly words, irrelevant words, words used by missionaries or foreigners with towels on their heads and beards. We didn’t know these words nor did we care. That is a luxury that we can no longer afford.
Muslim terrorist are a faceless enemy; they wear no uniform and they fight dirty. They walk among us with equality and they are gaining a preferred status! They have more protection and special rights than you or I have as Christians! For example Attorney General Eric Holder’s Justice Department filed suit against the Berkeley School District in Illinois for denying a request for a 19-day leave of absence in the middle of the semester by a Muslim computer lab teacher who wanted to make a pilgrimage to Mecca. The Justice Department wants a federal court to grant Safoorah Khan back pay with interest, reinstatement, and award damages “to fully compensate her for pain and suffering” caused by the resignation because the school district forced her “to choose between her job and her faith.” [Human Events news source. Editorial. 04/09/2011]
At this point in America most Muslims are non-violent. Let’s hope they stay that way, but don’t be taken in! The warning flags are waving! For we say to radical terrorists like Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, “Come on in with your hatred and enjoy our freedoms, our courts and juries and the justice you mock even after you try to destroy them!” Can we no longer deport anyone?! The world laughs at our lack of will and interprets it as weakness!
Muslims have taken up residence in Congress. Keith Ellison of Minnesota, took his oath of office on the Koran! By the way, who allowed that? America should decide what you swear upon, not the person elected. Terrorist are even in our military, but we had better not profile one! It might be the end of your career! You are considered prejudiced or politically incorrect, even if you are right! The polls reveal that more Americans call the killing of American soldiers [murdering 13 people and wounding 30 others] by Dr. Nidal Malik Hasan at Ft. Hood a crime than call it terrorism, despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. [Is Nidal Hasan a Terrorist or Not. by Dee Myers. Vanity Fair. November 11, 2009.] It walks like a duck, quacks like a duck...and yet our Major News outlets have taken cover with a 9/12 mentality that says, “Duck? What duck?”
Political correctness permeates the workplaces, the media, government, and sadly, many churches. And it’s going to be the end of us as a nation if we don’t wake us and start making changes fast.
It’s more important to be truthful than politically correct. The Bible indicates that if a nation has been given much light from God and then rejects that light, God will give them a mind that cannot even comprehend what is in its best interest.
Our country is doing things that just don’t make sense (Rom. 1:21-21)! However, the Bible does warn us that in the last days things will become confusing (2 Thess. 2:10-12) and that nations who once were blessed of God will do things that are counterproductive even to the point of helping in one’s own destruction.
And don’t think this is about Radical Muslims or Jihadists. Dr. Hasan was an average Muslim until he came under pressure, then what was deep inside came gushing out. I wonder, what will happen when the entire country of America is squeezed?
The media in our country and world leaders in the UN have made it clear, it isn’t about Islam. Why? Because they tell us that true Islam is peaceful & harmless.
I find the comments of Salmon Rushdie, a Muslim sentenced to death by Muslim clerics over his 1988 book, “The Satanic Verses” very interesting. Rushdie said after 9/11, “The trouble with this …disclaimer is that it isn’t true. If this isn’t about Islam, then why the worldwide Muslim demonstrations in support of Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda?” [as quoted in “Israel My Glory” (March/April 2002) p. 7]
In commenting on the 2001 terrorist attacks on the USA, Franklin Graham, the son of Billy Graham, said of Islam, "I don’t believe this is a wonderful, peaceful religion. When you read the Koran and you read the verses from the Koran, it instructs the killing of the infidel, or those that are non-Muslim." He went on to say, "It wasn’t Methodists flying into those buildings, it wasn’t Lutherans, it was an attack on this country by people of the Islamic faith." [as quoted by Andrew Webb. “A More Realistic Assessment of Islam.” PCA News.com].
Washington Post Syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer, states, “We’re now at the dawn of an era in which an extreme fanatical religious ideology, undeterred by the usual calculations of prudence and self-preservation, is wielding state power and will soon be wielding nuclear power.”
Top Al-Qaeda (meaning “base, foundation, method”) leader in Iraq, Abu al-Masri - calling for the brightest scientific minds, “We are in dire need of you. The field of jihad can satisfy your scientific ambitions, and the large American bases are good places to test your unconventional weapons, whether biological or dirty, as they call them.”
Leading Palestinian Sheikh Khali warns, “There is a new generation that is willing to fight America, and this is something that America cannot stop.” Folks, is it possible that it’s later than we think?
According to a 2005 study by the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, “The risk of attack by weapons of mass destruction is as high as 70% within the next ten years.” The report also stated, “The most likely weapon of mass destruction to be used will be a “dirty bomb” in which radioactive material is included within a conventional explosive device.”
Daniel 12:4 says, “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” One of the greatest threats of terrorism comes from THE INTERNET. According to Professor Gabriel Weismann of Haifa University, “There are some 4,800 terrorists or terrorist related Web sites currently on the Internet.” [Terror On the Internet. Washington, DC: US Institute of Peace Press, 2007]. Former FBI agent Bruce Hoffman says, “The U.S. is dangerously behind the curve in countering terrorist use of the Internet.” By the way, the official website of the Islamic Affairs Department of the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Washington contains these words exhorting Muslims, “Wage jihad in order to make the word of Allah supreme in this world.”
A British government report on the July 2005 suicide bomb attack on Three London subway trains [& a bus killing 56 people and wounding 700] concluded that, “This was a modest, simple affair by four seemingly normal men using the Internet.” [learning how to make high yield home-made explosives from acetone peroxide].
[Another way terrorist are using the Internet is using “Google Earth” – an online satellite mapping tool. It allows you to zoom in on a location using any Internet connection. Al-Qaeda used this method to attack British military bases in Iraq. With this tool, the terrorists can zoom in any building, including the location of tanks on the base.]
I would like you to note that not all Moslems are terrorists but all terrorists seem to be Moslems. Now isn’t that interesting. In like fashion Chuck Colson has commented, “The Truth is that bin Laden and his followers did not hijack Islam; they simply took it seriously.” They are the fundamentalists who believe and practice their book. This is scary when you see our nation falling for the politically correct notion that we should embrace people of this faith as long as they are not radical. Bush recognized and celebrated Ramadan for PC purposes, and many who call themselves conservatives have bought the lie that Islam is fundamentally a peaceful religion. It is not.
While the overwhelming majority of Arabs are Muslim, most Muslims are not Arab. Although Islam had its origins in the Middle East, the four largest populations of Muslims are Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world today (there are between 1.5 and 1.8 billion Muslims in the world, nearly 25% making it the 2nd largest religion after Christianity at about 32%). [Geographically, about 1/3rd of the land is Arabic or controlled by Arabs.]
IN AMERICA, they’re at least 7 million and quickly rising. There were 11,000 converts to Islam each year in the United States in the early 90s (Newsweek, Oct. 30, 1995) and 90% of them are among the black population. And while they are among us, they are not of us. Even if not yet spoken aloud, they have strong opinions concerning us and have little or no loyalty to our nation.
USA Today published a SURVEY taken of Arab Muslims living in the U.S. concerning their attitude toward the war in Iraq, terrorism, etc. 82% said they would not be willing to allow their son or daughter to fight for in Iraq or against Al Qaeda for their country which they have taken an oath to defend. They should be deported if they answer this way. Over ½ stated they would not support war w/ any Arab nation for any reason. By the way, that survey was taken before the first invasion of Iraq [2/6/91]. Much has changed since then!
Again, not every Muslim is a terrorist or a terrorism supporter, but almost every terrorist today is a Muslim! And because of what the Qur’an says, every Muslim is at risk to one day rise up against the West.
True Christianity is spread by love and choice – Islam is spread by sword and force. It is true that some Muslims, like Christians, are willing to die for their faith. Some, unfortunately, are also willing to kill for it. In fact the one sure way of earning salvation as a Muslim is to die as a martyr for the faith. Those who attacked the World Trade Center and engaged in other acts of terrorism were acting in full accord with the tenets of Islam and the teachings of the Qur’an. Their belief system convinces them that the moment they blow themselves up, taking ‘infidels’ with them, they will be transported to a heaven where 72 virgins will satiate their lusts and food and drink will satisfy their every appetite. This is why some of the 9/11 terrorists were frequenting porn shops just before their attacks…they were preparing for their move to ‘paradise.’ Major Hasan was visiting strip clubs just before his rampage.
The principle of Jihad, or “holy war” is taught in the Qur’an as a viable tool for the cause of Islam. Evangelism is not so much by the word as it is with the sword. The followers of Mohammad have been the most violent people in the history of the world, and continue to be so to this day — a fact well attested to in history. Jesus taught that we are to love the sinner. Mohammed taught that the infidel must be killed if he refuses to convert.
The West, the United States in particular, is seen as corrupting the entire world and worthy of death. The U. S. policy of befriending Israel in particularly is evil to the Muslim people and their cause.
Whether you realize it or not, war has been declared on America. How severe will this war be, how long will it last, how many lives will it cost, what form will it take?…these are questions that no one can answer. But make no mistake about it--we are fighting for our way of life, we are fighting for survival. We are fighting against people who are willing to kill us any way they can. We are not playing on a level playing field, as was proven in the Gulf war, we are not allowed to give out Bibles in their lands, even to our own troops, yet they are allowed to build Mosques in our country. And in NYC, Muslim children are allowed to pray in their custom, while our kids cannot.
[Some of this material in this section comes from sermons by John Hamby and Jerry Shirley. Sermon Central.com.]
We have had dealing with Islam in the past: Have you ever heard the U.S. MARINE SONG? “From the Halls of Montezuma To the shores of Tripoli We fight our country’s battles
In the air on land and sea. First to fight for right and freedom And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to bear the title Of United States Marines.”
In 1786, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams went to negotiate with Tripoli’s envoy to London, Ambassador Sidi Haji Abdrahaman (Sidi Haji Abdul Rahman Adja). Upon inquiring "concerning the ground of the pretensions to make war upon nations who had done them no injury", the ambassador replied:
“It was written in their Qur’an, that all nations which had not acknowledged the Prophet were sinners, whom it was the right and duty of the faithful to plunder and enslave; and that every Muslim who was slain in this warfare was sure to go to paradise. Mohammad also said that the man who was the first to board a vessel had one slave over and above his share, and that when they sprang to the deck of an enemy’s ship, every sailor held a dagger in each hand and a third in his mouth; which usually struck such terror into the foe that they cried out for quarter at once.”
We won the war against Islam that day but we had to do it by force. I don’t think we are up to doing so again.
This war on terror will determine the fate of western civilization. We must wake up as a nation and see the danger of allowing our children to be taught Islam in school. Allowing our elected officials to be sworn in on the Qur’an or other books besides the Bible.
We have only one God. The God of the Bible, the God of Love. He requires us to love our neighbors. Not the god of the Qur’an: kill your enemies and slay those who appose you.
The power of the Gospel can change any ones heart and life. We must bring God’s love to Muslims, so that we do not need to bring military force to them.
IX. HOW THEN CAN WE REACH A MUSLIM WITH THE GOSPEL?
Philip Roberts of Midwestern Baptist Theol. Seminary said when developing a plan for witnessing to Muslims, “Muslims rarely hear a truthful presentation of the gospel.” [They may need dozens.] With the growing numbers of Muslims in our country and community we now have the opportunity that only missionaries had a decade ago: the opportunity to present the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to Muslims. Though it may seem difficult, nothing is too difficult for God. Do you believe that?
If so, how then can we reach Muslims with the Gospel? Let me give you a plan.
1st, Become acquainted with Muslims and with Islam. [See A Survey of Islam, by Dennis Davidson.]
To influence Muslims you must reach out to them. They are people like us with happiness and sorrow, burdens and anxieties, fears and hopes, failures and sins. They are lost yet believing their religion will save them. They will never know the truth unless someone builds a connecting bridge with them.
2nd, Begin with Peace
Muslims, like all other human beings, are desperately seeking peace. Just as you don’t like to be judged by the hypocrites and the ultra-radical in the church, don’t judge all Muslims by the actions and attitudes of the radicals. Begin your conversation with: "Peace be unto you." Be a peace-maker.
3rd, Demonstrate Christ’s Love.
Christians will need to demonstrate the love of Jesus even toward Muslims. Do you have any hatred in your heart toward Muslims? Friends, followers of Islam are made in the image of God and Muslims matter to Him. To win them we must converse, not quarrel, and treat them with respect not contempt. Check out 1 Peter 3:15: “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
People are not convinced by knowledge, debate, or hostile action (like the pastor in Florida who burned their “holy” book). Instead it is godly living and love that makes a personal impact. One hundred years ago, the missionary Samuel Zwemer was known as the Apostle to Islam. His whole approach could be summarized with this phrase: “A ministry of friendship.” He once said that you can say anything to a Muslim provided you say it in love and with a smile.
Muslims are to show Christians affection according to 5:82. In fact, Surah 10:94-95 commands any Muslim in doubt of his mission / faith to find out more from "those who read the Scripture" who came before Islam (Christ-followers). Even amidst disagreement, Muslims are required to be respectful and gracious (16:125).
4th, Remember to use the Bible. Muslims will listen to and read the Bible. Invite Muslims to home studies. Surah 15:9. 4:136 says not to reject the books of God (includes the Law, Psalms, & the Prophets) and 5:47 points to the gospel (Which gospel? What is the gospel according to Allah?)
It’s imperative for Christians to get grounded in the Bible and in theology. We must read our Bible, study it, and know it and then encourage [give them a Bible] followers of Islam to read it for themselves. When Muslims read the Bible, they become intrigued and are especially attracted to Jesus.
Don’t argue with them about the Bible, simply share it. Martin Luther said, “The Bible when attacked should be treated like a lion in its cage. Rather than attempting to defend it, unleash it!” Since Muslims believe Jesus to be a prophet, point out that prophets have to tell the truth. You could then go back to the list of verses from the Gospel of John to show what Jesus said about Himself and the way to salvation.
By the way, when handling your Bible, be sure to use a copy that you have not written in for that would be offensive to a follower of Islam. Also be sure to not let it drop below your waist, and if you stack it with other books, make sure you put it on the top. To fail to do those things is a sign of disrespect in their eyes (www.godwardthoughts.com).
5th, Tell Muslims about Jesus.
Dear friends, don’t try to make Jesus more acceptable to people. Jesus is truth and can stand up to thorough investigation. Our job is to tell others about Him in love.
Many Muslims have a sincere affection for Jesus Christ as a kind and loving prophet. But they do not know the vastness of His love, for they refuse to believe that He loved sinners so much that He voluntarily died on the cross to save them. In wishing to honor Jesus they say that He was so great it was impossible for His enemies to overcome and kill Him. God being just would never have permitted His holy and righteous prophet Jesus to suffer the shame of the cross. It is generally believed that God performed a miracle to save Jesus. He changed one of the enemies to look like Jesus, and he was taken and crucified by mistake in the place of Jesus, whom God took alive to heaven. where He is today.
If Jesus Christ is not truly one with God, and if He did not die, there is no adequate sacrifice for the sin of the world, and sinners have no Savior. We are still in our sins. There is no glorious resurrection on the third day, no joyous Easter, and no victory over death and sin. Thus Muslims have no assurance of forgiveness, or of eternal life with God. For them death has not lost its sting, or grave its victory. How desperately they need to know and believe the message of the cross and the empty tomb!
By the way, the exclusive truth claims of Jesus do not mean that we should demonstrate an arrogant spirit. Ravi Zacharias captures this well when he writes: “Without the undergirding of love, the possessor of any conviction becomes obnoxious, and the dogma believed becomes repulsive to the one who disagrees with it” (“Deliver Us From Evil,” p. 83).
6th, Emphasis the Differences
Though one should avoid controversy whenever possible in order to save Muslims the differences between a follower of Jesus Christ and Islam must be pointed out. Allah is a powerful god who is unlike anyone and is therefore unknowable. Jesus is a personal God who can be known and related to through a close personal relationship.
Salvation for followers of Jesus comes by putting one’s trust for salvation and forgiveness in God’s Son who died as a sacrifice for sinners. A Muslim is attempting to save oneself by doing works of merit, which will never be enough to cancel one’s sins. Believers in Jesus follow a Living Lord who conquered death by rising from the tomb on the third day and is with His disciples always, A Muslim makes a pilgrimage to the grave of a man who died more than 1,300 years ago who is still in his tomb.
True Followers of Jesus receive the Holy Spirit who enables them to live a pure and holy life. Muslims must struggle in their own natural strength to overcome sin and Satan in order to live a life pleasing to a holy God.
True Followers of Jesus have a guide and example who is the sinless Son of God. Muslims follow a prophet, who according to the Qur’an, was commanded by Allah to repent of his sins. [Miller, 147]
A former Muslim said “Islam had the rules and discipline she wanted in her life, but lacked the power to live the life the rules stipulated: ‘As a system of personal discipline, Islam has few equals. As a means of earning God’s favor, it’s a spiritual treadmill.’” [Roy Oksnevad, director of the Institute of Muslim Studies at Wheaton College in an interview in Christianity Today (3/1/2000).
One might even reference Luke 8:40-48 where Jesus heals a bleeding woman. To the Muslim, cleanliness is the path to touching God but Jesus showed that touching Him is the path to cleanliness. When the unholy touches the holy, the unholy does not defile the holy; the holy purifies the unholy.
For Muslims, Allah is a powerful force, but not a friend. He’s far away, unpredictable, and impossible to please. There is no statement in the Qur’an that says “Allah is love.” [It does say that “Allah loves” two times but his love is conditioned on whether an individual keeps his laws and standards.] To the Muslim, Allah is the distant one, the cold judge and the hater of infidels. Most feel disconnected from their holy and harsh deity. They know they need purification, they live with a sense of shame that they’re not doing enough and they seek an intercessor. Islam is the ultimate religion of works-righteousness while Christianity is all about gift-righteousness. In Islam, people obey and hope to be accepted. In Christianity, I am accepted, therefore I obey.
Followers of Jesus face death with the assurance of immediate entrance into the Fathers’s House to be in His holy presence forever. Muslims are awaiting a terrifying questioning by the two angels, and the possibility of eternal existence in the fires of hell. The realization of these and other basic differences between the two religions has caused sincere seekers for God to choose the "Pearl of Great Price," whatever the cost might be (Mt. 13:45).
[Miller, 147]
Remember this, you and I cannot argue a Muslim into the kingdom because, according to J.D. Greear, “The roots of Muslim beliefs are not found in their minds, but in their hearts.” [and culture]. [What Jesus Would Say to a Muslim by Brian Bill, John 14:6, 10/24/10. SermonCentral.com]
7th, Live Your Life for Jesus.
Because Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, those of us who know Him should have our lives shaped by Him. Are you living for Him right now? Do you need to come back if you’ve been drifting? Many Muslims say the number one thing that keeps them from Christ is the lifestyle of Christians. A Christian who lives among Muslims said this: “They are contemptuous of Christians because they think they are worldly…” J.D. Greear says that according to Muslims, “Christians are morally loose and do not show respect for God.” [What Jesus Would Say to a Muslim by Brian Bill, John 14:6, 10/24/10. SermonCentral.com]
IN CONCLUSION
God so loved the world, including the Muslim world, that He gave His One and only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Reaching Muslims with the life-changing gospel message of Jesus Christ will be difficult. Might mountains of are blocking the advance of the Good News, not only in Muslim lands, but in Muslim hearts and minds. All seems lost to the natural man, but not to God. All things are possible with God if we would only believe (Mk. 9:23).
Jesus encouraging His disciples to faith says, “If you have the faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will be moved; and nothing will be impossible to you” (Mt. 17:20). With us the task is impossible but with God all things are possible (Mk.10:27). So share Christ in the power of the Spirit and leave the results to God.
