Sunday, November
14, 2010 am
Return to Islam Study Front Page
A BRIEF STUDY OF ISLAM
(1)
History and Background
1 John 4:1, “Beloved, do
not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God;
because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
2 Cor. 2:11, “…lest Satan
should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of His devices.”
Today I want to begin a study on a very important and complex
subject. I want to talk
about the religion of Islam.
It is no secret that the Muslim faith is gaining greater popularity
throughout the world AND in the United States of America as well.
According to a Pew Research Report on Muslim populations
(Oct, 2009), there are approximately 1.5 BILLION Muslims in the world
(about 22.9% of the world population).
In the Americas there are about 4.6 million Muslims, with some
2.4 million of them in the USA (or about .8% of the US population*) (a
small percentage in comparison to the Middle East, etc.), but the number
is growing substantially. (*Pew Research Center, 2007,
http://pewforum.org/uploadedfiles/Topics/Demographics/Muslimpopulation.pdf).
NOTE: Islamic based surveys project these numbers much higher in
America – 7 million in the United States (according to the Council on
American-Islamic Relations – CAIR).
As Christians, if we want to be fully equipped to defend the
truth, we need to both study the Bible to know what it says and become
familiar with false doctrines (especially those that are prevalent and
current) so that we are prepared to refute them.
a.
Why this
study
i.
Because
of the influence of the Islamic faith in our society today and
throughout the world. For the
past 50 years or so, Islamic extremism has kept their religion at the
forefront of the news. We
are approaching the 10th anniversary of 9/11 when Islamic
extremists flew airplanes into buildings (and a field in Pennsylvania).
Since then (and before) we have been continually reminded about
Islam in our country. While
most who are here profess to be peaceful (should we take them at their
word?), the teachings of Islam advocate seeking to convert “unbelievers”
at any cost.
Furthermore, many Islamic nations are very influential economically in
our nation and throughout the world which has caused many to seek to
either defend or coexist with their belief system. In some instances,
laws and decisions are being made that infringe upon our rights and
freedoms as Christians to accommodate the Islamic faith.
But as a Christian, is it right?
Our understanding of this religion can help us stand for what is
right and fright against decisions detrimental to the truth.
ii.
Because
of many misunderstandings and misinformation that is being circulated.
As Christians, we have a responsibility to speak the truth to our
neighbors. Eph. 4:25 says, “Therefore putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his
neighbor, for we are members of one another.”
I have read and heard things about Islam and Muslims that are
either patently false or grossly twisting the truth.
Such ought not be part of any Christian’s life, either in his
conversation or his correspondence.
As we engage in this study, it is my goal to present truths about
the Islamic faith that can be verified with a little research AND
contrast these things with the TRUTH which is found in God’s word (John
8:32). AS Christians
we MUST understand that if we misrepresent something, it does great, and
often irreparable, harm to the truth.
In other words, in everything, KNOW YOUR FACTS before you speak
(or press the forward button).
iii.
Because
like every other person in the world, Muslims have souls that will one
day give an accounting to God.
2 Corinthians 5:10 reminds us, “For
we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may
receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done,
whether good or bad.”
Knowing the terror of the Lord against unbelievers, those who do
not obey the gospel and those who persecute Christians (2 Thess. 1:6-10)
we must take seriously our opportunity to teach anyone and everyone.
That includes our Muslim friends and neighbors.
iv.
Because
we need to ready to “give a defense for the hope that is in us.”
(1 Peter 3:15) Mohammed is
viewed by many as the great prophet (it is even claimed that he was
prophesied of in the Bible) and because of his influence in the world, I
think it worthwhile to give some consideration to this religion and its
founder.
We need to be aware of differences so that we can answer why we believe
what we believe and show that our faith in Christ is true and all other
religions are false. Could
you answer the Muslim who came to you with his teachings? Could you show
that the teachings of Islam are INCOMPATIBLE with the Christian faith?
Furthermore, the doctrines of Islam ATTACK the Bible on many fronts
including: Who is Jesus, the Bible itself, the nature of God, how man is
saved, etc. We need to know
the truth in these matters and defend them from WHOEVER attacks them.
My Goal in this study it to give us at least a preliminary understanding
of some of their teachings so that we CAN answer them and provide some
resources where you can get more help if you need it.
v.
Because
Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in the world and its
influence in the west is greatly increasing, it is likely that you
might have discussions with someone CONSIDERING Islam vs. the Christian
faith. Like many other religions (and like we ought to be), they see
the need to convert the lost as important.
As a matter of fact, it is a fundamental part of their faith.
In fact, to extremists, the purpose of Jihad is to convert the
lost and subjugate or destroy those who will not convert.
Your knowledge of the truth will be extremely helpful in this case as
you can in essence “snatch them out of the fire” (Jude 23) and perhaps
use the truth as a springboard to teach them the whole truth.
vi.
Because,
quite frankly, we should not bury our head in the sand to the
influences around us that are claiming souls to be eternally lost
(cf. 2 Cor. 5:11)
b.
What we will examine
i.
A brief
history of Islam – we want to talk about Mohammed and the beginning of
this religion as it is a major part of their faith.
ii.
The Qur’an
– the book Muslims view as their holy word.
iii.
Tenets of
Islam - some of their core
beliefs which we will examine in light of the Bible
iv.
Peace and
Jihad in the Islamic religion – examining whether or not Islam is a
religion of peace or not.
v.
Islam and
Christianity contrasted – we will notice how Islam is incompatible with
the Christian faith
vi.
How to
respond to a Muslim – as I said earlier, they have souls that need
saving. There are things we
need to keep in mind that will increase our chance of teaching them the
truth.
II.
Terms –
a.
Throughout
this study we will notice certain terms you have heard about in the
media that are associated with Islam.
As we begin we want to notice some fundamental terms that will be
mentioned throughout.
b.
Islam – an
Arabic term that means, “submission” and derives from a word meaning
“peace”. Religiously it
means “submission to the will of Allah”
c.
Muslim – a
derivative of the same Arabic word means, “those who submit.”
Religiously it is descriptive of those who subscribe to the
Islamic faith.
d.
The Qur’an
– the “holy book” of the Islamic religion.
It was written by Mohammed over about a 30 year period (much more
on this in a later lesson).
e.
Mosque – a
place of worship of Muslims.
In 2001, CAIR released a report in which they noted that there were 1209
Mosques in the United States, an increase of 25% from 1994 (962
Mosques). Recently the
Washington Post reported in an article that now there are more than 2000
places of Muslim prayer, with most of them being Mosques (5 Myths about
mosques in America, August 29, 2010, The Washington Post).
Furthermore, there are more mosques in California than any other
state.
III.
History of Islam
a.
The time
and climate when Mohammed was born was in the arid region of the Arabian
Peninsula. The area was home
to nomadic people who dealt with the sparse resources.
They migrate continually and made survived by trading with
travelers from both the East and the West.
The tribes were not very friendly toward one another and warred
continually, except one month a year when they migrate to the area of
Mecca. In Mecca, there was a
large, cubical shrine called the Ka’ba which was dedicated to various
deities. The nomads were a
polytheistic people with virtually every tribe having their own gods.
http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/history.htm
reports that in Mecca there were some 360 shrines, one for each day of
the lunar year. Merchants in
Mecca depended on these for their livelihood.
As in Roman Culture (cf. Acts 19:24-27), much of their concern
was materialistic and there was prevalent immorality.
One other interesting thought here: Among the many gods of the
Arabian polytheists was a god more impressive than the others.
He was called, “Allah” (Arabic for ‘the god’) and was described
as “the creator, provider and determiner of human destiny.”
b.
Mohammed was born around 570 A.D.
in Mecca into the leading tribe of that town (and influential in the
region). His father dies
before he is born. At six
years of age his mother dies.
He is raised by his grandfather until he dies.
Then he is raised by his uncle Abu Talib as a shepherd.
At age 9 (or 12) he joined his uncle on a caravan.
He was a good business person and soon became a camel driver and
managed caravans for various merchants. He
was also well respected by those around him. During his travels he came
in contact with numerous faiths and nationalities including Jews,
Christians and pagans.
c.
At age
25 he married Kaadija, a wealthy woman who was 15 years his senior.
While with her, he lived a monogamous life.
Though after her death, he would marry many women (between 12-15
wives, some very young). She
would become his first convert.
d.
In 610
Mohammed claimed to receive his first revelation from the angel Gabriel.
He claimed to be commissioned to be God’s messenger.
Over the next 23 years (the rest of his life) he would claim to
receive many more revelations. AMONG the teachings he proclaimed
included that there is only ONE God, Allah and he preached against
immorality and materialism.
In the first 3 years, he would gain only 40 followers.
e.
But,
his teachings threatened the Meccan way of life which caused them to be
persecuted and driven out of the city.
After 24 years of marriage his wife, Kaadija, dies and within a
few years his uncle dies.
f.
In 620,
Arabs from Yathrib (Medina) some 280 miles north of Mecca invite
Mohammed to come protect and unite them.
They promise to only worship Allah and to obey Mohammed and
defend him. He will soon join
them there (622 AD).
g.
Mohammed continues to receive revelations.
In 621 he supposedly is taken in on night by Gabriel from Ka’ba
to Jerusalem and back. While
in Jerusalem at what is now the Dome of the Rock, he supposedly saw
Moses, Abraham, Jesus and others.
He was also taken to heaven where he saw signs from God.
These visions intensify the persecutions in Mecca and he and 70 families
flee to Medina.
In Medina, he tells his followers to begin praying toward Mecca instead
of Jerusalem.
He also begins to adopt what is called ghazu (raids) of Caravans from
Mecca. They justify these
raids because they had lost their possessions when they were forced to
leave.
In time this leads to war between the Muslims and Mecca.
The Muslims win the first battle. There were other battles and in
630, Mohammed led forces to Mecca and defeated the city.
He rededicates the Ka’ba temple to Allah and converts most of the
city.
h.
He
returns to Medina and in 632 he dies.
i.
By 634,
Islam would dominate the entire Arabian peninsula. After his death,
Mohammed’s followers compiled his “notes” together and they became what
is now the Qur’an (Koran).
Abu Bakar, one of Mohammed’s closest friends and an early convert, would
become leader (632-634 AD). He was followed by Umar (Omar) ibn al-Kathaab
(634-44), then Uthman (Othman) ibn Affan (644-656), then Ali ibn Abi
Talib (656-660). These
first four successors are known as the Khufla a Rashideen (rightly
guided successors). They
would be instrumental in solidifying their beliefs and establishing
Islamic dominance through wars.
Islam would continue to grow so that within 100 years, it was a
predominant influence from Spain through Northern Africa and eastward
through Persia and beyond.
They would dominate and subdue their world primarily by force.
I am told that when they entered a village or territory they would
subdue its leaders and then offer the common people peace by either
converting to Islam OR paying a tax (higher than Muslims had to pay, but
usually less than what their former leaders were taxing them).
Islam would continue to see tremendous growth over the next few
centuries. But then they
would enter a period of regression until the 1900s when resurgence would
begin. It is this resurgence
that we are continuing to see today.
With this brief history, we have an introduction to how the
religion of Islam began and developed to where it is today.
There is much more to be said, but time will not permit such a
discussion. BUT it is worthy
of note that a religion that CLAIMS to be a religion of peace, had its
beginnings with such violence.
A study of the history of the beginning of the religion will help
us better understand who Muslims are.
We need that to be able to carry on civilized and HONEST dialogue
as we try to teach them what God’s word actually says.
May we in this study be convicted as to WHO the ONE true God
really is.