Download Understanding Islam by Ken Wilson

Ken Wilson
UNDERSTANDING ISLAM
HISTORY
MECCA - Muhammad Becoming A Prophet - Birthing A Religion (570-622)
Muhammad (570-632) introduced Islam into an Arabia that was a mixture of
cultures and religions. Muhammad’s own tribe, the Quraysh, was pagan. The Quraysh tribe
was based in the city of Mecca, which was the center of trade and pilgrimage.
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He travelled with his uncle as a merchant - eventually he became a patron of a wealthy
widow - Khadijah. Eventually they married. He was 25 - she was 40. She was his only wife until
she died. She seems to have had a great influence on him but how much is debated.
At age 40 (610 A.D.) Muhammad received a vision from Gabriel. At first he doubted if it was
real but his doubts were overcome by Khadijah’s insistence that he was indeed a prophet.
His message was not received well by his Quraysh brothers. They eventually persecuted him.
His revelations and preaching continued while he was in Mecca. He had two areas of focus:
(1) Pure Monotheism (2) Muhammad is Allah’s final prophet; a seal on all the other prophets.
Tensions escalated to the point where Muhammad had to flee for his life - he fled to Medina.
This event marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. (Not his birth or the Qur’an)
MEDINA - Muhammad Becoming A Warlord - Growing A Movement (622-630)
The flight to Medina was a major turning point for the community. No longer would they
be a tiny, persecuted band. Muhammad was now much more than just an apocalyptic preacher: he
was a political and military leader. Once settled in Medina, the character of Muhammad’s
revelations began to change.
MECCA
• Invited people to Islam by Preaching
• Lived like a Priest
• Had one wife
• Fought against Idol Worship
• 90 Suras of the Qur’an revealed
MEDINA
• Persuaded people to Islam by Sword
• Lived like a Military Commander
• Had twelve wives
• Fought Jews and Christians
• 24 Suras of the Qur’an revealed
MECCA - Muhammad Returning in Triumph and Conquest (630-632)
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Muhammad traveled back to Mecca as a pilgrim in 628 not entering the city.
He established an agreement which allowed Muslims to return a year later.
An army of 10,000 returned to Mecca and conquered the city in 630.
Now Muhammad and his followers controlled both Medina and Mecca.
Muhammad returned to Medina (The City of the Prophet) and expanded
his sphere of influence until his death in 632 at the height of his power.
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Ken Wilson
ISLAM AND THE WORLD
INTERNAL SCHISMS
Following the death of Muhammad (632 A.D.) at the age of 63, his followers failed to agree on
who should take up his mantle and lead the Muslims and advance Islam. This created the two
factions of Sunni and Shiite. This internal schism hindered but did not stop the advance of Islam.
Sunnis - The Traditionalist or Orthodox Party
• Muhammad’s successor was his father-in-law Abu-Bakr.
• The successor is determined by qualification.
• This leader is wise but fallible.
• Local leaders are known as Imams.
• Currently 90% of world Muslims are Sunni.
• They dominate Asia, Indonesia and the Middle east.
Shiites - The Fundamentalists or Messianic Party
• Muhammad’s successor was his cousin and son-in-law Ali Ibn Abi Talib.
• The successor is determined by bloodline.
• This leader is infallible.
• Local leaders are known as Ayatollahs.
• Currently 10% of world Muslims are Sunni.
• They dominate Iran as well as southern Iraq and part of Yemen.
EXTERNAL BATTLES
Advance • Battle Of Badr (624) - Victory over Quraysh despite being severely outnumbered.
• Conquest of Mecca (630) - Triumphant return of Muhammad who becomes more militant
and aggressive.
• Islam spreads by conquest in the Middle East (632-732).
• Islamic Empire continues to spread until the so-called “Christian Crusades” (1095-1291).
• Abayyid and Mameluke domination regained Islamic control in Arabia (1291-1516)
• Ottoman Turk Empire (1300-1924 A.D.) was the high glory days of Muslim expansion.
Decline • Ottoman Turks begin to lose social and military prowess.
• Loss during second siege of Vienna (1683 A.D.) was devastating. A major turning point.
IBN ABD AL-WAHHAB (1703-1792) - Return To Purity (Religion)
• Theologian living in a remote desert of Arabia.
• Sought to purify Islam (return to roots) and rid Islam of its many corruptions. (Wahhabism)
• Eventually met and gained the favor of the House of Saud and the Wahhab revival spread
in Saudi Arabia as a part of Sunni revival and radicalization.
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Ken Wilson
SAYYID QUTB (1906-1966) - Justification of Jihad (Politics)
• Political philosopher and member of the Muslim Brotherhood.
• Educated in the United States.
• Imprisoned and eventually hanged in Egypt.
• Advocate of implementation of Shari’a law (see glossary).
• Advocate of Global Domination of Islam. al-Qaeda finds much to its support in his writings.
• His book Milestones is considered the Manifesto of the Jihadist Movement.
• Sayyid’s brother, Mohammad, fled Egypt and taught at a Saudi university where one of his
close friends was Osama bin Laden.
THE CURRENT MIDDLE EAST LANDSCAPE
(And How We Got There)
WORLD WAR I
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The battle in WW I was between the Allied Powers (Great Britain, France, Russia and
eventually the United States) and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the
Ottoman Turk Empire).
The Attack on the Ottoman Capital of Istanbul (Ancient Constantinople) was a failure and
prevented the Allied Powers from outflanking the Central Powers.
In order to defeat the Central Powers in Europe the Allied Powers agreed to allow for the
establishment of an Independent Arab State. In return for the Arab support in the War
against the Ottomans many promises were made (see the movie Lawrence of Arabia).
The British, who controlled the land of Palestine, also made promises to make way for a
Jewish Homeland in Palestine.
After the War the Sykes-Picot Agreement cancelled out promises made to the Jews and
Arabs and distributed control of the Middle east to the British (Iraq, Israel/Palestine) and
French (Syria, Lebanon).
Conflict was in the air. The British and French really controlled much of the Middle East but
the Arabs and Jews were counting on promises that had been made to secure the end of
the War.
WORLD WAR II
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At the end of World War II the Nation of Israel was established by
the United Nations (1948) with specific borders.
Conflict immediately ensued and “Palestinians” (Arabs living in the
land of Israel, Jordan, Syria, and Egypt) were placed in “special
areas” and kept separate from the Jews.
In a six day period in the Summer of 1967 Israel seized control of
the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula (from Egypt), the West Bank
and East Jerusalem (from Jordan), and the Golan Heights (from
Syria) resulting in a near tripling of the the size of their nation and
making defense much easier by creating a buffer zone around it.
Again, conflict is in the air and turmoil has been constant. Various
countries and factions continue to attack and threaten Israel.
If the Arab/Muslim states ever unite, it is unlikely that Israel would
survive without support from the West (cf. Ezekiel 38-39).
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Ken Wilson
BELIEFS AND PRACTICES
THE FIVE PILLARS
1. SHAHADA - Recitation of the Creed
• “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the prophet of Allah.”
• Recitation of the creed makes one a Muslim - must be said at conversion (in Arabic??).
• Spoken often: at ritual prayers, into the ears of Muslim children, at the moment of death.
2. SALAT - Ritual Prayer
• Prayer five times a day - facing Mecca.
• Ritual cleansing is performed before prayer begins.
• The central prayer for Muslims is the “Fatiha” (Sura 1) -Spoken aloud during daily prayers.
3. ZAKAT - Giving of Alms to the Poor
• Muslims are required to give 2.5% of their income to help the poor and spread Islam.
• This giving is obligatory and helps in gaining salvation.
4. SAWN - Fasting During the Month of Ramadan
• Ramadan was the month in which Muhammad began receiving the Qur’an.
• Muslims abstain from all food, drink, smoking, and sex during daylight hours.
5. HAJJ - Pilgrimage to Mecca
• Any able-bodied Muslim must make a trip to Mecca once in his life.
• The Kaaba must be visited. The Kaaba is a stone building with a black stone in one corner.
• The black stone should be touched or kissed - this brings blessing from Allah.
• Pilgrims throw seven stones at pillars outside the city representing Satan and temptations.
IMPORTANT DOCTRINES
THE QUR’AN
• The Qur’an is perfect (in Arabic) and is the final revelation from God.
• The illiterate Muhammad received revelation by dictation and recited it to others.
• The Bible was corrupted by the Jews and Christians. The Qur’an corrects this corruption.
• The Qur’an was put together after his death when an official recitation was gathered and
all others versions were burned.
• While the Qur’an is the Holiest Book for Muslims, the Hadith is important for Sharia Law. It
presents the life of Muhammad: what he said, and what he did, and what he approved.
• The Bible is seen as a Holy Book but it has been corrupted by Jews and Christians.
ALLAH
• He is ONE! Pure Monotheism - hence a rejection of the Trinity, which is seen as Polytheism. He is Sovereign (Severely) - all judgment is His and He is bound by nothing.
• He is Not Personal - No one can have a personal relationship with Allah.
• The only way to relate to Allah is to submit.
• Allah does not enter human history.
• His will is mediated through the Qur’an, prophets, and angels.
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JESUS
• Jesus is a prophet - but not God, not God’s Son.
Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) an Apostle of Allah and His Word which
He bestowed on Mary and a Spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in Allah and His
Apostles. Say not "Trinity": desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is One Allah: glory be
to him: (for Exalted is He) above having a son. (Sura 4:171)
• Jesus was not crucified - this is (1) Shameful and (2) Unnecessary in Muslim doctrine.
That they said (in boast) "We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary the Apostle of Allah"; but
they killed him not nor crucified him but so it was made to appear to them and those who
differ therein are full of doubts with no (certain) knowledge but only conjecture to follow
for of a surety they killed him not.
(Sura 4:157)
MAN
• Man is not born sinful - man is weak and uninformed. He makes mistakes.
• Man has no real hope in this world because Allah is dispassionately sovereign.
• Man’s only hope is to do his best to live as a Muslim and perhaps Allah will allow him into
heaven.
SALVATION
• Salvation is accomplished through belief and submission to Allah, his prophet, and the
Qur’an (Sura 1:6). Salvation is ultimately by good works if Allah wills (Sura 23:102-103).
• There is no certainty (security) of salvation in Islam (Sura 14:4; 23:102-103). Even
Muhammad could not be certain of salvation (Hadith 5:266).
• Some believe that Salvation can be immediately achieved in Jihad but this is not taught in
the Qur’an.
WOMEN
• Men are better than women (Sura 4:34) who may be treated harshly (Sura 2:223).
• The inheritance of women is half that of men.
• Women are seen as responsible for much evil and temptation for men.
This is why women are covered while in public. This covering varies
from culture to culture and called a “Burka”.
• The testimony of four men is required to validate an accusation of rape.
MUHAMMAD
• He is the Final Prophet.
• He is the Perfect Example.
• His life and teaching are preserved in “The Hadith”.
• Any disrespect of Muhammad in not allowed. This includes making any
images of his likeness.
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Ken Wilson
JIHAD
(Where did ISIS come from?)
Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah and those who reject faith fight in the cause of evil:
so fight ye against the friends of Satan: feeble indeed is the cunning of Satan.
Sura 4:76
Remember thy Lord inspired the angels (with the message): "I am with you:
give firmness to the believers: I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers:
smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them."
This because they contended against Allah and His apostle:
if any contend against Allah and His apostle Allah is strict in punishment.
Sura 8:12-13
FIVE KINDS - Jihad literally means “struggle”
• Jihad of the Heart - personal struggle against sin
• Jihad of the Mouth - verbal argumentation (apologetics)
• Jihad of the Pen - written argumentation (apologetics)
• Jihad of the Hand - helping and assisting the poor - fighting poverty and evil
• Jihad of the Sword - armed combat against oppressors or unbelievers
DEVELOPING STAGES
• Peaceful Persuasion
• Self-Defense (Religious Obligation)
• Limited Offense (Not during Sacred Months)
• Unlimited Offense (using every strategy) Sura 9:5
CONNECTING THE DOTS TO ISIS
• Twin Terror: Shiite Messianic Fundamentalism in Iran and Sunni
Fundamentalism in Egypt and Syria.
• Dot One: The Mujahideen - Muslim resistance to Russian invasion
of Afghanistan, supported by the United States.
• Dot Two: The Taliban - Muslim Warlords who filled the control vacuum in Afghanistan
after the defeat of the Russians.
• Dot Three: al Qaeda - World wide terror group led by Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan
and Pakistan. Responsible for the attacks on the United States on 9/11.
• Dot Four: al Qaeda in Iraq - Franchise of al Qaeda (meaning “base”) in Iraq led by Abu
Musab al-Zarqawi filling the vacuum left in Iraq with new heights of terror.
• Dot Five: ISIS - “Islamic State of Iraq and Syria” - the most brutal of the terrorist groups
with the ultimate goal of establishing a “Caliphate” or Global Islamic state. (This group is
also know as ISIL - “Islamic State of Iraq and the Lavant”. The Lavant is a large area around
the Mediterranean extending nearly as far as the boarders of the Ottoman Empire.)
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Ken Wilson
BRIEF GLOSSARY OF ISLAMIC TERMS
Ayatollah - “The eye of Allah” - a term designating the chief religious leaders of the Shiites.
Dar al-harb - “House of War” - a term for people who resist submitting to the will of Allah.
Dar al-Islam - “Abode of Islam” - a term designating all Muslims who submit to the will of Allah.
Gabriel - The angel through whom Allah revealed the Qur’an to Muhammad from A.D. 610-623.
Hadith - “report” - The collection of traditions regarding the life and sayings of the prophet
Muhammad and how he responded to others. These traditions were first transmitted by word of
mouth and later recorded. Along with the Qur’an, the Hadith is the second source for Shari’a law.
Hezbollah - “The Party of God” - the political/religious group associated with the late Ayatollah
Khomeini. This group is influential among Lebanese Shiites.
Imam - The person who leads the ritual law; the religious leader of the Muslim community.
Injil - The Muslim word for the Gospels.
Islam - Submitting to the will of Allah; term referring to the religion of the Muslims.
Jihad - “Struggle” - Greater Jihad refers to spiritual warfare against sin; Lesser Jihad refers to
fighting for the cause of Allah and bringing all human beings into submission to Allah.
Jinn - invisible creatures who act with free will. Not angles but more like a Genie.
Jizya - “Tax” - imposed on all non-Muslims who live under the protection of Muslim government.
Kafir - “Unbeliever” or “Infidel” - one who refuses to believe in Muhammad and submit to Allah.
Mecca - Holy city in Saudi Arabia where Muhammad began his ministry.
Medina - 2nd most holy city to Muslims; Muhammad fled here when leaving Mecca in A.D. 622.
Mujahideen - Men who fight for the cause of Allah.
Muslim - One who submits to the will of Allah; term refers to a devotee of Islam.
Qur’an - “recitation” - The holy book revealed by the angel Gabriel to Muhammad. The first
source of Shari’a law.
Ramadan - The month of fasting; the ninth month of the Muslim calendar; the month when
Muhammad began receiving revelation from Gabriel.
Shahada - “The Witness” - the creed of all Muslims: “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is
his messenger.” Making this confession before two witnesses makes one a Muslim; this is the first of
the five duties of Islam.
Shari’a - “The Path” - the divine will for all Muslims applied to every situation of life.
Shiite - The branch of Islam who believe that the successors of Muhammad should have been
limited to his own personal family. Most people in Iran and many Muslims in Iraq and Lebanon are
Shia. The minority group within Islam (10% - 20%).
Sufi - A Muslim who has a mystical approach to Islam. They believe God can be experienced
personally. This is a minority belief in Islam.
Sunni - The majority group in Islam (80% - 90%). They believe the successors of Muhammad
should have been chosen from among the most qualified followers, not limited to Muhammad’s
personal family.
Sura - A chapter of the Qur’an; there are 114 of them.
Yesua - Arabic name for Jesus (from Hebrew root); Isa is the Qur’anic name for Jesus. -7-
Ken Wilson
BIBLIOGRAPHY
A Biblical Point of View on Islam by Kirby Anderson (Harvest House, 2008)
- Readable and Thorough.
- also listen to a 90 minute talk at Fellowship LR from Nov. 8th, 2015
by Kirby Anderson at http://www.fellowshiponline.com/resources/classes/
The Isis Crisis by Charles Dyer (Moody press, 2015)
- Simple and recent.
What Went Wrong: The Clash Between Islam and Modernity in the Middle East by Bernard Lewis
(Harper Perennial, 2003)
- A Princeton scholar’s historical perspective.
Podcasts from “The Table Podcast” with Darrell Bock
www.dts.edu/thetable
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