Download Muslim Misconceptions

Muslim Misconceptions
Examined and Explained
Christianity and Islam
• Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in the
world; it is estimated that 1 in 4 will be Muslim by
2030 (today, 1 in 6 are Muslim)
• The basic tenets of Islam are often misrepresented
by the mainstream media to the masses
• By studying the Bible and Qur’an, the five following
misconceptions can be examined and explained
1 - Islam Means “Peace”
• Islam is commonly portrayed today as a religion of
“peace” (tolerance) which has been hijacked by a few
radicals and extremists; it is claimed that Islam
means “peace”
• Islam does not mean “peace” in the Qur’an or in the
Arabic lexicon; it means “submission” [to the will of
Allah]
1 - Islam Means “Peace”
And this (submission to Allah, Islam) was enjoined by
Ibrahim (Abraham) upon his sons and by Ya'qub
(Jacob), (saying), "O my sons! Allah has chosen for you
the (true) religion, then die not except in the Faith of
Islam (as Muslims - Islamic Monotheism)” (2:132).
1 - Islam Means “Peace”
The Religion before Allah is Islam (submission to His
Will): Nor did the People of the Book dissent therefrom
except through envy of each other, after knowledge
had come to them. But if any deny the Signs of Allah,
Allah is swift in calling to account (3:19).
1 - Islam Means “Peace”
If anyone desires a religion other than Islam
(submission to Allah), never will it be accepted of him;
and in the Hereafter He will be in the ranks of those
who have lost (All spiritual good) (3:85).
1 - Islam Means “Peace”
• There are over 100 war verses in the Qur'an
authorizing Muslims to fight against the
“unbelievers” (infidels); the individual Muslim must
decide how he will interpret these verses – whether
literally or allegorically
• Without dispute is the explicit authority in the
Qur'an to fight physically in the cause of Allah
• Jihad means “struggle”; not just a spiritual struggle
with Allah, but a physical (war) struggle with man
1 - Islam Means “Peace”
Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while Allah
has not yet made evident those of you who fight in His
cause and made evident those who are steadfast?
(3:142).
And if you are killed in the cause of Allah or die - then
forgiveness from Allah and mercy are better than
whatever they accumulate [in this world]. And whether
you die or are killed, unto Allah you will be gathered.
(3:157-158).
1 - Islam Means “Peace”
Indeed, the penalty for those who wage war against
Allah and His Messenger and strive upon earth [to
cause] corruption is none but that they be killed or
crucified or that their hands and feet be cut off from
opposite sides or that they be exiled from the land.
That is for them a disgrace in this world; and for them
in the Hereafter is a great punishment (5:33).
1 - Islam Means “Peace”
And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the
polytheists wherever you find them and capture them
and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every
place of ambush. But if they should repent, establish
prayer, and give zakah, let them [go] on their way.
Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful (9:5).
1 - Islam Means “Peace”
Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last
Day and who do not consider unlawful what Allah and
His Messenger have made unlawful and who do not
adopt the religion of truth from those who were given
the Scripture - [fight] until they give the jizyah willingly
while they are humbled (9:29).
1 - Islam Means “Peace”
O ye who believe! fight the unbelievers who gird you
about, and let them find firmness in you: and know
that Allah is with those who fear Him (9:123).
1 - Islam Means “Peace”
• True “peace” comes by submitting to Jesus, the
“Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6)
• Jesus “preached peace” (Eph. 2:14-17)
• Jesus’ disciples “follow after things which make for
peace” (Rom. 14:19)
2 – Both Qur’an and Bible
Teach Violence
• Muslim terrorist activities today are often equated
with the Christian Crusades or Inquisition
• First, Muslim terrorist activities come from reading
plain verses in the Qur’an about “fighting” (see
above); the Christian Crusades and Inquisition
(A.D. 1100 – 1300) came from the orders of Catholic
Popes misusing the Bible to justify their fighting
2 – Both Qur’an and Bible
Teach Violence
• Second, Muslim terrorist activities are not to be
compared to such campaigns as Joshua (Josh. 1-12)
or Saul (1 Sam. 15), because these wars were God’s
judgments upon the sin of a nation (Gen. 15:16;
Lev. 18:24-30); Muslim terrorist acts are against
those who will not believe Islam (unbelievers)
• Third, Jesus told Peter to put up his sword; no
physical fighting; no earthly kingdom (Mt. 26:52;
Jn. 18:36)
3 – Allah Is Another Name for the
God of the Bible
• The god of Islam, Allah, is often portrayed today as
the same God of the OT (Yahweh or Jehovah)
• Muslims believe that the religion of Judaism (OT),
Christianity (NT), and Islam all serve the same Allah,
but only Muslims serve him according to the true
book – the Qur’an (Muhammed being the great and
final prophet)
3 – Allah Is Another Name for the
God of the Bible
And do not argue with the People of the Scripture
except in a way that is best, except for those who
commit injustice among them, and say, "We believe in
that which has been revealed to us and revealed to
you. And our God and your God is one; and we are
Muslims [in submission] to Him” (29:46).
3 – Allah Is Another Name for the
God of the Bible
• Allah is not the same “god” as one finds in the Bible;
Allah is one in number; one divine being only
(monotheism = one divine being without a divine
Son or a divine Holy Spirit)
• It is no more correct to call the God of the Bible,
Allah, than it is to call him Baal, Vishnu, Zeus, etc.
3 – Allah Is Another Name for the
God of the Bible
O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your
religion or say about Allah except the truth. The
Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger
of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a
soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in
Allah and His messengers. And do not say, "Three";
desist - it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God.
Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs
whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the
earth. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs
(4:171).
3 – Allah Is Another Name for the
God of the Bible
• The NT teaches that there is one Godhead – one
divine nature in three persons (Rom. 1:20; Col. 2:9)
– The Father is God (1 Cor. 1:3)
– The Son is God (Tit. 2:13; Heb. 1:8)
– The Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4)
4 – Muslims Believe in Jesus
Too
• It is common today to speak of the Muslim belief in
Jesus as Allah’s prophet: “We honor Jesus (peace be
upon him)”
• “Jesus” appears about 70 times in the Qur’an
• Muslims believe in the virgin birth (21:91), but Jesus
was a created being; simply a prophet of Allah; he
did not die; and to confess Jesus as Lord is “shirk” (an
unforgivable sin)
4 – Muslims Believe in Jesus
Too
Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of
Adam. He created Him from dust; then He said to him,
"Be," and he was (3:29).
And say, "Praise to Allah , who has not taken a son and
has had no partner in [His] dominion and has no [need
of a] protector out of weakness; and glorify Him with
[great] glorification” (17:111).
4 – Muslims Believe in Jesus
Too
They have certainly disbelieved who say, “Allah is the
Messiah, the son of Mary" while the Messiah has said,
"O Children of Israel, worship Allah , my Lord and your
Lord." Indeed, he who associates others with Allah Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the
Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers
(5:72).
4 – Muslims Believe in Jesus
Too
The Jews say, "Ezra is the son of Allah "; and the
Christians say, "The Messiah is the son of Allah ." That
is their statement from their mouths; they imitate the
saying of those who disbelieved [before them]. May
Allah destroy them; how are they deluded? (9:30).
4 – Muslims Believe in Jesus
Too
And [We cursed them] for their disbelief and their
saying against Mary a great slander, And [for] their
saying, "Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the
son of Mary, the messenger of Allah ." And they did not
kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was
made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who
differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no
knowledge of it except the following of assumption.
And they did not kill him, for certain. Rather, Allah
raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might
and Wise (4:156-158).
4 – Muslims Believe in Jesus
Too
• Jesus said he was eternal, not created (Jn. 8:24,58)
• Jesus said he was the Son of God (Jn. 5:25; 9:35;
10:36)
• Jesus said he would die, be buried, and raise again
(Mt. 16:21; Mk. 8:31; Lk. 9:22)
5 – Muhammad Is Allah’s
Final Prophet
• Islam portrays Muhammad today as Allah’s last great
and final prophet
• Islam (like the J.W.s, Mormons, Christian Science,
WWCofG; etc.) is based upon the latter-day
revelations of a self-proclaimed prophet,
Muhammad
• Allah first sent the Torah to the Jews, then the Gospel
to the Christians, then the Qur’an to all mankind
(5:42-47)
5 – Muhammad Is Allah’s
Final Prophet
• The Qur’an allows for abrogation (naskh); the
practice of allowing a newer revelation to replace an
older revelation
5 – Mudammad Is Allah’s
Final Prophet
He has sent down upon you, [O Muhammad], the Book
in truth, confirming what was before it. And He
revealed the Torah and the Gospel (3:3).
We did not send before you any messenger or prophet
except that when he spoke [or recited], Satan threw
into it [some misunderstanding]. But Allah abolishes
that which Satan throws in; then Allah makes precise
His verses. And Allah is Knowing and Wise (22:52).
5 – Mudammad Is Allah’s
Final Prophet
O People of the Scripture, there has come to you Our
Messenger making clear to you much of what you used
to conceal of the Scripture and overlooking much.
There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear
Book (5:15).
5 – Mudammad Is Allah’s
Final Prophet
We do not abrogate a verse or cause it to be forgotten
except that We bring forth [one] better than it or
similar to it. Do you not know that Allah is over all
things competent? (2:106).
And when We substitute a verse in place of a verse and Allah is most knowing of what He sends down they say, "You, [O Muhammad], are but an inventor [of
lies]." But most of them do not know (16:101).
5 – Mudammad Is Allah’s
Final Prophet
And if We willed, We could surely do away with that
which We revealed to you. Then you would not find for
yourself concerning it an advocate against Us (17:86).
5 – Muhammad Is Allah’s
Final Prophet
• Muhammad (1) worked no miracles to confirm his
alleged message from Allah (29:48-50); (2) allowed
self-serving exceptions and rules in the Qur’an; and
(3) was a very immoral man (polygamy, violence,
drank alcohol after banning it, etc.)
5 – Mudammad Is Allah’s
Final Prophet
And you did not recite before it any scripture, nor did
you inscribe one with your right hand. Otherwise the
falsifiers would have had [cause for] doubt. Rather, the
Qur'an is distinct verses [preserved] within the breasts
of those who have been given knowledge. And none
reject Our verses except the wrongdoers. But they say,
"Why are not signs sent down to him from his Lord?"
Say, "The signs are only with Allah , and I am only a
clear warner“ (29:48-50).
5 – Mudammad Is Allah’s
Final Prophet
And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the
orphan girls, then marry those that please you of
[other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear
that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those
your right hand possesses. That is more suitable that
you may not incline [to injustice] (4:3).
5 – Mudammad Is Allah’s
Final Prophet
O Prophet, indeed We have made lawful to you your
wives to whom you have given their due compensation
and those your right hand possesses from what Allah
has returned to you … if the Prophet wishes to marry
her, [this is] only for you, excluding the [other]
believers. We certainly know what We have made
obligatory upon them concerning their wives and those
their right hands possess, [but this is for you] in order
that there will be upon you no discomfort. And ever is
Allah Forgiving and Merciful (33:50).
5 – Mudammad Is Allah’s
Final Prophet
You, [O Muhammad], may put aside whom you will of
them or take to yourself whom you will. And any that
you desire of those [wives] from whom you had
[temporarily] separated - there is no blame upon you
[in returning her]. That is more suitable that they
should be content and not grieve and that they should
be satisfied with what you have given them - all of
them. And Allah knows what is in your hearts. And ever
is Allah Knowing and Forbearing (33:51).
5 – Mudammad Is Allah’s
Final Prophet
O you who have believed, do not enter the houses of the
Prophet except when you are permitted for a meal, without
awaiting its readiness. But when you are invited, then enter; and
when you have eaten, disperse without seeking to remain for
conversation. Indeed, that [behavior] was troubling the Prophet,
and he is shy of [dismissing] you. But Allah is not shy of the truth.
And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from
behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts.
And it is not [conceivable or lawful] for you to harm the
Messenger of Allah or to marry his wives after him, ever. Indeed,
that would be in the sight of Allah an enormity (33:53).
5 – Muhammad Is Allah’s
Final Prophet
• Jesus worked miracles to confirm his message from
God (Jn. 20:30-31; see also his apostles, Mk. 16:20)
• Jesus was pure (Heb. 4:12; 1 Pet. 1:23)
• Jesus did not abrogate (naskh) scripture, but fulfilled
it (Mt. 5:17; Lk. 24:44-49)
• Jesus is God’s last great and final prophet (Heb. 1:12; Jn. 16:14; 1 Cor. 2:16; 14:37; Gal. 1:6-9;
2 Tim. 3;16-17; Jude 3)
Muslim Misconceptions
• When religious people make a claim (“We worship
God as you do…”), it must be examined, explained,
and rejected if found false (Ezra 4:2-3)
• The Qur’an even encourages examination: “And they
say, ‘None will enter Paradise except one who is a
Jew or a Christian.’ That is [merely] their wishful
thinking, Say, ‘Produce your proof, if you should be
truthful’ (2:111)
Muslim Misconceptions
• The Qur’an teaches that we are lost: “Do they not
know that whoever opposes Allah and His
Messenger - that for him is the fire of Hell, wherein
he will abide eternally? That is the great disgrace”
(9:63) … “Allah has promised the hypocrite men and
hypocrite women and the disbelievers the fire of
Hell, wherein they will abide eternally. It is sufficient
for them. And Allah has cursed them, and for them is
an enduring punishment” (9:68)
Muslim Misconceptions
• Christians must not fight (Jn. 18:36)
• Christians must not fear (2 Tim. 1:7)
• Christians must not fail (Jude 3)
• Christians must not force (1 Cor. 9:19-23 vs. Surah
5:51; Islamic food laws, Friday, wives/women,
handling the Qur’an, etc.)