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Reaching the Unreached ISLAM WHAT DO THEY BELIEVE? There are Five Pillars or core beliefs of the Islamic Faith: Confession (Shahada) Prayer (Salat) Fasting (Saum) Giving (Zakat) Pilgrimage (Hajj) 1. CONFESSION The Shahada is the Muslim profession of faith and the first of the ‘Five Pillars’ of Islam. The word shahada in Arabic means ‘testimony.’ The shahada is to testify to two things: (a) Nothing deserves worship except God (Allah). (b) Muhammad is the Messenger of God (Allah). “La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammad rasul Allah.” “There is no god, but God, and Muhammad is His Prophet.” A Muslim is simply one who bears witness and testifies that “nothing deserves worship except God and Muhammad is the messenger of God.” One becomes a Muslim by making this simple declaration. It is repeated five times in the call to prayer in every mosque. Many people ignorant of Islam have misconceived notions about the Allah, used by Muslims to denote God. 2. PRAYER The Islamic prayer or the Salat is something that takes place at five different times during the day. Muslims will bow themselves down on their prayer rugs and pray towards the Kabah (or the temple shrine) in Mecca. Muslims believe that you will go to hell if you do not pray five times everyday. 3. FASTING The Third Pillar of Fasting or Saum usually takes place during Ramadan. Ramadan is a season of fasting that lasts during the entire ninth month on the Islamic calendar. Muslims can not eat or drink, during daylight hours. Ramadan usually ends with a great feast called Eid Al-Fitr. 4. ALMSGIVING There is another pillar that requires Muslims to give to the Umma, or the Muslim community. Charity is not just recommended by Islam, it is required of every financially stable Muslim. Giving charity to those who deserve it is part of Muslim character and one of the Five Pillars of Islamic practice. Zakat is viewed as “compulsory charity”; it is an obligation for those who have received their wealth from God to respond to those members of the community in need. In Arabic it is known as zakat which literally means “purification”, because zakat is considered to purify one’s heart of greed. Like prayer, which is both an individual and communal responsibility, zakat expresses a Muslim’s worship of and thanksgiving to God by supporting those in need. A waqf is a larger sum of money given, usually as a type of philanthropy. 5. PILGRIMAGE TO MECCA The pilgrimage to Mecca or the Hajj is probably the pinnacle of the Islamic faith. Every Muslim is supposed to visit Mecca one time in their lifetime and retrace the steps the prophet Muhammad took. A more intricate process than people realize, Mecca has millions of people visit everyday, seeking to complete the Hajj. BIBLICAL PARALLELS 1. Confession- Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: (Deut. 6:4) 2. Prayer- Pray without ceasing. (1 Thess. 5:17) 3. Fasting- Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast... But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. (Matt. 6:16-18) 4. Giving- Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. (2 Cor. 9:7) 5. Pilgrimage- Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; (1 Peter 2:11) IMPORTANT FACTS Muslims believe that the Quran was given to Muhammad by the angel of the Lord Gabriel and that is was not written out, but given to him orally as he was to recite it. Hence the name of the Quran meaning ‘recitation.’ Muslims do believe in Jesus Christ. They do not believe he was crucified, but they do believe he ascended into heaven and is returning some day. HOW DO THEY WORSHIP? • A common trend that Muslims use in their worship and religion is through teaching. • A transmission or direct line of teachers back to the prophet Muhammad himself has been established to ensure that the line of truth remains undisturbed. • Contrary to meeting on Sunday, Muslims worship on Friday, their holy day of the week. • Prayers are five times a day, usually at the mosque, but if not on personal prayer rugs in the home. • It is a custom to remove your shoes when entering into a mosque to worship. • Women typically wear facial covering and long black skirts to refrain men from lusting after them. • Women enter and pray in separate places within the mosque. • Services have less songs and preaching and more chanting and recitation. WHERE AND WITH WHOM IS ISLAM MOST POPULAR? GLOBALLY The countries of Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Maldives, and Mauritania have the highest Muslim populations These countries are believed to have a 100% Muslim population. While most likely not all of the people of these countries follow Islam, this statistic exists because Islam is the national religion. They live under Sharia Law and will be persecuted for not adhering to this belief system. The flags of these countries are marked with Islamic symbols Somalia Saudi Arabia Mauritania Maldives NATIONALLY In the US, Islam is most popular among African Americans Some sources say that California has the highest population of Muslims and others say that Michigan does. There are mosques sprouting up all around our country. Even in the most unlikely places. Ideas on How to Reach Muslims with the Gospel. General Do’s and Don'ts Remember I Corinthians 10:31-32! Do’s: • Always dress modesty •Women talk with the Women; Men talk with the Men • Talk about spiritual things in a serious matter Don’ts: • Put your Bible on the floor • Appear to free with the opposite gender • Make jokes about religious/ spiritual topics • Pat your dog in their presence • Serve alcohol or any food containing pork or bacon, or anything made with lard. Tips on Witnessing to Muslims • • • • • • • • Avoid stereotyping Muslims Place yourself in places where Muslims go Know what topics will be talked about Establish the spiritual dimension in your friendship Know what questions to ask Use your gift of hospitality Use your holidays as a teaching tool Get the Scripture into their hands • Explain the Gospel simply! It is not complicated! Conversation Icebreakers • Where are you from? People love to share where they are from • How long have you been here? this question will help you know some of the issues they may be facing • Find a need-based issue and ask them if you can pray for them on the spot, in Jesus’ name 99% of people will not object to prayer • Give literature People are always open to receive literature when you have influenced them in a positive way Be Open About Your Beliefs • Know your Bible. You may face a Muslim who has studied the Bible just for the sake of criticism. • Be sure you know what you are talking about. Many of them have never read the Bible or part of it themselves. • In your conversation, state what you believe clearly and without apology, showing support from the Word of God - the Bible. • Use the Bible. You will be more respected by Muslims in standing strong for your Christian beliefs. • If you don't know the right answer to a question or query, be honest! Find out! Using the Quran • Surah 10:94-95 • If Muslims don’t understand they are to ask Christians. • Surah 3:55 • Those that follow Christ will be superior. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest… That he will send forth labourers into his harvest. Matthew 9:38