Download Islam - Veritas Seminary

Is Islam a Religion of
Peace?
By
Dr. Norman Geisler
© 2001 Norman Geisler
Outline
1. What Does Islam Teach?
Outline
1. What Does Islam Teach?
2. What Does the Media Say?
Outline
1. What Does Islam Teach?
2. What Does the Media Say?
3. What Does the Evidence Show?
What Does Islam Teach?
1. One God (Allah)
2. Prophets (Muhammad is the last)
3. Angels (good and bad)
4. The Qur’an is the Word of God (though
they reference the Law (Tawrat),
Psalms (Zabur), and Gospels (Injil)
which they believe have been corrupted
(tahrif))
5. Final day of judgment (heaven & hell)
What are the Basic Practices
of Muslims?
1. Shahadah: To recite the creed: “There is
no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his
messenger”
2. Salat: To pray five times a day toward
Mecca
3. Sawm: To fast one month a year—ninth
lunar month of the year, Ramadan
4. Sakat: To give 1/40 of their income
5. Hajj: To make the pilgrimage once in their
lifetime to Mecca (in Saudi Arabia)
Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca
Outline
1. What Does Islam Teach?
2. What Does the Media Say?
Outline
1. What Does Islam Teach?
2. What Does the Media Say?
Outline
1. What Does Islam Teach?
2. What Does the Media Say?
a. Islam is a religion of peace
Outline
1. What Does Islam Teach?
2. What Does the Media Say?
a. Islam is a religion of peace
b. Islam fights only in selfdefense
Outline
1. What Does Islam Teach?
2. What Does the Media Say?
a. Islam is a religion of peace
b. Islam fights only in selfdefense
c. Islam teaches “tolerance”
Outline
1. What Does Islam Teach?
2. What Does the Media Say?
3. What Does the Evidence Show?
Outline
1. What Does the Evidence Show?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Evidence from the Life of Muhammad
Evidence from the history of Islam
Evidence from the Qur’an
Evidence from the Hadith
Evidence from current Muslim Actions
Outline
What Does the Evidence Show?
1. Evidence from the meaning of “Islam”
Outline
What Does the Evidence Show?
1. Evidence from the meaning of “Islam”
a. The word “Islam” means submission
Outline
What Does the Evidence Show?
1. Evidence from the meaning of “Islam”
a. The word “Islam” means submission
b. The word “Muslim” means submitted
one
Outline
What Does the Evidence Show?
1. Evidence from the meaning of “Islam”
a. The word “Islam” means submission
b. The word “Muslim” means submitted
one
c. The submission is to Allah who
commanded them to kill--
Outline
What Does the Evidence Show?
1. Evidence from the meaning of “Islam”
a. The word “Islam” means submission
b. The word “Muslim” means submitted
one
c. The submission is to Allah who
commanded them to kill-1) those who convert from Islam
2) those who oppose Islamic beliefs
Outline
What Does the Evidence Show?
1. Evidence from the meaning of “Islam”
2. Evidence from the Life of Muhammad
Life of Muhammad
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Born in Mecca (Saudi Arabia): A.D. 570
Received first Revelation: A.D. 610
Fled from Mecca to Medina: A.D. 622
Conducted Raids on Meccan Caravans
Took Mecca by Force: A.D. 630
Died: A.D. 632
Muhammad Condoned Killing:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
--Unbelievers in general .
--A Jew who wrote poetry against him.
--Any Jew who fell into their hands.
--600 to 900 Jews.
--A man who refused to help find
treasure.
6. --Meccans who satirized or insulted him.
7. --A one-eyed shepherd who said he
would never become a Muslim.
8. --A woman who wrote a poem against
him, as she nursed her baby.
Note: From the earliest Life of Muhammad.
Outline
1. What Does the Evidence Show?
a. Evidence from the Life of Muhammad
b. Evidence from the early history of
Islam
The First 100 Years of Islam
Scope of Islam Today
Outline
What Does the Evidence Show?
1. Evidence from the meaning of “Islam”
2. Evidence from the Life of Muhammad
3. Evidence from the Early History of
Islam
4. Evidence from the Qur’an
Beating of Women
Sura 4:34 “Men are in charge of
woman because Allah hath made the
one to excel the other…. As for those
from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish
them and banish them to beds apart,
and scourge them.”
Women: The majority in Hell
Al Bukhari, Vol. 1, Bk. 6, 301 (Hadith) : “Then
he (Muhammad) passed by the women and
said, "O women, give alms as I have seen
that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-fire
were you (women)." They asked, "Why is it
so O Allah's messenger?" He replied, "You
curse frequently and are ungrateful to your
husbands.…
Make War against Unbelievers
Sura 9:29 Fight those who do not
believe in Allah, nor in the latter day, nor
do they prohibit what Allah and His
Apostle have prohibited, nor follow the
religion of truth, out of those who have
been given the Book, until they pay the
tax in acknowledgment of superiority
and they are in a state of subjection.
Strike off their heads
Sura 8:12 When your Lord spoke
to the angels, “I will be with you:
therefore establish the faithful. I
will cast a dread into the hearts of
infidels.” Strike off their heads
then, and strike off from them
every finger-tip.
Fight until all are Muslims
Sura 8:40 And fight with them until
there is no more persecution and
religion should be only for Allah;
but if they desist, then surely Allah
sees what they do.
Strike Terror
Sura 8:60 Against them make ready
your strength to the utmost of your
power, including steeds of war, to
strike terror into the hearts of the
enemies of Allah. Whatever you spend
in the cause of Allah shall be repaid to
you and you shall not be treated
unjustly.
Slay the Idolaters
Sura 9:5 Then, when the sacred months
have passed, slay the idolaters wherever
ye find them, and take them (captive),
and besiege them, and prepare for them
each ambush. But if they repent and
establish worship and pay the poor-due,
then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is
Forgiving, Merciful.
May Allah Destroy Christians & Jews
Sura 9:30 And the Jews say: Ezra is
the son of Allah; and the Christians
say: The Messiah is the son of Allah;
these are the words of their mouths;
they imitate the saying of those who
disbelieved before; may Allah destroy
them; how they are turned away!
Disbelievers Fight for Satan
Sura 4:76 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.
Don’t Befriend Christians and Jews
Sura 5:51 O you who believe! do not
take the Jews and the Christians for
friends; they are friends of each other;
and whoever amongst you takes them
for a friend, then surely he is one of
them; surely Allah does not guide the
unjust people.
Fighting is Good for You
Sura 2:216 Fighting is prescribed for
you, and you dislike it. But it is
possible that you dislike a thing which
is good for you, and that you love a
thing which is bad for you. But Allah
knows, and you know not.
Allah Loves those Who Fight
Sura 61:4 “Truly Allah loves those
who fight in His Cause in battle
array, as if they were a solid
cemented structure.”
Reward for Jihad
Sura 4:74 Therefore let those fight in
the way of Allah, who sell this world's
life for the hereafter; and whoever
fights in the way of Allah, then be he
slain or be he victorious, We shall
grant him a mighty reward.
Why? Because the Qur’an says
Kill those Who Leave Islam
Sura 4:89 They desire that you should
disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so
that you might be (all) alike; therefore
take not from among them friends until
they fly (their homes) in Allah's way;
but if they turn back, then seize them
and kill them wherever you find them,
and take not from among them a friend
or a helper.
Kill by Crucifixion. . .
Sura 5:33 “The punishment of those who
wage war against Allah and His Messenger,
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: that is their disgrace in this world,
and a heavy punishment is theirs in the
Hereafter.”
Outline
1. What Does the Evidence Show?
1. Evidence from the meaning of “Islam”
2. Evidence from the Life of Muhammad
3. Evidence from the Early History of
Islam
4. Evidence from the Qur’an
5. Evidence from the Hadith
Jihad: The 2nd Best Deed
Al Bukhari Vol. 1, Bk. 2, 25
(Hadith) Allah's Apostle was asked,
“What is the best deed?” He replied,
“To believe in Allah and His Apostle
(Muhammad). The questioner then
asked, “What is the next (in
goodness)?” He replied, “To
participate in Jihad in Allah's Cause.”
Reward for Jihad
Al Bukhari Vol. 1, Bk. 2, 35 (Hadith) The
Prophet said, “The person who
participates in (Holy battles) in Allah's
cause and nothing compels him to do so
except belief in Allah and His Apostles,
will be recompensed by Allah either with
a reward, or booty (if he survives) or will
be admitted to Paradise (if he is killed in
the battle as a martyr).”
Outline
1. What Does the Evidence Show?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Evidence from the meaning of “Islam”
Evidence from the Life of Muhammed
Evidence from the Early History of Islam
Evidence from the Qur’an
Evidence from Current Muslim Actions
Ex-Muslims are being Killed
“The religion of "submission" continues
to advance, as a rule by force, in Africa in
part of Nigeria and Sudan, and in Asia,
notably in Indonesia, where non-Moslems
are given the choice of conversion or
death. And in all countries where Islamic
law is applied, converts, whether
compulsory or not, who revert to their
earlier faith, are punished by death.”
Paul Johnson, National Review 10/15/01
Kill the Americans
"We call on every
Muslim who believes in
God and wished to be
rewarded to comply
with God's order to kill
the Americans and
plunder their money
wherever and whenever
they find it.”
Bin Laden: Hostility is a Religious Duty
“Hostility toward
America is a religious
duty, and we hope to be
rewarded for it by God. I
am confident that
Muslims will be able to
end the legend of the socalled superpower that
is America.”
Every American Male is our Enemy
"Our enemy is every
American male,
whether he is directly
fighting us or paying
taxes."
The Islamic Moral Threat
Jihad (Holy War)
“I assure you, dear
brothers, that we are
firm on the road of
jihad for the sake of
God inspired by His
Prophet. . . .”
(Bin Laden, 9/23/01)
Khomeini: Qur’an says “Kill”
“Islam says: Kill all unbelievers…kill
them and put them to the sword and
scatter their armies.... Islam says
whatever good there is exists thanks
to the sword and the shadow of the
sword….There are hundreds of
Qur’anic Psalms and sayings of the
prophet Muhammad urging Muslims
to value war and to fight.”
Qur’an: Non-Muslims are our Enemy
“Non-Muslims are our enemy
according to the Qur’an, so
Americans are our enemy. We hate
America. I believe in jihad. I will do
whatever I can do. If I am provided
the opportunity to get weapons, I
will use them.”
Shafia Salaam, 16, Afghan refugee
living in Pakistan (NYT, Oct 21, 2001)
The Execution of Islamic Law
A photographer records a public execution in Jeddah
from behind the bars of a window
http://www.kamaz.demon.co.uk/amnesty/briefing/8.html
Franklin Graham:
Qur’an encourages Violence
“The persecution or elimination of
non-Muslims has been a cornerstone
of Islamic conquests and rule for
centuries. The Qur’an provides ample
evidence that Islam encourages
violence in order to win converts and
to reach the ultimate goal of an Islamic
world. Conversions from Islam to any
other faith are often punishable by
death.”
Franklin Graham, WSJ, Dec. 3, 2001
What About the “Peace” Verses
in the Qur’an?
No Compulsion in Religion
Sura 2:256 “There is no
compulsion in religion.”
Can’t Compel Belief
Sura 10:99-100 “If it had been thy
Lord's will, they would all have
believed-- all who are on earth! Wilt
thou then compel mankind, against
their will, to believe! No soul can
believe, except by the will of Allah,
and He will place doubt (or obscurity)
on those who will not understand.
Muhammad: Consult Christians
Sura 10:94 “But if you (Muhammad)
are in doubt as to what We (Allah)
have revealed to you, ask those who
read the Book before you; certainly
the truth has come to you from your
Lord, therefore you should not be of
the disputers.”
Jews & Christians: Obey the Bible
Sura 5:68 Say: "O People of the
Book! ye have no ground to stand
upon unless ye stand fast by the
Law, the Gospel, and all the
revelation that has come to you from
your Lord."
What About the “Peace” Verses
in the Qur’an?
Answer: They have been
abrogated!
Qur’anic Teachings can be
Changed (Abrogation)
Sura 2:106 “Whatever
communications We abrogate or
cause to be forgotten, We bring
one better than it or like it. Do
you not know that Allah has
power over all things?”
Qur’anic Teachings can be
Changed (Abrogation)
Sura 16:101 “When We
substitute one revelation for
another, and Allah knows best
what He reveals (in stages), they
say, ‘Thou art but a forger’: but
most of them understand not.”
The Bottom Line: Jihad
Abrogates Peace
All Jihad verses cited are from
later Medinan period and thus
abrogate the earlier more
peaceful Meccan verses.
Note: Muhammad became more
belligerent after A.D. 622 as he
gained power in Medina.
The Conclusion:
Most Muslims believe in peace, but—
Those who practice violence, have-Their founder,
Their history,
Their Holy Book,
and their Traditions--
On their side!
What About the Crusades and
the KKK?
A Strong Contrast
JIHAD
CRUSADES
Consistent with Teachings
of the Qur’an (Sura 9:5)
Contrary to Teachings of the
New Testament (Mt. 26:52)
Consistent with Example
of Muhammad
Contrary to Example of Jesus
Christ
Logical Outworking of
Islam
Illogical Outworking of
Christianity
Islam grew by use of
the sword on others
Christianity grew by use of
the sword on it
Jesus Declared:
“My peace I give unto you.”
“Blessed are the peacemakers”
ACCORDING TO ISLAM
MUHAMMAD
Not Virgin Born
JESUS
Virgin Born
Not Sinless
Sinless
Not Messiah
Called Messiah
No Miracles
Did Miracles
Not Word of God
Called Word of God
Body in Grave
Body in Heaven
Reaching Muslims
1. Build a personal relationship with them..
2. Pray with them. Prayer is important to
them.
3. Handle the Bible and Qur’an respectfully.
4. Ask questions instead of assuming you
know what they believe (beliefs of
individuals often differ from official
doctrine).
Reaching Muslims
5. Don’t criticize Muhammad. Cite Jesus:
His love, His example, His sacrifice and
the relationship He has with believers.
6. Ask them why the Qur’an commands
Christians to obey the Gospel (Sura
5:68), especially if the “Book” (the Bible)
has been corrupted.
Reaching Muslims
7. If they ask you, “Do you believe in the
Trinity?” ask them to define what they
mean by the Trinity.
Father
Who¹
Father
Divine
Nature
Son
Human
Nature
Holy
Spirit
What¹
(Divine Nature)
Who²
(Son)
What²
Human Nature
Who³
(Holy Spirit)
We are in a Spiritual Battle
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and
blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rules of the darkness
of this age…. Therefore take up the whole
armor of God…. Praying always, with all
prayer and supplication in the Spirit….”
(Eph. 6:12-18).
The Call of Muhammad
“Stricken with panic, Muhammad
arose and asked himself, ‘What did
I see? Did possession of the Devil
which I feared all along come to
pass?’…He feared the cave might
be haunted.”
(Muslim biographer, M. H. Haykal, The Life of
Muhammad, 74)
The Call of Muhammad
“Muhammad had not moved from
his spot when revelation came to
him accompanied by the usual
convulsions…. Muhammad
recovered, he sat up and began to
wipe his forehead where beads of
perspiration had gathered.”
(Haykal, 337)
The Call of Muhammad
“As she did on earlier occasions when
Muhammad feared possession by the
devil, so now stood firm by her husband
and devoid of the slightest doubt…she
said to him, ‘Joy to my cousin! Be firm.
By him who dominated Khadijah’s soul I
pray and hope that you will be the
Prophet of this nation.’” (Haykal, 75)
Commands to Kill
God who gives life can take it
QUR’AN
OLD TESTAMENT
On Innocent
On Guilty
For Religious Reasons
For Moral Reasons
As a First Resort
As a Last Resort
On all Unbelievers
On some Unbelievers
At any Time
At a Specific Time
For Redeeming No One
For Redeeming Everyone
An act of Man
An act of God
Not Confirmed by God
Confirmed by God
SUNNI
1. 80% of Muslims
2. Elect Muhammad’s
successor
3. Emphasize authority
of other written
traditions: the
Sunnah (conduct)
and Hadith (sayings)
4. Believe in
separation of
religious and civil
authorities
SHI’ITE
1. Less than 20% of
Muslims
2. Muhammad’s
successor was his
cousin, Ali
3. Emphasize authority
of Imam (similar to
the Catholic Pope)
4. Believe religious
authorities should be
in political power
ISLAM
CHRISTIANITY
GOD: absolute one
GOD: 3 persons in 1 essence
HUMANITY: good by nature
HUMANITY: sinful by nature
JESUS: major prophet
who performed miracles
but was not God
JESUS: second person of
eternal Trinity; added
humanity in the incarnation
DEATH OF CHRIST:
Judas, not Christ
DEATH OF CHRIST: died and
rose in same physical body
BIBLE: corrupted
BIBLE: Word of God
SALVATION: Work toward
salvation; good deeds
must outweigh bad ones
SALVATION: Free gift of
forgiveness and physical
resurrection via faith in
Christ’s atoning work
Qur’an is Muhammad’s “Sign”
Sura 29:50-51 And they say: Why are not
signs sent down upon him from his Lord?
Say: The signs are only with Allah, and I am
only a plain warner. Is it not enough for
them that We have revealed to you the
Book which is recited to them? Most surely
there is mercy in this and a reminder for a
people who believe.