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Islam: Background and Beliefs Copyright by Norman Geisler 2008 Outline I. Background of Islam II. Basic Beliefs of Islam III. Basic Practices of Islam IV. Basic Sects of Islam V. Brief Comparison with Christianity Outline I. Background of Islam Outline I. Background of Islam A. Meaning of Islam Outline I. Background of Islam A. Meaning of Islam Islam means “submission” Outline I. Background of Islam A. Meaning of Islam Islam means “submission” Muslim means “submitted one” Outline I. Background of Islam A. Meaning of Islam Islam means “submission” Muslim means “submitted one” B. History of Islam A Brief History of Muhammad 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 Note: Islam spread as far as France by 732 where Charles Martel defeated the Islamic armies. The Statistics of Islam Today • • • • • • • 1.2 billion Muslims in the world 1/5 of the world’s population Second only to Christianity (1.8 billion) Fastest growing religion in the world About 3.3 million Muslims in the USA More Muslims than Methodists in America Biggest growth is among African Americans Outline I. Background of Islam II. Basic Beliefs of Islam Basic Beliefs of Muslims 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 it references the Law (Tawrat), Psalms (Zabur), and Gospels (Injil) which they believe have been corrupted (tahrif)) 5. Final day of judgment (heaven & hell) The “Sixth Pillar”--Jihad (Holy War) 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 (Muhammed). The questioner then asked, “What is the next (in goodness)?” He replied, “To participate in Jihad in Allah's Cause.” Jihad Against America: September 11, 2001 The Tactic of Terrorism 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.” The Islamic Jihad Against America “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) 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.” Outline 1. I. Background of Islam 2. II. Basic Beliefs of Islam 3. III. Basic Practices of Islam 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 Other Practices: Treatment of Women Polygamy: A man may have four wives: Sura 4:3: “If you fear that you cannot act equitably towards orphans, then marry such women as seem good to you, two and three and four....” Muhammad Could Have More Wives: He Had Up to Fifteen Wives • Sura 33:50: “O Prophet! We have made lawful to thee thy wives to whom thou hast paid their dowers; and those whom thy right hand possesses out of the prisoners of war whom Allah has assigned to thee…and any believing woman who dedicates her soul to the Prophet if the Prophet wishes to wed her-- this only for thee, and not for the Believers (at large).” It’s OK to Marry Adopted Son’s Divorced Wife: Sura 33:37: “Then when Zaid [Muhammad’s adopted son] had dissolved (his marriage) with her, with the necessary (formality), We joined her in marriage to thee: in order that (in future) there may be no difficulty to the Believers in (the matter of) marriage with the wives of their adopted sons.... And Allah's command must be fulfilled.” Wife Beating is Approved 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.” The Majority in Hell are Women 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.…” Women are Deficient in Intelligence Al Bukhari, Vol. 1, Bk. 6, 301 (Hadith): “I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you....” The women asked, “O Allah's messenger, what is deficient in our intelligence and religion?” He said, “Is not the evidence of two women equal to the witness of one man?” They replied in the affirmative. He said, “This is the deficiency in her intelligence….” 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 Unbelievers 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.” 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 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….” 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.” 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 poordue, 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.” Reward for Jehad • Sura 8:60: “Whatever you spend in the cause of Allah shall be repaid to you and you shall not be treated unjustly.” 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).” 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.” Various Views on Jihad • I. It is Purely a Spiritual Struggle. • II. It is Literal but only Defensive. • III. It is Literal and not Merely Defensive. Evidence from: – A. The Context in the Qur’an – B. The Example of Muhammad – C. The History of Islam A. The Context in the Qur’an • 1. The context is literal (killing, cutting, beating, etc.). • 2. Other events are taken literally (e.g., war in self-defense and idolatry. • 3. It was practiced literally by Muhammad. • 4. It was practiced literally by early Islam. B. The Example of Muhammad Muhammad Condoned killing of: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. --Unbelievers in general . --A Jew who wrote poetry against him. --Any Jew who fell into their hands. --600 to 900 Jews were killed. --A man who refused to help find treasure. --Meccans who satirized or insulted him. --A one-eyed shepherd who said he would never become a Muslim. 8. --A woman who wrote a poem against him. She was killed as she nursed her baby. (From Sirat Rasul Allah, earliest Life of Muhammad) C. Evidence from the History of Islam 1. Evidence from the Early Spread of Islam 2. Evidence From the Later Spread of Islam 4. Evidence from Recent Terrorism 1972: Munich Olympics 1979: U.S. Embassy in Iran Seized 1980s: Kidnappings in Lebanon 1983: Marine Barracks in Beruit Bombed 1985: Achille Lauro Hijacked 1985: TWA Flight Hijacked 1986: German Nightclub Bombed 1988: TWA Flight Bombed 1993: WTC Bombed 1996: Khobar Towers Bombed 1998: US Embassies Bombed 2000: USS Cole Bombed 2001: World Trade Center & Pentagon Attacked 2002: Bali Nightclub Bombed & Moscow Theatre 2003: Philippine Airport Bombed 2004: Madrid Train Bombed, Americans Beheaded 2005: London Transit/Car Bombs 2006: Hundreds of Attacks in Iraq 8,814 Attacks Since 9/11 Note: This does not count the hundreds of attacks against Israel Comparing Religious Wars 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 Outline 1. 2. 3. 4. I. Background of Islam II. Basic Beliefs of Islam III. Basic Practices of Islam IV. Basic Sects of Islam 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. About 10% of Muslims 2. Muhammad’s cousin, Ali succeeded Him 3. Emphasize authority of Imam (similar to the Catholic Pope) 4. Believe religious authorities should be in political power Smaller Sects of Islam • Sufis--A mystical pantheistic sect at the heart of the great Islamic civilization in the Middle Ages which included great minds like Ibn Sina (Avicenna), Ibn Rushd (Averroes), Al-Kindi, and Alfarabi. • Wahhabis--a militant sect primarily in Saudi Arabia that are strongly legalistic, radical, and antiAmerican. • There are also Druze (northern Palestine), Alawite (Syria), and Ahmadiyas (Parkistan). • Nation of Islam--a heretical Black American cult (led by Louis Farrakhan) that rejects traditional Muslim teachings and proclaims Muhammad Elijah Outline 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. I. Background of Islam II. Basic Beliefs of Islam III. Basic Practices of Islam IV. Basic Sects of Islam V. Brief Comparison with Christianity Comparing Doctrines ISLAM GOD: Only one person CHRISTIANITY GOD: 3 persons in one God HUMANITY: Good by nature HUMANITY: Sinful by nature JESUS: Merely a man, not God. JESUS: More than a man; He was God. DEATH OF CHRIST: He didn’t die or rise again DEATH OF CHRIST: He died and rose again in same body BIBLE: Corrupted BIBLE: Not corrupted SALVATION: By faith plus good works which outweigh bad ones SALVATION: Not by works but is a free gift of God for all who believe Comparing Leaders: According to the Qur’an MUHAMMAD JESUS Not Virgin Born 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 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). Commands to Kill The 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 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 verses and thus abrogate the earlier, more peaceful Meccan verses. Note: Muhammad became more belligerent after A.D. 622 as he gained power in Medina. What about later Suras that command peace and tolerance? They are not really commands for religious tolerance. . . . Is this a message of Tolerance? Sura 2:256 “There is no compulsion in religion.” This is not a message of religious tolerance but an admission that no one can be compelled to become a true believer. 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. 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." 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 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) From Al-Islam.org: A Muslim site condemning the 9-11 attacks “If it is a true religion, it must take up the sword and advance. To what point should it advance? To the point that they either submit and say, "We are Muslims," in which case they become your brothers, or they say, "We will retain our own religion and will carry on our own way of worship; but we will follow the public law of Islam." http://www.al-islam.org/beliefs/philosophy/jihadandshahadat.html 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. 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. 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. 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 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. 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 verses and thus abrogate the earlier, more peaceful Meccan verses. Note: Muhammad became more belligerent after A.D. 622 as he gained power in Medina. What about later Suras that command peace and tolerance? They are not really commands for religious tolerance. . . . Is this a message of Tolerance? Sura 2:256 “There is no compulsion in religion.” This is not a message of religious tolerance but an admission that no one can be compelled to become a true believer. 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. 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.