Download God Hears: A Christian/Islam Dialog

God Hears: A
Christian/Islam Dialog
The History of Islam in America
A Few Clarifications


What do I believe?
What is our objective?



Understanding
Dialog
What is our scope?



Four weeks
Foundations, History, Christian Examination,
Thoughts from a Muslim
Have to cover foundations this week…
Sunnis and Shi’ite


Islam as the umma, but several sects
Who should lead Islam? Muhammad’s descendents, or other?


Shi’ites believe




Imam – person leading prayer. But for Shi’ites it is also the single legitimate
ruler of Islam who is Muhammad’s descendent.
Only the Imam can decisive interpretation of religious and secular laws. His
election is predetermined by God and serves as a sinless carrier of God’s
law.
When the line of Muhammad was broken, they put their hopes in the Mahdi
who ghaybah (hiding).
Legal scholars can interpret the Qur’an accordingly – flexible.
Sunnis believe


Caliph should lead political and religious organization but is not vested with
divine authority.
They are much more strict in their use of Qur’anic law. Almost
restorationists.
A Brief History of
Christian/Islam Dialogue

Early encounters -- mutual tolerance but suspicion






O ye who believe! take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors; they
are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for
friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust. (Sura 5:51)
John of Damascus (750 A.D.) considered Islam an Arian sect of
Christianity.
711 Islam crossed the straits of Gibraltar into Europe
1095 – Pope Urban II calls for the liberation of Christ’s grave and
the Holy Lands thus the Crusades. Jerusalem is captured in
1099.
Middle Ages were filled with dialogue (Francis of Assisi (11821226), Ramon Lull (1235-1315), Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274),
Roger Bacon (1214-1294).
Luther rejected Islam theologically, but admired their morality.
“Rod of correction” – repentance not retaliation
Islam Comes To America


African Muslims were brought as slaves. (30,000)
Four waves of immigration





1875-1912: after Suez Canal
1918-1922: Ottoman Empire, Dearborn, MI
1930’s: “chain” immigration
1947: Post-war students and refugees.
Formed close knit communities because Islam
requires more than a “confession of faith.” It
requires essential practices (the five pillars).
American Islam

Wallace D. Fard (1930- disappeared 1934)



Detroit based movement among urban African-Americans. Began as in-home Bible
studies. Then rented space, then built the “Temple of Islam.” Left the Bible and
adopted the Qur’an.
Est. dietary laws, denounced the “white-devil,” glorified black Afro-Asia and saw
Christianity as white-man’s religion of oppression.
Elijah Muhammad was successor and established the “Nation of Islam”



Moved to Chicago as “Prophet of Allah” (Fard).
By 1950’s there were over 100,000 followers who believed in black superiority,
eventual dominance.
Non-Islamic ideas included:







Fard as manifestation of Muhammad
Elijah Muhammad as Allah’s last messenger
Allah is not a spirit, but a black human
Heaven and hell are not eternal, but here and now with no after-life.
Seven daily prayers instead of five.
Racism: human origins as black man, the white race was created by an evil black scientist
“Yakub,” who removed their humanity, 6,000 years rule of earth by whites was coming to
an end and will be replaced by legitimate black rule.
Created sense of identity in black communities and unifying vision of hope.
More American Islam

Malcolm X



Most prominent follower of Elijah Muhammad
Left Nation of Islam in 1964 after revelations about Elijah Muhammad’s misconduct.
After pilgrimage to Mecca, he disavowed his racist views of religion.



Changed his name to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz and was assassinated shortly after his
change of heart (2/22/95)
Wallace Deen (son of Elijah Muhammad)




“I lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers and I learned that pilgrims from every land—
every color, and class, and rand; high officials and beggars alike—all snored in the same
language.”
Renamed Nation of Islam as “World Community of al-Islam in the West (WCI)
(http://www.al-islam.org). Changed his name to Warith Deen.
Brought the movement into orthodox Islam
Was the only American invited to the 10th Ann. Islamic Conference of Ministers of
Foreign Affairs in 1978, and was designated as the “sole consultant and trustee” for the
recommendation and distribution of funds to Muslim organizations dedicated to
propagation of Islam in the west.
Louis Farrakhan led a major schism from Warith Deen and continues to teach
the “Nation of Islam” mythology of black dominance.