Islam -- "The Way of Submission"
Islam is an eastern religion founded by Mohammed in AD 630. "Islam" is an Arabic word that means acceptance, surrender, submission or commitment. The term Muslim is an even more acceptable term used to describe the followers of Mohammed. It means "those who make or do Islam." Mohammed was born into a major family of Mecca in AD 570, but was orphaned early in life and adopted by a traveling uncle. He began speaking out against social injustice, the evils of wealth and paganism. He claimed the angel Gabriel told him to recite the words of God (Allah). It is said that Mohammed suffered from a form of epilepsy that caused him to go into "trances". The people of Mecca resisted his message of "repent, for the judgment of God is at hand". He and his followers were persecuted and fled Mecca. He gained acceptance and settled in Medina. This is where Islam is said to have begun. The Muslims waged war against Mecca in AD 624-630 with the attitude "God is with us". Mohammed became not only a religious and political leader, but also a military commander. Islam spread through intimidation and force. When Mohammed died in AD 632, the entire peninsula of Arabia was under the control of Islam.
Today Islam continues to be a social, political and religious system that is spread by the force of arms. It is estimated that as much as 1/5 of the world's population is Muslim. Islam claims to be a united religion, however as you can see in the news today, it fragmented into many different branches, some which are militantly hostile to each other. Islam is one of the greatest opponents to the gospel of Jesus Christ today -- and one of the fastest growing religions in the USA.
The Koran (Qur'an)is their infallible authority and guidebook in all things. Mohammed did not write it, for he was illiterate his whole life. It is said to be a collection of fragments written down by scribes on pieces of leather, bones, palm leaves, stones, boards and parchment over a span of 23 years. These writings were supposedly checked or approved by Mohammed himself. Two years before his death, the angel Gabriel announced that the Qur'an was the full and final revelation of God to man.
Islam's Five Pillars of Faith:
First Pillar of Faith: Shahada, The Profession of Faith. Profession that there is none other than Allah, the one God. Also included in this profession is the "last day" of Judgment of God.
Second Pillar of Faith: Salat, Ritual Daily Prayers. An essential religious duty. A fixed number of prayers as well as a specific manner in which to perform them is rigidly adhered to.
Third Pillar of Faith: Sawn, Fasting. A religious law. The sick or traveler is exempted from fasting, but they must complete the proper amount of days when they get better or return from their trip. Fasting is done on set occasions as well as to have sin forgiven.
Fourth Pillar of Faith: Zakat, Alms-giving. An outward sign of inward piety is linked to their salvation. This includes dictated offerings (1/40 of annual income) and free will offerings as a "loan-to-God">
Fifth Pillar of God: Haji, Pilgrimage. Ritual return to Mecca and prescribed ceremonies around the Kaaba (a cube shape stone in the center of Mecca's great mosque). This also includes journeys to the hills of Arafat and journeys to symbolize Hagars (Ishmael's mother) wanderings after being turned away from Abraham's family
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Islam |
The Word of God |
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"Allah is One" There is no Godhead. Qur'an 5:76
He controls the destiny of all mankind. (Interesting the Koran uses the term "we")
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"Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the same of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19)
"...Jesus also having been baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form, as a dove, upon him, and a voice came out of heaven, Thou art my beloved Son: in thee I am well pleased. (Luke 3:21,22)
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Both the Qur'an and the Bible are from God. Modern Muslims contend the Bible as we have it is corrupt and no longer pure.
The Old Testament biased by Jews -- Israel only.
The New Testament ideas set forth by the church.
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"I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel; which is not another gospel only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema. (Galatians 1:6-8)
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The Qur'an denies the divinity of Jesus. Qur'an 3:64, 4:171; 5:78; 9:30-31
Jesus was a prophet of God, pointing to the coming of Mohammed. Jesus was not curcified. Judas Iscariot was transformed to look and sound just like Jesus, and was crucified in his place on calvary. Claims of his diety is seen as blasphemy. He never claimed to be deity and always denied that he was the "Son of God".
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"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made." (John 1;1-3)
"Christ Jesus: who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men...Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name..." (Phil. 2:5-9)
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Under certain circumstances, the Qur'an advocates personal retaliation and vengeance. Qur'an 22:39-40
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"Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord. But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:19-21)
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The Qur'an teaches that those who actively or militantly oppose their faith are to be defeated. Qur'an 8:39; 47:4
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"Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you." (Matthew 5:10-12)
Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you." (Matthew 5:43,44)
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"But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither hath Christ been raised: and if Christ hath not been raised, then is our preaching vain, your faith also is vain." (1 Corinthians 15:13,14)
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Source: Traditions of Men Versus the Word of God by Alvin Jennings
Daniel S. Dow
Huntington Church of Christ
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