Islam

Islam

Nairobi, Kenya

Islam & 10-40 Window

The 10/40 Window is an area of the world that contains the largest population of non-Christians in the world. The area extends from 10 degrees to 40 degrees North of the equator, and stretches from North Africa across to China. Most of the people groups are Muslim and Folk Muslim

• Islam: 1.3 Billion• 22% of world population

• Second largest world religion• Christianity 32% (2 Billion)• Hinduism 15%• Secular/Non-religious 14%

Islam World Status

Historical Development

• Muhammad • Born 570 near Mecca• Orphaned at age six and raised by his

grandfather and then his uncle – Abu Talib• Grew up in idolatrous life and religious diversity

• Jews, Christians & Zoroastrianism

• Hanif – “pious one” worship one God

• Bible not in Arabic yet

• Most probably illiterate


• Muhammad • Tradition of a journey to Syria with his uncle’s

caravan (582)• Prophecy of a Syrian monk, Bahira

• Mark of prophet between shoulder blades, don’t let the Jews know

• Married a wealthy widow (Khadija) and prospered in trade

Historical Development• Mohammad – First vision to the Hijra (610-22)

• First revelation 610• While meditating in a cave on the Mount of Light

overlooking the plain of Arafat outside Mecca

• Gabriel spoke to him and said “Recite”.

• Became a uncompromising prophet


• Began his prophetic work in Mecca• Arabia – Main thoroughfare for commerce, lots of

contact with other peoples and religions

• Mecca – Major oasis for trade, 360 idols in temple• On entrance could see Allah’s three sensuous daughters (al-Lat,

al-Manat, and al-Uzza)

• Ka’ba (cube) cubed shaped shrine dedicated to the main God of the shrine, Hubal. Built into the side was a meteorite, sacred from heaven.

• Sacred well of Zamzam


• Three primary points of his message• Oneness of God - there is only one God to whom people

must submit (tawid – oneness)

• Warner - the day of judgment is coming to judge whether people obeyed God or not

• Care for orphans and elderly

• Hijra (Emigration) to Ethiopia (615)• Protection of Christian nation because of persecution


• Compromise (Satanic verses)• At this time he was under a lot of pressure to compromise with the

Meccan polytheistic ways• Gave recognition to other deities in Sura 53• Salman Rudhdie’s book, The Satanic Verses, based on the deleted

phrase, “Have you thought of al-Lat and al-‘Uza and Manat the third, the other?… These are the exalted Gharaniq [birds?] whose intercession is approved.”

• Now reads “Have ye seen Lat and Uzza and another; the third, Manat? What! For you the male sex, and for Him, the female? Behold, such would be indeed a division most unfair! These are nothing but names which ye have devised—ye and your fathers—For which Allah has sent down no authority.”

• Not a Christian source as only comes from Muslim sources• Muslim writer Al-Tabari (923) argued Satan put it on

Muhammad’s tongue• Some deny its existence or interjected by bystanders


• Death of Khadija and his Uncle (619)• Protection by his uncle as clan leader now gone

• New leader Abd al-Uzza ibn Abd al-Muttalib or nickname Abu Lahab (Father of Flames)

• Negative view of Abu Lahab and his wife in Sura 111


• Fled to Yathrib (Madina), is call the “hijra” (flight)• After ten years had a sizable following• Referred to their belief as “Islam” meaning “submission

to God,” Muslims are “those who submit to God”• Conflict with Mecca, 622 the city fathers of Mecca

expelled them, they were bad for business at the shrines• First contact with Yathrib (Madina)• First oath of al-‘Aqaba (oath of women)• Not bound to fight for Muhammad• Second oath of al-‘Aqaba (622)• Umma was born – an independent Muslim community• Islamic calendar is begun from this date “anno hegirae”

(July 16, 622)

Historical Development• Yathrib Hijra to the Submission of Mecca:

622-630• Madina (622)

• Attempted assassination of Muhammad by one man from each clan of the Quraysh tribe

• Escaped with Abu Bakr to Madina

• Set up home and first Mosque• New name Madina al-Nabi (City of the prophet) or Madina

• Constitution• Emigrants – Muhammad’s followers from Mecca

• Helpers – Muhammad’s followers from Madina

• Law codes for Arabs and Jews

• Freedom of religion if acknowledge his authority


622-630• Nakhla raid success and beginning of (624)

• Raided Meccan caravans that came near Madina (razzia – caravan raiding a common practice between Arab groups)

• Nakhla raid took place during a sacred month so broke Arab tradition

• Muhammad announce a new revelation to justify it (Sura 2:217)

• Cemented division between Meccans and Muhammad• Raiding became a religious duty (Jihad), transcending

Arab customs (Jihad – to strive or struggle)• More people were attracted to Muhammad

Madina – first community of Islam

Mecca – captured by Muhammad and his forces in A.D. 630


622-630• Battle of Uhud: paradise to those killed in Jihad

(625)• Muhammad defeated because followers failed to follow

his direction

• Idea became entrenched to if Muslims stay true to Islam they will succeed

• Failure is the loss of Allah’s favor

• Promise of Paradise (Sura 3:169; context of battle 3:159)

• Also, promise of forgiveness of sins


622-630• Siege of Madina (627)

• Battle of the Ditch

• Not much of a battle as the cavalry could not go to the city because of ditch

• Water the issue and only available in the city so Meccans returned

• Massacre of Qurayza Jews• Jews charged with leaking Muhammad’s plans

• 600-700 men beheaded; property taken and women and children taken into slavery


622-630• Pilgrimage failure (628)

• Not welcomed so returned

• Captured Mecca and cleansed it of idol (630)• Ka’ba was emptied of idols

• Submission of Mecca to Muhammad’s death: 630-632 (2 years)• Battle of Hunayn; defeat of Hawazin (630)• Muhammad’s “Greater Pilgrimage” (March 632)• Death of Muhammad (June 8, 632 )

Ka’ba

Ka’ba

Historical Development• Division of Islam

• Death of Muhammad caused a search for the new caliph (Caliph – viceroy or successor to enforce Koran)

• No sons from wives, prophet allowed more (Sura 33:50)

• Two primary ones• His son-in-law of his favorite daughter (Fatima), Ali ibn

Abu Talib (Muhammad’s uncle, married his daughter)• His father-in-law and close friend, Abu Bakr

• Father of Aisha, Muhammad’s favorite wife

• The majority preferred Abu Bakr• General consensus (Sunna) chose Abu Bakr – thus the

Sunni branch -- Sunnites• The minority (Shi’a) went with Ali – Shi’ites


• Division of Islam - Four rightly guided Caliphs• Abu Bakr (632-634)

• Follower of many years even to Madina

• Father-in-law to Muhammad, favorite wife Aisha

• Convinced people their allegiance was to Islam, not Muhammad

• Initiated the process of collecting Muhammad’s teachings which would eventually make-up the Qur’an

Historical DevelopmentFour Rightly Guided Caliphs

Abu Bakr (632-634) – Muhammad’s Viceregent

• Division of Islam - Four rightly guided Caliphs• Umar (634-644)

• His daughter, one of Muhammad’s wives; with him on the Hijra to Madina

• Accomplishments• Times of prayer; Details of the pilgrimage; Rules related to

Ramadan fast formalized; Laid foundation for Shari’a law• Only five or six hundred out of 6,000 have any bearing on Shari’a

& most of those are related to Ka’ba ritual and pilgrimage; very little legislative material


• Division of Islam - Four rightly guided Caliphs• Umar (634-644)

• Accomplishments• Holistic religion created• New calendar begins with Hijra to Madina as year 1 (= 622)• Spread of Islam: North – Syria; East – Mesopotamia (Persian and

Christian Byzantine gave way); West – North Africa beyond Alexandria

• Umar murdered by poison; probably by supporters of Ali ibn Abu Talib (Christian slave or Persian captive)


Umar (634-644) – Commander of the Faithful


• Division of Islam - Four rightly guided Caliphs• Uthman (644-656)

• Umayyad clan from Mecca; not a Hashmite like Muhammad and the first two Caliphs

• Accomplishments• Islam continued to expand by war• Plunder no longer kept by soldiers but revenues to go to Islamic

state• Uthman collected the sayings of Muhammad and issued the

authoritative edition of the Qur’an.• Cause more division as he appointed more Meccans to positions of

power

• Appointed his nephew, Mu’awiya as governor of Syria• Uthman stabbed to death


Uthman (644-656) – The Generous


• Division of Islam - Four rightly guided Caliphs• Ali ibn Abu Talib (656-661)

• Son of Abu Talib, Muhammad’s uncle and married to Fatima, Muhammad’s daughter• He had been view by many as the true successor from the

beginning

• Defeated Aisha’s (Muhammad’s wife) army – Battle of the Camel

• Mu’awiya brought an army• Arbitration between the two but because Ali failed to take

revenge for the murder of Uthman both became Caliphs• Two Caliphs: Ali and Mu’awiya

• After Ali’s death Mu’awiya leader and brings the beginning of the Umayyad Caliphate.


Ali ibn Abu Talib (656-661) – Commander of the Faithful


Historical Development• Succession Leading to Division of Islam • Sunni

• Abu Bakr (622-634) died of illness• Muhammad’s father-in-Law

• Umar (634-644) poisoned• Uthman (644-656) stabbed to death

• Shi’a branch begins• Ali succeeded Uthman (656-661) • Ali and Mu’awiyah armies arrayed against each

other but when Ali sought to mediate the conflict his followers killed him

• Hashemite clan• Mu’awiyah upholds Sunni branch (661-680)

• Mu’awiyah – governor of Syria• Umayyad clan caliphate last almost 100 years

Ali Ibn Abu Talib

Four Rightly Guided Caliphs• 1st – Abu Bakr (Muhammad’s father-in-law;

father of his favorite wife, Aisha, and follower of many years)

• 2nd – Umar (his daughter had been one of Muhammad’s wives and he had been with him on the Hijra to Madina)

• 3rd – Uthman (from Mecca and Umayyad clan not the Hashimite)

• 4th – Ali ibn Abu Talib (son of Abu Talib, Muhammad’s uncle and married to Fatima, Muhammad’s daughter) – Hashimite Clan

Islam’s Main Divisions

Muhammad

Sunni Shi’a

Sufis

Line of son-in-law of Muhammad Abu Talib

Ali (656-661)

Three Rightly Guided Caliph

Uthman

Prophetic

Authoritative

Minister

Leader

Umayyad Clan Hashimite Clan

The Quraysh Tribe

The Kharijis

Thought comprimised with

Umayyad by allowing

government positions


• Shi’a succession• Ali succeeded by Hasan, grandson of Muhammad• Husayn took up the mantle after Hasan abdicated

and was shortly poisoned.• Husayn battled the Sunni at Karbala in 680 but

was defeated and his head thrown over the city wall• The Shi’ites celebrate this day each year (10th day of

Muharram) with reenactment and whipping themselves and may be a day of revenge (NOTE: this was the day when the radicals took the U.S. embassy personnel hostage in Teheran on Nov. 4, 1979).

Ali Ibn Abu Talib

Historical Development• Shi’a succession

• Follow the line of Husayn• Each successor receives the “‘ilm” – designation of

succession, “nass”- supernatural spiritual knowledge to carry on the prophetic leadership.

• Successors are called “imams”• Can just refer to prayer leader in a Sunni mosque• Also refers to the spiritual and political leader of the Shi’ites• Imam’s interpretation of the Qur’an is considered infallible and

may imply sinlessness.

• First three caliphs are cursed on Friday in the services at the mosque

• Further divisions according to how many Imams each division recognized.

Historical Development• Shi’a succession - Twelvers (Imamites)

• Recognize twelve Imams of succession. The last is Muhammad al-Muntazar who disappeared at five years old and is said to live in concealment but will someday return to be known as the “Mahdi” and establish universal Islamic rule.

• Until the Mahdi – Imams rule as caretakers• Hierarchy

• Imam – has divine guidance and infallible• Ayatollahs (limited number) – authority over shi’a community

and gives legal decisions on their own knowledge of the law• Mullahs (many) – teachers of law

• Imam’s decisions on any issue, religious, social, or political is binding.

• Majority of Iran (90%) and Iraq (63%; Sunni 34%)• Lebanon (36%, Sunni – 22%)

Leadership of IslamMuhammad 570-610

SunniAbu Bakr (622-634)*Umar (634-644)*Uthman (644-656) 1st Umayyad*

Ma’awiya (661-680)Umayyad Dynasty (661-750)

Abbasid Dynasty (750-909)

Seljuk Turks (1055-1243)Saladin and MamelukesOttoman Turks (1326-1917)

Shi’a

Twelvers (Imamites)• Ali (656-661)*• Hasan (d. 669)• Husayn (d. 680)• Alizain-al-Abidin (d. 712)• Muhammad-al-Bakir (d. 731)5. Zaid

Zaidites 6. Ja’far-al-Zadiq (d. 765)7. Musa-al-Kazim (d. 797)

8. Ali-al-Rida (d. 818)9. Mhuammad-al-Mawad (d. 835)10. Ali-al-Hadi (d. 868)11. Hasan-al-Askari (d. 847)12. Muhammad-al- Muntazar (d. 878)

7. IshmailIshmalites

Fatimids (909-1171)

* Four “rightly guided Caliphs”

Historical Development• Shi’a succession

• Fivers (Zaidites)• Smaller group located primarily in Yamen• Less radical

• Seveners (Ismailites)• Most radical theologically• Found in India, Pakistan and East Africa• True seventh imam was Ismail, incarnation of Allah

which unacceptable to other Muslims.• It was Ismail who went into concealment and will

return• Ascendancy over all of Islam through the Fatimid

dynasty from 909 to 1171

Historical Development• Sunni succession

• Umayyads (661-750)• Sunni leadership represented the majority of Muslims.

• The Umayyad tribe kept leadership until A.D. 750 with its capital at Damascus.

• Empire included all the Middle East extending through Persia (Iran), Egypt, North Africa, and Spain.

• Lull in divisional strife

• Frequent attempts to capture Constantinople

• Into Europe through Spain; stopped in France

• Dynasty falls after civil war with Muhammad’s uncle al-Abbas

Historical DevelopmentUmayyads (661-750)

Historical Development• Sunni succession

• Abbasid Dynasty to (750-909)• Baghdad the center

• High luxury from conquests

• Revival of the “true faith”

• Height of the culture

• Translated Egyptian, Persian, Greek and Roman works

• Fatimids – Shi’ite (909-1171)• Seljuk Turks• Saladin and Mamelukes• Ottoman Truks to 1917

Historical DevelopmentAbbasid Dynasty to (750-909)

Historical DevelopmentIslam Today – Sunni and Shia Map

Islam Worldview

Allah

Physical Realm

Spiritual Realm

Islam Transcendent Worldview

• World created by a sovereign transcendent God

• God rewards and punishes

• God demands submission and obedience

• God not influenced by His creation

• People exist in obedience to God

• Linear material world to eternal existence

Islam – Spiritual Reality• Ultimate reality

• Allah, Referred to in the plural (We, Us, Our)• Referred to as: Lord, The One, The Mighty, The

Powerful, The King, The Overcomer, The Avenger, The Dominator, The Slayer, The Provider, The Compassionate, The Merciful, The Forgiving, Also presented as loving

• Ninty-nine names for God• Described as:

• Absolute unitary (3:1, 4, 16; 6:101-102; 16:1-3; 21:22; 25:1-2; 37:4-5; 73:9; 112:1-4)

• All-seeing (6:59, 103; 18:25); All-hearing (2:257; 44:5)• All-speaking (18:109; 31:26)• All-knowing (2:27; 6:58; 31:22; 33:54; 58:7-8)• All-willing, i.e. irresistible (6:35; 13:33; 16:2, 9; 76:31;

85:16); All-powerful (2:19; 3:159; 55:16-17)

Islam – Spiritual Reality

Allah, Referred to in the plural (We, Us, Our) The Quran like the Holy Bible, uses plural pronouns for God.

Surah al-Anbiya’ 21:104-107 “And We did not send you (O Muhammad) except as a mercy to the world.”

This is part of the tidings of the things unseen, which We reveal unto thee (O Apostle!) by inspiration: You were not with them when they cast lots with arrows, as to which of them should be charged with the care of Mary: Nor were you with them when they disputed (the point). S. 3:44 Y. Ali

And no soul can die except by ALLAH's leave, - a decree with a fixed term. And whoever desires the reward of the present world, WE will give him thereof; and whoever desires the reward of the Hereafter, WE will give him thereof; and WE will surely reward the grateful. S. 3:145 Shakir

Islam – Spiritual Reality• Spiritual beings

• Angels (malak)• Devil (Iblis)• Demons (jinns)

• Type of spiritual existence• Heaven – sensual joy (52:17-22; 56:12-23)

Garden of Felicity (37:43)Young & beautiful chaste women (37:48; 52:20; 56:22; 55:72; 44:54)

• Hell – torment and punishment (14:34; 18:28; 20:76)

• Relationship to humanity• Generally transcendent• Not personal• Sovereign

Five Pillars of Islam

GodAngels Spirits Prophets Books Judgment Decrees

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PRA

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FAST

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PILG

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Primary Beliefs

Islam – Physical World

Belief system – Five Pillars

• Mainly about practice – Five Pillars are Essential but not exhaustive.• Confession (shahada)

• “There is no God but God, and Muhammad is the apostle of God.”

• Speaking this confession and meaning it is all one needs to do to become a Muslim

• First step to salvation but no guarantee

Islam – Physical WorldBelief system – Five Pillars

• Prayer (salat)• Five times a day

• Call to prayer at appropriate time by muezzin• Now have an i-phone that reminds them of the time

for prayer and which direction Mecca is.• Anywhere but preferably in a Mosque for men• Ritual washing before prayer

• Wash hands, feet, eyes, ears, nose, mouth• Avoid bodily excretions and opposite sex


Prayer (salat) video Main hall for prayer by putting head to floor

• Women in balcony or backroom• Niche in main room indicated direction of Mecca

but originally toward Jerusalem, change after conflict with Jews at Medina

• Pulpit and Qur’an on a stand• Remove shoes before entering hall• Pray rug put down sanctifies the spot• Stand in rows and get in different positions as

called out by prayer leader• After prayer people greet each other• Friday has prayer & sermon for family worship


• Fasting (sawm)• During month of Ramadan

• Muhammad received his first revelation during that month

• Sunup to sundown

• No sexual relations

• Not a sip of water

• Eid-al-fitr – special service first day after Ramadan with mosque service, families decorate home and exchange presents.


Belief system – Five Pillars• Almsgiving (zakat)

• Practice regular charity according to the Qur’an but not specified how

• In the shari’a the commandment has been formalized and may be an obligation, 1/40 of net profit or 2.5%.


Belief system – Five Pillars• Pilgrimage (hajj)

• If possible, a Muslim should travel to Mecca at least once.

• The last month of the Islamic calendar is set aside for the pilgrimage.


Belief system – Five Pillars• Pilgrimage (hajj)

• Other holy cities • Medina – Muhammad buried there

• Jerusalem – Muhammad ascended into heaven there once; Dome on the Rock marks the spot

• Shi’ites – have Qum and Karbala• May pilgrimage to graves of holy men

• Someone can go in another’s place• After going receives and honorary title, hajji

and may have his house marked some way and wear some symbol, e.g. different hat


Pilgrimage (hajj) – Seven Stages1. Preparation – arrival at Jidda on coast and

purity washing; Men shave their heads and wear two triangular pieces of cloth.

2. Tawaf – entering Mecca and walking around the Ka’ba seven times ending with touching the sacred meteorite stone.

3. Running between Marwa and Safa – where Hagar ran until an angel provided water. The grand mosque incorporates this sight with a long hallway. Conclude by drinking at the well of Zamzam.


Pilgrimage (hajj) – Seven Stages4. Assemble at Plain of Arafat at foot of Mt. of Mercy

where Muhammad delivered his last sermon. From afternoon till sunset stand meditating praying and reading Qur’an (high point of hajj)

5. Sacrifice at Mina – sacrifice a sheep or goat and have a feast. It commemorates Abraham’s sacrifice of an animal in place of Ishmael (note not Isaac).

6. Stoning the devil – throw nine rocks at three pillars representing the devil.

7. Final tawaf – back in Mecca to walk around Ka’ba one time to complete pilgrimage.

Islam – Primary Beliefs

• Oneness of God

• Angels & Spirits

• Prophets

• Books

• Judgment

• Decrees of God


Oneness of God• There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is

the messenger (prophet)• Historical origin points to Allah as God of

Abraham• Theologically Allah may not be same

• Unitarian, no trinity

• God is mostly transcendent

• To identify God with any finite or created being is “shirk” (idolatry)


Oneness of God• Blessed be He who has sent down salvation

upon His servant, that he may be a warner to all beings; to whom belongs the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth; and He has not taken to Him a son, and He has no associate in the Kingdom (Surah 25:2).

• Say; He is God, One, God, the Everlasting Refuge who has not begotten, and has not been begotten and equal to Him is not anyone (Surah 112)


Power of God• Omnipresent, Omniscient, Omnipotent

Creator of the universe• Surely your Lord is God, who created the heavens

and the earth in six days then sat Himself upon the Throne, covering the day with the night it pursues urgently and the sun, and the moon, and the stars subservient, by His command. Verily, His are the creation and the command. Blessed be God, the Lord of all Being (Surah 7:54).

• Is also characterized as by justice and mercy


Angels & Spirits

• Gabriel and three other archangels and many other angels (malak)

• Evil spirits (jinn) lead by the devil• Cause physical harm

• Tempt to compromise obedience to Allah

• Folk Islam more concerned with keeping evil spirits away


Prophets• At times God reveals his will to prophets because

they have overcome their struggle with sin.• Directed by God’s inspiration• Prophet is an apostle if he provides a book for his

community.

• Prophet preaches submission to the one God and the coming judgment.

Islam – Primary BeliefsProphets

• Qur’an mentions some biblical prophets visited on his journey to heaven (seven levels)

• Adam• Noah• Abraham• Moses• David• Jesus & John the Baptist

• Line of prophets complete when the Mahdi returns to setup universal Islam

• Sunni Muslim most accepted is that Muhammad was the final prophet


Books• Prophets produce books• Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians are “people

of the book”

• “People of the book” upon paying taxes were protected in theory but not always in practice but Muhammad left room for their entrance into heaven


Judgment• Appointed day only God knows• Trumpet will sound - General resurrection• Everyone confronted with the deeds they have

done in life.• Righteous receive the book of their deeds in

their right hand while the wicked in their left hand (unclean hand)


Judgment• Those who have submitted to Allah’s will

received heaven• Allah is most gracious and merciful and may

forgive devout people certain sins.• Heaven and Hell – physical pleasure and

torment, highly sensual• Garden of Felicity (37:43)• Young & beautiful chaste women (37:48; 52:20; 56:22; 55:72;

44:54)

• Assurance of entry into heaven is considered presumptuous and dictating to God.


Decrees of God• Allah is sovereign• Allah’s will comes to pass• Fairly deterministic

• Arguments over free will as to whether the sovereignty of God precludes free will

Islam – Other Beliefs• Categories of ethical actions

• Fard – obligatory actions• Haram – prohibited actions, e.g. idolatry• Halal – permitted actions

• Diet• Pork prohibited• Alcohol prohibited

• Prohibitions• Gambling• Usury

Islam – Other Beliefs

• Modesty of dress• Both men and women• The robes with only the eyes showing is not

from the Qur’an• Woman is not to dress in away that shows-

off her beauty• Interpretation requires her body be covered

including arms and legs, hair and sides of face covered

• Men not to expose above elbows

Islam – Other Beliefs

• Marriage and status of women• Male dominate• Can divorce by public statement three

times, usually at different times, “I divorce you.”

• Do have a right to inheritance and cannot be divorced penniless

• Qur’anic practice and reality diverge

Islam – Jihad

• Holy War (jihad- “ struggle on the behalf of God”)

• Five principles of holy war• Physical violence cannot be used to further Islam

• Islam is to be propagated by reason and persuasion

• Islamic country is justified in attacking if attacked.

• If a non-Islamic country uses physical force to repress the exercise of Islam it constitutes physical aggression

• Any country that was Islamic cannot revert, any attempt to do so can be met with a jihad.

Islam – Jihad

• Islam and the view of humanity• Dar al-Islam – land of those who have

submitted to Allah, Muslim community (umma).

• Dar al-harb – land of war or conflict in which non-Muslims dwell

• Property of infidel belong to the umma – Jihad seeks to reclaim all property and bring it into the Dar al-Islam (this is seen as the only godly way to bring harmony)

Islam – Jihad

• Interpretations• Struggle to bring their own hearts and lives in

conformity to the will of God.• Anyone not of Islam that is seen as a threat

may bring a jihad to bear on it• Interpretation can be that if the emissaries go

to a country and ask them to join them and they refuse, then they are suppressing the spread of Islam.

Islam – Jihad

• Martyrs• Guaranteed a place in paradise• Paradise a place of fulfilling desires • Virgins promised (Sura 55:47-59; 37:48; 52:17-

20; 56:17, 22)

Qur’an• Sacred writings - Koran or Qur’an

• Uthman and his associates collected saying of Muhammad recorded by others

• Kept what was authentic and destroyed the rest• That is the Qur’an even today

• Ultimate source of Islamic authority• Given to Muhammad by angel Gabriel• Earthly version of the heavenly book (um-al-kitab =

mother of all books)• Muhammad was privileged to convey the earthly version

with specific instructions.• Only authoritative in Arabic, no translation can be

authentic

Qur’an

• Content of Qur’an• About the size of New Testament• 114 chapters called suras divided into verses

“ayat”• Arranged from longer to shorter suras which

does not put it in chronological order (closer to reverse order)

• All but one sura begins with “in the name of Allah, the most gracious and most merciful.”

• Many references to biblical materials (see sura 2 on Adam’s sin)

Writings of Islam

• Sunna and hadiths• Any issues not addressed by the Qur’an then the

prophet’s life and informal sayings are the authority.

• Hadiths – traditions which were collected in the first generation, these are sunna (consensus) – hadiths point to Muhammad’s actual life as indications of how Muslims should act.

Shari’a Law

• Shari’a• Qur’an and hadiths must be interpreted

correctly therefore shari’a developed – “Islamic law”

• Four schools of law in Sunni Islam• Shi’a is a fifth school where the Imam is the

final point of authority and rejects the hadiths.

Sufism

• Sufism• Mystical tradition• Islamic mystics – Sufis• Arose in the 8th century• Direct experience of Allah• Famous Sufis ‘ Rumi Persian Poet and al-

Ghazali who provided a comprehensive theology of Sufism

• Example “whirling dervishes”

Islam & Christianity

• Christian references• Dozens of references to Christ• See him as a prophet• Teaches his virgin birth (3:45-47)• Speaks of his miracles (3:49)• Mentions his ascension (4:158)

Islam & Christianity

• Christian references

• Two non-negotiable points on Jesus• Jesus Christ cannot be God (5:116)

• Polytheistic ideas

• Christ did not die on the cross (4:157)• God would not let his prophet suffer that way

• Reject substitutionary atonement as barbaric and contrary to the nature of God.

• Believe Jews were deceived in believing the crucified Jesus or actually crucified Simon of Cyrene.

Islam and Christianiy• Trinity (Surah 4:171)

• Against the concept of Trinity in the sense of tritheism• Elevate Jesus from prophet to divine status (Surah 9:30, 31)

• Jesus was incorrectly elevated by people to divine status

• May be a reaction to adoptionism and Arianism• belief that Jesus was born merely human and that he became divine

later in his life

• Jesus was not of one substance with the Father and that there had been a time before he existed

• Surah 19:37 “the sects are divided concerning Jesus”

• Son of Mary

• Equates worship of Mary and Christ

Islam and Christianiy• Contact with Christianity?

• Nestorians who fled to Arabia (two natures of Christ not united)

• Monophysites who fled to Arabia (divine nature obliterates human nature)

• Chalcedon council (451) condemned heresies

• Allah begetting (Surah 19:35; 112:3; 72:3)• Shirk (idolatry) passages (Surah 17:11)

• Allah has no partner in his kingdom• What does partner mean?• Reaction to polytheism that may have been assumed to

be a part of Christianity

Bridges to Muslims• Prayer to God is highly valued• God as the God of Abraham• Importance of Isa (Christ and His teaching)• Following the words of the prophets• Judgment Day• Spiritual realm• Importance of family• Hospitality• Moral living as taught in the Bible• God’s goodness, love, reliability, and care for his

servants.

Biblical Themes thatAppeal to Muslims

• Prayer to God, for protection and healing• God’s goodness, love, reliability, and care for his

servants.• God’s guidance of history towards good ends as he

works through events to oppose evil, to train his servants in righteousness and truth, and to fulfill his good purpose for his people.

• The portrait of Jesus himself: his kindness, devotion, wisdom, power, self-sacrifice and ongoing reign as Savior and King. (His death is and issue)


• The love and forgiveness exhibited by true followers of Jesus.

• The offer of personal forgiveness and acceptance by God.

• The offer of assured and complete salvation from hell and acceptance into God’s kingdom.

• The offer of a personal relationship with the Lord, fully realized in the next life.

• The offer of inner cleansing and renewal through God’s power (role of Holy Spirit can raise issues)


• The offer and example of grace to live a godly life through the strengthening and guidance of the God.

• Power to resist and repel Satan and evil spirits in Jesus’ name.

• Christian ethical standards

Suras 33:50

• [50] O Prophet! surely We have made lawful to you your wives whom you have given their dowries, and those whom your right hand possesses out of those whom Allah has given to you as prisoners of war, and the daughters of your paternal uncles and the daughters of your paternal aunts, and the daughters of your maternal uncles and the daughters of your maternal aunts who fled with you; and a believing woman if she gave herself to the Prophet, if the Prophet desired to marry her-- specially for you, not for the (rest of) believers; We know what We have ordained for them concerning their wives and those whom their right hands possess in order that no blame may attach to you; and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

The Quran (M. H. Shakir, Ed.). Medford, MA: Perseus Digital Library.

Suras 6:101-103

• [101] Wonderful Originator of the heavens and the earth! How could He have a son when He has no consort, and He (Himself) created everything, and He is the Knower of all things. [102] That is Allah, your Lord, there is no god but He; the Creator of all things, therefore serve Him, and He has charge of all things. [103] Vision comprehends Him not, and He comprehends (all) vision; and He is the Knower of subtleties, the Aware.


Suras 6:59

• [59] And with Him are the keys of the unseen treasures-- none knows them but He; and He knows what is in the land and the sea, and there falls not a leaf but He knows it, nor a grain in the darkness of the earth, nor anything green nor dry but (it is all) in a clear book.


Suras 21:104-105

• [104] On the day when We will roll up heaven like the rolling up of the scroll for writings, as We originated the first creation, (so) We shall reproduce it; a promise (binding on Us); surely We will bring it about. [105] And certainly We wrote in the Book after the reminder that (as for) the land, My righteous servants shall inherit it.


Suras 52:17-20

• [17] Surely those who guard (against evil) shall be in gardens and bliss [18] Rejoicing because of what their Lord gave them, and their Lord saved them from the punishment of the burning fire. [19] Eat and drink pleasantly for what you did, [20] Reclining on thrones set in lines, and We will unite them to large-eyed beautiful ones.


Suras 37:39-48

• [39] And you shall not be rewarded except (for) what you did. [40] Save the servants of Allah, the purified ones. [41] For them is a known sustenance, [42] Fruits, and they shall be highly honored, [43] In gardens of pleasure, [44] On thrones, facing each other. [45] A bowl shall be made to go round them from water running out of springs, [46] White, delicious to those who drink. [47] There shall be no trouble in it, nor shall they be exhausted therewith. [48] And with them shall be those who restrain the eyes, having beautiful eyes;


Suras 56:15-22

• [15] On thrones decorated, [16] Reclining on them, facing one another. [17] Round about them shall go youths never altering in age, [18] With goblets and ewers and a cup of pure drink; [19] They shall not be affected with headache thereby, nor shall they get exhausted, [20] And fruits such as they choose, [21] And the flesh of fowl such as they desire. [22] And pure, beautiful ones,


Suras 3:45-47

• [45] When the angels said: O Marium, surely Allah gives you good news with a Word from Him (of one) whose name is the '. Messiah, Isa son of Marium, worthy of regard in this world and the hereafter and of those who are made near (to Allah). [46] And he shall speak to the people when in the cradle and when of old age, and (he shall be) one of the good ones. [47] She said: My Lord! when shall there be a son (born) to I me, and man has not touched me? He said: Even so, Allah creates what He pleases; when He has decreed a matter, He only says to it, Be, and it is.


Suras 3:49

• [49] And (make him) a messenger to the children of Israel: That I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that I determine for you out of dust like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird with Allah's permission and I heal the blind and the leprous, and bring the dead to life with Allah's permission and I inform you of what you should eat and what you should store in your houses; most surely there is a sign in this for you, if you are believers.


Suras 4:156-158

• [156] And for their unbelief and for their having uttered against Marium a grievous calumny. [157] And their saying: Surely we have killed the Messiah, Isa son of Marium, the messenger of Allah; and they did not kill him nor did they crucify him, but it appeared to them so (like Isa) and most surely those who differ therein are only in a doubt about it; they have no knowledge respecting it, but only follow a conjecture, and they killed him not for sure. [158] Nay! Allah took him up to Himself; and Allah is Mighty, Wise.


Suras 5:116

• [116] And when Allah will say: O Isa son of Marium! did you say to men, Take me and my mother for two gods besides Allah he will say: Glory be to Thee, it did not befit me that I should say what I had no right to (say); if I had said it, Thou wouldst indeed have known it; Thou knowest what is in my mind, and I do not know what is in Thy mind, surely Thou art the great Knower of the unseen things.


Suras 4:171

• [171] O followers of the Book! do not exceed the limits in your religion, and do not speak (lies) against Allah, but (speak) the truth; the Messiah, Isa son of Marium is only a messenger of Allah and His Word which He communicated to Marium and a spirit from Him; believe therefore in Allah and His messengers, and say not, Three. Desist, it is better for you; Allah is only one Allah; far be It from His glory that He should have a son, whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is His, and Allah is sufficient for a Protector.


Suras 19:35

• [35] It beseems not Allah that He should take to Himself a ! son, glory to be Him; when He has decreed a matter He only says to it "Be," and it is.


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