Islam

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Preliminary CommentsPreliminary Comments Ideas have consequencesIdeas have consequences The need to understand; “shrewd as The need to understand; “shrewd as

snakes and as innocent as doves.”snakes and as innocent as doves.” ““But in your hearts set apart Christ as But in your hearts set apart Christ as

Lord. Always be prepared to give an Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and have. But do this with gentleness and respect…”respect…” 1 Peter 3:161 Peter 3:16

Islam – Islam – Historical Historical ContextContext

1500BC1440 30AD 622 1823563

660600 1879

Abraham

Judaism18 Million

Islam1.3 Billion

Christianity2 Billion

Aryans

Hinduism900 Million

Buddhism360 Million

World ReligionsWorld Religions

Aryans

Hinduism900 Million

Buddhism360 Million

Muhammad

Sunnism Shi sm Sufism Ahmadis Nation of Islam

BabAli Mohammad Nusayris Yazidis Druzes

Baha AllahBaha i Fatih

Freemasonry

Ismalis

Nizaris

Musta lis

Wahabbis

IslamIslam

Islam - OriginIslam - Origin

MuhammadMuhammad

Born into the powerful Quraysh Born into the powerful Quraysh tribe in Mecca 570 A.D.tribe in Mecca 570 A.D.

Tradition has it that he was born Tradition has it that he was born clean, circumcised, with his navel clean, circumcised, with his navel cord cut.cord cut.

Married a wealthy widow Khadija 15 Married a wealthy widow Khadija 15 years his senior.years his senior.

In 610 A.D. (at 40) Muhammad In 610 A.D. (at 40) Muhammad receives his calling from the angel receives his calling from the angel Gabriel.Gabriel.

MuhammadMuhammad

Muhammad was deathly afraid of the Muhammad was deathly afraid of the source of his revelation.source of his revelation.

At first he thought it came from a jinn. At first he thought it came from a jinn. Khadija convinced him it was from God.Khadija convinced him it was from God.

After a three year period of silence the After a three year period of silence the messages began to come again.messages began to come again.

Hijra (622, flight), Battle of Badr, Battle Hijra (622, flight), Battle of Badr, Battle of Uhud, the siege of Medina, Mecca fallsof Uhud, the siege of Medina, Mecca falls

MuhammadMuhammad

Iqbal: “Love of the Prophet runs like blood Iqbal: “Love of the Prophet runs like blood in the veins of his community.” And “You in the veins of his community.” And “You can deny God, but you cannot deny the can deny God, but you cannot deny the Prophet.”Prophet.”

Although not considered divine, his Although not considered divine, his example is perfect.example is perfect.

Abdalati writes: “He stands in history as Abdalati writes: “He stands in history as the best model for man in piety and the best model for man in piety and perfection. He is a living proof of what perfection. He is a living proof of what man can be and of what he can accomplish man can be and of what he can accomplish in the realm of excellence and virtue.in the realm of excellence and virtue.

Islam – BeliefsIslam – Beliefs

What is What is IslamIslam??

IslamIslam (“submission”) (“submission”) is the religion of is the religion of all who believe all who believe that Muhammad that Muhammad was God’s was God’s prophet.prophet.

TheologyTheologyMonotheismMonotheismShirk (Idolatry)Shirk (Idolatry)Angels and JinnAngels and JinnSatanSatan

AnthropologyAnthropology Adam was the first man, created in Adam was the first man, created in

heaven and removed after he sinnedheaven and removed after he sinned Mankind was created innocent but Mankind was created innocent but

chose to sinchose to sin– Mankind is misled but not fallenMankind is misled but not fallen– We are intrinsically weak, frail, and We are intrinsically weak, frail, and

imperfect. We are forgetful of God.imperfect. We are forgetful of God.

SinSin

““...Islam teaches that people are ...Islam teaches that people are born innocent and remain so until born innocent and remain so until each makes him or herself guilty by a each makes him or herself guilty by a guilty deed. Islam does not believe guilty deed. Islam does not believe in ‘original sin’; and its scripture in ‘original sin’; and its scripture interprets Adam’s disobedience as interprets Adam’s disobedience as his own personal misdeed—a his own personal misdeed—a misdeed for which he repented and misdeed for which he repented and which God forgave.” Faruqi which God forgave.” Faruqi

RevelationRevelation

Every people have had a prophet Every people have had a prophet (124,000) and a book(124,000) and a book

Prophets are sinless (almost)Prophets are sinless (almost) ““Mother of the Book” (43:4, 13:39)Mother of the Book” (43:4, 13:39) Qur’an (Koran)Qur’an (Koran) HadithHadith

Qur’ anQur’ an

Dependence on the Jewish Talmud, Dependence on the Jewish Talmud, Jewish apocrypha, Christian apocrypha, Jewish apocrypha, Christian apocrypha, and Zoroastrian doctrinesand Zoroastrian doctrines

Borrows important practices from pre-Borrows important practices from pre-Islamic and pagan Arabia such as those Islamic and pagan Arabia such as those surrounding the visits to the hills of surrounding the visits to the hills of Safa and Marwas in the hajj ceremony, Safa and Marwas in the hajj ceremony, and also the throwing of stones against and also the throwing of stones against a stone pillar symbolizing Satana stone pillar symbolizing Satan

Qur’an (Koran)Qur’an (Koran)Angel Gabriel

Muhammad

Companions

Zayd ibn Thabit

Uthman

The HadithThe Hadith The source of traditional sayings of The source of traditional sayings of

MuhammadMuhammad Contains most of Muhammad’s miraclesContains most of Muhammad’s miracles Bukhari admitted collecting 300,000 Bukhari admitted collecting 300,000

hadithhadith– Considered 100,000 to be trueConsidered 100,000 to be true– Narrowed them down to 7,275 with many Narrowed them down to 7,275 with many

repetitionsrepetitions There are various traditions: Bukhari, There are various traditions: Bukhari,

Mulsim, Abu Du’ad, Al-Tirmidhi, Al Nasa, Mulsim, Abu Du’ad, Al-Tirmidhi, Al Nasa, Ibn MadjaIbn Madja

SalvationSalvation

Consists of both belief (iman) and Consists of both belief (iman) and action (amal).action (amal).

Belief consists of:Belief consists of:– Believe in the oneness of GodBelieve in the oneness of God– Believe in the prophecy of MuhammadBelieve in the prophecy of Muhammad– Believe in angelsBelieve in angels– Accept the Qur’anAccept the Qur’an– Believe in life after deathBelieve in life after death– Believe that God decrees everythingBelieve that God decrees everything

SalvationSalvation Good works consist Good works consist

of the five/six of the five/six pillars:pillars:– Reciting the Reciting the

confession confession (shahada)(shahada)

– PrayerPrayer– FastingFasting– AlmsgivingAlmsgiving– Pilgrimage to MeccaPilgrimage to Mecca– JihadJihad

Final ThingsFinal Things

This life is a preparation for the nextThis life is a preparation for the next Every person will taste deathEvery person will taste death Two angels will question the dead in Two angels will question the dead in

the grave (Munkar and Nakir)the grave (Munkar and Nakir) Unbelievers will be tormented in the Unbelievers will be tormented in the

grave and after the final resurrectiongrave and after the final resurrection The “Final Hour” will be preceded by The “Final Hour” will be preceded by

disintegration of nature and universal disintegration of nature and universal sinsin

Jesus ChristJesus Christ

Jesus is humanJesus is human Is a unique prophet, mentioned in 93 Is a unique prophet, mentioned in 93

verses and 15 suras of the Qur’anverses and 15 suras of the Qur’an Is called the Messiah, the Word of Is called the Messiah, the Word of

God, and the Spirit of GodGod, and the Spirit of God He is a prophet to the JewsHe is a prophet to the Jews Foretold the coming of Muhammad Foretold the coming of Muhammad

(Jn 14:26)(Jn 14:26)

Jesus ChristJesus Christ

Is not God or the Son of GodIs not God or the Son of God– ““It is not befitting To (the majesty of) God It is not befitting To (the majesty of) God

That He should beget a son…” (19:35)That He should beget a son…” (19:35)– ““They say, ‘God hath begotten A son’…They say, ‘God hath begotten A son’…

No warrant Have ye for this! (10:68)No warrant Have ye for this! (10:68)– ““Say not ‘Trinity’: desist: it will be better Say not ‘Trinity’: desist: it will be better

for you: for Allah is One God: glory be to for you: for Allah is One God: glory be to Him: (far Exalted is He) above having a Him: (far Exalted is He) above having a son. (4:171)son. (4:171)

The Current The Current CrisisCrisis

JihadJihad

The word means ‘striving’ or The word means ‘striving’ or ‘struggle’‘struggle’

Often used in the sense of personal Often used in the sense of personal striving in the path of God.striving in the path of God.

According to Islamic law there are According to Islamic law there are two domainstwo domains– Dar al-Islam, the house of IslamDar al-Islam, the house of Islam– Dar al-Harb, the house of WarDar al-Harb, the house of War

JihadJihad

““The more common The more common interpretation, and that of the interpretation, and that of the overwhelming majority of the overwhelming majority of the classical jurists and commentators classical jurists and commentators , presents jihad as armed struggle , presents jihad as armed struggle for Islam against infidels and for Islam against infidels and apostates.” apostates.” (Bernard Lewis, professor of (Bernard Lewis, professor of Near Eastern Studies, Princeton University)Near Eastern Studies, Princeton University)

Jihad and Non-MuslimsJihad and Non-Muslims

(9:5) “Fight and slay the pagans wherever (9:5) “Fight and slay the pagans wherever you find them, and seize them, beleager you find them, and seize them, beleager them, and lie in wait for them in every them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem.”stratagem.”

(9:29) “Fight those who believe not in Allah (9:29) “Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Prophet, nor acknowledge the religion of Prophet, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the jizyah with willing Book, until they pay the jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.”submission, and feel themselves subdued.”

Jihad and Non-MuslimsJihad and Non-Muslims

(47:4-7) “When you meet unbelievers, smite (47:4-7) “When you meet unbelievers, smite their necks, then, when you have made their necks, then, when you have made wide slaughter among them, tie fast the wide slaughter among them, tie fast the bonds; then set them free, either by grace bonds; then set them free, either by grace or ransom, till the war lays down its loads…or ransom, till the war lays down its loads…And those who are slain in the way of God, And those who are slain in the way of God, He will not send their works astray. He will He will not send their works astray. He will guide them, and dispose their minds aright, guide them, and dispose their minds aright, and He will admit them to Paradise, that He and He will admit them to Paradise, that He has made known to them.”has made known to them.”

Osama Bin LadenOsama Bin Laden

Born in 1957, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaBorn in 1957, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Father became a billionaire during Father became a billionaire during

the oil boom of the 1970’s the oil boom of the 1970’s (construction)(construction)

Degree in economics and businessDegree in economics and business Has four wives and 15 childrenHas four wives and 15 children

Osama Bin LadenOsama Bin Laden In 1996 bin In 1996 bin

Laden issued a Laden issued a fatwa, a formal fatwa, a formal religious religious decision calling decision calling on Muslims to on Muslims to kill American kill American troops in Saudi troops in Saudi Arabia.Arabia.

Osama Bin LadenOsama Bin Laden 1998 Fatwah1998 Fatwah

– “…“…to kill Americans and their to kill Americans and their allies—civilians and military—is allies—civilians and military—is an individual duty for every an individual duty for every Muslim who can do it in any Muslim who can do it in any country in which it is country in which it is possible…”possible…”

– “…“…to liberate the al-Aqsa to liberate the al-Aqsa Mosque” and to remove their Mosque” and to remove their armies from the lands of Islam.armies from the lands of Islam.

Osama Bin LadenOsama Bin Laden Three Three

complaintscomplaints– Americans in Americans in

the holy landthe holy land– Oppression of Oppression of

IraqIraq– American American

support of Israelsupport of Israel

TalibanTaliban

““Students of Religion”Students of Religion” Mullah Mohammed Mullah Mohammed

OmarOmar Seized the capital, Seized the capital,

Kabul in 1996 and Kabul in 1996 and established an Islamic established an Islamic emirate.emirate.

Bin Laden’s Bin Laden’s organization helps to organization helps to keep them in power.keep them in power.

Wahhabi ReformsWahhabi Reforms

Muhammad Ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhab, 18Muhammad Ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhab, 18thth century Arabiacentury Arabia

Purification of IslamPurification of Islam Encouragement of original thinkingEncouragement of original thinking Focus on the here and nowFocus on the here and now Militant methodsMilitant methods

Interesting FactsInteresting Facts

A poll of England’s Muslin community A poll of England’s Muslin community revealed that 98% would not fight for revealed that 98% would not fight for Britain; 48% would fight for Osama or Britain; 48% would fight for Osama or Islam.Islam.

Over 30% of Muslims in Kuwait believe Over 30% of Muslims in Kuwait believe that Osama is a freedom fighter. that Osama is a freedom fighter.

Former Sudanese President Sadiq el-Mahdi Former Sudanese President Sadiq el-Mahdi has prophesied that Islam will dominate has prophesied that Islam will dominate the world by 2010.the world by 2010.

28 of the current 30 conflicts in the world 28 of the current 30 conflicts in the world include Muslims.include Muslims.

ResourcesResources WebsitesWebsites

– www.answering–islam.orgwww.answering–islam.org– www.rim.orgwww.rim.org– www.probe.orgwww.probe.org

BooksBooks– Answering Islam: The Crescent In The Light Of Answering Islam: The Crescent In The Light Of

The CrossThe Cross, Norman Geisler & Abdul Saleeb, Norman Geisler & Abdul Saleeb– Islam RevealedIslam Revealed, Dr. Anis A. Shorrosh, Dr. Anis A. Shorrosh– The Islamic Invasion: Confronting the World’s The Islamic Invasion: Confronting the World’s

Fastest Growing ReligionFastest Growing Religion, Robert Morey, Robert Morey– The Oxford History of IslamThe Oxford History of Islam, Ed. John L. Esposito, Ed. John L. Esposito