UNDERSTANDING AND RESPONDING TO ISLAM

Transcription

1 UNDERSTANDING AND RESPONDING TO ISLAM PART ONE: INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM A. Muslim: one who submits B. Islam: submission C. Muhammad ( AD) D. Qur an: recitation Considered to be the very words of Allah, dictated to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel Arabic language E. Sunna: the way of the Prophet Muhammad s life is the perfect example for how to interpret the Qur an and live the Muslim life. Stories about his life (what he said, did, approved of, disapproved of, etc.)were collected and written down years later; individual stories are called HADITH or traditions. SHARIA : ISLAMIC LAW Schools of law, 9th & 10th centuries Qur an + Hadith + Scholarly Consensus Four Sunni schools of Sharia Mostly deals with religious life, but includes family, business, social and criminal law. F. Two eras in Muhammad s life 1. Meccan era: AD Message of monotheism; continuity with People of the Book Muhammad just a warner and a herald of good news to people who believe. Small group of followers A persecuted prophet (opposition from the powerful Quraish tribe who controlled Mecca) Muhammad and his followers forbidden to fight; jihad is a spiritual struggle to stay true to the faith. 2. Medinan era: AD Migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina; this migration in 622 is called the Hijra. Large numbers accept Islam; treaties made with the Jewish tribes in the area Muhammad becomes the head of a city-state. Permission to fight defensively; jihad is a physical struggle Caravan raids; 65 Campaigns and raids; Muhammad led 27 raids and fought in 9 battles (Muhammad a military leader). Eventually, harsher revelations regarding Jews and Christians. Change in the direction of prayer from Jerusalem (like the Jews) to the Kaaba in Mecca. Eventually, fighting in the cause of Allah made obligatory; martyrdom themes Authority of Muhammad not to be questioned. G. The Big Split: Sunni and Shi a 632 AD Muhammad died without a successor and no male children. Some favored selecting a new leader (Caliph)from Muhammad s blood line: Ali (his cousin and son-in-law). Party of Ali. : Shi'a Some favored selecting the most capable leader who would follow the Prophet s sunna, or his example: Sunni Muhammad s grandson Hussein was killed by Sunnis at the battle of Karbala (Iraq) in 680. This event is memorialized every year by Shi a Muslims. Shi a make up about 15% of global Muslim population (Iran, Iraq) Sunni make up 85% of global Muslim population 1

2 H. Sufism Mystical Islam; focuses on direct encounter, and ultimately a mystical union, with God. Unique beliefs and practices; other Muslims often see Sufism as unorthodox Widespread in India, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and Africa PART TWO: PRACTICING ISLAM A. The Five Essential Beliefs 1. Allah (God) What s the same? The God; The Creator of the Heavens and the Earth Sovereign, Almighty, Eternal, Self-existent,All-knowing, wise, just Benevolent, compassionate, merciful, forgiving Has no equals What s different? No universal love for mankind; Allah loves the believers and those who obey him. Doctrine of Tawheed: the oneness of Allah; specifically developed to reject Christian doctrine: Allah is not a father, he has no son, he is not a Trinity. 2. Prophets Islam accepts the Old Testament prophets, as well as Jesus and John the Baptist Muhammad was the final, universal prophet The Prophet Jesus Born of the virgin Mary, but fully human, not divine Did miracles (with Allah s permission) Preached the basic monotheistic message of Islam The injil (Gospel) came through Jesus Jesus prophesied the coming of Muhammad Jesus did not die on the cross He will return, to first judge Christians and break all crosses. 3. Judgment Each human being is born pure, but has a strong tendency to stray from Allah. Human beings need guidance, not a savior, so Allah sends prophets and scriptures. Allah will judge each person s thoughts and actions Allah offers the possibility of forgiveness; no assurance of salvation with the exception of true martyrdom. Allah will assign each person either to paradise or hellfire. Paradise They will recline on carpets lined with silk brocade, and the fruit of two gardens will be near at hand... Qur an 55:54-56 Hellfire Those who repudiate Our [Allah s] signs We will burn in a fire; when the skins are roasted, We will change their skins so they can taste the torment. Qur an 4:57 4. Scriptures Allah gave the Torah to the Jews and the Gospel to the Christians, so they are called People of the Book (or People of Scripture). According to Islam, Jews and Christians changed and distorted their Scriptures. The Qu ran is the final, correct Scripture. 2

3 5. Spirit Beings: Angels, Satan and Jinn B. The Five Essential Practices (The Five Pillars ) 1. Shahadah: The confession of faith: There is no Allah but Allah, and Muhammad is the Apostle of Allah. 2. Salat: Ritual prayers said five times daily (dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, night) 3. Ramadan: Fasting during daylight hours (no water or food) during all the days of the month of Ramadan 4. Zakat: 2.5% of wealth given to charity 5. Hajj: Pilgrimmage to Mecca once in a Muslim s life (if they are able) C. Da wah: The Call to Islam PART THREE: ISLAMIC EXTREMISM A. Introduction 1. Confusing Players 2. Confusing Terms: Islamism, Radical Islam, Political Islam, Fundamentalism, Millitant Islam, Jihadism, Islamic Terrorism, Wahabism, Salafism, Takfiris, Extremism, Islamofascists a. Salafism Strive to imitate the pious forefathers (Muhammad and his companions) Literal, narrow interpretation of Qur an and Hadith Focus on purity of Islam and rejection of innovations Ibn Taymiyyah ( ) b. Wahabism Muhammad Ibn Abd al-wahab ( ) Arab, Salafi scholar Reformer; promoted extremely rigid form of Islam Pact made with the Al-Saud family. Wahabist Islam is the state religion of Saudi Arabia. c. Takfiris In Islam, taking the life of another Muslim is the worst of sins. Takfir: Declaring other Muslims to be apostates or not true Muslims Apostates from Islam are under a death penalty so killing them is no longer a sin. A Takfiri is an extremists who uses this as a way to silence moderate Muslims, purify the faith, and get rid of opposition. 3. Confusing Behavior a. Not all extremists are violent themselves b. Extremists do not all agree on methods, timing, authority, interpretation of Islamic law, immediate goals, etc. c. Extremists are not unified (thankfully!); they often fight each other. B. 1979: A Turning Point 1. Islamic Revolution in Iran Result: Powerful Shi a extremist government; new enemy of Israel; spike in oil prices 2. Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan Result: Jihadi movement; Taliban; Al Qaeda 3. Grand Mosque in Mecca seized by Sunni Extremists Result: Saudi royal family gives more power to fundamentalists; oil wealth used to spread narrow, Wahabi form of Islam around the world. C. The Extremist Mindset 1. The Extremist Ideology Allah is the universal lawgiver; when men make laws they are usurping Allah s authority It is oppression to require people to obey man-made laws 3

4 When cultures, religions and governments reject the message of Islam, they are in a state of rebellion and aggression against Allah. It is the duty of Muslims to wage jihad to remove all obstacles in the way of Islam so that Allah s law can be established. 2. The Extremist Method of Interpreting the Qur an a. Doctrine of Abrogation 1. Earlier, more peaceful verses in the Qur an (from the Meccan era) were provisional, based on the weak circumstances of the Muslim community. 2. The final, more aggressive verses of the Qur an (at the end of Muhammad s life) supersede (or abrogate) the earlier verses. b. Narrow, rigid and literal interpretation of Qur an and Hadith; acceptance of weak Hadith 3. The Extremist Worldview House of Islam House of War Islam means submission, and so the House of Islam includes those nations ruled by Sharia law. The rest of the world, which has not accepted Sharia law and so is not in a state of submission, exists in a state of rebellion or war with the will of Allah. It is incumbent on dar al-islam [the house of Islam] to make war upon dar al-harb [the house of war] until such time that all nations submit to the will of Allah and accept Sharia law. Hasan Al-Banna, Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood D. The Extremist Goals 1. Purify Islam 2. Terrorize the enemies of Islam 3. Establish an Islamic state 4. Usher in coming of the Mahdi (Messiah-type figure) 5. Bring the whole world under Islam Islam is a revolutionary concept and a way of life, which seeks to change the prevalent social order and remold it according to its own vision... Wherever there are governments opposed to its perspective, Islam aims to change them, regardless of where they function and the people they govern Its ultimate objective is to establish its way of life and to put in place governments that implement its program. Islam wants space--not a piece of the earth but the whole planet. Sayyid Qutb, In the Shade of the Quran SUGGESTED RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY: Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi A Wind in the House of Islam by David Garrison Cross and Crescent: Responding to the Challenge of Islam by Colin Chapman Kissing Cousins? Christians and Muslims Face to Face by Bill Musk What Isis Really Wants The Phony Islam of Isis 4

5 PART FOUR: NOW WHAT? WHAT SHOULD CHRISTIANS DO? 1. Resist Prejudice Islam is not a monolith: there are widely varied interpretations, practices and attitudes. Millions and millions of Muslims reject the extremist ideology, their method of interpreting the Qur an, their worldview and their goals. Most Muslims are normal people who just want to live their lives in peace. Tens (or hundreds) of thousands of Muslims are also suffering at the hands of extremists. So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. 2 Corinthians 5:16, NLT 2. Reject Fear One of the most common phrases in Scripture is fear not or do not be afraid! Do not fear what they fear. Do not be frightened. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to anyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience... 1 Peter 3: Remember the Bigger Story Ultimately, we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against forces of evil in the world. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 4. Really Practice What Jesus Taught a. Love You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:43-45 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. Matthew 25:35 b. Light Go into all the world and make disciples Matt. 28:19-20 you will be my witnesses Acts 1:8 You are the light of the world Matt.5:14 5. Raise Your Voice a. In prayer Finally dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes... Pray too that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people. 2 Thessalonians 3:2 b. In advocacy Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. Isaiah 1:17 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. Matthew 25:35 6. Re-ignite Hope God is on the move in our world! This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God s wonderful grace. Colossians 1:6 5