New Life Equipping Class ISLAM & THE GOSPEL

New Life Equipping Class ISLAM & THE GOSPEL

Schedule Introduction Origin & History Muhammad & Jesus Allah & Yahweh The Qur an & the Bible Sharing the Gospel with Muslims

Who is Allah? According to Islamic tradition, the 112th sura of the Qur an is Muhammad s own definition of Allah.

Who is Allah? In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Ever Merciful. Proclaim: He is Allah, the Single; Allah, the Self-Existing and Besought of all. He begets not, nor is He begotten; and there is none like unto Him. Qur an 112:1-5

Who is Allah? Allah is Transcendent Creator Allah is One Allah is Merciful Allah is Holy Allah is Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent Allah is Judge

Allah is Transcendent Allah is He beside Whom there is no god, Knower of the unseen and the seen. He is the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful. the Sovereign, the Most Holy, the Source of Peace, the Bestower of Security, the Protector, the Mighty, the Subduer, the Exalted. Holy is Allah, far above that which they associate with Him. Allah is He, the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner; Qur an 59:22-24

Who is Allah? Allah is Transcendent Creator Allah is One Allah is Merciful Allah is Holy Allah is Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent Allah is Judge

The Oneness (Tahid) of Allah Muslims are muwahhidun ( unitarians or upholders of the divine unity ). The Unity of Allah is the distinguishing characteristic of Islam. Alhaj Ajijola God forgiveth not (The sin of) joining other gods With Him; but He forgiveth Whom He pleaseth other sins Than this: one who joins Other gods with God, Hath strayed far, far away (From the Right) (Q 4:116).

The Trinitarianism of Yahweh They do blaspheme who say God is one of three for there is no Allah except one Allah (5:73; cf. 4:171). What do you say to a Muslim who says you do not worship one God, but three? The Bible emphatically declares the oneness of God

The Oneness (Tahid) of Yahweh Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! This passage is quoted both by Jesus (Mark 12:29) and by the Apostle Paul (1 Cor 8:4, 6). James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble. 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.

Is Mary in the Christian Trinity? O Jesus, son of Mary! Didst thou say unto mankind: Take me and my mother for two gods beside Allah? (Q 5:119). The Qur an strongly attacked Trinitarians in several places [Q 5:76, 77, 79, 81, 116, 117]. But it is apparent that the Qur an, or at least Muhammad, has failed to distinguish between the heretical trinity and the biblical trinity. Samuel Shahid

The word Trinity is not in the Bible Trinity is a theological term expressing a biblical concept. The word tawhid (monotheism) is not in the Qur an either.

The Trinity is too complex If Christianity was something we were making up, of course we could make it easier. But it is not. We cannot compete, in simplicity, with people who are inventing religions. How could we? We are dealing with Fact. Of course anyone can be simple if he has no facts to bother about. - C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, 145

Can You Explain the Trinity? When a Muslim says the Qur an is the uncreated speech of God existing in the mind of God from eternity past, he is saying that the Qur an and God are two eternal and uncreated things. Yet he says there is only one God. Christians can point out that in a somewhat similar way Christianity holds to three eternal and uncreated persons but one God (John 1:1). Patrick O. Cate

Who is Allah? Allah is Transcendent Creator Allah is One Allah is Merciful Allah is Holy Allah is Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent Allah is Judge

Allah is Merciful Every chapter of the Qur an but one (Surah 9) commences with In the name of God, the gracious, the merciful The Muslim concept of merciful involves His benevolence or providential care such as granting rain. It is not his gracious mercy in not punishing people as they deserve. Men and women cannot have a close relationship to Allah He is too distant and impersonal, too powerful and sovereign.

Allah is Holy Allah is Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent Allah is Judge

Last Day of Judgment (Yaum Al- Qiyaamah) & Hereafter (Al-Aakhirah) Divine judgment is associated with divine unity and divine morality. The day of judgment and resurrection will be announced by means of a peal of thunder, a shout, or a trumpet blast.

Last Day of Judgment (Yaum Al- Qiyaamah) & Hereafter (Al-Aakhirah) The living and the dead shall be assembled in the presence of Allah and judged by the book placed in their hands. Eternal paradise or eternal hell the final abodes of the judged. Men in paradise will also have their wives and children together with them.

Who is Allah? Problem: Is the Father of Jesus the God of Muhammad?

Who is Allah? We believe in the revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; our God and your God is One; and it is to Him we bow (Q 29:46).

Who is Allah? Allah = al + ilah = the + god Is it wrong to use the name of Allah for God? Conclusion: So is the Father of Jesus the God of Muhammad?

Who is Allah? To answer, Who is Allah? some also point to his most beautiful names (59:22-24). Muhammad said, Verily there are ninetynine names of Allah and whoever recites them shall enter paradise (hadith 8:149).

99 Names of God According to the Tradition of Islam: Allah (هللا) The God Al Rahman (الرحمن) The All Beneficent Al Rahim (الرحيم) The Most Merciful Al Malik (الملك) The King, The Sovereign Al Quddus (القدوس) The Most Holy Al Salam (السالم) Peace and Blessing Al Mu'min (المؤمن) The Guarantor Al Muhaymin (المهيمن) The Guardian, the Preserver Al 'Aziz (العزيز) The Almighty, the Self Sufficient Al Jabbar (الجبار) The Powerful, the Irresistible Al Mutakabbir (المتكبر) The Tremendous Al Khaliq (الخالق) The Creator Al Bari' (البارئ) The Maker Al Musawwir (المصور) The Fashioner of Forms Al Ghaffar (الغفار) The Ever Forgiving Al Qahhar (القهار) The All Compelling Subduer Al Wahhab (الوهاب) The Bestower Al Razzaq (الرزاق) The Ever Providing Al Fattah (الفتاح) The Opener, the Victory Giver Al Alim (العليم) The All Knowing, the Omniscient Al Qabid (القابض) The Restrainer, the Straightener Al Basit (الباسط) The Expander, the Munificent Al Khafid (الخافض) The Abaser Al Rafi' (الرافع) The Exalter Al Mu'izz (المعز) The Giver of Honor Al Mudhill (المذل) The Giver of Dishonor Al Sami' (السميع) The All Hearing Al Basir (البصير) The All Seeing Al Hakam (الحكم) The Judge, the Arbitrator Al 'Adl (العدل) The Utterly Just Al Latif (اللطيف) The Subtly Kind Al Khabir (الخبير) The All Aware Al Halim (الحليم) The Forbearing, the Indulgent Al 'Azim (العظيم) The Magnificent, the Infinite Al Ghafur (الغفور) The All Forgiving Al Shakur (الشكور) The Grateful Al 'Ali (العلى) The Sublimely Exalted Al Kabir (الكبير) The Great Al Hafiz (الحفيظ) The Preserver Al Muqit (المقيت) The Nourisher Al Hasib (الحسيب) The Reckoner Al Jalil (الجليل) The Majestic Al Karim (الكريم) The Bountiful, the Generous Al Raqib (الرقيب) The Watchful Al Mujib (المجيب) The Responsive, the Answerer Al Wasi' (الواسع) The Vast, the All Encompassing Al Hakim (الحكيم) The Wise Al Wadud (الودود) The Loving, the Kind One Al Majid (المجيد) The All Glorious Al Ba'ith (الباعث) The Raiser of the Dead Al Shahid (الشهيد) The Witness Al Haqq (الحق) The Truth, the Real Al Wakil (الوكيل) The Trustee, the Dependable Al Qawiyy (القوى) The Strong Al Matin (المتين) The Firm, the Steadfast Al Wali (الولى) The Protecting Friend, Patron, and Helper Al Hamid (الحميد) The All Praiseworthy Al Muhsi (المحصى) The Accounter, the Numberer of All Al Mubdi' (المبدئ) The Producer, Originator, and Initiator of all Al Mu'id (المعيد) The Reinstater Who Brings Back All

99 Names of God According to the Tradition of Islam (cont.) Al Muhyi (المحيى) The Giver of Life Al Mumit (المميت) The Bringer of Death, the Destroyer Al Hayy (الحي) The Ever Living Al Qayyum (القيوم) The Self Subsisting Sustainer of All Al Wajid (الواجد) The Perceiver, the Finder, the Unfailing Al Majid (الماجد) The Illustrious, the Magnificent Al Wahid (الواحد) The One, the All Inclusive, the Indivisible Al Samad (الصمد) The Self Sufficient, the Impregnable, the Eternally Besought of All, the Everlasting Al Qadir (القادر) The All Able Al Muqtadir (المقتدر) The All Determiner, the Dominant Al Muqaddim (المقدم) The Expediter, He who brings forward Al Mu'akhkhir (المؤخر) The Delayer, He who puts far away Al Awwal (األول) The First Al Akhir (األخر) The Last Al Zahir (الظاهر) The Manifest; the All Victorious Al Batin (الباطن) The Hidden; the All Encompassing Al Wali (الوالي) The Patron Al Muta'al (المتعالي) The Self Exalted Al Barr (البر) The Most Kind and Righteous Al Tawwab (التواب) The Ever Returning, Ever Relenting Al Muntaqim (المنتقم) The Avenger Al 'Afuww (العفو) The Pardoner, the Effacer of Sins Al Ra'uf (الرؤوف) The Compassionate, the All Pitying Malik al Mulk الملك) (مالك The Owner of All Sovereignty Dhu al Jalal wa al Ikram الجالل و اإلكرام) (ذو The Lord of Majesty and Generosity Al Muqsit (المقسط) The Equitable, the Requiter Al Jami' (الجامع) The Gatherer, the Unifier Al Ghani (الغنى) The All Rich, the Independent Al Mughni (المغنى) The Enricher, the Emancipator Al (المانع)' Mani The Withholder, the Shielder, the Defender Al Darr (الضار) The Distressor, the Harmer (This attribute can only be found in hadith. Al Nafi' (النافع) The Propitious, the Benefactor Al Nur (النور) The Light Al Hadi (الهادئ) The Guide Al Badi (البديع) Incomparable, the Originator Al Baqi (الباقي) The Ever Enduring and Immutable Al Warith (الوارث) The Heir, the Inheritor of All Al Rashid (الرشيد) The Guide, Infallible Teacher, and Knower Al Sabur (الصبور) The Patient, the Timeless

Names of God in the Old Testament Primary Names of God: Elohim - God. The Strong Creator (Gen. 1:1) Jehovah - Lord. The Self-existing One (Gen.2:4) Adonai - Lord/Master. The Headship Name (Gen. 15:2) Compound Names of the Lord God: (Jehovah El and Jehovah Elohim) Jehovah El Elohim - The Lord God of Gods (Josh. 22:22) Jehovah Elohim - The Lord God {Gen. 2:4; 3:9-13, 21) Jehovah Elohe Abothekem - The Lord God of your Fathers (Josh. 18:3) Jehovah El Elyon - The Lord, The Most High God (Gen. 14:22) Jehovah El Emeth - Lord God of Truth (Psa. 31:5) Jehovah El Gemuwal - The Lord God of Recompenses (Jer. 51:56) Jehovah Elohim Tsebaoth - Lord God of Hosts (Psa. 59:5) Jehovah Elohe Yeshuathi - Lord God of My Salvation (Psa. 88:1) Jehovah Elohe Yisrael - The Lord God of Israel (Psa. 41:13) Compound Names of God (El, Elohim and Elohe) Elohim - God (Gen 1:1) Elohim Bashamayim - God in Heaven (Josh. 2:11) El Bethel - God of the House of God (Gen. 35:7) Elohe Chaseddi - The God of My Mercy (Psa. 59:10) El Elohe Yisrael - God, the God of Israel (Gen. 33:20) El Elyon - The Most High God (Gen. 14:18) El Emunah - The Faithful God (Deut. 7:9) El Gibbor - Mighty God (Isa. 9:6) El Hakabodh - The God of Glory (Psa. 29:3) El Hay - The Living God (Josh. 3:10) El Hayyay - God of My Life (Psa. 42:8) Elohim Kedoshim - Holy God (Josh. 24:19) El Kanna - Jealous God (Exod. 20:5) El Kanno - Jealous God (Josh. 24:19) Elohe Mauzi - God of My Strength (Psa. 43:2) Elohim Machase Lanu - God our Refuge (Psa. 62:8) Eli Malekhi - God My King (Psa. 68:24) El Marom - God Most High (Micah 6:6 El Nekamoth - God that Avengeth (Psa. 18:47) El Nose - God that Forgave (Psa. 99:8) Elohenu Olam - Our Everlasting God (Psa. 48:14) Elohim Ozer Li - God My Helper (Psa. 54:4) El Rai - God Seest Me (Gen. 16:13) El Sali - God, My Rock (Psa. 42:9) El Shaddai - Almighty God (Gen. 17:1, 2) Elohim Shophtim Ba-arets - God that Judges in the Earth (Psa. 58:11)

Names of God in the Old Testament (cont.) El Simchath Gili - God, My Exceeding Joy (Psa. 43:4) Elohim Tsebaoth - God of Hosts (Psa. 80:7) Elohe Tishuathi - God of my Salvation (Psa. 18:46; 51:14) Elohe Tsadeki - God of My Righteousness (Psa. 4:1) Elohe Yakob - God of Israel (Psa. 20:1) Elohe Yisrael - God of Israel (Psa 59:5) Compound Names of Jehovah Jehovah - The Lord (Exod. 6:2,3) Adonai Jehovah - Lord God (Gen. 15:2) Jehovah Adon Kol Ha-arets - The Lord, the Lord of All the Earth (Josh. 3:11) Jehovah Bore - The Lord Creator (Isa. 40:28) Jehovah Chereb - The Lord...the Sword (Deut. 33:29) Jehovah Eli - The Lord my God (Psa. 18:2) Jehovah Elyon - The Lord Most High (Gen. 14:18-20) Jehovah Gibbor Milchamah - The Lord Mighty In Battle (Psa. 24:8) Jehovah Maginnenu - The Lord Our Defense (Psa. 89:18) Jehovah Goelekh - The Lord Thy Redeemer (Isa. 49:26; 60:16) Jehovah Haskopet - The Lord the Judge (Judg. 11:27) Jehovah Hoshiah - O Lord Save (Psa. 20:9) Jehovah Immeka - The Lord is with You (Judg. 6:12) Jehovah Izuz Wegibbor - The Lord Strong & Mighty (Psa. 24:8) Jehovah-Jireh - The Lord Shall Provide (Gen. 22:14) Jehovah Kabodhi - The Lord My Glory (Psa. 3:3) Jehovah Kanna Shemo - The Lord Whose Name is Jealous (Exod. 34:14) Jehovan Keren-yishi - The Lord the Horn of My Salvation (Psa. 18:2) Jehovah Machsi - The Lord My Refuge (Psa. 91:9) Jehovah Magen - The Lord, the Shield (Deut. 33:29) Jehovah Makkeh - The Lord that Smiteth (Ezek. 7:9) Jehovah Mauzzam - The Lord Their Strength (Psa. 37:39) Jehovah Mauzzi - The Lord my Fortress (Jer. 16:19) Ha-melech Jehovah - The Lord the King (Psa. 98:6) Jehovah Melech Olam - The Lord King Forever (Psa. 10:16) Jehovah Mephalti - The Lord my Deliverer (Psa. 18:2) Jehovah Mekaddishkhem - The Lord that Sanctifies you (Exod 31:13) Jehovah Metsudhathi - The Lord...My Fortress (Psa. 18:2) Jehovah Mishgabbi - The Lord My High Tower (Psa. 18:2) Jehovah Moshiekh - The Lord your Savior (Isa. 49:26; 60:16) Jehovah-Nissi - The Lord my Banner (Exod. 17:15) Jehovah Ori - The Lord my Light (Psa. 27:1) Jehovah Uzzi - The Lord My Strength (Psa. 28:7) Jehovah Rophe - The Lord [our] Healer (Exod. 15:26) Jehovah Roi - The Lord My Shepherd (Psa. 23:1) Jehovah Sabaoth - The Lord of Hosts (I Sam. 1:3) Jehovah Sali - The Lord My Rock (Psa. 18:2) Jehovah Shalom - The Lord [our] Peace (Judg. 6:24) Jehovah Shammah - The Lord is There (Ezek. 48:35) Jehovah Tsidkenu - The Lord Our Righteousness (Jer. 23:6) Jehovah Tsuri - The Lord my Strength (Psa. 19:14)

The Names of God with the purpose of WORSHIP/EXALTATION Name tag Elohim El Elyon El Roi El Shaddai Adonai Jehovah Jehovah-Jireh Jehovah-Rapha Jehovah-Nissi Jehovah-Mekaddishkem Jehovah-Shalom Jehovah-Sabaoth Jehovah-Raah Jehovah-Tsidkenu Jehovah Shammah Window name (revelation of God s character) God the Creator God Most High the God Who Sees the All-Sufficient One the Lord the Self-Existent One the Lord Will Provide the Lord Who Heals the Lord My Banner the Lord Sanctifies You the Lord is Peace the Lord of Hosts the Lord My Shepherd the Lord Our Righteousness the Lord is There

Old Testament versus 99 Islamic Names of God There are 3 names of God that are contained within the Old Testament that the Islamic people do not have: Jehovah-Shammah The Lord Is There Jehovah-Tsidkenu The Lord Our Righteousness Jehovah-Mekaddishkem The Lord Sanctifies You Note that these 3 names of God point to the person and role of Jesus Christ. This is significant as we seek to share about God coming in the form of man, to live among us and to die for our sins. This helps to explain why a Muslim will respond: Why would God want to do that? It is because they do not have this window name of God in their worldview.

Jehovah-Shammah The end result of the knowledge of the arifin [those who know] is their inability to know Him, and their knowledge is, in truth, that they do not know Him and that it is absolutely impossible for them to know Him. - Al-Ghazali, Muslim theologian You may not have complete transcendence and self-revelation at the same time. - Isma il Al-Faruqi, Muslim scholar

Jehovah-Shammah It is not the vastness of the heavens and the bright shining of the constellations, the order of the universe, and the unbroken administration over all existence, that so manifestly displays the transcendent power of God as his condescension to the weakness of our human nature, in the way sublimity is seen in lowliness. - Gregory of Nyssa "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us). - Matt 1:23

Jehovah-Tsidkenu Islam does not identify with the Christian conviction that man needs to be redeemed. The Christian belief in the redemptive sacrificial death of Christ does not fit the Islamic view that man has always been fundamentally good, and that God loves and forgives those who obey his will. - Badru Kateregga In Islam there is no such thing, in principle, as conversion, but restoration, a returning, and a remembering The greatest challenge upon this earth is not so much to explore God as to remember that there is one. - Hasan Askar

Jehovah-Mekaddishkem We sent not an apostle except (to teach) in the language of his (own) people, in order to make (things) clear to them. Now Allah leaves straying those whom He pleases and guides whom He pleases: and He is Exalted in power, full of Wisdom (Q 14:4). By Allah, though I am the Apostle of Allah, yet I do not know what Allah will do to me (hadith 5:266).

Salvation = Faith + Works The Qur an teaches that the means to salvation in the Hereafter on the human side are belief or faith (iman) and action (amal): salvation cannot be achieved without these two means. - Muhammad Quasem To those who believe And do deeds of righteousness Hath God promised forgiveness And a great reward (Q 5:10).

Salvation = Faith + Works Monotheism Angels Revelation Prophets Judgment Heaven and Hell

Salvation = Faith + Works Faith Shahadah Prayer Salat Almsgiving Zakat Fasting in the Month of Ramadan Sawm Pilgrimage Hajj

Salvation = Faith + Works Then those whose balance (Of good deeds) is heavy,--they will attain salvation: But those whose balance Is light, will be those Who have lost their souls; In Hell will they abide (Q 23:102-3).

Witnessing to Muslims F A C T S Forgiveness What the Muslim desires deeply. What is exceedingly difficult to obtain in Islam.

Witnessing to Muslims F A C T S Forgiveness Assurance What the Muslim lacks completely. What can be obtained only by death in either jihad or hajj.

Witnessing to Muslims F A C T S Forgiveness Assurance Compassion What Muslims need as evidence of Christian faith. Prioritize hospitality.

Witnessing to Muslims F A C T S Forgiveness Assurance Compassion Time What it takes to understand, to trust, and to harvest.

Witnessing to Muslims F A C T S Scripture Forgiveness Assurance Compassion Time Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. - Romans 10:17