Islam, Submission With No Peace Pt. 1

Biblical truth is challenged like never before. Although this is highly disputed, many speculate that the fastest growing religion in the world today is Islam. With over an estimated 1 billion adherents statistics are that by year 2025 over 30 % of the world's population will be Islamic or under Islamic rule and that Islam will eclipse Christianity as the world's largest religion at some point between now, then or shortly thereafter.[Barrett & Johnson's estimated in an article in the International Bulletin of Missionary Research that the number of Muslims would grow from 1.22 billion in the year 2000 to 1.89 billion by 2025...Author Samuel Huntington predicts that "Muslims in the world will continue to increase dramatically, amounting to 20 percent of the world's population about the turn of the [21st] century, surpassing the number of Christians some years later..."]

Does Islam have an answer that is unknown to Christianity? Is Islam, especially that practiced within traditional Islamic countries somehow superior or more satisfying than the teachings of Christianity?

In the next couple of posts, we will look at what Islam teaches and contrast that to the bible and the biblical record. We are quickly approaching the 9th month which is the most holy time of year for the Muslim called Ramadan. So this information, especially at this time, promises to be an intriguing and eyeopening mini-series. For those observing or relating with someone who observes Muslim and Islamic tradition, I hope that you will better understand some of the traditions and possible worldview that many believers of Islam share. Let's begin:

What Is Islam and Where Did It Come From?

It was in the 9th month of approximately 610 AD, when a man known as the prophet Muhammad (c. 570-632), (assured by his wife Khadijeh that he was a prophet and an apostle (Rasoul)) received a special revelation and words from who he believed was the angel Gabriel. These words came to him while he was in a trance or a trance like state or condition. The words he received were recited and written, thus Quran means "recitation" The words were written down by those who heard him or were present when these episodes occurred. In fact here was the message from the angel:

"Recite in the name of the Lord, created from the clots of blood. Recite seeing that the Lord is most generous, who has taught by the pen, taught man what he did not know"~Sura 96:1-5

The messages Muhammad received over a 22 year span of time was the message of "submission". Thus Islam simply means submission and in this case submission to God or the Arabic version of the word, Allah. For years many were under the false impression that Islam meant peace. According to Islamic scholars Islam can only mean "peace" when one is "submitted" to God. Therefore the accurate definition of the word Islam, is submission.

"You have not believed until you say, "We have submitted ourselves” ~ Sura 49:19 {This is a saying of Muhammad}

The Quran is divided into chapters called Suras since only one man spoke there was no need for additional subtitles. According to Sura 33:40 Muhammad is said to be the "Seal Of The Prophets" which means that he was the last and greatest of all of God's prophets. Initially Mecca, the birthplace of Muhammad, was overtaken with multiple forms of idol worship and because of such this "new" teaching of strict monotheism, couldn't get off the ground. Therefore there had to be a trip taken to a more accepting region. So on Sept. 24th 622AD the first Hijra (migration) occurred to what would become known as Medina. One of the first acts of Muhammad after this transition was to immediately preform raids against the caravans of the enemies of Allah or pagans. This was done based on words Muhammad received:

"O Prophet strive hard against unbelievers and be firm against them." ~ Sura 9:73

This "striving" was the first form of Jihad. Notice that this striving was to be carried out on all of them that did not believe in exclusivity of Allah as the Supreme God. In fact in a battle against Jews at Banu Quraiza, Muhammad's forces killed over 1,000 Jewish men while the women and children were sold into slavery and spoils divided amongst the soldiers as compensation. Later in 628 AD, Muhammad, 2 years into a 10 year peace treaty with the rulers of the city of Mecca, broke the peace treaty and attacked Mecca with over 10,000 men, taking control of the city and destroying all idols associated with the worship of other Gods. Muhammad gained control religiously and militarily by this revelation:

"Kill those who join other Gods"~ Sura 9:5

But remember that was only AFTER he had received this revelation:

"Let there be no compulsion in religion"~Sura 2:256

Now that Muhammad had control of Mecca, he also had the religious capital of the nonbeliever. Instead of doing away with such practices as the pilgrimage to Mecca to the Kaaba shrine (Hajj), those practices were encouraged and were absorbed, in modified form, from Arabic paganism. Therefore, Muhammad, in reforming the pre-Islamic Arabic tradition, also confirmed it. By any means necessary!

Additional Important Facts To Know About Muhammad:

• He never claimed to be without sin
• He never claimed to preform miracles. The only "miracle" of Muhammad was that of the Quran which is reported as the greatest miracle partially because Muhammad was also said to be illiterate and under education so far as social education is concerned.
• He claimed to be the last and greatest of all prophets sent by God to Earth.
• He killed or had others killed (as noted above)due to his Jihad or "striving" for the things of Allah.

Quick note: The 2 most widely known groups arising after the death of Muhammad arose in the 7th Century, the Shiites (pictured)and the Sunnis. In addition to sharp theological differences, the Shiites believe in Ali as the successor of Muhammad, whereas the Sunnites believe in Omar as the successor of Muhammad. To observe this division and commemorate Ali's leadership, the Shiites annually involve themselves in Ashura or an annual ritual of mourning where they ceremonially cut themselves in commemoration of Ali's battle or striving.

Allah In Relationship To His Creation & Man:

1. Although Allah is said to be very near and close to man, {"Closer than his jugular vein" in Sura 50:16} He is seen as being wholly transcendent and never to be mingled with his creation. Therefore God at no time could take on the limitations of humanity in any form.
2. In Sura 2:190ff it records 24 times that Allah does not love sinners. He only loves those who fear him, Sura 3:76.
3. The greatest of all evil is Shirk. Simply put this is blasphemy or the association of partners with God. Shirk is also teaching that God has placed himself within his creation in any manifested form.
4. The oneness and separatist concept is known as Unicity. This teaching says that God reveals his will to mankind but never himself.

Conversion & Salvation


How is one converted according to Islam and the Quran? Although the word salvation is never mentioned within the Quran, devotion to Allah as a Muslim can be gained by reciting the Shahadah:

Shahadah – also known as the Confessions of Islam. There are 5 basic confessions of the Islamic faith. These are also known as the Pillars of the faith. They are as follows:

1 – “I bear witness that there is no God but God and Muhammad is the prophet of God.” {This is the primary and most important confession} This must be repeated with sincerity and conviction of heart in order to make one a Muslim.

2 – Ritualistic Prayer as outlined and instructed in the Koran.
3 – Giving of alms, or giving to the poor.
4 – Fasting during the month of Ramadan.
5 – Pilgrimage to Mecca if at all possible.

Sin and The Promise Of Salvation

How does one gain or obtain salvation according to Islam? First, please note that sin is not a problem in Islam, as Muhammad himself was a sinner.

In a particular hadith or "traditions of Muhammad" often told by leaders, Muhammad’s wife asks him to ask Allah to forgive her sins, he responds by saying that he wasn’t sure if his sins were forgiven so how could he ask Allah to forgive hers? Deliverance and freedom from sin is not promised in the Islamic faith. One could be counted as faultless in Sura 2:158 if pilgrimage is made to Mecca, and in Sura 33:35 “forgiveness and great reward” is prepared for all who fast during the month of Ramadan, however if you have an inability to do so or even if you keep all of the words, Salvation is yet never guaranteed.

Furthermore, sin is not acknowledged as being problematic within the Islamic faith. It is merely explained as another part of our being. In Sura 4:3-34, adultery and fornication can be called temporary marriages to allow for traveling men to relax and entertain themselves. In yet another tradition of Islam, a lie told to help a person is a good lie and therefore not a sin. Ultimately a person wouldn’t have to have their sins forgiven to be “saved” they would merely have to be “good enough” or come to Allah's standards or more good than bad.

Who Is Jesus In Islam?


One of the most surprising facts about Islam is their belief in Jesus. However, the belief in Jesus is limited to the status of him being merely a man and prophet of God who was misunderstood. In fact the Quran teaches that the original sayings of Jesus all confirm and point to Muhammad and that the teachings of Jesus in the bible have all been corrupted and taken out of context to say something other than what it was originally intended to say. The following is a summary of Islam beliefs about Jesus:

1 – Jesus was only a prophet or messenger of God.(Sura 5:75)
2 – Jesus was born of the virgin Mary
3 - Jesus was not the "Son Of God"(Sura 9:30)
4 – Jesus was sinless in life and lifestyle (Sura 19:19)
5 – Jesus did not die on the cross (Sura 4:157)
6 – Jesus was a Muslim
7 – Jesus was taken safely to heaven by God instead of being crucified.
8 - Jesus will return to liberate the Muslim people and Judge the world of
injustices placed upon the Muslim people and be subject to the Mahdi

The Women Of Islam

I have not seen or studied a religion where women are so devalued. In Islam women are the property of men. Traditionally they must be covered in public by a garment known as a burkha. This is because women are considered to be sexual objects and the cause of men's sexual sins. Any part of their body can lead a man to lust therefore they must be fully covered. In addition, in many traditional Islamic circles women can be divorced for the appearance of unfaithfulness. The "appearance" however is always subjective only needs 4 witnesses and the adultress must be detained in the house "until God appoints for them a way" (Sura 4:15). Aditionally, according to the Quran women can be beat (a little) or so is the interpolation (added to make the verse mor palatable), and are compared to farmland when it comes to intimate love or sexual activity:

"Men are the protectors and maintainers of women because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first) (Next) refuse to share their beds, (and last)beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them means (of annoyance)for Allah is Most High, Most Great (above you all)" ~ Sura 4:34

"Your wives are as a tilth (farmland) unto you so approach your tilth when or how you will; but do some good act for your souls before hand; and fear Allah, and know that ye are to meet him (in the Hereafter), and give (these) good tidings to those who believe"~Sura 2:223

Christianity In Relation To Islam

Muslims teach that the practice of Islam predates all religions and therefore the default religious condition of all is Islam. Christians are said to be the closest to the Muslim people. {Sura 5:85-86} “And nearest among them [Muslims] in love To the believers wilt thou find those who say, We are Christians” 86- “and when they listen to the revelation received by the Apostle[Muhammad] thou wilt see their eyes overflowing with tears for they recognize the truth.”

In addition as stated above, Surah 9:30 teaches that Christians are deluded for teaching that Jesus is the Christ and shall be cursed as a result. In short there is only a false tolerance of Christianity within Islam as displayed clearly through the teachings of the Quran. This is why many Muslims that convert to Christianity are either killed or have their life threatened. It's simply a one way ticket. Aside from the fact that polytheists can be made to become Muslims, compulsion in religion is no good UNLESS that compulsion is taking one from other religions, Christianity in particular, toward Islam.

Universal Inclusion & Relativism?


The Quran teaches that all one needs to do is remain faithful to their religion in order to receive "their reward, with their Lord". So adherance to the Islamic teachings are not necessarily required unless you believe in some form of polytheism.

"Those who believe, And those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), And the Christians and the Sabians, And any who believe in God, And the Last Day, And work righteousness, Shall have their reward, With their Lord: on them Shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.”(Surah 2:62)

Therefore based on what the Quran teaches, all paths, if they are sincerely followed lead to God. There is not a right or wrong way as long as one is sincere and follows their path. Primarily this means that all religious systems and morality itself is only an illusion. Concepts such as this are ripe for the picking within atheistic circles and also pantheistic circles.

Conclusion:

In This post we have set forth the basics of what Islam is and what it teaches. In the next post we will look at the Nation Of Islam and in the final post give the biblical rebuttal to the assertions of Islam and draw sharp and poignant distinctions between Allah and the God of the Bible and between Islam and Christianity. Islam contends that the message given it was from god through Gabriel the Archangel, however suffice it to say, that unless there is great and serious confusion in heaven, either one of these two religions (Islam or Christianity) is demonically inspired. You can guess which one I believe is nothing more than a variation of resurgent baalism and a product of demons...need I say more?


Blessed!