World Religions, Weeks 25, Comparing Full Gospel to Islamic beliefs

WELCOME! Coffee, donuts and snacks are available in the Lobby!

More Symbols of Islam

Islamic History - I

• Followers of Islam are called Muslims.• Muslims are monotheistic and worship one, all-knowing God, who in

Arabic is known as Allah.• Followers of Islam aim to live a life of complete submission to Allah. They

believe that nothing can happen without Allah’s permission, but humans have free will.

• Islam teaches that Allah’s word was revealed to the prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel.

• Muslims believe several prophets were sent to teach Allah’s law. They respect some of the same prophets as Jews and Christians, including Abraham, Moses, Noah and Jesus. Muslims contend that Muhammad was the final prophet.

• Mosques are places where Muslims worship.

Islamic History - II• Most historians believe that Islam originated in Mecca and Medina at the

start of the 7th century CE, approximately 600 years after the founding of Christianity.

• Islam was founded in Arabia by the prophet Mohammed in the early seventh century A.D. It is a strictly monotheistic religion with all worship centered on the one God Allah. The word Islam means "submission," and refers to the requirement that all believers submit to the will of Allah.

• Muslims maintain that Islam has existed since the beginning of time, being the one and only true religion revealed by God to Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and all true prophets throughout human history.

The illiterate Founder - I• The prophet Muhammad, sometimes spelled Mohammed or Mohammad,

was born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in 570 A.D. Muslims believe he was the final prophet sent by God to reveal their faith to mankind.

• According to Islamic texts and tradition, an angel named Gabriel visited Muhammad in 610 A.D. while he was meditating in a cave. The angel ordered Muhammad to recite the words of Allah.

• Muslims believe that Muhammad continued to receive revelations from Allah throughout the rest of his life.

• Starting in about 613, Muhammad began preaching throughout Mecca the messages he received. He taught that there was no other God but Allah and that Muslims should devote their lives to this God.

The Illiterate Founder - II• In 622, Muhammad traveled from Mecca to Medina with his supporters.

This journey became known as the Hijra (also spelled Hegira or Hijrah), and marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.

• Some seven years later, Muhammad and his many followers returned to Mecca and conquered the region. He continued to preach until his death in 632.

• After Muhammad’s died, Islam began to spread rapidly. A series of leaders, known as caliphs, became successors to Muhammad.

• This system of leadership, which was run by a Muslim ruler, became known as a caliphate.

Islamic History - III• Some important Islamic holy places include the Kaaba shrine in Mecca, the Al-

Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, and the Prophet Muhammad’s mosque in Medina.

• The Quran (or Koran) is the major holy text of Islam. The Hadith is another important book. Muslims also revere some material found in the Judeo-Christian Bible.

• It contains some basic information that is found in the Hebrew Bible as well as revelations that were given to Muhammad. The text is considered the sacred word of God and supercedes any previous writings.

• Most Muslims believe that Muhammad’s scribes wrote down his words, which became the Quran. (Muhammad himself was never taught to read or write.)

• Followers worship Allah by praying and reciting the Quran. They believe there will be a day of judgment, and life after death.

Similarities & Difference in Beliefs• A central idea in Islam is “jihad,” which means “struggle.” While the term has been

used negatively in mainstream culture, Muslims believe it refers to internal and external efforts to defend their faith.

• Although rare, this can include military jihad if a “just war” is needed.

• Christianity and Islam have more in common than most people know — they are both monotheistic Abrahamic religions, and Jesus Christ is an important, revered figure in both religions.

• Christians believe in the Holy Trinity, and that Christ, the son of God, walked the earth as the incarnate form of God ("the Father").

• Most Christians also believe Christ will return at the end of the world.

• Muslims consider Jesus Christ to be a prophet — a messenger of God — and a messiah. However, they believe that Muhammad was the last prophet and he recorded the word of God verbatim in the Quran.

Sunnis and Shiites Two Divisions of Islam

• When Muhammad died, there was debate over who should replace him as leader. This led to a schism in Islam, and two major sects emerged: the Sunnis and the Shiites.

• Within each, there several sub-sects of Islam

• Sunnis make up nearly 90 percent of Muslims worldwide. They accept that the first four caliphs were the true successors to Muhammad.

• Shiite Muslims believe that only the caliph Ali and his descendants are the real successors to Muhammad.

• Today, Islam claims to have 1.8B believers worldwide: 2nd largest religion in the world

• Experts predict Islam will surpass Christianity as the largest religion by the end of the 21st century.

Kaaba Mosque in Mecca. According to the Quran, Abraham together with his

son Ishmael raised the foundations of this “house” around 2,000 BC

Al-Aqsa Mosque on Temple Mount Jerusalem

First built in 695 AD. Later enlarged in 1035 AD. Has 35K SqMeters, Holds 5,000 for prayer. 3rd Holiest site in Islam

Scriptures & Places

• The Quran (or Koran) is the major holy text of Islam. The Hadith is another important book. Muslims also revere some material found in the Judeo-Christian Bible.

• Some important Islamic holy places include the Kaaba shrine in Mecca, the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, and the Prophet Muhammad’s mosque in Medina.

• Followers worship Allah by praying and reciting the Quran. They believe there will be a day of judgment, and life after death.

• A central idea in Islam is “jihad,” which means “struggle.” While the term has been used negatively in mainstream culture, Muslims believe it refers to internal and external efforts to defend their faith. Although rare, this can include military jihad if a “just war” is needed.

Five Pillars of Islam -Basic Beliefs

• Muslims follow five basic pillars that are essential to their faith. These include:

• Shahada: to declare one’s faith in God and belief in Muhammad

• Salat: to pray five times a day (at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening)

• Zakat: to give to those in need

• Sawm: to fast, from sunup to sundown, during Ramadan

• Hajj: to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once during a person’s lifetime if the person is able

Sharia Law

• Islam’s legal system is known as Sharia Law. This faith-based code of conduct directs Muslims on how they should live in nearly every aspect of their lives.

• Sharia law requires men and women to dress modestly. It also outlines marriage guidelines and other moral principles for Muslims.

• If crimes are committed, Sharia law is known for its harsh punishments. For example, the punishment for theft is amputating a person’s hand. Adultery can carry the penalty of death by stoning.

• However, many Muslims do not support such extreme measures.

Muslim Holidays

• The two major Muslim holidays are:

• Eid al-Adha: celebrates the Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son for Allah.

• Eid al-Fitr: marks the end of Ramadan, which starts Friday, April 24th, 2020; and ends Saturday, May 23, 2020—the Islamic holy month of fasting.

• Muslims also celebrate other holidays, such as:

• The birth of Muhammad; born 570, Mecca, Arabia; died June 8, 632, Medina, Arabia

• The Islamic New Year. Next one on Thursday August 20th, 2020

Other Muslim Practices• Muslims don't celebrate Christmas because according to the Christian

faith, 25th December is the day when God Almighty, via the Virgin Mary, gave birth to his son Jesus (May God forbid).

• Muslims generally will not sing religious Christmas songs

• Muslims do not sing praise songs to Allah. Their service is 90% sermon, and 10% prayer

• Muslims are supposed to pray 5 times a day; in the direction of Mecca

• Muslim men are allowed to have as many as 4 wives.

• Many Muslims have immigrated into the U.S. And brought their 2-3-or 4 wives with them, but the U.S. does not allow multi marriages, so the man lists one wife as his, and signs the other 2 or 3 up as extended family on welfare and other free Government programs!

Biblical Evaluation -I (Boa)• Islam combines elements of the OT, Christianity, and native Arabian

religions. He refers to the OT and NT as the truth, but his doctrines contradict his teachings.

• The Koran is divided into 114 chapters of widely varying length; size of NT

• They claim the Koran is uncreated and eternal; and considered above the Bible

• They claim Allah is all powerful, but little is said about his Holiness or love

• Unlike God of our Bible, Allah has nothing that cost him anything

• They reject, and distort, the trinity (God, Jesus & Mary; but not the HS)

• Salvation is uncertain, since it depends on works - not grace

• They reject the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus

Biblical Evaluation - II (Boa)• Islam has an elaborate systems of angels and demons that translates into

practical polytheism among the masses

• Islam is pervaded by fatalism

• Prayers and worship are codified; no spontaneity

• Islam does not seek to establish a personal relationship with Allah

• Mohammad’s revelation were accompanied by violent fits and foaming of the mouth.

• Mohammad spent his last 10 years in warfare: very unlike Jesus

• Women have few rights in Moslem countries.

• Men can easily get a divorce; but not a woman

• Radical Islamist/Jihadists (ISIS, Talban, Boko Haram, etc) terrorize the world

•This it for today!

•Have a great Sunday, week, and month!

•Next week, we will discuss Something Else!

References - I:• Boa, Kenneth, Cults, World Religions, and the Occult (Pages 44-50)

Victor Books, SP Publications, 1990

• Christianity vs. Islam, retrieved 12/16/19 from https://www.diffen.com/difference/Christianity_vs_Islam

• Islam, History.com, retrieved 12/26/19, from https://www.history.com/topics/religion/islam

ZoroastrianismZoroastrianism

References - II

•