Islam (Submission to God)

1. Islam (Submission to God) Founder: Muhammed Born 570 AD in Mecca, member of the Quraysh (a leading tribe) His father died before Mohammed was born His mother died when Mohammed was 6 His grandfather died when Mohammed was 9 He was raised in poverty by an uncle (Abu Talib), and tended flocks His early life was very tragic He became sensitive to suffering; had a pure heart; was a hard worker; honest He became known as “the true,”“the upright,” the trustworthy one” He was employed by a rich widow named Khadija Mohammed (age 25) married Khadija (age 40) 6 children born: 2 sons and 4 daughters (only one daughter, Fatima, survived) Tremendous spiritual tension internally; frequent prayer in desert in solitude 610 AD (age 40) “Night of Power & Excellence” at Mt. Hira Revelation from angel Gabriel (Surah 96); revelations continued over 20 years Lukewarm appeal at first, but increasing opposition July 16, 622 AD “Hegira” M went to Yathrib (later named Media “city of the prophet”) Consummate statesman, politician, administrator, counselor 630 AD victorious return to Mecca 632 AD died (unexpectedly) allegedly by food poisoning

2. Christ is to Christians what the Koran is to Muslims (Mohammed is not a savior) About the Koran (“to recite”) • 4/5 the length of the NT • 114 surahs (chapters) in decreasing length (surah 2 – 286 verses; 114 – 6) • No special chronological or logical sequence • Major themes (rather toilsome reading) • Have faith and do good works • There are “signs” • Men of understanding know • Against idols and idolatry • The righteous shall be rewarded • Your mission is only to give warning • Allah hears all and knows all • To Allah shall all things return • “People of the Book” • Allah does not guide the wrongdoers • It is believed that every letter was dictated by God (Allah), and that it is of divine origin; it is infallible; the speaker is usually God • The Muslim “miracle” since Mohammed was illiterate

3. The Koran is an exact copy of the original (tablet) which is in Heaven • No translation can adequately substitute for the original Arabic • The Koran is perfect (whereas the OT and NT have become partly corrupted) • Advocates the unity of God (Allah) • The Koran is to the Muslim, what Christ is to the Christian (sacred)] • The Koran came to the illiterate Muhammed over many years through Gabriel • No translation can substitute for the original Arabic • The NT has two defects from which the Koran is free • NT is incomplete • NT is partially corrupted • The Koran is regarded as complete and perfect • The precepts in the Koran are regarded as the revealed will of Allah, revealed to all humanity • The Koran offers comprehensive guidance for everyday life • The Gospel of Jesus taught us to love our neighbor; the Koran teaches us how to do that • The Koran does not cover every conceivable situation, as life and history move on • The Hadith fulfill this function, along with consensus and analogy

4. The Koran (continued) • 1.1 Fatihah (15) • 112.1. God is One (265) • 50.12 Allah is closer to us than our jugular vein (122) • 19.88 God has no Son (37) • 72.1 God has no wife or children (265) • 7.8f Adam and Eve • 15.32 Satan will seduce mankind (243) • 10.46 An apostle to every nation (68) • 19: 22-34 Jesus was born of a virgin • 19 Servant of God • 19.31 prophet; 4.169 messenger of God; 3.45 Messiah; 3.49 miracles • 2.87 Strengthened by the Holy Spirit • 4.156-7 Jesus not crucified (382) • 4.171 Jesus an apostle; do not say “3” (383-4) • 33.40 Mohammed is the “seal of the prophets” (293-4) • 30.29 and 3.19 Islam is the true religion (194, 409) • 3.110 Ummah is a superior people (417) • 57.25 Concerning monasticism (109)

5. Pedigree Deed Hadith Hadith Hadith Sunnah Koran Analogy consensus Shariah • Hadith are recollections of Mohammed’s sayings and doings • There are 2,700 and more of these • Sunnah is the body of orthodox tradition

6. Sunnah is the path of tradition, the way of faith and conduct, customary practice • Shariah is the most comprehensive term for the Islamic way of life • The sacred law, grounded in the will of God • The path of duty for all Muslims • The ideal, God-given Path, which humanity should follow

7. The Five Basic Doctrines of Islam • There is only one true God, Allah • There are angels • The chief angel is Gabriel • A fallen angel is Iblis (Greek diabolis); also called Shaitan • Four inspired books (Torah of Moses, Psalms of David, Gospel of Jesus, Koran); Koran is Allah’s final message, addressed to all humanity • 28 known prophets (Mohammed is the “seal” of the prophets) • There will be no more prophets after Muhammed • He was the last prophet, and he “sealed” prophecy • Jesus was the “seal of sanctity” • There will be a “last day” and a “final judgment”

8. The Five Pillars of Faith in Islam • Creed - (acknowledge God) - Shahada, or confession of faith • La ilahal illa Allah; Muhammed rasul Allah • There is no god but Allah; and Mohammed is his prophet • Oral confession and spend the rest of life actualizing the belief • Prayer (salat) – (an outward expression of the creed) • Five times per day, facing Mecca (dawn, noon, afternoon, evening, night • Almsgiving – if you have more, give to others • 2.5% of what you held (all assets) for one year • Fasting (during month of Ramadan) – we can experience the heart of others • During Ramadan; no food, no drink, no marital relationship • Pilgrimage (Hajj) – the official pilgrimage to Mecca (unity and equality) • A journey to Mecca at least once in your life • A sixth pillar often added is jihad, or “holy war” • Original meaning: the holy war against the evil that is inside me

9. God: strict monotheism (Allah) • Reality: created by Allah; is real and is good • Human being: supreme creation; consists of body and soul; individual has value; purpose is to serve Allah • Human problem: failure to serve Allah; a turning away from Allah’s will • Salvation: complete surrender to Allah; follow Allah’s will “as it is revealed in the Koran” • Conduct; obey and follow the guidance in the Koran; conduct yourself according to the sharia (religious law) • Destiny: there will be a judgment day; Mohammed and Jesus will appear • Bridge of Sirat (similar to Chinvat bridge of Zoroastrianism) (WS 245) • Heaven and hell Green meadows scorching fire Gardens boiling water Runner waters burning wind Fruit, wine thorns, scorpions, etc. Luxury smoke • Scripture: the Koran • History: linear

10. Islam holds to a strict monotheism • There is One God (Surah112.1 p 265) • Allah has no partners • Allah has no equals • “Shirk” is the worst sin in Islam (putting anyone or anything as equal to God) • Money, prestige, reputation (whatever your heart desires) • Allah has NO SON (4.171 p 384) • “don’t say three” (4.171 p 384) • Tawhid: doctrine of divine unity • The entire universe, including Satan (Shaitan) and his djinns, is completely under Allah’s authority • Islam criticizes Hinduism, Jainism, and Christianity • The 99 most beautiful names of God (WS 598)

11. Islamic View of the Cosmos/Reality • The universe is the creation of Allah • Three level form of Biblical thought (upper world or paradise; this world; the underworld) • Allah is in heaven above the earth • Humanity lives on the earth • Shaitan is in a hell beneath the earth • The universe was a deliberate act of Allah’s will • The world of matter is completely real; and good • This is the basis of Muslim science, which flourished during the Middle Ages

12. Islamic View of the Human Being • The human being is the supreme creation of Allah • Individuality has an ultimacy • We are created with a body and a soul • Our life on earth is the seedbed of an eternal future • Our purpose in life is to serve and obey Allah through complete submission to his will • Each soul will face a judgment day • Women are created (a degree below; equal to: opinions differ) men • Marriage is a sacred union • Husband can divorce wife easily • Wife cannot divorce husband so easily • Woman are to be obedient to their husbands, who are to treat them with kindness • Women are to be chaste and “hidden” (even remaining in the home)

13. The human problem • Humanity has lost its way and has turned from the service and worship of the only God, Allah • Suffering, evil, injustice, etc. all stem from this fundamental flaw • The greatest cause of misery is the stubborn refusal to submit to the will of Allah • Satan will seduce mankind (15.31 p 243f; 7.15247) • There is a certain instrumentality in evil and suffering • Allah even permits Shaitan and his angels to have some sway in the world

14. Salvation in Islam • True salvation is found only in one’s complete and total surrender to Allah • Follow the will of Allah, as it is revealed in the Koran

15. Conduct in Islam • Follow the will of Allah as revealed in the Koran • The Koran contains all that is necessary to live a holy life • The sharia (religious law) should be observed

16. Destiny as understood in Islam • At death, the body returns to the earth and the spirit goes to a place in the intermediary regions until the judgment day when the world will be judged • All the dead will rise from their graves, their souls will be reunited with their bodies, and they will be brought before Allah by the angels • Destiny of heaven or hell • There are 7 levels of heaven and 7 levels of hell

17. The Caliphate • Muhammed died unexpectedly, and had no appointed successor • 3 possibilities • Family (kinship) • Companions (closest associates) • His tribe • Abu Bakr (companion); died after one year • Umar (companion); assassinated • Othman (companion); assassinated • Ali (son-in-law; married Fatima); assassinated • Ali’s son renounced his right to succession • Ummayyad dynasty, centering in Damascus (Cain-type nation) • Abbasidian dynasty, centering in Baghdad (Abel-type nation) • Baghdad was the center of the civilized world at the time • 1922/24 Caliphate was abolished

18. Significant sects of Islam • Sunnis – majority of Muslims (they follow the Sunnah) • Shiites – minority of Muslims (recognize Ali as the first true Caliph) • Sufis – mystics • Wahhabi - puritanical