INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM HANDOUT

BY

PASTOR DAHIRU ALIYU

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 INTRODUCTION

The study of Islam is a very important study in an Evangelical Theological

Institution close to the study of African Traditional Religion (ATR) and World

Religions and Cults. This opens our knowledge to a world second ranking religion

next to Christianity. A religion that is fast spreading globally and as an archenemy

of Christianity has a principal goal to both over take and exterminate Christianity

all over the world and to establish Islamic government and Shari’a law wherever

there are even but few Muslims all over the world.

DEFINITION OF ISLAM

Islam has often been described by Muslims as “a religion of peace”; and has

been defined as “submission”. It entails yielding one’s will completely to the will

of Allah. Islam at first glance appears to be similar to Christianity but in reality it is

the most far away from it and vehemently opposed to the cardinal teachings of

Christianity.

As a fast growing religion from the Arabian Pennisula Islam has extended to china

in the east, North America in the west, to Russia in the north to the tip of North

Africa in the south. Islam is the only religion allowed to be practiced in some

African and Asian countries. Islam is the second most widespread religion in

nations like France, Belgium, Holland, and England magnificient mosques and

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their tall minarets and doomes are now found in practically all the large cities of

the so called Christian countries of the world.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF ISLAM

Muhammed the founder and prophet of Islam was born at Mecca a city some

forty miles (sixty kilometers) east of the Red seas part of Jeddah in the country of

Saudi Arabia situated in the Arabian peninsula. He was the son of Abdullah and his

mother’s name was Amina. At the time of his birth mecca was a centre of trade and

commerce with caravans moving in and out with merchandise to as far as Syria in

the north. It was also a country of religious polytheism where pagans worship

about 350 gods.

Geographically, Mecca was a dry desert area with high sunrays and unbearable

heat. Two classes of people occupied the Arabian peninsula of Saudi Arabia. The

mega – rich who lived in luxuries and enjoy the pleasure of their wealth. In

contrast are the mega – poor and destitute who could hardly afford a square meal.

Most of these destitute preferred to commit suicide then to face the agonies of

dying slowly from hunger. In fact some parents buried their children alive then to

watch them die of hunger.

Religiously, Mecca was also the capital of pre – Islamic religious polytheism

of the Arabians. In Mecca there were shrines built for the worship of over 350 gods

and goddesses. Qusay was the founding father of the Quraish tribe which was the

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ruling tribe in Arabia. Muhammed came from the Quraish tribe which was the

ruling tribe and the most influencial economically, politically, culturally and

religiously from the Hashemite clan.

The existing religions of Mecca then had a significant influence in shapping the

thinking of Mohammed. In Acts 2:8 – 11 and from circular historian we are told

that there were Jews in Arabia at that time. The Arabians considered the Jews to be

their cousins while the Jews were mainly in to doing businesses in Saudi Arabia,

however, they often engaged in religious discussions with the native Arabians. At

this time there were also some Christians of the Ebionite sect in Arabia. The

teachings of the Ebionite denied the deity of Christ and His sacrificial death; but

admitted to His virgin birth and his sinless life. The Ebionites hold unto the

corrupted version of the Gospel of Matthew called “The Gospel According to

Hebrews”. They also removed many portions from it and added their own views.

They also quoted portions from the Pentateuch. They strongly denounced

polytheism or any semblance of it. Although the Ebionites Christians were pious

and devoted, yet they were doctrinally heretics and some of Mohammed’s relatives

were among these Ebionite Christian. Mohammed spent many hours and days in

religious devotions with them in cave of Harraa (Hira). Another small doctrinally

heretical group known at that time as the Miriamites, claimed that the trinity

consists of the father (Allah), the mother (Mary) and the son (Jesus). Muhammed

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was well acquainted with many Pastor’s and priest in Syria. When later in his

ministry many Christian refused to follow him he accused them of his blasphemy.

Besides the Miriamites, many Arabs acknowledge the existence of the true

God, as Allah but they still worship other many losses deities. Many of these idol

worshippers do come in multitude to Mecca to visit the venerated shrine Al Kaaba.

At this time in the neighboring countries the influence of Christianity was

gradually waning down as quibbling and dissensions were prevalent, while

veneration of relics and imaged had at most replaced the original true and pure

worship of God by the power of the Holy spirit. All these factors and many others

help shape the ideology of Mohammed.

HISTORICAL BIOGRAPGY OF MOHAMMED: THE PROPHET OF ISLAM

Mohammed Ibn (son of) Abdullah, Ibn Abdel – Muttaleb, Ibn Hasham, Ibn

Abd Munaf, Ibn Qusay – (Qosay being the father of the ruling Quaraish tribe) was

born in mecca around 570 AD. His father’s name ‘Abdullah “mean “Servant of

Allah” and indicated clearly that the worship of Allah was well practice in Arabia

long before the coming Mohammed and his Islamic religion. Hashem being

founders of the Hashemite clan. Mohammed’s father died before he was born and

his mother Amina also died when Mohammed was six years old. As an orphan,

Mohammed was nurtured by his grand – father Abdel Muttaleb who is said to have

been a distant cousin and friend to an Ebionite Christian Pastor Waraqa Ibn Naufal.

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It is said that Mohammed later spent many hours with Pastor Waraqa in the cave of

Harraa (Hira) in prayer meditation and religious devotions. The women who

nursed Mohammed after his parents died is said to be an Ebionite Christian.

When Mohammed was eight years of age, his grand – father Abdel Muttaleb died

and he had to move in to live with his uncle Abu Taleb who took good care of him

as his brother’s son. He was a kind man who treated Mohammed with affection

and kindness. However Abu Taleb had more children but was not as rich as other

uncles of Mohammed like Abu Lahab who was a wealthy man. Mohammed

condemned him in some Qur’anic verses. At the age of thirteen, Abu Taleb

suggested to Mohammed to start following some merchandise caravans to travel

for businesses so that he can earn a living. In the process Mohammed experienced

the hardship of a desert life: (1) Traveling on foot for hours, but sometimes on

camels back. (2) Sometimes severe heat in the day time and chilling cold at night.

(3) Sometimes grave thirst and hunger enroute and moment of refreshing. As a

result of his numerous travels, he came in contact with so many Christians, monks

and Christian priest. It is said that one of such even treated Mohammed of an eye

ailment. Mohammed learned so much from them about Christian teachings and

these influenced much of his own teachings and made him to be kind to Christians

at the early years of his prophetic calling especially to priests and monks. Some of

the Qur’an verses express how he had sympathy or respect for Christians, but all of

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these later changes when Christians, monks and priests, refused to support his

religion.

One of the impacts of his numerous merchandise journeys was he saw life

outside the Arabian Peninsula in contrast to the life of the destitute in Mecca

Arabia who often buried their children alive to spare them the agonies of dying of

hunger. He saw the rich grain fields and green meadows, gardens and rivers in

contrast with scotching heat of the dry desert life of Mecca. When Mohammed was

a young man of about twenty years of age, he was admired by one of the wealthiest

and must influential women in Mecca who desired him to be her husband. It was

business at first because Mohammed was her worker doing managing her business

as he travel from place to place in caravans with other merchants buying and

selling for her.

The wealthy women by the name Khadija was a Jewish and was about forty

years of age and has been widowed twice and had many children. She was an

Ebionite Christian and a distant cousin of the Ebionite Christian pastor Waraqa

who used to fast and pray with Mohammed’s uncle and with his grand – father. By

virtue of this marriage, unexpected changes suddenly took effect in the life of

Mohammed:-

(a) Mohammed became a respected member of the upper class elites of Mecca.

(b) Mohammed the poor orphan boy became a rich merchant.

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 (c) He also became much closed to the Ebionite Pastor Waraqa who taught him

a great deal about religion of Christians and the Bible. He taught

Mohammed and emphasized to him the need for religious zeal and fasting,

and charity to the poor. Doctrinally he was monotheistic, but denied the

Biblical teachings of the deity and sacrificial death of Christ.

THE CALL OF MOHAMMED

Mohammed continued to travel as a merchant to manage Khadija’s immense

wealth it was a marriage of convenience of an aging wealthy widow and a poor

ambitious orphan. Mohammed ran the caravans trade and made much fortune.

After acquiring much wealth and riches, he later left this to search for spiritual

realities. At this time Mohammed used to travel three miles from Mecca, to do

meditation in the cave of Harraa (Hira). At age forty Mohammed had his first

vision and revelation. One day at the age of forty, when he was worshiping in the

cave of Harraa he had an experience which puzzled and confused him. He was not

sure whether it was an angel or a demon who had spoken to him. A spirit came to

him with a piece of silt brocade written on it “RECITE” and he answered “what

shall I recite? It was repeated three times. Then the Spirit later said to him “Recite

in the name of the Allah who created man from blood coagulated”. “Recite, the

Lord is wondrous kind who by the pen has taught mankind things they knew not

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being blind.” Mohammed received this vision during the period of 22years until his

death in 632A.D.

INTERPRETATIONS OF THE VISIONS

It is said that at first Mohammed was quite frightened by these encounters, so that

he even seek for help. The fears that Mohammed had was that, no doubt he was

aware that there was a power greater than himself behind these strange

occurrences. But Khadija, his Jewish wealthy wife and other Ebionite heretical

Christians especially pastor Waraqa, his wife’s distant cousin who was closed to

100years all gave him convincing interpretations of his visions and revelation as

thus:

a- Khadija assured him that it was the angel Gabriel that spoke to Mohammed

the words “Recite” as well as the subsequent visions he saw and the

revelations he received.

a- Pastor Waraqa told Khadija that God, who called Moses before was now

calling Mohammed to be his spoke man.

b- More and more Khadija and heretical Ebionite Christians, especially Waraqa

encouraged him and convinced him that God had a special mission for him.

c- They said, he was going to unite all the Arabs world as well as Christians

and Jews in to one monotheistic faith, the faith of Abraham.

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 Besides the fear he felt of the strange occurances of visions, Mohammed saw an

opportunity to fulfilling his dream of rallying, organizing and marshaling the Arab

around himself and becoming their religious leader. Then he would introduce

justice and a measure of equality to their lives.

HIS CLAIMS

1. He claimed to have been miraculously transported at night from the Mosque

at Medina to the Mosque (Al Quads) at Jerusalem on the back of a white

horse (Al Barraq – qlistening lightning).

2. He was taken to paradise on the back of the same white horse from

Jerusalem, where he saw Abraham, Moses, Isa (our Lord Jesus Christ), and

others. There Moses advised him and helped him to petition Allah to reduce

the required number of prayers from fifty to five aday.

3. He claimed to have been taken to the seventh heaven to receive prayers

which he finally receives five.

4. He claimed between the age of forty of being the prophet and apostle of

Allah. He also claimed to be the last and greatest of Allah’s prophets.

5. He claimed that it was angel Gabriel that appeared to him several times

different messages.

HIS DEATH

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 Mohammed died at age 62 about the year 632AD (some claimed he was

poisoned). Before his death, Islam had become the Religion of the Arabs. He was

asked on his death bed about a few who did not accept Islam. His reply was that

they either become Muslims, leave Arabia, or be killed; “There is no room for two

religions in the Island of the Arabs!” Mohammed had no mercy on anyone who

embrace Islam and then returned to his previous religion.

At his death, he had married at least forty wives and concubines (some

proudly claimed more than ninety). He fought several battles and gained great

spoil, most of which he gave to his followers as rewards for obeying him. He is

also reputed for giving much to the poor. As to his moral character, when asked

about what he liked most in his life, Mohammed is reported to have said: “three

things appeal to me most in your world: perfumes, women, and the joy of prayer”.

On his death bed when asked about heaven whether he is sure of going to heaven

when he pass on? He said that he does not know yet and he is not sure of entering

heaven. So he told his daughter Fatime that he is nobody’s father.

THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM

The five pillars of Islam are the Shahada (Statement of faith), Salat (Prayer five

times a day), Zakat (giving a portion of one’s possession, usually 2.5% of annual

wealth, through local mosques or associations), Sawm (fasting from sunrise to

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sunset in the month of Ramadan), and Hajj (pilgrimage to the Ka’abah in Mecca

during the month of Dhul’l -Hijjah).

“Righteousness does not consist in turning your face towards East or West.

The truly good are those who believe in God and the Last Day, in the angels,

the Scripture, and the prophets; who give away some of their wealth,

however much they cherish it, to their relatives, to orphans, the needy,

travelers and beggars, and to liberate those in bondage; those who keep up

the prayer (salat) and pay the prescribed alms (zakat); who keep pledges

whenever they make them; who are steadfast in misfortune, adversity, and

times of danger. These are the ones who are true, and it is they who are

aware of God.” (Qur’an 2:177).

Muslims are called to perform certain regular acts of worship which increase their

sense of God – consciousness and discipline their attitudes towardothers as well as

the use of their time and property. These acts of worship, often called the “five

Pillars of Islam,” are based in the Qur’an and Sunnah and interpreted by the ‘ulama

in the first three centuries of Islam. The five pillars are the Shahadah, salat, zakat,

sawm and Hajj. These grounding commitments shape the lives and practices of

Muslims throughout the world, including Nigeria.

 Shahadah : The Shahadah, ‘witness’ or profession of faith, is repeated with

every prayer: “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammed

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 is Allah’s Messenger.” The belief in God’s oneness, or Tauhid(Theology),

and the prophet hood of Muhammed is the first step of a lifelong journey as

a Muslim.

 Salat: Muslims perform the ritual prayers salat five times a day, just as

Muhammed did. Standing, bowing, kneeling, and prostrating the body

before God and reciting Qur’anic passages teach humility and dependence

on God. Prayers are performed at down, midday, afternoon, sunset, and

nightfall. While it is preferable to pray in a mosque with fellow, it is also

permissible to pray alone in a clean place. Many families pray together in

their homes, at least in the morning and evening. Before the prayers,

Muslims remove their shoes, perform ritual ablutions, and state their

intention to worship. In the mosque, prayer is often led by an imam, a

learned community member. Prayers are performed in cycles of bowing and

prostration called rak’at. Muslims, whenever they are, pray in the direction

of the Ka’bah in mecca (qiblah), usually marked by a niche in a mosque wall

(mihrab). Around the world, millions of Muslims pray five times daily,

orienting their lives individually and collectively toward God.

 Zakat: zakat literally means “purification” a payment of a portion of one’s

wealth to purify the rest and to ensure justice in society. Used to help the

needy members of a community or those working for just causes, the zakat

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 is part of the larger Islamic vision of social justice. While Muslims are

encouraged to pursue economic and social gain, they are also reminded to

use their wealth unselfishly and to care for others less fortunate. The rate of

zakat is generally 2.5 percent of annual accumulated wealth, including

savings and nonessential property; in some countries it is collected and

distributed by the government. American Muslims often distribute their

zakat through local mosques and Muslim associations. Muslim relief

agencies are at work throughout the world today, and American Muslims run

special programs through zakat contributions from soup kitchens to Bosnian

refugee relief.

 Sawm: The first revelation of the Qur’an came to Muhammed during lunar

month of Ramadan. Every year this month, Muslims perform a daily fast

(Sawm). They are obliged to abstain from food, water, sexual activity and

evil thoughts during the daylight fasting hours. Ramadan is a time of

discipline for the spirit as well as the body the body, a time to cultivate

patience and commitment. The fast also reminds the faithful of those who

are hungry every day, underscoring the need for social justice. Many

Muslims perform special prayers and attend Qur’anic recitation sessions

every night. Ramadan is also a time of community solidarity, as meal and

festivities are shared with family and friends after dark.

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  Hajj: The final pillar of Islam is the Hajj, or pilgrimage to the Ka’bah in

Mecca, performed during Dhul’l-Hijjah, the last month of the Muslim year.

The Hajj recalls the faithfulness of prophet Abraham who was ready to

sacrifice his son Ishmael at God’s command; but it was not God’s will it is

both joy and faithfulness that bring millions of Muslims from all over the

world to mecca for his pilgrimage. The Hajj is required at least once of every

Muslim in good health and with the financial means. It brings together the

word – wide ummah, making clear that Muslims of all races ethnic groups,

and cultures are equal in God’s presence, all wearing the same simple white

garment, walking and praying and eating together in the most holy places.

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMEN AND EXPANSION OF ISLAM THROUGH

JIHADS (HOLY WARS)
Mohammed’s new found religion received opposition and persecution in

Mecca his home town. He had to flee for his life and his followers to a city called

YATHRIB which is now known as “Medina” which means “city of the prophet”.

This flight is refered to as ‘Hijrah’ which also means “flight”. This hijrah marks a

turning point in Islam. All Islamic calendar marks this date of July 622 as their

starting point or beginning. Thus AD 630 would be S.A.H (in the year of Hijrah).

Mohammed fought against polytheism in mecca when he came back from

Medina with his band of warriors. He conquered Mecca and declared Ka’aba a

shrine for the one true God “Allah”. He introduced the worship of Allah alone, and
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anybody who pronounced Kalmat Shahadah was spared and recruited in to the

Islamic faith and encouraged to fight for Allah. These attacks and fight against non

– Muslims was refered to as “Jihad”. All the villages, town, cities and countries

that he conquered, he ordered them to come yearly and reverently to go round the

Ka’aba seven times as a religious obligation. He spread the religion through wars

called Jihad and through trade. Anybody who accepted the religion was

encouraged and forced to fight for Allah i.e Jihad. Quaran teaches, “fight Kafir

until they pronounced (La – ilaha - ilallah). The last two years of Mohammed’s life

were spent in Medina and were years of complete triumph. His few remaining

opponents surrendered to him and to his religion, thus fulfilling his dream of

uniting all Arabs in the faith he has founded. His wife Khadija was his first

convert, followed by Abu – Bakr who was his father in law and became one of his

Kalifs (Caliph). Mohammed used to go from the haunt of men and retire in to the

mountains to give himself up to prayers and meditation.

Upon the death of Mohammed Abu Bakr became his first Caliphdeputy

successor the official tittle was “Amir al Muminin (Prince, or commander, of the

faithful’s)”. Today, “Arun al Mumin (Emir)” means commander of the faithfuls.

Islam believes in persecuting others throng Jihad. Islam believes that Jihad will

always lead to success and that success depends on war.

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 At Mohammed’s death, many Arabs tribes which had accepted Islam

superficially, rebelled and marched towards medina. Abu Bakr (632 – 634) sent his

must ruthless general. Khalid ibn Al Walid (known in Arabic history as “the sword

of God (Allah)), who defeated them and forced them back in to Islam. His words to

his troops were “Be valiant, die rather than yield… compel the rest of mankind to

become Muslims or to pay us tribute. If they refused these terms, slay them.”

(Rafique Pg. 21). This statement is based on the philosophy of Islam that “Jihad

(holy war) is completed only when the entire world is placed under the submission

of Allah and when his laws reign supreme” (Ergun Pg. 70).

After the death of Abu Bakr, came Caliph Umar (Omar) ibn Al Khattab (634 –

644). During his time, conquest through jihad came very rapidly in the year

635AD, Damascus was taken. In 638AD, Jerusalem was captured by Muslim

warriors. In less than ten years of Mohammed’s death nations were conquered by

Islamic jihadists such as Syria in 642AD, Persia 642AD; Egypt 639; Iraq in 636,

the fall of cart hag 688AD; the conquer of the Berbers in North Africa 702 AD. By

705 – 708 full occupation of North Africa by the Muslims etc.

In 644AD, Uthman (644 – 656), a Persian slave murdered Umar and became

the third Caliph. However, Ali bin Abi Taleb (656 – 661), Uthman’s son in – law

and a cousin of Mohammed took control of the Kingdom. In 661 Ali was

assassinated. After Ali’s death Islam set forth to conquer the then known world.

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Islam expanded in successive conquests by Jihad and capturing of many lands. It

swallowed Cyprus in 647AD; Tunisia and Kabul in modern Afghanistan in 670AD

and the Island of Rhodes in 672AD. The city of Constantinople the capital of

Roman empire built during emperor constatine was besiege in 677AD and failed to

the Muslims, North Africa in about 700; Spain was captured in 711AD, while the

Chinese Turkestan border was taken in 715 and Morocco succumbed to Islamic

invasion in 722AD.

By the end of its first century, Islam had stretched to the west border of

China, Southern border of France, while North Africa was completely

denominated. Damascus and Syria became capitals of the Islamic world. The

Dome of the rock was built in Jerusalem on the Jewish temple mount in 690AD to

demonstrate the superiority of Islam over Judaism. In 715AD, the Great Mosque of

Damascus replaced the Cathedral Church of St’ John to demonstrate the superiority

of Islam over the corrupt Christianity of the times.

FOUR FACTORS THAT AID THE SPREAD OF ISLAM

Islam continued to spread for many reasons of which there are four basic

reasons:

1. Firstly, the soldiers were made to believe that if they die in the holy wars,

they would immediately enter paradise (heaven) with all its pleasures. All

their wars were labelled holy.

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 2. Most of the soldiers, at the beginning were poor, hungry Bedouins who were

used to risking their lives for food. For example, Caliph Omar…. Sent

troops to Persia bearing a message to the Persian governor which reads

“Accept Islam and thou shalt be saved (Arabic: Aslam Taslam) – a phrase

which means or else pay tribute… A people are already upon thee, loving

death even as thou lovest life” (Rafiquepg 22).

3. Thirdly was the decline of norminal Christianity, argument, divisions over

Theological positions. Many false teachings concerning the person, life and

work of Jesus Christ had been spreading instead of evangelism.

4. The atrocities of the Byzantine Christian Empire made many in the middle

east to welcome Islamic invades hoping they would be treated better by the

Muslims.

THE NAMES OF ALLAH

In the Hadith records of Islamic traditions “Muhammed said, ‘verily there

are ninety – nine names of Allah and whoever recites them shall enter paradise”

(8:419). Because of time and space, we will only out time a few names of Allah.

(1) Al – Awwal – You are the first 57:3

(2) Al – Aakhir – You are the last

(3) Ad – Dhaahir – You are the Triumphant

(4) Al – Batin – You are the perspicuous

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 (5) Al – Saalim – You are all knowing

(6) Al – Ali – The High one in mighty power 2:275 – 56

(7) Al – Alim – The All – knowing 2:29

(8) Al – Darr – The afflicters 48:11

(9) Al – Hakim – The wise 6:18

(10) Al – Halim – The kind, who is forgiving of his own 2:225

(11) Al –Haq – The living who is the source of life 20:11

(12) Al – Mudhil – The humiliator 3:2

RELIGIOUS BOOKS OF ISLAM

1. The Torah Laws of Moses

2. The Suhuf Prophetical Books

3. The Zabur Psalms of David

4. The Injil The Gospel of Jesus

5. The Hadith Life and works of prophet Muhammed

6. The Qur’an Visions, Revelation of prompt

Muslims believe that the first four books have been corrupted except for the Hadith

and Qur’an which carries the original text.

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 THE THEOLOGY AND PRACTICE OF ISLAM

But this we mean the teachings, of the doctrines and articles of faith in

Islam. What is believed? What do Muslim believe? And how do they believe in it?

There are two sources of teachings of Islam:

(1) The Quran: This is commonly refered to as “Al Qur’an al Kareem” meaning

the honored Qur’an.

(2) The Tradition or Hadith: This means the sayings. It is simply refered to as

“Al Hadith al shareef” meaning the noble sayings (of Mohammed). The

hadith is the combination of:

a- Mohammed’s teachings

b- What Mohammed did

c- What Mohammed did not condemn.

Both sources are considered to be infallible. However, there are many important

differences between the two. The main religious teachings of Islam include the

belief in the following: -

1. God (Allah): - Islam emphasizes that there is only one God (Allah). So the

Muslims believe that there is but one God. He has no father or mother. He

has no counsellor or wife and did not gave birth to a son. Allah is the Arabic

word for God. Muslims speak very reverently of Allah as the only true and

living God; the God of Abraham and of Ishmael and Isaac and their

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 ancestors and their descendants. However, they do not realize that God is

love, nor do they know him as the father of true believers.

Muslim worshippers are taught to feel the presence of Allah when

worshiping him by chanting their Arabic incantations. Allah is taught

to be pure, therefore you should also be pure. Islam also believes in

predestination. It teaches that whatever man does in his life, he is only

fulfilling what God has predestined or planned to happened in his life.

They don’t believe in human volition or in the choice of the will.

Muslims also believe that God is the creator of the universe, and that

God created by the word saying “let there be done and it ways done.

However that God created man in with a dot of blood.

2. The Lord Jesus Christ: Muslims believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as a prophet

of God who was born of a virgin and lived a life of sinless perfection. They

refer to him as Isa (pronounced as “Eesa”) the son of Miriam. While the

Arabic speaking Christians called God Allah, they however never call Jesus

Isa. They call him Yasoo meaning “Jehovah the savior”. Muslims believe

that Jesus was a good man, a good and sinless prophet; however they

strongly deny his deity as the son of God or as God Himself. To them such

doctrine is a form of polytheism and so it is blasphemous. They also

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 consider it to be an insult to God to speak of him as having a son, as if he

must have had a wife.

These views of Christ did not originate with Islam but were the

teachings of the Nestorian and Ebionite heretical Christian sects who

influenced Mohammed during his early years of spiritual development.

These Ebionites were not known as Christians rather they were called

‘Nasara’ (derived from “Nazarenes”) Mohammed spoke very highly of

Christ and mention in the Hadith that he was the only man who never

sinned. The Qur’an admits that Christ performed more miracles anyone else,

that he raised the death and knew the thought of men. Islam believes that

Christ is alive and will come again to this earth.

3. The Holy Bible:- The Quran refers to the Bible as “The Book” and refers to

the Jews and Christians as ‘The people of the book’, Muslims believe in the

Bible and they read the Bible. This is because the Quran admits that the

Bible was given by God, and the Quran approved of the reading of the Bible.

Mohammed was told that if he were in doubt as to what was given him (i.e

the Quran), he should check it in the book, (i.e the Bible). The references in

the Quran speak mostly of the books of Moses (called Al Torah), the

Psalms, (called Al Zaboor), and the gospels (called Al Injil – from Evangel).

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When Muslim scholars found some contradictions between the Bible and the

Quran, they claimed that the Bible has been completely corrupted, and is not

trustworthy. In addition they said that the Bible is not needed anyway since they

now have the Quran.

4. Judgement and the future State:- Islam teaches that there will be a day

judgement for all mankind. The good works and the bad works will be put in

the balances, and which ever is heavier than the other will determine one’s

fate Muslims will go to paradise if their good works exceeds their evil ones.

All unbelievers of Islamic religion will go to hell fire. However the Quran

teaches that “The people of the Book” (the Jews and the Christian) have

nothing to fear if they obey the teachings of the Book (the Bible).

Later Quranic verses considered them polytheist, infidels and idols worshippers.

Since muslims believe that the true Bible no longer exists, they also denounced

the existence of the “people of the Book”. Paradise, in Islam is a place of

beautiful trees, delicious fruits, in abundance, underground rivers, and rivers of

wine, comfortable cushion sofas – essentially everything that was lacking in the

Arabian Desert. It also has beautiful woman without number etc. one certain

way to get to paradise is to die in a holy war (a Jihad). Reward will be based

on:- (1) Build Mosque (2) Giving of alms (3) Sponsor Pilgrims (4) Hajj

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5. Mohammed: A cardinal doctrine in Islam is the concrete belief that

Mohammed was an apostle of God (Allah) and that he is the last prophet of

God to the world. Anyone who claims to be a prophet after him is an

impostor and a heretic.

6. Creation: - Muslims believe that God (Allah) is the creator. He created the

universe by the word saying “let there be done and it was done”. Islam

however does not teach that God created in succession of days. All they

know is that God created. Man was created, and all beings were also created.

That God asked all beings to worship man, but Iblis (Satan) refused because

he was created from fire. Iblish felt superior to man, so God punished him

by sending him away from the family of God.

They also believe that God (Allah) is coming to judge every human being

and everyone will give account. Islam also teaches that the signs of the

coming of the Lord includes the following:

(1) The sun will rise from the west and set in the east

(2) Stars will be falling (Rev. 6)

(3) Christ will come and rebuke Christian for calling him son of God. Then

will go to Jerusalem and marry, give birth to a child. Then Christ will die

and be buried near Mohammed grave (at Madina) before the

resurrection.”

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7. Prophets: - Muslims believe in prophets, like Moses, David, Abraham, John,

Mohammed etc they believe that Jesus was a prophet but not an apostle of

God. That prophets are men who prophecy for God.

8. Islam believes and teaches on the existence of angels as spirit beings and

messangers of God. They believe in angel Gabriel and also angel Michael.

Etc

9. Predestination: - Islam teaches that whatever, a man does, he is only

fulfilling what God has predestined or planned to happened in real life. They

don’t believe in the choice of one’s will.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Burnham, Gracia; Heats of Fire: Eight Women in the Underground Church

And their Stories of Costly faith. Stephen Publication House. Lagos

Nigeria. 2003.

Gilchrist, John: Sharing the Gospel with Muslims; Handbook for Bible – Based

Muslim Evangelism. Life Challenge Assistance Network and Oasis

International Ltd Nairobi Kenya. 2009.

Moshay, G.J.O: Who is this Allah; Bishara Publishers. Houston, USA 2002

Learning About Islam: The voice of the martyrs. Accra, Ghana. 2001

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