• What is Islam?

  • Key figure in History: Muhammad (A.D. 570- 632) (see below)

  • It claims to be the restoration of original monotheism and truth and thus supersedes both Judaism and Christianity.

  • It stresses submission to Allah (the Arabic name of God)

  • Islam also stresses conformity to the five pillars of salvation. (see below)

  • Allah’s will is to be perfectly revealed through the Koran (see below) and to be followed completely.

• Muhammad

  • Muhammad is believed to be the last and greatest prophet of Allah.

    • It was through him that the Koran was dictated.

    • Was forced out of his native city of Mecca in 622 A.D. after preaching against the paganism of the city.

    • Returned in 630A.D. and established Islam as Mecca’s official religion.

• The Koran

  • It is the most sacred book of Islam and the perfect Word of God to Muslims.

    • Claimed that it was dictated in Arabic by the angel Gabriel to Muhammad.

  • The Koran is about 4/5 the length of the New Testament and is divided into 114 “surahs” or chapters.

  • Respects the Torah, the Psalms and the four gospels, but views the Koran as being the authority

  • Religious obligation to memorize and read it in the original language.

• The Five Pillars are:

  • • • The Confession of Faith (Shahada)- The declaration that there is no god but Allah and his prophet Muhammad. Must be kept until death and any rejection would nullify salvation.

      • Prayer (Salat)- Preceded by ceremonial washing, the Muslim is called to pray five times a day toward Mecca.

        • Prayer is an act of submission to Allah and his will.

      • Almsgiving (Zakat)- The Koran teaches of giving two and one-half percent of one’s capital wealth to the poor and the propagation of Islamic teaching.

      • The Fast (Sawm)- During the course of the lunar month of Ramadan, a fast is to be observed by every Muslim, from sunrise to sunset.

        • While during the daytime, the fasting is meant for self-purification.

        • While during the nighttime, feasting and celebration occurs.

      • Pilgrammage (Hajj)- All Muslims who are economically and physically able are required to journey as a pilgrim to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.

        • Another element of the Hajj is the mandatory walk of each pilgrim seven times around the Kaabah-the shrine of the black rock, the holiest site of Islam.

          • Muhammad taught that the Kaabah was the original place of worship for Adam and later for Abraham. The Kaabah is thus venerated as the site of true religion, the absolute monotheism of Islam.

• The Doctrines of Islam

  • God- He is numerically and absolutely one. God is beyond the understanding of man so that only His will may be revealed and known. He is confessed as the “merciful and compassionate one.”

  • Sin: The most serious sin that can be ascribed to people is that of “shirk” or considering God as more than one. Original sin is viewed as a “lapse” by Adam. The fallen nature of humankind is not endorsed by Islam. Humankind is considered weak and forgetful but not as fallen.

  • Angels: Islam affirms the reality of angels as messengers and agents of God. Evil spirits or Jinn also exist. Satan is a fallen angel. Angels perform important functions for God both now and at the end of time.

  • Final Judgment: The world will be judged at the end of time by God. The good deeds and obedience of all people to the five pillars and the Qur’an will serve as the basis of judgment.

  • Salvation: It is determined by faith, as defined by Islam, as well as by compiling good deeds primarily in conformity to the five pillars.

  • Marriage: Muslims uphold marriage as honorable and condemn adultery. While many Muslim marriages are monogamous, Islamic states allow as many as four wives. Men consider a woman as less than an equal, and while a man has the right to divorce his wife, the wife has no similar power (see Surah 2:228; 4:34). Nonetheless, the female has a right to own and dispose of property. Modesty in dress is encouraged for both men and women.

  • War: The term jihad or “struggle” is often considered as both external and internal, both a physical and spiritual struggle. The enemies of Islam or “idolaters,” states the Qur’an, may be slain “wherever you find them” (Surah 9:5.) (See Surah 47:4.) Paradise is promised for those who die fighting in the cause of Islam (see Surah 3:195; 2:244). Moderate Muslims emphasize the spiritual dimension of jihad and not its political element.

  • Diet and Food: Muslim dietary codes forbid the eating of pork and the use of intoxicating drinks. Other meats may be eaten from animals slaughtered by devout Muslims. Healthy diet and lifestyle are encouraged.

• Common Muslim Objections to Christianity

  • Is the Trinity a belief in three gods?

  • How can Jesus be the Son of God?

  • How could Jesus have died on the cross, especially if He’s God’s Son?

Muslim to Christian Testimonies

• Video Testimony

Muslim to Christian Video 1

Muslim to Christian Video 2

• Audio Testimony

Thabiti Anyabwile’s Testimony

Information courtesy www.4truth.net