INTRODUCTION

    A. The late Andrew Connally, longtime missionary to Africa, wrote:
         “Islam is a force to be reckoned with both politically and religiously in
         our world today.  Unless Islam is stopped, millions will turn to her and
         her error.  She is militant, aggressive, and evil.  She cannot be
         ignored; she will not go away.  She is strong and becoming stronger
         every day.  We, as Christians, must learn her doctrines and meet her
         advocates.  The Bible has the answer and we must stand for the truth
         and oppose this great error" (Some Modern Cults, Sects,
          Movements; and World Religions, p. 247)!

    B. Islam, founded by Mohammed in Arabia in the seventh century, is
         today the world’s second largest, fastest growing, and most militant
         faith.

        1. Its radical adherents will stop at nothing to achieve their aims.

        2. The religion is known as “Islam” which means “submission;” its
             members are called Moslems (or Muslims),  “those who submit.”

    C. Because Islam has borrowed heavily from Judaism and Christianity,
         many think it is the same or very similar; this is far from the truth!

    D. Many also think Islam is by its very nature a peaceful religion; this too
         is very far from the truth!

    E. In this lesson, we shall look at the major beliefs and practices of Islam
        and examine the standards of authority for Islam.

DISCUSSION

  I. THE GOD OF ISLAM IS CALLED “ALLAH.”

    A. Originally, Allah was the chief god who was worshipped at the
         Ka’aba, along with its three hundred and sixty idols.

        1. Moslems are strict monotheists; they oppose idolatry, and
            vehemently reject the idea of “the Trinity” (Godhead).

        2. The Koran says: “In the name of God, the Compassionate, the
            Merciful. Say: God is One, the Eternal God. He begot none, nor
             was He begotten.  None is equal to Him” (Surah 112:1,4).

    B. In order for one to become and remain a Moslem, he must confess:
       “There is no god but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet.”

  II. THE SACRED BOOK OF ISLAM IS THE KORAN.

    A. It is about four fifths the size of the New Testament and is divided into
         114 chapters called “surahs ”which are arranged in order of size with
          the longest being first.

        1. These are various revelations allegedly received by Mohammed
            during his lifetime. 

        2. Some of them were memorized by his followers and repeated
            during his lifetime.

        3. Others were written down on whatever was available at the time
             Mohammed delivered them.

        4. They were collected together following Mohammed’s death.

        5. Caliph Uthman then had all other copies of Mohammed’s
             revelations collected and destroyed so there would be a single,
             authoritative book.

    B. Besides the Koran, there are other sources of authority.

        1. The Hadith (traditions) are also known as “sunna” (behavior).

            a. Sayings attributed to Mohammed by his associates, which are not
                written in the Koran, are part of the Hadith.

            b. Mohammed’s actions and examples as remembered by his
                associates are also included in the Hadith.

            c. One writer said the Hadith covers everything from how to deal
                with crime, to how to use a toothpick.

        2. The Ijima is the concensus of the Moslem community; this is made
             up of interpretations of Islamic laws which have been handed down
             by Moslem scholars.

        3. The Qiyas are analogies drawn from the principles contained in the
            Koran; this includes legal decisions by Islamic jurists based on
            precedents. 

        4. Moslems claim to accept the Law of Moses (Pentateuch), the
            Psalms and prophets of the Old Testament, and the Gospels.

            a. Any time the Scriptures disagree with the Koran, Moslems will
                say the Scriptures have been corrupted.

            b. They really don’t believe in the Bible as we know it, despite their
                claims to the contrary.

  III. ISLAM HAS FIVE ARTICLES OF FAITH (FACTS WHICH
        MUST BE BELIEVED TO BECOME AND REMAIN A 
        MOSLEM).

    A. There is one God and his name is Allah.

        1. Allah is not a personal god, but he is all knowing.

        2. Allah’s justice and power are emphasized, but not mercy and grace.

        3. Allah is the source of both good and evil; nothing happens apart
            from him.

    B. There are many angels who are the messengers of Allah.

        1. Mohammed claimed Gabriel revealed Allah’s will to him.

        2. Al Shaytan, the Devil, is a fallen angel.

        3. Jinn (Geni) are creatures between angels and men.

            a. Jinn can take the form of humans, marry, and have children.

            b. They can be either good or bad; when bad, they are to be
                equated with demons.

    C. There are authoritative Scriptures revealed by Allah.

        1. Allah’s perfect revelation, which supercedes all other revelations, is
            the Koran.

        2. The Pentateuch, Psalms, Prophets, and the Gospels are accepted as
            inspired, but are discounted and considered corrupted when they
            disagree with the Koran.

    D. There are many prophets whom Allah has sent.

        1. There may be as many as 124,000 of them.

        2. They include Adam, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, John the
            Baptist, and Jesus; but Mohammed is said to be the last and 
            greatest of all.

    E. There will be a last day upon which all will be judged.

        1. Each person has two angels who keep a record of his activities, one
            for the good and one for the bad.

        2. On judgment day, Allah will place one’s good deeds on one side of
            a scale and his bad deeds on the other; if the good outweighs the
            bad, he will enter Paradise; if the bad outweighs the good, he will
            be confined to Hell.

    F. Kismet (fate) is a sixth article which is sometimes added.

        1. It is the belief that Allah has already predestined everything that is
            going to happen, whether good or evil.

        2. The result of this is fatalism which retards progress.

  IV. THERE ARE FIVE PILLARS OF FAITH (DEEDS TO BE DONE
        TO REMAIN AMONG THE FAITHFUL).

    A. The creed, “There is no god but Allah, and Mohammed is his
         prophet” must be confessed to become and remain a Moslem.

    B. Prayers must be made five times a day.

        1. The muessin from the minaret of the mosque calls the faithful to
            prayers at the appropriate times.

        2. Prayer rugs are carried so the faithful can prostrate themselves
            wherever they happen to be at the time of prayer.

        3. The worshipper must bow toward Mecca.

        4. Friday is a special day of worship with the faithful gathering at
            mosques to pray and to hear a sermon by an imam.

    C. Almsgiving must be practiced.

        1. The faithful are required to give one fortieth of their income to the
            poor.

        2. The recipients are not necessarily grateful for the gift; the giver is
            grateful he had the opportunity to give and thus earn favor with
            Allah.

    D. Fasting is required during the month of Ramadan.

        1. This is the month Mohammed was called to be a prophet; therefore
            it is considered the holiest month of all.

        2. No food or drink must be consumed from sunrise to sunset; sexual
             relations are also forbidden during this time.

        3. However, the nights are given to feasting and celebration.

    E. A pilgrimage to Mecca is required at least once in one’s lifetime.

        1. One must array himself in a seamless, white robe, run around the
            Ka’aba seven times, kiss the black stone, and drink from the well
            called Zimzam.

        2. Other running and walking exercises are required as well.

        3. If one is too old or too weak physically to make a pilgrimage, he
            can finance someone to go in his place.

    F. A sixth duty is often added to this: Jihad or holy war.

        1. Men are required to go to war to spread Islam or to defend it
            against its enemies whenever called upon to do so.

        2. If one loses his life in Jihad, he is guaranteed entrance into Paradise.

        3. This explains why suicide bombers are so willing to die for their
            faith.

CONCLUSION

    A. There are other duties expected of the faithful as well.

        1. Every Moslem is required to marry; there in no choice in the matter.

        2. A man may have up to four wives if he can support them.

        3. Divorce is common and men may divorce their wives at any time for
            almost any reason.

        4. Men may also have concubines for an agreed number of years.

    B. Women have few rights in orthodox Islam.

        1. They are considered inferior to men and must be subservient to
            them.

        2. The Koran says: “Men have authority over women because God
            has made the one superior to the other, and because they (men)
            spend their wealth to maintain them.  Good women are obedient
         .  They guard their unseen parts because Allah has guarded them.  As
            for those from whom you fear disobedience, admonish them and
            send them to beds apart and beat them.  Then if they obey you,
            take no further action against them.  Surely Allah is high, supreme”
            (Surah 4:34).

    C. In our next lesson, we will compare the major teachings of Islam to
         the Christianity of the New Testament.
 

Rod Rutherford
4700 Gold Mine Drive
Sugar Hill, GA 30518