This is the first article in our series that explores the beliefs of different religions. The goal here is not to fully explain Islam, but to give readers enough understanding of its origins and beliefs to present the gospel to a Muslim. In part 1 we’ll see how they answer important questions about life, next we’ll discuss other important aspects of the religion, then end with ways to explain the need for Christ to someone who thinks He was merely a prophet.
The basics of Islam
Islam is the religion that began when Muhammad claimed to receive a revelation from Allah in 610 AD. Muhammad is said to have a direct bloodline to Abraham’s son Ishmael from Genesis 16. Those who follow the teachings of Islam are called Muslims.
The city of Mecca is sacred to Muslims. After Muhammad spent years in exile, it is believed he made a pilgrimage to Mecca where they celebrated his triumphant return.
The deity of Islam is Allah, which Muslims would claim is the same as the Old Testament God. However, they would argue that Allah is different from the God of Christians, as we’ll discuss later.
Why is there something instead of nothing?
Islam teaches that Allah created the universe out of nothing in 6 days. However, most Islamic scholars would agree that these days weren’t literal because the word for “day” used in both the Bible (Yom) and Quran (Yawm) can also refer to long periods of time.
Then He directed Himself to the heaven while it was smoke and said to it and to the earth, “Come [into being], willingly or by compulsion.” They said, “We have come willingly.” (Quran)
During creation, Allah formed everything into a single mass, exploded it, then called the chaotic debris to come together to form stars and planets.
“Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?” (Quran)
With the act of a long creation, Allah also slowly developed all living things from the water. However, humans were a special creation. Rather than evolving us from lesser life forms, Allah took clay and molded Adam, then eventually Hawwa (Eve).
Interestingly, Islam’s answer to this question lines up both with modern scientific theory about Earth’s long evolution and life beginning in the ocean, as well as the biblical account of Adam and Eve’s creation.
How can we know what’s true?
Islam’s primary source of truth is the Quran (literally translated “the recitation”). The Quran is believed to be the perfect collection of Allah’s word, given to the archangel Gabriel and spoken to the prophet Muhammad over the course of about 23 years.
Because many of Muhammads followers at the time couldn’t read or write, much of the Quran is a result of memorization. Muhammad continued teaching his followers up until his death in 632 AD. At that point, little of what he taught had been officially written down, but Muslims believe they were perfectly preserved in the memory of those still alive.
After many Muslims were killed in a battle, a caliph named Abu Bakr decided that the words of Allah should be preserved and ordered people to write Muhammad’s words on anything available to them. These writings were gathered into a single book, then the original pieces of writing were destroyed.
Surprisingly, the Quran affirms the Torah (the first 5 books of the Bible), the Psalms, and the “injil” (gospel) that was revealed to Christ. However, Muslims claim that they are untrustworthy in many areas because they’ve become corrupted over time. Thus, the Christian Bible can only be reliable if it is in harmony with the Quran.
In addition to the Quran, Muslims reference a book called the “Hadith,” which is a collection of traditions attributed to teachings, sayings, and approvals from Muhammad. This text is always secondary to the Quran, but can often be used to clarify teachings within the Quran itself.
Why are we here? What’s our purpose?
Humans were created with the express purpose of worshipping Allah.
And I did not create the jinn and humankind except to worship Me. (Quran)
Knowing that, the primary motivation for Muslims is to live in preparation for the “Eternal Home.” This is done by living lives pleasing to Allah, both materially and spiritually. Muslims don’t need to deny themselves of pleasures, but their goals in life need to exist beyond this life.
The foundation of living a good life is the Five Pillars of Islam:
- Shahadah (Faith): Muslims must believe that “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet.” The Islamic vs. Christian view of Allah and God has been the center of great debate between the two religions.
- Salah (Prayer): Muslims are expected to pray 5 times every day. Prayer involves and cleansing ritual as they prepare to humbly address Allah, followed by them facing toward the holy city of Mecca as they pray.
- Zakat (Giving): Though not explicitly stated in the Quran itself, Muslims are expected to give charitably to those in need every year.
- Saum (Fasting during Ramadan): During their holy month, healthy Muslims cannot eat or drink during daylight hours.
- Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca): All capable Muslims are expected to visit the holy city of Mecca and nearby holy areas at least once in their life.
There are many other teachings within Islam about living a life of purpose, but much of it boils down to doing as Allah has commanded through Muhammad. It is said that this life is a test to see who will follow Allah, and who will follow something else. Thus we exist to serve Allah and work to prepare for the afterlife.
What is right and wrong?
Morality is defined according to Allah’s revelations in the Quran, but also uses Muhammad as an example of how to live. Much of what defines right and wrong focus on a person’s character. It is believed that any sinful action can be forgiven, but a bad moral character is dangerous because it’s incapable of desiring forgiveness in the first place.
This list is just a small part of how Muslims would define right and wrong. Notice that much of it deals with how an individual interacts with the world:
- Give to others
- Demonstrate humility
- Tolerate people at a personal, social, and religious level
- Maintain honesty and trustworthiness
- Be kind to humans and animals
- Strive to control anger
This moral living isn’t done as a result of Allah’s love, but in order to earn it. Much of this is optional compared to the Pillars we’ve discussed, but to neglect it is to risk falling out of favor with Allah.
What happens when we die?
“To those who believe and do deeds of righteousness hath Allah promised forgiveness and a great reward” (Quran)
Upon death, all people are sent to one of two places. Those in the Islamic faith who did enough good deeds on Earth are granted entry to Jannah, which is a paradise like the Garden of Eden. Those who are enemies of Allah, or who didn’t perform enough good works to outweigh their wicked ones, are sent to Jahannam, an eternal fiery punishment.
The Islamic faith offers no guarantee of Jannah to its followers. Though it’s debated today, many outside the West believe that death in a literal “Holy War” (Jihad) against Allah’s enemies will guarantee Allah’s reward. Others argue that this Jihad should be translated as “struggle” and is simply a metaphor for the battle against personal sin.
Regardless of how a Muslim views the concept of Jihad, they all agree that outside of that, there’s no guarantee of salvation while on this Earth.
Coming up next
We understand how a Muslim answers the 5 big questions about life. In part 2, we’ll look at some other necessary topics in Islam, then in part 3 we’ll bring it all together to answer the most important question: how can we give the gospel to a Muslim?
