Series: “Jesus Christ Is the Only Way to God: An Examination of Christianity and Other World Religions and Cults.”
Sermon: “An Examination of the Beliefs of Islam, and the Nation of Islam”
Presenter: Rev. Dr. JoAnne P. King
Date: June 26, 2022
Praise the Lord Saints and God from whom all blessings flow! Well, we have come to the seventh of eight weeks of comparing Christianity with other religions and cults. And, what a seven-weeks, it has been! I hope you have enjoyed learning about the beliefs of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormonism, Christian Science, Scientology, New Age, Hinduism, Transcendental Meditation, and Buddhism.
Information for this sermon series was gathered from Biblical scholars such as, Dr. Norman L. Deisler in his study on “Christianity Cults & Religions,” Books and DVD; and Josh McDowell in his book: “The Best of Josh McDowell: A Ready Defense” and other materials related to Christianity, other religions and cults. Today, we will cover an in-depth study of Islam and the Nation of Islam.
My prayer is that the Lord will send some members of the above religions or cults across your path and you will be able to minister to them and win them for Jesus, our Lord and Savior. How the angels in heaven will rejoice at the winning of these souls for the Kingdom of God.
ISLAM
Founder:
Muhammad (AD 570 – AD 632) was born in Mecca and founded Islam in AD 622 in Mecca, Arabia, who united the Arab tribes and turned them from idolatry to Islam. He was called the last prophet because more than 124,000 messengers were sent by Allah (God), Adam, Moses, David and Jesus the Messiah were supposed to be some of them.
When Muhammad died, he had not left a will instructing the Islam leadership about determining his successor. A power struggle ensued as different fractions believed their methods of establishing a successor was better than their rivals. The main conflict came between those who felt that the Islamic leadership should elect the predecessor and those who believe that it should be hereditary, through ‘Ali, Muhammad’s son in law, who was married to Muhammad’s only daughter, Fatima. This struggle along with others produced the main body of Islam known as the Sunnis (followers of the prophet’s way), as well as numerous sects. The three main sects of Islam are:
Sunnis
Conflict raged on another front other than the Caliphate—that of law and theology. This conflict produced four recognized orthodox schools of Islamic thought. All four schools accepted the Qur’an (Koran), the Sunna, or the practice of the Prophet as expressed in the Hadith (traditions) and the four bases of Islamic Law (Shari’a): the Qur’an, the Hadith, the Ij’ma’ (consensus of the Muslim community; and the Q’yas (use of analogical reason.) These four groups came to be called the Sunnis.
The Shi’a
The fourth Caliphate to follow Muhammad was an early convert along with his son-in-law ‘Ali. He was murdered by Mu’awiya, who claimed the Caliphate for himself. Tragedy befell the House of ‘Ali, beginning with the murder of ‘Ali himself and including the death of his two sons, grandsons of Muhammad, and has haunted the lives of the party (Shia) of ’Ali. They have brooded over the deaths down through the years as Christians do upon the death of Jesus. This heretical group has drawn the censure and yet the sympathy of the Sunnis and Sufis. They have been found guilty of resting their claims on false grounds and sinfully dividing Islam. In spite of the other sects being annoyed at them, the Muslim world suppresses their feelings because their movement goes back to the beginnings of Islam.
The Sufis
Worship can become mechanical and be exercised by rote, in any strong, legalistic, religious system and God can become transcendent. People are often motivated to react in an impersonal religion like this. This is what happened with Islam. The Sufis, the most well-known, Islamic mystics, have arisen in response to orthodox Islam and to the loose and secularist view of Islamic leadership during its early days under the Ummayad and Abbasid dynasties. The Sufis exist today and probably are best known through their Dervish Orders (e.g., “the whirling Dervish”).
Writings:
The Qur’an (Koran) is the Word of God in Islam, the holy scriptures. As the authoritative scripture, it is the main guide for all matters of faith and practice. A major issue of the Qur’an like the Bible is the inspiration. Muhammad had his first vision at the age of 40. These revelations are what are recorded in the Qur’an (Koran). The Qur’an is comprised of 114 surahs or chapters, all attributed to Muhammad. The surahs are arranged in the Qur’an by length—the longer in front, the shorter in back. As a whole, Islamic scholars can’t agree on how the Qur’an came to be true or how much is true. On the other hand, conservative Islamic scholars accept all of it as literally true.
Scripture= There are four inspired books in the Islamic faith. They are the Torah of Moses, the Psalms (Zabin) of David, the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Injil) and the Qur’an. Muslims believe that the three scriptures from our Holy Bible have been corrupted by Jews and Christians. Additionally, since the Qur’an was the last or final word to man, it takes precedence over all others.
Sunnah (Hadith, Sira) = Literally, the “trodden path” of Muhammad and his close companions. The Sunnah (Muhammad’s examples) becomes the basis for sharia. Hadith= A report of a saying or behavior of Muhammad which sets a precedent for Muslim practice and becomes the basis of sharia. Sira (from Arabic Sirah Rasul Allah, “life of the messenger of God”) Biographies of Muhammad that provide interpretive insights about his life and the early history of Islam.
God:
Allah is one. 1) The absolute oneness of Allah is primary to Muslims. The greatest sin is to associate any partner with him. This sin is called shirk. Many Muslims think that Christians believe in three gods and are therefore guilty of shirk. In Mohammad’s day, idolatry or polytheism was practiced in Arabia and he challenged it with monotheism and won. 2) Allah cannot be compared to humans or any other created thing. His character and attributes are revealed through his 90 Arabic names, “The Merciful” and “The Compassionate” are the most common two. In Islam, he is never referred to in human family terms such as: “father” or “son.” The Qur’an reveals his will for mankind to obey, not for mankind to know and relate to his person. 3) Allah’s ultimate attribute is his will. Allah creates and sustains all life, spiritual and material. His creation cannot question his absolute will. He is their final judge without a mediator. The best chance on Judgment Day is for those who live lives of righteousness and submission to Allah’s will Insha Allah (God willing). The existence of the Trinity is denied. 4) In their doctrine of predestination, both evil and good come from Allah. So, whatever Allah chooses is right which makes it difficult to establish or discern a standard of righteousness or ethics.
Jesus:
Jesus (Isa in Arabic) was not God nor the Son of God. In the Qur’an (Surah 3:45-47) speaks of the virgin birth of Christ, it is not the same as the biblical virgin birth. Jesus is certainly not the only begotten Son of God, and an angel—rather than the Holy Spirit—was the agency of God’s power in the conception. The idea that Allah had a son is repugnant to them. In Surah 4:171 it states: “Jesus was only a messenger of Allah … Far is it removed from His transcendent majesty that He should have a son.”
He was sinless, a worker of miracles and one of the most respected prophets sent by Allah. The resurrection of Jesus Christ for the Christian, as the incarnate Son of God, is the vital cornerstone of faith, yet the Muslim does not hold either of these truths—that Christ is the Son of God or that He rose from the dead. He, not Mohammad will return to play a special role before the future judgment day, perhaps turning Christians to Islam.
Holy Spirit:
“Holy Spirit” can; refer to Allah, to the angel Gabriel, or to a spirit used by Allah to give life to man and inspire the prophets.
Salvation:
There is no concept of original sin. Humans are basically good but fallible and need guidance. The balance between good and bad deeds determines one’s destiny in paradise or hell. Allah may tip the balances toward heaven. One should always live with the fear of Allah and judgment day. The Muslim operates under a legalistic system and must earn his salvation. He holds to the Articles of Faith and follows the Pillars of Faith. For the Muslim, sin is lack of obedience to Allah. Thus, man is sinful by act only, not by nature. The Bible teaches that man is sinful by nature. Paul writes: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).
Death:
They believe in bodily resurrection. One may pray for and seek favor for the dead before judgment day. The Holy Bible says in Hebrews 9:27 Amp.: “And just as it is appointed and destined for all men to die once and after this [comes certain] judgment.” There will be no praying for the dead before judgment day. Paradise includes a garden populated with houris, maidens designed by Allah to provide sexual pleasure to righteous men.
Other Beliefs:
Muslims meet in mosques for prayers, sermons, and counsel. Emphasis is placed on hospitality, developing a sense of community, and maintaining honor (or avoiding shame). Shari’a (Islamic law) governs all aspects of life in places where it is enforced. Jihad (“fight”) may be used to refer either to one’s inner struggle to obey God or to literal warfare. Muslims who convert to Christianity or other religions face persecution and possible death. The five articles of faith are main doctrines of Islam and all Muslims are expected to believe these tenets.
Five Articles of Faith
- God. There is only one true God and his name is Allah. He is all-knowing, all-powerful and the sovereign judge. Allah is not a personal god, for he is so far about men in every way that he is not personally knowable. Emphasis on the god of Islam is placed on judgment, not grace; on power, not mercy. His will is supreme and is the source of good and evil.
- Angels. Basic to Islamic teaching are the existence of angels. Gabriel was supposed to have appeared to Muhammad and delivered revelations in the Qur’an. The devil is called Al Shaytan and is considered a fallen angel or jinn. Jinn’s can be considered good or evil and are creatures that are between angels and men. They believe that each person has two angels, one to record your good deeds and the other your bad deeds.
- Scripture. We already covered this in writings above.
- Prophets. In Islam God has spoken through numerous prophets down through the centuries. The six greatest are: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.
- Last Days. The last day will be a time of resurrection and judgment. Those who follow and obey Allah and Muhammad will go to Islamic heaven, called Paradise, a place of pleasure. Those who oppose them will be tormented in hell.
There is a sixth article of faith which many consider part of the five doctrines. It is a central theme of Islam, whether it is one of the articles or not.
- The belief in God’s decrees or Kismet, the doctrine of fate. This is predestination presented in a very harsh view that says that all good or evil proceeds from divine will.
Besides the five major beliefs or doctrines in Islam, there are also “five pillars of faith,” these are practices or duties which every Muslim must observe. They are:
Five Pillars of Faith
- The Creed (Kalima). “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah,” is the bedrock of Muslim belief. In order to become a Muslim, you must say this out loud publicly. The faithful repeat this over and over again.
- Prayer (Salat). Ritual prayer is central to a devout Muslim. Salat or prayer is done 5 times a day (upon rising, at noon, at midafternoon, after sunset, and before retiring). The worshipper must recite prescribed prayers in Arabic while facing the Ka’aba in Mecca. The Hadith (book of traditions) has turned these prayers into mechanical procedures of standing, kneeling, hands and face on the ground, and so forth. The call to prayer is sounded by the muezzin (a Muslim crier) from a tower called a minaret which is a part of the mosque.
- 3. Almsgiving (Zakat). Muhammad had a strong desire to help the needy since he was an orphan. All Muslims now are legally required to give 1/40th of their income for the destitute; it used to be voluntary. Additional regulations are in place for cattle, produce, etc., as well as, free will offerings.
- Fasting (Ramadan). Faithful Muslims fast from sun-up to sundown during this holy month. The fast is supposed to develop self-control, devotion to God and identity with the destitute. During the daylight hours, no food, or drink can be consumed; nor smoking or sexual pleasures may be enjoyed. Most Muslims eat two meals a day, one before sun-up and the other after sunset.
Ramadan lasts for 29 to 30 days from the sighting of the first crescent moon to the next. They believe that the prophet Muhammad was visited by Jubil who revealed to him the beginnings of what is now known as the Qur’an.
- The Pilgrimage (Hajj). At least once in their lifetimes, all Muslims are expected to make the pilgrimage to the Ka’aba shrine. Since the trip can be difficult for the old and infirmed, they may send someone in their places. A Muslim’s salvation is gained by making this trip. A set of rituals and ceremonies are involved around this trip that involves the Ka’aba shrine.
There is a sixth religious duty associated with the five pillars. This is Jihad, the Holy War.
- Jihad (Holy War). This duty requires that when the situation warrants, men are required to go to war to spread or defend Islam from Infidels. Muslims who die in a Jihad are guaranteed eternal life in Paradise (heaven). It is required of every Muslim to pay a certain amount each year toward Jihad. The interpretation of jihad can determine the difference between moderate and radical Muslims.
Here are a few ministering tips, if you are witnessing to a Muslim friend or acquaintance.
Do make it clear, you are a follower of Christ, by your loving words and righteous lifestyle.
Don’t assume your Muslim friend understands what you mean when you say you are a Christian.
Don’t be surprised if you are rejected first. It is best to offer Muslim friends store-bought sweets and to avoid anything with pork or alcohol.
Do approach your encounters as a learner. Ask questions.
Do correct their misunderstandings of your beliefs.
Do talk about Jesus. Use His title, Isa Al Masih.
Don’t insult the prophet Muhammad.
Do use your right hand in giving and receiving gifts.
Don’t use your left hand for eating food (especially when learning to eat with your hands). The left hand is used for toilet cleaning; the right hand for eating.
Do treat your Bible with respect. Store it high on a shelf. Some wrap it in a beautiful cloth.
In conclusion, the Muslim must earn his salvation under a legalistic system. The leaders at the top, the Mullahs and Ayatollahs, tell the masses when they must fast, and when they may eat. What they may wear, and what they cannot wear. Who they can and cannot be seen with. All the dictates as to how you wash your hands and feet before you worship. One must obey and keep the Articles of Faith and follow the Pillars of Faith tenaciously. As you learned, for the Muslim, sin is a lack of obedience to Allah.
In the Islamist faith, it tells you not to blaspheme against Muhammad or the Qur’an (Koran). You can only blaspheme against God, you don’t blaspheme against each other, we offend each other. In this case, they have very subtly elevated two other sources. In Christianity, we don’t need to elevate them; they are already elevated when given to us in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Even though historical roots tie Islam to Christianity, still this is where similarity ends. Islam rejects the key doctrines of the Christian faith—the Trinity, the deity of Jesus Christ, Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, the sin nature of man and his salvation by grace alone through faith in Christ. Additionally, they reject the Bible as the only authoritative book on which to base doctrines, faith and practice. When Islam rejects the truth of the written Word of God, and accepts beliefs that are opposite from Christianity on all points, Muhammad’s interpretation of the scriptures has led him to base his teachings on inaccurate and untrue interpretations. Muhammad has no evidence to support his claim that either the Jewish and/or the Christian Scriptures have been corrupted. Muhammad’s teachings are based on revelations that he thought were initially of demonic origin.
Islam is attractive to those who welcome a religious world view that permeates every facet of life. In Islam, the man or husband is dominate in the family. Under the law of Sharia, he is allowed to beat his wife if she is disobedient and even kill her or his daughter (called a “mercy killing”) if they bring dishonor to the family. The man (husband) is allowed to have 4 wives since marriage and having children is important in Islamic Society and each one is supposed to receive equal treatment.
However, Islam is unfulfilling because Allah is a god of strict judgment and cannot offer mercy, love, or ultimate sacrifice on mankind’s behalf that the Christian God, incarnate in Jesus Christ, offers to each individual even today. Islam’s theology is in direct opposition to Christianity and cannot be reconciled.
NATION OF ISLAM
Founder:
Wallace D. Fard (1891-1933). Founded in Detroit in 1930 and mysteriously disappeared in 1933. Since 1934 led by Elijah Muhammad (1897–1975). Current head is Louis Farrakhan (b. 1933) with headquarters in Chicago, Illinois.
Writings:
Publicly, the Holy Qur’an is authoritative and the Bible is quoted often, but Message to the Blackman in America, Our Saviour Has Arrived, and other books by Elijah Muhammad supply its distinctive views. Current teachings are in The Final Call newspaper and speeches of Minister Farrakhan. In the Nation of Islam, the highest authority in practice is Elijah Muhammad. He argued that “there is some truth in the Bible if understood correctly.” He also believed that the “Bible was a poisoned book that had been tampered with by whites to blind black people.” The Qur’an was regarded “as a perfectly pure book,” although one required Elijah’s interpretation to properly understand its contents.
God:
Officially, there is one God, Allah, as described in the Qur’an. However, Elijah Muhammad’s teachings are also true: God is a black man, millions of Allahs have lived and died since creation, collectively the black race is God, and Master Fard is the Supreme Allah and Savior.
This teaching goes against the fundamentals of Islamic Belief which is to be a Muslim means to believe that God is One, unique. He has no partners, no associates, no Son, nor did He ever become incarnate. As chapter 112 of the Qur’an makes clear: “He is God, the only One, God the Everlasting. He did not beget and is not begotten and none is His equal.” Secondly, Muslims believe Mohammed to have been the “Seal” or last of the prophets. To recognize anyone after Mohammed claiming to be a prophet, negates one’s Islam. This negates Master Fard’s claim of being the Supreme Allah and Savior of Islam!
The racist ideology of the black race is God, etc., is again at odds with universal Islam. In the final sermon of Prophet Mohammad: “he made it clear that racism has no place in Islam.” In contrast, the NOI has a pronounced anti-white bias. They refer to “blacks as God’s chosen people and caucasians as white devils.”
Jesus:
Officially, Jesus is a sinless prophet of Allah. Privately, Jesus was born from adultery between Mary and Joseph, who was already married to another woman. Jesus was not crucified, but stabbed in the heart by a police officer. He is still buried in Jerusalem. Prophecies of Jesus’ return refer to Master Fard, Elijah Muhammad, or to Louis Farrakhan.
Nowhere in the Bible does it indicate that Jesus’ birth was due to an adulterous relationship but on the contrary to a virtuous birth of a virgin and the Holy Spirit, that was prophesied thousands of years before. Everything that was to happen to Jesus our Lord and Savior was prophesied years before in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament. Two men (angels) said: “…this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven,” not as Master Fard, Elijah Muhammad or Louis Farrakhan (Acts 1:11).
Holy Spirit:
The Holy Spirit is not significant to their belief, but is generally regarded as the power of God or as the angel Gabriel who spoke to the prophet Muhammad.
Salvation:
People are not born sinful but sin. Salvation is gained through submission to Allah and good works. Older beliefs are still holding namely that: Fard is the savior, salvation comes from knowledge of self and realizing that the white race are devils who displaced the black race.
Elijah Muhammad taught that “African-Americans needed to be saved from mental death.” Since mental death is the condition which one must be saved from, salvation comes through obtaining a particular knowledge; knowledge of the truth of God. He taught that “heaven and hell are not places, but rather they are conditions.”
Death:
There is no consciousness or any spiritual existence after death. Heaven and hell are symbols. Statements about the resurrection refer to awakening “mentally dead” people by bringing them true teachings.
Other Beliefs:
Farrakhan’s public messages coexist with earlier, esoteric doctrines. Elijah Muhammad’s older views (such as polytheism, God as the black race, Master Fard as Allah incarnate, whites as devils bred to cause harm) are still distributed, but public preaching now focuses on Islamic themes (one eternal God, non-racial emphasis) with frequent use of the Bible.
In Summary, I cannot complete this comparison of the Nation of Islam without mentioning two prominent people who were members of the Nation of Islam. By 1959, there were fifty NOI temples in various parts of the United States. A large factor of this growth was due to Malcom X’s contribution to the movement. Earlier in his life, he lived a criminal lifestyle that landed him in prison. While there, he was exposed to NOI teachings, and subsequently converted. After his release from prison, Malcolm established himself in the movement by his scholarship and rhetorical giftedness. He traveled throughout the States and overseas influencing many including Muhammad Ali, to join the movement. Malcolm eventually began to question the legitimacy of Elijah Muhammad’s message and eventually converted to Sunni Islam. Shortly after his conversion, he was killed. It is thought that his murder was connected to NOI.
Like Malcolm, Muhammad Ali was a great spokesperson for the NOI, as a World Champion Heavyweight Boxer—he represented NOI, all over the world. He mesmerized the world with his rhyming taunts of other boxers, etc. On April 28, 1967, Muhammad Ali refuses Army induction. He was immediately stripped of his heavy weight title. Ali, A Muslim, cited religious reasons for his decision to forgo military service. On June 20, 1967, Ali was convicted of draft evasion, sentenced to 5 years in prison, fined $10,000 and banned from boxing for three years. He stayed out of prison while his case was being appealed and returned to the ring on October 26, 1970, knocking out Jerry Quarry in Atlanta in the third round. On March 8, 1971, Ali fought Joe Frazier in the “Fight of the Century” and lost after 15 rounds. This was the first loss of his professional career. On June 28th of that same year, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned his conviction for evading the draft. After this, he won and lost his heavyweight title several times. However, Ali is the only fighter to be heavyweight champion three times.
He like Malcolm converted to proper Islam and spoke out on the subject. They recognized that anti-white racism as folly. Malcolm said: “This religion recognizes all men as brothers. It accepts all human beings as equals before God, and as equal members in the Human Family of Mankind. I totally reject Elijah Muhammad’s racist philosophy, which he has labeled ‘Islam’ only to fool and misuse gullible people as he fooled and misused me. But I blame only myself, and no one else for the fool that I was, and the harm that my evangelical foolishness on his behalf has done to others.”
Well Malcolm, you can say the same thing for the traditional Sunni Islam group that you joined. The Nation of Islam resembles the traditional Sunni Islam with some differences. The NOI adhere to Islam’s Five Articles of Faith and Five Pillars of Faith with some changes in interpretation and implementation. They dispute who the Messiah and Mahdi are, as well as, heaven and hell. Since their beliefs are closely aligned with Islam, they are diametrically in opposition to the Christian Faith. The comments made concerning Islam applies to them as well.
I want to close this message today with a quote from Dr. Ravi Zacharias, one of my favorite apologists, who was meeting with a famous Syrian cleric. The cleric had been asking questions of Dr. Zacharias and they had been discussing back and forth for three hours, when the Syrian cleric said: “Maybe it is time for me and my people to stop asking, if Jesus died, and start asking why?” This is the perfect question all of the religions and cults we have studied should be asking and finding the answer.
Let’s give the Lord a praise offering for His teaching on Islam and the Nation of Islam.
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