Islam - Its Origin and Practices

Islam has become one of the biggest threats against Christianity - our faith, our country, and the world.

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This article will be one of several on world religions.  We will begin with the largest religion in the world, short of Christianity.  Islam has become one of the biggest threats against Christianity - our faith, our country, and the world.  For additional information on Islam, please check out the articles on Islam and Christianity and Sharia Law.

Introduction

My husband and I spent two weeks in Turkey several years ago - a country of 99% Muslims.  Being part of a tour group, we were all having a good time, seeking to be friendly with the locals and to learn more of their culture.   Most of the women were dressed in long attire with the proper Islamic hijab scarves on their head.  There were a few younger women who wore jeans and a shirt, but always had a hijab to cover their head.  It didn't take long before we could see that each of the hijabs were a fashion statement with the women - for we saw many beautiful hijabs and they were placed in many different ways as they covered their heads.  We did see an occasional group of women in all black, and only a rare few who simply had their eyes exposed. Those, our tour guide stated, were not from Turkey, but from Iran.  It didn't take long, however, where we noticed that the women were very quiet, while friendly enough with their own kind, and it was the men whom we could engage with in a conversation, providing they spoke some English.  Most of the women bowed their heads downward, keeping their eyes fixed on the ground, of which I questioned why they seemed so afraid to lift their heads to reach out to speak to other people.  It was also very noteable that the men carried an air of superiority toward all the Turkish women.  We assumed that it was part of the Islamic culture of subserviency of women.  It wasn't until toward the end of our time in Turkey that the reason became very clear why the women bowed their heads in public and refused to look upward toward other people.  Let me share with you my experience on how I found out why women kept their heads bowed in public.  It actually was quite amusing. 

There was this one night in Istanbul when my husband and I decided to take a stroll from our hotel and walk the three blocks to the wharf to "people watch."   The weather was perfect, and we knew there would be venders and various outdoor restaurants along the wharf and it seemed like a walk would be the right thing to do.   A single women from our tour company joined us, and as we strolled along, we were having a good time smiling and chit-chatting with the locals along the way.  For the most part, the women avoided us, but several English speaking Turkish men gave us a friendly hello.  As an American professional, looking directly in the eyes at those I engage in conversation was very normal for me, so I smiled back and chit-chatted with them, having a good time. 

By the time we arrived at the wharf, my husband had gotten tired and decided to sit on a bench and "just people watch" from there.  I and our single tour mate with us decided to walk up the wharf a ways to look at the sites and take it the customs of the local people.  We passed many kiosk restaurants along the boardwalk and enjoyed watching the people chat with one another. The lights over the water were spectacular as the sun began to set. Often we smiled and said "hello."  Again, the men were "very friendly" toward us.  After a while, we got the feeling that "something was not right."  I share my uneasiness with here and told her I was heading back to the hotel.  She chose to go on a ways.  I found my husband and we both went back to our hotel.

The next morning I inquired of our tour guide our experience. He laughed almost hysterically and told us why the men were so friendly toward me.  He said that if a woman looked a Muslim man in the eye, she was asking for sex. That then answered a lot of questions why the Muslim women kept their heads and eyes to the ground and why certain men gave me "that look"  when I looked at them directly.  From that point on in Turkey, I did not drift far from my husband and kept my eyes and head lowered so as not to give out any wrong intentions. I might add: I was extremely uncomfortable being put in that kind of position.   

Islamic Population

Today, approximately 23% of the world’s population is Islamic.  It is the fastest growing religion in the world. Worldwide, there are approximately 1.5 billion Muslims, where Christianity has around 1.6 billion worldwide.  In the United States alone, more people are converted to Islamic than any other faith.  Sadly, most of Islam's growth in the U.S. comes from within, amounting to almost 2 million people.  Only about 18% of Muslims live in the Arab world, and the rest are scattered all over the world.  Over 30% of the population in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh are Muslim and Indonesia and a large portion of Africa carry the largest population of people.  All in all, the Islamic population comprises 1.6 billion people throughout the world. (1)

 

How did such a powerful religion begin?

 

To answer the question of how such a powerful religion of Islam begin, we must go back to the Dark Ages.  The origin of Islam can be traced back to Arabia (our present-day Saudi Arabia) early in the 7th century (633 A.D.). History tells us that during that period of time, some distance away, the Roman Empire was crumbling and dividing from within.

Just 300 years prior, the Roman Emperor Constantine (around 325 A.D.) had revolutionized the entire empire under one religion - Roman Catholic Christianity.  Emperor Constantine appointed himself pontiff (similar to today's pope), as well as king over the empire.  While some paganism and Judaism continued to exist in the empire, it was in all aspects considered Christian - at least in name.  It's flavor, however, came with new twist over that of the 1st and 2nd centuries. Within a couple of generations, the empire split over doctrine and the Eastern half adopted a more Eastern Orthodox style of worship, refusing allegiance to the pope, and the Western Empire remained under Catholicism with the pope as its head. This split also brought various cults that ran rampant throughout the empire. The moral and spiritual decay of the empire took its toll as the Dark Ages prepared to set in over Europe.

When there is division from within, the outside is vulnerable to attack

Barbarian tribes (non-Greek speaking nations outside of the Roman Empire) scrimished against the border towns in the Roman Empire, risking the entire empire to foreign invasion. With the decline of the spiritual condition throughout the empire, all of Europe approached the dawn of the Dark Ages as well as foreign invasion. (For more information, refer to the course on Church History I)

The religions of pre-Islamic Arabia

Arabia, before the Islamic invasion, was a land filled with polytheistic (meaning many) and pantheistic gods (meaning gods and natures are one), along with astral worship of the sun, moon, and stars (2). The lands of Persia to Egypt, which at that time included Canaan, were heavily involved with astral worship (3). Christianity, Judaism, which was prevalent in Mecca, and cultic activities were also seen in pre-Islamic Arabia.  Although a land of many different kinds of gods, Arabia centered more on pantheistic (nature) gods in their worship. At the heart of Arabia's capital city of Mecca was the Ka'aba (cube in Arabic) - a shrine containing hundreds of idols, and was known as the House of Allah.  Allah was viewed at the supreme of the pantheon gods of Arabian deities.  Mecca was a breeding ground for a revolution of a new religion

Mohammed of Arabia

In what seemed like a forgotten corner to the Roman world, a tidal wave of conquest was about to rise in Arabia which would threaten to engulf the world.  In an area where there was no central government and numerous warring tribes, in the midst of polytheistic (many) religions, Mecca became a breeding ground for a revolution of a new religion to take place.  As such, let me introduce you to a man - ONE MAN - named Mohammed Ibn Abdallah.

Mohammed, an Arab merchant and camel driver, living in Mecca, was familiar with the pantheon deities of his day, as well as Judiasm, Christianity, and various Christian unorthodox cults surrounding him.  He was a man of meditation and contemplation and often went to a nearby cave for solitude.  During one of those times he claimed an evil being came to him.  At another time, he claimed he received a revelation from the angel Gabriel stating there was only one god, called Allah.  Allah, according to this angel, ruled over all things and requires obedience from everyone.

From this revelation , Mohammed came to believe that he was a prophet of this “Great Allah.”  After that, Mohammed claimed he had several visions or visits with the angel Gabriel.  As a result, Mohammed’s mission was to “proclaim the truth of Islam” as instructed by “Gabriel” the angel.  Gabriel supposedly called the people of Mecca to repent from their idol worship and serve the one true god of Allah.  Mohammed taught that man is Allah’s slave and it was his duty to submit to and obey him.  Mohammed proclaimed the Day of Judgment was coming and that mans’ works would be weighed on that day. Those whose good deed out weighed the bad may, by Allah’s grace, be saved and upon death enter into paradise, which is filled with sensual pleasure.  All others, who would not submit to Allah's obedience went to hell upon death.

Mohammed declared that he was NOT preaching a new religion but simply the culmination of what God had revealed in the Hebrew prophets and in Jesus, whom he claimed was NOT divine. Since Mohammed could neither read nor write, he claimed he was instructed to memorize the words given to him by the angel.  He became convinced that everything the angel spoke was from the God.

In three years time, Mohammed had only 40 converts. The merchants in Mecca opposed his preaching because their pagan belief in many gods, along with their businesses, thrived on polytheistic beliefs in the various gods. Mohammed was persecuted and ridiculed intensely, so he, his family, and his small band of 40 followers left Mecca. The date was 622 A.D.

The beginning of the Muslem era – 622 A.D.

Mohammed took refuge at the nearby oasis of Medina. There he was able to gather more converts and the first Muslim community was developed. The date, July 15, 622 A.D. was the first day of the lunar year which officially marks the beginning of the Muslem era.

The meaning of Islam: Submission
The meaning of Muslim: People who practice the religion of Islam and are submitted to Allah.

In this oasis community, in which they worshipped Allah alone, they conducted civil and political life, and the followers of Mohammed obeyed the guidelines as were set up by him.  Mohammed preached about repentance and urged all people to return to the “true faith of Abraham, claiming descendency to Ishmael, Abraham’s eldest son by his wife’s slave Hagar – not Isaac, son of Abraham's wife Sarah, whom Jews and Christians claim as the descendent promised son.  Mohammed preached one god and the forgiveness of sins. His first sermon was on a Friday; therefore, Islamic congregational worship occurs on Fridays, even today.

Originally Mohammed faced Jerusalem when he prayed like the other Jews who were very populous in Medina. Before long, however, the Jews began to disapprove of his movement as sacreligious.  Mohammed confronted them and told them they had misread the Scriptures and that he was the only one who held truth. This angered the Jews, so in defiance, Mohammed changed direction and faced Mecca to pray. From that point on, all Muslims faced Mecca to pray, even today.

 

The early invasive spread of Islam

Financially, the movement was not doing well.  Prompted by a "so-called" revelation permitting them to raid passing caravans, Mohammed began a series of raids.  Those in the caravans were captured and forced into this new religion.  Shortly thereafter, there was a significant battle in which Mohammed and 350 of his men defeated an army of 1000 men. This victory brought in more Muslim converts.  After eight years in Medina, and a buildup of a strong force of over 10,000, Mohammed and his converts set out on a military and political campaign, which, after many battles gave them control over Mecca.  At that point Mohammed decreed that his former enemies, who were those who earlier opposed him, were forgiven. He ordered, however, that all idols be overthrown and the people were forced, on penalty of death, to become Muslim. By the time of Mohammed’s death in 632 A.D., a large part of Arabia was in Muslim hands. By order of the succession of leadership, the Islamic religion continued to grow. The theme of Muslim rule came to be - “Become a Muslim or die.” By 634 A.D. the Muslims had their first victory over the Byzantine armies, which were part of the Eastern part of the Roman Empire. Damascus and Jerusalem were overtaken by 638 A.D. (4) This was only 12 years after the beginning of Islam, started by one man.

Who were forced to convert to Islam?

In the beginning of the Islamic invasion, Christians and Jews were allowed to keep their religion. They were forced, however, to wear distinct clothing and pay tributes and higher taxes than others.  In some areas, Christians had to wear heavy crosses around their necks. As a general rule, Muslims publicly mocked Christians and Jews.  Pagans, on the other hand, were required to convert to Islam or die. When they converted, it was told them, they had forgiveness of sins - past, present, and future. When they died they would then have immediate entrance into heaven. While they lived, they would have forgiveness of debts and freedom from taxation. It was a very inviting form of religion. As a result, many Christians and Jews converted to Islamic.

One of the erroneous doctrines that had earlier entered into the Catholic Church was the fear of purgatory. Purgatory was "supposedly" an abyss place for the dead where a believer had to pay for his or her sins in order to earn the right to go to heaven. The Muslim belief, on the other hand, was claiming that one went right to heaven upon death.  Sadly, this Catholic doctrine swayed many Catholic people of that day to instead become Muslim believers.

The succession of Mohammad

After the death of Mohammad, his successor Othman continued on with his work.  Islam spread from Arabia outward in a military fashion and over the next 100 years Islam invading North Africa, Egypt, the Eastern Empire and the Persian countries. During that time, Islam had become the most powerful kingdom on earth - all done in the name of Allah. People were forced to submit to Allah or die.

The Qur’an

Shortly after Mohammad's death, the Qur'an was written by his successor Othman. Often spelled "Koran," the revelations of Mohammad were collected and committed to writing. This work, which is two-thirds the length of the New Testament, is arranged in 114 chapters.  It is very repetitious and unorganized. The belief in one God, known as Allah, is the central theme of of the Qur'an and throughout Islam.

Allah "supposedly" made his will known through twenty-five prophets, including biblical characters such as Abraham, Moses, and Christ. Islamic religion, however, claims that Allah denies both Christ’s deity and His death on the cross.  Mohammed was considered the latest and greatest of the prophets.

 

The Dome on the Rock

The Muslims carry the belief that Mohammed ascended to Allah from the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.  Therefore, around 690 A.D., done as a memorial in his honor, the Dome of the Rock was built over the stone from which Mohammad was said to have ascended. This, however, is the same rock that the Bible claims that Abraham set out to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice unto God. It is also the same rock where all three temples of God once stood. The last of the temples (Herod's temple) was leveled in 70 A.D. and is believed by most Christians will be rebuilt again on the same spot and will remain forever.

 

A divided religion

History has shown that in time every religion divides itself. Islam is no exception.  Islam is not a united religious system as the Qur’an claims. There are divisions among its ranks and even those divisions have divisions. According to Islamic traditions, Mohammad predicted his followers would divide themselves into 73 sects.  All would go to hell, he claimed, except the one that was professed by him. The number of sects now within Islamic have far exceeded Mohammed's prediction of 73, now having over 150 different sects. Listed below are the major sects within Islam.

 Sunni:  Approximately 90% of Islamic believers are Sunni. They are considered the mainstream of Islam. They emphasize the sovereignty of Allah, meaning he has the right to do whatever he wants with his creation. Sunnis follow three sources of law: 1) The Qur'an, Hadith, and consensus of Muslims, meaning an elected head of state, according to their democratic principles. Because they are comfortable pursuing their faith within secular societies, they adapt to a variety of cultures.

Shi'iteThe Shi'ites split with the Sunni over the issue of the successor to Muhammad. This split occurred in 661 A.D. Shi'ites believe that the successor to Muhammad should have been Ali, Mohammed's son-in-law, and that subsequent successors should have been through his lineage through his wife Fatima. The Shi'ites strenuously maintain that they alone are right in their understanding of Islam, and like the Sunnis, they call themselves "al-Muminun," or the "true believers." They believe in the divine right of the successors of 'Ali. His rightful successor is now concealed, they say, but will appear at the end of the world as the "Mahdi," the one rightly guided by Allah, thus able to guide others. They reject the "six correct books" of the Sunnis, and have five collections of their own.

Shi'ism is broken into three main sects. The Twelve-Imam (Persia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Pakistan, and Syria); the Zaydis (Yemen); the Ismailis (India, Iran, Syria, and East Africa). Each group has differences of doctrine.

Shi'ite theology includes a doctrine known as the five supports. These are Divine Unity (tawhid), prophecy (nubuwwah), resurrection of the soul and body at the judgment (ma'ad), the Imamate (imamah), and justice ('adl). The first three are found in Sunni Islam, with some variences of emphasis. The Imamate, however, is the essence of Shi'ism, and the last, justice, is an inheritance from the Mu'tazilites, or rationalists, whose system is in many ways perpetuated in Shi'ite theology.

Shi'ites are numerous in Iran, where they have deposed the Shah, and in his place, installed the Ayatollah Khomeini and enforced Islamic law as the rule of the government. Khomeini has gone beyond that by declaring that his command is as good as that of the prophet Mohammed.

WahhabisThe founder of the Wahhabi sect (1691 A.D.) maintained that the Muslims had departed from the precepts of Mohammed. He accepted only the Qura'n and the Traditions, rejection other foundations.

SuffisThe principal occupation of the Suffis is meditation on the unity of God and the remembrance of God's name so as to obtain absolution. Suffis are most numerous in Iran. The Suffis are divided into innumerable sects.

BahaiismThe Bahai sect began with a man in Persia in 1817 A.D. who declared he was the glory of Allah. He tried to unite the three monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam under the same godhead through his writings of over 100 volumes. It must be remembered, however, that each major religion has its own peculiar concept of deity. As such, all religions do NOT worship the same God under different language names. Therefore, there can be no unity. The founder of Bahaiism died in a prison colony in Israel. The movement, however, still continues today with over a million followers. It's headquarters are in Haifa, Israel.

 

No united religion

In essence, there is NO united religion on the face of this earth.  There is only “one” truth and that is the Word of God. Following religion only leads to tradition, rules, bondage, and ultimate division and death. The Bible, on the other hand, tells us that when we know and act on the truth, we will then be set free from religion and given life – life eternal with Jesus Christ, God’s Son. John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free

Afterlife

The religion of Islam is fatalistic, having its idea of passive submission to the will of Allah.  After judgment, the Qur’an teaches, men will enjoy a rather “sensual” paradise in heaven or face the terrors of hell. Women’s role, on the other hand, is one of total submissiveness to the authority of man. Their teachings included the impending judgment of the world, with rewards and punishment for each individual’s actions by Allah, the creator and judge of all.

Muslim practices

The message of Mohammed imposes five main obligations upon Muslim believers:

  1. The confession of faith (there is no god but Allah, having Mohammed as his prophet),
  2. Prayers five time a day,
  3. Charitable gifts,
  4. Fasting in the holy month of Ramadan
  5. A pilgrimage to Mecca. [2]

A good Muslim prays five times daily, facing Mecca, and recites his creed. Fasting and almsgiving are also important, and the holiest Muslims are those who, at least once during their lifetime, make a pilgrimage to Mecca. [3]

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http://jeru.huji.ac.il/ee21.htm

 

Be sure to check out other articles on Islam on Believers Bible School:  Comparison - Islam and Christianity, Sharia Law, The Bible and the Kora'n. 

End Notes

1 http://www.onelittleangel.com/wisdom/quotes/islam.asp
2
www.biblebelievers.org.au/Islam.htm
3 Wherry E.M. A Comprehensive Commentary on the QuranmOsnabruck: Otto Zeller Verlag, 1973, p. 36
4
www.truthnet.org/Islam/whatisislam.html
5. www.carm.org

 

 

Written by Pastor Joyce A. Erickson

Believers Bible School, Founder https://believersbibleschool.com/