I will be posting a series of profiles of various world religions and belief systems because, when sharing Jesus with people, it is important to understand what they already believe in order to know where to begin. Please comment, letting me know if it was helpful and if anything I put was inaccurate. Thanks! I am going to start with Islam because I want to be a missionary in northern Nigeria, which is mostly Islam.
History
Islam began in seventh century AD, Saudi Arabia by Muhammad. He claimed to have seen visions of the angel Gabriel. At the time, the Arabians were polygamous, worshiping many gods. After supposedly receiving multiple visions, he began to travel and preach throughout the country with a large following. On the other hand, Muhammad was also persecuted and in turn persecuted others himself. He organized an army of his followers and attacked pagans, forcing them to convert. By, his death the vast majority of Arabia believed his teachings. Legend states that Muhammad went to Jerusalem at the end of his life, stood on a rock, and ascended into heaven. Some years after his death, some of Muhammad's close friends wrote down his teachings and formed their holy book, the Koran. Today, follwers of Muhammad are called Muslims, coming from the Arabic word for submission.
Beliefs
Muslims can never be sure of their salvation, as it is completely up to Allah, as if it depends on His mood on judgement day. Nevertheless, Muslims believe they will probably be saved if they do the following:
What do they believe about Jesus?
Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet who taught accurately about God and performed many miracles. On the contrary, He is not believed to be the Son of God and Savior of mankind, as Christians do. They also believe that since Muhammad is Allah's final prophet, Jesus' message is not 100% accurate anymore. The Koran actually says that the "people of the Gospel" prove Islam's accuracy. Yet it doesn't take a theologian to note the many difference's between Jesus' message and Muhammad's, the most important being that Jesus' way is by faith through His blood, while Islam is, like all other world religions, through good works. Another important difference regarding Jesus is that Muslims believe He never died. Instead, Allah saved Him by replacing Him with someone else, possible Judas, and supernaturally made him look exactly like Jesus did.
Prayer Points
Stories of Former Muslims
Iranian Muslim Discovers Christ http://www.cbn.com/7...e_davidian.aspx
A Muslim's Earnest Prayer http://www.cbn.com/7...azal080409.aspx
A Conversion to Christ http://www.cbn.com/7...rier040505.aspx
Sources/Links
A Christian's Response to Islam by William M. Miller, copyright 1976
http://christianansw...iefs/islam.html
http://www.cbn.com/s...lim_Friend.aspx
In Your Comment
History
Islam began in seventh century AD, Saudi Arabia by Muhammad. He claimed to have seen visions of the angel Gabriel. At the time, the Arabians were polygamous, worshiping many gods. After supposedly receiving multiple visions, he began to travel and preach throughout the country with a large following. On the other hand, Muhammad was also persecuted and in turn persecuted others himself. He organized an army of his followers and attacked pagans, forcing them to convert. By, his death the vast majority of Arabia believed his teachings. Legend states that Muhammad went to Jerusalem at the end of his life, stood on a rock, and ascended into heaven. Some years after his death, some of Muhammad's close friends wrote down his teachings and formed their holy book, the Koran. Today, follwers of Muhammad are called Muslims, coming from the Arabic word for submission.
Beliefs
- Belief in one god whom they call Allah. (Allah is simply Arabic for "god" and is also used by Jews and Christians living in Arabic-speaking countries)
- Belief in angels and demons, similarly to Christians.
- Belief in Allah's revelations. They believe Allah gave various messages to men, each one being better than the last, with the final, ultimate revelation being the Koran. Previous revelations are familiar to Christians, as they include the Law of Moses, David's Psalms, and even the Gospel. (See What do they believe about Jesus? below)
- Belief in Allah's prophets. Muslims believe in many prophets who gave the various revelations discussed above. Again, Muhammad is believed to be the final, most important prophet. Others include Abraham, Moses, King David, Jesus, etc.
- Belief in Judgement Day, in which Allah will judge all men based on their earthly deeds.
- Belief that Allah weigh's human deeds, that he will punish the bad and reward the good.
- Belief in life after death, either in Hell or in Heaven.
Muslims can never be sure of their salvation, as it is completely up to Allah, as if it depends on His mood on judgement day. Nevertheless, Muslims believe they will probably be saved if they do the following:
- Say a confession of faith, by saying "There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet" in front of many witnesses.
- Pray. Specifically, a devout Muslim should pray five times each day. In Muslim countries, it is signaled at certain times each day by a bell ringing from a mosque, where Muslims worship each Friday.
- Give to the poor.
- Fast during the month of Ramadan. For an entire month, Muslims should not eat anything from sunrise to sunset. A very devout Muslim wouldn't even swallow his/her spit. During the night, a Muslim may eat and drink as they wish.
- Travel to Mecca, where Muhammad began preaching. Every Muslim who is physically/financially able to should go at least once in their lifetime.
What do they believe about Jesus?
Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet who taught accurately about God and performed many miracles. On the contrary, He is not believed to be the Son of God and Savior of mankind, as Christians do. They also believe that since Muhammad is Allah's final prophet, Jesus' message is not 100% accurate anymore. The Koran actually says that the "people of the Gospel" prove Islam's accuracy. Yet it doesn't take a theologian to note the many difference's between Jesus' message and Muhammad's, the most important being that Jesus' way is by faith through His blood, while Islam is, like all other world religions, through good works. Another important difference regarding Jesus is that Muslims believe He never died. Instead, Allah saved Him by replacing Him with someone else, possible Judas, and supernaturally made him look exactly like Jesus did.
Prayer Points
- That Muslims would recognize the inconsistencies in the Koran.
- That Christians would reach out to their Muslim friends.
- That God would give more Muslims dreams and visions, revealing Himself as He really is.
- That Christian resources would be easily available to Muslims around the world in their own language.
- That Saffudin would accept Christ. (Saffudin was a Muslim I knew a few years ago. Unfortunately, I no longer know him and was not a very good witness to him.)
- For my future missionary work among Muslims in northern Nigeria.
- For any prayer requests for Muslims in the comments section.
Stories of Former Muslims
Iranian Muslim Discovers Christ http://www.cbn.com/7...e_davidian.aspx
A Muslim's Earnest Prayer http://www.cbn.com/7...azal080409.aspx
A Conversion to Christ http://www.cbn.com/7...rier040505.aspx
Sources/Links
A Christian's Response to Islam by William M. Miller, copyright 1976
http://christianansw...iefs/islam.html
http://www.cbn.com/s...lim_Friend.aspx
In Your Comment
- Let me know of any inaccuracies in my article.
- Let me know what you thought about the article.
- Give any advice for witnessing to Muslims to help others who read this.
- Write prayers for Muslims.
- Tell about any Muslims you know so we can pray for him/her.
