Islam

In today's world Islam is said to be the religion of at least 600 million people!

Islam is the name given by the prophet Mohammed to the religion of the Muslims, and is an Arabic name which has come to mean "submission to God". They consider Mohammed (born about 570 AD) to have been the greatest and last of the prophets. It is claimed that the Koran, their holy book, was recited to Mohammed by the angel Gabriel, who read from the original in heaven. Sadly, the Lord Jesus Christ is regarded as but one of a line of prophets, and inferior to Mohammed; His uniqueness as the Son of God is denied.

There are of course many sects within Islam, giving a different emphasis of teaching and varied standards of religious practice. The fundamentalist Muslim wishes to maintain the traditional beliefs and practices against all the pressures for change. Other schools of thought within Islam would prefer concessions to modern trends. Yet basic principles held in common allow for wide areas of appeal to Muslims as a whole.

The Lord Jesus warned the apostles that "many false prophets shall arise, and shall lead many astray" (Mat. 24:11). Mohammed can be viewed only in this light by the Christian believer. The expansion of Islam has indeed affected many! From its origins in Arabia it has spread along North Africa to the Atlantic, and south to the Sudan, Zanzibar and areas of East Africa. To the north and east it covers Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indonesia. There are significant numbers of Muslims in many other

countries, including southern U.S.S.R.

Last year's dramatic developments in Iran and Afghanistan highlighted the political influence of Islam in certain situations. For Ayatollah Khomeini gained victory over the Shah of Iran through religious incitement of the Muslim masses in that country; while Muslim resentment against atheistic communist influence was one factor underlying the Russian invasion of Afghanistan. Where western culture has had a close impact on Muslim populations, as in the Middle East, there have at times been strong reactions against what are seen as harmfully lowered standards of conduct, e.g. alcoholism, moral permissiveness, material extravagance. It reflects little credit on western society, nominally "Christian" in outlook, that there should be real justification for such reactions!

For several decades it has been a cornerstone of the policy of Muslim countries in the Near East to oppose the restoration of Israel to her traditional homeland. Egypt has for the time being "broken rank" and come to terms with Israel, political motives overriding President Sadat's Muslim sympathies. The peace treaty between Israel and Egypt was seen by many Muslims as a "separate settlement with the effect of handing over the holy city of Jerusalem to perpetual Israeli control". Because this treaty was sponsored by President Carter, deep resentment has been stirred against the United States. Despite their smallness compared with the United States, the Muslim controlled governments of the Middle East can bring intense pressure to bear on the United States and the European Community by reason of oil supplies, so vital to "western'~ industry and transport. Indeed, a feature of the present world situation is the disproportionate influence of relatively small countries. The United States, for instance, is under strong pressures both towards the "Arab cause" from Middle East oil producing states, and towards the "Israeli cause" through the Jewish lobby in Washington. President Carter has warned his countrymen that United States foreign policy may be in danger of being dictated from abroad!

Scripture would lead us to expect that the grouping of Middle East Muslim countries against Israel will still obtain at the time of the end. Psalm 83:2-4 reads like a modern declaration of their policy!

"Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance".

The peoples involved in this conspiracy (verses 6-8) include those at present adjacent to Israel. Then "Assyria also is joined with them" extending the alliance through to Iraq and possibly Iran. How ironic that several of these peoples are themselves descended from Abraham (Gen. 25:1-18)!

Apart from the political influence of Islam in our time, its modern spiritual thrust also concerns the Christian believer. In many parts of the "third world" Islam's missionary gains develop apace. It is also penetrating western society more than ever before. Immigrants among western nations from Asia and elsewhere practise their faith, providing centres from which it may be publicised. This brings fresh challenge to "the gospel of the glory of the blessed God" committed to our trust. For the excellencies of Christ and the glory of our hope in Him far excel anything that Islam could offer.

It is indeed impressive to see thousands of Muslims praying at special religious festivals. Facing towards Mecca, and prostrating themselves repeatedly, the whole exercise bespeaks deep religious fervour. Here is "zeal for God, but not according to knowledge". The glorious Son of God, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, has no place in it all. We contrast the day when, in the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

How great our responsibility meantime so to pray and to witness that many within Islam will be convicted of sin by God's Spirit, and turned from darkness to light through faith in Christ!

unknown | Jun 1980
Focus