Which Direction Islam?

by PRASHER, G. | Category: Focus | Mar 2002

It's estimated there are about a billion Muslims in today's world, a formidable religious influence! Broadly they divide into two groups, the Shias who are mainly in Iran or Iraq, and the Sunnis, a large majority which includes ninety per cent of the Muslim world. Within these two broad groupings there are many sub-divisions. Some of them are extremist sects which have gained wide publicity because they tend to excite violent activities in the name of Islam.

A notable example is the Wahhabi sect which originated in Saudi Arabia and has been the country's official religion since 1932. This represented an extreme form of puritan Islam; drinking alcohol or sexual transgression were punishable by death and theft by amputation of the hand. Many Islamic terrorists have been linked with this sect, including Osama bin Laden. He has denounced the Saudi royal family (themselves Wahhabis) for allowing United States troops into Saudi Arabia during and after the Desert Storm campaign. Wahhabism deplores the presence of Jews or Christians (infidels) in the Arabian Peninsula.

Among Muslims in some countries where economic conditions are poor, there has been popular agitation for a new order based on Sharia law, regarding this as the rule of God. Yet many Muslims have no sympathy with Wahhabism or similar extreme teachings, which claim to represent the real meaning of Islam.

Which direction will Islam take? Towards its extremist outworkings, or its more moderate majority? In spite of the high profile given to fundamentalist extremists in the media at present, balancing factors should be kept in mind. Islam's involvement in ecumenical discussions with the Roman Catholic Church and other religious groups has a moderating influence. Fundamentalist extremism is increasingly seen as disruptive to religious, social and political relationships. There is also the influence of the so-called Muslim diaspora in Europe, where about fifteen million Muslims have become established European citizens, yet continue to practise their traditional faith. Their representatives have been quick to denounce recent acts of terrorism and dissociate themselves from extreme Muslim sects which have spawned so many suicide bombers. A younger generation is seeking to adapt Islam to their European environment by an interpretation of Muslim law which is compatible with Western concepts of toleration and justice.

Nor has the unexpectedly rapid demise of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan been without its moderating effect on policy regarding fundamental extremists in certain Muslim states. This is notably in Kuwait, where the government had planned to introduce strict sharia law, including public executions. Not only have these plans now been abandoned, but charities supporting religious extremists have been banned. In Yemen, Somalia, Palestine and Pakistan stronger restraints have been imposed on terrorists.

However, even if the viewpoint of Islam's moderate majority eventually prevails, this doesn't change the basic chasm of spiritual principle between Islam and the gospel of Christ. Islam means 'submission' and a Muslim is a person submissive to the will of Allah. The Koran is regarded as God's word, revealed through the prophet Muhammed. There are five key 'pillars' which every Muslim is enjoined to believe and practise:

1. Shahadah: the affirmation that there is only one God and Muhammed is his prophet.

2. Salah: the five daily ritual prayers.

3. Zakat regularly giving to the poor.

4. Sawm: fasting from dawn to dusk throughout the month of Ramadan.

5. Haji: the pilgrimage to Mecca which every Muslim should make at least once in a lifetime.

Islam is therefore essentially a faith which calls upon self-effort and religious observance to attain acceptance with God. The words of Romans 10:3 are strikingly relevant: 'For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.'

Moreover, although the Koran makes reference to Jesus, and He is venerated as a prophet alongside Abraham and Moses, Islam denies His Deity and atoning sacrifice, and rejects the declaration that there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

PRASHER, G. | Mar 2002
Focus