Islam

by French, B. V. | Category: Spotlight On | May 1981

Muhammad, the founder of the religion of Islam, was born in Mecca about ADS 70. Although it is acknowledged that in his early life he was poor and illiterate, yet today millions of Muslims still look to his life and teaching for guidance and authority. When he was young he showed a marked religious disposition. He practised fasting and often chose seclusion to meditate. There is evidence in the Koran (the holy book of Islam) that he absorbed some teaching from both Jewish and Christian sources, but there are glaring inaccuracies and corruptions. It is possible that such inaccuracies were gleaned from a defective original source, rather than deliberately distorted. Muhammad preached a religion dedicated to one God. He abolished the use of alcohol and strict Muslims observe this today. He instituted a rigorous annual daytime fast (called Ramadan), lasting a full month. Muhammad is not worshipped and there is no priesthood.

Muslims believe that Muhammad sums up, and is supreme among, the prophets. In obedience to his teaching, ritual prayers are offered five times daily. Every Muslim should, if physically and financially able, make at least one pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca in his lifetime. Islam is a religion of salvation by means of good works. By the performance of deeds and the observance of rites, merit is accumulated and "salvation" won. In establishing a righteousness of their own they also specifically deny the Lord's atoning work at Calvary. Islam stands for what man must do, in contrast to the Christian gospel, which states what God has done through Christ and will work out in any individual heart by His Spirit.

The Koran depicts Christ as a prophet and emphatically denies that He died on a cross. Instead it is held that when the Jews attempted to crucify Him, God caught him up to heaven and put His likeness on someone else who died by mistake in His place. Muslims believe that Christ will come again and that he will marry and have children and break the symbol of the cross by acknowledging Islam. When it became apparent that such accounts did not agree with the Old Testament, Muhammad alleged that the Jews had corrupted or misquoted their own scriptures.

Those who adopt Islam may be influenced by the concept of one true

God. Today, many are attracted by its worldwide brotherhood which binds together people of many races. Although in most Muslim countries there is freedom for non-Muslims to worship in their own way, there are usually severe restrictions on propagating another religion and no provision is made for Muslims to change their faith.

Contacts with Muslims are increasing even in Western lands. Those who live among them soon realize that they often have a very distorted impression of Christian doctrine. In most Muslim lands, the response to the gospel has been meagre and, even in countries where the state is not dominated by Muslims, converts may pay a high price for their faith. It can mean their being ostracized by family and friends, or losing their employment. There are a number of disciples in the churches of God in Nigeria who were brought up as Muslims. Today they serve the living Christ, the Son of God.

The spiritual power of Islam is a growing force in the world today. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we may need to challenge ourselves whether by our lives and witness, the gospel could be adequately presented to the millions who follow Muhammad.

French, B. V. | May 1981
Spotlight On