What is Islam? 

Islam

Islam is a fast and growing religion within the United States. It is a monotheistic religion, meaning there is a belief in one God. God example, Christianity is a monotheistic faith. Christians believe in the One and only God. However, Muslims believe there is one god, who they refer to as “Allah.”

Key Figure and Founder: Muhammed (A.D. 570-632)

Date of Islam’s Establishment: (A.D. 622)

Who Was Muhammad? (Phil Roberts)

Muhammad is believed by Muslims to be the last and greatest prophet of God-“the seal of the prophets.” It was through him that the Qur’an was dictated, thus according him the supreme place among the seers of God. Islam’s source of authority is called the “Qu’ran” or also known as the Koran.

A native of Mecca, Muhammad was forced to flee that city in A.D. 622 after preaching vigorously against the paganism of the city. Having secured his leadership in Medina, and with several military victories to his credit, Muhammad returned in triumph to Mecca in A.D. 630. There, he established Islam as the religion of all Arabia.

What is Islam?

Also according to Phil Roberts, Islam is “the world’s youngest major religion.It claims to be the restoration of original monotheism and truth and thus supersedes both Judaism and Christianity.” One of the major components of Islam is a submission to Allah, which happens to be the Arabic name for “God”. Another aspect of Islam is the conforming to the five pillars of Islam. By doing so, a person can then attain salvation.

Six Foundational Beliefs of Islam

• God: There is one true God, named Allah
• Angels: servants of God. Everyone has two angels, one to record good and bad.
• Prophets: Belief is Allah spoke through prophets
• Holy Books: Koran is holiest book
• Day of Judgment: people will be judged
• Decree of God: Allah ordains fate of all

The Five Pillars of Islam

• Affirmation: “No God but Allah”
• Prayer: Muslims pray five times a day facing Mecca
• Almsgiving: must give 2.5 percent to poor
• The Fast: Faithful Muslims fast from dawn to dusk every day during Ramadan
• The Pilgrimage: Muslims are expected to journey to Mecca at least once in their lifetime

Islamic View of Jesus

• Islamic view of Jesus is that he was a major prophet who came from the spirit of Allah
• They believe that Jesus was without sin, but he was not divine.
• They also believe that his miracles are signs that he came from God.
• Muslims believe that Jesus was sent to the children of Israel and faithfully showed the signs of Allah
• They believe that Jesus taught prayer and brought the gospel.
• They do not believe that Jesus died on a cross, but Allah took Him into Heaven

Islam: Belief of Salvation and Life after Death

• Person’s salvation depends on personal observance of the Pillars of Faith, and submission to Allah.
• Life After Death: Muslims believe in Paradise (Heaven) for the faithful; Hell (Punishment) for nonbelievers and those who fall away from the Islamic faith

Islam: Keys to witnessing to Muslims

• Be courteous and reflect interest in their religion
• Be willing to examine passages of the Koran
• Stick to the doctrines of the Christian faith
• Point out the work of Jesus Christ for salvation. Salvation comes from trusting Christ and Christ alone for salvation.
• Point out that salvation is not a gift to be earned

Helpful Resources From the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

 https://billygraham.org/story/how-can-you-share-the-gospel-with-muslims/

• Sharing Your Faith 101: A BGEA article on how to share the Gospel and 5 things to remember when doing so
• Former Muslim David Nasser: ‘Muslims Are Not the Enemies, But the Prize’: A BGEA article by David Nasser
• Do Christians and Muslims Worship the Same God?: ADecision magazine article by Al Mohler
• Is Jesus God?: An article from BGEA’s site, GoingFarther.net
• Is the Bible true?: 5 reasons we can believe what the Bible says, from BGEA’s site, GoingFarther.net
• Muslim Evangelism: 7 Ways to Share Your Faith: from the Zwemer Center for Muslim Studies.
• Carm.org/Islam(Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry): Find information on Islamic doctrine, answers to common objections and a chronological list of the Quran’s chapters
• Answering-Islam.org: Includes questions and answers on Muslims and Islam, featured articles and testimonies of former Muslims who accepted Christ

More Helpful Resources

https://www.namb.net/apologetics-blog/islam-overview/  (NAMB.org)

http://www.waltermartin.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?13-Islam(Walter

Martin)

https://carm.org/islam-examined   (Islam Examined; Carm.org)

https://carm.org/what-is-islam  (What is Islam?)