is islam a religion of peace? by dr. norman geisler © 2001 norman geisler
DESCRIPTION
1.What Does Islam Teach? OutlineTRANSCRIPT
Is Islam a Religion of
Peace?
By
Dr. Norman Geisler
©© 2001 Norman Geisler 2001 Norman Geisler
1. What Does Islam Teach?
Outline
1. What Does Islam Teach?2. What Does the Media Say?
Outline
1. What Does Islam Teach?2. What Does the Media Say?3. What Does the Evidence Show?
Outline
What Does Islam Teach?
1. One God (Allah)2. Prophets (Muhammad is the last) 3. Angels (good and bad)4. The Qur’an is the Word of God (though they
reference the Law (Tawrat), Psalms (Zabur), and Gospels (Injil) which they believe have been corrupted (tahrif))
5. Final day of judgment (heaven & hell)
What are the Basic Practices of Muslims?
1. Shahadah: To recite the creed: “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger”
2. Salat: To pray five times a day toward Mecca3. Sawm: To fast one month a year—ninth lunar
month of the year, Ramadan4. Sakat: To give 1/40 of their income5. Hajj: To make the pilgrimage once in their
lifetime to Mecca (in Saudi Arabia)
1. What Does Islam Teach?2. What Does the Media Say?
Outline
1. What Does Islam Teach?2. What Does the Media Say?
Outline
1. What Does Islam Teach?2. What Does the Media Say?
a. Islam is a religion of peace
Outline
1. What Does Islam Teach?2. What Does the Media Say?
a. Islam is a religion of peaceb. Islam fights only in self-
defense
Outline
1. What Does Islam Teach?2. What Does the Media Say?
a. Islam is a religion of peaceb. Islam fights only in self-
defensec. Islam teaches “tolerance”
Outline
1. What Does Islam Teach?2. What Does the Media Say?3. What Does the Evidence Show?
Outline
1. What Does the Evidence Show?a. Evidence from the Life of Muhammadb. Evidence from the history of Islamc. Evidence from the Qur’and. Evidence from the Hadithe. Evidence from current Muslim Actions
Outline
What Does the Evidence Show?1. Evidence from the meaning of “Islam”
Outline
What Does the Evidence Show?1. Evidence from the meaning of “Islam”
a. The word “Islam” means submission
Outline
What Does the Evidence Show?1. Evidence from the meaning of “Islam”
a. The word “Islam” means submission b. The word “Muslim” means submitted
one
Outline
What Does the Evidence Show?1. Evidence from the meaning of “Islam”
a. The word “Islam” means submission b. The word “Muslim” means submitted
onec. The submission is to Allah who commanded them to kill--
Outline
What Does the Evidence Show?1. Evidence from the meaning of “Islam”
a. The word “Islam” means submission b. The word “Muslim” means submitted
onec. The submission is to Allah who commanded them to kill--
1) those who convert from Islam 2) those who oppose Islamic beliefs
Outline
What Does the Evidence Show?1. Evidence from the meaning of “Islam”2. Evidence from the Life of Muhammad
Outline
Life of Muhammad
1. Born in Mecca (Saudi Arabia): A.D. 570 2. Received first Revelation: A.D. 6103. Fled from Mecca to Medina: A.D. 6224. Conducted Raids on Meccan Caravans5. Took Mecca by Force: A.D. 6306. Died: A.D. 632
Muhammad Condoned Killing:1. --Unbelievers in general.2. --A Jew who wrote poetry against him.3. --Any Jew who fell into their hands.4. --600 to 900 Jews.5. --A man who refused to help find treasure.6. --Meccans who satirized or insulted him.7. --A one-eyed shepherd who said he would never become a
Muslim.8. --A woman who wrote a poem against him, as she nursed her
baby.Note: From the earliest Life of Muhammad.
1. What Does the Evidence Show?a. Evidence from the Life of Muhammadb. Evidence from the early history of
Islam
Outline
The First 100 Years of Islam
Scope of Islam Today
What Does the Evidence Show?1. Evidence from the meaning of “Islam”2. Evidence from the Life of Muhammad3. Evidence from the Early History of
Islam4. Evidence from the Qur’an
Outline
Beating of Women
Sura 4:34 “Men are in charge of woman because Allah hath made the one to excel the other…. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them.”
Women: The majority in Hell
Al Bukhari, Vol. 1, Bk. 6, 301 (Hadith) : “Then he (Muhammad) passed by the women and said, "O women, give alms as I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-fire were you (women)." They asked, "Why is it so O Allah's messenger?" He replied, "You curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands.…
Sura 9:29 Fight those who do not believe in Allah, nor in the latter day, nor do they prohibit what Allah and His Apostle have prohibited, nor follow the religion of truth, out of those who have been given the Book, until they pay the tax in acknowledgment of superiority and they are in a state of subjection.
Make War against Unbelievers
Sura 8:12 When your Lord spoke to the angels, “I will be with you: therefore establish the faithful. I will cast a dread into the hearts of infidels.” Strike off their heads then, and strike off from them every finger-tip.
Strike off their heads
Sura 8:40 And fight with them until there is no more persecution and religion should be only for Allah; but if they desist, then surely Allah sees what they do.
Fight until all are Muslims
Sura 8:60 Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into the hearts of the enemies of Allah. Whatever you spend in the cause of Allah shall be repaid to you and you shall not be treated unjustly.
Strike Terror
Sura 9:5 Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
Slay the Idolaters
Sura 9:30 And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah; and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away!
May Allah Destroy Christians & Jews
Sura 4:76 Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah, and those who reject Faith Fight in the cause of Evil: So fight ye against the friends of Satan: feeble indeed is the cunning of Satan.
Disbelievers Fight for Satan
Sura 5:51 O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.
Don’t Befriend Christians and Jews
Sura 2:216 Fighting is prescribed for you, and you dislike it. But it is possible that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and that you love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knows, and you know not.
Fighting is Good for You
Sura 61:4 “Truly Allah loves those who fight in His Cause in battle array, as if they were a solid cemented structure.”
Allah Loves those Who Fight
Sura 4:74 Therefore let those fight in the way of Allah, who sell this world's life for the hereafter; and whoever fights in the way of Allah, then be he slain or be he victorious, We shall grant him a mighty reward.
Reward for Jihad
Sura 4:89 They desire that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so that you might be (all) alike; therefore take not from among them friends until they fly (their homes) in Allah's way; but if they turn back, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and take not from among them a friend or a helper.
Why? Because the Qur’an says Kill those Who Leave Islam
Sura 5:33 “The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter.”
Kill by Crucifixion. . .
1. What Does the Evidence Show?1. Evidence from the meaning of “Islam”2. Evidence from the Life of Muhammad3. Evidence from the Early History of
Islam4. Evidence from the Qur’an5. Evidence from the Hadith
Outline
Al Bukhari Vol. 1, Bk. 2, 25 (Hadith) Allah's Apostle was asked, “What is the best deed?” He replied, “To believe in Allah and His Apostle (Muhammad). The questioner then asked, “What is the next (in goodness)?” He replied, “To participate in Jihad in Allah's Cause.”
Jihad: The 2nd Best Deed
Al Bukhari Vol. 1, Bk. 2, 35 (Hadith) The Prophet said, “The person who participates in (Holy battles) in Allah's cause and nothing compels him to do so except belief in Allah and His Apostles, will be recompensed by Allah either with a reward, or booty (if he survives) or will be admitted to Paradise (if he is killed in the battle as a martyr).”
Reward for Jihad
1. What Does the Evidence Show?1. Evidence from the meaning of “Islam”2. Evidence from the Life of Muhammed3. Evidence from the Early History of Islam4. Evidence from the Qur’an5. Evidence from Current Muslim Actions
Outline
“The religion of "submission" continues to advance, as a rule by force, in Africa in part of Nigeria and Sudan, and in Asia, notably in Indonesia, where non-Moslems are given the choice of conversion or death. And in all countries where Islamic law is applied, converts, whether compulsory or not, who revert to their earlier faith, are punished by death.”
Paul Johnson, National Review 10/15/01
Ex-Muslims are being Killed
"We call on every Muslim who believes in God and wished to be rewarded to comply
with God's order to kill the Americans and
plunder their money wherever and whenever
they find it.”
Kill the Americans
“Hostility toward America is a religious
duty, and we hope to be rewarded for it by God. I
am confident that Muslims will be able to
end the legend of the so-called superpower that
is America.”
Bin Laden: Hostility is a Religious Duty
"Our enemy is every American male,
whether he is directly fighting us or paying
taxes."
Every American Male is our Enemy
Jihad (Holy War)
“I assure you, dear brothers, that we are firm on the road of jihad for the sake of God inspired by His Prophet. . . .”(Bin Laden, 9/23/01)
The Islamic Moral Threat
“Islam says: Kill all unbelievers…kill them and put them to the sword and scatter their armies.... Islam says whatever good there is exists thanks to the sword and the shadow of the sword….There are hundreds of Qur’anic Psalms and sayings of the prophet Muhammad urging Muslims to value war and to fight.”
Khomeini: Qur’an says “Kill”
“Non-Muslims are our enemy according to the Qur’an, so Americans are our enemy. We hate America. I believe in jihad. I will do whatever I can do. If I am provided the opportunity to get weapons, I will use them.”
Shafia Salaam, 16, Afghan refugee living in Pakistan (NYT, Oct 21, 2001)
Qur’an: Non-Muslims are our Enemy
The Execution of Islamic Law
A photographer records a public execution in Jeddah from behind the bars of a window http://www.kamaz.demon.co.uk/amnesty/briefing/8.html
“The persecution or elimination of non-Muslims has been a cornerstone of Islamic conquests and rule for centuries. The Qur’an provides ample evidence that Islam encourages violence in order to win converts and to reach the ultimate goal of an Islamic world. Conversions from Islam to any other faith are often punishable by death.”Franklin Graham, WSJ, Dec. 3, 2001
Franklin Graham: Qur’an encourages Violence
What About the “Peace” Versesin the Qur’an?
Sura 2:256 “There is no compulsion in religion.”
No Compulsion in Religion
Sura 10:99-100 “If it had been thy Lord's will, they would all have believed-- all who are on earth! Wilt thou then compel mankind, against their will, to believe! No soul can believe, except by the will of Allah, and He will place doubt (or obscurity) on those who will not understand.
Can’t Compel Belief
Sura 10:94 “But if you (Muhammad) are in doubt as to what We (Allah) have revealed to you, ask those who read the Book before you; certainly the truth has come to you from your Lord, therefore you should not be of the disputers.”
Muhammad: Consult Christians
Sura 5:68 Say: "O People of the Book! ye have no ground to stand upon unless ye stand fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that has come to you from your Lord."
Jews & Christians: Obey the Bible
What About the “Peace” Versesin the Qur’an?
Answer: They have been abrogated!
Sura 2:106 “Whatever communications We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring one better than it or like it. Do you not know that Allah has power over all things?”
Qur’anic Teachings can be Changed (Abrogation)
Sura 16:101 “When We substitute one revelation for another, and Allah knows best what He reveals (in stages), they say, ‘Thou art but a forger’: but most of them understand not.”
Qur’anic Teachings can be Changed (Abrogation)
All Jihad verses cited are from later Medinan period and thus abrogate the earlier more peaceful Meccan verses.
Note: Muhammad became more belligerent after A.D. 622 as he gained power in Medina.
The Bottom Line: Jihad Abrogates Peace
Most Muslims believe in peace, but—
Those who practice violence, have-- Their founder,
Their history, Their Holy Book,and their Traditions--
On their side!
The Conclusion:
What About the Crusades and the KKK?
Consistent with Teachings of the Qur’an (Sura 9:5)
Contrary to Teachings of the New Testament (Mt. 26:52)
Contrary to Example of Jesus Christ
Consistent with Example of Muhammad
Logical Outworking of Islam
Illogical Outworking of Christianity
Christianity grew by use of the sword on it
Islam grew by use of the sword on others
A Strong ContrastJIHAD CRUSADES
Jesus Declared: Jesus Declared: ““My peace I give unto you.” My peace I give unto you.”
““Blessed are the peacemakers”Blessed are the peacemakers”
MUHAMMADNot Virgin Born
JESUSVirgin BornSinlessNot Sinless
Not Messiah
Not Word of God
Called Messiah
Did MiraclesNo Miracles
Called Word of GodBody in Grave Body in Heaven
ACCORDING TO ISLAM
Reaching Muslims
1. Build a personal relationship with them..2. Pray with them. Prayer is important to
them.3. Handle the Bible and Qur’an respectfully.4. Ask questions instead of assuming you
know what they believe (beliefs of individuals often differ from official doctrine).
Reaching Muslims
5. Don’t criticize Muhammad. Cite Jesus: His love, His example, His sacrifice and the relationship He has with believers.
6. Ask them why the Qur’an commands Christians to obey the Gospel (Sura 5:68), especially if the “Book” (the Bible) has been corrupted.
Reaching Muslims
7. If they ask you, “Do you believe in the Trinity?” ask them to define what they mean by the Trinity.
Father
HolySpirit
SonHuman
Nature
DivineNature
Father
Who³Who²
Human Nature
(Divine Nature)
Who¹
What²
What¹
(Son) (Holy Spirit)
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rules of the darkness of this age…. Therefore take up the whole armor of God…. Praying always, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit….” (Eph. 6:12-18).
We are in a Spiritual Battle
The Call of Muhammad
“Stricken with panic, Muhammad arose and asked himself, ‘What did I see? Did possession of the Devil which I feared all along come to pass?’…He feared the cave might be haunted.” (Muslim biographer, M. H. Haykal, The Life of Muhammad, 74)
The Call of Muhammad
“Muhammad had not moved from his spot when revelation came to him accompanied by the usual convulsions…. Muhammad recovered, he sat up and began to wipe his forehead where beads of perspiration had gathered.” (Haykal, 337)
The Call of Muhammad
“As she did on earlier occasions when Muhammad feared possession by the devil, so now stood firm by her husband and devoid of the slightest doubt…she said to him, ‘Joy to my cousin! Be firm. By him who dominated Khadijah’s soul I pray and hope that you will be the Prophet of this nation.’” (Haykal, 75)
On Innocent On Guilty
An act of GodAn act of Man
For Religious Reasons
On all Unbelievers
For Moral Reasons
As a Last Resort As a First ResortOn some Unbelievers
Commands to KillGod who gives life can take it
QUR’AN OLD TESTAMENT
At any Time At a Specific TimeFor Redeeming EveryoneFor Redeeming No One
Confirmed by GodNot Confirmed by God
SUNNI SHI’ITE1. Less than 20% of
Muslims2. Muhammad’s
successor was his cousin, Ali
3. Emphasize authority of Imam (similar to the Catholic Pope)
4. Believe religious authorities should be in political power
1. 80% of Muslims2. Elect Muhammad’s
successor3. Emphasize authority
of other written traditions: the Sunnah (conduct) and Hadith (sayings)
4. Believe in separation of religious and civil authorities
ISLAM GOD: absolute one
CHRISTIANITYGOD: 3 persons in 1 essence
HUMANITY: sinful by natureHUMANITY: good by nature
JESUS: major prophet who performed miracles but was not God
DEATH OF CHRIST: Judas, not Christ
SALVATION: Work toward salvation; good deeds must outweigh bad ones
JESUS: second person of eternal Trinity; added humanity in the incarnation
DEATH OF CHRIST: died and rose in same physical body
SALVATION: Free gift of forgiveness and physical resurrection via faith in Christ’s atoning work
BIBLE: corrupted BIBLE: Word of God
Sura 29:50-51 And they say: Why are not signs sent down upon him from his Lord? Say: The signs are only with Allah, and I am only a plain warner. Is it not enough for them that We have revealed to you the Book which is recited to them? Most surely there is mercy in this and a reminder for a people who believe.
Qur’an is Muhammad’s “Sign”