THE BASIC BELIEFS OF ISLAM

THE BASIC BELIEFS OF ISLAM

This is my research/reflection paper for the past two weeks in your class on the Basic Beliefs of Islam.

History will predict what will happen in the future.  This can be seen in the Islam culture how it has grown compared to the Christian culture.  If only we believed in Jesus as the Muslims believed in Allah.  Their belief is so strong they will do anything.  Christian’s belief is weak and is moving very slowly and we’re losing ground in the religion arena.

Islam is not a religion to us.  Religion to us means being moral, a person who is trying to be good but to the Muslims it’s different.  The Eastern mind is different from the Western mind in Islam.  The Eastern minds say it’s the government.  They believe in violence and they are very aggressive.  They have a warrior mentality.  They are soldiers.

I’ve learn that Christians are converted while Muslims are reverted.

The subject of fatwa was touched upon.  I pulled this information off the computer in reference to that subject. “ A fatwā (Arabic: فتوى‎; plural fatāwā Arabic: فتاوى‎) in the Islamic faith is a religious opinion concerning Islamic law issued by an Islamic scholar. In Sunni Islam any fatwā is non-binding, whereas in Shia Islam it could be considered by an individual as binding, depending on his or her relation to the scholar. The person who issues a fatwā is called, in that respect, a Mufti, i.e. an issuer of fatwā, from the verb أَفْتَى 'aftā = "he gave a formal legal opinion on". This is not necessarily a formal position since most Muslims argue that anyone trained in Islamic law may give an opinion (fatwā) on its teachings. If a fatwā does not break new ground, then it is simply called a ruling.^[1]”
My reflection: The Muslims fatwa is like the issuance of a legal opinion from courts in common-law systems.  And the rulings of the fatwa would be considered the memorandum opinions.  The main difference between common-law opinion which we abide by and a fatwa abided by the Muslims is that it is not universally binding; as the Shariah Law is not universal and consistent and Islam is very non-hierarchical in structure.  They don’t carry the weight that our common-law opinions do. 
Before continuing, I would like to speak a little on the Shariah Law.  Shariah Law like other historical religions haven’t undermine American democracy yet because when another religions try to take over in the past they conform to our religion and we live in harmony.  We have a history of “religious tolerance.”  Some things we just won’t allow like drugs or various satanic rituals that are harmful and deleterious to the fabric of this nation.  Shariah Law in my opinion will be harmful because if you disobey this Muslim Law you will be seized and killed (Haleem).  In America you can’t just go around killing someone because they disobey your laws.  Two examples of the Muslim in a military state is when a cartoon is drawn of Mohammad or someone is burning the Qur’an, that’s a death sentence and this action is not necessarily taken by a radical Muslim but a faithful, calm, quite Muslim so you have to be careful.  It’s ingrained in them to defend what they believe in.  Americans/Christians don’t do that well not to the point of killing thank God. 
Islam is a movement, culture and civilization.  You gave us a diagram of at least seven functions of the Mosque:  1) Madrasha, 2) Religion, 3) Social, 4) Military, 5) Economical, 6) Legislation (Shariah Law), and 7) Education.  The Mosque is another subject that was exposed but a different story.
I ask this question:  What is the real agenda of Islam?  The Qur’an has an answer [47:4] Thus you are ordered by Allah to continue Jihad against the disbelievers till they embrace Islam.”  My response:  We as Americans can’t force people to embrace our religion and we certainly won’t do it because God gave each of us free will.  We choose who we will serve.
In week two you state there are many different sects in the Muslim culture for example the Sunnis who are like Catholics. 
You stated how in the past the Muslims fought among themselves but now they have two common enemies the Jews & Christians.  Now they are fighting against them instead of each other.
The Muslim life style is work based and commitment.  The Christian life style deals with faith and works because faith without works is dead, (James 2:17, 20, 26 also review Genesis 22 and Joshua 2 KJV)

Following are the doctrines that every Muslim is required to believe:

“God.  There is only one true God and His name is Allah.  Allah is all seeing, all-knowing and all-powerful.

Angels.  The chief angel is Gabriel, who is said to have appeared to Mohammed.  There is also a fallen angel named Shaitan (from the Hebrew “Satan), as well as the followers of Shaitan, the jinns (demons).

Scripture.  Muslims believe in four God-inspired books:  The Torah of Moses (what Christians call the Pentateuch), the Zabur (Psalms of David), the Injil (Gospel) of Jesus, and the Qur’an. But, because that Jews and Christians corrupted their Scriptures, the Qur’an is Allah’s final word to mankind.  It supersedes and overrules all previous writings.

Mohammed.  The Qur’an lists 28 prophets of Allah.  These include Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Jonah and Jesus.  To the Muslim, the last and greatest prophet is Mohammed.”

“The end times. On the “last day” the dead will be resurrected.  Allah will be judge, and each person will be sent to heaven or hell.  Heaven is a place of sensual pleasure.  Hell is for those who oppose Allah and his prophet Mohammed.

Predestination.  God has determined what He pleases, and no one can change what comes the most common Islamic phrase, “if it is Allah’s will.”

[SO WHAT’S THE DIFFERENT? BY: Fritz Ridgew our, Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society, Pages 79-80]

“God.  The central doctrine of Islam is that God is one and that no partner is to be associated with Him.  To associate a partner with God is to commit the sin of sihrak (also spelled shirk), for which the Qur’an offers no forgiveness (Surah 4:48).  Obviously, as a result of this central doctrine of Islam, the doctrine of the Trinity is offensive to Muslims.

Angels.  In the gap between the God of the Qur’an and humankind exists a hierarchy of angels.  The archangel Gabriel is of the highest rank succeeded by the rest of the angels.

Each person has two angels assigned to him or her, one to record the person’s good deeds and the other to record the bad deeds.

At the bottom of the hierarchy are the jinn, from which we get the world “genie.”  Muslims believe that the host of jinn were created from fire, are usually bad, and are able to possess people.

The prophets of God.  According to the Qur’an, God has sent a prophet to every nation to preach the message of there being only one God.  In all, 124,000 prophets have been sent according to tradition.  Most are unknown, but many include Bible characters such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, Jonah, John the Baptist, and Jesus.

Each prophet was given for a particular age but Muhammad is the only prophet who is for all time.  He is considered to be the “Seal of Prophets.”

The Holy Books.  Four of the highest-ranking prophets were given books of divine revelation.  Those four are Moses, who was given the Tawrat (Torah), David, was given the Zabur (Psalms), Jesus, who was given the Injil (Gospel), and Muhammad, who was given the Qur’an.  Of those four books, Muslims contend that only the Qur’an has been preserved in an uncorrupted state.

The Day of Judgment.   The God of the Qur’an has decreed that there will be a day, when all will stand before Him in judgment.  On that day, each person’s deeds will be weighed in the balance.  Those whose good deeds out-weigh their bad deeds will be rewarded with paradise; and those whose bad deeds outweigh their good will be judged to hell.  Whether one’s good deeds out-weigh one’s bad deeds is a subjective matter though known only by God.  As a result, a Muslim has no assurance that he or she will be accepted by God.”

[THE COMPACT GUIDE TO WORLD RELIGIONS BY DEAN C. HALVERSON, GENERAL EDICTOR, Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society, Page 106]

My reflection on God.  In the Christian faith we have God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  I don’t agree with the Muslim saying God alone.  We have the TRINITY.

My reflection on Angels.  I believe in angels.  I believe God gave us free will too.  We choose where we will spend eternity.  Either we accept Jesus as our personal Savior or we don’t.  The choice is ours.  Angels have no say so as to where we will spend eternity.

My reflection on the Holy Books.  I believe all 66 books of the Bible which God inspired was written by over 40 prophets.  God is the author of each book in the long run.  The Bible came before the Qur’an.  It’s the true Word of God.  Anything that changes God’s Word is false.

My reflection on the prophets of God/Mohammed.  According to Scripture God sent prophets out to spread the Gospel, The Great Commission, (Matthew 28:19-20 KJV).  Jesus was the Prophet of all times.  Through His blood there were no more animal sacrifices.

My reflection on the end times/The Day of Judgment.  Jesus will be the judge and whoever denied Him will be denied before His Father and be cast into Hell. It has nothing to do with deeds.  Our works don’t save us, repentance does, (James 2: 17, 20, and 26)

The Five Pillars of the Muslim Faith:

Besides the six doctrines to believe, there are five duties to be performed.

“Statement of belief.  To become a Muslim, a person must publicly repeat the Shahadah:  “There is no god by Allah and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah.”

Prayer.  Muslims pray five times a day-at daybreak, noon, mid-afternoon, after sunset, and early evening.  The Muslim must kneel and bow in the prescribed manner in the direction of the holy city, Mecca.

Alms.  Muslim law today requires the believer to give one-fortieth of his profit (2.5 percent).  This offering goes to widows, orphans, the sick and other unfortunates.

Ramadan.  The ninth month of the Islamic lunar year is called Ramadan and is the highest of Muslim holy seasons.  Muslims are required to fast for the entire month.  Food and drink as well as smoking and sexual pleasures, are forbidden, but only during daylight hours.  During Ramadan, many Muslims eat two meals a day, the first just before sunrise and the other shortly after sunset.  During Ramadan, the believer must not commit any unworthy act.  If he does, his fasting is meaningless.

Pilgrimage to Mecca.  This is called the Hajj and must be performed at least once in a Muslim’s lifetime.  However, if the pilgrimage is too difficult or dangerous for the believer, he can send some in his place.”

[SO WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE, By:  Fritz Ridewour, Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society, Pages 80-81]

“To Recite the Shahadah.  The word Shahadah means “to bear witness.”  When reciting the Shahadah, one says, “I bear witness that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger.”  Saying the Shahadah with sincerity is all it takes to become a Muslim.

To Pray (Salat).  A Muslim is required to say seventeen cycles (ruk’a) of prayer each day.  These cycles are usually spread over five times of prayer per day-dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, dusk, and two hours after sunset (Hamada, 162).  Muslims may pray either individually or in a group.  They must wash themselves in a prescribed manner before praying, which is call ablution or wudu.  When they pray, they must face toward Mecca.  The direction of prayer (qibla) is marked by the niche, or mihrab, in the mosque (Hinnells, 142).  The noon service on Friday is the only time when Muslims are expected to gather together at the mosque.

To Fast (Sawm).  In Commemoration of Muhammud receiving the Qur’an during the ninth lunar month of Ramadan, Muslims are expected to fast during the daylight hours that month.  During the fast, they must abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual relations.  After sundown, Muslims are allowed to partake of all those things again until sunrise.

To Give Alms (Zakat).  Muslims are command to give one-fortieth (2.5%) of their income primarily to the poor and needy.

To Make the Pilgrimage (Hajj).  Every Muslim must make the trip to Mecca at least once during his or her lifetime, provided he or she is able with respect to health and finances.  Each pilgrim must wear the white garments called ihram, which have the effect of eliminating all class or status distinctions during the Hajj.  The process of visiting several sacred sites usually takes more than a week.  After the pilgrimage, the pilgrim is entitled to be referred to as a Hajj.”

[THE COMPACT GUIDE TO WORLD RELIGIONS By:  Dean C. Halverson, General Editor, copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society, Pages 106-107]

My reflection on Statement of belief/To Recite the Shahadah is as a Christian I believe in God the Father, God the son, God the Holy Spirit, the TRINITY.

My reflection on Prayer/To Pray (Salat) is as a Christian I am to pray in Spirit and truth, (John 4:23-24).  It doesn’t matter how many times I pray.  I have to be in a repentive state and ask God for forgiveness to be granted His forgiveness because of His mercy and grace to me.

My reflection on Alms/To Give Alms (Zakat) is not the way to salvation as we Christians believe.  I have to give my life and repent to receive God’s gift of salvation.  For Muslims this action, giving alms is a meritorious act by works alone and that will not save you.

My reflection on Ramadan/To Fast (Sawm) is as a Christian the only way my sins will be forgiven is when I go before the Father and ask for His forgiveness.

My reflection on Pilgrimage to Mecca/To Make the Pilgrimage will not grant me salvation.  It will not clean my soul and wipe away my sins.  It will not return me as a new born baby free of sin.  For all have sin and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23).  Jesus died for our sins and the only way for them to be forgiven is by accepting Him into our lives.  Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6).

In closing, by referring to my notes and doing research, I am getting a better understanding of the Islamic culture and I look forward to learning/researching in the future of the next six classes.