In the two previous studies we have looked extensively into the Problems and Preparations of the People of Israel and Islam. The Bible tells us that God raised up Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel) and their descendents to pave the way for the world to be blessed by providing salvation to all who obey Jesus as Savior.

God developed his people as described in the Old Testament through 400 years of Egyptian bondage, the stay in the wilderness, the occupation of Canaan, followed by the Periods of the Judges, the United Kingdom, and the Divided Kingdom. Next during the period of the prophets God developed the people with captivity in Persia, Assyria and Babylon. Then followed the domination by the Greeks, then the Romans and in the fullness of time God sent forth his Son to be born of a woman. His life, ministry, death and resurrection are revealed largely in what we call the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The church was established shortly following Jesus resurrection and the Apostolic Period was ushered in; all of which confirms the promises God made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as the Israel of God became the heirs of the Promise in the world wide Kingdom of God.

Most of this history we know, we understand, we teach and we believe. We spend many hours reading and studying this development on a regular basis in worship, Bible classes and private study. We are supposed to know these things.

The development of Islam is another subject, one with which we are not as familiar. After the church had been in existence for 500 years, a period in which people were drawn both toward and away from the New Testament pattern, and a period during which the early "church fathers" began organizing into what developed as the Catholic church, a man by the name of Muhammad was born in the city of Mecca in 570 A.D.

Muhammad was a part of one of the dominant Arab tribes, the Qu’raish (people) and was a part of the trading society of Mecca. Mecca had become a great trading city and was a stopping place for merchants and businessmen of all races, religions, and countries. It was an open city, open to the world. It was a period of many leaders, none able to control the area for a long period of time.

Very little can be learned about the early life of Muhammad, especially during the first forty years of his life. We know he married a rich widow whose money allowed him to rise from a lowly position in life. They had a daughter, Fatima, who became the wife of a great warrior, a Caliph, and eventually a successor to Muhammad. Beginning around 610 A.D., Muhammad claimed that through meditating in the desert God revealed to him through the angel Gabriel certain revelations. Muhammad never personally wrote down any of these revelations that were received over a period of 23 years. They were written shortly after his death and they are now called the Qur’an.

After the experiences in the desert, Muhammad claimed to be a prophet of God with the commission to guide others by God’s message revealed to him. Around 617 A.D. he began to preach to anyone who would listen to him. His message at first was a simple one: that Allah (God) is one, and is lord of everything. The people of Mecca at this time had a religion called Ka’aba (meaning black stone). They literally worship a black stone. The basis of the religion was the belief that many objects possessed spirits (called jinn) and power, and the black stone was one of these objects. Obviously, the message claiming Allah was lord was not well received in a society that had hundreds of gods. The people called Muhammad a sorcerer and a false prophet. They claimed he was possessed, and eventually ran him out of Mecca. His fleeing , or escape, is now called the year of Hegira (Flight) and marks the first year on the Muslim calendar.

Muhammad fled to Medina a city situated c.110 mi inland from the Red Sea in a well-watered oasis where fruit, dates, vegetables, and grain are raised. Before the flight from Mecca to the city in 622, Medina was called Yathrib. Muhammad quickly gained control of Medina, successfully defended it against attacks from Mecca, and used it as the base for converting and conquering Arabia. He used the city as a base for a Holy War (Jihad) against Mecca, which, after eight years he conquered and became its ruler. He established the divine orders he thought he was called to carry out and made a pilgrimage to Mecca a part of his religious reorganization.

With the majority of the Arabian Peninsula under Islam, Muhammad died in 632 A.D. During his lifetime he did not claim to be an innovator or a revolutionary, only that he was commissioned to complete the work of the Jewish and Christian prophets. In less than 100 years from the advent of Islam, the Islamic Empire extended from Spain to areas of India and China. Islam at that time made no distinction based on race, class, or background, and the Muslim world was considered a worldwide community, the ummah.

Islamic rule thrived well into the 17^th century, expanding with the Ottoman and other empires. While Europe was passing through the middle Ages, the Islamic civilization made tremendous scientific, medical, literary and artistic advances that have had a lasting impact on the world. We may examine the religion of Islam and consider ourselves superior in our knowledge, but consider:

The first great advance on the inherited mathematical tradition was the introduction of "Arabic" numerals and the decimal system, which actually originated in India, and which simplified calculation of all sorts and made possible the development of algebra. Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarazmi seems to have been the first to explore their use systematically, and wrote the famous Kitab al-Jabr wa-l-Muqabalah, the first book on algebra, a name derived from the second word in his title. One of the basic meanings of jabr in Arabic is "bonesetting," and al-Khwarazmi used it as a graphic description of one of the two operations he uses for the solution of quadratic equations. The Arab sifr, or zero, provided new solutions for complicated mathematical problems.

Arab contributions to engineering include the invention or improvement of the water wheel, cisterns, irrigation, water wells at fixed levels, and the water clock.

The harp, lyre, zither, drum, tambourine, flute, oboe, and reed instruments are today either exactly as they were used from earliest Arab Civilization, or variations of the Arabs' early musical instruments. The guitar and mandolin are sisters to that plaintive, pear-shaped stringed instrument, the oud.

The ancient Arabs loved the land, for in earth and water they saw the source of life and the greatest of God's gifts. They were guided by the words attributed to the Muhammad: "Whoever bringeth the dead land to life...for him is reward therein." They were pioneers in botany. In the twelfth century an outstanding reference work described more than five hundred different plants and methods of grafting, soil conditioning, and curing of diseased vines and trees.

The Arab contributions to food production are legion. They were able to graft a single vine so that it would bear grapes in different colours, and their vineyards were responsible for the future wine industries of Europe. Peach, apricot, and loquat trees were transplanted in southern Europe by Arab soldiers. The hardy olive was encouraged to grow in the sandy soil of Greece, Spain, and Sicily. From India they introduced the cultivation of sugar, and from Egypt they brought cotton to European markets. "May there always be coffee at your house," was their expression, wishing prosperity and the joy of hospitality for their friends. Coffee was qahwah, that which gives strength, and derivatives of that name are used today in almost every country of the world. They also perfected the storage of soft fruits to be eaten fresh throughout the year.

The Arabic language is rich in poetry, literature, and drama. Among the earliest publications of the Arabs were the translations into Arabic of the Greek and Roman classics - the works of Aristotle, Plato, Hippocrates, Ptolemy, and Galen. A Thousand and One Nights and Omar Khayyam's Rubaiyat are among the most widely read of Arabic literature. The fascination with Arabic, following the Hellenistic period of Louis XIV, is particularly evident in Shakespeare's characterizations of the Moors in Othello and the Merchant of Vince (Prince of Morocco), in Christopher Marlowe's Tamburlaine the Great, and in George Peel's The Battle of Alcazar.

When we examine the beliefs of Islam and point out the differences between them and the Bible, we are not minimizing the intellect of Muslims. We are looking at their religious beliefs. Muslims believe life is a testing period, where angels record one’s good deed and bad deeds. At a judgment these deeds will be revealed. Those who have done well will enter a paradise where dark haired maidens will serve the every need of men. Those who do poorly are banished to hell. Most are working to be in paradise and to some the appeal is strong enough to hasten departure by taking their own life while, as they consider it, defending Islam. Lets examine several specific beliefs.

The Kaba is a small, cubed building in Mecca towards which Muslims face five times a day, everyday, in prayer. This has been the case since the time of Prophet Muhammad. The current height of the Kaba is 39 feet, 6 inches and total size comes to 627 square feet. The walls are all made of stone. The stones inside are unpolished, while the ones outside are polished. This small building has been constructed it is claimed by Adam, and reconstructed by, Abraham, Ishmael and Muhammad. Literally, Kaba in Arabic means a high place with respect and prestige. The word Kaba may also be derivative of a word meaning a cube.

The Kaba originally held the black stone worshipped as a god along with some 360 other idols housed within the walls. Current belief states that the tribe, the one to which Muhammad belonged, was given the responsibility for the care of the building and abused their power for money which led to the idolatrous use of the building. The square structure is said to represent the unity in Islam. Muhammad adopted the building as a convenient symbol and had to Qur’an to state:

Muslims are supposed to make at least one journey to Mecca during their lifetime in order to worship at the Kaba. Worshippers move around the Kaba in a circular motion, gradually getting closer to the building as they bow and pray on schedule. The black stone has been adopted as the platform Abraham and Ishmael used to stand on to lay the stone for the base of the building. The Kaba and is said to be a symbol of unity.

Jews, Christians and Muslims agree; Abraham, the friend of God, is an example of pure and unconditional righteousness and faith. The love that Abraham displayed towards God is clearly seen in Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his only beloved son. All three religions do not dispute this fact. Where they do disagree, however, is about the identity of the sacrificial child. The Bible states that the child was Isaac:

Muslims on the other hand believe that Ishmael was the one offered up by Abraham. This fact, they believe, is presumed by the Bible's declaration that Abraham offered his only son. It is therefore argued that this could not be Isaac, since Isaac was never an only child seeing that Ishmael was born fourteen years prior to him. (Cf. Genesis 16:16, 21:5).

Thus, Muslims believe that scribes later corrupted the original reading from Ishmael to Isaac. This idea stems from the Muslim misunderstanding of the phrase, "Only son", in reference to Isaac, since the title is used to affirm Isaac's unique status, a status based on the facts:

It is for these reasons that Isaac is called Abraham's only son since God himself reckoned him as the child of promise and blessings, an honor never bestowed upon Ishmael.

Even more amazing is the fact that the Qur’an never mentions the name of the sacrificial child; amazing indeed considering how overzealous some Muslims have been in their attempts to prove that Ishmael, not Isaac, was that son:

Ishmael pays a very important role in Islam as we have seen. It is claimed that Muhammad is a descendent of Kedar, son of Ishmael and therefore God’s blessings come to mankind through Islam and Muhammad rather than through Isaac and Jesus. This particular doctrine will be addressed more fully next week when we examine The Sacrifice for the People.

Islamic states are radically different from a national state. Islamic countries, which are able to impose Islamic law upon their citizens, have an ideological system as their foundation for their political, economical, social and religious life. This system intentionally discriminates between people according to their religious affiliations. A prominent Pakistani Muslim scholar, summarizes three differences between secular and Islamic states as interpreted by the Hanifites:

There are four Islamic Schools of jurisprudence. We’ve looked at the view of the Hanifites. The other three schools are the Malikites, the Hanbilities (the most fundamentalists and the strictest), and the Shafi `ites. All four agree dogmatically on the basic creed of Islam but differ in their interpretations of Islamic law that comes from four sources:

Differing emphasis upon the various interpretations explains how one Islamic faction can promote the propagation of peace while, at the same time, another Islamic group promotes Jihad, or a Holy War. To harmonize practices, the many splinter groups of Islam usually claim dissenters misquote Qur’anic verses and place them out of context.

The Qur’an has only a few textual laws, the majority of laws are formulated as Fatwa (legal opinion) by prominent scholars in each country and carry equal weight with the Qur’an. Actual laws may vary from country to country depending upon the Fatwa (a term you may have heard in some newscast lately). Some of the more interesting Fatwa are:

The two classifications for Non-Muslims (or infidels); (1) Dar-ul-Harb (Household of War), people who are not bound by treaty, or covenant, or whose blood and property as not protected by the law of vendetta or retaliation; (2) Dar-us-Salam (Household of Peace) which is divided into three subgroups:

"A. Zimmis (those in custody) are non-Muslim subjects who live in Muslim countries and agree to pay the Jizya (tribute or penalty) in exchange for protection and safety, and to be subject to Islamic law. These enjoy a permanent covenant;

B. People of the Hudna (truce) are those who sign a peace treaty with Muslims after being defeated in war. They agree to reside in their own land, yet to be subject to the legal jurisprudence of Islam like Zimmis, provided they do not wage war against Muslims;

C. Musta'min (protected one) are persons who come to an Islamic country as messengers, merchants, visitors, or student wanting to learn about Islam. A Musta'min should not wage war against Muslims and he is not obliged to pay Jizya [tribute or penalty] but he would be urged to embrace Islam. If a Musta'min does not accept Islam, he is allowed to return safely to his own country. Muslims are forbidden to hurt him in any way. When he is back in his own homeland, he is treated as one who belongs to the Household of War." (Abdullah, Najih Ibrahim Bin, The Ordinances of the People of the Covenant and the Minorities in a Islamic State, Balagh Magazine, Cairo, Egypt, Volume 944, May 29, 1988; Vol. 945, June 5, 1988).

Zummis, or pagans (Jew or Christian), are considered infidels and enemies to be destroyed by whatever means. The Qur’an in Surah 9:5 states, "Then fight and slay the pagans wherever you find them. And seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every strategem" of war. In Surat Al-Maidah 5:51 Muslims are told: "O ye who believe, take not the Jews or the Christians for your friends and protectors. They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he among you who turns to them is of them."

Islamic extremists believe the Qur’an commands them in Surat At-Taubah 9:29 to fight Jews and Christians: "Fight against those who believe not in Allah, nor in the Last Day, nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (Islam)." To Islam, if you do not convert, you must be killed. In Islamic controlled states non-Muslims are not regarded as citizens’ even if they are original natives of that state.

Muslims believe that the Zimmis are Mushrikun (polytheists) for they see the belief in the Trinity as belief in three gods: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Islam believes in only one God and is the only true religion, they claim. Therefore, to protect Muslims from corruption, especially against the unforgivable sin of shirk (polytheism), the practice Christianity is forbidden among Muslims, because it is considered the greatest abomination.

When Christians practice their religion publicly, it becomes an enticement and exhortation to apostasy. It is significant here to notice that according to Muraghi, Zimmis and infidels are polytheists and therefore, must have the same treatment.

According to Muslim jurists, the following legal ordinances must be enforced on Zimmis (Christians and Jews alike) who reside among Muslims:

1) Zimmis are not allowed to build new churches, temples, or synagogues. They are allowed to renovate old churches or houses of worship provided they do not add any new construction. "Old churches" are those which existed prior to Islamic conquests and are included in a peace accord by Muslims. Construction of any church, temple, or synagogue in the Arab Peninsula (Saudi Arabia) is prohibited. It is the land of the Prophet and only Islam should prevail there. Yet, Muslims, if they wish, are permitted to demolish all non-Muslim houses of worship in any land they conquer.

2) Zimmis are not allowed to pray or read their sacred books out loud at home or in churches, lest Muslims hear their prayers.

3) Zimmis are not allowed to print their religious books or sell them in public places and markets. They are allowed to publish and sell them among their own people, in their churches and temples.

4) Zimmis are not allowed to install the cross on their houses or churches since it is a symbol of infidelity.

5) Zimmis are not permitted to broadcast or display their ceremonial religious rituals on radio or television or to use the media or to publish any picture of their religious ceremonies in newspaper and magazines.

6) Zimmis are not allowed to congregate in the streets during their religious festivals; rather, each must quietly make his way to his church or temple.

7) Zimmis are not allowed to join the army unless there is indispensable need for them in which case they are not allowed to assume leadership positions but are considered mercenaries.

Mawdudi, who is a Hanifite, expresses a more generous opinion toward Christians. He said:

Relationships between Muslims and Zimmis are classified in two categories: what is forbidden and what is allowable.

I. The Forbidden:

A Muslim is not allowed to:

• emulate the Zimmis in their dress or behavior.
• attend Zimmi festivals or support them in any way which may give them any power over Muslims.
• lease his house or sell his land for the construction of a church, temple, liquor store, or anything that may benefit the Zimmi's faith.
• work for Zimmis in any job that might promote their faith such as constructing a church.
• make any endowment to churches or temples.
• carry any vessel that contains wine, work in wine production, or transport pigs.
• address Zimmis with any title such as: "my master" or "my lord."

II. The Allowable

A Muslim is allowed to:

• financially assist the Zimmis, provided the money is not used in violation of Islamic law like buying wine or pork.
• give the right of pre-emption (priority in buying property) to his Zimmi neighbor. (The Hanbilites disapprove of this).
• eat food prepared by the People of the Book (the Bible).
• console the Zimmis in an illness or in the loss of a loved one. It is also permissible for a Muslims to escort a funeral to the cemetery, but he has to walk in front of the coffin, not behind it, and he must depart before the deceased is buried.
• congratulate the Zimmis for a wedding, birth of a child, return from a long trip, or recovery from illness. However, Muslims are warned not to utter any word which may suggest approval of the Zimmis' faith, such as: "May Allah exalt you," "May Allah honor you," or "May Allah give your religion victory."

There are special rules for women in Islam. These rules are interpreted and enforced differently in various countries depending upon the degree of political power exercised by the religious leaders of Islam. The following descriptions are typical of the religious practices in the more strict Muslim countries although they may be partially followed in any country where permitted.

Three rules for women’s dress code. First, "…we have provided you with garments to cover your bodies, as well as for luxury. But the best garment is the garment of righteousness." Surah 7:26. Second, "They shall not reveal any parts of their bodies, except that which is necessary. They shall not strike their feet when they walk in order to shake and reveal certain details of their bodies." Surah 24:31. Third, "O prophet, tell your wives, your daughters, and the wives of believers that they shall lengthen their garments. Thus, then will be recognized and avoid being insulted." Surah 33:59. From these verses the Islamic scholars have determined that women should in public ware only long dresses, have a hair covering, and for the extremist, have a veil or face covering.

Men are superior to women. "And it is for the women to act as they (the husbands) act by them, in all fairness; but the men are a step above them." (Surah 2:228, trans. Rodwell). "Men have authority over women because Allah has made the one superior to the other." (Surah 4:34, trans. Dawood). Men are superior to women because women have less intelligence, are less religious, lack gratitude, and are less reliable as witnesses. It takes two women to equal one man in matters of testimony. (Surah 2:282).

Islam is male dominated. Mohammad himself said: ‘the woman is a toy, whoever takes her let him care for her (or do not lose her)." (Tuffaha, Ahmad Zaky, Al-Mar'ah wal- Islam, Dar al-Kitab al-Lubnani, Beirut, first edition, 1985, p. 180). The belief that a woman is a toy is of vital importance for the spiritual well being of a Muslim man. "In the company of women, looking at them, and playing with them, the soul is refreshed, the heart is rested, and the man is strengthened to the worship of God...this is why God said: 'That he might rest in her.' (Surah 7:189)" (Ihy'a 'Uloum ed-Din by Ghazali, Dar al-Kotob al-'Elmeyah, Beirut, Vol II, Kitab Adab al-Nikah, p. 34). The husband’s desires are to met at once. Obedience to a husband is the key to paradise for a wife (Surah 4:34) and he may beat her for any disobedience (some translations say "beat lightly"). A husband’s rights are considered divine. He is her Paradise or Hell. If Allah were not the only one to be worshipped, then the wife would be required to worship her husband. (Mishkat al-Masabih, English translation, Section 'Duties of husband and wife', Hadith No. 70).

Islam has many other ideologies that are strange to western cultures but accepted as the norm in Islam dominated countries. All of these ideologies, which are both religious and political, create problems when foreigners travel in Muslim lands. They interfere with business and trade, and make it most difficult to take the gospel to these lands. Knowledge of these beliefs and practices will at least put one on his guard considering the current events in the shrinking world in which we live.