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1“Islam in Christ's Eyes” 1“Islam in Christ’s Eyes” A study on the origins of Islam and the Christian response by Wissam Youssif Lesson Two- The Origins of Islam Spring Quarter - 2018 I. Introduction A. Thank you for being here for lesson two from the study, “Islam in Christ’s Eyes.” B. If you would like a copy of the book that is the guide for this course, I have the information where you can order the book if you would like one. C. One of my favorite characters is Barney Fife from the old Andy Griffith television show. C.1. In one episode, two prisoners are brought to the small town of Mayberry jail for Andy and Barney to guard. C.2. To get their attention, Barney set them straight from the beginning. C.3. He said, “Men, here at the rock, we have two rules. Memorize them so as to be able to say them in your sleep. Rule number one, obey all rules. Rule number two, there is no writing on the walls as it take a lot of work to erase writing off of walls.” D. In my classroom, there are also two rules. D.1. Memorize so that you can say them in your sleep. D.2. Rule number one, obey all rules. D.3. Rule number two, there is no political discussion of any kind allowed because once uttered it’s almost impossible to erase it from people’s memory who are offended by it. D.4. Therefore, all political discussion is banned because it is directly tied to the subject of Islam. D.5. We will not name any political party or politician. D.6. We are going to do our best not to offend any member of this class whether you lean right or lean left or even if you’re upside down. D.7. Your position may vary but please do not break the rule. A. Last week, we also started laying the foundation for the course by examining some of the key terms of Islam. A.1. My purpose is to help you get a handle of just of the basics of this religion. A.2. Let’s see how much you retained. II. Definition of Terms A. First is the very name of this religion: “Islam.” A.1. Do you know what the word “Islam” means? It means “to submit” or “to surrender. A.2. It is “surrendering to God.” B. Second, is the name “Allah.” B.1. This is the Arabic name for God and is most often meant as the God of Islam. B.2. He is the God to whom humanity surrenders. C. Next, the holy scriptures of Islam are called “The Quran.” C.1. It is a collection of Muhammad’s sayings or teachings over a 23 year period that were recorded many years after his death by his followers. D. An “Ayat” is a verse from the Quran. E. A chapter is called a “sura” from the Quran. F. “Hadith” is a collection of Muhammad’s sayings and deeds which is commonly taught as a part of Islamic theology. G. There are two key cities that are related to Islam: Mecca and Medina and both are in Saudi Arabia. H. (Show picture of the Great Mosque) I. In the city of Mecca, there is famous structure called the “Ka’ba and it is located within the “Great Mosque.” I.1. The word “Ka’ba” means “cube.” I.2. The “Ka’ba” is the place where the “black stone” is kept. I.3. Muslims say that the black stone was actually given to Abraham when he was building the first Ka’ba that was later destroyed and rebuilt several times. J. You will often hear of Muslims going on “Hajj.” J.1. Do you know what this? J.2. This is the pilgrimage to Mecca during the twelfth month of Muslim lunar calendar. J.3. Muslims are required to perform hajj at least once in their lifetime, if financial means and health allow. J.4. The place where they go is to the Great Mosque where they march around the Ka’ba which contains the black stone. J.5. This always takes place within the Islamic month called “Ramadan. K. The most holy month of the year for Muslims is “Ramadan.” K.1. It is the month of fasting. K.2. Muslims believe it was during the month of Ramadan that Muhammad’s first revelations of the Quran began. K.3. This is the month when Muslims go on Hajj to Mecca at least once in their lifetime where they march around the Ka’ba which holds the “black stone” within the “Great Mosque.” L. Another common Islamic term is “Jihad.” L.1. Today, most people believe it to mean an Islamic holy war. L.2. Not so. L.3. Jihad simply refers to the obligation to strive to teach, explain, spread and protect the message of Islam. L.4. It is the struggle of Islam. L.5. Some of the extremists have now taken it mean the war to conquer all non-Muslims and call it “Jihad.” M. Nearly every time an Islamic terrorists carries out an attack, he will begin by yelling “Allahu Akbar” which means “Allah is great!” M.1. However, it is most commonly used as a call to prayer. M.2. When most Muslims say “Allahu Akbar”, it has nothing to do with violence but rather is a call to pray to Allah. N. The place where local Muslims go to pray and worship is a “Mosque”. O. The word “salat” is the form of ritual prayer that is repeated five times a day. O.1. Muslims always bow and pray toward the city of Mecca which is their holy city. O.2. Last year, when Sohn and Angie Lyons and I went to Cameroon, we stopped in a city called Bamenda to spend the night. O.3. When we got out of the car, we were greeted by one of the eeriest sounds I had ever heard. O.4. It was coming from a nearby mosque and it was the Islamic call to prayer that was coming from the “Minaret.” P. What is a “Minaret?” P.1. The “Minaret” is the tower built into a Mosque from which the call to prayer is made. P.2. Have you ever heard the call to prayer? It will make the hair on the back of your neck stand on end. P.3. In Cameroon, Muslim and Christians live in perfect peace, side by side. P.4. Not all Muslims are violent extremists. Q. In fact, we visited a village called “Buu” and we met a Muslim man who is the village chief. Q.1. This black Muslim man considers white Paul Kee, our Missionary, to be his successor as the chief of his village. Q.2. This black Muslim man has a grown son but he named white Christian Paul to be the next chief of that village! Q.3. The village chief has even given Paul a piece of land to build a home right next to his! R. What does that does tell us about Christians and Muslims? R.1. We can live together in peace and even love for one another. R.2. And if we are going to win them to Christ, we must remember this truth. R.3. You can never win an enemy to Christ, only a friend. R.4. That’s why the Lord taught in Matthew 5:43-45, 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” S. Of course, a “Muslim” is simply a follower of the religion of Islam. S.1. He or she is one who submits to God. S.2. The word “Islam” means to surrender or submit to Allah. S.3. And Muslim means “One who has surrendered to God.” T. Last but not least there is of course the prophet Muhammad. T.1. He was born in approximately 570 A.D and died in 633. T.2. Muhammad was the founder of Islam and is considered by all Muslims to be God’s greatest prophet. T.3. They believe he was the fulfilment of Judaism and Christianity as well. U. Today, we will cover his birth, early life and the beginnings of Islam. V. Are there any questions or comments about these Islamic terms? III. The Birth and Early Life of Muhammad A. Muhammad belonged to the dominant tribe of Mecca, the Quraysh and their founder was named Fihr and supposedly traces his roots back to Adam, the first man. B. Muhammad’s clan was named after his great grandfather Hashim. C. The Hashim tribe was the guardian of the “Ka’ba, which held the black sacred stone. D. Therefore, the Hashim tribe had considerable prestige in Mecca. E. Muhammad was born in 570 A.D. according to Sura 105. E.1. What is a “sura?” chapter in the Quran E.2. What is a verse called? An ayat F. Muhammad’s father died on a trading journey prior to the boy’s birth and was raised by his mother and his grandfather who was the clan head. F.1. When Muhammad was six his mother who’s name was “Amina” died and two years later his grandfather died as well. F.2. This forced his uncle Abu Talib, who had succeeded the grandfather as clan head, to be Muhammad’s guardian.
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