Have you ever wondered just what it is that separates the Islamic religion from Christianity? I have; especially lately. I have been wondering about this lately, because I have a friend that is Christian, but her husband is Muslim. We were talking one day about the difficulties that presents for their marriage. I cannot begin to fathom having a mixed- belief marriage, and one that seems so at odds with one another. So I have been doing some research on the subject. I still am, by far, quite ignorant about the Muslim religion, but here are some things I have learned.
I learned a while back that the origins of both "races"- Jews and Muslims came from the same man. Father Abraham. That the Jews were, as we know descended from Isaac. And the Muslims (Meccans) were descended from Ishmael. What makes this so interesting to me, is that I place myself in the proverbial shoes of Ishmael, and think about his lot in life. For thirteen years, he is thought of as the heir to all the promises that were for Abram's descendents. Can you imagine, how it must have felt to know that though he was the first born, he was not the heir after all, and in fact was to later be banished from his father's household? The bible does give us some of this story in Genesis 21:9-10,14-16. I cannot imagine such a thing, except through the narrative that the bible provides. I cannot imagine such a sense of rejection, maybe? And perhaps abandonment? But whatever Ishmael felt, we know very little about it, for certain. I just find that interesting.Now we all know that Christianity is an offshoot of Judaism. That in fact the Messiah was part of their promise first, and then for the Gentiles was it given as well. Now when you look back, you might begin to see the beginnings of the enmity between the Jewish people and the people would later become what we call Muslims.
I've also wondered just what the Qur'an says about Jesus. I had heard that some say he was "just a prophet" no higher than Muhammad himself. Muhammad was the founder of modern day Islam. He was born 1400 years ago (approx 600 yrs after Jesus.) He was a very righteous man and believed that Allah (God) had revealed the Torah and the gospels. He had learned of both the Jewish books, and the Christian bible. (All the letters, etc. had been canonized by now.)
"ALLAH is HE besides Whom there is none worthy of worship, the Living, the Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining. HE has sent down to thee the Book containing the truth and fulfilling that which precedes it; and HE has sent down the Torah (Law of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) before this, as a guidance to the people; and HE has sent down the Discrimination (judgement between right and wrong)." -- Qur'an, Surah 3:3-4
I have learned recently that the struggle with Muslims to believe in Jesus as the Messiah comes from, perhaps, some misinterpretation of their own Qur'an.
"Thereupon she pointed to him. They said, 'How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?' Jesus said, 'I am a servant of ALLAH. HE has given me the Book, and has made me a Prophet; 'And HE has made me blessed wheresoever I may be, and has enjoined upon me Prayer and almsgiving so long as I live; 'And HE has made me dutiful towards my mother, and has not made me arrogant and graceless; 'And peace was on me the day I was born, and peace will be on me the day I shall die, and the day I shall be raised up to life again.' That was Jesus, son of Mary. This is a statement of the truth concerning which they entertain doubt." -- Qur'an, Surah 19:30-35
In calling Jesus a messenger, Muhammad was also correct. He did not mean that Jesus was not the Messiah. Muhammad knew that one could be a messenger and not be a Messiah… but as The Messiah, one is also a messenger.
Jesus was both a messenger and The Messiah that Allah had promised! What is a Messiah? A Messiah is always known as "a Saviour… a liberator and a deliverer." God had promised to send one (Messiah) to pay the debt of sin for all mankind. Excerpt from ChristianAnswers.net
Now, how to witness to Muslims with this information? As of yet, I do not know, but I will be praying on this. I do not think it is in my calling to minister to Muslim men, as that would not bode well, I think, considering their cultural views of women, but I will be praying about how I can continue to minister to my Christian friends that are married to Muslim men. Please pray with me. Any Muslims reading this, please see Surah 3:38-48 regarding who Jesus was for you, as well as for me.
--Lord, I pray for discernment from You. That You may give me the words and the wisdom to know how to use them. I pray for my friend and the marriage that is blessed by You, despite the seemingly difference in beliefs. I pray these things in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.
Picture of Qur'an from http://www.aldunya.net/
Picture of Holy Bible from http://www.uxbridgenazarene.com/Bible.jpg
Hello! I am one of Leeanns friends- and she has told me a great deal about you, hope you don't mind me stopping by! I have an aunt who is LDS and her husband is Catholic. Their entire marriage has been a strain, not only within themselves, but from their families, and their religious congregations. Thankfully, for their 5 kids sake, they have made it work. It's doable, but I would agree, it's something I couldn't even begin to understand or fathom!
ReplyDeleteSuebug, I don't mind you stopping by at all! I love visitors. I try to visit as many people as I can on a daily basis. I did stop by your blog today as well. Blessings to you. That must be difficult for your aunt. I am glad they are able to make it work. My friend makes hers work as well, and is happily married, but it does cause a strain whenever they discuss their beliefs with one another.
ReplyDeleteShabbat Shalom, Shalene!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that you wrote this, because I was reading and watching a few videos on Islam and Christianity while my blog was under attack.
I had previously read for myself years ago about Islam. What you said is correct -- that Islam does recognize Jesus as a messenger, nothing more.
The Qur'an also maintains that Jesus Christ did not die and rise again, but that someone looking alike our Lord took His place on the cross, and our Lord fled.
Yet God has also given a promise unto Ishmael and his descendents, for he will be father to 12 kings.
It's difficult to witness unto Muslims, and I personally have not done it before either. I pray God grants you the wisdom to be able to bring the husband to Him one day.
God bless!
Did you also know that Muhammad was married to and had sexual relations with a 9 year-old?
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aisha#Marriage_to_Muhammad
This is all very interesting Shalene. Thank you for sharing it. I posted your post on my facebook account. I love learning stuff like this.
ReplyDeleteI pray that you will have God's guidance in witnessing.
Kimberly
I thought he was married to a woman 15 years his senior! I did not know this about him. Like I said, I really don't know much about the Muslim faith, or it's founder. I'll have to look up this article that you gave me a link for. I have heard though that Wikipedia articles are written by just regular people, that may or may not have all their facts accurate. But no matter. I'm sure it's corroborated by someone. I guess that still doesn't mean it's right, huh? I mean after all, supposedly the Muslim faith states that Jesus fled and someone else took his place on the cross. :) Thanks Isaiah, for that little piece of info. Though why it says in their Qur'an what it does then, I don't know (the parts I quoted.)
ReplyDeleteI have spent the last hour perusing your site Shalene. I am impressed with how much you have learned, interested in what you have written and inspired to be a better Christian. The day that you and your husband bought me my bible was the turning point in my life. Thank you for "tending your flock" both then and now. I am off to your wonderful Hubby's blog.
ReplyDeleteMy boys send hellos
Love to all
God Bless
You are very correct on that, Casey.
ReplyDeleteActually, I have a lot to write on Islam, but I have to restrain myself because of some religious harmony law here in Singapore.
I have done my study of Islam, more out of my own interest, especially since I first heard from some that Christians and Moslems believe in the same God.
So not true!
Anyhow, I better stop before I get carried away and turn this comment into my own little post on Islam. :-)
God bless you all!
Shabbat Shalom.
Isaiah, Religious Harmony laws? What does that mean??? That doesn't sound good. I'll have to look that info up. I'm sorry you have to restrain yourself. :( That can't be easy to do, sometimes. As you know, it is never my intent to single out or insult another's religious beliefs, but I do believe in telling it the way the Bible tells it to me. :) Blessings to you, brother. Shalom.
ReplyDeleteHi Kim, I'm not sure I know how the whole Facebook thing works. What is a facebook account, and how does a person read it? I would love to see what you've written in regards to this. Or did you just repost it?
ReplyDeleteHi Shalene,
ReplyDeleteI gave that link to Wikipedia because it is actually backed up with references. I don't put much trust in Wikipedia normally. They have lots of biased articles. That Mohammed was married to a 9 year-old is merely a fact. Personally, I think the fact by itself is damning. No explanation is necessary. Having sexual relations with a 9 year-old is always wrong, even if you are a prophet of "God."
He married her when she was six, by the way. She just didn't move in with him until she was nine.
ReplyDeleteDear Shalene:
ReplyDeleteYea, its a law that "promotes religious harmony", but it also means that if you write things that make another religious group unhappy, you can get into quite a bit of trouble with the law.
Sometimes grassroots organizations will organize special events on special religious celebrations for people of other religions and faiths to visit places of worship to understand the one another's faith/religion better.
Singapore is a multi-racial, multi-religious country. We have Indians, Chinese, Malay, Caucasians here, and the main religions recognized by the State are Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, and Islam.
The government is very protective over our multi-cultural heritage, hence the Religious Harmony law. It's a good thing in some ways but the downside is I can't say too much sometimes.
God bless, and Shalom!
Hi Shalene,
ReplyDeleteYou might be interested to watch this video about the interpretation in the Qu'ran about Allah.
It's true Mohammed was a pedofile because Allah allows this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBgTchsi4qA
God Bless!
Mika