Important Facts on Islam

As Islam lies at the foundation of the present deadly conflict in the Middle East, it is very important to understand this religion in order to pray accurately. National borders are not the basic issue. When Jordan and Egypt controlled the West Bank and Gaza, nobody ever mentioned the idea of asking these countries to establish a sovereign Palestinian state there. What we are seeing is a religious and spiritual conflict between the God of the Bible and Islam.

It is commonly taught that Judaism, Christianity and Islam are the three monotheistic world religions, and many times it is implied that all the adherents of these three religions pray to the same God. This is a very, very serious mistake that must be clearly exposed.

First of all it must be emphasized that Jews and Christians do pray to the same God. We share the same Scriptures. The New Testament is built upon the Old Testament and there are no contradictions between them. When the Church loses her relationship to the Old Testament and the Jewish people, she becomes an easy target for deception. Paul clearly warned about this in Rom 11:18, "Do not boast against the branches [the unbelieving Jews]. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you."

The term "Old Testament" is misleading because it can give the false impression that these Scriptures are old and no longer valid. Jesus Himself used the Jewish expression "The Law, The Prophets, and The Writings or Psalms" for these books (see Luke 24:44). Paul's statement about these Scriptures is very important, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." (2 Tim 3:16)

God never changes. "I the LORD do not change." Mal 3:6. There is NO contradiction between the Old and the New Testaments. Both are absolute truth. There is ONE Bible and ONE revelation. While Paul explains that "blindness IN PART has happened to Israel" (Rom 11:25) this is a blindness that is taken away when they turn to Messiah. "Philip found Nathanael and told him, 'We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote - Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.' " (Jh 1:45) Jews and Christians DO worship the same God.

The same is NOT TRUE concerning Islam. They are not worshipping the same God as Jews and Christians. Let's look at the clear facts. Mohammad grew up in Mecca in Arabia, belonging to the Quraysh tribe in charge of idol worship at the Kabah shrine, containing the black stone and at least 360 idols. The word for god or idol in Arabic is "ilah." Allah was the name for the main idol worshiped in Mecca. The name was probably originally derived from the two Arabic words "al" and "ilah", meaning "the god" or "the idol."

Allah was also used as THE PERSONAL NAME among the ancient Arabs for the moon god, worshipped as a male deity. (The Babylonians used the name Sin.) Its symbol was the crescent moon found on many idols from pre-Islamic Arabia. Every year there was a pilgrimage to Mecca to worship Allah at the black stone. People were taught to turn towards Mecca several times a day. One month every year, beginning and ending with the crescent moon, was dedicated to fasting.

Mohammad built upon all of these already known forms of idol worship. The crescent moon is the symbol today over every mosque. Praying five times a day towards Mecca, the pilgrimage to the Kaba shrine, the annual fast during Ramadan, all basic pillars today within Islam, were nothing new. The only thing that was new was that Mohammad declared the pagan moon deity "Allah" to be the only true god and forbade the worship of all the other idols in Mecca.

The basic confession within Islam is, "There is no god but Allah and Mohammad is his prophet." Professor Augustus H. Strong makes an accurate assessment in his "Systematic Theology" when he declares that Islam "is heathenism in monotheistic form." Mohammad simply took the chief deity within the pantheon in Arabia, and made it the only god, keeping many of the pagan practices associated with this idol worship. This is of course in complete contradiction to the basic message about the one and true God found in the Bible, both in the Old and the New Testament, where idol worship is strictly forbidden. Paul explains that those who worship idols are worshipping demons, see 1 Cor 10:19-20. Abraham was chosen to leave the cult worship surrounding the moon god in Ur of the Chaldeans, to go to a different land, in order to give mankind the revelation about the only true God as a loving Father and Savior.

Originally the people in Mecca did not like the new message that Mohammad brought. They feared that it would disturb the lucrative pilgrimages and idol worship in Mecca where every tribe could come and worship their own god. This was very good business. They rejected Mohammed and he had to flee to Medina. Both Judaism and Christianity were well known in Mohammed's Arabia. Medina had a large Jewish community and he tried to appeal to them to accept him.

To confuse the issue, Mohammad declared that Allah is the god of the Jews and the Christians. Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus were all prophets sent by Allah. Since Mohammad's beliefs did not agree with the Scriptures, Mohammad declared that the Jews and the Christians have perverted the Scriptures. Therefore Allah has rejected them and cursed them and has sent Mohammad to replace the Bible with the Quran; and Judaism and Christianity with Islam. It is the duty of Islam to subjugate and destroy the infidels, the Christians and the Jews. Islam is Satan's most cunning and most successful plan to destroy true faith in the God of the Bible.

In Islam religion and politics are joined together. Allah is not primarily interested in individuals. Love is a foreign concept in Islam. Allah is destined to rule the world. That is the basis of Islam. Everything else is related to this goal. The world is divided into two parts, Dar-al-Islam meaning "House of Islam" where Allah rules and Dar-al-Harb, "House of War" where the people are not in submission to Allah and Islam. These areas must be conquered for Allah through Jihad, "holy war."

After the death of Mohammad Islam grew rapidly with the help of the sword, until the Muslim forces were defeated at Poitiers in France, close to Paris, in 732. A second attempt to take over Europe was averted outside of Vienna in 1683. This Muslim defeat caused Islam to retreat into the background until the world's need of Arabic oil once again made Islam a world power in our day.

When Israel was established in 1948, it created a tremendous problem in the Middle East, not a political problem but a religious problem. The Jews had invaded the "House of Islam" turning it into the "House of War." Hamas spokesman Ismail Abu Shanab said recently in an interview, "The Israelis should understand that their existence is the only provocation in the area." And Arafat once again confirmed, "Peace for us means the destruction of Israel." This is the only condition for peace in Islamic thinking.

When Israel won the first military conflicts with the Arabs it was a tremendous defeat for Allah. Finally Ayatollah Khomeini in Iran explained that Israel is a judgment from Allah for the backslidden condition of the Muslims. The defeat of Israel has become the primary test of Allah's pleasure on the faithful. When Israel pulled out from Lebanon last year it was heralded as the first Arab victory in more than fifty years of conflict. It was a confirmation that Allah finally is pleased with the violent path of the Iranian backed fanatical Muslim guerilla Hezb'Allah (meaning "Allah's Party").

We believe that God today is setting up a confrontation with Islam. From its inception Islam has been a religion of war. The word Islam that Mohammad took for his religion was used for a sublime virtue in Arabian culture meaning, "defiance of death, heroism; to die in battle." The present war from Islam will eventually evolve into a full-scale regional and international conflict. Islam is asking for war and they will be defeated through war. In talking about His return and the end, Jesus commanded us to not fear but He also said that wars must come.

The following article explains what we are talking about.

"SUNNI MUSLIMS DISPUTE VIRTUES OF SUICIDE BOMBINGS

"The Islamic religious act of committing suicide while attacking Jews and other non-Muslims is finally being debated among Sunni circles, years after Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists borrowed the practice from Lebanon's Shi'ite faction Hizb'Allah.

"The use of human suicide warriors is an Islamic tradition revived in modern times by fundamentalist Shi'ite preachers associated with Iran and Hizb'Allah, inspiring suicide bombing attacks against American forces in Lebanon in the early 1980s. In the past decade, the Palestinian terrorist groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad - made up of Sunni Muslims - have adopted the Hizb'Allah tactic in their common "holy war" against Israel. Since the signing of the Oslo accords in 1993, suicide bombings have become their most lethal tool for undermining Israeli governments and striking fear in the hearts of the Jewish "oppressors."

"But according to MEMRI, a debate has begun to build within Islamic religious and political circles as to the legitimacy of the suicide operations under Islamic or "shari'a" law, following a religious ruling by the Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheik Abd Al-Aziz Bin Abdallah AAl Al-Sheik, a Sunni Muslim authority.

"I am not aware of anything in the religious law regarding killing oneself in the heart of the enemy['s ranks], or what is called 'suicide.' This is not a part of Jihad, and I fear that it is merely killing oneself. Although the Koran permits and even demands the killing of the enemy, this must be done in ways that do not contradict the Shari'a [Islamic Religious Law]," al-Sheik said, unleashing a widespread debate on the issue, particularly among Sunni Muslims who recognize that the practice was adopted from the Shi'ite Muslim minority sect centered in the non-Arab country of Iran.

"But al-Sheik's comments will not have any affect on the activities of Palestinian terrorist groups, according to Hamas leader Mahmoud Al Zahhar, who claims that Hamas has clear extremist objectives that are only accomplished through the recruiting and arming of Palestinian youths as human bombs. Zahhar told ALBAWABA.COM that the latest Israeli polls reveal that 86 percent of the Israelis do not feel secure due to such operations. "To be more accurate," said Zahhar proudly, "we can say that the whole Israeli society feels insecure... Even 1000 Sharons will not be able to guarantee security for the Israelis."

"The Holy Koran teaches us that scaring the enemy is an important step in defeating him... Our prophet says, 'with terrorizing my enemy, I achieved a victory that can be achieved only with a one-month-march of an army.' Therefore any means that can terrify the enemy is a legitimate means," Zahhar concluded." End quote (ICEJ News Service)

Note the words of this Islamic authority from Saudi Arabia, "Koran permits and even demands the killing of the enemy." That is the heart of Islam and stands in complete contradiction to faith in Jesus Christ. The Hamas spokesman says, "The Holy Koran teaches us that scaring the enemy is an important step in defeating him... Our prophet says, 'with terrorizing my enemy, I achieved a victory ..." This is not the God that Christians and Jews serve!

On October 27, 2001, Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat gave a speech at the Palestine General Confederation of Trade Unions in Gaza. Following are excerpts from that speech.

"The Palestinian convoy has turned towards the place that Muslims first faced in prayer, and the third holiest city after Mecca and Medina, the place where the Prophet Muhammad held his night journey and the cradle of our Lord Jesus - holy Jerusalem, the capital of the Palestinian state, the capital of Palestine, and whoever doesn't like this can drink from the sea off Gaza.

"Our masses turn their faces in pride and determination toward this goal despite continuing attempts by those who believe that with their tanks, planes, missiles and artillery they will succeed in subduing the Palestinian people. We tell them: The wind will not succeed in moving the mountain! No one will succeed in moving our people!

"No community within my nation has ceased to preserve the faith and defeat their enemies. Nobody who tries to harm them will damage them. With God's help, they will be victorious. They asked the Prophet: Who are these people and where are they? He answered: In and around Jerusalem. They are in a defensive holy war until Judgment Day and every fallen of theirs is worth 70 fallen." [From the Hadith.]

"This is the graciousness that God has granted us. We are in a holy defensive war until Judgment Day. Dear brothers! Together, shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand, step by step, out of faith and determination, we will, God willing, merit that a Palestinian boy or girl will plant our flag atop the walls of Jerusalem, atop its mosques, and this flag will be seen atop the churches of Jerusalem. [Note! No synagogues are to be left in Arafat's Jerusalem!]

"I know that we are on a difficult journey however they are subject to a defensive holy war until Judgment Day. This is the graciousness which God has bestowed on us. Those who are hostile to them will not defend them when they are subject to a defensive holy war until Judgment Day." (Communicated by Israeli Minister Tzipi Livni's Office, October 27, 2001)

It is clear from Arafat's words that the battle is not about land, but between gods. The question is who the true god is, Mohammad's Allah or the God of the Bible.

As we fast and pray God will humiliate Allah in the coming conflict, just like He humiliated the gods of Egypt during the Exodus 3500 years ago. God will not grant this victory because Israel is better than the Arabs and deserves it. On the contrary, God's word is very clear when it says that God will do it for the glory of His name.

"Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel and say to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I SPEAK IN MY JEALOUS WRATH BECAUSE YOU HAVE SUFFERED THE SCORN OF THE NATIONS. THEREFORE THIS IS WHAT THE SOVEREIGN LORD SAYS: I SWEAR WITH UPLIFTED HAND THAT THE NATIONS AROUND YOU WILL ALSO SUFFER SCORN.

"'But you, O mountains of Israel [80% of these mountains are in the West Bank], will produce branches and fruit for my people Israel, for they will soon come home. I am concerned for you and will look on you with favor; you will be plowed and sown, and I will multiply the number of people upon you, even the whole house of Israel. The towns will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt.

"I will increase the number of men and animals upon you, and they will be fruitful and become numerous. I will settle people on you as in the past and will make you prosper more than before. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

"I WILL CAUSE PEOPLE, MY PEOPLE ISRAEL, TO WALK UPON YOU (The Mountains of Israel, Judea and Samaria, or the so called West Bank). THEY WILL POSSESS YOU, AND YOU WILL BE THEIR INHERITANCE; YOU WILL NEVER AGAIN DEPRIVE THEM OF THEIR CHILDREN.

"Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone.

"I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. THEN THE NATIONS WILL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD, DECLARES THE SOVEREIGN LORD, WHEN I SHOW MYSELF HOLY THROUGH YOU BEFORE THEIR EYES." (Ezek 36:6-12, 22-23)

These words were written 2,500 years ago but they are God's eternal words. Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." (Matt 24:35)

** REMIND THE LORD OF HIS PROMISES AND ASK THAT HIS NAME WILL BE GLORIFIED AND HIS WILL BE DONE IN THE MIDDLE EAST!

** MAKE PS 78, 83 AND 149 YOUR DAILY PRAYER!

** WORSHIP THE LORD BECAUSE HE IS IN CONTROL! As we worship and intercede the angels of the Lord will go into action and scatter the forces of Islam.

** PRAY FOR PROTECTION OVER INNOCENT LIVES ON BOTH SIDES!

 

"Prepare the way for the LORD"