Islam: in A Nutshell Types - or "Denominations" of Islam: Classical Islamists - Follow The Exact Example of Mohammed
Islam: in A Nutshell Types - or "Denominations" of Islam: Classical Islamists - Follow The Exact Example of Mohammed
Islam: in A Nutshell Types - or "Denominations" of Islam: Classical Islamists - Follow The Exact Example of Mohammed
Islam is the Arabic word meaning submission. It started with the prophet Mohammed from Mecca and follows the Quran (Koran) holy book. Committed Muslims t into two main categories: Classical Islamists follow the exact example of Mohammed; beyond the Quran they follow a system of laws and rules called sharia law Moderate Muslims seek to discover principles applicable to modern life
While there are differences in teaching and minor differences in practice, the division is basically political: 1. Sunni majority of traditional Islam (85% of the worlds Muslims) 2. Shiite dedicated to Mohammeds family 3. Su mystical branch of Islam
Muslims and Christians both believe in one God, however Muslims believe Jesus was a prophet like Mohammed, not the Son of God
Mohammed was born in Mecca (Arabia), and at a young age became an orphan. He worked as a businessman for a widow, whom he later married. Every month, he would go into the wilderness to pray and fast and in 612 he was called by an angel to be a Prophet. Mohammeds message was simple: there is only one God who demands worship to Him alone and expects justice and honesty in life, because a judgment day awaits. Mohammed ed to Medina to escape persecution, where he managed to unite conicting tribes. After eight years of ghting, his followers conquered Mecca and by the time of his death, most of Arabia had converted to Islam.
Muslims believe in the prophets, including Moses, Abraham and Jesus, but they believe these prophets preached Islam Muslims give respect to some Christian holy books: the Torah (rst ve books of the Bible) the Jabbour (Psalms) and the Injil (the Gospels). Most believe the books have been changed from an original Islam focus and are therefore untrustworthy and not worth reading Historically, the Islamic perspective on Christians is that they: lead unclean lives in terms of diet and personal hygiene, because Christianity gives principles for behaviour rather than laws, leaving too much room for error are sexually immoral, primarily because of how life in Christian countries is portrayed by the media worship three Gods: Father, Son, and Mother Mary
ith 1.3 the world w est religion in rg worlds la e d th on of ec S ing up 22% ak m , rs ve billion belie population. ving 300,000, ha lation is over pu po s. ar lim ye us e past twenty Australias M doubled in th more than
ts Snappy Sta
ical growth nity by biolog tia is hr C an s the growth ing faster th erall exceed ov t Islam is grow bu , on si conver th of Islam in and slower by . Theres dramatic grow ty tian numbers of Christiani , where Chris ia al tr d us A d migration an Europe an d Muslim im an ng ki rin e. sh are are very activ evangelism
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There are 600,000 international students in the USA each year. A large portion of them are Muslim. Their studies keep them there for one to eight years. During that time, less than one in eight is ever invited into an American home. Note: There were 62,974 overseas tertiary stud-ents in Aust, 1997 (ABS) Muslims, like Christians and Jews, consider themselves children of Abraham. They trace their lineage through Ishmael, who is said to have settled into Mecca after he and his mother were ordered out of the tribe after the birth of Isaac. Contrary to what many Westerners believe, Muhammad is not considered the originator of Islam by Muslims. He is considered Gods nal prophet - part of a long line of prophets that includes Abraham, Moses, Ishmael and Jesus. There are 6 million Muslims in the USA, and growing. Muslim-on-Muslim terrorism is a persistent reality as Islamic fundamentalists attempt to wrest control from secu-lar governments. In Algeria alone, 100,000 have died over the past 10 years. Note: 200,885 in Australia (1996 ABS gure) Muslim prayers are memorised recitations. When reciting them, they always face the holy city of Mecca. However, their prayers are not directed to the city itself, but to Allah.
Countries with a Muslim population above 50% Countries with Muslim population of 10-50% Countries and regions in which Osama bin Ladens Al Qaeda organisation is a presence Countries with an Islamic Fundamentalist government Countries with state-sponsored terrorism within the Islamic world Countries experiencing terrorist attacks due to Islamic Fundamentalist challenge
ABMS Vision May 2002 Page 3
ISLAM
Evangelical Christians Elements of faith Key gure in history
One God, revealed and
experienced as the Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit
Muslims
Only one God, called Allah
How to pray
Pray that Muslims will come to believe in the
one true God, who revealed himself on earth through Jesus Christ, his Son.
Jesus Christ
Muhammad (or Mohammed) - A.D. 570 - 632 The last in the line of prophets (which includes Jesus)
and the nal authority Like the other prophets, he was infallible and sinless
Teachings of Christ
The Person: One divine, eternal person Two natures: divine and human His work: Supreme example of Gods love for humans and his intended pattern of living. Jesus is God, reconciling the world to himself.
The person: A major prophet but not the Son of God His work: Lived a sinless life Taught people the Golden Rule Didnt die on cross but was taken into heaven by Allah
Eternal member of Trinity Guide for churches, Christians Bible (Old and New Testaments) Authoritative, unique, inspired
Word of God Norm of faith and practice
Doctrine of humanity
Created in Gods image Since Adams fall, sin is inherent All relationships damaged beyond
human ability to repair
Jihad: Exertion of effort to advance Islam. Often equated with holy war, a national struggle, but also refers to a personal struggle to advance Islam within ones own soul. The Quran says a warrior who dies in jihad goes straight to paradise. Mullah: Person, primarily in the Shia sect, who specialises in understanding the science of religious regulation. He interprets the laws and doctrines of Islam as they affect all of life. Not professional clergy, but holds great inuence. Muslim: A follower of Islam. Literal meaning: Submitted one. Muslim Brotherhood: The grandfather of all Islamic fundamentalist organisations. Seeks to establish Islamic republics. The current version emerged in the 1930s in Egypt in response to Western colonial powers and their puppet leaders. Sayyid Qutb, an inuential leader in the 1950s,
Church
Reproduced with permission from the Commission, January-February 2002, International Mission Board, SBC
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