Islam

Islam means “submission” and is derived from the word “Salam” meaning “peace.” In a religious context, it means complete submission to the will of God. “Muslim” is the one who submits to the will of Allah. “Allah” is the common noun for God in Arabic. The Muslim concept of God is a Monad.

Doctrine of Islam

  • Scripture: Quran, which is a divine revelation to Muhammad.
  • Hadith (Traditions): Sayings and doings of Muhammad and his companions.
  • Law (Shariah): There is no distinction between legality and religion. Shariah is based on Quran and Hadith.

Articles of Faith

  • Belief in Allah as the only God
  • Belief in Angels as spiritual being created by Allah.
  • 4 major books: Torah (Laws of Moses), Zabur (Psalms of David), Injeel (Gospel revealed to Jesus), Quran (revealed to Muhammad)
  • Belief in 25 Prophets
  • Last Day- Judgement Day (only God knows its time)

Predestination

Allah has determined what he pleases, and no one can change what he has decreed. This is the sixth Article of faith which many believe to be part of the five articles.

Islam does not accept the doctrine of original sin. Though humans are imperfect, they are not fallen through original sin. Since Muslims do not recognize original sin, they see no need for salvation in the Christian sense. There is nothing to be saved from. Consequently, if there was no original sin, there is no need for a Savior. Salvation, in Islam, is based upon the deeds of a person. The only unpardonable sin is called Shirk – refers to idolatry or polytheism, which means deification, or worship of deity, gods, or anything other than Allah. A Muslim can become righteous through prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and living according to the Quran. However, Muslims are not guaranteed of being saved. They will tell you, on Judgement Day, if your good work outweighs your bad works, you will probably go to heaven. Since God is all-powerful, they concede that He may do with you as He pleases, even if you have been very righteous. Another possibility is that you could go to hell and burn your sins off for a while and then be allowed into heaven. The only way Muslims can be guaranteed to go to heaven is through ‘Jihad’ – holy war. Jihad literally means ‘exerting force for God’. One could be in Jihad by writing a book about Islam, or by sharing his faith to bring others to Islam or by physically fighting for the cause of Islam. If a Muslim does in Jihad, he is guaranteed to go to heaven.

Problem Question: How can a sinful man make sure his sins are forgiven and get reconciled with God? Even if he does all good and his good work outweighs his bad works, he is still not guaranteed to go to heaven since God is all powerful and He can choose to send him to hell (even for some time) instead of sending him to heaven. Also why does an all-powerful God need man to exercise force for him?

Bible’s answer to this problem question: The Bible teaches that all are guilty of sin before a Holy God and that man is too weak by nature to accomplish self-salvation or self-sanctification (merit-salvation). How can men (sinful by nature) come to God (holy by nature)? There is only one way—accept the salvation of God’s grace made available through Christ’s death and resurrection. Jesus guarantees eternal life to those who accept Him by faith.

Jesus said…. everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. – John 6:40