Audio Teaching

Unmasking the Deception of Islam part 1

2 Corinthians 5:20 “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. “

I. Background Information about Islam
1. Islam is the second largest religion in the world with 1.6 billion Muslims.
2. Muslims believe Islam is the one true religion.
3. Islam teaches it did not begin with Mohammad; it began at creation. The basic Islamic belief is that all people are born Muslims and many are then deceived and turn away. Prophets throughout history have turned people back to Allah.
4. Mohammad is the last and greatest prophet of God.
5. Mohammad was chased out of Mecca and was accepted in Medina. However, he did meet resistance from the Jewish communities and it was here he changed his policy of tolerance towards the Jews.
6. He began to spread Islam by force and his followers grew. Once powerful and Mecca weaker, he returned and conquered it.
7. Qur’an has only one manuscript; all others were destroyed. Muslims believe the Qur’an in Arabic is word for word exactly what God has communicated. Arabic is the heavenly language.
8. After the death of Mohammad, Islam continued to spread through violence.
9. Two main sects: Sunni’s (80%) believe in elected successors to Mohammad. Shi’ites (13%) believe successor must come from the blood line of Mohammad.

II. Is Islam a Violent Religion?
Oprah Winfrey Show, one month after September 11, 2001, Oprah had on her show several Muslims to educate her audience about Islam.
# Queen Rania of Jordan, “The fact that Islam is very tolerant means that it doesn't impose anything on other people.”
# Professor Akbar Ahmed, of the American University in Washington D.C. said “Islam clearly says that the killing of one innocent life is like killing all of humanity.”
# Former president George W. Bush said this, “Islam is a peaceful religion and Muslims are a peace-loving people1.”

III. Who Speaks for Islam?
Who in the Muslim religion supports terrorism?
70% of Muslims are considered nominal or cultural.
They likely don’t attend mosque or read their Qur’ans regularly. They don’t support or practice terrorism.
15% are considered reformed, scholars, or assimilated.
They likely attend mosque and read their Qur’ans regularly. They are often scholars or university professors. They don’t support or practice terrorism.
15% are considered fundamentalist, radical, or extremist.
15% of 1.6 billion is nearly 200 million. This group knows the Qur’an and Hadith literature well. They attend mosque. They adopt the violent and dangerous passages in the Qur’an and Hadith to their lives.
First Authority – Islamic writings – The Qur’an and Hadith
The Qur’an was written during two eras in Mohammed’s life.
His life in Mecca (610 AD – 622 AD)
While in Mecca, Mohammad’s preaching of Islam was simple. Although he made a few converts, he was largely rejected, oppressed, and unsuccessful at starting a major movement. He married only one wife. He neither fought nor killed anyone.
His life in Medina (622 AD - 632 AD)
Islam grew and expanded. He gained economic, political, and military power. He led numerous raids on caravans. He led major military battles. He killed many people and ordered numerous assassinations.
Here are some important literary rules to follow when reading the Qur’an.
# The Qur’an, like any writing, must be read in context. Verses should always be read with an understanding of the surrounding passages.
# Unfortunately, many Christian (and non-Christian) authors tend to cite violent passages of the Qur’an out of context.
# Surah 9:5 is known as the “verse of the sword” and is often quoted out of context to suggest that Muslims are commanded to kill any non-Muslims anywhere they find them. A careful reading of the immediate context of the verse indicates restrictions placed on the command and a particular historical occasion for why the command was written.

1 “A Closer Look at Islam: Authoritative Sources on the Teaching of War and Killing” ©2007 Alan Shlemon Stand to Reason, 1-800-2-REASON or www.str.org

© Steve Bruecker Deception of Islam part 1