Islam–Belief & Practice

Islam includes many beliefs with potential for fruitful interfaith dialogue. Muslims believe in one God, angels, prophets, heaven, hell and the Day of Judgment. They fast, pray and give alms. The name of Allah (God) is everywhere so that one is constantly reminded of Him. All of these things can be helpful bridges in discussions with Muslims.

Family is important in Islamic cultures. People respect and honor their elders and parents. Babies and children are greatly loved. Muslims recognize abortion as wrong and they discourage or restrict dating and physical involvement. They expect virginity before marriage and this is the norm. Homosexuality is abhorred.

Muslims claim to believe in the Old and New Testaments. However, few have read them as they are taught that Christians and Jews have changed the Bible. Muslims commonly believe Christians worship three gods – Jesus, the Father and Mary. For Muslims the sonship of Christ conjures up a physical union between God and Mary. They deny it and consider it a heinous blasphemy.

Islam is a religion of works. Practicing Muslims follow the five pillars of Islam. They hope their good deeds will outweigh their bad deeds in the balance scale of judgment. If so, they may enter heaven, if Allah so wills. Within Islam it is not possible to know whether you will spend eternity in heaven or in hell. Muslims view God as merciful and compassionate, but also as unknowable, cruel and deceitful.

To break free of so great a deception, Muslims need our prayers.
"Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."" John 6:26-27
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23

Pray the things upon which Christians and Muslims agree will provide effective bridges to reaching them with the Good News.
Pray new culturally relevant tools will be developed to reach Muslims.
Pray Muslims will realize they have no hope of earning their way to salvation.

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