Islam
Founder: Mohammed
Overview:
There are two main texts consulted by
Muslims:
-
the Qur'an (Recitation) are the
words of God. Muslims believe that it was revealed to Mohammed by the
archangel Jibril (Gabriel). This was originally in oral and written form;
they were later assembled together into a single book, the Qur'an. Its name
is often spelled "Koran" in English. This is not recommended, as
some Muslims find it offensive.
-
The Hadith, which are collections of
the sayings of Muhammad (pbuh). They are regarded as the Sunnah (lived
example) of Muhammad. The Quran gives legitimacy to the Hadith. It
states: "Nor does he say aught of his own desire. It is no less than
inspiration sent down to him" (53:3-4). However, the writings are
not regarded as having the same status as the Holy Qur'an; the latter is
considered to be God's word. The great Islamic scholar Yahya bin Sharaf
Ul-Deen An-Nawawi compiled a collection of 43 sayings of Prophet Mohammed.
It is is now known as "Al-Nawawi's Forty Hadiths"
The main difference between Islam and Christianity:
Islam is a religion in which God requires you to send
your son to die for him. Christianity is a faith in which God sent his Son to
die for you.
Cult Beliefs:
-
They believe in a single, indivisible God. (God,
the creator, is just, omnipotent and merciful. "Allah" is often
used to refer to God; it is the Arabic word for God.)
-
The supremacy of God's will.
-
They divine scriptures, which
include the Torah, the Psalms, the rest of the Bible, (as they were
originally revealed) and the Qur'an (which is composed of God's words,
dictated by the angel Gabriel to Mohammed).
-
They believe Adam, Noah, Abraham,
Moses, David, Jesus and Mohammed were messengers of God; Mohammed being the last prophet.
Mohammed's message is considered superior to Jesus because Islam's founder
is believed to have brought God's final revelation.
-
They believe that God did not have a son.
-
They believe that Jesus was only a prophet,
born of the virgin Mary. They reject the deity of Jesus; it is seen as a form of polytheism.
-
They believe Jesus was not executed on the
cross, instead He escaped crucifixion and was taken up into Paradise.
-
The believe in the existence of Satan who
drives people to sin.
-
They believe Muslims who sincerely repent and
submit to God return to a state of sinless perfection.
-
They believe all children are born on Al-Fitra
(a pure, natural state of submission to Islam). A person's parents sometimes
make them Christian, Jewish, etc.
-
They believe when a child reaches puberty an
account of their deeds is opened in Paradise. When the person dies,
their eventual destination (Paradise or Hell) depends on the balance of
their good deeds (helping others, testifying to the truth of God,
leading a virtuous life) and their bad deeds.
-
They believe in a day of Judgment when people
will be judged on the basis of their deeds while on earth, and will either
attain reward of Heaven or punishment in Hell. They do not believe that
Jesus or any other individual can atone for another person's sin. Hell is
where unbelievers and sinners spend eternity. One translation of the Qur'an, 98:1-8, states: "The unbelievers among the People of the
Book and the pagans shall burn for ever in the fire of Hell. They are the
vilest of all creatures." ("People of the Book" refers
to Christians, Jews and Muslims). Paradise is a place of physical and
spiritual pleasure where the sinless go after death.
-
They believe alcohol, drugs,
fornication, eating of pork, and gambling should be avoided; however, once
in Paradise, Muslim men may drink as much alcohol as they can and have sex
with an unlimited number of young virgins for eternity.
Further information can be found in the books:
The Islamic Invasion
by Robert Morey
Who is this Allah? by
G.J.O. Moshay
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Cults
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