ISLAMICS

The WHY & The WHAT

The WHY & What of ISLAM
Learning Goals:
1. The WHY - Provide reasons why it is
important to study Islam.
2. The WHAT - Learn about the religion, and
we will outline the five core beliefs as well
as the five core practices of Islam, better
known as the Five Pillars of Islam.
Why Islam
In seeking to better understand people with
different faith from our own, it is important to
study the fundamentals of their religious belief
and experience. A grasp of some of the
cultural issues, necessary for successful
communication, is no substitute for the hard
work of getting to know the faith of Islam in
its essential expressions. DO you have a good
awareness of the fundamentals of Islam?
_Bill Musk
Why Islam
1. Islam is currently the second-largest world religion
 Fastest growing Religion (birthrate)

2. Appreciation of the Christian faith and help you

engage with Muslims.
3. Islam is a significant force both on the geopolitical
stage (Middle East); learning about it will solidify
your identity with persecuted Christians worldwide
(Prayer).
What is Islam

 literally means “submission” to Allah.

 MUSLIMS are the people who profess the faith of Islam.

Muslim Lifestyle: built around duties as Muslims since

Muslims are very duty based religion (5 daily prayers,
Ramadan)
Muslim Mindset: Islam is superior to other religions, in
doctrine (One God and Md is the seal of the prophets), in
rituals (prayers 5 times a day), results of the religion (Islam
can turn you into a better person), and they are superior than
anyone else and this is not a stand alone claim but a result of
Islamic teachings.
What is Islam

Surah 3:110 You are the best nation produced [as

an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right
and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah . If
only the People of the Scripture had believed, it
would have been better for them. Among them are
believers, but most of them are defiantly
disobedient.
What is Islam

Surah 98:6 Indeed, they who disbelieved among

the People of the Scripture and the polytheists will
be in the fire of Hell, abiding eternally therein.
Those are the worst of creatures.
 What is Islam?

The aim: Hope of

The way to
Paradise Paradise

1. La Confession of faith

3. Fasting (Ramadan)

5. Pilgrimage (hadj)

6. Holy War (jihad)

Les 5 / 6 Pillars of

4. Offering (zakat)
2. Prayer (salat)
Islam (Obligations)

Foundation,
One God Angels Prophets Last days Predestination
what Islam Allah
4 Holy Books
Judgment
teaches and
believes Koran, Tora, Mohamed and many
Psalms, Gospel other prophets
5 Pillars of Islam
 
1. SHAHADA (the witness)
 “LA ILAHA ILALLAH, MUHAMMAD-UR-

RASOOL ALLAH”: There is no God but Allah,

and Muhammad is his Messenger.
5 Pillars of Islam
2. SALAT (prayer)
 Ritual prayers, five times a day: at dawn, soon after

midday, two hours before sunset, just after sunset,

and two hours after sunset.
5 Pillars of Islam
3. ZAKAT (alms giving)
5 Pillars of Islam

4. SAUM (fasting)
 Muslims fast during the holy month of Ramadan.
5 Pillars of Islam
5. HADJ (pilgrimage)
 at least once a lifetime.
5 Pillars of Islam
6. JIHAD
SEE MUSLIMS AS
PEOPLE
 DO PRAY for God’s leading

 DO BE PATIENT to listen

 DO GET to know a Muslim and

his/her culture
 DO SHARE your personal
testimony

 DO EXALT Christ
 DO STRESS uniqueness of Christ
 miraculous birth
 sinless life
 miracles
 extraordinary teachings

 DO SHARE the great facts:

 God loves you
 You can have a personal relationship with God
 You can be sure of salvation

 DO EXPLAIN sin and its results

•DO MAKE every effort to pray
with them

•DO ALLOW them to see Christ

in you

•DO EXPLAIN the gospel in

simple terms

•DO USE phrases such as ‘Word

of God’ rather than ‘Son of
God’
 DO BE a listener and a learner – ask questions

 Who is God? What is He like?

 Who is Mohammad?
 What is the Quran?
 Where did it come from?
 What does it teach?
 How can we go to heaven?
 How can we get salvation?
 do you believe in heaven and hell?
 DO ANSWER the above
questions by asking them
questions

 DON’T INSULT the Quran,

Muhammad or Islam

 DON’T INTERACT with mixed

company (men to men, women to
women)
 DON’T DEBATE But be firm

 DON’T USE the Bible

with irreverence
ALL WHO DECLARE THAT JESUS IS THE SON OF
GOD HAVE GOD LIVING IN THEM, AND THEY LIVE
IN GOD. WE KNOW HOW MUCH GOD LOVES US,
AND WE HAVE PUT OUR TRUST IN HIS LOVE.
GOD IS LOVE, AND ALL WHO LIVE IN LOVE LIVE IN
GOD, AND GOD LIVES IN THEM. 17 AND AS WE LIVE
IN GOD, OUR LOVE GROWS MORE PERFECT. SO WE
WILL NOT BE AFRAID ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT,
BUT WE CAN FACE HIM WITH CONFIDENCE
BECAUSE WE LIVE LIKE JESUS HERE IN THIS
WORLD.
18 
SUCH LOVE HAS NO FEAR, BECAUSE PERFECT
LOVE EXPELS ALL FEAR. IF WE ARE AFRAID, IT IS
FOR FEAR OF PUNISHMENT, AND THIS SHOWS THAT
WE HAVE NOT FULLY EXPERIENCED HIS PERFECT
LOVE. 19 WE LOVE EACH OTHER BECAUSE HE
LOVED US FIRST.

1 John 4:15-19