What Does the Qu’ran Say About Other Religions?
Posted: Friday, November 13, 2009
by Jim Anderson
Weddings That Last
Lately there has been a lot of attention to the question of when a Muslim becomes a terrorist. The good news is that most people in the U.S. who call themselves Muslims don't attend the local Mosque, except maybe occasionally. They are like the lukewarm Christians who only attend church on Easter and Christmas. They don't really know their scripture, and associate with Islam mainly through their cultural heritage. This is a distinction many in the media are missing in this discussion about Major Hasan who shot and killed American soldiers at Ft. Hood. In the interest of political correctness, and to attempt to show "tolerance", the discussion is steered away from the truth of the situation. Proverbs 3:13-14 says, " Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold." NIV If we fail to seek wisdom and learn to discern the truth, we stand to lose touch with reality. In my effort to make sense of this tragedy at Ft. Hood, I have been seeking to understand what the truth is about it. In consulting the writings of Emir Fethi Caner, a former Muslim, now a follower of Christ and author of a number of books on the Islamic faith, I have learned some interesting things about the Islamic faith that is being ignored.
We already know about Muslims who convert to Christianity. It has been covered in the news. The hadith gives this instruction in 9:57, " Mohammed said: Whoever changes his Islamic religion, kill him." I don't think it could be any more straight forward than that. Islam specifically believes that Christianity is a specific enemy of Islam. Surah 4:171 says, " O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: nor say of Allah anything but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was no more than a Messenger of Allah. Do not say "Trinity": desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is One God: Glory be to Him: far exalted is He above having a son." In surah 5:17 it says, "In blasphemy indeed are those that say that God is Christ the son of Mary." Jews are also cited in the Qur'an. "O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: they are but friends and protectors to each other. And he among you that turns to them for friendship is of them." in surah 5:51. There are also other passages. The hadith 4.52.79; 4.53.412; 4.52.317; 5.58.240; and 5.59.602.
It is important to note that there are Islamic scholars that dismiss the doctrine of jihad as it is interpreted in the context of these Qur'an passages. These scholars do admit that the terrorist attacks on September 11 th were based on jihad doctrine. The letters found in Muhamed Atta's luggage, the alleged leader of the suicide bombers, makes it indisputable. The Americanized version of Islam may have reinterpreted jihad as a personal spiritual struggle, I don't really know, but the text of the Qur'an is chilling. As a Christian, it is important to consider what this means for our safety and at the same time treat those who identify themselves as Muslims with respect as individuals. God still calls us to love our neighbor. Seek wisdom from God by spending time with Him daily, and reading His Word. An excellent place to get wisdom is from Proverbs. In these times it is even more critical that we develop discernment. Remember Proverbs 2:6-11 which says, " For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair - every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you." NIV
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Jim,You spell it out as it is. I didn't realize how many of the Muslims in our country are like our CPEs -- obviously not a threat. It is good to know. Our problem, unfortunately, lies with the others.Good article and thank you,Please log in to respond to this comment.Thanks for reading and commenting. Honestly, I had to think a bit about this before I posted any articles. Howefver, someone has to tell it like it is.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Jim, interesting article and well written. Thanks for taking the time to clarify a difficult subject. Have a great weekend. Tracey : )Please log in to respond to this comment.Thank you for your kind comments!Please log in to respond to this comment.
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