Welcome back sojourners!  We’re cruising through Israel’s past and present in order to better understand end times.  We are currently examining the basics of Islam and the Qur’an in order to gain an understanding of the conflict between Israel and the Arab world.  Yesterday we examined the prophet Muhammad in order to understand the roots of Islam.  Today we’ll take a brief look at the Qur’an, Islam’s holy book.  (Please see yesterday’s ground rules, as it is important that we do not slide into harsh criticism or malicious intent as we discuss differences between the Qur’an and our Holy Bible.)

Qur’an means “recitation,” and is nothing like God’s Holy Word.  Muslims (followers of Islam) believe that the Qur’an is inspired, while the Bible is expired (outdated).   As indicated yesterday, Allah revealed visions only to Muhammad, yet many versions of the Qur’an exist.  These are different versions altogether, not simply different translations like we find of the Bible.  Muhammad was illiterate, so was not able to write down the visions given to him by Allah.  Thus, they are said to have been kept in perfect memory for over 35 years when Muhammad began reciting to various scribes.  Later additions of vowels and diacritical marks left room for many different interpretations.

The current version of the Qur’an, the Uttmanic version, was written almost 20 years after Muhammad’s death.  At that time, all other copies of the Qur’an were to be burned.  However, different Qur’anic scrolls found in 1972 clearly reveal discrepancies, and some parts are erased or replaced.

Unlike the Bible, there is no reference whatsoever to God’s interaction with people.  Muslims would not dare relate to their god as “father” or even as a loving god.  There is no guarantee of salvation, though dying a martyr for the cause of Allah supposedly increases one’s chances.  Originally, In order to be a true Muslim, the Qur’an must have been read in Arabic.  However, that disqualifies billions from becoming Muslim, so that teaching was dropped.  Today, the Qur’an may be read in almost any language, but minus diacritical markings, translations can be made to say many different things.  According to a very well-respected scholar and former Muslim under whom I have studied, English versions are typically very different than the literal Arabic versions, perhaps in order to present a softer side of Islam to the West.

One becomes a Muslim simply by being born!  Those born of Muslim parents are automatically Muslim.  Non-Muslims may “convert” to Islamic faith, but those converting from Islam put themselves in jeopardy of being cast out by his family, or even in danger of death.  For the most part, a Muslim person may not ask questions or express disagreement with Islamic doctrine, and are expected to take Islamic teaching as the truth.

There are various sects (similar to denominations) of Islam which branched off due to differences in theology which arose after the death of Muhammad.  There was great dissention over who would succeed him: a family member or a contemporary selected by vote.  Three “contemporaries” were selected, followed by Muhammad’s cousin, Ali, as the 4^th caliph.  Division escalated and Ali and his sons were assassinated.

At that point, those who wished to follow tradition, holding fast to the doctrine of the Qur’an and the Hadiths became known as Sunnis.  Today, about 80% of Muslims are believed to be Sunni.

Those who discounted some of the Hadiths and other traditions fled to the Persian kingdom (modern-day Iran).  That sect is known as Shi’ite and, though they make up only 10% of the total Muslim population, Iran is 90% Shi’ite.  They believe they are in control of end times, and the sooner they can bring about those end times, the sooner their messiah, the Mahdi, will arrive. 

Sunnis and Shi’ites remain at odds with each other and think nothing of enforcing jihad on one another.

Other minor Muslim sects include Sufi Muslims (spiritual mystics, similar to “new age”), Wahhabis (very strict and committed to jihad…Osama bin Laden), and “cultural Muslims” (born Muslim, but not practicing).

As we end today’s lesson, let’s remember: Muslim people are God’s creation, just as Christians and Jews are.  We are all in equal need of the saving grace of Jesus, our Savior.  Though followers of the Qur’an are misguided, not all are evil.  We may disagree with their beliefs, but we’re commanded to love as Jesus loved.  Let’s end the day with the words of the Apostle Paul:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  (Ephesians 6:12)