Welcome back friends!  Are you ready to launch into deeper water today?  Let’s go!

 

Yesterday we took a brief look at the history and theology of Islam.  Today, let’s get back to this week’s big question: “Is Islam a religion of peace?”

 

Where do you go when you want to learn the true meaning of a word or an idea?  You go to a reliable source, don’t you?  Muslims might say that the Qur’an is a reliable source, while Christians would say that the Bible is a reliable source.  The two contradict, so how do we know which source is reliable?  We need to do a little research!

 

First, let’s examine a few passages from the Qur’an relative to appropriate interaction between those of Islamic faith and others.

 

Sura 2:193: Fight them until there is no [more] fitnah and [until] worship is [acknowledged to be] for Allah . But if they cease, then there is to be no aggression except against the oppressors. (Context of verses 190-195: Fighting for the cause of Allah.)

Sura 4:89, 91: They wish you would disbelieve as they disbelieved so you would be alike. So do not take from among them allies until they emigrate for the cause of Allah . But if they turn away, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them and take not from among them any ally or helper…. You will find others who wish to obtain security from you and [to] obtain security from their people. Every time they are returned to [the influence of] disbelief, they fall back into it. So if they do not withdraw from you or offer you peace or restrain their hands, then seize them and kill them wherever you overtake them. And those – We have made for you against them a clear authorization.  (Context of verses 87-91: goodness of Allah, Allah’s casting outsiders to disbelief, seize and kill those who do not adhere to Allah’s teaching.)

Sura 9:5: And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they should repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, let them [go] on their way. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.  (Context of verses 5-12: protection of idolaters, as long as they are true to Allah.)

Sura 9:29: Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day and who do not consider unlawful what Allah and His Messenger have made unlawful and who do not adopt the religion of truth from those who were given the Scripture – [fight] until they give the jizyah willingly while they are humbled. (Context of verses 28-30:  Allah’s wrath on those who disbelieve.)

 

Based on these verses, what actions are followers of the Qur’an to take against those who do not believe in Allah?

 

In fairness, I conducted a search of the Qur’an for the word, “peace.”  The search through three translations turned up 69 references.  (Repeat the search.)  Several have to do with relationships between a husband and wife, which are honorable.  Most others refer only to those who believe in Allah.

 

Let’s compare that to the teachings of The Bible.  First, Holy Scripture teaches that Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) and the God of peace (Romans 15:33, 16:20; Philippians 4:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 13:20).  Thus, His character is peace, and we are to be like Him.  Our greatest resource in finding out the true essence of peace is Jesus Himself, made known through His Word!

 

Let’s review some of the Lord’s instructions regarding peace.  How do the passages below differ from what we have seen taught so far in the Qur’an:

• Proverbs 16:7
• Romans 12:17-21
• 1 Corinthians 14:33
• 2 Corinthians 13:11
• Colossians 3:12-16
• Hebrews 12:14

 

Whereas Islam seems to practice violence to convince people to follow Allah, Jesus seems to draw believers to Himself through peace.

 

Before we move on, we need to be reminded of a basic principle of study.  Context is important.  A passage of any writing, taken out of context, has the potential to be twisted to mean something it is not intended to mean.

 

The Bible, when taken in full context, differs from all other holy books in several ways.  One key difference is that the overarching context of the entire Bible is one of redemption and love of the One True God toward His creation.  The Bible is a book that draws us into relationship with its Author.  The thread of God’s perfect love – sending Jesus Christ to this earth to live a perfect life, to die for our sins, and to defeat death and sin on the Cross on our behalf – is woven into every single book of the Bible.  No other holy book draws man into a loving relationship with the God of love.  Thus, the context of our Holy Bible is one of redemption, and of God drawing all mankind to Himself.  Unlike the Qur’an, Scripture never advocates using violence as a means of spreading its gospel message.

 

My fellow believers, we have traveled many miles today!  Great job!  Tomorrow we’ll take a closer look at the Shi’ite determination to usher in the Islamic messiah.  See you then!