Introduction: One fourth of the world's population is at least nominally Islamic. The number of Muslims has tripled in the past forty years. Most of the increase is due to high birth rates in Asia and Africa. The largest Islamic nation is Indonesia, with a population of 600 million. Islamic students today form the largest group of international students in North American universities. Twenty years ago Americans didn't think very much about Islam (the religion) and Muslims (those who follow Islam). But since the events of 9/11/2001, and because of the escalating tensions in the Middle East, we are now hearing about it quite often. Unfortunately almost all of what we hear is not given from a Biblical viewpoint. As Christians, we want to maintain a Christian "worldview" in every area of life, so we need to look to the Bible to make judgments about the religion of Islam. The "holy book" of the Muslims is the Koran. Today I would like to show you what the Koran says about Jesus, and compare that to the Bible, which is the Word of God.
I. The Koran teaches Muslims that Jesus was a prophet of Allah, on the same level as other men who were prophets, and was not as good a prophet as Mohammed, the founder of Islam.
Surah II, p. 136;
136. Say: We believe in Allah and (in) that which had been revealed to us, and (in) that which was revealed to Ibrahim and Ismail and Ishaq and Yaqoub and the tribes, and (in) that which was given to Musa and Isa, and (in) that which was given to the prophets from their Lord, we do not make any distinction between any of them, and to Him do we submit.
(Note: Ibrahim is Abraham, Ismail is Ishmael, Ishaq is Isaac, Yaqoub is Jacob, Musa is Moses and Isa is Jesus.)
Surah III, p. 59;
59. Surely the likeness of Isa is with Allah as the likeness of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him, Be, and he was.
60. (This is) the truth from your Lord, so be not of the disputers.
61. But whoever disputes with you in this matter after what has come to you of knowledge, then say: Come let us call our sons and your sons and our women and your women and our near people and your near people, then let us be earnest in prayer, and pray for the curse of Allah on the liars.
Surah IV, p. 171;
171. O followers of the Book! do not exceed the limits in your religion, and do not speak (lies) against Allah, but (speak) the truth; the Messiah, Isa son of Marium is only an apostle of Allah and His Word which He communicated to Marium and a spirit from Him; believe therefore in Allah and His apostles, and say not, Three. Desist, it is better for you; Allah is only one God; far be It from His glory that He should have a son, whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is His, and Allah is sufficient for a Protector.
Surah XLIII, p. 63-64;
63. And when Isa came with clear proofs of Allah's sovereignty, he said: I have come to you indeed with wisdom, and that I may make clear to you part of what you differ in; so be careful of (your duty to) Allah and obey me:
64. Surely Allah is my Lord and your Lord, therefore serve Him; this is the right path:
Surah LXI, p. 6, 14
6. And when Isa son of Marium said: O children of Israel! surely I am the apostle of Allah to you, verifying that which is before me of the Taurat and giving the good news of an Apostle who will come after me, his name being Ahmad, but when he came to them with clear arguments they said: This is clear magic.
14. O you who believe! be helpers (in the cause) of Allah, as Isa son of Marium said to (his) disciples: Who are my helpers in the cause of Allah? The disciples said: We are helpers (in the cause) of Allah. So a party of the children of Israel believed and another party disbelieved; then We aided those who believed against their enemy, and they became uppermost.
What does the Bible say?
II. The Koran teaches Muslims that Jesus did NOT die on the cross for our sins. In fact, He never died at all, but was taken to Heaven as Enoch or as Elijah. There is NO atonement for our sins. Salvation is by submission to Allah and Mohammed’s Koran.
Surah IV, p. 157-159
157. And their saying: Surely we have killed the Messiah, Isa son of Marium, the apostle of Allah; and they did not kill him nor did they crucify him, but it appeared to them so (like Isa) and most surely those who differ therein are only in a doubt about it; they have no knowledge respecting it, but only follow a conjecture, and they killed him not for sure.
158. Nay! Allah took him up to Himself; and Allah is Mighty, Wise.
159. And there is not one of the followers of the Book but most certainly believes in this before his death, and on the day of resurrection he (Isa) shall be a witness against them.
What does the Bible say about the death and resurrection of Jesus?
III. The Koran teaches Muslims that anyone who believes in the deity of Jesus, or in the Trinity, will go to Hell.
Surah V, p. 72-75, 86;
72. Certainly they disbelieve who say: Surely Allah, He is the Messiah, son of Marium; and the Messiah said: O Children of Israel! serve Allah, my Lord and your Lord. Surely whoever associates (others) with Allah, then Allah has forbidden to him the garden, and his abode is the fire; and there shall be no helpers for the unjust.
73. Certainly they disbelieve who say: Surely Allah is the third (person) of the three; and there is no god but the one God, and if they desist not from what they say, a painful chastisement shall befall those among them who disbelieve.
74. Will they not then turn to Allah and ask His forgiveness? And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
75. The Messiah, son of Marium is but an apostle; apostles before him have indeed passed away; and his mother was a truthful woman; they both used to eat food. See how We make the communications clear to them, then behold, how they are turned away.
86. And (as for) those who disbelieve and reject Our communications, these are the companions of the flame.
Surah XCVIII, p. 4-6
The people of the scripture are ordered nought else than to serve Allah, keeping religion pure for Him, as men by nature upright, and to establish worship and pay the poor-due. That is true religion. Lo, those who disbelieve among the people of the scripture, and the idolaters, will abide in fire of Hell. They are the worst of created beings.
What does the Bible say about who shall be saved?
IV. The Koran teaches Muslims to never be friends with Jews or Christians.
Surah V, p. 51
51. O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.
V. The Koran teaches Muslims to break treaties with non-muslims, as a part of their tactics to defeat them, conquer them and kill or enslave them to Islam.
Surah IX, p. 1-5, 29
1. (This is a declaration of) immunity by Allah and His Apostle towards those of the idolaters with whom you made an agreement.
2. So go about in the land for four months and know that you cannot weaken Allah and that Allah will bring disgrace to the unbelievers.
3. And an announcement from Allah and His Apostle to the people on the day of the greater pilgrimage that Allah and His Apostle are free from liability to the idolaters; therefore if you repent, it will be better for you, and if you turn back, then know that you will not weaken Allah; and announce painful punishment to those who disbelieve.
4. Except those of the idolaters with whom you made an agreement, then they have not failed you in anything and have not backed up any one against you, so fulfill their agreement to the end of their term; surely Allah loves those who are careful (of their duty).
5. So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
29. Fight those who do not believe in Allah, nor in the latter day, nor do they prohibit what Allah and His Apostle have prohibited, nor follow the religion of truth, out of those who have been given the Book, until they pay the tax in acknowledgment of superiority and they are in a state of subjection.
Conclusion: What does the Bible say about the Christian's attitude toward Islam, and toward Muslims?
1. Concerning Islam, we must not be deceived into thinking it is a good religion. It is openly and on-purpose anti-Christ. It is obvious from reading the Koran that Mohammed had heard and remembered much of both the Old and New Testaments. Instead of repenting of his sins, and turning to Jesus for salvation, he rejected the Bible and invented his own religion. Subsequent events, the spread of Islam by the sword, prove that Mohammed's motivation was the pride of life, the lust of the flesh, and the lust for worldly power.
2. Concerning Muslims, we must approach them from the viewpoint of the Great Commission given to us by Jesus:
Mat 28:18-20 "Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Muslims are people, living in darkness. They are oppressed by their religious leaders, and by their Islamic governments. We must pray for them, and send them the Gospel light in any way we can: radio, Bible correspondance courses, evangelize students in the USA and send them home as Christians, etc. As world globalization progresses, it is likely that the prohibition of religious freedom by Islamic governments will weaken, and there will be many Muslims who turn to Christ.