Islam
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Question
"Christ, the son of Mary, was no more than a messenger; many were the messengers that passed away before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They had both to eat their (daily) food. See how God makes His signs clear to them; yet see in what ways they are deluded away from the truth!" (5:75)
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Answer
My dear friend, thank you for corresponding with us. We are not deluded, the Bible is direction to us on our path and in life. I understand this is a Koranic verse. We talk about Jesus of the Bible who is God's word 'Kalam' and God's own son, not in the carnal way that you suggest when you talk about eating and drinking, but by the power of the Holy Spirit, God made man, through a relationship of Salvation with man. Mary truly was a messenger, a deliverer of the Christ Child, she too needed to believe. Yes Jesus did need to eat and drink but He Himself said to the Devil in the wilderness 'Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God' in Luke 4:4. I ask that you read about the Jesus of the Bible. It is in the Gospels that his life and teachings are chronicled by men led by the Holy Spirit to write what they saw and heard and experienced. The Bible is the 'unchanged' word of God. Feel free to ask any questions, but this is not a website where we post phrases, we have discussions and answer questions, we would appreciate it if you remained in that framework. Thank you and God bless.
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Question
How many Islamic countries are there in Africa?
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I am not sure if you mean constitutionally Muslim - but as far as I can tell the following African countries that have large Muslims populations (I am putting the percertage of the Islamic population with the names of the countries down for you as well as per wikipedia): Egypt (90%), Nigeria (50%), Morocco (99%), Algeria (99%), Sudan (70%), Ethiopia (33-45%), Yemen (99%), Niger (80-95%), Tanzania (35-40%), Senegal (94-95%), Mali (90%), Tunisia (98%), Somalia (99.9%), Burkina Faso (50%), Cote d'lvoire (35-40%), Libya (97%), Chad (51-53%), Sierra Leone (60%), Mauritania (99.98%), Eritrea (48-60%), The Gambia (90%), Comoros (98%), Djibouti (94-99%)& West Sahara (99.8%). Thats 23 countries to pray for according to this list. I hope it helps.
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Question
what is the youngest age the girls get married in the middle east
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That deffinitely depends on which part of the ME you are thinking of. It also depends on the family and leggal conditions. However if it is a child marriage - then it is dependent on the onset of puberty. I must point out though that in countries like Pakistan minors are not allowed to marry. Again marriage in some countries (like Pakistan) comprises two parts - the signing of the contract which is the Nikkah. This can be done by minors but does not mean the girl will go to live with her husband or her in laws. Sometimes this is done in case the husband has to go away for work or the girl is in the middle of a degree and there is some reason that the couple cannot live together at that point. In that case you have the Nikkah and then the 'rukhsati'which means the girl is 'sent' to her marital home when the time comes. There is no consumation of the marriage until the girl goes to be with her husband. This is commonly practised in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and some parts of the middle East. HOwever it varies from area to area and region to region. 16 is not an uncommon age but then there have been known in the Islamic tradition to be marriages as early as age 9.
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Question
I graduated from seminary last year, and while in school I was able to take an introductory class on Islam. I noticed that Allah is never identified as "loving"--just compassionate and merciful. What do Muslims believe was Allah's motivation for creating humans? It seems as if "love" is the only logical answer, especially considering that he is omniopotent and doesn't "need" humans. Doesn't this challenge basic Islamic doctrine? Also, know that I am praying God's blessings on Open Doors, MBBs and other christians in the persecuted church. Jesus loves you!
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Thanks for your questions Karen! Yes you are right Allah is never loving to the point of giving his life for mankind- that is where there is a distinction between Allah and the God of Genesis - a God of grace and forgiveness. From my conversations with my Muslim friends it seems Allah created mankind because he wanted to be worshipped and adored- their opinion is Allah 'just did creat mankind' and 'we have to obey him'.
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Question
Why do muslims hate christians?
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Dear Sister,
Not all Muslims hate Christians. HOwever their passion for Islam and their desire to defend the honour of Islam is so great that any other religion or Non Islamic body is considered evil and ungodly and therefore must be fought.
Those who do hate Christians are those who have been either hurt by Christians or have been exposed to a watered down version of Christianity where the Church is not passionate about morality and holy living or where Christians have been hostile to them in the first place. They hate Christians because they believe that Islam is the only true religion and all those who are not Muslims are against Islam and are defiled and will defile them. It is Satan's way of keeping Muslims from meeting with Jesus. However let me say again, it is not so much a hate of Christians as it is a hatred of an Unislamic immoral lifestyle they associate with the west. Howeve simply it is satan's weapon to keep them from knowing Jesus.
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Question
I have heard Muslims say that Islam is a "religion of peace"? How is this true when so much of the koran seems to encourage violence against non-Muslims? Do even extremists believe theirs is a religion of peace?
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Yes! Do not forget that the evil one masquerades as an angel of light. He is able to deceive them and make them believe that their religion is a religion of peace. It is all about justification. To be honest most Muslims I grew up with do not walk around beating up non Muslims (sometimes its more passive aggressive in its approach). Anyway - they believe they are a religion of peace but they msut retaliate and react in matters relating to the Honour of Islam and the Prophet Mohammad. If someone has offended that honour or is seen a spiritual enemy of Islam then they need to be punished and that can be a violent act - and they will justify it as an act to defend and protect Islam and punish those who dare to offend Islam. Blessings, Maaria
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Question
Is there a notion of free will in Islam. I am asking because of the trend of forcing conversions to Islam?
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That is an interesting question! Technically NO! However it is more in terms of 'If God wills then things WONT HAPPEN' so if they have happened it is because He has willed them to happen. All things happen by HIS WILL. However how do explain sin then and as you quite aptly asked about forced conversions - but then it is justified because according to Islamic Belief we are all born MUSLIMS and when a person becomes a Muslim they are coming back to the Mother Faith. Muslims will claim that Abraham and Isaac and the Patriarchs and even Jesus were all Muslims. All men and women are born Muslim but convert away from it. However if you force someone to become a Muslim, then you are only bringing them back to their original faith and that is always God's will. God wills that all men be Muslims. Does that make sense? Please ask me again if you feel you want to clear this further. Blessings, Maaria
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Question
What is the foundation of 'the Muslims' unity among the brothers? They attend prayer together. It is impressive! Should I feel imtimidated?
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The idea of Muslim Unity comes from the concept of 'UMMAH' of the Islalmic brotherhood which you could visualise as the Islamic community- the entire Islamic community rounded off by an imaginary spiritual hedge which holds them together and restricts them from leaving that boundary ever. No you should not be intimidated by it. You are so right about how impressive it is that they pray together and their motivation and dedication is something impressive. However, without being intimidated, be aware of the spiritual hold of the UMMAH or Islamic Unity and be aware of that being the basis and center of this 'praying together' and regularly. It is part of the spiritual system and spiritual bondage of Islam to keep people inside the fold of Islam and keep an accountability system going. This way each one watches the other. Real fear and intimidation is within this brotherhood. We as Christians have a spirit of freedom which makes us accountable but not under bondage and not under condemnation and guilt but for the sake of the salvation of Jesus Christ. There is no fear in our fellowship as His Body.
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Question
If a Muslim has multiple wives then is converted what would they do?
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Different Churches take different stands on this question and its very territorial in some ways. Well some countries like Pakistan have an official line which declares that polygamy is unlawful. That means that the number of converts who come to the Lord with more than one wife are fewer. However there are still those who do.
Before anything is said or done we pray and ask God to give us discernment.
Since divorce is something that does not please God the line ought to be NOT TO DIVORCE THE OTHER WIVES
However in this case we have to realize that under God it is one man and one wife. So some churches will take the stand that only the first wife is really his wife and the others are mistresses and on the grounds of adultery will recommend the following:
1. Divorce all except your first wife and trust the Lord to use the Church family to take care of them and be their family and eventually trust the Lord who has put their past away from himself to bring husbands for them
2. Divorce them and vow never to have more marital relations with them, declare them as your Christian sisters and continue to provide for them and your children by them
3. If they have not converted along with their husband then he has the right to divorce them, in fact it is likely they themselves will want out.
4. Also remember that some of the second and third wives (maybe even the first) will be so by arranged marriage and they would have had no choice or opinion in the matter. Therefore it may seem some what unfair and also as though they are being punished for a crime they did not commit. However our God is a Holy God and the marriage relationship is one that is reflective of His marriage with the Church. Therefore holiness and purity and clarity in the marriage is essential to reordering the process and therefore they must be encouraged to be part of that reordering.
However as I have said every situation is different and every situation needs to be handled only with the Lord’s discernment. Thank you for your question. Perhaps this gives you some idea of the kinds of dilemmas we face on the field and the kind of situations we need prayer for.
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Question
Do Muslims think they can fully understand the Koran?
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No not all Muslims believe that. Some are made to believe that, some come to a literal understanding of the words. However the Koran is not an easy book to understand or fathom. It consists of heavy blocks of material and to sift through those is not always easy.
There is also a school of thought that claims that the Koran must only be read in Arabic. Not everyone in the Islamic World understands Arabic and so they cannot possibly understand it.
Yet another school of thought claims that it is not possible to fully comprehend this heavenly book in our limited human understanding and so they are content to read it and learn it.
However there is a new wave of Islamic scholarship which is encouraging Muslims to read translations and understand it. In such cases whenever some information seems ambiguous they are content in the knowledge that they are not God and do not need to understand everything. Or then they approach Islamic clergy or teachers who have versed themselves in comforting arguments which cast away the doubt or questions in the mind of the person who asks the questions.
I hope that answers your question. As a Christian who loves the Bible and reads it regularly, I have tried to read even translations of the Koran and I just find it impossible to get past their ‘wall’ like character. There is no spirit of guidance and light as the Holy Spirit gives us when we read the Bible. However beware because Satan does masquerade as an Angel of Light and has deceived many in this area. Therefore always ask God for discernment every day and especially when reading other peoples’ scriptures or discussing them with them. Also always stay steeped in the word of God.
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Question
What do you think Muslims find lacking in thier faith that makes them want to become a Christian? What attracts them to Christ?
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There are contractions between the Holy Bible and the Quran. If you have read the book, Secret Believers, you know that Mustafa wrestled with the fact that Jesus taught exactly the opposite to what Allah commands. The example in the book is that Jesus commands us to "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven," while in the sura "Repentance" God commanded, "Slay the idolaters wherever you find them. Arrest them, besiege them, and lie in ambush everywhere for them." You can read more about Mustafa's search for the truth in chapter 4.
There is also the hope that can be found in Jesus Christ that attracts people. In chapter 10 Brother Andrew and Butros meet with the professor, Dr. Kamal. In their conversation it becomes clear that despite all his faithful service and good deeds, Dr. Kamal does not have assurance that he will go to paradise.
These are just two areas that might attract a Muslim to Christ. Again, I would encourage you to read the book if you have not already and see how and why the people in the book sought out Christ despite the grave dangers.
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Question
I've heard of some of the incentives for a male to become a suicide bomber, but what are the incentives that are told females to get them to do such a thing?
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Sadly enough we have heard of instances in which women are told if they do this they will restore honor to their family after having an illegitimate child, being raped, or being in an illicit relationship.
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