Islam means submission and is a unique bridge between Christian and Judaic belief. Deeply rooted in the ancient mystique of the Middle East, none are true Western religions. Presently, Islam is the black sheep of the family, youngest and most misunderstood.
The Third Testament
Some Muslims consider the Qur’an — the Islamic holy text — to be the Bible’s Third Testament. They believe the Qur’an was dictated by God through the Angel Gabriel, to the Prophet Mohammad, who lived in the 7th Century. The Qur’an includes summaries of stories from the Bible's Old and New Testaments, beginning with Adam and Eve to the Day of Judgment.
Islam honors the ancient Jewish prophets, and additionally, Jesus, Mohammad, and Ismael. Every Muslim (as any Christian) is taught to honor Jesus as Messiah, born to Mary of virgin birth, but rejects (as do Jews) a trinity of gods. Disbelievers are considered those who believe in gods, as opposed to one God (singular).
Muslims (believers in Islam) are fervently monotheistic. They consider Mohammad a human instrument of God, or a messenger, and the last prophet (though not the only prophet).
The Qur’an is Divided into Chapters (Suras)
Suras in the Qur’an always speak reverently of Mary and Jesus, similar to Christian writings:
(Remember) when the angel said, ‘Oh, Mary! Verily God gives you good news of a Word from Him: Son of Mary, his name will be Messiah, Jesus, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter.’ She said, ‘O my Lord, how shall I have a son when no man has touched me!’ (Qur'an 3.45-47)
The Qur’an also reflects Old Testament beliefs, proclaiming:
O children of Israel! Remember the special favor I bestowed upon you, and that I preferred you (for my Message) (Qur'an 2.122)
Yet Islam, so close to Judaic and Christian belief, remains outcasted from the Judeo-Christian culture in America. Some might argue that this is unfair, and probably for political/historical reasons. Also, Islam is a relative newcomer, and the misinformed West assumes Islam is an alien religion that worships a dark deity named Allah.
Both Christian and Muslim Arabs Pray to Allah.
Allah is the proper Arabic word (noun) for "God." There are many foreign words for God, but Allah is still considered a sinister word for many Westerners. The original word for God in Aramaic (the language Jesus spoke) was Elahh (pronounced El-aw) and is nearly identical in pronunciation to Allah. This means Jesus called his God El-aw. (The English word, God, only evolved many centuries later.)
Muslims base their entire faith on Allah, God of Abraham, revered by Christians and Jews alike:
He (Abraham’s Lord) said, ‘I will make you a guide to the nations.' (Qur'an 2.124)
Islam Accused of Violence
Violence in the Qur’an almost always refers to self-defense and certainly contains no more violence than the Bible. Although this has been disproportionately argued today, to say otherwise is not factual.
The Bible Condoning Violence
Whoever sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed. (Bible, Old Testament, Genesis 9.6)
Jesus said, ‘He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.’ (Bible, New Testament, Luke 22.36)
Sadly, the Qur’an today is often quoted completely out-of-context and given meanings that don’t exit.
Paradise in the Qur'an
A Western misconception is that the Qur’an promises 127 virgins to (male) believers in the afterlife, but nowhere in the Qur'an does such a strange passage exist. Heaven (paradise), mentioned very frequently in the Qur'an, is described as a peaceful place of luxurious gardens for men and women alike, with youths of everlasting (freshness) carrying little glasses, (shining) tumblers and cupfuls (filled) from clear-flowing fountains and wine which doesn’t cause intoxication.
The Qur’an speaks of heaven occupied by holy beings never touched by the hand of man, with huge and beautiful eyes, existing in a magnificent Kingdom (an immense constellation of beauty). No pettiness will they hear in there [Paradise], and not even a little of sinful speech (or idle talk) – but only the saying, ‘Peace! Peace! (Qur'an 56.25)
Qur'an Misinterpreted by Western Media
Too often, the negative in Islam is unfairly highlighted, while everything positive is omitted. The excerpts of any religious text can be scrutinized and found to have many different meanings depending upon who interprets the passage. One must see the true spirit of any faith and not merely the (often misconstrued) details.
Without over-analyzing the Bible, Torah, or Quran, one can easily view Judaism as being a religion of law, Christianity a religion of love, and Islam a religion of submission. Looking at the big picture, all of these religions strive for the betterment of mankind and are well-intentioned.
Religion is a sensitive emotional subject for most people of any faith, and this is understandable, yet also self-sabotaging. It’s hard to admit religion causes such division when God is supposedly a source of unity.
Although criticism of one’s own (and another’s) faith is healthy and often necessary, reason tells us no person of any belief, or disbelief, has the right to falsely debase and malign another religion. This appears to happen quite frequently, though, among various religions as well as cultures. It’s especially unfortunate that dangerous misunderstandings can occur between three major religions that form a trinity of belief.
Instead of dwelling upon religious/cultural differences, man can gain greater perspective by collectively stepping back to focus on the greater similarities. Religion supposedly teaches human beings tolerance and acceptance. The option is to live in total spiritual ignorance of others.
A disbeliever would say the world is far better off without religion altogether, and unless Christians, Muslims, and Jews learn a real love for one another — creating an equal sharing of hearts and minds — they will prove the atheist right.
Only true understanding begets a genuine peace.
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