Islam Historical Prospective Overview: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are three closely related religions because they all revere Abraham and other Old Testament teachings. Although these three religions started with similar beliefs, Islam began to add it's own teachings on the framework of the Old Testament based on Muhammad. It is interesting to note that Muslims believe in the virgin birth, heaven and hell and other shared ideals, but instead of promoting love and peace... it has really promoted war and encouraged forced conversion of others to Islam... or face death. Unfortunately, this is more the rule than the exception. History: The name of this religion, Islam, is derived from the word "salam," which means peace. Islam is seriously conflicted in it's message with it's violent beliefs and call for Jihad against anyone who disagrees with their view. Like Jews and Christians, Muslims believe in one God, heaven and hell, the virgin birth, etc. It is unfortunate that the teachings of Muhammad distorted God's intentions in Old Testament law. Take this one verse from the Koran which refers to non-muslims: "Fight for the sake of God! Slay them wherever you find them. Drive them out of their places. Fight against them until idolatry is no more and [Islam] religion reigns supreme. We will put terror into the hearts of the unbelievers. If you should die or be slain in the cause of God, His forgiveness and His mercy would surely be better. Never think that those who were slain in the cause of God are dead. Seek out your enemies relentlessly! Cast terror into the hearts of the infidels. Strike off their heads... strike off their fingers! (Suras 2, 3) Most religious historians view Islam as having been founded in 622 AD by Muhammad the Prophet. He lived from about 570 to 632 AD). The religion started in Mecca, when the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) read the first revelation to Muhammad . (Mohammed and Muhammed are alternate spellings for his name.) Islam is seen as the youngest of the world's great religions. Followers of Islam are called Muslims. "Allah" is an Arabic word which means "the One True God." An alternate spelling for "Muslim" that is occasionally used is "Moslim"; it is not recommended because it is often pronounced "mawzlem": which sounds like an Arabic word for "oppressor" (somewhat ironic). Some Western writers in the past have referred to Islam as "Mohammedism"; this is deeply offensive to many Muslims, as its usage can lead some to the concept that Muhammad the Prophet was in some way divine. There are many interesting (and somewhat troubling ) events that have been recorded about Muhammad's birth and childhood. None have historical documentation or witnesses: His mother said "When he was born, there was a light that issued out of my pudendum and lit the places of Syria." Also at the time of his birth, "...fourteen galleries of Kisra's palace cracked and rolled down, the Magians' sacred fire died down and some churches on Lake Sawa sank down and collapsed." His foster family had many experiences of amazingly good luck while he was in their care. As a young child, the angel Jibreel visited the boy, ripped his chest open, removed his heart, extracted a blood clot from it, and returned him to normalcy While still young, he was sent into the desert to be raised by a foster family. This was a common practice at the time. He was orphaned at the age of 6 and brought up by his uncle. As a child, he worked as a shepherd. He was taken on a caravan to Syria by his uncle at the age of 9 (or perhaps 12). Later, as a youth, he was employed as a camel driver on the trade routes between Syria and Arabia. Muhammad later managed caravans on behalf of merchants. He met people of different religious beliefs on his travels, and was able to observe and learn about Judaism, Christianity and the indigenous Pagan religions. After marriage, he was able to spend more time in meditation. At the age of 40, (610 AD), he was visited in Mecca by the angel Gabriel. He developed the conviction that he had been ordained a Prophet and given the task of converting his countrymen from their pagan, polytheistic beliefs and what he regarded as moral decadence, idolatry, hedonism and materialism. He met considerable opposition to his teachings. In 622 AD he moved north to Medina due to increasing persecution. The trek is known as the hegira . Here he was disappointed by the rejection of his message by the Jews. Through religious discussion, persuasion, military activity and political negotiation, Muhammad became the most powerful leader in Arabia, and Islam was firmly established throughout the area. I don't want to get side-tracked too far, but this info is critically important!! During the time of Muhammad's life, and even after it... there was no written texts or documents of the religion. In fact, about 99% of the new faith's Muslim believers were illiterate. 80 Years after the death of Muhammad, a group of followers decided to kidnap two men who were literate and known as writers. One was a Christian priest from Babylon, and the other was a Jewish Rabbi. They were threatened with a beheading and told to write a "holy book" for this faith or they would be beheaded! Sadly, they were killed anyway, but they did write the Koran. Here is what you need to know: If you study biblical numerology at some point, you will discover the importance and significance of the number 19 in the Jewish faith. As this Rabbi sat in prison writing a book of deception, he decided to leave coded messages to the world about the book he was forced to write. To let the world know a Jew actually wrote the texts, he embedded 19 letters, 19 words, 19 verses and 19 chapters in the book. The only two verses that do not follow this are those that say Muhammad is the true God. But that wasn't enough for the clues... The Jewish Hebrew alphabet has 22 letters in it. So, 22 chapters of the book start with "A-l-m". In the Jewish faith "Alm" means "I do not believe this" or "these words mean nothing". His goal was to discredit his writing and this book. The Islamic faith is one of breaking of the old testament covenant, based on lies, based on war, based on oppression of people and women, based on deception, based on fear, and based on hatred. Interesting Side Note: Muhammad started 'receiving' inspiration in 610 AD. The episodes resulted in him violently convulsing on the ground and foaming at the mouth. The descriptions of his behavior strangely resemble Grand Mal seizures (or demon possession) which many feel he actually was experiencing. He was initially conflicted about the information he was given during these episodes, and asked his wife if they were demonic or from Allah. Of course, she insisted that he was a prophet. One needs to contrast the "vision" or "prophecy" given to believers of the faiths. Where the Jews & Christians are given knowledge by visitation by angels or taken "up" in a vision of what is to come... the Muslim phrophet convulsed, foamed at the mouth, had sensations of choking to death, and seized uncontrollably for up to several hours. If God wanted to reveal himself to you, or reveal a plan he had for mankind, which method do you honestly think he would use? Which method would Satan (the great deceiver and liar of old) would use? Muslim religion is soley one of works. Your sin behavior is measured on a scale. If you are 51% good, you will go to heaven. This is because the Muslim god 'remembers all sin'. It is interesting to note that the Jewish/Christian God states for believers, "I will remember their sins no more". Even at death, Muhammad did not know if he was going to heaven. Beliefs: Muslims follow a lunar calendar which started with the hegira, a 300 mile trek in 622 AD when Muhammad relocated from Mecca to Medina. A Muslim's duties as described in the Five Pillars of Islam are: To recite at least once during their lifetime the shahadah (the creed: "There is no God but God and Muhammad is his Prophet"). Most Muslims repeat it at least daily. To perform the salat (prayer) 5 times a day, if possible. This is recited while orienting one's body towards Mecca. It is done in the morning, at noon, mid-afternoon, after sunset and just before sleeping. To donate regularly to charity through zakat. This is a 2.5% charity tax on the income and property of middle and upper class Muslims. Believers are urged to make additional donations to the needy as they feel moved. To fast during the month of Ramadan. This is believed to be the month that Muhammad received the first revelation of the Qur'an (Koran)from God. If economically and physically able, to make at least one hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca. Jihad is a call to fight against non-Muslims in the defense of Islam. Traditional Christians and Muslims have certain beliefs in common concerning Jesus. They both accept that: His birth was miraculous. He cured people of illness. He restored dead people to life. However, they differ from Christians in a number of major areas. Muslims DO NOT believe: In original sin (that everyone inherits a sinful nature because of Adam and Eve's transgression) That Jesus was killed during a crucifixion. Muslims believe that he escaped being executed, and later reappeared to his disciples without having first died. That Jesus was resurrected (or resurrected himself) circa 30 AD. Salvation is dependent either upon belief in the resurrection of Jesus (as in Paul's writings) or belief that Jesus is the Son of God (as in the Gospel of John). The War On Terror Due to the current conflicts in Iraq, Iran and the Middle East, one needs to review teachings of Islam to fully understand what has happened. The US government is cautious to say this is a war against Islam. Unfortunately, the events since 9/11 are typical of Islamic Jihad as instructed by Mohammad. Only in the USA is Islamic Jihad a "theory". In every country across the world Jihad is practiced and exhalted. Jihad is a 'Holy War'. Any Mulslim that converts to another religion is to be killed. Muslims believe they should kill any 'infidels' or Jews and Christians if they will not convert. Muslims believe they should kill innocent women and children. This is the teaching of Islam and it cannot be sugar coated no matter how you look at it. There are peace-loving Muslims all over the world, but their teachings promote just the opposite. There are 3 levels to Jihad: 1) Shock: Remove the enemy from his comfort zone. 2) Vulnerability: Let the enemy know they are susceptable to attack. 3) Humiliation: Make the enemy the weaker vessel. It was necessary for the US to fight against these attacks in a timely fashion, and without letting up. According to Islamic Jihad, a strong enemy is to be engaged but a weak enemy is to be overtaken. It is interesting to note that Mulims are to lead a pure life, free from sexual immorality. However, the reward for being a martyr or killing the 'enemy' is immediate glorification in the highest level of paradise (heaven). All of the sins committed to do their terror are forgiven immediately at death. The ends justify the means in every case. When the individual gets to heaven, they will be able to drink as much wine as possible, and will have 70 virgins at their beck and call (it appears that Muslim women are simply out of luck in the afterlife!). In fact, they insist that hell will be occupied 2/3 by women! The only way to 'assure' one's going to heaven is to be a martyr. Surviving family members are always provided for by fellow Muslims. With this kind of reward for homocide bombers and murderers, it is easy to see there is no shortage of willing participants. These are not 'freedom fighters'. They are fighting to keep people in bondage. Islam takes the Old Testament, then heads off in an entirely different direction with the views of Muhamad. It seriously contradicts itself at this point. There is mounting evidence from historical documents that indicate Muhamad had some type of seizure disorder, or was possibly demonically possessed. Regardless, man took something good and then distorted it to fit his needs. We are beginning to see a disturbing pattern when man starts to make up the rules.