1. Session 6 – Final thoughts on Islam In this session we will look at several topics to wrap up this class dealing with the Muslim religion We will see what the Qur’an says in relation to the cross, what the Qur’an says about Allah inspiring, and what it says on the topic of women

2. The Qur’an and the Cross The vast majority of what we know about history comes to us through written documents (manuscripts) and archeological discoveries and finds The historicity of Jesus Christ being crucified is one of the most substantiated and well attested facts in history as we know it

3. 1 Corinthians 15:3-5: “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” Paul quotes a very early creed that talks about Jesus dying (obviously by crucifixion) The Bible is a historical source

4. However, if you decide you still want non- Christian sources, we have plenty of those: Josephus Tacitus Lucian Mara Bar-Serapion The Talmud These five (non-Christian) sources all confirm the crucifixion of Jesus

5. Flavius Josephus (AD 37?-101?) Jewish Historian of his time : “About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he... wrought surprising feats.... He was the Christ. When Pilate...condemned him to be crucified, those who had... come to love him did not give up their affection for him. On the third day he appeared... restored to life.... And the tribe of Christians... has... not disappeared”

6. Lucian (circa 120-after 180) Greek writer "The Christians, you know, worship a man to this day the distinguished personage who introduced their novel rites, and was crucified on that account” The Babylonian Talmud: On the eve of the Passover Yeshu was hanged. For forty days before the execution took place, a herald... cried, "He is going forth to be stoned because he has practiced sorcery and enticed Israel to apostasy."

7. MARA BAR-SERAPION (Post 70 A.D) "What advantage did the Athenians gain from putting Socrates to death? Famine and plague came upon them as a judgment for their crime. What advantage did the men of Samos gain from burning Pythagoras? In a moment their land was covered with sand. What advantage did the Jews gain from executing their wise King?”

8. Tacitus (A.D. c.55-A.D. c.117, Roman historian) “Nero fastened the guilt... on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of... Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome....”

9. The historicity of Christ being crucified is confirmed by the apostolic fathers in the early church Ignatius (again): ”I glorify Jesus Christ, the God who made you so wise, for I observed that you are established in an unshakable faith, having been nailed, as it were, to the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ignatius, Letter to the Smyrnaeans, 1.1. Holmes, AF, 249.)

10. When Clement of Rome, writing in his letter to the church at Corinth (dated as early as AD 95) the crucifixion is obviously in mind “In love all the elect of God were made perfect; with-out love nothing is pleasing to God. In love the master received us. Because of the love he had for us, Jesus Christ our Lord, in accordance with God’s will, gave his blood for us, and his flesh for our flesh, and his life for our lives.”

11. Everything from history tells us that Jesus Christ was crucified The authors of the Bible tell us that Christ died by crucifixion The neutral sources at the time tell us Christ died by crucifixion The hostile sources at the time tell us Christ died by crucifixion

12. But the Qur’an! Written 600+ years after the event of the crucifixion happened, says otherwise! When it comes to the historicity of the crucifixion, the Qur’an stands alone on this topic, it says (without any doubt) that Jesus Christ was not crucified on the cross, and didn’t even die like we all think (and like all of history records).

13. Surah 4:156-158: “And [We cursed them] for their disbelief and their saying against Mary a great slander, And [for] their saying, "Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah." And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain. Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise.”

14. It seems that Ayah 158 claims that instead of Jesus being killed by crucifixion, God raised Him up to Him and he wasn’t harmed. The belief of your average Muslim is that someone was crucified in the place of Jesus (and people thought it was him). Most often this is Judas Iscariot, but some also say Simon of Cyrene.

15. Some conservative Islamic scholars have gone so far to say the appearance of Jesus (the physical look) was put on someone else so that everyone would think it was him being crucified Muslims don’t think Allah would allow one of his prophets to be crucified and killed in such a dishonorable way.

16. Many Western Muslims will not give the same response though, and will say “God knows” and leave it at that (not very helpful in conversation). This mindset is seen from the writings of Muhammad Asad, who commented on this issue and said the following: "Thus the Quran categorically denies the story of the crucifixion of Jesus…

17. There exist, among Muslims, many fanciful legends telling us that at the last moment God substituted for Jesus a person closely resembling him (according to some accounts, that person was Judas), who was subsequently crucified in his place. However, none of these legends finds the slightest support in the Quran or in authentic Traditions, and the stories produced in this connection by the classical commentators of the Quran must be summarily rejected."

18. Not only is it a problem that they deny the crucifixion and death of Jesus, other things said in the passage are very incorrect and out of place. The Jew’s are boasting they have killed Jesus, the Messiah… Kind of odd right? The Jewish leaders at the time would never admit to Jesus being the Messiah, or they’d never kill him.

19. Some groups of Muslim see the phrase “they slew him not” and have suggested that Jesus was crucified (hung on the cross) but didn’t actually die from the experience. This is a minority group, but still exists. They think Jesus may have survived the crucifixion and later escaped from his tomb. There are many, many problems associated with this idea:

20. There are many places in the Qur’an where it contradicts something the Bible says, and in every other case there is ample commentary on that subject by Muslims On the topic of Jesus’ crucifixion, it is silent! This is one example of a historical error found inside the text of the Qur’an, showing that it cannot be the inspired word of God.

21. Can the Word of Allah be changed? Muslims believe that the words of Allah recorded in the Qur’an cannot and have not been corrupted or changed by anyone. They firmly believe that Allah will preserve his word (the Qur’an) and protect it from corruption. Here are two Ayahs that say this:

22. Surah 6;115: “And the word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice. None can alter His words, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing.” Surah 18:27: “And recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book of your Lord. There is no changer of His words, and never will you find in other than Him a refuge.

23. This has presented Muslims with a problem, because according to Islam, the Qur’an is not the only written word of God! Surah 9:111: “Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties [in exchange] for that they will have Paradise. They fight in the cause of Allah, so they kill and are killed. [It is] a true promise [binding] upon Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur'an…

24. And who is truer to his covenant than Allah? So rejoice in your transaction which you have contracted. And it is that which is the great attainment.” According to the Qur’an, Allah gave the Torah, the Gospels, the Qur’an, and the Psalms. If three of those have changed (according to them)and been corrupted, how do we know the Qur’an can’t be?

25. Women in Islam A very important topic when dealing with the topic of Islam, and one that often is brought up, is the belief related to women within the religion. The Qur’an has some Ayahs that make equality look true, but also as many others that make it obvious it’s not.

26. Surah 4:124: “And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer - those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged, [even as much as] the speck on a date seed.” Verses like these don’t sound negative towards women, obviously it says male or female, putting them on equal ground in this verse of the Qur’an.

27. When actually describing paradise though it is very obvious that women serve men (Surah 37:48 speaks about that) The most common question is why women have to cover themselves when they are in public? Why can’t people see them?

28. Surah 24:30-31: “Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do. And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers,

29. their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.”

30. Surah 2:228: “But the men have a degree over them [in responsibility and authority]. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.” Other passages talk about the role of women in the Qur’an The next verse we will look at gives more detail and brings to life an abusive aspect of Islam and women. Please understand, that does not mean all Muslims beat their wives!

31. Surah 4:34: “Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband's] absence what Allah would have them guard. But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance - [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them. But if they obey you [once more], seek no means against them. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted and Grand.”

32. "two men should witness, but if not two men, then one man, and two women so that if one of the two women should err, the other will remind her." (Surah 2:282) Other areas of the Qur’an indicate that the author considers women to err more than men. Some have taken this to say you need two women to equal a man in value.

33. Surah 4:11: “Allah instructs you concerning your children: for the male, what is equal to the share of two females.” A few more verses Women can be used as sex slaves: Surah 4:24: “And forbidden (no sex) to you are wedded wives of other people except those who have fallen in your hands (as prisoners of war)”

34. Polygamy is acceptable within Islam: “ And if you be apprehensive that you will not be able to do justice to the orphans, you may marry two or three or four women whom you choose. But if you apprehend that you might not be able to do justice to them, then marry only one wife, or marry those who have fallen in your possession.” (Maududi, vol. 1, p. 305)

35. The Qur’an looses site of the complimentary aspect of men and women that we find in the Bible. Gender is a reflection of who God is within the Trinity, they take their roles in salvation and redemption, they are different roles (The Son dies for our sins) but they are equal and necessary roles.

36. Wrapping up the topic What do you emphasize and talk about when you have the opportunity? What do you avoid talking about at first? Don’t have your starting point as polygamy, or the marriage of Muhammad to Aisha, those will not go nearly as far as other topics could.

37. If you are going to be an effective witness to Muslims you usually need to be able to defend the historical accuracy and integrity of the New Testament. From there spend time talking about the Qur’an, your concerns with the historical problems in it (Crucifixion during the time of Joseph, Mary being the sister of Moses, Jesus not being crucified) and always present them with the loving hope of the gospel.

38. Memory Verse: Isaiah 53:5: “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”