Dialogue With An Islamic Friend

The following dialogue is between Akbar Haqq and Marcus about various concepts of Islamic faith and the Christians. Kindly go through this and it will show the good news, which can bring real peace in your personal life.

Akbar:- Dear friend Marcus, I am happy to meet you after a very long gap. Shall we sit and talk about religious matters. That will surely enlighten us and broaden our understanding.

Marcus: - yes, I am also, had a thought to listen to your faith in God. As a student of religion’ I like to leaven from you the different concepts of your faith. Would you please explain about the Article of faith?

Akbar: - Yes, with great pleasure.

The ‘five article of faith’ are the main doctrines of Islam. All muslins are expected to believe this.

1). First of all about God. Muslims believe in a Monotheistic theology lie Judaism and Christianity.

We Muslim believe there is only one God and his name is Allah. He is all knowing, all-powerful and the sovereign Judge. Yet Allah is not a personal God he is above man in every way.

Let me give some quotations from the Holy Quran. Which reveals the Absolute Monotheisms?

"He begetter not, nor is begotten: and there is none like unto Him"(Surah 112:1-4). "And they falsely’ having no knowledge, Attribute to him sons and daughters. Praise and glory be the him about what they distribute to him (Surah 6:100)"if 1 there were in the heavens and the earth, other gods besides Allah, there would have been confusion in both but glory to Allah, The Lord of the Throne above what they attribute to him (Surah 21:22). "Allah forgives not joining other Gods with him (The greatest sin is shirk adding more Gods.) But he forgiven whom he please other sins than this :One who joining other gods with Allah, that strayed for, for away. (Surah 4:116).

So, the god of Islam is on Judgment, not grace, on power not mercy. He is born good and evil and his will is supreme. What about your Christian god? Please tell me before I tell other remaining thighs.

Marcus: - O.K. we also believe in the one true god. As Deut.6: 4: Isa 43:10,11 Mak28: 19, LK.3: 22 says. He is the great "I m’, the creator of heaven and earth and the redeemer of all mankind. He has further revealed himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association. Father, son and Holy Ghost. Our god is one Lord, as a trinity or as one being of three.Person, and still be absolutely scriptural (Mark .28:19, Jn.16: 17, 2cor, 13:14).

  1. Our God is omnipotent (all – powerful) Is. 40:15 says he is the king of kings

  2. Our God is omnipresent, (every where) Ps. 139:7-10.

  3. Our God is omniscient. (Having complete knowledge and insight. (Rom. 8:27-28; kor.3: 20)

The most important thing now to me is, after hearing your Quran, the Bible is filled with descriptions of (4) god’s goodness, and all good things are coming from god? (James 1:17) there is no evil in god. (5) God is love (I.Jn. 4:8) His (^) loving kindness & faith fullness (ps.89: 49), (7) He is full of grace (Acts 20:24), (8) He is full of Mercy (Eph 2:4) the greatest act of God love is displayed in the climax of His plan of redemption at the cross. (Jn 3:16, Rom 5:8) (9) God is more holly without imperfection & sin (Isa 6:1-5) (10) God is righteous (Dt. 32:4: Dan 4:37; Rev.15: 3) (11). He is always true to his nature (Isa. 51:4-6). (12) He is a just god doing justice. (Chron 19:7). My understanding of god is, he is a personal God, he has given me the privilege to call him abba,

Father Rom 8:15. He says call unto me at the time of your trouble (Ps.91: 15) He helps the poor and me widows. He has compassion the sick and the afflicted one. When he was on this earth he went around doing good. Acts 10:38; he said all of you who labor and heavy-laden come to me I will give you rest. (Mat 11:289).

In Phil. 4:6 He told I would never reject any body that comes to me. His blood will cleanse us from all sin 1 Jn 1:7; if we confess our sins to him he will just and faithful to forgive all our sins. (1Jn. 1:9)

Akbar :- Oh! I like to hear more about your God. Why are you waiting?

Marcus: surely I will give more good news about our God. Even the full Bible I will get you to read , we have a fatherly god in the Bible.

What all the other article of faith?

Akbar :- I am sorry, I was much immersed in your god. What a kind and loving personal god you have!.

The second article of faith is Angel. Because this is very much fundamental to Islamic teaching. We Muslims believe in four Archangels.

  1. Gabriel. – the angel of revelation. Some of them say he is the holly spirit, who dictated the Qurans.

  2. Michael – the Angel of providence.

  3. Israful – the summoner to resurrection.

  4. Izarail – the angel of death.

Can you explain the angels in the Bible?

Marcus :-

According to Billy Graham" Angels are created spirit beings who can become visible when necessary. They can appear and disappear. They think, feel, will and display emotions. They are the oracles of god, who gives divine or authoritative discussions and bring messages from god to men. (Heb 1:4) they are ministering spirits. (Rom 1:24-25) they should not be worshiped. (Col 2:18) we should not pray to them. (Dani 6:22)God shut the lion’s mouth by his angels.

  1. Archangel (Chief angel) Jude 9 ""Michael as an archangel. Daniel 12:1 He is the God’s messenger of law and Judgment. In Rev. 12:7-12. Battling with Satan. (1 thes 4:16) he will shout the return of Christ.

  2. The Angle Gabriel:

    3. The most prominent one in Bible. In Hebrew ‘Gabriel’ means ""God’s hers" or "the mighty one

    The Lord’s messenger. ? (Daniel 8:16;9:21;LK 1:19; 26).

  3. Seraphim. (1 pet 3:22) the word "seraphim means love. In Isaiah 6:1-6 they had six wings constantly glorifying God. They are next to angels.

  4. Cherubim: - they are real and powerful, they often symbolic of heavenly things. We see them beside the throne of God. Ps. 80:1; 99:1,

In Gen.3: 24 they guard the Eden.

In Exodus, 25:18 inside the tabernacle, a part of the mercy seats.

Now, you tell more about other things.

Akbar:- 3, The third is the scripture. There are four inspired books in the Islamic faith. They are Torah of Moses, the psalms of David (Zabin), the gospel of Jesus Christ. (injil) and the Quran. We Muslims believe the former three books have been corrupted by Jews and Christians. Since, Quran is the recent and final word to man, it supercedes all the other work.

Now, tell me about your scriptures.

Marcus:- The scriptures, both the old and the new testaments, are verbally inspired of god and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule or faith and conduct, (I theds2:13;2 Tim 3:15-17; 2npet 1:21. More than 40 people wrote over. a * Billy Graham, "Angels’ Gods secret Agents. Wordbooks period of 1,600 year’s and still the message is one. It includes the writings of Moses, Historical books, songs, Major Prophets and Minor Prophets in the old testaments total 39 books. In the New Testament. Gospels, historical book, letters of Paul, General epistles, and prophetical book.

It relates to all the three tenses and has lot of world history right from the creation to until now. It foretells many prophecies for the future. Which are fulfilling.*

During the life of Jesus so many prophecies fulfilled. These prophecies and predictions were mode hundreds of year in advance. I can give you a list of predictions which got fulfilled and the ones which are going to be fulfilled.

Akbar:-I will be very much delighted to have that list. The fourth one in that is prophets. In Islam we have six great prophets. They are Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. Muhammad in the last and the greatest of all Allah’s managers

Marcus:- in the Bible there are many prophets in the Old Testament Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel are called Major Prophets and Hsoea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah.

Norman.L.Geisler,: Christian Apolpgetics.",O.M. books, Secunderabad. Page 340-341. Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi are called Minor Prophets.

In the New Testament the gift a prophecy is for all the people who receives the Holy Spirit. 1cor 14:31 says, "For you an all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted." There will be lot of false prophets coming before the second coming of Jesus.

Akbar:- the fifth one is the Last day. The last day will be the time of resurrection Judgment. All those who follow and obey Allah and Muhammad will go to Islamic heaven, called paradise, a place of pleasure where they will recline on soft couches quaffing cups of wine handed them by the Hurls, or maidens of paradise, of whom each man may marry as many as he pleases. (Sura xIIV, 54,IV.56,58,70-74 lvi 34-36). All others will be consigned to the torments of Hell./

Marcus: -

The Bible tells about Judgment of the believer 2 cor 5:1d0 says, "For we must all appear before the judgment throne of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad"

  1. All Christians will judged- (Rom.14:12; I cor. 3:12-14, 2cor 5:10).

  2. The image is Christ, (Joh 5:22; 2 Tim 4:8).

  3. This judgment will occur when Christ returns for his church. (Jn 14:3, 1Tho 4:14-17).

Ralph Mahoney (Editor)’the shepherd’s staff" world Map, U.S.A. Page .F.19. F.19.Akbar :- 6, The belief in gods decrees or kismet the doctrine of face. This is a very rigid view of predestination that states all good or evil proceeds from divine will. This strong fatalism has played a central role in Muslim culture. From this concept comes "It is Allah will "

Marcus :-

In Christianity we believe god has given self will to all to choose good or evil. When Christ comes as per owe action or deeds we will be judged. It is God’s will that no body perish but all must be saved from the wrath of God.

Akbar :-

The Five Pillars of Faith.

These are observances in Islam, which are found practices or duties every Muslim must observe.

  1. The Creed (kalmia). Here is no God but Allah, Muhammad is the prophet of Allah, and Muslim belief One must state this aloud publicly in order to become a Muslim. It is repeated constantly by the faithful. (SHADAH)

  2. To pray. (SALAT)

    3. Muslim are required to say seventies prayers each day. They may pray individually or collecting. On Friday at noon, Muslims are required to gather at the mosque to pray. Muslims are praying five times in a day.

  3. To Fast (SAWM). During the ninth lunar moon the of Ramadan they fast in the day hours with our eating & drinking. And at the height they can eat & drink.

  4. To give alms. (ZAKAAT). Muslims are obligated to contribute one-fortieth 1/40 (2.s percent) of their income to the poor and needy.

  5. To make pilgrimage (HAJJ) All Muslims are to make a trip to Mecca. Once in his lifetime, after that visit one will be entitled to be called a Hajji.

Marcus :-

I deeply appreciate your regular disciplined prayers, reciting of the vied, fasting, alms giving and pilgrimage. We are not having any thing to recite now pray fie times a day. E pray like Jesus in the morning as in Mark 1:35; night LK 6:12; For every problem Phil. 4:6, Rev. 5:6; Eph 6:18;

Regarding fasting we do not have a season in which we do like you. But we have regular fasting every weak and we pray. The Bible says certain demonic problems & sickness, unless we fast and pray Ire won’t go. Mat 6:16; Jesus fasted 40 days, Moses fasted 40 days, David fasted for the Child. Actrs 13:3 ; Mat. 17:21;

Regarding helping the poor. James 1:26,2 we cannot forget orphans & widows. Mat. 6:4 Acts 10:2; Acts 24:17. the Bible says give and it shall be given. It any body asks we should give. When we can do good if we are not doing that is sin.

Regarding pilgrimage we need not to go to Jerusalem the birthplace of Jesus. Our life on this earth itself like a pilgrimage. We did not bring any thing in to this world we cannot take anything back wit us when we die. So we have to live pleasing the lord of the heaven that he may accept us to his kingdom.

The Bibliography :-

  1. Abdul – Haqq, Abdiyah Akbar. "Sharing you faith with a Muslim ." Bethany house publisher.U.S.A.1980.

  2. Geisler, Norman, Salceb, Abdul. " Answering Islam" Baker books, 1993.

  3. Anderson, J.N.D. "The world Religions" inter-vamit Fellowship. London. 1957.

  4. Mc. Dowell, Josh Stewart, Don. "Handbook of Today’s religions" Thomas Nelson publishers, 1982.

  5. Jeyachandrom L.t. "Reaching Muslims with the Gospel." Rezim focus ministries. 1997.

  6. Menzies, William W.,Horton, Stanley.M. "Bible doctrines: Bethesda communications. 1994"

  7. Geisler, Norman L. "Christian Apologetics" O.M. books, 1999