Muhammad and Quran

Muhammad born appx. 570AD in or near Mecca, Arabia.  Raised as an orphan by his uncle, became a camel trader.  Married wealthy older widow Kadijah (first wife).  About AD610, received revelations from angel Gabriel and began reciting it.

Debated whether Muhammad was literate or not.  His poetry in the Quran is rhythmic, almost hypnotic, and doesn’t always make sense (even to narrative Arabic speakers)—every fifth line or so very hard to understand. 

Koran isn't history or story-based—it has allusions to stories (many of them Biblical stories)

114 Suras, and most are in the order from longest to shortest (they’re not in order of either subject matter or chronology).  And sometimes within the same Suras are collections of sayings that don’t really seem to fit next to each other.

Today, 90%+ Muslims say Quran is it eternal and (in its current, Arabic form) effectively dropped out of heaven through the lips of Muhammad (Quran was always in heaven alongside Allah—there is no period of formation, collection, or differences.

In view of Muslims, Quran supersedes all other books.  Jewish Scriptures were corrupted.  Jesus prophesied the coming of Muhammad, and failed to write anything down. 

Jesus did not die or was raised, but ascended into heaven directly.  His disciples messed things up, and Jesus will come back at the close of the age on Allah’s judgment day and will on that day willingly subject himself to Muhammad and to Allah.

Muslims view Jesus as "the coming Messiah,” but not a savior figure, a teaching figure.

There is no Savior in Islam, because of their view of the nature of man and man’s purpose.

Allah’s intentions and man’s purpose

Allah creates mankind to be Allah’s slaves (ties in with Arabian notion of slavery, which was very stark—no concept of having fellowship with someone who is supposed to be serving you).

The biggest problem in the world is not fallenness or sin, but ignorance (we've forgotten Allah).  Therefore the solution—what we need is a teacher to call us back.  That’s what the prophets and Jesus were trying to do, and what Muhammad did do in the Quran.

Allah is calling (commanding) humankind in Quran to submit to one of three options:

Convert to Islam

Be killed and go to hell

Submit unconditionally and accept third class citizenship under law of Dhimmitude (where you have no legal standing against Muslims, and must pay tribute in gratitude to conquerors for sparing your life)

Dhimmi tax is sometimes monetary, but can be your firstborn child or your farm

This status continues generations after your captors take over, and when you die you go to hell.

Major Divisions within Islam

Sunni (majority, 80%) – comes from “Sunna” (a combination of the Koran, the Hadiths—traditions of what Muhammad said and did—and the biographies of Muhammad)

Major disagreements with 15-20% that is Shi’a

Question: Does authority pass down biologically (Shi’a) or does the community decide who takes authority (Sunni)

Imams speak infallibly but are not called prophets

The 12^th Imam (“Mahdi,” promised one) did not die, he disappeared, and he is expected to return at the close of the age—he is the promised one (vs. Messiah, the anointed one)

Shi’a (minority, ~20%) – Primary in Iran, Bah’rain

Sufi - Charismatics (if you will) of Islam—they can be either Sunni and Shi’a or neither.

Put their emphasis on an existential encounter with God, emphasizing the devotional and devotive side of Islam (contemplation, reflection, devotion).  Devotion and love for Allah, and desire to become like Allah in the sense of your personal character being refined to reflect perfections of character that honor Allah.

A mystic form of Islam—the law finds its proper expression in a heart in love with Allah

The rise of Sufi-ism corresponded with the period of time and region in which Islam first overran areas where Christian monasteries were prevalent (Eastern Orthodox contemplative focus)

Islam in general does not seek a relationship between Allah and his creatures other than the relationship between master and slave (he may be benevolent, but you’re never a friend or more than a slave), but in Sufi-ism you do find these influences

Other variants considered outside the mainstream:

Ahmadiyya – They are the “hara Krishna” of Islam (very evangelistic). 

Ahmad came in spirit and power of Jesus, and claimed authority of the 12^th Imam (among Shi’a).  For these reason they’ve been rejected by much of Islam.

They'll say Jesus was born of a virgin, did miracles, and that Allah rescued Jesus from the cross (and they hold to the “swoon theory”—Jesus appeared to die on the cross

Ismaili’s – Since Imams were infallible, it means that the first one had to be the correct one (and no future Imams were right).  They say their Islam comes down from the first Imam.

Two well know groups – followers of Aga Khan (Kenya), and Drews (sp?)

Significance: A Muslim may say to us that Christianity is splintered, or believe that JW or Mormons are Christian.  They might point to divisions with Protestantism or between Protestantism and Catholics. 

Response: Some of those differences are based in doctrine, and you see divisions like this within Islam, as well.