The True Face of Islam (Part 2)
I’m aware that the content of this article may be controversial, and certainly perceived as politically incorrect. At the outset, I want to stress that I have nothing against the Muslim people themselves. Do not misunderstand me; please hear me clearly. I love the Muslim people. I grieve for them because they have fallen prey to a grave deception. They need Jesus as much as I do. We must always remember that our struggle is not against men. (Ephesians 6:12)
The Muslims are precious to God, yet they are demonically deceived and believe a lie. We as Christians are called to love them and pray for them. We must pray that the Lord would reveal to them the great deception behind Islam, and that they would see the truth, embracing their Savior, Jesus Christ.
What I write today, I write not out of any hatred, scorn, or contempt for the Muslims. On the contrary, I write all this out of compassion to see them not only saved for all eternity, but also liberated in this world by the power of Christ.
Jihad
Since September 11, 2001, much attention has been focused on this sixth pillar or jihad. Although it is often translated as “holy war,” it literally means “struggle” or “exertion.” Jihad always involves a call to battle against “evil,” but it has several different expressions.
Jihad of the heart parallels the Christian’s battle with the flesh. Jihad of the mouth and pen defends and promotes Islam through both oral and written apologetics. Jihad of the hand promotes Islam through good deeds. Jihad of the sword refers to what is commonly known as “holy war.”
When jihad appears in the Qur’an standing alone, or with the phrase, “in the cause of Allah,” it always refers to the call to actual physical warfare on behalf of Islam. This jihad is to continue as long as there are “infidels” who are not willing to submit to the authority of Islam. Mohammed himself endorsed and engaged in military jihad, and he ordered his followers to do likewise.
Mohammed’s concept of jihad changed over time as his circumstances warranted it. Islamic scholars have identified in the Qur’an four different stages in the development of the doctrine of jihad:
- Peaceful Persuasion. This was the emphasis in the early days when Islam had few adherents. (Sura 16:125-126)
- Self Defense. Fighting was permitted only to defend against aggression, or to reclaim stolen property. (Suras 22:39; 2:190-194)
- Offense. Muslims were now allowed to initiate warfare except during the four sacred months of the Muslim calendar. (Sura 9:5)
- No Limitations. All restrictions concerning war in the name of Allah were removed. (Sura 9:29)
The Qur’an has 114 suras, or chapters, arranged from longest to shortest. If studied chronologically, a clear progression emerges confirming the development of hostility towards Jews and Christians. The earlier so-called Meccan suras (dating from 610-622 AD) are more tolerant of Christians and Jews, whereas the Medinan suras (from 622 AD onward), written later, are much more hostile in tone. The fourth stage of understanding – or limitless jihad – is the one that has become normative for Islam.
The law of “abrogation” in Qur’anic hermeneutics (later revelation always supersedes that which precedes it if there is a conflict) supports this conclusion (2:106; 13:39; 16:101-102). In addition to the Qur’an, the Hadith (written traditions of Mohammed) and the fatwa (a legal religious ruling) are authoritative for the Muslim.
The Hadith confirms this understanding of jihad as well. One book of the Hadith quotes Mohammed as saying, “The last hour would not come until the Muslims fight against the Jews and the Muslims kill them; until the Jews hide themselves, and the stones and trees would speak up saying, …There is a Jew hiding behind me. Come and kill him” (Sahih Muslim, book 40, #6985).
