Understanding Islam: A Worldview Comparison
Michon Terrell
Liberty University
Understanding Islam
Comparing Worldviews is Important A worldview is simply the way one thinks about the world around them (Hindson, 2016). How they think about the world determines how they interact with it, and with the people around them. When communicating the Christian gospel with someone of a different worldview, it is important to know what they believe and why they believe it. When this level of awareness is obtained, it then becomes possible to share the gospel, a vital piece of a biblical worldview, with thoughtfulness, love, and compassion.
What is Islam? Islam was founded by Muhammad in 570 AD. It is the 2nd largest religion in the world. Followers of Islam are called Muslims. The word Islam means “submission”, as in submission to God, or “Allah” (Shorrosh, 1988). Muhammad claimed to receive revelations from the angel Gabriel. These revelations were compiled in the Qur’an, which means “recitations” (Halverson, 1996). The Qur’an is the holy scripture of Islam, and is revered among Muslims. They wash before they touch it, keep it on the highest shelf in the house, they never carry it below their waists and take it with them everywhere they go (Shorrosh, 1988). The religion of Islam is divided into beliefs and obligations. Muslims believe in one God (Allah). “To associate a partner with Allah is to commit the …show more content…
Islam and Christianity share the belief that God created the universe and everything in it. There are no less than 32 verses in the Qur’an regarding Allah’s creation of heaven and earth (Shakir, 2002, p. 440). The verses are not specific on how the god of the Qur’an created, and some verses appear to indicate that Allah created everything from water (Qur’an 21:30, 24:45). The God of the Bible spoke everything into existence, beginning with light, then fashioned man from the dust (Genesis 1-2, King James
Michon Terrell
Liberty University
Understanding Islam
Comparing Worldviews is Important A worldview is simply the way one thinks about the world around them (Hindson, 2016). How they think about the world determines how they interact with it, and with the people around them. When communicating the Christian gospel with someone of a different worldview, it is important to know what they believe and why they believe it. When this level of awareness is obtained, it then becomes possible to share the gospel, a vital piece of a biblical worldview, with thoughtfulness, love, and compassion.
What is Islam? Islam was founded by Muhammad in 570 AD. It is the 2nd largest religion in the world. Followers of Islam are called Muslims. The word Islam means “submission”, as in submission to God, or “Allah” (Shorrosh, 1988). Muhammad claimed to receive revelations from the angel Gabriel. These revelations were compiled in the Qur’an, which means “recitations” (Halverson, 1996). The Qur’an is the holy scripture of Islam, and is revered among Muslims. They wash before they touch it, keep it on the highest shelf in the house, they never carry it below their waists and take it with them everywhere they go (Shorrosh, 1988). The religion of Islam is divided into beliefs and obligations. Muslims believe in one God (Allah). “To associate a partner with Allah is to commit the …show more content…
Islam and Christianity share the belief that God created the universe and everything in it. There are no less than 32 verses in the Qur’an regarding Allah’s creation of heaven and earth (Shakir, 2002, p. 440). The verses are not specific on how the god of the Qur’an created, and some verses appear to indicate that Allah created everything from water (Qur’an 21:30, 24:45). The God of the Bible spoke everything into existence, beginning with light, then fashioned man from the dust (Genesis 1-2, King James