1

Understanding Muslims

JoUrney to JesUs

session 3par

tic

ipa

nt

ha

nd

ou

tunderstanding and Ministering to MusliMs

Basic Definitions• Islam is both a belief and a political system.• The word Islam means “submission.”• Muslims are followers of Islam.

four Basic sources1. The Qur’an: The Holy Book2. The sira: Biographies of the life of Muhammad3. The Hadith: Traditions of Muhammad4. sharia: Code of behavior governing Muslim conduct

two Main sections1. The six Articles of Faith: What Muslims believe2. The Five Pillars of Islam: How Muslims practice their faith

the six articles of faith1. Belief in one God2. Belief in angels and jinn3. Belief in divine revelation4. Belief in prophets5. Belief in life after death6. Belief in divine decree

Different focuses• Islam focuses on orthopraxy, right practice of religion.• Christianity focuses on orthodoxy, right belief in God and His Word.

Questions to PonDerWhich of the six Articles of Faith do we as Christians agree with? Which do we disagree with?

2

JoUrney to JesUs

the five Pillars of islaM1. The Creed (shahadah)2. Prayer (salat)3. Fasting (sawm)4. Almsgiving (Zakat)5. Pilgrimage (Hajj)

More Questions to PonDerIn light of the previous slides, if your Muslim friend asked what it means to be a Christian, how would you respond?

the sixth Pillar? JihaDThere are three types of jihad:1. Greater jihad: struggle against sin and self2. social jihad: struggle against evil and oppression in society3. Lesser jihad: sometimes we refer to this as “holy war.” Muslims explain this as war fought for

justifiable reasons.

Discussion QuestionsWatch the mini-drama for this session on the DVD and then discuss the following questions:

1. Azim mentioned that he felt unfairly judged by others because he is a Muslim. Do you think that there is any truth in Azim’s statement?

2. What do you think about Azim’s understanding of Islam? How is Azim different from how the media portrays Muslims?

3. What are Azim’s concerns for his family coming to the United states? How could you relate to these concerns?

4. What did you think of how Larry presented the difference between cultural Christians and believing Christians? How could you use this distinction in conversations with a Muslim?

understanding and Ministering to MusliMs