Background of Islam

• Founder: Mohammad
• 610 A.D.: At age 40, believed he was visited by the angel Gabriel and anointed as the last great prophet.
• 620 A.D.:  Had gathered perhaps a hundred followers in Mecca.
• 632 A.D.:  Death of Mohammad
• 670 A.D.:  The Caliph controlled territory from the Atlantic to the Pacific

Background of the Koran

• Author: Mohammad
• Written between 610 and 632 in 114 poems.
• The poems are not in chronological order.
• Arabic is the only official language of the Koran.
• Over 40,000 official commentaries have been published, various collections of which are accepted as law by various groups.

Koran versus the Old Testament

• The Torah is praised in the Koran
  • But the version preserved by the Israelites has been corrupted and is corrected by the Koran (5.13)
  • The dietary laws are incorporated by reference.
• The Prophets are praised in the Koran
  • But the version preserved by the Israelites has been corrupted and is corrected by the Koran.

Koran versus the New Testament

• The Gospel is praised in the Koran
  • But the version preserved by the Christians has been corrupted and is corrected by the Koran (5.14-15, 5.48)
• Jesus is praised in the Koran
  • He is the Messiah and a prophet
  • Jesus was not crucified
  • God does not have a Son.

Important Corrections

• Abraham sacrificed Ishmael, not Isaac.
• Abraham and Ishmael built the Ka’aba in Mecca.
• God is merciful and forgives, but there is no atonement.
• Those who disbelieve will never believe.
• Believers are promised many earthly rewards. (2.25, 2.122)
• Unbelievers will meet with disgrace in this life. (2.114)

Understanding Jihad

• Kill your enemies (2.191)
• Fight until there is no persecution (2.193)
• There is no compulsion in religion (2.256)
• Non-Moslem Jews and Christians are idolaters (4.51)
• Kill unbelievers (4.89)
• Unbelievers are your open enemy (4.101)