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Communicate the Good News to your Muslim
Friends in a Relevant Way The
‘CAMEL’ method is used in some areas of the Muslim world with notable
success. In other areas, workers find other approaches more effective. You
might try it. Basically, you ask a Muslim to tell you, or study together with
you, what the Koran teaches about Jesus the Messiah (Isa in Arabic). Then,
when a relationship is established and you can converse without arguing,
proceed to the New Testament teaching about the Messiah. Background Five pillars of Islam
Shahada-
all Muslims must recite this creed “There is no God but God, and Muhammad is
the apostle of God” (or His Prophet)
Salat-
ritual prayers spoken five times a day, along with the correct postures,
which all Muslims are expected to perform. (Except women when they are
unclean)
Zakatalms
that are a percentage of their possessions, or earnings given once a year. This
reminds them that there are others in need. The offering goes to help those
in need.
Saum-
fasting during the ninth month of the lunar calendar, the month of Ramadan.
(It moves year to year. The fast lasts for 30 days from sunrise to sunset.
They do not eat or drink, smoke, have sexual relations, swear or become
angry. It is a time when the believers seek to draw closer to God, and renew
their spiritual strength.)
Hajj-
Every Muslim that has the ability, physically and financially must complete
the Hajj. It is part of the purification process and a point when all despite
social standing, are considered equal. Islamic beliefs Monotheism
Islam believes in
one God. They believe that Muhammad is God’s last and greatest prophet. They
believe that Jesus is a great prophet but man can never become God. (I
personally usually agree and say, “Yes, man never can become God but God can
become man, and did once.) Allah is the
Arabic word for God. Meaning THE God, or the one and only God. Holy books
Qur’an (Koran) —
believed to be the word of God given to Muhammad from the angel Gabriel Torat
— book of Moses or the Torah Zabur
— Psalms of David Injil- Gospels of
Jesus (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) The Haddith — writings that explain the Qur’an from the
teachings of Muhammad Prophets
God has sent many
prophets to teach men His ways. The prophets are generally considered to be
Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus (Isa) and Muhammad. The last two are
considered the most important, Mohammad bringing the final revelation. The final Day of Judgment
Islam teaches that
at the end of time a trumpet will sound and the dead shall rise to be judged.
On the Day of Judgment God will weigh the deeds of each person and that will
determine their destination of Heaven or Hell. Those martyred for their faith
go directly to heaven. God reserves the right to send each person where He
pleases. Angels
Muslims believe
that God created Angels as sinless beings. They have many different roles not
unlike that of Christian belief. They acknowledge four Archangels (Gabriel,
Michael, Izrail, the angel of death, and Israfil the angel that will blow the trumpet on the Day
of Judgment) There are disagreements as to what type of being that Satan was. God’s Character
Islam emphasizes
the importance of the Character of God. It is referred to continuously in the
Qur’an. The typically believe in 99 attributes of God, though most
acknowledge that He can not be limited to that many. His Sovereignty,
Omnipotence, mercy and compassion are emphasized. One major difference in
Character between Islam and Christianity is the justice of God, rather than
the grace of God. (The cross being the reconciling factor between the two) The
Camel Method “Only the camel knows the 100th
name of Allah” (Bedouin proverb) But the camel has revealed it — Jesus! Aim:
to draw out a ‘Person of Peace’ and assist you in building bridges between
you and the Muslim community. We want to raise Jesus from “Prophet” status to
“Savior” by using the Qu’ran: *You’re
not out to win an argument. Follow Jesus’ example of using rhetorical
questions to draw the truth to the surface (John 4 etc). Be humble and
dependent upon the Holy Spirit – you don’t need to know all the answers. You
just need to ask the right questions. Conversation Starter:
“I have discovered an amazing truth in the Koran that gives hope of
eternal life in heaven. Would you read Surah
Al-Imran 3:42-55?” 1. ‘Isa is holy.
3:45-47 Point out that
this verse says that ‘Isa holds the same quality of holiness as Allah. ·
“Does this say that ‘Isa came directly from Allah and
that he did not have a father?” ·
“Are there any other prophets who did not have a father?”
Discuss Adam’s bloodline and how his sin affected humanity. ·
“Why did Allah have ‘Isa born without a father?” By not
being in Adam’s bloodline, “Isa lived without sin. 2. “Isa has power
over Death. Surah Al-Imran 3:49 ·
Point out the miracles display the power of Allah,
especially over death. ·
“Do you think that one of people’s greatest fears is
death?” ·
“Do you know of any other prophet who was given the
power over death?” tell the story of Lazarus. 3. ‘Isa knows the
way to heaven. Surah Al-Imran 3:55 Point out that
‘Isa himself has traveled the straight path directly to Allah and is with Him
now. ·
“If you wanted to come to my house and you needed help
in doing so, who is best suited to help you?” ·
“I am a sinful person. I have done many good things in
my life, but still I have Adam’s blood in me. I know that I can never become
holy on my own and get to be with Allah in heaven. Out of all the prophets,
which one do you think is best capable of helping me get to heaven?” ·
If they answer, “Isa, ask them why he can help me. ·
If they answer, Muhammad, ask them to read Surah “The Chambers” 46:9. CAREFULLY SAY, “Does this mean
that he did not know where he was going after death? If not, how can he help
us get to heaven?” Before you use the Camel Method: 1.
PRAY in faith expecting results! God is already working.
You’re just joining Him in His work. 2.
DON’T take a Koran with you. Have them read from their
Koran. 3.
It is better to ask questions than to preach at them. 4.
THERE IS NOT enough light in the Koran to bring them to
salvation, but there’s enough truth to bring out a man of peace. 5.
Once you’ve drawn out the man of peace, make
arrangements to talk again on the subject, bringing a Bible in their language
to that next meeting. 6.
If asked who you say Mohammed is, respond: “I say
Mohammed is who he said he was in the Koran. Let’s look at Surah “The Chambers” 46:9: “I am nothing new among the
Prophets; what will happen to me and to my followers, I do not know; I am only
a plain person who warns.” -
By his own testimony Mohammed is not the greatest of
prophets. -
By his own testimony Mohammed doesn’t know where he or
his followers are going after death. -
By his own testimony Mohammed is only a person who
warns. -
By Jesus’ testimony, “I am the Way, the Truth, the Life
and no one comes to Allah except through me.” (John 14:6) and “I go to
prepare a place for you. If I go to prepare a place for you I will come again
and receive you unto myself that where I am there you may be also.” (John
14:1-7) Taking
the Man of Peace from the Koran to the Bible: 1.
Read Surah Jonah 10:94: “And
if you (Mohammed) are in doubt concerning that which we reveal unto you, then
question those who read the Scripture (that was) before you. Verily the Truth
from thy Lord hath come unto you. So be not of those who waver.” 2.
Read Surah The Women 4:136: “O
you who believe! Believe in Allah and His messenger and the Scripture which
He has revealed unto His messenger, and the Scripture which He revealed
aforetime. Whosoever disbelieves in Allah and His angels and His Scriptures
and His messengers and the Last day he verily has wandered far astray.” 3.
If they believe the Bible has been changed, refer them
to Surah Cattle 6:115-116: “Those unto whom
we gave the Scripture (aforetime) know that it is revealed from your Lord, in
truth. So be not (O Mohammed) of those who waver. Perfected is the Word of
the Lord in truth and justice. There is nothing that can change His words. He
is the Hearer, and the Knower.” 4.
The roadmap for blessings and eternal life are found in
the Taurat and Injil. Read: Surah
The Table Spread 5:65-66: “If only the People of the Scripture (the Jews)
would believe and ward off evil, we would remit their sins from them and surely
We would bring them into the Gardens of Delight. If they had observed the Taurat and the Injil and that which was revealed unto
them by their Lord, then they would have been nourished from above them and
from beneath their feet.” Some
practical guidelines for witnessing to Muslims: 1.
Prayer is the most
strategic thing you can do because only God can change someone’s heart! We must realize
that this work is not simply an intellectual exercise; it involves the
supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. In utter dependence on Him, we receive
the insights and ideas that grip the mind and heart of our Muslim friend. And
similarly, the Holy Spirit works in our friend to give understanding,
insight, and receptivity to the good news of Jesus Christ. This trust in the
work of the Holy Spirit is something to be cultivated in prayer and faith by
the Christian worker. 2.
Understanding. Christians need
to be aware of Islamic beliefs and be firmly grounded in biblical teaching.
(See Background, above.) 3.
Relationships. A confrontational
evangelism style rarely is effective with Muslims. Christians need to earn
the right to share the gospel with them by befriending them and getting to
know them as individuals. That’s where your
testimony becomes helpful . . . In orthodox Islam, God has supposedly not
spoken to a single human being since the year Muhammad died (632). For this
reason, giving your own testimony of how you became a Christian — of how God
revealed Himself to you — takes Muslims by surprise. This is a
thoroughly biblical approach (1 John 1:3). And there is no argument against a
testimony. Your testimony emphasizes your relationship with God through Jesus
Christ and is believable when the Muslim that you are sharing with has a
personal relationship with you. 4.
Respect. Never ridicule
the beliefs or customs of a Muslim, even those with which you disagree. Always
build up (Christianity) never tear down (Islam). By building up Christianity you will send a positive message about your faith. By
tearing down Islam the opposite message will be sent and will probably cause
the Muslim to defend themselves. “Don’t
tell a Muslim something and make them mad . . . ask them a question and make them think!” A Testimony of a Muslim
Background Believer: “Before I was saved, I heard all the arguments about why
Islam was wrong and Christianity was right. I wasn’t buying any of them. I
was born a Muslim, I was raised a Muslim, my family was Muslim, and I would
die a Muslim. But one question was posed to me that still sticks
in my mind to this day: "So, whom do you fear most? Your family? Or
God?" I realized at that moment that one day I would have to stand
before the Judge of the Universe. And I knew I had better be right about exactly
Who that Judge was. I knew I had to at least be willing to examine the claims
of the Bible. After all, I thought, if Islam is the one true religion, then
what do I have to fear from reading the Bible? Advice from Muslim
Background Believer: You want them to
begin to doubt their religion. You may find this surprising, but I’ve found
that the best way to do this is to ask questions of them, but always in a
respectful, gracious manner. Most Muslims are very eager to talk about their
religion. And the more you ask them to explain the teachings of Islam, the
more you will get them to think about what they really believe and have
placed their faith in. Many Muslims really don’t know what they believe, when
it comes down to it. Many Muslims (like many Christians) really don’t know
what they are basing their faith on. Get them to discover this fact for
themselves. Listen very carefully to what they say. Ask questions. You will
begin to discover contradictions in what they’re telling you. Those are your
opportunities to question them about those contradictions and
inconsistencies. You don’t need to overwhelm and bombard them with a battle
plan of facts and arguments in order to place seeds of doubt in their minds.
The fact that they will have to verbally and rationally explain their
religion to you may cause them to begin to question their belief system
without you ever having to say much of anything at all! 5.
Reverence for Scripture.
Muslims treat their holy book, the Qur’an, with utmost respect, and they
expect Christians to show similar respect for the Bible.
For instance, a Christian should not carry a New Testament in his back pocket
or distribute Scripture by leaving it on a doorstep. Quote the
Scriptures and refer to the Qur'an (when possible). Show respect to the
Qur'an because it is sacred to the Muslim. Never hold it below your waist and
never mock it. Quote from the Qur'an if you can but don't try to tell the
person about his or her religion. Quote from the bible to generate discussion
not to throw rocks. When using the Qur’an, have your Muslim friend read the
selected verse and then ask them, “What is this saying to you?” One will find that
each subject can always be related to the teaching of the Lord Jesus and the
apostles and other Scriptures. The Quran bears
surprising witness to Jesus. It affirms His virgin birth, His ability to heal
and raise the dead, that He is both a word from God and a spirit from God,
that He is the Messiah, an all-righteous one (sinless), among those nearest
to God, that He is alive in heaven now and will return to judge the earth (Quran 3:45, 49; 4:158; 82:22). Muslims often are
convinced that Christ is greater than Muhammad from just reading the Quran. These above points are excellent starting places
in leading Muslims to biblical truth about Jesus. Muhammad testified
that Jesus was among those nearest to God, held in honor in this world and
the hereafter (Quran In the Quran (2:253; 3:45-49; 4:158, 171; 5:49; 19:33; 89:22) it
is noted that Jesus was called the Messiah; He was born of a virgin; He was
among the righteous ones — those nearest to God; He received strength from
the Holy Spirit; He could give sight to the blind, cure lepers, and raise the
dead; He prophesied His own death and resurrection; He was called a Word from
God and a Spirit from God; and finally, He is coming back with thousands of
angels to judge the world. 6.
Common ground.
Begin with the Old Testament to apply the word of God, since the foundations
of our salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ start there.
Since Muslims recognize the first five books of the Old Testament and the
Psalms, use selected Scriptures from those books to introduce the concept of
sin and sacrifice. Emphasize
submission: You have submitted to the will of God in Christ Jesus. They have
submitted to the will of Allah. And, Jesus Christ submitted to the will of
the Father and went to the cross to die for you and for me, and for them. Muhammad, in his obsession to
discover and execute the will of God, set in motion a movement that resulted
in a wild proliferation of laws attempting to cover every facet of life. By
borrowing from the Egyptians the idea that God would weigh our good deeds
against our bad deeds in a balance scale on the day of judgment, he betrayed
a lack of understanding of the function of law. The law does not save; it
condemns. 7.
Parables.
Use gospel narratives rather than theological explanations to explain
biblical truth. Jesus taught
primarily with stories/parables that related to everyday life – we should
seek to do the same. The Gospel of Matthew or Luke to introduce
parables that teach about human sin, God's love and
the opportunity for assurance of salvation. Story telling is a
worthwhile method although it requires a commitment to an ongoing
relationship. The Evangecube is a great
launching point for story telling through the Scriptures. 8.
Avoid offense.
Be culturally sensitive! Dress modestly.
Make sure language and lifestyle are in keeping with the highest moral
standards. When witnessing, men should not approach women, and women should
not approach men. |