Qur'anic Roots of the Shari'a,
2
COME TO PRAYER, COME TO SUCCESS!
Commandments in the Qur'an on
the worship of Allah
Abd al-Masih
,
GRACE-AND-TRUTH
All Rights reserved
028 - Version 19.6.2003
English Title: Come to Prayer, Come to
Success!
German Title: Auf zum Gebet, auf zum Erfolg!
GRACE-AND-TRUTH • P.O.Box
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Five
times every day the Muezzins call with the words "Come to prayer, come to
success!" all the Muslims for the common prayer services from their
minarettes. Islam allows different kinds of prayer. In the first place stand
the worship services with a prescribed liturgy not designed for free individual
prayers (al-Salat).
Besides
these official services, the Qur'an mentions individual prayers which are
freely spoken and not bound to a certain time (al-Du'a).
The
four schools of law in Islam concentrate on the indispensable duty to
participate in the daily worship services. In order to emphasize their orders,
they quote 86 verses of the Qur'an who will be discussed in this booklet.
How
Should a Muslim Pray?
The
Qur'an speaks about standing while praying (Suras Al 'Imran 3:191; al-Furqan
25:64), kneeling in awe (Suras al-Baqara 2:43; Al 'Imran 3:43; al-Hajj 22:77;
al-Mursalat 77:48) and bowing the forehead until it touches the floor (Suras Al
'Imran 3:43; al-Hijr 15:98; al-Isra' 17:107; al-Hajj 22:77; al-Furqan 25:64;
al-Inshiqaq 84:21; al-Bayyina 98:5). The prayer of a Muslim is based on deep
respect and fear of Allah (Suras al-Baqara 2:238; Al 'Imran 3:43; al-A'raf
7:55; al-Mu'minun 23:2). Personal gratitude, joy and individual praises are no
themes in the Islamic worship, rather are unconditional glorification of Allah.
The
worship of the Muslims is an incarnation of the Arab word "Islam"
which means "delivery, dedication, submission and surrender to
Allah." Muslims understand themselves as slaves of Allah and his property
(Suras al-Hajj 22:77; al-Bayyina 98:5). They deliver themselves to their master
daily up to 34 times according to their liturgy. Muslims are no longer free.
They belong to their master (Sura al-Tawba 9:111) and live in a collective
bondage.
Muhammad
according to Qur'an has recommended prayers even while sitting or lying,
especially at night, after the hard labor of a day in the heat (Sura Al 'Imran
3:191). Such prayers during the time of relaxation are not included into the
liturgy of worship services by the scholars. Unthinkable are also prayers with
hands in the trouser-pocket or legs crossed in Islamic countries. Such a
posture is regarded as disrespect towards the sovereignty of Allah.
The
Qur'an emphasizes the common prayers in the mosque in which all together recite
the prescribed liturgy (Suras al-Baqara 2:43; Al 'Imran 3:43; al-Hijr 15:98).
The participation in worship services lined up in long rows, is regarded more
valuable than the prayer of individuals.
During
the community prayers one should talk neither too loud nor should he only
whisper (Sura al-Isra' 17:110).
The
Qur'an speaks about official prayers in the morning and evening (Suras Hud
11:114; al-Isra' 17:78; Ta Ha 20:130; al-Nur 24:36; Qaf 50:39; al-Insan 76:25;
al-Fajr 89:1-3), mentions a prayer service at noon (Sura al-Baqara
2:238) and testifies to prayers at night (Suras Hud 11:114; al-Isra' 17:79; Ta
Ha 20:130; al-Furqan 25:64; Qaf 50:40; al-Muzammil 73:1-8). The prayer times in
Qur'an have not been exactly fixed. The jurists interpreted these Qur'anic expressions
in a way that the first prayer service should start at dawn, before sunrise, as
soon as someone can discern a black from a white thread. The second prayer
service takes place when the sun stands in the zenith. This regulation causes
in summertime, with the time difference of one hour, international problems. A
third service is fixed three hours after midday. The fourth worship service
takes place at sunset and the fifth when it is already dark. In all five prayer
services the same liturgy is repeated, all together 17 times each day!!
Pondering over the Islamic prayer times you can find that the day of a Muslim should be encompassed by prayer in order to keep all his thoughts and deeds concentrated in Allah. Actually he should pray everywhere and always to meditate on the wisdom of Allah in the creation and the escape from the fire of hell (Sura Al 'Imran 3:191). One of the driving forces for the worship of Allah remains fear of the Day of Judgement.
The
Qur'an assures the Muslims that they are unworthy to worship Allah, as they
are. They feel their impurity and inadequacies and must undergo a certain order
of washings before every prayer. The statements of Qur'an on this purification
are incomplete (Suras al-Baqara 2:222-223, 276-277; Al 'Imran 3:42; al-Nisa'
4:43; al-Ma'ida 5:5-6; al-Anfal 8:11; al-Tawba 9:108; al-Furqan 25:48;
al-Waqi'ah 56:79; al-Muddaththir 74:4). Only few verses give detailed
descriptions on this command. The most precise information can be read in Sura
al-Ma'ida 5:6: O you who believe! When you stand for prayer wash your faces
and your hands up to the elbows, and pass your (wet) hands over your heads and
wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are unclean purify yourselves (by
bathing). And if you are ill or on a journey or if one of you has relieved
himself or if you have touched women and you can't find water, than look for
pure dust and wipe with it your faces and your hands. Allah desires not to put
difficulty on you, but he wants to purify you, that his grace will be complete
upon you. Perhaps you will be thankful (Sura al-Ma'ida 5:6). In Sura
al-Baqara 2:222-223 you find another verse describing purification before
worshiping Allah: They will ask you about the menstruation. Say: It is a misery!
Abstain from the women during their period of menstruation and do not go to
them until they are clean. But when they have cleansed themselves, go to them
as Allah has commanded you. Truly, Allah loves those who turn back (repent) and
loves those who have cleansed themselves. Your women are your ploughed field
for you. Approach your field whenever you want and offer for yourself
(something) and fear Allah and know that you shall meet him and give good news
to the believers (Sura al-Baqara 2:222-223).
The
Qur'an further on promises that by paying the religious tax and by additional
donations a praying person can be purified (Suras al-Baqara 2:267,271,274,276;
al-Tawba 9:103; al-A'la 87:14 among others). The rain also washes down dust and
impurity from the Muslims (Suras al-Anfal 8:11; al-Furqan 25:48). All praying
ones should clean their clothing before their worship (al-Muddaththir 74:4).
Even Maria, the mother of "'Isa" (Jesus), the chosen one among all
women, had to purify herself before worshipping Allah. Allah loves those that
purify themselves (al-Tawba 9:108).
Reading
those instructions for ritual washing in Islam, you can comprehend that the
sedentary Bedouins of Muhammad's time at first had to learn the basic rules of
hygiene. The Qur'an does not demand a cleansing of conscience or the renewal of
the spirit. Muhammad did not know the prayer of David:
Create in me a clean heart, o
God,
and put a new upright spirit
within me.
Cast me not away from thy
presence,
and take not thy Holy Spirit
from me.
(Psalm 51:10-11).
The cleansing and purification
according to the Qur'an remains outwardly and superficial, because Islam does
not know the influence of the Holy Spirit and denies the purification of our
hearts by the blood of Jesus Christ with indignation.
Originally,
all Muslims prayed towards Jerusalem. Muhammad intended to win the Jews, living
on the Arab Peninsula, for his Islam. He imitated their direction of prayer in
order to let Islam appear similar to the Jewish religion. But when the Jews in
Medina could not accept Muhammad as a prophet of their Lord and mocked at him
publicly he hated them and commanded his Muslims to change the direction of
prayer from Jerusalem to the old Kaaba in his hometown (Suras al-Baqara
2:115,142; al-Isra' 17:1). Mecca was an old cultural center for several gods,
idols and spirits. Ishmael is supposed to have built the Kaaba as a home for
his father Abraham, who is said to have commuted between his two wives, Sara in
Hebron and Hagar in Mecca, to live with them in turns. Muslims who think in
these ways, oversee that Jerusalem and Hebron are 2000 kilometers far away from
Mecca. A frequent travelling to and fro in the deadly deserts of the Arab
Peninsula is unthinkable. Despite that fact, the Kaaba is highly venerated as
the house of Abraham, the first Muslim (Sura al-Baqara 2:148-150).
Muhammad
revealed the new direction for prayer as a law and duty of Allah (Sura
al-Baqara 2:149). Since then, all Muslims during their worship services and
also in their individual prayers, at all places on earth, have to prostrate
towards the Kaaba in Mecca, otherwise their prayer and worship would be invalid
and worthless (Sura al-Baqara 2:148-150).
By
turning away from Jerusalem and directing his Muslims to Mecca, Muhammad
indirectly confessed that not Yahweh, the Lord of the Old Testament, but Allah
of Mecca is the only God of the Muslims (Sura al-Tawba 9:28-29). Muhammad
created with this turn of 180 degrees a new, independent religion and his own religious
community (Sura al-Baqara 2:143). In Jerusalem, he believed according to some
traditions that spiritual ladders are reaching heaven, but in Medina he assured
his followers that they all would inevitably end up in hell (Sura Maryam
19:71-72). He probably felt that his Shari'a resembles the broad way that leads
into destruction because no Muslim can be justified by his law. No Muslim does
pray all 17 prayer units every day during the five prayer times, so the
accusing law of Islam will judge every Muslim (Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16;
3:10; James 2:10; Romans 4:15).
The
Qur'an fixes Friday as the day of their gathering. During the worship service
every business and work shall rest. But after this service in the mosque or in
the streets any kind of work is allowed again (Sura al-Jumu'a 62:9-10). Muslims
should dress up well for their gathering (Sura al-A'raf 7:31). A father should
enforce on the members of his family to participate in the worship service,
even if they are not interested (Sura Ta Ha 20:132).
Muhammad
has chosen Friday for his Muslims as an opposition to the Sabbath of the Jews
and against the Sunday of the Christians. He did not want to be confused
neither with the one nor with the other. Friday in Islam has lost the biblical
base as a day of rest in which no sort of labor should be accomplished. Like
God rested after he had created the whole world and saw that everything was
excellent, so should all members of the Old Covenant rest to recognize the
majesty, power and wisdom of the Lord in his creation and worship him
participating in his rest. This understanding is totally missing in Islam.
The New
Testament source of the Sunday, the resurrection of Christ and the revelation
of his new creation are missing in Islam too. The Qur'an denies the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and claims 'Isa only fell asleep and
ascended then with body and soul to Allah. In Islam there is no new creation
and no spiritual renewal of the believers; they hope only for their recreation,
exactly in the way, they had lived before. They expect an increased sexual
potential for men in paradise.
Neither
the rest and peace of Saturday, nor the resurrection of Christ with a new
creation on Sunday gives the Friday of the Muslims a spiritual meaning, and so
their day of gathering remains a continuing opposition to God, the Father, the
Son and the Holy Spirit.
The
texts of the liturgically organized prayers in Islam are essentially different
from the prayers of the Bible. The services of the Muslims are in no way
similar to the prayers of the Christians that are built on request,
intercession, thanksgiving and adoration. The Muslim worship consists of shouts
of praise to glorify the Almighty who thrones high above his slaves like a
sovereign sultan.
The
Qur'an frequently demands the praise of Allah (Suras Al 'Imran 3:191; al-Hijr
15:98; Ta Ha 20:130; al-Nur 24:36; al-Furqan 25:58; Ghafir 40:55; Qaf 50:39-40;
al-Waqi'ah 56:74; al-A'la 87:1; al-Nasr 110:3 among others). In this sense, the
jurists have formulated two phrases of worship:
Praised
be my Lord, the Highest! (subhaana rabbi al-a'laa)
Praised
be my Lord, the Great! (subhaana rabbi al-'aziim)
The first one of these appraisals
is daily pronounced in the 17 prayer units up to 102 times (!) while the second
appraisal is witnessed 51 (!) times. These two acclamations of praise are the
main content and leading subject of the Islamic worship services.
It is peculiar that not "Allah" is magnified but the "Lord" in the form: "My Lord!" Perhaps Muhammad had heard from the Jews that the Semitic expression for God "Elohim" was a general expression for all gods in the Near East which appears 2600 times in the Old Testament whereas the real name of God "Yahweh" appears 6828 times in the books of the Old Covenant. Yahweh is translated with "Lord" (al-rabb) into Arabic. This name however never appears in the Qur'an with an article as "the Lord," but only with a suffix or in a genitive form.
In the
prayer services of the Muslims the Almighty is adored as "my Lord."
This name corresponds to the uttering of a slave who submits to his master,
honors him and praises him. Muslims cannot understand themselves as children of
God since Allah in Islam is never described as their father. They were created
as worshipping slaves to glorify the creator, ruler and judge of the world.
The
praise of the Exalted also corresponds to a further exclamation: "Allahu
akbar" which appears 68 times in the daily prayer services. It will be
also called 30 times from the minarets over the roofs of towns and villages,
mainly with loudspeakers. This expression can neither be translated by
"Allah is great" nor does it mean, "he is the biggest";
moreover it means "Allah is greater" representing a comparative that
dwarfs everything else.
Allah
in Islam is considered to be more beautiful than the most magnificent view,
stronger than all hydrogen bombs, richer than all gold and silver owners and
wiser than all philosophers. He is beyond all human conceiving and
understanding. Allah in Islam supersedes all and everything, even Jesus and the
Holy Spirit who are called His obedient slaves. By confessing this exclamation
about 100 times daily, the appraisal and glorification of Allah in the Islamic
services is perfected.
A
personal gratitude towards the Highest is not mentioned in the daily worship
services although the Qur'an frequently testifies to the necessity of
thankfulness towards the creator (Suras al-Nahl 16:78; al-Mu'minun 23:78;
al-Qasas 28:71; al-Waqi'ah 56:70; al-Mulk 67:23 among others), towards the
provider (Suras al-Nahl 16:14; al-Hajj 22:36; al-Rum 30:46; Fatir 35:12;
al-Jathiya 45:12 among others), the law-giver (Suras al-Baqara 2:185; al-Ma'ida
5:6,89 among others) and the helper for victory. Probably, the Qur'an jurists
concluded that the glorification of Allah includes every necessary thanks for
his creating works.
In
praising Allah during the prayer worship the forgiving of sins, the justification
by grace, the purification of conscience, the renewal of mind and the gift of
eternal life are totally missing. Everything that Jesus did and that the Holy
Spirit is granting us, is not found in the worship services of the Muslims.
Jesus as the incarnation of God's love and truth is not praised nor the Holy
Spirit as the power of God. Here we find an empty gap in Islam. The Muslims are
ignorant that God is our father and that our position towards the creator, the
ruler of the world and the judge has basically changed. We do not worship the
Almighty out of fear but because he loves us. His holy love has evoked a
faithful love as an echo in us, impetuous praise and eternal gratitude.
Muslims do not know the real
God. Indeed, they call him Allah, their Lord, the Exalted one (Sura al-A'la
87:1), the Powerful one (Sura al-Waqi'ah 56:74), the Merciful (Suras Al 'Imran
3:129; al-Isra' 17:110 among others) and the Only one. He can be called by each
of his 99 beautiful names in the personal prayers (Suras Al 'Imran 3,135;
al-Isra' 17:110 among others), but despite of this the Muslims do not know who
Allah really is. His names are only shadows of his being. He remains
unsearchable, distant and unreachable. Allah in Islam is a far, unknown and
strange God. In Islam there is no Father, no Son and no Holy Spirit. The unity
of the Holy Trinity is rejected by Muslims, so we must confess: Allah in Islam
is not the true God! He is no God. He calls himself Allah, but he constantly
rejects the real God. His revelations are not truth and his worship is an
error.
The
Qur'an prohibits the worship of all creature (Sura Fussilat 41:37) and
therefore rejects faith in Jesus and the Holy Spirit as creatures. By these
statements, Allah reveals himself as an anti-Christian spirit who fights always
against the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:22-25; 4:1-5). This unclean spirit in Islam
wants to be worshipped and praised alone (Sura al-Jinn 72:18-19; Matthew
4:9-10).
Strange
enough, in the daily worship services, as well as in the Fatiha, the main
prayer of the Muslims, there is no request for forgiveness of sin. This lack
can open our eyes! Confession of sin is unknown and unloved in Islam. Despite
of this, the Qur'an recommends the Muslims to ask for forgiveness of their
mistakes (Sura Al 'Imran 3:133-136,191-195 among others), Allah even ordered
Muhammad to ask for forgiveness of his own sins (Suras Ghafir 40:55; Muhammad
47:19; al-Fath 48:2; al-Nasr 110:3). In these Qur'anic requests for forgiveness
the acknowledgement of the total sinfulness and lostness of each human being is
missing. Muslims do understand sin only as mistakes and offences. They do not
pray in a broken spirit of deep repentance like David in Psalm 51:1-17.
To
Muslims the spiritual consequence out of our justification, to forgive all our
opponents their iniquities against us, sounds strange and wrong (Matthew
6:12,14-15; 18:21-35). Even more, the Qur'an commands blood revenge or the
acceptance of blood money (Suras al-Baqara 2:178,194; al-Nisa' 4:92; al-Nahl
16:126; al-Isra' 17:33,35; al-Shura 42:40 among others). The understanding of
right and law in Islam is stronger than the knowledge of mercy and love.
The Qur'an demands that prayer and worship of Allah should be based on faith (Sura al-Baqara 2:3-5,177 among others). The Islamic creed consists of six articles: Allah, his angels, his books, his messengers and prophets, his predestination and the Day of resurrection with the pleasures of the paradise gardens and tortures of hell (Suras al-Baqara 2:177,285; al-Nisa' 4:136; al-Tawba 9:26 among others). The value of prayer in Islam is connected to the faith in these six basic articles. Who does not build his faith on this basis is a cursed infidel (Sura al-Nisa' 4:136). Who believes in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the deity of the Holy Spirit is damned. Allah himself as well as his spirits fight against him (Suras al-Baqara 2:97-98; al-Tawba 9:29 among others). His prayers will not be accepted by Allah and his worship will be refused as hypocrisy.
The
Islamic faith requires the acknowledgement of the infallibility of the Qur'an
(Sura al-Baqara 2:2-5) with the agreement that it corrects and complements all
previous heavenly books. The faith and prayers of a Muslim will also remain
worthless unless he believes in Muhammad and unconditionally obeys him or his
successive Caliphs (Suras al-Anfal 8:1,46; al-Tawba 9:71; al-Nur 24:56;
Muhammad 47:33; al-Fath 48:17; al-Hujurat 49:15; al-Saff 61:10-12 among
others). Without a Qur'anic faith-obedience the reason and the goal of the
worship of Allah would be lost. Prayers for protection from dangers and
sickness will be considered effective only on this basis (Suras al-Nahl 16:91;
al-Nas 114:1). Every single animal slaughter has to be carried out in the name
of Allah because any non-ritually slaughtered meat is supposed as violation of
the law (Suras al-Baqara 2:173; al-Ma'ida 5:3-5; al-An'am 6:118-119,145).
The
commandments of Allah to participate in prayer are connected with the frequent
call for contributions and the payment of the religious tax more than twenty
times (Suras al-Baqara 2:3,43,83,177; al-Ma'ida 5:6,12; al-Tawba 9:5,11,18,103;
al-Ra'd 13:22; al-Hajj 22:77-78; al-Mu'minun 23:8-9; al-Nur 24:56; al-Sajda
32:16; Fatir 35:29; al-Shura 42:38; al-Ma'arij 70:22-25; al-Bayyina 98:5 among
others). Muhammad explained: Truly, those who recite the book of Allah and
observe the prayer (services) and spend from what we have provided them
secretly or openly, hope for a business that will never be in vain, because he
will give them faithfully their salaries and increase them out of his bounty.
He is the forgiving one and the most thankful (Sura Fatir 35:29-30).
Muhammad
was an experienced businessman. He did not hesitate to call his religion a
"business" with Allah. Worship with contributions seemed to him to be
more valuable than prayers. He evaluated any Islamic worship services without
payments of donations or taxes as weak. He inoculated his Muslims that "praying
and paying" has to be inseparably knitted together (Suras al-Mu'minun
23:1-6; al-Nur 24:56; al-Sajda 32:15-16; al-Shura 42:36-38)!
In his
calls for the worship of Allah and for donations at times he also demanded
faith, obedience and patience. He repeatedly encouraged his followers to set
their hope on the mercy of Allah and to believe in their entrance to the
paradise in case they would overcome their love for money, pray regularly and
oblige themselves to donate substantial contributions (Sura al-Ma'arij
70:19-25). He was instructed by Allah: Take alms from their wealth, so you
cleanse and purify them (by their donations) and pray for them. Your prayers
may calm them down (Sura al-Tawba 9:103 among others). Allah further
on taught him: Kill the idol worshippers wherever you find them.... But if
they repent, observe prayer and pay the religious tax, then let them go free!
(Sura al-Tawba 9:5).
According
to the Qur'an, enemies after praying and paying become friends! Their character
has not necessarily to be changed. They can continue to live as they lived
before, but they have to fulfill the demands of the Islamic Shari'a, then they
will be considered as brothers of the same religion (Sura al-Tawba 9:11).
Muhammad
tried to win the Jews for his Islam to get hold of their remarkable wealth. He
told them in the name of Allah: I am with you if you observe prayer and pay
the religious tax (zakat) and believe in my messengers and
support them and lend Allah a good loan! Then I will take away (atone) your evil
from you and guide you in the gardens of paradise (Sura al-Ma'ida 5:12).
Further
on he asked the people of the book: They were not commanded, but to serve
Allah, being faithful to him, according to their god-searching religion (hunafa')
observe prayer and pay the religious tax. This is the acceptable religion (Sura
al-Bayyina 98:5).
All
believers and Jews together were asked: O you who believe! Kneel down and
prostrate and worship your Lord and do good deeds, perhaps you will prosper!
Fight in Allah the real fight. ... and observe prayer and pay the religious tax
(zakat) and hold fast to Allah (Sura al-Hajj 22:77-78).
Reading these verses you will find that in Islam praying and paying is the saving solution for Muslims, sinners, enemies and Jews. Their worship and donations in Islam proofs the reality of their submission under Allah and Muhammad.
Muslims
can read several times in their Qur'an about the command of Allah for world
mission (Suras al-Baqara 2:139; al-Anfal 8:39; al-Fath 48:28; al-Saff 61:9).
This outreach should be done not only in words and deeds but also with the
weapon in their hands. Prayer and sword belong together in Islam. Muhammads
followers had to undergo a brain washing. In Mecca they were a persecuted,
meditating minority contemplating in prayer, suffering and tolerating mocking
enemies (Sura al-Baqara 2:216). In Medina everything changed. Muhammad formed a
fighting army out of them, which, after his death (632 A.D.), conquered a
territory larger than Europe. How did this change from patient prayer partners
into motivated warriors happen?
We can
read in the Qur'an: Spend for the sake of Allah and do not scatter your
wealth for (your own) destruction and do good (with your money). Surely, Allah
loves those who do good (and spend a lot) (Sura al-Baqara 2:195). When
you journey in the land, it shall be no sin for you to shorten the prayers, if
you fear that those who disbelieve may give trouble to you.... When you are
among them and lead the prayer, let a party of them stand with you and let them
take their arms. When they have finished their prostrations let them go to your
rear and let another party who has not yet prayed come forward and pray with
you (Sura al-Nisa' 4:101-102).
In the
Holy War praying is exceptionally allowed while sitting or lying, too (Sura
al-Nisa' 4:103). O you who believe! If you meet a group (of the enemy) stand
firm and remember Allah often, perhaps you will prosper (Sura
al-Anfal 8:45). Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. And those who are with
him are hard against the unbelievers, but merciful among themselves. You see
them kneeling and prostrating in prayer seeking a grace of Allah and his
pleasure. They carry a mark on their foreheads as result of their prostrations
... (Sura al-Fath 48:29).
Reading
these verse extracts and comparing them with the other statements about prayer
in the Qur'an you can recognize that official prayer, frequent donations and
fighting in the Holy War describe the main forces for the spread of Islam and
the basis of the self-righteousness of the Muslims (Suras al-Baqara 2:177,195;
Al 'Imran 3:92; al-Nisa' 4:95; al-Hajj 22:77-78; Fatir 35:29; al-Bayyina 98:5
among others).
Ten
times a day the Muezzins call from their minarets, "Come to prayer! Come
to success!" They promise success at school, in marriage and job to
those who pray regularly. If many Muslims pray and pay their tax the Muslim
country will have welfare. Above all, praying, giving donations and fighting
brings victory for Islam and entrance into the eternal gardens (Suras al-Baqara
2:2-4; Al 'Imran 3:101; al-A'raf 7:8,156-157; Ibrahim 14:37; al-Mu'minun
23:1-11,102; Fatir 35:29 among others). In the liturgy units of the worship
services the worshippers utter 17 times: "Allah listens to the one who
praises him!" They hope their worship would be the key for their
success in this life and in the world to come.
The
Qur'an several times talks about triumph and great success even in future times
when pious Muslims will enter the paradise gardens with rivers, fruits and Houris
(virgins of paradise). This would be the reward for their prayers and
donations, for their faith and their good deeds, for their fighting in battles
and their dying in the Holy War (Suras al-Tawba 9:71-72; al-Dukhan 44:57;
al-Jathiya 45:30; al-Saff 61:12; al-Taghabun 64:9; al-Buruj 85:11 among
others). The Qur'an even remarks that the intercession of the living Christ
will create success for the truthful among the followers (Sura al-Ma'ida
5:118-119). No Muslim, according to the Qur'an, however, will enter heaven but
at the best, paradise with its various earthly joys and pleasures (Sura al-Jinn
72:8).
Unfortunately,
Muhammad often limited his promises drastically by adding the word
"perhaps" to it. After his demand to listen to the Qur'an, to pray,
to pay and to obey he adds: "Perhaps you will then find mercy" (Suras
al-A'raf 7:204; al-Nur 24:56 among others).
Whoever
concentrates on Allah much, prays regularly during the week, and even at night
and donates frequently, will "perhaps" have success (Suras al-Isra'
17:79; al-Hajj 22:77; al-Jumu'a 62:10 among others).
In
Islam there is no certainty of the forgiveness of sins and no confident
knowledge of salvation or a sure hope in an eternal life as the followers of
Christ received it. Allah challenges his Muslims only to a vague empty hope.
Despite
of this uncertainty, the Muslims ask Allah for guidance (Suras al-Fatiha 1:5-6;
al-Baqara 2:2-5; Al 'Imran 3:101 among others), search for inner peace in
worshipping the Exalted one (Sura al-Ma'arij 70:22), and hope that their
prayers and donations would wipe out their evil deeds (Sura Hud 11:114)! During
persecution they think to feel the closeness of Allah in prayer (Sura al-'Alaq
96:9-19) and wait for their rewards (Sura Ghafir 40:60). They try to overcome
their fear of Allah and his judgement by prostrating themselves (Sura al-Hajj
22:35) and try to master their miseries and their worries by calling out
individual prayers (Sura al-Sajda 32:16).
The
Qur'an promises them that their prayers would cleanse their conscience and be
added on their account in heaven if their prayers are accompanied by donations
(Suras al-Ma'ida 5:6; al-Tawba 9:103; al-'Ankabut 29:45; Fatir 35:18; among
others).
They
even flee to Allah for forgiveness of their debts and trespasses of the Islamic
law without ever gaining an inner confidence of being justified (Suras al-Tawba
9:102; al-Qasas 28:67; al-Tahrim 66:8).
Islam
is not a religion based on the all encompassing grace of a savior but tries to
establish salvation by fulfilling the law. By prayers, donations and fighting
the Muslims hope to gain the entrance into the eternal gardens (Suras Al 'Imran
3:136; al-Ma'ida 5:12; al-Tawba 9:20-22,88-89,111; al-Ra'd 13:22; al-Isra'
17:79; Maryam 19:34 al-Saff 61:10-12 among others).
Muhammad
encouraged his disciples to think about what they pray because their daily 17
times repeated liturgy often ends up in thoughtless babbling. Free prayers with
thoughtfulness and decisions of the own will do not appear in the official
prayer services (Sura al-Baqara 2:177).
Who
studies the liturgy of the worship services of Allah will find no intercession
for Muslims, Jews, Christians or other people. Even relatives, friends or
kinship are not mentioned in intercession except in the general blessing at the
end of the worship liturgy.
The
missing of intercession is connected with the Islamic conviction that sinners
have no right to intercede for others or carry their burdens vicariously (Suras
al-An'am 6:164; al-Isra' 17:15; Fatir 35:18; al-Zumar 39:7; al-Najm 53:38).
After no Muslim can be sure of the forgiveness of his sins at the Day of
Judgement, any regular intercession, according to Qur'an, is impossible. Each
one has to establish his own salvation and carry his own penalty.
The
unique right of Christians for intercession is not based on their own
righteousness and love but on the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the
forgiveness of all their sins through his expiatory death. Jesus Christ for his
holiness, purity and sinlessness is, even according to the Qur'an, entitled to
intercede, to die vicariously and to act as a high priest. But Muhammad, since
he had to ask for the forgiving of his own sins, is not entitled to intercede for
his followers or reconcile them with Allah (Suras Ghafir 40:55; Muhammad 47:19;
al-Fath 48:2; al-Nasr 110:3). In Islam there exists no Holy Spirit as in the
New Testament. Therefore, the love of God could not be poured into the hearts
of the Muslims (Romans 5:5b). No spirit of intercession is driving them to
intercede.
The
opposite of intercessory prayers in Islam, however, are the cursing prayers of
Muhammad in the Qur'an. In a formula of curse he asked Allah to fight all
Christians and kill them as long as they confess Christ as the Son of God (Sura
al-Tawba 9:30)! Muhammad "tested" the Bishop of Wadi Nadjran together
with a delegation of 60 Christians and urged them to bring their sons and their
wives and face a godly trial. Then, Muhammad with his Muslims and their sons
and wives would line up opposite to them and pray that Allah may extinguish
those who are liars and destroy them like the children of Korah (Sura Al 'Imran
3:61). Muslims do use prayers of curse in the Holy War as some of their individual
sheiks use black magic against the enemies of Islam and against missionaries,
too.
Into
the category of negative prayers also belongs the commandment of Allah not
to pray at the graves of non-believers (Sura al-Tawba 9:84). Muhammad even
cursed the corpses of his dead enemies which he ordered to be thrown into a
dirty well after the battle of Badr. Muslims do not love their enemies (Suras
Al 'Imran 3:28; al-Nisa' 4:89; al-Anfal 8:72-73; al-Mumtahina 60:1 among
others). Their worship services are sometimes connected to hatred. Prayer in
Islam does not mean to forgive and to love all, but to magnify Allah hoping
that he would bless the worshippers and grant them success.
Muhammad
has accepted some stories from the Bible into the Qur'an, however he changed
them Islamically.
Allah
in Qur'an would have commanded Moses, after he had appeared in the burning bush
to practice the ritual prayers (of the Muslims) and to pay religious tax (Sura
Ta Ha 20:12-14)! In the beginning, the Almighty had revealed himself as
"Lord" to Moses but then confessed that in reality he is Allah and
that there is no other God besides him. The mystery of the name of Yahweh
remains hidden in Islam but the concept of Allah is put in the center. Also the
law of Moses is mixed up with the commandments of the Shari'a (Sura Ta Ha
20:3-16).
All
Israelites are challenged to keep their covenant with Allah, because he keeps
his covenant with them. They should fear (not love) Allah, believe in the
Qur'an who confirms the Torah, and should pursue the Islamic obligatory prayer,
pay their religious tax and prostrate together with those kneeling in worship
of Allah (Sura al-Baqara 2:40-43).
The
priest Zechariah is mentioned in the Qur'an several times that he called for a
good son and that the angels later on, during a worship service, revealed the
answer of Allah to his request. In this event Muhammad connected the individual
prayer (al-du'aa'), with the official prayer (al-salaat) to show,
that only in worshipping Allah one can expect an answer to his prayers (Sura Al
'Imran 3:38-39).
Mary,
the mother of Jesus, is portrayed as an intensively praying woman in the
Qur'an, never ceasing from the prayer corner of the temple day and night. Since
she was praying always "in the right direction" the messenger of
Allah is supposed to have provided her regularly with food. She testified,
"Allah provides the daily needs to whom he wants, free of charge."
This testimony in the context means that regular prayers guarantee the daily
bread (Sura Al 'Imran 3:37).
Later
"the angels" revealed to Mary that Allah had chosen, cleansed and
appointed her for being the best of all women in this world and the next. She
should be submissive to Allah, bow before him and kneel together with those who
worship him. Muhammad venerated the Virgin Mary in order to integrate the
Orthodox Church into Islam. At the same time he introduced Mary as an example
for all Muslim women presenting her as a faithful praying lady within the frame
of the worship liturgy (Sura Al 'Imran 3:42-43).
"'Isa"
is also reported of having responded to the urging request of his disciples and
prayed to Allah for a full table from heaven for them. Allah immediately
listened to the intercession of the son of Mary, which means that the Qur'an
testifies to the privilege of Christ that he has the right to intercede for his
followers with Allah (Sura al-Ma'ida 5:112-115). Christ, however, did not pray,
according to the Qur'an, to Allah but to Elohim, in the Arabic form: Allahumma,
because this name seemed to Muhammad to be the best key for a sure response of
Allah.
Christ
in the Qur'an, after his death, ascended to heaven. He is supposed of having
interceded for his guilty followers in a dialogue with the Almighty. He asked
him indirectly for forgiveness of their sins. Christ, according to Islam, lives
with Allah! But Muhammad is dead! The high priestly function of Christ appears
like a distorted shade in the Qur'an (Sura al-Ma'ida 5:116-119).
Basic Differences Between the Prayers of a Muslim and
those of a Christian!
A Muslim can not approach Allah like a child his father.
The prayer of the Muslims is based on deep respect and fear of Allah. Prayer in
Islam is not similar to a free conversation with the Father in heaven who is
ready to listen day and night to his children. The five prayer times according
to the Shari'a are a legal obligation with the prescribed word by word. The one
who will fulfill this duty shall be honored in this and the next world. Who
does not fulfill it will be separated from the blessing of the Almighty and
eternally punished. The worship of Allah is the backbone of Islam and makes the
submission of a Muslim under his Lord visible!
Muslims do not know the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
they even refuse his fatherhood! They pray in the wrong direction! They do not
know their savior who has redeemed them! They neither confess their sins in the
official prayer services nor in the Fatiha. They try to justify themselves through
their prayers, donations and fighting. The Holy Spirit is strange to them. His
deity is denied. Therefore the Spirit of the Father and the Son does not pray
in them. In Islam there is no spiritual life. No divine love helps them to
forgive their enemies as God forgave them.
Prayer in Islam means a stereotypical glorification of
Allah without thanks for precise help, without cordial intercession and without
impetuous praise songs. In the mosque there is hardly any singing, only before
demonstrations or wars to encourage each other. Muslims do not know a reason
for praise. A deep awe of the almighty Allah dominates their worship.
A Gospel-based service, however, contains deep
comprehensive joy and grants a certain hope for eternal life. The mercy of Jesus
Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit creates a different atmosphere than what you find in
Islam. The comfort of a comforting God allows true repentance and frees us from
all guilt by the atoning death of Jesus Christ. Even in the brokenness of our
proud self we can be confident like David says in Psalm 51:12: Comfort me again with your
help and equip me with a joyful spirit (Psalm 51:12).
Allah in Islam is not the true God! Muslims refuse the
grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, a depressing atmosphere of collective bondage lies upon the worship
services of the Muslims. The worshippers receive neither redemption nor a
remaining peace.
Q U I Z
Dear reader!
If you have studied this booklet carefully, you can easily answer the
following questions. Whoever answers 90 percent of all questions in the
different booklets of this series correctly, can obtain a certificate from our
center on
Advanced Studies
in understanding the Qur'anic roots of the Shari'a of Islam
As an
encouragement for his/her future services for Christ. It will be appreciated if
you include the Qur'anic references in your answers.
1. How often does a Muslim pray each day?
2. What is the difference between official prayer and individual
supplications to Allah?
3. Does a Muslim sit, stand, kneel or bend forward during his
prayers?
4. What does the word Islam mean?
5. How often should a Muslim prostrate to Allah in his five daily
prayer times?
6. What is the value of Muslims praying together in communal
prayer?
7. What times during a day should a Muslim pray according to the
Qur'an and according to the Shari'a?
8. How often should he pray the same liturgy daily?
9. What does it mean that a Muslim should perform ablution before
his prayers?
10. What do you learn from
Sura al-Ma'ida 5:6 about cleansing for prayers in Islam?
11. What does a Muslim think
will clean his conscience besides performing ritual prayer?
12. Why are all prayers
without value if the Muslim does not pray in the correct direction?
13. Who do Muslims claim to
have built the Kaaba?
14. Why did all Muslims first
pray in the direction of Jerusalem?
15. What does it mean that
Muhammad changed the direction of prayer from Jerusalem to Mecca?
16. Which day in the week is
the favored day of prayer for a Muslim?
17. Why is there no biblical
value for the Muslim day of prayer compared with the Sabbath of Jews and the
Sunday of Christians?
18. How often should a Muslim
pray daily the acclamation, "Praised be my Lord, the Highest"? And
how often should they say, "Praised be my Lord, the Great One"?
19. What does the continuous
repetition of these two acclamations mean?
20. How often should Muslims
daily pronounce the call, "Allah is greater"?
21. Why do Muslims not know
the real God in spite of the 99 most beautiful names of Allah and his
additional names?
22. What is totally missing in
the official prayer of Muslims?
23. Why does the Qur'an demand
that a Muslim and his adoration of Allah must be based on the Muslim creed?
24. What are the six articles
of the complete Muslim creed?
25. Why is every praying
person in the world that does not believe in the Muslim creed a non-believer?
26. Why is everyone who
believes in Christ as the son of Allah cursed?
27. Why should a praying
Muslim believe not only in Allah but also in Muhammad and be obedient to him?
28. Why should every animal be
slaughtered in the name of Allah?
29. Which verse in the Qur'an
shows you that prayer and religious payments imply a business with Allah?
30. Where in the Qur'an do you
read that donations will clean praying Muslims?
31. How could Allah say,
"I am with you if you pray and pay and if you believe in Muhammad and give
me a good loan"?
32. How is prayer and Holy War
connected to each other?
33. What benefit does a Muslim
expect in his daily life from his prayers?
34. What does he expect from
his adoration for his after-life?
35. Why did Muhammad after
many of his promises say, "Maybe," and what does this mean?
36. Why do Muslims ask Allah
for guidance, peace and his favor on them?
37. Why do they not have any
assurance of their justification before Allah?
38. What does it mean that the
Muslim prayer does not know intercession for others?
39. What is the reason that
Christians can forgive the sins of those who transgress against them, while
Muslims must take revenge?
40. Where in the Qur'an is it
written that Muhammad invented and used cursing prayers?
41. Why is it not allowed for
Muslims to have love for their enemies?
42. Which praying persons from
the Bible are mentioned in the Qur'an?
43. What are the basic
differences between the prayers of the Muslims and the prayers of the
Christians?
Every participant in this quiz is allowed to use any book at his
disposition and to ask any trustworthy person known to him when answering these
questions. We wait for your written answers including your full address on the
papers or in your e-mail. We pray for you to Jesus, the living Lord, that He
will call, send, guide, strengthen, protect and be with you every day of your
life!
Yours in His service,
Servants of the Lord
Send your replies to:
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WV 26062
USA
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