The Important Of Fasting To Muslim

@olabowale,


Listen to yourself!   Could you please refrain from re-telling the story and simply post the verse from the Qur'an?


Lol. . . rest your heart. For all your presuppositions, Muhammad never performed ANY miracles! We've dealt with that aspect previously, and trust me - no Muslim has been able to cover up for the duplicity among the ummah for the idea that Muhammad ever performed any miracles!

Cherio!

@olabowale,


Rubbish. Don't hide behind that caterwaul excuse. Every single line of your confusion has been addressed - please just look at the one immediately preceding yours where you tried to cheat yourself and claim that the Jews were asking Muhammad about the "soul". Where did you get that lie from? If Muhammad was not able to answer the simple question the Jews asked him, what do you think he would have been able to tell you?

You sit here to claim the corruption of the WHOLE Bible - and yet you were one of the many footsoldiers for Muhammad who was trying to dribble him into the Gospel of John! What was Muhammad doing in a Bible that the Muslim ummah has hypocritically rejected after claiming that it was the word of "Allah"? Why this hideous double standard that shows you're neither here nor there? You hide your face behind the excuse that 'Allah' and Muhammad said this, that and the other in the Qur'an - and yet you guys have a migraine trying to piece Muhammad's inconsistencies together!

What about the FACT of the cancelled verses of the Qur'an that I highlighted?

I've said it before - duplicity is not a virtue; and that is why I don't spare deliberate dishonesty, not from others, and definitely not from you!
 

Lol. . . don't lose sleep over that. The "soul" you claimed instead of the Spirit where the Jews questioned Muhammad has been laid to rest. Deal with it and convince me otherwise that the Qur'an was wrong to have used the word "Spirit". The Jews exposed Muhammad for his fallacious claim - and that is why he so hated them till his death!

@olabowale,


Silly snivel.   How does that cover up for Muhammad's fallacies that the Jews exposed as I've well demonstrated? Please stay focused and stop belly-dancing and ducking the real issue.

People have converted from Judaism to Islam, left Islam and converted back to Judaism, and others have come out of Islam and found salvation in Jesus Christ! Muhammad may have led gullible Jews into believing in him during his time - but the few who were not fooled were the ones who exposed him and bleached his inconsistencies for all to see.

Please let me know when you're ready to wake up from your drivel and face the facts that have been clearly enunciated. Muhammad did not know the Spirit - the Jews saw the huge fallacies and incosistency, they knew Muhammad never heard from God. . and they exposed the Quraish prophet!

M-e-n!! Muhammad hated them so badly and took that hatred with him to his grave!

Abeg help me wake the alhaji up from his mirage!

Lol. . . obviously, our esteemed Muslim apologists do not know the meaning of the word "versions".



I salute as well. May God bless and enrich you even more all through your week.

I wonder what we are supposed to learn hither
Olabowole you've danced round several topics from a Christian hymn,to Bible versions,to crusades to your lying pens and lying lips all in a short period.
Na you biko

one wonders what the quran ever "makes clear". How was man created - - blood clot, sand, water, air . . .?
Are all muslims going to hell ala Surah 17:91?
How much is the inheritance due to a woman on the death of her husband - - 8/7?
Where did mohammed end up after death?

Is there anything the quran makes clear?

@Pilgrim.1: In the next post by me or somebody else, I will have for you an adequate explanation, of Ruh. However, as you have fraudulently claimed that Ruh is not the soul of man, I had called many persons, some of them hold various forms of scholarship, in Islam. All of them are Arabs. Each one of them says as to the verse, in Suratul Isra, the verse 85's ruh means soul. You see, I read arabic Qur'an. Almost every muslim, who has any knowledge of the Qur'an, even the ability to read, will tell you that what I have said is the correct meaning of Ruh, in that verse.

If the Ruh Qudus, is Jibril and Muhammad had contact with him, for all those 23 years, how is it that Muhammad (as), did not know an ordinary Ruh? Yet he was able to know the only Ruh Qudus, when Qudus is a qualifier of the Ruh?

And for those who had a field day, of laughter: the Qur'an is only in Arabic. Any writing therefor, in another language is only what the writer may think the meaning is. You live in England, and other parts of the the west, eg. U. S., ask annoynemously by your phone calls to Mosques. If I need to know anything in Igbo language, I will ask an Igbo person whose mother tongue is igbo language.

@Pilgrim.1: You made me work so hard. And its for nothing. You could have easily checked the tafsir of that Ayah 85 in Surah Al Isra. And you would not have made me do your job for you. Ma da agbalagba la amu. I am so upset, its uncanny.

@Pilgrim.1: And the other supporters of her, you have the answer of Ruh, being the SOUL of man here. It addresses, completely the matter of Surah Isra, verse 85. I know that you will have a feat. Please take it easy. Allah, the Almighty will open your eyes, in due time. My prayer, is that you continue to be alive, and be well until then. And to your future deceit, Allah will expose it. InshaAllah.

From the Surah Fatiha, here is your answer, in a general sense:

(When the Imam says, `Walad-dallin', say, `Amin' and Allah will answer your invocation.)

In addition, At-Tirmidhi said that `Amin' means, "Do not disappoint our hope'', while the majority of scholars said that it means. "Answer our invocation.''

Also, in his Musnad, Imam Ahmad recorded that `A'ishah said that when the Jews were mentioned to him, the Messenger of Allah said,

«إِنَّهُم لَنْ يَحْسُدُونَا عَلَى شَيْءٍ كَمَا يَحْسُدُونَا عَلَى الْجُمُعَةِ الَّتِي هَدَانَا اللهُ لَهَا وَضَلُّوا عَنْهَا، وَعَلَى الْقِبْلَةِ الَّتِي هَدَانَا اللهُ لَهَا وَضَلُّوا عَنْهَا وَعَلَى قَوْلِنَا خَلْفَ الْإِمَامِ: آمِينَ»

(They will not envy us for anything more than they envy us for Friday which we have been guided to, while they were led astray from it, and for the Qiblah which we were guided to, while they were led astray from it, and for our saying `Amin' behind the Imam.)

Also, Ibn Majah recorded this Hadith with the wording,

«مَا حَسَدَتْكُمُ الْيَهُودُ عَلَى شَيْءٍ مَا حَسَدَتْكُمْ عَلَى السَّلَامِ وَالتَّأْمِينِ»

(The Jews have never envied you more than for your saying the Salam (Islamic greeting) and for saying Amin.) rgiveness). veneooA ? Further, it is recorded in Sahih Muslim that Abu Musa related to the Prophet that he said,

«إِذَا قَالَ يَعنِي الْإِمَامَ : وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ، فَقُولُوا: آمِينَ، يُجِبْكُمُ اللهُ»

(When the Imam says, `Walad-dallin', say, `Amin' and Allah will answer your invocation.)

In addition, At-Tirmidhi said that `Amin' means, "Do not disappoint our hope'', while the majority of scholars said that it means. "Answer our invocation.''

Also, in his Musnad, Imam Ahmad recorded that `A'ishah said that when the Jews were mentioned to him, the Messenger of Allah said,

Then from Surah Isra, here is the gentle but sure force that trips you, then you loose your argument and fall flat on your face. Its better to be sure of your argument. Islam is not a religion for the faint at heart. God Almighty has completed on Muhammad. Even though he had started it on previous prophets, inclusding Ias bin Mariam, (as).

The Ruh and the Nafs
As-Suhayili mentioned the dispute among the scholars over whether the Ruh is the same as the Nafs, or something different. He stated that it is light and soft, like air, flowing through the body like water through the veins of a tree. He states that the Ruh which the angel breathes into the fetus is the Nafs, provided that it joins the body and acquires certain qualities because of it, whether good or bad. So then it is either a soul in (complete) rest and satisfaction (89:27) or inclined to evil (12:53), just as water is the life of the tree, then by mixing with it, it produces something else, so that if it mixes with grapes and the grapes are then squeezed, it becomes juice or wine. Then it is no longer called water, except in a metaphorical sense. Thus we should understand the connection between Nafs and Ruh; the Ruh is not called Nafs except when it joins the body and is affected by it. So in conclusion we may say: the Ruh is the origin and essence, and the Nafs consists of the Ruh and its connection to the body. So they are the same in one sense but not in another. This is a good explanation, and Allah knows best. I say: people speak about the essence of the Ruh and its rulings, and many books have been written on this topic. One of the best of those who spoke of this was Al-Hafiz Ibn Mandah in a book which we have heard about the Ruh.

[وَلَئِن شِئْنَا لَنَذْهَبَنَّ بِالَّذِى أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ ثُمَّ لاَ تَجِدُ لَكَ بِهِ عَلَيْنَا وَكِيلاً ]

[إِلاَّ رَحْمَةً مِّن رَّبِّكَ إِنَّ فَضْلَهُ كَانَ عَلَيْكَ كَبِيرًا - قُل لَّئِنِ اجْتَمَعَتِ الإِنسُ وَالْجِنُّ عَلَى أَن يَأْتُواْ بِمِثْلِ هَـذَا الْقُرْءَانِ لاَ يَأْتُونَ بِمِثْلِهِ وَلَوْ كَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ ظَهِيرًا - وَلَقَدْ صَرَّفْنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِى هَـذَا الْقُرْءَانِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ فَأَبَى أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ إِلاَّ كُفُورًا ]
(86. And if We willed, We could surely take away that which We have revealed to you. Then you would find no protector for you against Us in that respect.) (87. Except as a mercy from your Lord. Verily, His grace unto you is ever great.) (88. Say: "If mankind and the Jinn were together to produce the like of this Qur'an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another.'') (89. And indeed We have fully explained to mankind, in this Qur'an, every kind of similitude, but most of mankind refuse (the truth and accept nothing) but disbelief.)

The Ruh (spirit)

Al-Bukhari recorded in his Tafsir of this Ayah that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud said, "While I was walking with the Prophet on a farm, and he was resting on a palm-leaf stalk, some Jews passed by. Some of them said to the others, `Ask him about the Ruh.' Some of them said, `What urges you to ask him about that' Others said, `Do not ask him, lest he gives you a reply which you do not like.' But they said, `Ask him.' So they asked him about the Ruh. The Prophet kept quiet and did not give them an answer, and I knew that he was receiving revelation, so I stayed where I was. When the revelation was complete, the Prophet said:

[وَيَسْـَلُونَكَ عَنِ الرُّوحِ قُلِ الرُّوحُ مِنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّى]

(And they ask you concerning the Ruh (the spirit). Say: "The Ruh (the spirit) is one of the things, the knowledge of which is only with my Lord, '') This context would seem to imply that this Ayah was revealed in Al-Madinah, and that it was revealed when the Jews asked him this question in Al-Madinah, although the entire Surah was revealed in Makkah. This may be answered with the suggestion that this Ayah may have been revealed to him in Al-Madinah a second time, after having previously been revealed in Makkah, or that he was divinely inspired to respond to their question with a previously-revealed Ayah, namely the Ayah in question. Ibn Jarir recorded that `Ikrimah said, "The People of the Book asked the Messenger of Allah about the Ruh, and Allah revealed:

[وَيَسْـَلُونَكَ عَنِ الرُّوحِ]

(And they ask you concerning the Ruh, ) They said, `You claim that we have only a little knowledge, but we have been given the Tawrah, which is the Hikmah,

[وَمَن يُؤْتَ الْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِىَ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا]

(and he, to whom Hikmah is granted, is indeed granted abundant good.)' [2:269] Then the Ayah

[وَلَوْ أَنَّمَا فِى الاٌّرْضِ مِن شَجَرَةٍ أَقْلاَمٌ وَالْبَحْرُ يَمُدُّهُ مِن بَعْدِهِ سَبْعَةُ أَبْحُرٍ]

(And if all the trees on the earth were pens and the sea (were ink wherewith to write), with seven seas behind it to add to its (supply),) [31:27] was revealed. He said, "Whatever knowledge you have been given, if Allah saves you from the Fire thereby, then it is great and good, but in comparison to the knowledge of Allah, it is very little.''

[وَيَسْـَلُونَكَ عَنِ الرُّوحِ]

(And they ask you concerning the Ruh.) Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas said, "This was when the Jews said to the Prophet , `Tell us about the Ruh and how the Ruh will be punished that is in the body - for the Ruh is something about which only Allah knows, and there was no revelation concerning it.' He did not answer them at all, then Jibril came to him and said:

[قُلِ الرُّوحُ مِنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّى وَمَآ أُوتِيتُم مِّن الْعِلْمِ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً]

(Say: "The Ruh (the spirit) is one of the things, the knowledge of which is only with my Lord. And of knowledge, you (mankind) have been given only a little.'') So the Prophet told them about that, and they said, `Who told you this' He said,

«جَاءَنِي بِهِ جِبْرِيلُ مِنْ عِنْدِ الله»

(Jibril brought it to me from Allah.) They said, `By Allah, no one has told you that except our enemy [i.e., Jibril].' Then Allah revealed:

[قُلْ مَن كَانَ عَدُوًّا لِّجِبْرِيلَ فَإِنَّهُ نَزَّلَهُ عَلَى قَلْبِكَ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ]

(Say: "Whoever is an enemy to Jibril (let him die in his fury), for indeed he has brought it (this Qur'an) down to your heart by Allah's permission, confirming what came before it.)'' [2:97]

Cambridgeport Baptist Church
Islam
Notes for Week One
Notes for Week Two
Notes for Week Three
Notes for Week Four

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Week One
Muslims among us:
Islam makes up 20% of the world's population. Islam is the fastest growing religion in North America. There are 6 to 8 million Muslims living right here in the United States. They are the second largest immigrant and religious community in America. More than 30,000 Muslims are in Greater Boston area. South Asian and South East Asian Muslims are the majority here. Only 1% of the total population of Muslims in America have heard the Gospel, even though many viable churches are around them.
The meaning of the Term Islam: "Submission" (the Arabic root), submission to God and the person who submits is a Muslim.
The Founder and his background: Muhammad was the founder of Islam. Muhammad is his title. In Arabic it means "the praised one." His actual name was Abul Kashem. He was born in A.D. 570 in Mecca. At the time of Muhammad, Mecca was the center of idol worship and the name of the temple was "Kabah." The city was the center of commerce. The region was populated mainly by polytheistic desert nomads. Although scattered groups of Jews and Christians lived in the Arabian Peninsula in the years prior to Islam, there seems to have been little spiritual vitality among those Christians and there was no effort to evangelize pagan Arab tribes. The two mainline churches, Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Church were fighting on different issues. There were many heretical teachings among Christians. Monophysaites, Nestorians who denied the two personalities of Jesus and the Arians who denied the divinity of Christ later on influenced Islam because Muhammad never confronted orthodox Christianity.
At the age of twenty-five, after conducting a successful caravan trade to Syria for a wealthy widow by the name of Khadija who was then forty, Muhammad accepted Khadija's offer to marry her. One tradition says that Khadija was a Jewess and another tradition says that she came from a group called Sabian (a distorted Jewish community). Their married life was very happy and Khadija protected Muhammad in many ways when he faced strong opposition even from his own tribe. Muhammad did not practice polygamy until the death of Khadija.
In A.D. 610, at the age of 40, Muhammad received his first revelation through the angel Gabriel. He got a series of revelations after that. Almost all of his revelations were about the confirmation of his prophethood and the introduction of the strong monotheistic idea of God. Because of that he was persecuted by his own people. After the death of his wife Khadija his life became more dangerous.
In A.D. 622, he fled to Yathrib, 200 miles north of Mecca. Muhammad renamed the city Medina (the city of the prophet). This event is known as the Hijrah which means migrations. Muslims now look to the year of his flight to Medina as the beginning of the Muslim calendar. In 630, Muhammad and his army took control of Mecca. Upon entering the city he destroyed all the idols in the Kabah. Within a year he was able to unify all the tribes of Mecca under the religion of Islam. In 632, Muhammad died.
The major beliefs of Islam:


God: Absolute monotheism. God is one and no partner is to be associated with Him. He is transcendent, Creator of the universe. He is sovereign.
Angels: In the gap between the God and humankind exists a hierarchy of angels. Archangel Gabriel is of the highest rank. Each person has two angels assigned to him/her, one to record the person's good deeds and the other to record the bad deeds. At the bottom of the hierarchy are the jinn, who are usually bad.
The prophets of God: Muslims believe in almost all prophets who are mentioned in the Old Testament, and John (Yahia) the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus. Tradition (Hadith) says that 124,000 prophets came to this world, and Muhammad is considered to be the seal of the prophets.
The Holy Books: Tawrat (Torah, 5 books of Moses), Zabur (Psalms), Injil (Gospel), and the Qur'an (Recitation) which was given to Muhammad. The Qur'an affirms Torah, Psalms, and Gospel.
The Day of Judgement: There will be a day when all will be bodily resurrected and stand before God in Judgement. On that day each person's deeds will be weighed in the balance. Those whose good deeds outweigh their bad deeds will be rewarded with Paradise; and those whose bad deeds outweigh their good will be judged to hell.

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Week Two
Obligations/practices of Islam:


The confession of the Creed (Shahadah). In Arabic shahadah means to bear witness - "I bear witness that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger."
The performance of Ritual prayer (Salat). Five obligatory times of prayer. Early morning before sunrise, just past noon, in the afternoon, just after sunset, after evening.
Giving Alms (Zakat). Muslims are commanded to give one-fortieth (2.5%) of their income, primarily to the poor and needy.
Keeping the Fast (Sawm). The fast is approximately thirty days and takes place during the Muslim month of Ramadan. Since the Muslim calendar is based on the moon rather than the sun, their year is approximately eleven days shorter than the solar year. Hence, this month begins eleven days earlier each year. The fast is to be kept from sunrise to sunset each day of Ramadan.
Going on the Pilgrimage (Hajj). The crowning act of the Muslim religion is the pilgrimage to Mecca. Muhammad made it obligatory once in a lifetime for those who are healthy and could afford it.
Understanding the idea of God in Islam:

In Arabic the name of God is "Allah." It comes from two Arabic words "Al" "Ilah" which means the God, one who is worshiped. Allah is the name of the Supreme. Arabs of pre-Islamic days, despite all their idolatry, knew and acknowledged Allah's existence as the supreme God but He did not dominate their minds.
Nature of God (Allah):
He is one, transcendent, creator of the universe, sovereign and omnipotent
He has spoken to humanity through messengers or prophets, through angels and through the written word
He knows in intimate detail the thoughts and deeds of men
He will judge the wicked
He is a singular unity (not complex unity)
He is not a father; God in Islam is unknowable/not personal
He provided guidance. He did not send a savior to this world
He loves not the prodigals but desires to afflict them
His standard for judgment is that our good deeds must outweigh our bad deeds.
he provided a messenger, Muhammad, who warned of His impending judgment
The Qur'an:

The Qur'an means recitation. Muslims claim that while in the cave at Hira, Muhammad heard God's voice through an angelic spiritual intermediary, most likely the angel Gabriel. The words of the Qur'an are said to be part of a book that exists in its entirety only in heaven. Thus, Muslims often speak of the Qur'an as having descended upon their prophet Muhammad. Muhammad memorized everything that was revealed to him and recited to his disciples, who, in turn, memorized or transcribed it in various scattered portions.
The Qur'an was not collected into book form during Muhammad\s lifetime. It was compiled into present day book form and officially was approved in A.D. 657 and all previous texts were condemned and burned. There are 114 chapters (Surah) of the Qur'an.
The Hadith:

In addition to the Qur'an Muslims rely on the Hadith, or tradition. The traditions form a vast library of recollections about what Muhammad said and did. Some of the material also comes from Jewish and Christian tradition (not orthodox Christianity). Some Muslims suggest that the Hadith has the same authority as the Qur'an, but most put it on a lower level. Basically, traditions act as a supplement to the Qur'an.
Division within Islam:

Islam is divided into two main branches: Sunnis and Shi'ites. The main issue of the division was the selection of leadership as Muhammad's rightful successors (Caliphs). The vast majority of Muslims are Sunnis.

"Sufis" - Technically Sufism is not a sect of Islam but an esoteric mystical movement within both Sunnis and Shi'ism.

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Week Three
Humanity: Good by nature.
Sin: Sin is thought of in terms of rejecting or forgetting right guidance. Sin does not cause spiritual death. Islam flatly rejects any notion of original sin and says we are all born pure. Yes, Adam and Eve sinned, the Qur'an says, but God forgave them when they asked for His mercy. No sin was passed on to their descendants. The major sins in Islam are: Committing idolatry, stealing from an orphan, committing adultery or fornication, disobeying parents, collecting interest on investments, accusing a chaste woman falsely, giving false testimony, committing suicide, committing infanticide, enslaving a free person, engaging in slander and gossip.
Salvation: The standard of salvation is having one's good deeds outweigh one's bad deeds. Therefore, it is based on human effort. It is our cumulative faith and actions that determine our salvation. No atonement is necessary for our salvation. God does not need to sacrifice Himself to atone for the sins of mankind because he can forgive anything He wants, anytime He wants.
Jesus (Isa): One of the Major Prophets. To associate Jesus with God or to call him the son of God is blasphemy. Muslims affirm the virgin birth of Jesus, his sinless life and the miracles that he performed (The Qur'an 3:45-47)
Christ (Masiih): In Arabic, the form of the word Masiih (Messiah) suggests the meaning "the anointed," but most Muslims understand it as a personal name rather than a title (The Qur'an 3:45).
Two major titles of Jesus in the Qur'an: A Spirit (Ruh) from God (Ruh Allah) The Qur'an 2:87. Word (Kalemah) of God (Kalemat Allah). The Qur'an 4:171.
The death of Jesus: According to the Islamic tradition, Jesus did not die on the cross. Instead, he ascended to heaven, and some one died in his place. One tradition says that Judas died in his place. Muslims believe that it is disrespectful to believe God would allow one of his prophets and especially one of the most honored of the prophets to be crucified (The Qur'an 4:157). But at the same time there is a contradiction. (The Qur'an 3:54).
The second coming of Jesus: Muslims believe in the second coming of Jesus - but when he does, he will break all the crosses. There is a tradition (Hadith) and many Muslims believe that Jesus (Isa) will become a follower of Muhammad in his second coming.
The Bible: Corrupted and abrogated by the Qur'an. But, there is no Quranic proof about that. It's only tradition. The Qur'an affirmed all previous Scriptures, the Old Testament and the Gospel (The Qu'ran 10:64; 6:115; 5:45,46,68; 10:94; 3:3-4; 35:31; 4:44; 5:68).
Jihad (holy war) and relations of Muslims with enemies: In Arabic it means to struggle or strive for something. Often assumed to be holy war, that is not a correct translation of the Arabic term. However, the word jihad is most often associated with the act of physically confronting evil and wrong doing; hence, it can be applied to the act of fighting as well. But the goal of a physical jihad is not to have a big war, gain riches, or kill people; it is to further the cause of Allah and to create justice on earth. Then, when the evil is removed, or the other side wants peace. Muslims are to make peace as well. There are many Quranic references about Jihad (The Qur'an 4:74-76; 9:28-29; 47:4; 5:51)
Perhaps the idea of jihad or holy war was borrowed from the Old Testament and Muhammad copied it from the Byzantine emperor Heraclius who launched a seven year "holy war" against the Persians in A.D. 622, the same year Muhammad had to flee from Mecca to Medina. It is sad that instead of serving as a check and balance to the Byzantine's militaristic excesses, the Church (Eastern Orthodox) joined with it, thus weakening the effectiveness of the spirit and teaching with which Christ wanted to establish His kingdom. How tragic that Muhammad, watching a Christian empire in action, drew the conclusion that one's faith should be wed to the sword. Later Muhammad adopted this idea while he was in Medina and encouraged his followers to raid caravans between Mecca to Medina. This might be the beginning source of the idea of holy war.
The Trinity: The Qur'an does not say anything against the Trinity (1 x 1 x 1 = 1); rather it disputes the tritheistic view (1 + 1 + 1 = 3) held by many people who called themselves Christians in Muhammad's day. Following are some Quranic references: The Qur'an 4:171; 5:19, 76.
Evangelistic Approach to Muslims
Love and respect your Muslim friends.
Don't be critical of Islam, the Qur'an, and Muhammad while talking with them. Try to avoid such subjects. Instead, accentuate the Good News of the Gospel. Consult the Bible often to explain and support what you believe.
Be patient, persistent in prayer for Muslims so that the Holy Spirit will work in their hearts.
Try to meet with them individually. Witnessing to Muslims is best done one-to-one. When you meet with Muslims in a group, they will dutifully defend their faith in front of others so as not to expose the doubts they might have.
Focus on Jesus as often as you can without being offensive. "Christianity must decrease, Christ must increase." Don't preach Christianity, preach Christ. Islam does not reject the message of Christ; it does reject the caricature of Christianity. Muslims always see our outside which creates so many stumbling blocks for them. Our lifestyle and some historical events block their mind: The Crusades and the idea of Christendom, the western colonialism and the complex of the supremacy of the western world.
Use Jesus' parables and stories. Muslims are more influenced by stories and parables than they are by logical arguments.
Handle the Bible with respect. Don't throw the Bible on the floor or don't use it as a pillow. They even consider it a sign of disrespect to write in the Qur'an and the Bible. It's always preferable to use a Bible which has no marks or anything written in it.
Understanding the people groups and their culture is most important. Don\t take your Muslim friends to Church until you know they are ready for it. It is only applicable in the western world. Many things happen in the western Churches that the typical Muslim would find dishonoring to God and offensive to his/her culture.
Learning the Islamic terminologies are very effective.
Use the Qur'an as a bridge.

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Week Four
Using the Qur'an as a Bridge:

What is the Biblical Principle of making a Bridge?
Answer:
LUKE 10: 1-20 -- (Disciples' on-the-job training) and their assignment to identify the person of peace.
ACTS 17: 22-34 -- TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Unlike other places Paul's context was different here. So, he got his idea from his context which was familiar to his audience. Paul used to go to synagogues in order to prove from the Old Testament prophesy that Jesus was the Messiah. In Islam God is unknowable. But, at the same time the Qur'an says that Jesus (Isa) is the Messiah.
Should we use the Qur'an as a bridge to the gospel? Is using the Qur'an as a bridge an acceptable means for Christians since we believe that only the Bible is the true Word of God?
Answer:
There is a great divide, or chasm, between Muslims and Christians. Good Muslims have been taught from their childhood that the Qur'an is the only true word of God. They may not know the meaning of the Qur'anic text, but nonetheless, they believe it is true. When approached with the Bible, Muslims immediately become defensive. A confrontation is imminent-your holy book versus their holy book. A Muslim can not and will not deny the Qur'an. Relating to a Muslim from the Qur'an guarantees a listening ear. If attention is given to the verses in the Qur'an that deal with truths about Jesus, then you and your new Muslim friend can enter into dialogue on neutral ground.
Why do we use the Qur'an as a bridge to the gospel?
Answer:
We must start where they are.
Using the Qur'an enables a Muslim and Muslim-background believer (MBB) to relate to his family and friends and minimizes persecution.
We can use the Qur'an to lift Jesus out of Prophet Status and closer to Savior Status in the mind of a Muslim.
Using the Qur'an as a bridge allows us to go deep into Muslim communities.
Note: Avoid spending too much time in the Qur'an.
Why do we avoid spending too much time in the Qur'an?
Answer:
Unlike the Bible we are not so familiar with the Qur'an. When we are witnessing to a Muslim, we may be nervous and not remember all of the verses of the Qur'an which we want to use.
It saves us from accusations of abusing or misusing the Qur'an.
We are only looking for a person of peace and only need enough spiritual meat from the Qur'an to draw him out.
Don't stay too long in the Qur'an because there are anti Christian verses (the Qur'an 5: 51; 9:29).
Concentrate much on those verses in the Qur'an which talk about Jesus, especially about his virgin birth, his character, his authority and power: The Qur'an 3: 42-55. After reading these verses of the Qur'an no Muslim can honestly say that Jesus (Isa) was merely a prophet.
We can show them the Qur'an 46: 9 comparing it with Jesus' words of assurance in the Bible (John 11:25-26; 14:1-3; 6-9). When you find a Muslim seeking to become a believer, set the Qur'an aside and pick up your Bible.

Christianity and its leadership have stooped this low, in order to cajole innocent people to their perilous way! Shame.

@olabowale,

Now. .now, our esteemed friend, let me first point out how you tend to confuse yourself. 

I observe at first that you had categorically denied that the "Ruh" is the "spirit", and instead you asserted that it meant the "soul", not so?

#1.
However, you yabbed big time, because after boasting that "ruh means soul", your subsequent entries simply confirmed my point that the Ruh is the "spirit"!

#2.
#3.
Alhaji olabowale, cool down. . .!!   Did you not DENY that the Ruh is the "spirit"??  Did you not assert rather that "ruh means soul"?

Now, abeg you well-well, can you show me in all your answers as posted above where the tafsirs you quoted defined Ruh as the "soul?!?  Have you not rather come back to confirm my point that the "ruh" is the "spirit"?

Hahahaha-hehehe-hohoho!!  


_{Kai! I'm laughing so hard I can hardly concentrate!}

Okay, egbon, I apologise. How silly of pilgrim.1 to have put the respected olabowale to such hard word! Please don't be upset. . . so that we can get on with our investigation, yes?

Regards.

@olabowale,

As is evident from the Hadith itself (Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 9, Bk. 93, Num. 548), the Jews had questioned Muhammad about the Spirit. Yet, not only have Muslim 'scholars' obfuscated the clear meaning of that verse, but it is remarkable to see the duplicity they have played around it to render the word into various obnubilate terms.

You know, it's quite easy for Muslim 'scholars' to obfuscate clear facts in the Qur'an and then deny the meaning of Ruh ("spirit") and nafs ("soul"). What you may not know is that they are only effectively denying their Qur'an just to remain in the religion that Muhammad claimed was from "Allah". Does 'Allah' confuse words in his Qur'an the way these Muslim 'scholars' shamelessly disavow what is written therein?


A few examples of some translations that confuse that verse (Sura 17:85):

   Shakir
   And they ask you about the soul. Say: The soul
   is one of the commands of my Lord, and you are not given
   aught of knowledge but a little.

   Sher Ali
   And they ask thee concerning the soul. Say, `The soul
   has been created by the command of my Lord; and of
   the knowledge thereof you have been given but a little.

   M. A. Farid Qadri
   They ask you concerning the soul; proclaim "The soul
   is an entity by the command of my Lord, and you have not
   received knowledge except a little."

   Khalifa
   They ask you about the revelation. Say, "The revelation
   comes from my Lord. The knowledge given to you is minute."

   Mohammad Asad
   AND THEY will ask thee about [the nature of] divine inspiration."'
   Say: "This inspiration [comes] at my Sustainer's behest; and
   [you cannot understand its nature, O men, since] you have been
   granted very little of [real] knowledge."

   Ghulam Ahmad Parwez
   When you say, “It is Allah’s Wahi (Revelation) which I communicate
   to you,” they ask you as to what is the nature of Wahi. Tell them
   that it belongs to the realm of Allah’s Amr which it is not possible to
   grasp with the scanty knowledge that human beings have.


How do these translations/versions compare with what is actually written in the Qur'an? Is there any warrant for the translators to have rendered the word as "soul", "revelation", "Wahi" or divine inspiration? Let's quote the verse in Arabic (if we could) and attempt three transliterations given by Muslim scholars themselves:


   (سورة الإسراء , Al-Isra, chap. 17, vs. 85)

   وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الرُّوحِ قُلِ الرُّوحُ مِنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّي وَمَا أُوتِيتُم مِّن الْعِلْمِ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً


Transliterations:

   (1) Wayasaloonaka AAani alrroohi quli alrroohu min amri
   rabbee wama ooteetum mina alAAilmi illa qaleelan

   (2) wa yas-aluunaka 'Anir ruuH qulir ruuHu min amri
   rab-biy wa maa uutiytum minal 'Ilmi il-laa qaliylaa

Now, do the transliterated words 'ruuH' or 'alrrooh' point to "Spirit" or "soul"? Please notice that the Arabic word in that verse (17:85) is not "nafs" - which immediately removes all doubts and demonstrates that the earlier cited translations had no basis for rendering that word as either "soul", "revelation", "Wahi" or divine inspiration?

However, when you look at other translations by some other Muslim scholars, you find that the word is rendered rather as "Spirit". A few examples (partly quoted):

   Raza Khan
   And they ask you about the spirit. Say, 'The spirit. . .

   Pickthall
   They are asking thee concerning the Spirit. Say: The Spirit. . .

   Yusuf Ali
   They ask thee concerning the Spirit (of inspiration). Say: "The Spirit. . .

    Hilali-Khan
   And they ask you (O Muhammad SAW) concerning
   the Ruh (the Spirit); Say: "The Ruh (the Spirit). . .

(see also the Arberry, Palmer, Rodwell, and Sale translations which use "spirit" instead of some obnubilate terms).