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Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………3
Experiencing Mosque ……………………………………………………….…………...3-4
Islamic Worldview …………………………………………………………………..……..5
Christianity Vs. Islam …………………………………………………………….……….6
Sharing Jesus ……………………………….………………………………………..…… 7
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………….……8
Bibliography…………………………………………………………………………..……9
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Introduction
For this assignment, I chose to visit a Mosque and immerse in the culture of the Islamic
faith to gain a new perspective on their worldview, rituals, and practices. Humanity was created
in the image of God and therefore created with a natural desire to worship.1 This inherent need
for worship comes in many forms and is interpreted in many ways. Because mankind is uniquely
made, each individual must come to their own determination with God and how they will
worship (English Standard Version, Psalm 139:14). This assignment is a way to know God
better. Observing the service of another religion in an effort to have a more comprehensive
and balanced idea of other religions and also to view God through the lens of another's
faith, will teach me how to be a more effective witness to other cultures and respect others'
worldviews without crossing ethical boundaries or compromising my own faith or moral
standards.
Experiencing Mosque
As a lifetime Christian it is often harder to gain an understanding of another religion if
Christianity is all one ever knows. However, I was raised Seventh-Day Adventist, and am now
non-denominational. I learned a lot in the conversion of just how differently people can interpret
the same Bible passage. I never considered that other faith origins were all around me until
adulthood. I recognized that not every individual believed in God, but dismissed the idea that
many believe in a different deity, have other Scripture that they follow as their fundamental
belief system and their version of God, and consequently were just as passionate about their faith
and belief system as I am about my Christianity.
1 Chad Brand et al., Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2003), 1687.
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The best way that I learn and understand something new is through actively participating.
I will learn better by doing typically, versus being given the instructions orally. Understanding
another religion worked very much the same way. Experiencing it firsthand would give me much
more knowledge than if I simply read about it. I worried, however, that by walking into a place
that was actively worshiping another God, or worshipping God in a blasphemous way, would
open the door for the enemy to mess with me. The first thing I did was pray, asking God to not
allow anything to stick that was not meant for me. I also asked that God open my eyes and let the
scales fall off if there was something my upbringing or culture was preventing me from
understanding or interpreting clearly. I want to be convicted in my faith, and not just blindly
follow what I have been taught. The Apostle Peter reminded me in his writing that I need to be
diligent about learning, and not stay in the place I have always been spiritually (English Standard
Version, 1 Peter 2:2). However, I also want to be passionate and not lukewarm as The Apostle
John warns about in Revelation (English Standard Version, Revelation 3:16).
The Islamic Center in Dallas Texas was my choice. I live about two hours away, but I
wanted to do something out of town. I feared that if someone that I counseled saw me there, they
might be confused. I do feel like I was overthinking it, but then I also decided it was better to be
overly safe, than careless.
The parking was a nightmare, which ultimately set my nerves on fire. I forgot how busy
a city could be. I already felt so out of place and wondered if others could tell that I did not
belong. I was more worried about offending someone and causing them to stumble than I was
about fitting in. According to The Apostle Paul, this is dangerous ground (English Standard
Version, 1 Corinthians 8:9).
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I was greeted by a welcoming group as I entered and then directed to a young believer
named Ahsun A. who then walked me through some of the fundamental basics so I could
participate without being disrespectful. Thankfully, I was not the first person to come out of my
element for the purpose of wanting to understand more about their culture of faith to be a
connected community. Ahsun was kind as he asked me to take my shoes off when I entered. I
was handed several brochures and asked if I could see him. I should have come earlier than right
on time. Lesson learned. A young lady took over from there and walked with me
I was scooted past what appeared to be the main Worship area to a room full of women
only. Where are all the Men? I asked softly, to which she gestured to a large window and said,
“Women do not worship together in the same room as the men. You will be able to fully see and
participate from here.” I was thankful for her patience with my questions.
In the ladies’ area, there was what appeared to be a two-way glass partition that
separated the men and the women. When I entered what I could only describe as a Sanctuary, I
saw a room full of people with worship in motion. Their bodies were all uniformly facing one
direction as they methodically went through a movement cadence of bowing and kneeling. There
was an age range from young adults to seniors, but the one observation that stood out was the
amount of reverence and intentionality each person took with their movements. I had such great
respect in that moment.
Islamic Worldview
From my academic research, I learned that Islamic people have a holy book called the
Qur’an. They follow the leadership of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad who authored the Qur’an. I
learned that the reason they all face the same direction to pray is because they are praying facing
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Mecca and the sequence of movement was an expression of humility towards Allah. Mecca is a
highly valued place that the Islamic religion considers a holy place. It was deemed holy because
it is where Muhammad, the founder of their religion, was said to have received the Qur’an
directly from Allah.2
Christianity Vs. Islam
There are many similarities that Christianity has with the Muslims. For example, both
religions are monotheistic, meaning one and only one God. Muslims also believe in the birth of
Jesus from the Virgin Mary.3 While Christians and Muslims alike believe that Jesus is the
Messiah, the one difference is that Christians believe Jesus is God, the Son of God sent from
heaven for salvation purposes. Muslims do not see eye to eye on the crucifixion with Christians,
how it happened, not dying on the cross but being rescued and then taken to heaven.4 Muslims
hold Jesus in high esteem as a prophet of God, yet not a divine being or part of the Godhead
three in one.5 This contradicts the Christian Bible that records according to the Gospels, the death
of Jesus along with the resurrection (English Standard Version, John 19). The Bible further
details Jesus' ascension to heaven after being raised from the dead (English Standard Version,
John 20).
Sharing Jesus
2 Ibrahim, I. A. A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam Second Edition. (Houston, TX:
Darussalam Publisher, 1997).
3 Morgan, Garry R. Understanding World Religions in 15 Minutes a Day. (Bloomington, MN: Bethany
House, 2012).
4 Winfried Corduan, Neighboring Faiths: A Christian Introduction to World Religions, Second
Edition. (InterVarsity Press Academic, 2012), 352.
5 Ibrahim, I. A. A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam Second Edition. (Houston, TX:
Darussalam Publisher, 1997).
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The best thing to start with is to have an open-minded understanding of their faith so I do
not cause offense which would close their ears to anything I had to say. I could not allow arguing
but would welcome challenging questions. I usually start my witnessing by asking, “If there was
a one percent chance that I have truth you have not heard, would you want to hear it?” The
people who say no because they are so sure that they are the only ones with truth, have already
closed their ears. Jesus told the disciples that not all things are for all people to hear and
understand, I must let the Holy Spirit lead and give me discernment in this (English Standard
Version, Mark 4:10-12). All I can do at that point is show love. According to James, I can also
ask them to pray for the wisdom we are promised, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God,
who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (English Standard
Version, James 1:5).
I would share the similarities between the way we believe and encourage them to do
some of the talking too. I would want it to be a conversation and not a lecture. I would finish our
talk by asking if I could pray a blessing over them. A prayer is another way to witness. I always
try to ask by wording it that way because most people will not refuse a blessing for favor, but
they might resist you asking to pray for them because they see it as you trying to change their
mind. I always tell God in these moments and prayers that “we want to know the truth.” Yes, we.
I want them to hear my heart in that truth is important to me, and not just winning an argument. I
want to seek the Lord and all truth. According to Moses, “But from there you will seek
theILORDIyour God and you will find Him if you search after Him with all your heart and with
all your soul” (English Standard Version, Deuteronomy 4:29). How can we not find God and His
truth if we are actively seeking. There is so much more at stake here than bragging rights over
who had the better debate rebuttals. If we are both seeking Jesus then we are both winning.
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According to Matthew, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these
things will be added to you” (English Standard Version, 6:33).
Conclusion
Islamic faith has much in common with Christianity in that they are both monotheistic,
meaning worshiping one God alone. The differences are important as they do not see Jesus as the
Son of God, or part of the Trinity. They believe Jesus was a prophet, an important prophet, but
not God. God dying for mankind sets the tone for Christianity and Salvation through the blood of
Jesus. But if He was not God, His death would not mean Salvation. However, on further
examination, Muslims do not even believe that Jesus was put to death. They believe He was
rescued. While God is able to do so, it is not the biblical teachings of the death of Jesus, His
burial, and the Resurrection that holds so much power in the Christian faith as the hope of
salvation. This hope is what we as Christians long for, look forward to, plan for, and are in
pursuit of.
After visiting the Temple, I do feel better equipped to understand the Muslim faith. By
doing so, I believe I will be a better witness, and by the Grace of God, a tool He can use to be the
hands and feet of Jesus, to bring others to know His truth.
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Bibliography
Winfried Corduan, Neighboring Faiths: A Christian Introduction to World Religions, Second
Edition. (InterVarsity Press Academic, 2012).
Brand et al., Chad. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference,
2003).
Elwell, Walter A. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (Baker Reference Library).
(Anderson, ID: Baker Academic; 2nd Edition. 2001).
Ibrahim, I. A. A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam Second Edition. (Houston, TX:
Darussalam Publisher, 1997).
Morgan, Garry R. Understanding World Religions in 15 Minutes a Day. (Bloomington, MN:
Bethany House, 2012).
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