In the previous article on Allah, the most significant differences between theology proper in Islam and Christianity became readily apparent. The transcendence of Allah in Islamic thinking leads to a form of agnosticism that makes knowing anything about God truly impossible. On the other hand, Christian theism asserts that God reveals Himself along with His will in sacred Scripture and in the person of Jesus Christ. Moreover, Scripture also asserts that God reveals truths about Himself in nature as well. We now move on to the most important figure in the religion of Islam, a man by the name of Mohammad. In doing so, it is proper to ask and answer some critical questions about this man as well as the history of this religion. Who is Mohammad? How did one man become the fulcrum in one of the world’s largest religions? Is the phenomenon of Islam akin to the miraculous spread of Christianity in the world or are there differences?
Hebrews 1:1-2 says,
“God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.”
Islam contends that Allah has spoken through his last and greatest prophet, Mohammad. The Bible, on the other hand, asserts that God, who spoke through the prophets to the fathers, has in these last days spoken to us in His Son. So who was Mohammad and why was he so successful in building the second largest religion in the world?
Mohammed was born around 570 A.D. in the city of Mecca in Arabia. His father died before his birth and his mother passed when he was only six. He was raised by his grandfather at first and then later by an uncle. In his early years, there is evidence that Mohammed suffered from fits. It seems, however, as he grew older into adulthood the fits subsided. Mohammed was given to dreams and loved to withdrawal to caves for seclusion and meditation. He was profoundly dissatisfied with the polytheism that dominated his culture along with its crude superstitions. Somewhere along the way, Mohammed must have been exposed to Judaism and Christianity. Both religions permeated the region in which he lived. Mohammed clearly came to value the idea of “one” true God. This influence had to have come from outside the polytheistic culture in which he was reared. Mohammed is described as being generous, resolute, genial, and astute. He was a shrewd judge and a born leader of men. On the other hand, concerning his enemies Mohammed could be vindictive and cruel. He stooped to assassination and was undeniably a sensual man. At age 40, Mohammed had his first vision. These revelations serve as the basis for what is recorded in the Qur’an.
Initially, Mohammed thought he was demon possessed and actually began a journey that would end by throwing himself off a cliff in an act of suicide. He was actually accused of this later as Mecca rejected his revelations. Mohammed later dismissed his fear of demon-possession and waxed confident in his conviction that the visions were revelations from God. Mohammed received these visions for the next 22 years until his sudden death in 632 A.D. Mecca and Jerusalem both rejected Mohammed’s visions and new message from Allah. In response this he turned to Mecca as the center of Worship. But before returning to Mecca, he killed some of those who rejected his message and sold others into slavery. This after having established himself in Yathrib which later was renamed to Medina, “City of the Prophet.” Mohammed also disrupted the trade routes into Mecca and before finally conquering the city.
Much of Arabia was in revolt until two years after Mohammed’s death. The recalcitrant were deemed better off dead along with other competing prophets. By 634 the entire region was given over to Islam and to carrying out the will of Allah. Unlike Christianity, Islam spread by conquest of the sword contrary to historical revisionists. Mohammed was a false prophet raised up by God for God’s own purpose as He pours out judgment on men who have arrogantly rejected His reign over their lives. Hence, Islam, as we will see, is akin to a strong divine delusion in response to the willful ignorance and self-deception of men who hate the one true God propagated by the Christian worldview.
Hebrews 1:1-2 says,
“God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.”
Islam contends that Allah has spoken through his last and greatest prophet, Mohammad. The Bible, on the other hand, asserts that God, who spoke through the prophets to the fathers, has in these last days spoken to us in His Son. So who was Mohammad and why was he so successful in building the second largest religion in the world?
Mohammed was born around 570 A.D. in the city of Mecca in Arabia. His father died before his birth and his mother passed when he was only six. He was raised by his grandfather at first and then later by an uncle. In his early years, there is evidence that Mohammed suffered from fits. It seems, however, as he grew older into adulthood the fits subsided. Mohammed was given to dreams and loved to withdrawal to caves for seclusion and meditation. He was profoundly dissatisfied with the polytheism that dominated his culture along with its crude superstitions. Somewhere along the way, Mohammed must have been exposed to Judaism and Christianity. Both religions permeated the region in which he lived. Mohammed clearly came to value the idea of “one” true God. This influence had to have come from outside the polytheistic culture in which he was reared. Mohammed is described as being generous, resolute, genial, and astute. He was a shrewd judge and a born leader of men. On the other hand, concerning his enemies Mohammed could be vindictive and cruel. He stooped to assassination and was undeniably a sensual man. At age 40, Mohammed had his first vision. These revelations serve as the basis for what is recorded in the Qur’an.
Initially, Mohammed thought he was demon possessed and actually began a journey that would end by throwing himself off a cliff in an act of suicide. He was actually accused of this later as Mecca rejected his revelations. Mohammed later dismissed his fear of demon-possession and waxed confident in his conviction that the visions were revelations from God. Mohammed received these visions for the next 22 years until his sudden death in 632 A.D. Mecca and Jerusalem both rejected Mohammed’s visions and new message from Allah. In response this he turned to Mecca as the center of Worship. But before returning to Mecca, he killed some of those who rejected his message and sold others into slavery. This after having established himself in Yathrib which later was renamed to Medina, “City of the Prophet.” Mohammed also disrupted the trade routes into Mecca and before finally conquering the city.
Much of Arabia was in revolt until two years after Mohammed’s death. The recalcitrant were deemed better off dead along with other competing prophets. By 634 the entire region was given over to Islam and to carrying out the will of Allah. Unlike Christianity, Islam spread by conquest of the sword contrary to historical revisionists. Mohammed was a false prophet raised up by God for God’s own purpose as He pours out judgment on men who have arrogantly rejected His reign over their lives. Hence, Islam, as we will see, is akin to a strong divine delusion in response to the willful ignorance and self-deception of men who hate the one true God propagated by the Christian worldview.
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