Evaluating Islam

Islam means submission to the will of Allah as revealed through their prophet Mohammed. It is a monotheistic faith based on the teachings of Mohammed, as compiled in their Holy Book ‘Quran’ and the traditions of their prophet called ‘Ahadis’. The Shahada (creed) of Islam: “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is the messenger of God”. The Five Pillars of Islam includes 1.Recitation of Creed, 2.Prayer, 3.Fasting, 4.Almsgiving, 5. Pilgrimage

Quran is a word for word reception of the Word of God. The variations in the number of chapters in the various editions constitutes a problem to the claim that Quran has been preserved word for word. It plainly indicates it is not and therefore is corrupted.

In Christianity, the monotheism is more qualified and sophisticated technically called Trinitarian Monotheism, where God is a fellowship of three as compared with Islam where God is absolute oneness. Islam also differs from Christianity in that it treats Jesus as just another prophet, calling him Isa, even though he is according to the Quran virgin born, performed miracles including raising the dead and will return a second time before the final judgment. But the Quran vehemently denies the death of Jesus on the cross and his subsequent resurrection which have been established as a facts of history. Salvation in Islam is based on merit and God’s election as opposed to Christianity where it is based on grace. Jesus is the Saviour in Christianity whereas Muslims have to save themselves by their deeds.

Christians consider Mohammed a false prophet for the following reasons: 1. The certainty of Mohammed when he first received his revelations that it was a demonic attack and the convincing given by first wife Khadija that it was divine revelation 2. His bowing down before the idols of the Quresh tribe and even claiming that their gods were intercessors with Allah. 3. Multiple wars and executions  4. Mutiple marriages with females from all age groups ranging from 4 year old child to older women and even his own daughter-in law divorced by his adopted son based on special divine revelation. 5. Preaching a different Gospel (Galatians 1:8 [1]).

Reference:

[1]Galatians 1:8 but even if we or a messenger out of heaven may proclaim good news to you different from what we did proclaim to you -- anathema let him be! (Young’s literal translation)