6 Things Christians Need to Understand About Muslims

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Almost a quarter of the people on earth identify with the religion of Islam. Islam is a fast-growing religion, especially in the Western world. In today’s climate, there is a ton of misinformation and confusion on what Islam actually stands for. Everyone seems to have an opinion on what it means to be Muslim, but how do we know what is fact and what’s fiction?

Muslims and Christians have more in common than one may think. As Christians, it’s essential that we understand how to engage and share the love of Christ with the Muslim world. There is so much hate, anger, judgement and prejudice towards the Muslim community and as Christians we want to show them love.

The best way to begin to communicate and have conversations with the Muslim community is through understanding and acceptance. By learning about their religion, what is stands for, and why they worship the way they do, we are better able to spread Christ’s love. Here are the 6 basic things that every Christian should know about Muslims.

“Muslim” and “Arab” is not the same thing.

One of the most common misunderstandings is that a Muslim is the same as an Arab. These words are not interchangeable and it’s important to know the distinction. A Muslim refers to an individual who practices the religion of Islam. An Arab, however, is a person who belongs to an ethnic group whose roots are in North Africa and the Middle East.

The singer once known as Cat Stevens (now Yusuf Islam), activist Malala Yousafzai and basketball star Shaquielle O’Neal are all Muslims. However, activist Ralph Nader, singer Paula Abdul, and Heisman trophy winner Doug Flutie are all Arabs, but not Muslims. The confusion between these two can lead to many incorrect stereotypes, such as Arabs and Muslims all being billionaires, bombers or belly dancers. These negative images are plastered all over American TV, so it’s no wonder many get Muslim and Arabs confused.

Muslims believe in Jesus.

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Yes, Muslims in fact believe in Jesus. The Quran and Islamic teachings have a lot of positive things to say about Jesus. Muslims must believe in and respect all of the prophets in order to be counted as a true believer. This means Adam, Noah, Moses, and yes, Jesus.

Muslims believe Jesus also had a miraculous birth without a father to the Virgin Mary. She is also well respected in Muslim teachings. Furthermore, Muslims believe that Jesus performed miracles such as creating a bird from clay and curing the blind.

The difference is that the Quran denies the deity of Jesus and it teaches that He was only a man and a good prophet. Therefore, Muslims deny that He is the son of God and the Savior. They believe that Jesus was one of the greatest prophets sent by God, however he was only a human given the task of conveying the message to people that there is only one God.

Muslims are widespread throughout the world.

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According to the Pew Research center, Islam is the 2nd largest religion in the world making up 23.2 percent of the global population. It is only beaten out by Christianity. Geographically, 62 percent of Muslims are concentrated in East and Southeast Asia. From there, many Muslims live in the Middle East and North Africa (20 percent) and sub-Saharan Africa (16 percent). Islam has been around for a while and will continue to spread in these areas, in addition to the United States.

In North America, Muslims are not new like many are lead to believe. Arab immigration to the United States actually began in the mid 1800’s and Muslims have been here since the transatlantic slave trade. President Thomas Jefferson was the first American president to host an iftar (the meal Muslims eat after sunset during Ramadan) at the White House in 1805 for a visiting dignitary from North Africa. The Muslim-American community has grown ever since. To the surprise of many, most Muslims in the United States are also African American.

The vast majority of Muslims aren’t terrorists.

This may come as a shocker to some, but normal Islamic religious law forbids the killing of non-combatants in battle. It also completely forbids suicide. It is only a small minority that allows these things, and a small minority who engage in terrorist activities.

It is far too frequent that the media assumes that every act of violence committed by a Muslim or Arab is tied to a larger plot to destroy America. When a Latino man shoots an innocent person, he may be called a gang member. When a black man does the same thing, he may be labeled a thug. The media tends to give labels and assign collective responsibility to the community of ethnic minorities the person belongs too, rather than the individual themselves.

Overall, Muslims can be some of the friendliest, most hospitable people on earth. They can make great neighbors and great friends. No Christian should ever feel afraid to build a relationship with a Muslim.

The importance of Sharia law to Muslims.

Misinformation on Sharia law is repent in American society. Sharia is primarily about a personal relationship with God and the path to be followed to get there. Sharia is drawn from two main sources, the Quran and the Sunnah (the example set by the Prophet Muhammad). It encompasses both a personal moral code and a general religious law. It is also a living body of law and has developed over the centuries.

This can be compared to the canon law of the Catholic Church or the Jewish religious rules called Halakhah, which means “the path that one walks” like Sharia does. Opinions about these laws can vary greatly within each of these traditions, and Muslims around the world fall on a vast spectrum when it comes to interpreting Sharia.

Like Halakhah, the Sharia law can influence everything about one’s life. Asking a Muslim to stop believing in Sharia is like asking them to stop practicing their religion and is a blatant attack on religious liberty. Sharia is not something to be afraid of and it will not begin to dominate American life or courts.

Muslims need salvation through Christ.

At the end of the day, God loves Muslims. There are no if’s, and’s or but’s about it. Even the small number of Muslims who are considered enemies of the United States are loved by God. Even the Muslims who are persecuting Christians are loved by God.

Like Jesus would do, we should love Muslims enough to befriend them, make them welcome in our homes, and share the gospel with them. Muslims are lost like any other non-Christian. While it usually takes time and extended exposure to the Word of God and the lives of Christians, Muslims can accept Jesus Christ into their life as their savior.

It can be difficult to look upon Muslims with the love of Christ, but no Muslim will ever be able to transform without our acceptance. It is not our job to judge others, but instead play our part in God’s plan to bring love and salvation to the Muslim world.