Why believe in Islam?

I think after such a long period of time, that Mr. Joshua has left the building.  Too bad...he may have been learned some valuable information if he had remained patient and chosen to stay for awhile.

God's Peace.

yasha,

Good to see you helping Josh.

As for "Why believe in Islam?", the answer is very simple. Islam leads us to the One God, the Lord Almighty. There is no adulteration in God and the Magnificience of God Almighty remains the Most High.

Some comments, in response:

From you: "An interesting question.  The answer would involve a study of Satan, his character, as presented in the bible.  And at best we would try and deduce what kind of 'religion' he would create and if Islam might qualify.  I invite you to list off the traits of Satan, according to Islam.  I'll provide a few points according to the bible.  Lets see if we can find Any common ground regarding this being."

Satan is not into the business of creating religions. Satan wants simply to lead people away from the Lord Almighty. Even Jesus was attcked by him. But Jesus kicked him out. So far the world has never heard of any religion created by Satan.  

From you; "Here are a few points: (scriptures availble upon request)

1) Satan masquerades as an angel of light.
2) Satan is the great imitater.
3) Satan desires to be like God.

Therefore if Satan were to invent a religion, we might expect it to imitate God's religion, with an outward appearance of rightousness."

Satan is neither an angel nor an ex-angel or light. He has his own powers and does not have to imitate. Satan's desire is to lead humanity away from God and that's what he is after. I don't think he has any desires to be like God for he knows God Almighty and His Powers well! He knows he was created and also knows that he can be destroyed. 

For more information on how Satan has been described as an evil, you will have to read and understand Qur'aan, which is the only Book that describes Satan's revolt against God and tells us how he became a sworn enemy of God after making sure he got a respite till the Judgement day.  Is there any account of that in the Bible?


From you: "If Satan were to do such a thing, it would be quite a deception wouldn't it?  I believe deception is a quality that Satan also posesses."

Satan has many qualities and his job is to mislead people and make them go astray, with whatever means he has.  

From you: "From a Christian point of view, Satan is defeated in Christ.  Therefore all Satan need do is prevent people from accepting the salvation offered by Christ. With out Christ people are on their own.  And their sin will kill them, no matter how many good deeds they posess."

Satan was never defeated and still remains fully active. Even Jesus Christ could not kill or destroy him. Sins, death, illnesses, bloodshed, deception, hate, wars, plundering and all evils continue. Nothing has changed. To say that Satan is defeated in Christ is void. People knew of a life hereafter several milleniums before Jesus. In fact, if you look at Jesus' 1-3 years of ministry, you can see what Satan did during that period and after Jesus was gone.

BMZ

yasha,

From you: "People are religious by nature.  They need to worship.  Redirecting their worship is how one is led away from the Lord.  If Satan's business is to lead people away from God, then he MUST be in the business of creating religions.  However the biblical perspective is quite clear on Satan desireing worship."

Not necessarily. To lead people away is Satan's business. satan just does not want people to obey and listen to God. He deceived Adam and Eve and tricked them both into eating the fruit. All religions believe in this story. 

From you: "Matt 4:8-9
8    Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.
9    "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
(NIV)"

Ok, I can accept that according to the story which tells me that the temptation was specially and specifically organised and arranged by God for Jesus and the Spirit led him into the desert to be tested by Satan. I don't know why God had to test him after declaring so boldly and loudly from heavens "This is my son with whom I am pleased." I think God should not have done that if He were pleased with his son. If I am pleased with my son, I would not push him into difficulties and trials.

Anyway, Satan asked him to worship him but Jesus answered,"It is written:'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.' " This is a huge statement, don't you think, keeping in mind the word only?

And I think the above statement should have reverberated throughout the Bible but unfortunately, it did not. Why was that so and who did the diluting of that statement? I am not saying that it was done 100% by Satan. What do you think?

I do not discuss anything from the chapter of Revelations, as it's John's own dream, vision or thoughts. It's his own story and the chapter had been in and out of the Bible quite a few times according to Christian scholars and historians but finally was left in. Hence I have no comments.

From you: "The qur'ans story, which has a jewish origin, is not found in the bible.  There are only hints of Satan's fall, but enough."

All the Scriptures, mostly have the Hebrew and the Jewish origin. The OT of the Christians is a 100% copy of the Jewish Holy Scriptures, with quite  afew changes made, where necessary but the interpretation done is entirely different and the funny part is that the Jews are not aware of.  

From you: "As you may know, in Christianity it is through Christ, only, that one can be saved."

Yes, I am aware of that but one must know that according to Isaiah and other Prophets, one can only be saved by the Saviour only, who is the Lord Almighty. And remember that the words of the Lord Almighty never change. Whatever God Almighty uttered through Isaiah, uttered in all Integrity sworn by God Almighty Himself.

How did that change from the Lord Almighty to Jesus? Was it posssibly the work of Satan? 

From you: "All Satan needs to do is keep people from believing the NT.  Islam, at present, it seems, teaches people to reject the gospel, which is to reject the forgiveness of sins, reject salvation, reject God." 

I don't think so. Satan does not want people to believe in any book that has got anything to do with God.

Islam does not reject the teachings of Jesus, for Jesus taught the words of God from the Torah, spoke about God and asked people to worship only God Almighty with all their herats, minds and souls. Who then asked people to worship Jesus? Satan?

Islam does not reject forgiveness of sins, salvation and God. Islam says,"believe only in God, the Lord Almighty, have full faith and trust in the Lord Almighty and one would have one's sins forgiven and one would have salvation from God Almighty only, not from anybodyelse. it is that simple. I believe all those, who believe in God Almighty, are saved. This is where, you don't have to point a finger to the moon. Just look at it direct.

From you: "This is why many Christian believe Islam to be Satanic in origin.  Satan in already defeated, it's just a matter of time.  Those in Christ are already saved.  All his effort is undone with Christ, that is why it is first priority to keep people from believing the good news.  If people try to lead good lives (as muslims are supposed to), yet reject salvation through Christ (which muslims do), then Satan is victorious in their lives.   But in Christ Satan is defeated."

It is our duty to tell the Christians and others that all religions before Islam were attacked and infected by Satan, the Master Virus. In fact, we can say that Satan has been defeated by Islam with it's open and blaringly loud declaration "There is no other god/God but only One God, the Lord Almighty". Satan will never be pleased with this declaration.  He has given up on Islam.

I must tell you something interesting here, that almost a hundred times or may be more, every day, every Muslim, recites this: "I seek refuge in Allah, the Lord Almighty only, to  keep away this kicked-out/cursed Satan."   Believe me, he dares not sway our Faith and Belief in the One God, the Lord Almighty!

BMZ