The fatiha (“the opening”) is the most important chapter in the Qur’an. Although the Qur’an is ordered by the length of the chapters, this chapter is among the shortest yet it is placed at the very beginning.
This chapter is so important Muslim recite it multiple times during each of the 5 required prayer times. Also, this chapter is recited on every occasion ranging from weddings to business transactions. Finally, this chapter is so important that it is usually found on their walls, around their necks, in their cars, or working stations.
Some Christians, who like comparing Islamic rituals to Christianity, compare the importance of this chapter to “The Lord’s prayer”. Personally, I do not like this comparison for various reasons which are out of the scope of this paper.
As we may hear, the chapter is beautifully worded. It has been compared to a worshiping Psalm. It praises Allah. In all fairness, Arab Christians use the exact word, Allah, to refer to Jehovah. The question remains is the Allah of the Muslims the same as the Allah of Arab Christians? Semantically, these two words, sound and write the same way but they do refer to a different god depending who is using the word.
Before we look into the last verse of the “fatiha”, One must understand that Jehovah could not be limited to a name or a word. Even the English word “God” is derived from a German pagan god.
So what is the problem with the “fatiha”?
The most accurate translation of the last verse of the “fatiha” is “The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace. not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (such as the Jews), nor of those who went astray (such as the Christians)” (The Noble Qur'an)
No, the parentheses do not exist in Arabic however most Muslim scholars agree that the Jews have earned Allah’s judgment. And the Christians have gone astray. In other words, those who pray this prayer are asking to stay away from the God of the Christians and the Jews.
In conclusion, the Qur’an proves that the Allah of the Muslims is not the same as the Allah of the Arab Christians. That chapter is recited at least 17 times per day by the faithful Muslim. Indirectly the Muslims are asking to stay away from the Christian and Jewish God. The question is who is receiving this prayer? What force is keeping those who pray it from Yahweh and Jesus?
Jeremiah Kry
Return to Truth For Muslims
Muslims shout “Allu akbar” when they hear good news or bad news. They do the same when they get mad or happy. It is in their holy books, prayers and on their mouths…
“Allu akbar” literarily means “Allah is bigger”. Many translate it “Allah is greater”. The question remains, he is greater than who or what?
I have two possible answers. First, when Mohammed started Islam, his message was simple, there is only one god, Allah, and Mohammed is his messenger. Meccans in those days used to worship many gods. These gods used to be stored in the black cube. Among them was the black stone that refers to Allah. So, Mohammed’s claim is that his god is greater than all these pagan gods. (BTW, the stone refers to Allah because it fell from the universe in the middle of the desert, thus it came from the throne of Allah)
The other explanation has a little deeper meaning; it could only be understood in the context of Bible worldview. We know that the devil’s desire was to grow “greater” than Yahweh but he was struck down and was condemned. Should we be surprised if he makes humanity shout that he is indeed greater? As of today, there are over 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide. They are the fastest growing people. Soon enough, the majority of earth will be shouting, “Allahu akbar”. I believe Islam is the vehicle for the final judgment. Think about it.
Jeremiah Kry
Return to Truth For Muslims
The famous standard Islamic greeting is “peace be upon you” (“Salam Aleykum”) What does that really mean?
Sounds obvious, the greeter is wishing the other person peace “upon” him. I have no doubt that Muslims mean exactly that, as they say this expression. The question remains,
How did Jesus greet his disciples?
Thanks to modern technology and internet Bible websites, I searched the Bible for “peace be upon you” but I did not find it!
Why?
Because Jesus never forced his peace upon anybody!
Jesus said “peace be with you” (“Salam ma aa koom”) (Luke 24:36, John 20:19, John 20:21, John 20:26).
He is the Prince of Peace. He is with us. He is in us. Interestingly enough, Jesus only used this expression after He was raised from the dead and right before his ascension! Only because of this supernatural event was the apostle Paul able to say “The God of peace be with you all” (Romans 15:33)
What is the difference?
I am glad you asked!
When the original Muslims (hint, hint: Their founder) used the word “upon” (“Aala”) they offered no other choice to the other person. Non-Muslims must accept the peace “upon” them or accept the consequences… Another similar and famous historical Arabic expression is “Aslem, Taslem” (yes, it rhymes) which means “Become a Muslim and you will be spared”
You might be thinking: Okay, You made a point, but they greet each other that way too…
You got it, Islam is submission to Allah’s will (period). Freedom of choice is not an option. Muslims do not have inner peace with Allah. They only have forced peace with him…
So, what is the standard reply?
“Wa Aleykum al Salam”, that is “and, peace be upon you too”. In other words, neither you, nor I, are allowed to question this forced peace.
It is amazing how a simple greeting carries such an enormous charge! So, next time a Muslim greets me with “Salamo Alaikoom”, I could get mad at him and rebuke the curse.
Or, a better option, I could remember how deep this web of deception runs in their culture. I should take a second to lift up a quick prayer before I reply back so that the Lord our God would free the person. Take the curse to the cross and respond with a blessing. After all, we Christians know that it is not the words that defile the person; it is a matter of the heart. So, do not be scared using the famous Islamic greetings. Or, better yet, use the Christian response (Al Salam Ma aa koom, peace be with you) as an excuse to present the Gospel, the real peace.
Friends, this is not a declaration of war against Islam. This is just an eye opener so that we would encounter the world of Islam shrewdly.
Jeremiah Kry
Return to Truth For Muslims