Why Do Muslims Hate Christians?
Dallas Roark, Ph.D.
April 14.2014. ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Suspected Islamic militants have struck for a fourth time in three days in Nigeria, killing 20 people including a traditional ruler in attacks in the northeast, local government and security officials said Wednesday.
The unprecedented string of attacks has caused many to question the role of politicians in the insurgency and the ability of Nigeria’s military to contain the 5-year-old Islamic uprising that has killed more than 1,500 people in 2014, compared with an estimated 3,600 from 2010 to 2012.
April 15, Jihad Watch, “Nigeria: Islamic jihadist abduct 100 schoolgirls as sex slaves.” (Source)
Iraq: “Militants” reported the Associated Press, “targeted Christians in three separate Christmas Day bombings in Baghdad, killing at least 37 people, officials said Wednesday. In one attack, a car bomb went off near a church in the capital’s southern Dora neighborhood, killing at least 26 people and wounding 38, a police officer said. Earlier, two bombs ripped through a nearby outdoor market simultaneously in the Christian section of Athorien, killing 11 people and wounding 21.” (Source)
Iran: Five Muslim converts to Christianity were arrested from a house-church during a Christmas celebration. Plain clothes Iranian security authorities raided a house where, according to Mohabat News, “a group of Christians had gathered to celebrate Christmas on Tuesday, December 24.” Before arresting the five apostates, authorities “insulted and searched those in attendance, and seized all Christian books, CDs, and laptops they found. They also took the Satellite TV receiver.” The original report received by Mohabat stated: “These Christians had gathered to worship and celebrate [the] birth of Jesus.” (Source)
NAIROBI, Kenya (Morning Star News) – The 17-year-old daughter of a Muslim man in Uganda was able to attend one church service this month before he killed her for leaving Islam, sources said.
Abdul Hakim Ibanda of Kamuli town in eastern Uganda beat Nanvunani Shamimu and her 19-year-old sister, Nawudo Hasifa, with a blunt instrument after learning that they had attended the church service on April 6, Hasifa told Morning Star News.
The two sisters turned to the Christian faith after they had the same dream the night of April 4, she said.
“We both saw a man dressed in white clothes, telling us to go and be prayed for in the church, but he did not tell us which church to go to,” Hasifa said.
On April 6 they attended United Believers Church in Kawaga, Kamuli District. “On Sunday morning we arrived at the United Believers Church and straight away went to see the pastor and explained to him about the dream and that we were ready to be Christians,” she said. “The pastor prayed for us to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives. After prayers we then went to church, where the pastor introduced us to the church and that we were new members of the church. The church faithful were cheerful to receive us.” (http://www.jihadwatch.org/2014/04/uganda-muslim-murders-17-year-old-daughter-for-leaving-islam-for-christianity)
Last year the Boston Marathon was the scene of an explosion put together by two Muslim brothers. They intended to kill people they did not even know. What motivates people to do evil to innocent people? This seems like a worthy question to ask, but from the Muslim standpoint there are no innocent people because you are either a Muslim or an infidel. You may be considered a Christian infidel, or a Jewish infidel, or a pagan infidel. Until you become a Muslim you are apparently considered an infidel worthy of being killed in any way possible. Well, the question that arises is: were they sure that no Muslims were running at the marathon, and they would not also kill Muslims with their attack? Or is the value of killing infidels outweighing the risk of killing a smaller number of Muslims as well.
The Qur’an:
The inspiration for this evil activity comes directly from the Qur’an. Consider the following passages in the Qur’an.
1. Qur’an (3:28), “The believers never ally themselves with the disbelievers, instead of the believers. Whoever does this is exiled from GOD. Exempted are those who are forced to do this to avoid persecution. GOD alerts you that you shall reverence Him alone. To GOD is the ultimate destiny.” (Khalifa)
Why is this commanded in the Qur’an? It is important to know that non-Muslims are to be treated with suspicious and doubt. Muslims are not allowed to think outside the “box.” Unbelievers will make you question whether Islam is the right path. They will raise questions about Mohammed as a prophet. They will ask if Mohammed did any miracles to verify his claim as a prophet. They will ask a lot of questions that many imams do not have answers for. Moreover, this verse leads to a distrust of even believers. If a Muslim were to confide in a friend that there were doubts about Islam in his mind, he would be shunned rather than helped in solving the issues.
Befriending a non-believer means that one is exiled from Allah??? How strange. This divides the world between Muslim and non-Muslim. Does Allah not care about the non-Muslim even to the point of compassion for their unbelieving state?
2. Qur’an, (5:57) “O Ye who believe! Choose not for guardians such of those who received the Scripture before you, and of the disbelievers, as make a jest and sport of your religion. But keep your duty to Allah if ye are true believers.”
This makes a stronger separation between Muslims and Christians. The world in the time of Mohammed was filled with Christians from the middle east westward to Spain and France and elsewhere. Probably one of the reasons for this verse is that Mohammed did not know much about the Old or New Testaments. If his followers talked with followers of Jesus they would have learned the real story about the life of Jesus. Moreover, there are many errors in the Qur’an about the Old Testament stories.
For example, the Qur’an says, (9:30) “And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah, and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah. That is their saying with their mouths. They imitate the saying of those who disbelieved of old. Allah (Himself) fighteth against them. How perverse are they!”
There is no statement in the Old Testament that claims that Ezra is the son of Allah. If some Jew made a stupid remark about Ezra that is not revelation. If the Qur’an were a revelation of the God of the Old Testament he should have known better to make such a statement. If Allah of the Qur’an is not Yahweh of the Old Testament then this is utter non-sense. There is much in the Qur’an that has no historical truth to it and this may be one of those things that Mohammed was ignorant about. He was not critical of his sources and he accepted many stories that were not historical. Surely Gabriel would have known that if he dictated the Qur’an to Mohammed.
Yes, the Christians did preach that the Messiah is the Son of Yahweh. That is what Jesus claimed and it is profoundly proven by the numerous scripture passages in which Jesus claims to be the Son of God. Here are some sample passages, but there are many more.
“So the high priest said, "With the living God looking on, you must tell the truth. Tell us, are you the Messiah, the Son of God?" "That is what you say!" Jesus answered. "But I tell all of you, 'Soon you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right side of God All-Powerful and coming on the clouds of heaven.' " (Matthew 26:63-64)
“So the Word became flesh and blood and lived for a while among us, abounding in blessing and truth, and we saw the honor God had given him, such honor as an only son receives from his father.” (John 1:14)
“God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.” (John 3:16)
“But these are written so that you will put your faith in Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God. If you have faith in him, you will have true life.” (John 20.31)
Not only is the claim that Jesus is the Son of God a basis for hating Christians but the nature of God is also rejected by Muslims and the Qur’an.
The Qur’an says, (5:73) “They surely disbelieve who say: Lo! Allah is the third of three; when there is no God save the One God. If they desist not from so saying a painful doom will fall on those of them who disbelieve.”
Mohammed rejected the claims of the Triune nature of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Humans cannot understand infinity, or eternity. How can we understand the Infinite Creator who is beyond our comprehension? The oneness of God involves a unity of persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Christians did not make this up. It is the story of revelation, God revealing Himself. Jesus Himself is the basis for claiming the Triune nature of God.
What about the last part of that verse in which “a painful doom will fall on those who disbelieve?” The threat of doom or of hell weighs heavy upon the Muslim psyche. It is also a grave concern for anyone even though atheists, agnostics, and superficial worldly people don’t think much about it at all.. If Islam is not the right path what does this mean for a billion Muslims today who have rejected God’s gracious revelation of Himself? The Bible story is that the Being who created the world and all that is in it has come in human form to declare his love for mankind. A loving relationship is possible with this Person involving forgiveness of sins, companionship in life, the gift of the Holy Spirit in one´s life, and the promise of everlasting life in the presence of God. All this is a gift, free for anyone seeking God, without a legalistic attitude of trying to earn it by praying the same prayers 17 times a day, and other rules.
Moreover, Jesus taught that God is love, he modeled that love dying for humanity, and taught that humans are to love one another, love your neighbor as yourself, even love your enemy. What did Mohammed teach?
3. Mohammed taught hate and jihad against unbelievers, pagans, Jews, and Christians.
Qur’an, “O ye who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you, and let them find harshness in you, and know that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto Him).” (9:123)
Qur’an, “O Prophet! Exhort the believers to fight. If there be of you twenty steadfast they shall overcome two hundred, and if there be of you a hundred (steadfast) they shall overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve, because they (the disbelievers) are a folk without intelligence.” (8:65)
Jihad is the new article of faith that Mohammed commanded his followers. If jihad had not existed Islam would be a small religious movement in Arabia. Jihad brought force and coercion to Islam. Jihad has been justified not only by the Qur’an but by a number of other issues. In the early days of jihad many people were killed, enslaved, and mutilated, but eventually it was realized that taxing the conquered people was a source of wealth. Moreover, conquered people could be exploited not only in taxes, but in sex slaves, slavery in which people could be sold for money. Even more, conquered people could be humiliated in the rejecting of Islam. The covenant of Omar gives examples of restrictions on housing, clothing, no repairing of churches, destroying churches, persecution of people for rejecting Islam.
Ironically, Muslim jihadists believe that in killing Christians who are “unbelievers” would send the Christians to hell. In truth, the people killed for believing in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will immediately be sent to heaven. The unrepentant murdering jihadists do not enter paradise as they believe, but are sent to hell. Consider the words of Jesus concerning a non-compassionate rich man and what happened to him. Then think of the consequences of a jihadist who has even less compassion.
“There was once a rich man who wore expensive clothes and every day ate the best food. But a poor beggar named Lazarus was brought to the gate of the rich man's house. He was happy just to eat the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. His body was covered with sores, and dogs kept coming up to lick them. The poor man died, and angels took him to the place of honor next to Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. He went to hell and was suffering terribly. When he looked up and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side, he said to Abraham, "Have pity on me! Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and touch my tongue. I'm suffering terribly in this fire." Abraham answered, "My friend, remember that while you lived, you had everything good, and Lazarus had everything bad. Now he is happy, and you are in pain. And besides, there is a deep ditch between us, and no one from either side can cross over." But the rich man said, "Abraham, then please send Lazarus to my father's home. Let him warn my five brothers, so they won't come to this horrible place." Abraham answered, "Your brothers can read what Moses and the prophets wrote. They should pay attention to that." Then the rich man said, "No, that's not enough! If only someone from the dead would go to them, they would listen and turn to God." So Abraham said, "If they won't pay attention to Moses and the prophets, they won't listen even to someone who comes back from the dead." (Luke 16:19-31)
4. The Qur’an raises an interesting question about not believing.
The Qur’an says, “Who doeth greater wrong than he who inventeth a lie concerning Allah, or denieth the truth when it cometh unto him? Is not there a home in hell for disbelievers?” (29.068) and “And who doth greater wrong than he who telleth a lie against Allah, and denieth the truth when it reacheth him? Will not the home of disbelievers be in hell?” (39.032)
These words are directed at Christians. But one has to ask the question: who is lying, or who is being deceived?
Let us look at the story of Jesus birth:
“One month later God sent the angel Gabriel to the town of Nazareth in Galilee with a message for a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to Joseph from the family of King David. The angel greeted Mary and said, "You are truly blessed! The Lord is with you." Mary was confused by the angel's words and wondered what they meant. Then the angel told Mary, "Don't be afraid! God is pleased with you, and you will have a son. His name will be Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of God Most High. The Lord God will make him king, as his ancestor David was. He will rule the people of Israel forever, and his kingdom will never end." (Luke 1:27-33)
The story here mentions Gabriel who declares that the son of Mary was to be called the Son of God Most High. Mohammed claimed that Gabriel spoke to him and he rejected the earlier Revelation. Why would Gabriel give contradictory revelations? Who told a lie about Allah? Mohammed? Gabriel? We have the account of Jesus doing miracles that indicated his claim to be the Son of God. Mohammed did no miracles, he claimed only to be a warner. Why believe a person who had no credentials?
5. The goal of Islam. Consider these words:
“He it is Who hath sent His messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth, that He may make it conqueror of all religion however much idolaters may be averse.” (61:9)
Islam is not willing to be a peaceful religion. It has the goal of conquering all religions into acceptance or subordination. This is why there is so much violence in Islam. The Sunnis are killing the Shia and the Shia are killing the Sunnis. Both types are killing other ¨heretical¨ Muslim groups. The killing of Copts in Egypt has been a result of the drive for conquest. The killing of Christians in Africa, the Middle East, and other Islamic countries has the aim of eradicating Christians or forcing their conversion to Islam.
So, what can be said about all of this? What is the source of this hate in the Qur’an and Mohammed?
Consider a conversation Jesus had with some religious people. “Jesus answered: If God were your Father, you would love me, because I came from God and only from him. He sent me. I did not come on my own. Why can't you understand what I am talking about? Can't you stand to hear what I am saying? Your father is the devil, and you do exactly what he wants. He has always been a murderer and a liar. There is nothing truthful about him. He speaks on his own, and everything he says is a lie. Not only is he a liar himself, but he is also the father of all lies.” (John 8:42-44)
Murder comes from the Devil. He uses people to do his work. The Scripture warns, “Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack.” (I Peter 5.8) Jihadist seek places to attack their victims when people are unsuspecting.
The positive side of this is that jihad against non-Muslim people is causing many Muslims to question and reject what is going on in Islam. They are leaving by the droves. Muslims have begun to question the cruelty, the horror, and the despicable evil in jihad. They are leaving to find peace in Jesus, or freedom in atheism, or something else. Islam is causing some people to turn to atheism giving up on all religions, or other religions as well as Christianity. You can read some of these experiences at:
www.answering-islam.org/Testimonies/
http://www.faithfreedom.org/testimonials.htm or simply google testimonies of former Muslims.
In contrast, Jesus, the Son of God, is appearing to multitudes of people in visions and dreams and they are experiencing an overwhelming sense of love and forgiveness. The vision or dream has the command to Follow Me, and the Muslim does not know what it all means, but seeks out a Christian, or a Bible to learn what they must do. The bottom line is that Jesus is affirming his existence in these dreams and at the same time declaring that Islam is not the right path, with the implication that Mohammed was a false prophet who has deceived millions of people through the centuries.
When Jesus was here on earth, after a period of time Jesus questioned his disciples: “When Jesus and his disciples were near the town of Caesarea Philippi, he asked them, "What do people say about the Son of Man?" The disciples answered, "Some people say you are John the Baptist or maybe Elijah or Jeremiah or some other prophet." Then Jesus asked them, "But who do you say I am?" Simon Peter spoke up, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus told him: Simon, son of Jonah, you are blessed! You didn't discover this on your own. It was shown to you by my Father in heaven. So I will call you Peter, which means "a rock." On this rock I will build my church, and death itself will not have any power over it.” (Matthew 16:13-18)
Faith in Jesus as the Son of God is the foundation of Jesus’ coming. He came that we might know His Father. He came that we might live in love with other people. He came to give life, not death. He came to bring forgiveness, not murder. He came to establish the future Kingdom of God. He is returning. Mohammed has nothing to offer about the future. He did not know what was going to happen to him. He is not returning. Jesus proclaimed the future Kingdom of God. He is the coming King. Please don’t miss out on this great event because Jesus is the real Savior, he died for our sins, he rose from the grave because He is the Son of God. Pray to Him to come into your life, forgive your sins, and give you everlasting life.