Ramadan 2013 – Day 8 – Dualism

Islam is dualistic in nature, meaning Muslims believe in ideas that westerners would perceive as opposites. For instance, the passages written in the early days of Islam in Mecca, (the peaceful passages) are contradicted by the later passages written after Muhammad migrated to Medina when they became political and warlike. The Medina passages take precedent over the Mecca ones, but they are not negated because the Qur’an is considered the verbatim words of Allah. A Muslim can believe “you have your religion and I have mine,” but at the same time also believe you must submit to Islam or I can wage jihad against you.”

This dual nature of Islam is carried over in many aspects of Islamic teachings. As an example, we look at Islam’s treatment of women.  In discussing (Day 7) the epidemic of rape perpetrated by immigrant Muslim men in western nations, it was stated that immigrant Muslim males have been raised since birth to think of women as inferior. However Muslims repeatedly tell westerners that the issue of women in Islam is misunderstood and distorted, and that women are equal in Islam.

One passage that is quoted in an attempt to show equality is Sura 4:124. It does indicate the “whoso doeth good works, whether of male or female, and he (or she) is a believer, such will enter paradise.” However Sura 4:34 says, “Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo! Allah is ever High, Exalted, Great.”

The Hadith states, “The Prophet said, ‘Isn’t the witness of a woman equal to half that of a man?’ The women said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘This is because of the deficiency of a woman’s mind.’”

If a woman does good works such as obeying her husband she is capable (like a man) of going to paradise.

Although this is only a small example, it is possible to go through the Qur’an, the Hadith and the Sira and examine the passages regarding women. In order to understand the truth about women or anything in Islam, westerners must rely on all the texts (Qur’an, Sira and the Hadith) of Islam rather than the words of media experts or even Muslims themselves in order to draw their own conclusions. With modern translations and the ability to study the history of Islam, it is possible for westerners to know the true nature of Islam.

Prayer Points:

The Qur’an is written in classical Arabic. With today’s technology and scholarship there are multiple translations of all three of Islam’s texts available for study. Pray that Muslims themselves will begin to study the texts of Islam to see its true nature.

The vast majority (4 out of 5) of Muslims are not Arabs, and relatively few of the non-Arab Muslims understand Arabic. Yet, for practicing Muslims, Arabic is a language they use on a daily basis in their prayers. The Bible is available in Arabic and also their native language on the Internet.  Ask God to draw them to the Word of God (the Bible) in their own language that they may learn about Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life – and receive salvation.