PCA Parent Book Discussion
From Jihad to Jesus by Jerry Rassamni
Monday, Oct. 13, 2008
8:30 – 10:30 am
Introduction
Battle-of-Nashville Attitude
 The head-in-the-sand mentality that isn’t willing to examine the evidence and confront the Truth
 Problem for Muslims – born and raised in a particular belief system
 Problem for Christians – same reason!
Framework of the Book
 People – Are people born in fitrah? Do they need a Savior?
 The Qur’an – Is it the true word of God?
 Muhammad – Was he a biblical prophet?
 Allah – Is he the God of the Bible?
 Ahadith (Muslim customs and beliefs) – Are they from God?
Chapter 1 – Jerry’s personal life story
Do you know the difference between a Shiite and a Sunni Muslim?
http://islam.about.com/cs/divisions/f/shia_sunni.htm
Question: What's the Difference Between Shia and Sunni Muslims?
Answer: Both Sunni and Shia Muslims share the most fundamental Islamic beliefs and articles of faith. The differences between these two main
sub-groups within Islam initially stemmed not from spiritual differences, but political ones. Over the centuries, however, these political differences
have spawned a number of varying practices and positions which have come to carry a spiritual significance.
The division between Shia and Sunni dates back to the death of the Prophet Muhammad, and the question of who was to take over the leadership
of the Muslim nation. Sunni Muslims agree with the position taken by many of the Prophet's companions, that the new leader should be elected
from among those capable of the job. This is what was done, and the Prophet Muhammad's close friend and advisor, Abu Bakr, became the first
Caliph of the Islamic nation. The word "Sunni" in Arabic comes from a word meaning "one who follows the traditions of the Prophet."
On the other hand, some Muslims share the belief that leadership should have stayed within the Prophet's own family, among those specifically
appointed by him, or among Imams appointed by God Himself.
The Shia Muslims believe that following the Prophet Muhammad's death, leadership should have passed directly to his cousin/son-in-law, Ali.
Throughout history, Shia Muslims have not recognized the authority of elected Muslim leaders, choosing instead to follow a line of Imams which
they believe have been appointed by the Prophet Muhammad or God Himself. The word "Shia" in Arabic means a group or supportive party of
people. The commonly-known term is shortened from the historical "Shia-t-Ali," or "the Party of Ali." They are also known as followers of "Ahl-alBayt" or "People of the Household" (of the Prophet).
From this initial question of political leadership, some aspects of spiritual life have been affected and now differ between the two groups of
Muslims.
Shia Muslims believe that the Imam is sinless by nature, and that his authority is infallible as it comes directly from God. Therefore, Shia Muslims
often venerate the Imams as saints and perform pilgrimages to their tombs and shrines in the hopes of divine intercession. Sunni Muslims counter
that there is no basis in Islam for a hereditary privileged class of spiritual leaders, and certainly no basis for the veneration or intercession of
saints. Sunni Muslims contend that leadership of the community is not a birthright, but a trust that is earned and which may be given or taken
away by the people themselves.
Shia Muslims also feel animosity towards some of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad, based on their positions and actions during the early
years of discord about leadership in the community. Many of these companions (Abu Bakr, Umar, Aisha, etc.) have narrated traditions about the
Prophet's life and spiritual practice. Shia Muslims reject these traditions (hadith) and do not base any of their religious practices on the testimony
of these individuals. This naturally gives rise to some differences in religious practice between the two groups. These differences touch all detailed
aspects of religious life: prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, etc.
Sunni Muslims make up the majority (85%) of Muslims all over the world. Significant populations of Shia Muslims can be found in Iran and Iraq,
and large minority communities in Yemen, Bahrain, Syria, and Lebanon.
It is important to remember that despite all of these differences in opinion and practice, Shia and Sunni Muslims share the main articles of Islamic
belief and are considered by most to be brethren in faith. In fact, most Muslims do not distinguish themselves by claiming membership in any
particular group, but prefer to call themselves simply, "Muslims."
Why was Jerry at war?
 Loss of his father at an early age
 Witness of bloody massacres at a young age (normalizes violence)
 Attacks from Israel and the Phalange (Catholic militias)
 Protecting his homeland from invaders
How did Jerry break out of the bondage of war?
 Went to Cyprus – for eye surgery (that he didn’t need)
 Then to Spain and later to America in pursuit of an education…
How did Jerry come to meet Jesus Christ?
 Thru the love and Bible teaching of some Christians at Second Baptist Houston
 True followers of Christ are marked by love (see John 15 and 17)
Five Pillars of Islam (taken from Wikipedia)
The Five Pillars of Islam is the term given to the five duties incumbent on every Muslim. These duties are
Shahadah (confession of faith), Salat (ritual prayer), Zakat (alms giving), Sawm (fasting during Ramadan),
and Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah). These five practices are essential to Sunni Islam. Shi'a Muslims subscribe
to eight ritual practices which substantially overlap with the Five Pillars. Twelvers have five fundamental
beliefs which relates to Aqidah.
The concept of five pillars is taken from the Hadith collections, notably those of Sahih Al-Bukhari and
Sahih Muslim. The Qur'an does not speak of five pillars, although one can find in it scattered references to
their associated practices.
A few Muslims, mainly some Kharijite groups in ancient times and the founder of Islamic Jihad recently,
have taught that Jihad, or personal struggle, should be considered the sixth pillar of Islam. In this context,
Jihad is viewed as external war against those perceived to be enemies of Islam.
Is Islam a “tolerant” religion?
p. 17 – The only time in its history that Islam was loving and tolerant was when it was weak during the
Meccan period.
Ask yourself – which is the “superior” religion?
Christ in the teachings of the Qur’an
 His birth – born of a virgin
 His life – sinless
 His death – conquered death with the power of his resurrection
Muslim’s greatest fear
p. 29 – the Day of Judgment!
 Scales of righteousness vs. unrighteousness
 Capricious god Allah
Chapter 2 – Are People Born in Fatrah? Do They Need a Savior?
Fatrah – pure state (without sin) – able to attain moral purity by their own merits
Three Stages of Spiritual Journey
1. Generation (creation)
2. Degeneration (fall)
3. Regeneration (redemption)
Chapter 3 – Is the Qur’an the True Word of God?
Qur’an – eternal and unaltered
 And unexamined!
Has the Qur’an been altered?
 Yes…
o Errors
o Pagan influences
o Discrepancies
o Fallacies
Where did Muhammad receive the Qur’an?
 From the angel Gabriel
Two Islams:
1. Meccan Islam – “live and let live”
2. Medinan Islam – “believe as I do or die”
Chapter 4 – Was the Prophet Muhammad a Biblical Prophet?
Comparison of Muhammad vs. Jesus… (p. 125-126)
 Worldly riches
 Women
 Character
 Assassinations (killing of Jews who rejected him)
 Miracles
 Hand of the Almighty
 Prophecies
 Justice
 Death of the Prophet Muhammad
Chapter 5 – Is Allah the God of the Bible?

Origins of Allah
o Islam was not always monotheistic!
o Allah was formerly the Moon god
Chapter 6 – Are Muslim Customs and Beliefs from God?


The Ahadith – the lifestyle of the prophet Muhammad
Sunnah – depicts how Islam’s prophet lived his life as validated by the consensus of his companions
o WWJD – do we as Christians fall into the same “religious” trap as Muslims seeking to
imitate the life of Jesus instead of surrendering to Christ living in and thru us?

P. 165 – Islam and the doctrine of Jihad

Is there compulsion in Islam?
Appendix – p. 195 – comparison of Jesus and Muhammad