Evangelical Resources on Islam

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Articles
3. Websites
   • English Websites
   • Arabic Websites
   • German Websites
4. Books
   • Christian References on Islam
   • References by Muslims and About Islam
5. Audio
6. Video
7. Credits
8. Conclusion

Introduction

For non-Muslim Americans, the date September 11th stands out as the day that Islam invaded a peaceful nation. However, in the events that have followed, Muslims have had a particularly different perspective on the United States' role in the war on terror. While September 11th marked the beginning of unprecedented dialogue between Christians and Muslims, other events such as hate crimes against Muslims, the overthrown of the Afghan Taliban, and the war in Iraq, have left many Muslims skeptical. Is this a renewal of the Christian crusades?

Clearly, there is a need to continue the difficult but neccessary dialogue between Islam and Christianity. However, as Richard John Neuhaus notes, "We can help by not equating Islam with the evil done in the name of Islam, while, at the same time, not letting an 'ideal' Islam obscure the Islam of historical and contemporary fact." True dialogue must be dialogue in Truth, not of caricatures or ideals.

Christians are in a position today to dialogue with Muslims in ways that demand attention. Indeed, the Qur'an states clearly in Sura 2:256 "Let there be no compulsion in religion; Truth stands out clear from error". Let us then be people of the Truth, who carefully discern the times in which we live.

If you have comments, issues, or concerns, please email me directly: michaelh@ductape.net

Articles

• Leadership U: The Nature of Islam
  [ http://www.leaderu.com/focus/islam.html ]

  "The largest manhunt in history is underway. President Bush, in an unprecedented action, gave the order to kill Osama bin Laden. Meantime, the Muslim world (meaning in this case the almost entirely Islamic nations of the Middle East) seeks to strike a balance with UN, NATO and U.S. pressure and their own restive populations. Riots in Pakistan and elsewhere bespeak more complicated issues than reported in the news and official government statements. Contradictions and ignorance abound in information that attempts to delve into Islamic thinking and beliefs.

  "What drives the hatred of America and the West among many Muslims in the Middle East? Is it the simple effect of a madman and his horde of followers on the radical fringes of a peaceful religion, as the mainstream media and American Muslim community seem to portray? Or is jihad (Holy War) part and parcel of a religion that views the world as split into two camps: Muslims and infidels? What sense can be made of seemingly contradictory Qur'anic texts (some found herein)? Some point to a side of Islam being downplayed and at times misrepresented--that of a holy book commanding destruction of non-Muslims who don't convert, while other passages speak of respecting the "people of the Book" (Jews and Christians). Muslim apologists and everyday adherents continually invoke the meaning of the term Islam, "peace," as implied proof of its abhorrence of terrorist tactics like those used on September 11. But what kind of peace?

  "This collection includes articles by authors who have lived and worked within Muslim cultures (in fact, Muslims do not see a separation, as do many Westerners, between religious, civic and other areas of life). Some of the contributors were Muslims themselves. We do not seek to disparage Islam, but only to portray a balanced picture in a confusing mass of sometimes contradictory ideas. Get a broader picture of this important religion and compare it to biblical Christianity in our Special Focus."

• Leadership U: Islam & Jihad: Is Terrorism an Aberration?
  [ http://www.leaderu.com/focus/islamandjihad.html ]

  "Today's headlines are smeared with the story of the Mogadishu-style mob killing, dragging and mutilation of American civilians in Iraq. Crowds chanted, "Long live Islam!" and "God is great!" Last week, a U.S. commission appointed to investigate the September 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon strenuously probes for "what could have been done" by the Clinton and Bush administrations regarding response to terrorist threats, particularly from al Qaeda, the chief focus of the "war on terror" since 9-11. Recently, Spanish voters eschewed pro-Iraq War and pro-U.S. president Jose Maria Aznar and catapulted into office an anti-Iraq war Socialist on the heels of a devastating terrorist attack of their own on March 11, 2004 (now dubbed 3-11). This seems to many a de facto victory for terror, a capitulation to extremist genocide that utterly ignores the aims of radical jihadists. Terror victims from Bali to Turkey to Saudi Arabia, the very birthplace of al Qaeda arch-terrorist Osama bin Laden, are grappling with just what possesses religious zealots to snuff out life in such a dramatic, calculated way—all in the name of Allah and their view of Islamic ideals. The pragmatic issue of preparation (and in many minds, pre-emption) naturally follows for Western cultures at the wrong end of fatwas that explicitly declare jihad (holy war) against them, requiring military, law enforcement and political leaders to "get in the heads" of terrorists." ...

  ... "Simply put, we resonate with the writers of Islam and Violence (above) on this point: Though this has not been common practice for millions of Muslims the world over for centuries, given a plain reading, "Muslims who commit acts of violence and terror in the name of God can find ample justification for their actions based on the teachings of the Qur’an and the sayings and examples of prophet Muhammad himself." This is what the radical Islamists are doing, to a growing chorus of approval from Muslims who buy into the doctrine of jihad against the West.

  Thus, in the spirit of open inquiry we seek a closer, albeit limited, look at Islam:

  • What were Muhammad’s and his early followers’ motives and modus operandi regarding those outside the faith?
  • How has Islam'’s doctrine of war and violence developed since then?
  • What effect have various Muslim viewpoints had on modern-day adherents?
  • Which of these convictions drive Islamist terrorists?

  This collection seeks to allow the texts and history of Islam to speak for themselves as much as possible and is presented through the lens of a biblical worldview. Honest, bright people will disagree, some strenuously, but we trust in a way that can retain civil dialogue.

• Craig Branch. "The History and Doctrine of Islam"
  Areopagus Journal, October 2002
  [ http://www.apologeticsresctr.org/HistoryDoctrinIslam.htm ]

  This very recent article is a good overview of the current state of Islam from a Christian apologetic perspective, taking into account several factors that have added to animosity of Muslims toward Christianity, including the recent war in Iraq.

  "...these events have never been forgotten. In fact, in many Muslim countries and in Muslim mosques and schools, their children are raised with a steady diet of hostile propaganda against the West and Christianity. Conservative Muslims also view the establishment of the state of Israel and the subjugation of Arab Palestinians as an extension of this Crusader mentality and action. Add the United State’s financial support, its corrupt social influence (drugs, alcohol, pornography, television, bikinis, materialism, abortion, relativism, gambling—all under the rubric of freedom and democracy), our invasion of Iraq, and our military bases in holy Islamic territory, including the sacred land of Saudi Arabia, and you have aroused the deepest of angers and resentment, even rage."

• Wendy Murray Zoba. "Islam, U.S.A."
  A four-part series in Christianity Today, April 2000.

  Part One: "Islam, U.S.A.: Are Christians prepared for Muslims in the mainstream?"
  [ http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/004/1.40.html ]

  Part Two: "Islamic Fundamentals: Christians have a responsibility to understand our Muslim neighbors and their beliefs"
  [ http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/113/21.0.html ]

  Part Three: "How Muslims See Christianity: Many Muslims don't understand Christianity-especially the idea of salvation by grace through faith."
  [ http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/113/31.0.html ]

  Part Four: "Engaging Our Muslim Neighbors: The Church faces a challenge not just to understand Muslims, but to befriend them."
  [ http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/113/41.0.html ]

Websites

English Websites

• MuslimHope
  [ http://www.muslimhope.com/ ]

• Apologetics Index: Islam and Muslims
  [ http://www.apologeticsindex.org/i07.html ]

• Answering Islam

  United States:
  [ http://www.answering-islam.org ]

  United Kingdom:
  [ http://www.answering-islam.org.uk ]
  

  Answering Islam is a Christian website for teaching the truth to Muslims. It has many more contradictions and inaccuracies in the Qur'an, as well as Muslim responses.

• The Muslim-Christian Debate Website
  [ http://debate.org.uk ]

  An excellent and detailed site on Christian-Muslim debate topics.

  ...for information on the Qur'an and the Bible in general as well as the earliest manuscripts of the two.

• Apologetics Index: Islam and Muslims
  [ http://www.apologeticsindex.org/i07.html ]

• Bible and Qur'an
  [ http://bibleandquran.org/ ]

  A wonderfully helpful site with scholarly material, conversion testimonies, and debates with Muslims.

• ExMuslim
  [ http://exmuslim.com ]

  A web site with good information, a Muslim/Christian forum, and testimonies of ex-Muslims.

• Faith Facts
  [ http://www.gospelcom.net/faithfacts ]

  ...seeks to use reason and evidence to promote Biblical Christianity

• Good News for the Crescent World
  [ http://www.gnfcw.com ]

  ...has dialogue on important issues to both Christians and Muslims.

• Jesus Christ Saves Ministry
  [ http://koran.jcsm.org ]

  ...has a good introductory section on some of the Qur'an.

• Reformed Internet Ministries: Islamic Studies in Christian Perspective
  [ http://www.rim.org/muslim/islam.htm ]

  ...has many interesting pages on Islam.

• Institute for Islamic Studies
  [ http://www.islaminstitut.de/english/index.htm ]

  The English-language sub-site to the German language website "Institut für Islamfragen" listed below.

• The Koran
  [ http://www.hti.umich.edu/k/koran/ ]

  "This is an electronic version of The Holy Qur'an, translated by M.H. Shakir and published by Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an, Inc., in 1983. The text was provided by the Online Book Initiative and subsequently marked up at the HTI in SGML. Like all the versions of this text derived from the Online Book Initiative, it is not free from errors. We will strive to correct any errors pointed out to us."

Arabic Websites

• Knowledge of God
  [ http://maarifa.org ]

  ...has a wide variety of music, devotions, sermons, articles, and other free downloads.

German Websites

• Institut für Islamfragen
  [ http://www.islaminstitut.de/ ]

Books

Suggested References on Christianity

Christian References on Islam

• Abdiyah Akbar Abdul-Haqq. Sharing Your Faith With a Muslim
  Bethany House, 1980. ISBN: 0871235536

• Abd al-Masih. A Question That Demands an Answer.
  The Good Way P.O. Box 66 8486 Rikon, Switzerland. (no date) (61 pages)

• Ankerberg, John and John Weldon. The Facts on Islam.
  Harvest House Publishers, 1991. (48 pages)

• William F. Campbell. The Quran and the Bible in the Light of History and Science
  Middle East Resources Inc, 1992

  Of the various Christian books on Islam, this is by far my favorite and highest recommendation. Dr. Campbell's work sets out to carefully consider and argue against many of the positions taken by Dr. Bucaille's works. In this goal, it is very effective.

• Norman L. Geisler, Abdul Saleeb. Answering Islam: The Crescent in Light of the Cross, 2nd edition
  Baker Book House, 2002. ISBN: 0801064309

• Gilchrist, John. Christ in Islam and Christianity.
  Jesus to the Muslims, 1985. (40 pages)

• Gilchrist, John. Is Mohammed Foretold in the Bible? A Response to What the Bible Says About Muhummed.
  Jesus to the Muslims, 1979. (39 pages)

• Gilchrist, John. Origins and Sources of the Gospel of Barnabas.
  Jesus to the Muslims,. 1979. (32 pages)

• Gilchrist, John. What Indeed Was the Sign of Jonah?
  Jesus to the Muslims, 1985. (36 pages)

• Gilchrist, John. Is Muhammad Foretold in the Bible?
  Jesus to the Muslims, 1985. (37 pages)

• Hahn, Ernest. How to Respond to Muslims.
  Concordia Publishing House, 1995.

• Massey, Kundan L. Tide of the Supernatural: a call to love for the Muslim World.
  Here's Life Publishers, 1980.

References by Muslims and About Islam

• Sabiq, As-Sayyid. Fiqh us-Sunnah
  American Trust Publications, 1985. (5 volumes)

  One of the collections of Sunni Hadiths

• Ahmad, The Promised Messiah and Mahdi.
  Islam international Publications Ltd., 1990 (27 pages)

  This is by Ahmiddaya Muslims, which are not considered orthodox by either Sunnis or Shi'ites.

• Al-Bukhari, Sahih Al-Bukhari.
  
  Translated by Muhammad Muhsin Khan published by al Maktabat Al Salafiat Al Madinato Al Monawart. (no date) (9 volumes)

  The most authoritative collection of Sunni Hadiths

• Arbury, A.J. The Koran Interpreted.
  Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1955.

  Note: Yusuf Ali’s translation is apparently more accurate than this one

• Coplestone, F.S. Jesus Christ or Mohammed?
  Christian Focus 2000. 158 pages.

• Dashti, Ali. Twenty Three Years : A Study of the Prophetic Career of Mohammed.
  Geroge Allen & Unwin, 1985.

  Ali Dashti apparently was executed after Khomeini came to power in Iran

• Mohammad Faroog-I-Azam Malik. English Translation of the Meaning of AL-QUR'AN : The Guidance for Mankind.
  The Institute of Islamic knowledge 1997.

• Holy, QUR-AN, The. (Arabic and English)
  Revised and edited by the Presidency of Islamic Researches, IFTA, Call and Guidance.
  King Fahd Holy Qur-an Printing Complex. (The English translation was by Abdullah Yusuf Ali) 1410 A.H.

• Lippman, Thomas W. Understanding Islam: An Introduction to the Moslem World.
  Mentor Books, 1982.

• Muslim, Imam. Sahih Muslim.
  (rendered into English by 'Abdul Hamid Siddiqi)
  International Islamic publishing House. (no date) (4 volumes)

• Rahman, Fzlur. Islam. 2nd edition.
  University of Chicago Press, 1979.

• Yahya Bin Sharaf An-Nawawi, Imam Abu Zakariya (compiler), S.M. Madni Abbasi (translator) Riyadh-Us-Saleheen.
  International Islamic Publishing House. (no date) (2 volumes)

Audio

• The World of Islam CD-ROM
  [ http://www.ywam.org/books/islamcd.html ]

  "A three-year cooperative project produced a CD-ROM of some of the best in educational resources about Islam and Christian witness to Islam.

  "This CD-ROM is a high-quality research and training resource for Christians seriously interested in ministering in the Muslim context. It will especially benefit field workers, professors, students, and local churches.

  "The centerpiece of "The World of Islam" is a new 850-page "Survey of Islam" by the Institute for the Study of Islam and Christianity. Also included are major seminary courses on Islam from Dr. Dudley Woodberry of Fuller Seminary School of World Mission, as well as the full text of some 50 of the best books on Islam; an annotated bibliography; collections of maps and photographs; and links to Web sites related to Islam."

• Can The Muslim Religion Send Someone to Hell?
  7 hours, $29 + $2 shipping:

  Christian Answers
  P.O. Box 144441
  Austin Texas 78714
  (512) 218-8022

Video

• Can The Muslim Religion Send Someone to Hell?
  7 hours, $39 + $3.50 shipping:

  Christian Answers
  P.O. Box 144441
  Austin Texas 78714
  (512) 218-8022

Credits

The genesis of this resource listing is largely taken from MuslimHope.Com, with permission and various URL corrections and addendums. I encourage you to visit this excellent website firsthand.

Conclusion

Dialogue between Christians and Muslims can no longer be ignored in daily American life. The American University offers unparalleled opportunity for dialogue that, through time, patience, and understanding, can break down the barriers that have existed. As Evangelical Christians, we can no longer afford to let this opportunity pass.