Shows
Islam for Christians100 - Hadith – Pay Your EmployeesThe Prophet said, "Allah said, 'I will be an opponent to three types of people on the Day of Resurrection: -1. One who makes a covenant in My Name, but proves treacherous; -2. One who sells a free person and eats his price; and -3. One who employs a laborer and takes full work from him but does not pay him for his labor.' "
2023-06-2310 minIslam for Christians99 - Islamic History - 624 – The Battle of Badr Part 2The two sides prepare for the battle. Meccans debate whether to fight, but Muhammad has no doubts. A man tries to drink from the contested well. The first duel begins.
2023-06-1532 minIslam for Christians98 - Quran - Surah 92 - Al-Layl - The NightBy the night when it covers,and the day when it shines!By (the mystery of) the creation of male and female;-Surely the ends you strive for are diverse.As for the one who is charitable, mindful ˹of Allah˺,and ˹firmly˺ believes in the finest reward,We will indeed make smooth for him the path to Bliss.But he who is a greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient,And gives the lie to the best,-We will indeed make...
2023-06-0826 minIslam for Christians97 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 16 – New Testament - Mary Part 2A look at Jesus' both in the Quran and Islamic Mariology... and why Joseph is not only unnecessary but an impossible character.
2023-06-0132 minIslam for Christians96 - Hadith – When The Sun DisappearsThere was an eclipse of the sun, and the Messenger of Allah got up in a rush, fearing that it might be the Hour. He went to the masjid, where he stood and prayed, standing, bowing and prostrating for the longest time that I ever saw him do in prayer. Then he said: 'These signs that Allah sends do not occur for the death or birth of anyone, but Allah sends them to strike fear into His slaves. If you see any of these things, then hasten to remember Him, call upon Him supplicate and ask for His forgiveness.
2023-05-2309 minIslam for Christians95 - Islamic History - 624 – The Battle of Badr Part 1 – Preparing for BattleThe newly militarized Muslims target a Meccan caravan. Mecca scrambles an army. The stage is set for the first clash in what will be the years-long war between the Muslims and the Quraysh of Mecca.
2023-05-1526 minIslam for Christians94 - Quran - Surah 93 - Ad-Duhaa - The MorningGod talks to Muhammad once again... after a long, long absence. By the morning sunlight,and the night when it falls still!Your Lord ˹O Prophet˺ has not abandoned you, nor has He become hateful ˹of you˺.And the next life is certainly far better for you than this one.And ˹surely˺ your Lord will give so much to you that you will be pleased.Did He not find you as an orphan then sheltered you?Did He not find you unguided then guided you?A...
2023-05-0815 minIslam for Christians93 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 15 – New Testament - Mary Part 1Learn about Mary... the ascetic Islamic figure who was not only a virgin -- she had no husband, either. And a very, very small nativity scene.
2023-05-0129 minIslam for Christians92 - Hadith - Knowledge Leads to ParadiseIf anyone travels on a road in search of knowledge, Allah will cause him to travel on one of the roads of Paradise. The angels will lower their wings in their great pleasure with one who seeks knowledge, the inhabitants of the heavens and the Earth and the fish in the deep waters will ask forgiveness for the learned man. The superiority of the learned man over the devout is like that of the moon, on the night when it is full, over the rest of the stars. The learned are the heirs of the Prophets, and the Prophets...
2023-04-2310 minIslam for Christians91 - Islamic History - Circa 624 – A United ForceThe Muslims unite as a fighting force as they increase their will to fight and their total military force. The Quran would prove a very useful recruiting tool, urging Muslims to take up arms. This period would mold the new warrior spirit that would change both Islam and the Arabian peninsula during the run up to The Battle of Badr in 624.
2023-04-1531 minIslam for Christians90 - Quran - Surah 94 - Ash-Sharh - The ReliefHave We not uplifted your heart for you ˹O Prophet˺,relieved you of the burdenwhich weighed so heavily on your back,and elevated your renown for you?1So, surely with hardship comes ease.Surely with ˹that˺ hardship comes ˹more˺ ease.1So once you have fulfilled ˹your duty˺, strive ˹in devotion˺,turning to your Lord ˹alone˺ with hope.
2023-04-0820 minIslam for Christians89 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 14 – New Testament - John the BaptistJohn the Baptist's role in Islam. Yahya, as Muslims call him, is a Quran-affirmed prophet, although his actual role in the Islamic story is vague.
2023-04-0124 minIslam for Christians88 - Hadith - The Final BrickThe similitude of mine and that of the Apostles before me is that of a person who built a house quite imposing and beautiful and he made it complete but for one brick in one of its corners. People began to walk round it, and the building pleased them and they would say: But for this brick your building would have been perfect. Muhammad said: And I am that final brick.
2023-03-2313 minIslam for Christians87 - Islamic History - Circa 622, 623 – The RaidersThe Emigrants from Mecca turn from refugees to raiders, and this becomes the preamble to the Battle of Badr. Smaller raids from the Emigrants give way to larger operations as religious commitment and Quranic revelations foster a more militant atmosphere. God Himself changes the rules of warfare in Arabia.
2023-03-1540 minIslam for Christians86 - Quran - Surah 95 - At-Tin - The FigBy the fig and the olive,By Mount Sinai,And by this land made safe;Surely We created man of the best statureThen we reduced him to the lowest of the low,Save those who believe and do good works, and theirs is a reward unfailing.So who henceforth will give the lie to thee about the judgment?Is not Allah the most conclusive of all judges?
2023-03-0829 minIslam for Christians85 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 13 – New Testament - The Holy Parents Not Named Mary or JosephThe stories about the parents of Mart and John the Baptist: Zechariah and Imran -- and the wives of Zechariah and Imran... the wives did not get their names in the Quran. The stories should sound mostly familiar, except the Quran gives Zechariah a much larger role in the lives of both John the Baptist and Mary.
2023-03-0124 minIslam for Christians84 – Hadith – What Makes a HypocriteThe Prophet said, "Whoever has (the following) four characters will be a hypocrite, and whoever has one of the following four characteristics will have one characteristic of hypocrisy until he gives it up. These are: (1 ) Whenever he talks, he tells a lie; (2) whenever he makes a promise, he breaks it; (3) whenever he makes a covenant he proves treacherous; (4) and whenever he quarrels, he behaves impudently in an evil insulting manner."
2023-02-2110 minIslam for Christians83 - Islamic History - 622 – The Factions of MedinaThere were 5 factions in Medina in 622. Then 3. Then 2. This is their story, and also a vital foundation for understanding what will come. Wars, rivalries, massacres... this episode is meant to help make sense of it all -- on both a human and religious level.
2023-02-1430 minIslam for Christians82 - Quran - Surah 96 - Al-'Alaq - The ClotRead, ˹O Prophet,˺ in the Name of your Lord Who created—created humans from a clinging clot.Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous,Who taught by the pen—taught humanity what they knew not.Most certainly, one exceeds all boundsonce they think they are self-sufficient.˹But˺ surely to your Lord is the return ˹of all˺.Have you seen the man who preventsa servant ˹of Ours˺ from praying?1What if this ˹servant˺ is ˹rightly˺ guided,or encourages...
2023-02-0730 minIslam for Christians81 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 12 - Old Testament Wrap-Up (and Job)Job makes a velated appearance in our series... and some golden locusts gall from the sky.
2023-02-0127 minIslam for Christians80 - Hadith - Seeking Holy Knowledge for Unholy PurposesThe Prophet said: If anyone acquires knowledge that should be sought seeking the Face of Allah, but he acquires it only to get some worldly advantage, he will not experience the arf, i.e. the fragrance, of Paradise.
2023-01-2310 minIslam for Christians79 - Islamic History - 622 – The Hijra Part 2 – On the RunMuhammad enters phase two of the escape from Mecca, gets some help from nature and perhaps a miracle or two, and finally makes it to his new home.
2023-01-1627 minIslam for Christians78 - Quran - Surah 97 - Al-Qadr - The PowerWe have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power:And what will explain to thee what the night of power is?The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand:Peace!... This until the rise of morn!
2023-01-0825 minIslam for Christians77 - Biblical-Figures in Islam Part-11 - EzraEzra is an overlooked Biblical figure, but was not entirely overlooked in Islam. He is mentioned at most twice in the Quran, but also represents the spirit of Ezra in the Bible -- returning and rebuilding the faith.
2023-01-0122 minIslam for Christians76 - Hadith - Temporary UnbeliefIt was narrated from abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah said:"No one who commits Zina (an immoral sexual act) is a believer at the moment when he is committing Zina; no one who steals is a believer at the moment when he is stealing; no one who drinks wine is a believer at the moment when he is drinking it; and no robber is a believer at the moment when he is robbing and the people are looking on.
2022-12-2312 minIslam for Christians75 - Islamic History - 622 – The Hijra Part 1 - The Great EscapeMuhammad remains a human shield in Mecca until he escapes in the night, foiling an assassination plot with the help of the Angel Gabriel.
2022-12-1534 minIslam for Christians74 - Quran - Surah 98 - Al-Bayyinah - The Clear ProofThose who disbelieve among the People of the Scripture and the idolaters could not have stopped (erring) till the clear proof came unto them,A messenger from Allah, reading purified pagesContaining correct scriptures.Nor were the People of the Scripture divided until after the clear proof came unto them.And they are ordered naught else than to serve Allah, keeping religion pure for Him, as men by nature upright, and to establish worship and to pay the poor-due. That is true religion.Lo! those who disbelieve, among the...
2022-12-0843 minIslam for Christians73 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 10 – Ezekiel and the Missing Major ProphetsMysterious figures that may or may not be related to Ezekiel -- Dhu al-kifl, Dhu-al-Qarnayn and Yajuj and Majuj. The Quran mentions only one of the major prophets -- maybe -- but does offer a very different version of Gog and Magog. And, perhaps, a reference to Alexander the Great.
2022-12-0134 minIslam for Christians72 - Hadith - Falling Into the FireSahih Muslim 2284A person lit a fire and when the atmosphere was aglow, moths and insects began to fall into the fire, but I am there to hold them back, but they are plunging into it despite my efforts, and he further added: That is your example and mine. I am there to hold you back from fire and to save you from it, but you are plunging into it despite my efforts.
2022-11-2310 minIslam for Christians71 - Islamic History - Circa 610-622 – Selected Stories from Pre-Islamic Mecca Part 2Part 2 of the historical notebook:Muhammad Wrestles Mecca’s Strongest Man… and Moves a TreeGabriel Goes on a Killing SpreeIYAS… a young sage with Old FoolsThe Idol in the CesspoolAl Tufayl came to the Kaaba. Muhammad converts 20 Christians
2022-11-1530 minIslam for Christians70 - Quran - Surah 99 - Az-Zalzalah - The EarthquakeWhen Earth is shaken with her (final) earthquakeAnd Earth yieldeth up her burdens,And man saith: What aileth her?That day she will relate her chronicles,Because thy Lord inspireth her.That day mankind will issue forth in scattered groups to be shown their deeds.And whoso doeth good an atom's weight will see it then,And whoso doeth ill an atom's weight will see it then.
2022-11-0824 minIslam for Christians69 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 9 – Jonah and the minor prophetsA look at Jonah, the not so minor prophet. He has a surah in the Quran named after him, and his story casts an outsized shadow on Islam as it does Judaism and Christianity. We'll look at the differences in the characters, including Jonah's motivation and who he was actually running from when he found himself inside a whale.
2022-11-0122 minIslam for Christians68 - Hadith – Adam was a giant. And we will be, too.The Prophet said, "Allah created Adam, making him 60 cubits tall. When He created him, He said to him, "Go and greet that group of angels, and listen to their reply, for it will be your greeting (salutation) and the greeting (salutations of your offspring." So, Adam said (to the angels), As-Salamu Alaikum (i.e. Peace be upon you). The angels said, "As-salamu Alaika wa Rahmatu-l-lahi" (i.e. Peace and Allah's Mercy be upon you). Thus the angels added to Adam's salutation the expression, 'Wa Rahmatu-l-lahi,' Any person who will enter Paradise will resemble Adam (in appearance and figure...
2022-10-2311 minIslam for Christians67 - Islamic History - Circa 610-622 – Selected Stories from Pre-Islamic Mecca Part 1A selection of stories from Islamic History: The Muslims draw first bloodAn attempted bribe… and the ultimate in cynical politicsAn Islamic lesson in how miracles work
2022-10-1524 minIslam for Christians66 - Quran - Surah 100 - Al-'Adiyat - The ChargersBy the galloping, panting horses,striking sparks of fire ˹with their hoofs˺,launching raids at dawn,stirring up ˹clouds of˺ dust,and penetrating into the heart of enemy lines!Surely humankind is ungrateful to their Lord—and they certainly attest to this—and they are truly extreme in their love of ˹worldly˺ gains.Do they not know that when the contents of the graves will be spilled out,and the secrets of the hearts will be laid bare—surely their Lord i...
2022-10-0822 minIslam for Christians65 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 8 – ElijahElijah's role in Islam, and his role in the religious imagination in general. Elijah as John the Baptist, Jesus, Muhammad... and maybe just some random guy on the street.
2022-10-0123 minIslam for Christians64 – Hadith - IntentionsI heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for."
2022-09-2308 minIslam for Christians63 - Islamic History - Circa 620-622 – The Seeds of the HijraMuhammad finds some converts from Yathrib... and they pledge not only their hearts to God -- but will put Muhammad in charge of their city. An Islamic missionary goes ahead of Muhammad with tremendous success, setting up the Hijra, or Islamic migration, in 622.
2022-09-1527 minIslam for Christians62 - Quran - Surah 101 - Al-Qari'ah - The CalamityThe Calamity!What is the Calamity?Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Calamity is!A day wherein mankind will be as thickly-scattered mothsAnd the mountains will become as carded wool.Then, as for him whose scales are heavy (with good works),He will live a pleasant life.But as for him whose scales are light,A bereft and Hungry One will be his mother,Ah, what will convey unto thee what she is! –Raging Fire.
2022-09-0820 minIslam for Christians61 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 7 - Solomon Part 2 – The Biblical StoriesAll the stories of Solomon more familiar to Biblical readers, such as the baby, the Queen of Sheba, Solomon's great works and his controversial later life.
2022-09-0125 minIslam for Christians60 - Hadith – Potential Redemption - Faith the Size of a Mustard SeedAllah's Messenger said, "When the people of Paradise have entered Paradise, and the people of the Fire have entered the Fire, Allah will say. 'Take out (of the Fire) whoever has got faith equal to a mustard seed in his heart.' They will come out, and by that time they would have burnt and became like coal, and then they will be thrown into the river of Al-Hayyat (life) and they will spring up just as a seed grows on the bank of a rainwater stream." The Prophet said, "Don't you see that the germinating seed comes out...
2022-08-2311 minIslam for Christians59 - Islamic History - Circa 621 – Sawdah and Aisha – The Safe Choice and the Child BrideMuhammad's marriage to two women. A solid and ordinary woman named Sawdah, and Abu Bakr's six-year-old daughter -- Aisha. This will explain how that happened and the controversy surrounding Aisha.
2022-08-1534 minIslam for Christians58 - Quran - Surah 102 - At-Takathur - The Rivalry in World IncreaseRivalry in worldly increase distracteth youUntil ye come to the graves.Nay, but ye will come to know!Nay, but ye will come to know!Nay, would that ye knew (now) with a sure knowledge!For ye will behold hell-fire.Aye, ye will behold it with sure vision.Then, on that day, ye will be asked concerning pleasure.
2022-08-0826 minIslam for Christians57 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 6 - SolomonThe Islamic Solomon shows up David with his wisdom, learns quick lessons, tends to his animals and commands his jinn -- even after he is dead.
2022-08-0130 minIslam for Christians56 - Hadith - The Parable of the RainwaterThe Prophet said, "The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. (And) another portion of it was hard and held the rain water and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, making their animals drink from it and for irrigation of the land for cultivation. (And) a portion of it was barren which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation (then that...
2022-07-2314 minIslam for Christians55 - Islamic History - Circa 621 - The Night Journey and The AscensionThere and back again -- Muhammad's night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem, including visions of heaven, hell, Jesus and even a slight glimpse of God. This was hugely consequential for the Muslims at the time, and would be just as consequential for us in the 20th Century.
2022-07-1544 minIslam for Christians54 - Quran - Surah 103 - Al-'Asr - The Declining DayOur limited time on earth... and the specter of eternity. By the declining day,Lo! man is in a state of loss,Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance.
2022-07-0820 minIslam for Christians53 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 6 - DavidDavid brings down the Psalms, is a holy blacksmith, and may or may not have committed adultery. The Islamic David comes off as a better individual than the Biblical David, but is not as flawless as you may think.
2022-07-0133 minIslam for Christians52 – Hadith - Da'if - Examining a Weak Hadith“A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, show me a deed which, if I do it, Allah will love me and people will love me. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Be indifferent towards this world, and Allah will love you. Be indifferent to what is in people’s hands, and they will love you.”
2022-06-2315 minIslam for Christians51 - Islamic History - Circa 619 – The Year of Sorrow Part 2 – The Prophet Without a HomeThe year of sorrow comes to a merciful end, but he is unable to find a new home. Muhammad re-enters Mecca with an unlikely ally, and is on the cusp of receiving a tremendous gift.
2022-06-1543 minIslam for Christians50 - Quran - Surah 104 - Al-Humazah - The TraducerWoe unto every slandering traducer,Who hath gathered wealth (of this world) and arranged it.He thinketh that his wealth will render him immortal.Nay, but verily he will be flung to the Consuming One.Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Consuming One is!(It is) the fire of Allah, kindled,Which leapeth up over the hearts (of men).Lo! it is closed in on themIn outstretched columns.
2022-06-0829 minIslam for ChristiansEpisode 49 – Biblical Figures in Islam Part 5 – Joshua, Saul, and a king named TalutDetails on the Islamic versions of Joshua, Saul, and a Saul-like archetype named Talut. And a brief cameo from David and Goliath. The Islamic version pretty much skips the conquest of the Promised Land, and God grants Israel a king.
2022-06-0130 minIslam for Christians48 - Hadith – Mecca Before JerusalemI said, "O Allah's Messenger! Which mosque was first built on the surface of the earth?" He said, "Al- Masjid-ul-,Haram (in Mecca)." I said, "Which was built next?" He replied "The mosque of Al-Aqsa ( in Jerusalem) ." I said, "What was the period of construction between the two?" He said, "Forty years." He added, "Wherever (you may be, and) the prayer time becomes due, perform the prayer there, for the best thing is to do so (i.e. to offer the prayers in time).
2022-05-2314 minIslam for Christians47 - Islamic History - Circa 619 – The Year of Sorrow Part 1 – Khadija and Abu TalibThe worst year of Muhammad's life begins with the loss of Khadija and Abu Talib. A breakdown of what may have killed them and the impact of Muhammad, Islam, and the political situation in Mecca.
2022-05-1528 minIslam for Christians46 - Quran - Surah 105 - Al-Fil - The ElephantHast thou not seen how thy Lord dealt with the owners of the Elephant?Did He not bring their stratagem to naught,And send against them swarms of flying creatures,Which pelted them with stones of baked clay,And made them like green crops devoured (by cattle)?
2022-05-0813 minIslam for Christians45 – Biblical Figures in Islam Part 4 – MosesThe story of Moses... from the river to the burning bush to the edge of the Promised Land. The Islamic Moses skips the most famous plague of the Bible, gives the surah of the cow its name, hits an angel -- and then takes a mysterious journey with a man in green.
2022-05-0151 minIslam for Christians44 - Hadith – In Utero With the AngelsThe Prophet said, "Allah has appointed an angel in the womb, and the angel says, 'O Lord! A drop of discharge (i.e. of semen), O Lord! a clot, O Lord! a piece of flesh.' And then, if Allah wishes to complete the child's creation, the angel will say. 'O Lord! A male or a female? O Lord! wretched or blessed (in religion)? What will his livelihood be? What will his age be?' The angel writes all this while the child is in the womb of its mother."
2022-04-2310 minIslam for Christians43 - Islamic History - Circa 616 to 619 – The BoycottThe Quraysh take their best shot at annihilating Mecca's Muslims - and their tribesman - in a three-year boycott. The boycotted take refuge on the outskirts of Mecca as the rest of the city tries to starve them into submission. The siege is broken, at last, when it is revealed the other Meccans simply so not have the will to maintain the blockade.
2022-04-1546 minIslam for Christians42 - Quran - Surah 106 - QurayshFor the taming of Qureysh.For their taming (We cause) the caravans to set forth in winter and summer.So let them worship the Lord of this House,Who hath fed them against hunger and hath made them safe from fear.
2022-04-0822 minIslam for Christians41 – Biblical Figures in Islam Part 3 – JosephJoseph is kidnapped, ends up in Egypt, has some problems with a eunuch and resists some epic temptation. The story of Joseph is told in surah 12, which is actually named Yusuf - the Arabic word for Joseph. The story of Joseph was always special to Muhammad, and this episodes details why.
2022-04-0127 minIslam for Christians40 - Hadith – That Which Does Not Concern YouOn the authority of Abu Hurayrah who said: The Messenger of Allah said:"Part of the perfection of one's Islam is his leaving that which does not concern him."
2022-03-2318 minIslam for Christians39 - Islamic History - Circa 616 – A Controversial Message – The Satanic VersesThe controversial story of the Satanic Verses -- where the story came from, why it matters (or doesn't matter) and how believable the story actually is. Did Satan really try to sneak an extra verse past Muhammad? Or is it just an apocryphal legend? And what are the theological implications of this?
2022-03-1536 minIslam for Christians38 – Quran – Surah 107 - Al-Ma'un - The Small KindnessesHast thou observed him who belieth religion?That is he who repelleth the orphan,And urgeth not the feeding of the needy.Ah, woe unto worshippersWho are heedless of their prayer;Who would be seen (at worship)Yet refuse small kindnesses!
2022-03-0821 minIslam for Christians37 – Biblical Figures in Islam –Part 2 – Noah and AbrahamNoah asks God to destroy the world. Abraham survives the fire, heads to Mecca, and nearly kills Ishmael.
2022-03-0133 minIslam for Christians36 - Hadith – Prohibiting Religious InnovationThis month’s hadith is from the Abu Dawud collection ---On the authority of Abu Najeeh al-’Irbaad ibn Saariyah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said:The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) gave us a sermon by which our hearts were filled with fear and tears came to our eyes. So we said, “O Messenger of Allah! It is as though this is a farewell sermon, so counsel us.” He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “I counsel you to have taqwa (fear) of Allah...
2022-02-2119 minIslam for Christians35 - Islamic History - Circa 615, 616 – Seeking the Christian KingThe story of the Ethiopian king who took in the first Muslim refugees. A Christian ruler called the Negus hosts a debate between the Muslims and the Meccans, cementing his legend in Islamic lore.
2022-02-1434 minIslam for Christians34 – Quran – Surah 108 – Al-Kawthar – The AbundanceLo! We have given thee Abundance;So pray unto thy Lord, and sacrifice.Lo! it is thy insulter (and not thou) who is without posterity.The translations of this in English are wildly different, so I’ll give two more translations in addition to the Pickthall translation heard above: Yusuf AliTo thee have We granted the Fount (of Abundance).Therefore to thy Lord turn in Prayer and Sacrifice.For he who hateth thee, he will be cut off (from Future Hope).And no...
2022-02-0713 minIslam for Christians33 – Biblical Figures in Islam Part 1 – In the Beginning….The Beginning of a series on Biblical figures in Islam. This episode is about Adam in the beginning, how the devil was created from a rogue jinn, and what it all means for Islamic verses Christian theology.
2022-02-0130 minIslam for Christians32 - Hadith – The Practice of SincerityThis month’s hadith is from Sahih Muslim, number 55:It is narrated on the authority of Tamim ad-Dari that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:"The Religion is sincerity." We said, "To whom?" He said "To Allah, to His Book, To His Messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and their masses."
2022-01-2310 minIslam for Christians31 - Islamic History - Circa 615 – The First PersecutionsThe Muslims face persecution, but also add some muscle. This episode includes: The first Islamic martyr. The freeing of Bilal.A big loss for Abu Jahl.The addition of Hamza and Umar.
2022-01-1522 minIslam for Christians30 – Quran – Surah 109 – Al-Kafirun – The DisbelieversSay: O disbelievers!I worship not that which ye worship;Nor worship ye that which I worship.And I shall not worship that which ye worship.Nor will ye worship that which I worship.Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion.
2022-01-0821 minIslam for Christians29 – The Heretics Part 2 – The Other HereticsSecond and final part of the Heretics episodes. Featuring the Druze, the Ahmadiyya, the Nation of Islam and others.
2022-01-0147 minIslam for Christians28 – Hadith – On Understanding LimitsThe Prophet said, "Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded; and gain strength by worshipping in the mornings, the afternoons, and during the last hours of the nights."
2021-12-2311 minIslam for Christians27 - Islamic History - Circa 613 – Muhammad Goes PublicMuhammad was going public with his ministry. This was around the year 613. So who would listen? WhenMuhammad went public the backlash was not immediate from most Meccans – he received plenty of mockery, but no outright violence. That would soon change.
2021-12-1527 minIslam for Christians26 – Quran – Surah 110 – An-Nasr – The Divine SupportWhen Allah's succour and the triumph comethAnd thou seest mankind entering the religion of Allah in troops,Then hymn the praises of thy Lord, and seek forgiveness of Him. Lo! He is ever ready to show mercy.
2021-12-0810 minIslam for Christians25 – The Heretics Part 1 – The BahaiOn the shores of Lake Michigan, in the near north suburbs of Chicago, sits a large white temple that is so impressive it was named one of the seven wonders of Illinois. Keep in mind Illinois contains all the eye-popping, history-making architecture of Chicago, so yeah, it’s a pretty amazing structure – even next to the Sears Tower, Trump Tower, Hancock Building and all the other Chicago marvels. It is the North American headquarters of the Bahai Faith, whose founder – Baha-ullah -- was once a Muslim.
2021-12-0149 minIslam for Christians24 – Hadith – The Mujaddid – Every 100 YearsThe Prophet said: Allah will raise for this community at the end of every hundred years the one who will renovate its religion for it. In Arabic, this person is called the Mujaddid, or one who brings renewal.
2021-11-2311 minIslam for Christians23 - Islamic History – The Year 610 - The first revelation and its aftermathA mysterious force grabbed hold of him, and he could not move. The force ordered him to recite, and soon came the words of the first Islamic revelation:Read: In the name of thy Lord Who createth,Createthman from a clot.Read: And thy Lord is the Most Bounteous,Who teacheth by the pen,Teachethman that which he knew not.
2021-11-1517 minIslam for Christians22 – Quran – Surah 111 – Al-Masad – The Palm FiberIn one sense, this surah is pretty self explanatory. Abu Lahab is not a fictional person – he was an actual early enemy of Islam. This explains what will ultimately happen to Abu Lahab, and to his wife, and to others like him who rail against Islam. There is also a larger metaphor at play here.
2021-11-0811 minIslam for Christians21 – The SufisSufis are Muslims who seek a direct experience of the divine. They can be Sunni or Shia or any other kind of Muslim, and trace their lineage directly to Muhammad. Sufis have always been small in number but great in influence, something they certainly have in common with their Christian counterparts.
2021-11-0129 minIslam for Christians20 – Hadith – The Physical Toll of RevelationO Allah's Messenger! How is the Divine Inspiration revealed to you?" Allah's Messenger replied, "Sometimes it is (revealed) like the ringing of a bell, this form of Inspiration is the hardest of all and then this state passes off after I have grasped what is inspired. Sometimes the Angel comes in the form of a man and talks to me and I grasp whatever he says." 'Aisha added: Verily I saw the Prophet (ﷺ) being inspired divinely on a very cold day and noticed the sweat dropping from his forehead (as the Inspiration was over).
2021-10-2305 minIslam for Christians19 – Islamic History – Muhammad Before the RevelationsMuhammad didn’t receive his first revelation until he was 40, starting an action packed 12 years of ministry until his death. But what came before that? There is little on Muhammad’s first 40 years, not dissimilar to the pre-ministry days of Jesus. And what is there, it really is impossible to tell legend from fact from hagiography. Regardless of what you want to call it, there are a few good stories about Muhammad before his ministry. Here are my top 5:
2021-10-1518 minIslam for Christians18 – Surah 112 – Al-Ikhlas – The SincerityMuhammad once called this surah “equivalent to one-third of the whole Quran.” The emphasis is on the oneness of God, the essential nature of God and the impossibility of comparing God to anything in his creation.
2021-10-0811 minIslam for Christians17 – Shia IslamSo… the Shia. What makes them different from their Sunni counterparts?The textbook explanation for the difference between Sunni and Shia is almost always the succession of Muhammad after his death and whom each side supported. It’s correct, but it’s really just a starting point. I start this episode talking about the commemoration of Husayn’s martyrdom at Karbala – because that’s really the birth of the divide – when Shia became an actual thing.
2021-10-0133 minIslam for Christians16 – Hadith – What Makes a BelieverNone of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself. The implications of this – this Muslim version of the golden rule -- are far-reaching. It means that when Muhammad talks about being a believer, it’s way beyond smashing idols and proclaiming there is only one God. This is surface belief, performative belief. To truly believe you must internalize the message and live it. When a Muslim proclaims that there is no God but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God – it also means a pledge of altruism.
2021-09-2307 minIslam for Christians15 – Islamic History – Pre-Islamic LegendsIslamic history dates back to Abraham… well, Adam, really, and there are some stories that are critical to understanding Islam that predate Muhammad. This includes most of the Old Testament, but I’m not going to rehash stories you already know. Abraham is a big deal Islam, as is the story of him sacrificing Isaac. It’s so big, actually, it’s a Muslim holiday. But again, you know that story. So what I did was pick out five stories of Pre-Muhammad lore to share with you.
2021-09-1519 minIslam for Christians14 – Surah 113 – Al-Falaq – The DaybreakThis is an early Meccan surah, and combined with surah 114, it’s as much a prayer as it is a surah. The combined prayer of 113 and 114 is often called Al-Mu'awwid hatan – and according to the hadith Muhammad would say this prayer every night.
2021-09-0810 minIslam for Christians13 – Sunni IslamThe Sunni story begins in 632, when Muhammad died without a clear heir. This was particularly important because, by this time, Muhammad wasn’t just the leader of his small group of Muslims. Pretty much the entire Arabian Peninsula had flocked to his banner, united under Muhammad’s religion. Obviously, this was no small feat, but without Muhammad, would the tribes remain united? Some thought the new leader should obviously be Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law and cousin, a great warrior and a surefire leader who would be respected. But the Sunnis has other ideas, shying away from what they thought could...
2021-09-0127 minIslam for Christians12 – Hadith – The Five PillarsThe Hadith is a collection of the sayings and deeds of the prophet Muhammad, particularly important in creating Islamic law and giving context to elements of the Quran. In Islamic fashion, this is more of a history exercise than a literary one, so there is no overarching narrative of the reports. In fact, many reports are found in multiple hadith collections. A standard hadith has two parts: 1. The first is the isnad, or chain of reporters. It’s critical that the chain custody, so to speak, go back to a companion of the prophet. Like the canonization of the G...
2021-08-2309 minIslam for Christians11 – Current events – Christians and Muslims in SyriaWhy on earth would anyone support the murderous tyrant Bashar Al-Assad? Especially confessed Christians? Once we dive into the religious and sectarian situation in Syria, and the history of the last couple centuries, it will start to make sense. For Christians in the Middle East, political preferences aren’t really preferences. We, and by that I mean people in democracies, support a candidate for comparatively trivial reasons like taxes, the culture wars or even personality. Syrian Christians and other minorities support a candidate who will keep them alive. Alawites and Christians, for example, have many sound reasons for supporting th...
2021-08-1523 minIslam for Christians10 – Surah 114 – An-Nas – The MankindIn the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind,The King of mankind,The god of mankind,From the evil of the sneaking whisperer,Who whispereth in the hearts of mankind,Of the jinn and of mankind.
2021-08-0809 minIslam for Christians9 – Talking About TerrorismThis episode is an acknowledgment that for many Westerners, and that includes Christians, most of what is known about Islam is filtered through the lens of terrorism and extremism. I don’t like it, and I know Muslims freaking hate it, but I don’t think ignoring that perception is helpful, either. As you learn more about Islam, violent extremism will creep further and further into obscurity. But at the beginning? When someone is first introduced to Islam? It’s right there front and center. You don’t have to like it, but it’s a reality.
2021-08-0116 minIslam for Christians8 – The QuranThe Quran is not the Bible. I went into detail on this in an earlier episode, but it’s hard overemphasize this point – the Quran is not the Bible. It’s a book about similar people, and it’s about the God of Abraham, and it’s a critical cog of a major religion, but that’s pretty much where the similarities end. The archetype of the Christian Bible is the novel. It has a beginning, an end, characters, protagonists, antagonists and all the hallmarks of classic literature. The closest Christian equivalent would be the Psalms. But the Psalms w...
2021-07-2326 minIslam for Christians7 – Some Basic ArabicWhen talking about Islam, some Arabic is essential. It’s not necessary to be a Muslim – the vast majority of Muslims do not understand Arabic – but Arabic is the language of the Quran and the early Muslims and therefore essential for anyone attempting to study Islam.
2021-07-1525 minIslam for Christians6 – Commentary on The MessiahThis is the commentary for The Messiah (2007). This should not be confused with the short-lived Netflix series. The Messiah is a movie out of Iran that tells the story of Jesus from an Islamic perspective. Type – The Messiah 2007 full movie – into YouTube and it should be easy to find. Look for a movie that’s about an hour 23. It’s obviously not in English, but there are subtitles.
2021-07-071h 31Islam for Christians5 – Commentary on Empire of FaithWelcome to the Islam for Christians companion to Empire of Faith. Go to YouTube or something similar and type in Islam: Empire of Faith. You should see three parts of about 50+ minutes. We’ll go through all three here. If the narrator sounds like Ben Kingsley, you have the right one.
2021-07-012h 44Islam for Christians4 - Commentary on The MessageThe films I’ll be focusing on are the following:1. The Message. It’s a 1976 film centered on the life of Muhammad and his message, thus the title. It's available to rent on Amazon…2. Islam: Empire of Faith. This is a PBS documentary. Last I checked it was on YouTube, so you don’t need to pay for it.3. The Messiah (2007). This should not be confused with the short-lived Netflix series. The Messiah is a movie out of Iran that tells the story of Jesus from an Islamic perspective. Type...
2021-06-232h 59Islam for Christians3 - A Very Short History of IslamLearn 1,400 years of Islam in under 30 minutes! 1. Before the first revelation – before 610.2. The Mecca period – 610-622.3. The Medina period – 622-6324. Rightly guided caliphs – 632-6615. Umayyad (spell) Caliphate – 661-7506. Abbasid (spell) Caliphate 750-12587. Mongol Era 1258-15038. The Gunpowder Empires – Ottomans, Safavids and Mughals 1503 until about 18009. Decline and colonization – 1800s to 191810. The modern century – 1918 to present
2021-06-1525 minIslam for Christians2 - Apples to Apples - Comparing Christianity to IslamJesus, the Quran, Mary, Muhammad and like to like comparisons
2021-06-0618 minIslam for Christians1 - About This PodcastIntroduction to Islam for Christians. Brief introduction of the author, the purpose of this podcast and what to expect.
2021-06-0216 min