B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #60
B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #60
October 19, 2005
I Cor. 16:9 “a wide door for effective work has opened…and there are many adversaries.”
ISLAM – continued
Question: When Muslims pray and worship, what exactly are they doing?
Answer: Prayer in Islam is completely different from prayer in Christianity. The word “prayer” in the Arabic language is “Salat,” which comes from the root of the word “Sellah,” meaning relationship. That is the definition that the God of Christianity, Jesus Christ, taught His disciples when they asked Him to teach them how to pray. Jesus said, “In this manner, therefore, pray: ‘Our Father in heaven.”‘ Prayer in Christianity means a conversation based upon a personal relationship with God, just like the relationship between a father and his son. However, this must be a mutual relationship.
This is not the case with Muslims. In Islam prayer is not an act of one who has a personal relationship with God, because according to the teachings of Islam, no one can dare have a personal relationship with Allah. Prayer in Islam is a compulsory act for everyone over the age of ten and is required by Allah. Muslims have no choice in the matter. Muslims cannot choose what they want to say to Allah, as all words are provided for them.
When do Muslims Pray?
By law Muslims must pray the same text certain times of the day (five times each day). The ritual of prayer in Islam is not designed for a two-way, personal relationship, like a child who desires to talk to his father. In Christianity, the Bible teaches us that we are to pray continuously and without ceasing. If prayer is an act of fellowship, of our relationship with God, we are to continue this communication with our heavenly Father all day, every day during times of need, rejoicing, meditation, etc. Our prayers do not have to be confined to a specific number of times every day.
Where do Muslims pray?
In Islam, Muslims have to pray either in a mosque (especially on Friday, as prayers on this day have more merit than any other day), or in any location using a prayer mat in a clean area. Certain places are considered unclean and inappropriate (e.g., graveyards and lavatories). They must always pray toward Mecca where Mohammed’s father maintained his collection of stone idols. Since God fills the earth and the heavens, He doesn’t require His children who are Christians under the new covenant to pray in special places or facing a specific direction. Jesus warned His disciples of praying on the streets or in the marketplaces. He told them to go into their room and close the door, because they are talking to their Father in heaven, who sees in the secret places and rewards publicly (Matthew 6:5,6).
What are the components of a Muslim’s prayer?
Prayer in Islam begins with “Allah Akhbar” (meaning Allah is great), and then “Sura El Fatiha,” which they have to recite in every “Rakaa” (the prayer unity). Each prayer must consist of many Rakaas, then Allah Akbar, then they kneel down. Muslims must repeat the Rakaa and every prayer at each session with many chanting repetitions. They are not allowed to pour out their hearts with individual praise or petition before Allah in prayer or to add or omit anything required from their ritual prayer in Arabic, no matter what the reason. Prayer in Christianity is pouring our hearts out before God. It includes thanksgiving, praising and worshipping God and intercession for others.
How do Muslims pray?
Muslims do not believe in the Holy Spirit, and they see the Qur’an as their truth. Jesus said that the true worshippers will worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:21-24).
What makes a Muslim’s prayers acceptable or unacceptable to Allah?
For Allah to accept prayer:
l. Muslims prayers are only valid when they are preceded by ceremonial ablutions, called “wudu” (symbolic cleansing), to achieve legal purity.
2. Muslims must stand shoulder to shoulder in a straight row, because Allah will not look at the crooked rows.
3. Muslims must pray facing Mecca.
4. Muslims must pray in Arabic, even if they do not speak or understand Arabic.
5. Muslims have to follow the pattern of prayer in Islam precisely.
6. Women cannot pray during their monthly cycle, as they are considered unclean.
7. Muslims must clean themselves again if a woman or dog touches their prayer mat during their prayer time.
Our God (in Christianity) told us that the acceptable prayer to Him has to come out of a pure heart, by faith in Him, with humility as we abide in Him. One of the most important points in a Christian’s prayer is that it must be offered to God in the mighty name of Jesus, believing that Jesus is the Son of God and the only mediator between God and man (I Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 8:6, 9:15 and 12:24). Muslims do not believe that Jesus is the crucified Son of God.
Prayer in Christianity is a spiritual act that cannot be accomplished with rituals and body movements but by heartily desiring to have a deeper, personal relationship with God, so one can be transformed into the likeness of His Son. In Islam, prayer is a ritualistic act that must be done in order to avoid the punishment of the heavenly seated Allah, who does not care about a personal relationship with his people.
Understanding these difference, let us draw near to His throne of grace, petitioning for the salvation of Muslims worldwide.
(Prayer, taken from The Voice of the Martyrs, March 2002)
News from Pastor Alex of Taveta,Kenya
We like to inform you of what is going on in Masaai place from the last information we sent .
To Masaai, many wives is wealth to them. Early marriages are still going on in Masaai land
Also forced marriages are still going on. Many are surprised when we teach them on Gods plan of marriage
Not all are that way on the type of marriages like tribes enkusero parish a olosho nyokie parish.
They are better understanding.
GODS PLAN FOR MARRIAGE
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A WIFE IS A PARTNER
FRIEND TO HER HUSBAND
A CHILDLESS MARRIAGE IS STILL A BLESSED MARRIAGE (Genesis 2;24)
ONE WIFE PER ONE MAN (MATH;19:6)
WHEN A MAN DIES HIS, WIFE CAN RE-MARRY (Rom 7:3 1timothy5:14)
THINK OF YOUR WIFE NEEDS
SHE IS WEAKER. TREAT HER AS YOUR PARTNER. IF YOU TREAT HER WELL, NOTHING
CAN HINDER YOUR PRAYERS (1PETER3:7)
WHEN A MAN DIES HIS MONEY PROPERTY GOES TO HIS WIDOW (Ruth 4:3)
A PERSON MAY DECIDE EITHER TO MARRY OR REMAIN SINGLE
SINGLE PEOPLE CAN DO GREAT WORK FOR GOD ( 1Cor7:26-38)
WE ARE REQUESTING YOU TO REMEMBER US IN YOUR PRAYERS
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In Him, Pastor Koenig