Islam and Franciscanism: A Dialogue

ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY, TWO FAITHS AND ONE GOD: A Personal Reflection

7 ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY —TWO FAITHS AND ONE GOD— A Personal Reflection Imam Mohammad Bashar Arafat, PhD Preface The teachings of Islam and Christianity flow from one source, God, The One, The Creator. This paper, which was written for the project “Islam and Franciscanism” is meant to create an awareness of the common beliefs and values held by those who believe in Allah — the Arabic name for God. It also emphasizes the duty of the true believers, in our case, Muslims and Christians, clergy and lay people, to stand united as a brick wall against the various forces that are trying to destroy faith and morality and establish a non-religious society naked of any moral values. Dialogue and continuous meetings between the Muslim and Christian world are more important than ever before, to help prevent the evil forces from interfering and igniting wars under the name of religion. I believe our love for God should be like the love shown by Moh .ammad, Jesus, Moses, Abraham, and all other prophets which resulted in peace, brotherhood and respect among the “Global Family of Adam and Eve” regardless of race or color. When we look at a specific tradition within the Christian faith, Franciscanism and its leader, St. Francis of Assisi, served as an early pioneer attempting to build bridges of understanding. If St. Francis was in this century, the age of religious freedom, tolerance, and openness toward others, I believe his active role in the mission of peace would not have been limited to the Sultan of Egypt. It would have been extended throughout other parts of the Muslim World. Courageous people like St. Francis and the Sultan of Egypt are needed in each generation to ensure the continuation 8 IMAM MOHAMMAD BASHAR ARAFAT of the spirit of the divine message brought by Moh .ammad, Jesus, and all prophets of God. IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, MOST MERCIFUL, MOST BENEFICENT WHAT IS ISLAM ABOUT Islam as a new belief system was introduced to humanity more than fourteen centuries ago, but in actual fact it is a reality with its roots in creation itself. It is the Truth that has accompanied man from his very beginning. Since then, a chain of prophets has been sent to remind man of this Truth. By doing so, man has been linked to his Lord and Creator, Who through His prophets has progressively expanded His message over the millennia. Islam, which means “submission to God,” reflects the relationship between the human being and God that is seen in all religions and in the message of all the messengers of God. Thus, on this point, there can be no conflict between what has been revealed to Moses, Jesus, or Moh .ammad. The Qur `a -n affirms this religious unity and the common prophetic brotherhood of the messengers and condemns their segregation. He has ordained for you that religion which He commanded unto Noah, and that which We inspire in you, and that which We commanded unto Abraham and Moses and Jesus, saying: Establish (the religion) and be not divided therein…. 1 Despite differences of time, place, and people, this comprehensive unity which is the religion of God, is founded on a natural disposition cultured by a rational mind and heart. The aptitude of man to live this life and that of the hereafter, find completion within the framework of this rationality. The teachings of Islam, therefore, aim to protect this disposition and strive to maintain its purity despite the diseases that continuously afflict it. 1 The Holy Qur `a n , Sura 42, The Counsel, verse 13. Hereafter The Holy Qur `a n is referred to by the abbreviation T.Q. TWO FAITHS ONE GOD 9 This protection is afforded through a religious education that sees the importance of this natural disposition as the sciences see the universe, in their ability to expand knowledge and the intellect. This religious training purifies and refines man’s nature, teaching him to recognize his true purpose and goal. The Qur `a -n considers piety the essence of man’s nature, like that seen in the lives of the prophets. The life of Prophet Muhammad represents rejuvenation and not a pioneering struggle, a confirmation and a complement to the work of the earlier prophets. This is because the central theme of Islam revolves around the unity of God, a subject to which the Qur `a -n devotes much attention...