USING THE NAME "ALLAAH" (Part 6)

A REFLECTION AND RESPONSE TO ISSUES ON ISLAMIC DA’WAH, CHRISTIAN EVANGELISM, INTER-FAITH DIALOGUE, CONTEXTUAL USE OF ISLAMIC TERM, APOSTASY, REFUTING ALLEGATIONS AND CLARIFICATION ON PREVAILING MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT ISLAM AND IT’S APPROACHES ON DA’WAH

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Question:

“I am referring to the recent controversy (May 2008) in Malaysia regarding the request by the Catholic Church, for their use of the term ‘Allah’ in their translation of the Bible and other religious tracts for their congregation (in Bahasa Malaysia) and the objection of the Malaysian Islamic Authorities. The court there has now allowed the matter to be forwarded for a judicial review in the civil court.

My question for you is: ‘Does Islam have any objection for others of different faith from using this term? If it does object, (it seem obvious for most people to interpret from the Malaysian case that imply that only Muslims can use the name Allah), why is this so? And if Islam does not object to this, how would you then explain the basis for their objection? Are they wrong? Or perhaps there are other plausible explanations to this issue which may not have been considered.

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CONTINUATION ..........

7.0 Now sudden twist –contextualization in evangelical methodology

Christians admit the difficulty in trying to convert Muslims to Christianity. Yet, this will not stop them from continuing their efforts, as Allah s.w.t. has forewarned Muslims to still be wary for they will still persist:

وَلَن تَرۡضَىٰ عَنكَ ٱلۡيَہُودُ وَلَا ٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ حَتَّىٰ تَتَّبِعَ مِلَّتَہُمۡ‌ۗ

قُلۡ إِنَّ هُدَى ٱللَّهِ هُوَ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ‌ۗ وَلَٮِٕنِ ٱتَّبَعۡتَ أَهۡوَآءَهُم بَعۡدَ ٱلَّذِى

جَآءَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ‌ۙ مَا لَكَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن

وَلِىٍّ۬ وَلَا نَصِيرٍ

Never will the Jews or the Christians be satisfied with thee unless thou follow their form of religion.

Say: "The Guidance of Allah that is the (only) Guidance." Wert thou to follow their desires, after the knowledge which hath reached thee, then wouldst thou find neither protector nor Helper against Allah.

(Qur’an: al-Baqarah: 2: 120)

Instead of directly confronting Muslims with their Christian message, now they are using more ‘subtle’ tactics, avoiding those main issues that the Qur’an challenges them with. They knew that as long as these issues are brought up, Muslims will always be sensitive and would inevitably put up their guard regarding the position of Christians and especially their teachings that blasphemes Allah and opposed to Tauhid (i.e. categorize as ‘Kufr’). And Christian realises too that the Qur’anic arguments are so potent that they could not reasonably and directly offer any effective denial. In fact there has been many cases of those Christian evangelists who were truly sincere in seeking Truth, were even known to have converted to Islam instead, when confronting these Qur'anic issues themselves. They now suggest round-about methods that seek to try and desensitize Muslims; so that Muslims' attitude towards regarding them as ‘Kaafir’ is minimised or if possible removed. Not many Muslims are aware that Christian evangelists are now using methods termed as “contextualization”, which for us Muslims and ethical scholars would consider many of its approaches would tantamount to forms of deception - differing perhaps only to its degree, whether subtle or blatant. When they (Christians)appear to want to have a dialogue with Muslims, according to their own admission, the purpose is not about seeking the truth but only to convert Muslims. In one of their journal it is admitted:

The Goal of Dialogue: Conversion

"Thus, true dialogue suggests that Christians invite their Muslim friends to faith. Such intent does not imply a “hidden agenda” whereby the Christian secretly plans for a Muslim to “convert.” Rather, it is an open and forthright goal of dialogue. Christians must understandably approach Muslims in a spirit of friendship and goodwill. They must demonstrate sympathy toward Islamic beliefs but stay committed to evangelism. They must not regard evangelism as secondary to good relations or conversion as peripheral to dialogue. They must see themselves in partnership with the Holy Spirit and invite Muslims to conversion (II Cor. 5:20; (Acts 18: 5, 9; 23:11; 24:24, 25; 26:28, 29; 28:23, 24, 30; II Cor. 5:20)."

"............. But respect for the truth must be held in tension with sensitivity and deep love for Muslims. Conversion must always be the ultimate aim of dialogue — never an end in itself. Christians do not primarily enter dialogue with Muslims to enrich each other’s faith— they want Muslims to be converted!"

Warren F. Larson “Critical Contextualization and Muslim Conversion” (INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FRONTIER MISSIONS - VOL 13:4
OCT.-DEC. 1996)

Definition of “Contextualization”

Missiologist Darrell Whiteman defines contextualization as a process that involves,

"[A]ttempts to communicate the Gospel in word and deed and to establish the church in ways that make sense to people within their local cultural context, presenting Christianity in such a way that it meets people's deepest needs and penetrates their worldview, thus allowing them to follow Christ and remain within their own culture."

There is much confusion over the word “contextualization.” Contextualization is “taking the unchanging truth of the gospel and making it understandable in a given context.” The goal is not to make scripture as Islamic as possible; rather, it is to communicate the unchanging truth in the particular Islamic context so it makes sense. We must allow for a biblical theology to develop from the culture rooted in scripture without Western forms constricting the worldview of the target group. Contextualization is to assist in the process of transformation (Hebrews 5:11-14) of the individual, community and society, while avoiding syncretism (an overlay of Christianity on a non-Christian core). Roy Oksnevad

(http://www.lausanneworldpulse.com/themedarticles.php/686/04-2007?pg=all)

Of course Christian would deny that this approach is deception, nay they insist that this method is legitimate and ethically justified. Their claim of “not having hidden plan” have been contradicted (thus exposed as lies) by another of their own strategy i.e., planting churches amidst Muslims; a deceptive move akin to ‘sedition or infiltration’ by recruiting and nurturing secretive groups. This is well documented in another of their stated plan - it reveals:

Full article: go to:

[http://www.xenos.org/ministries/crossroads/OnlineJournal/issue1/contextu.htm]

Models of contextualization

"We begin by describing six contextualization models. After a brief summary of C1-C3 and C6 models, we will focus attention on the C4 and C5 models, considering theological issues relating to them, and how they might be incorporated into a church planting strategy in the present Muslim

C1 Model: Traditional church using non-indigenous language.

Christian churches in Muslim countries that exist as islands, removed from the culture. Christians exist as an ethnic/religious minority.

C2 Model: Traditional church using indigenous language.

Church uses indigenous language, but in all its cultural forms is far removed from the broader Islamic culture.

C3 Model: Contextualized Christ-centered communities using Muslim’s language and non-religiously indigenous cultural forms

Style of worship, dress, etc. are loosely from the indigenous culture. Local rituals and traditions, if used, are purged of religious elements. May meet in a church or more religiously neutral location. Majority of congregation is of Muslim background and call themselves Christians.

C4 Model: Contextualized Christ-centered communities using Muslim’s language and biblically permissible cultural and Islamic forms.

Similar to C3 except believers worship looks like Muslim worship, they keep the fast, avoid pork and alcohol, use Islamic terms and dress. Community is almost entirely of Muslim background. Though highly contextualized, believers are not seen as Muslims by the Muslim community. Believers call themselves "followers of Isa Al—Misah[sic]," Jesus the Messiah.

C5 Model: Christ-centered communities of "Messianic Muslims" who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Believers remain legally and socially within Islamic community. Aspects of Islam incompatible with the Bible are rejected or if possible, reinterpreted. Believers may remain active in the mosque. Unsaved Muslims may view C5 believers as deviant and may expel them from the Islamic community. If sufficient numbers permit, a C5 "Messianic mosque" may be established.

C6 Model: Small Christ-centered communities of secret/underground believers

Isolated by extreme hostility, usually individual believers but sometimes in small groups. Believers typically do not attempt to share their faith, others suffer imprisonment or martyrdom.

Yet, in another part of the same article, it states their reason for this strategy which is merely deceptive "church planting" :

"The present concern is to consider how theological principles might provide some direction for how and where contextualization techniques might be used in evangelism and church planting among Muslims. To do this, we must address a problem that is implicit in Whiteman's definition. He states that contextualization means, "allowing them to follow Christ and remain within their own culture." While he appropriately distinguishes the Gospel from culture and non-Christian world view, the vast majority of people in the world regard personal identity and culture to be fundamentally inseparable from religious tradition and belief. In their understanding, conversion to Christianity, by definition, implies abandoning one's native culture in exchange for another. Put simply, the dilemma is this: how can a fellowship of biblical believers grow and witness for Jesus, yet remain authentic, active members of their overtly non-Christian culture? The relative failure of Christian outreach to Hindus and Muslims illustrates this dilemma and reinforces contextualization as a strategic imperative.

To read full article:

("Contextualization: Building Bridges to the Muslim Community" By Jim Leffel)

REMINDER FOR MUSLIMS NOT TO BE COMPLACENT

They may plan, but Allah is with the Believing Muslims.So, Muslims must realise that if we have not suffuciently done our part in our Da'wah towards all people, especially the People of the Book, and do not awaken each otherto realize our duty, many unsuspecting Muslims would be duped (tricked) by this deception.They uses terms like 'planting' and 'harvesting' all this while, and we thought it to be innocent terms devoid of 'sinister' intent & motives. Yet, when Muslims become aware and adhere to Islam, inshaAllah, we can in fact become witnesses of the Truth unto them instead, When there are people amongst them (Christians) who sincerely seek after Truth, Allah s.w.t.wiil instead be guiding them (hopefully through us), into Islam. For we believe, "truth (the Right way) is clear and distinct from error":

وَقُلۡ جَآءَ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَزَهَقَ ٱلۡبَـٰطِلُ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱلۡبَـٰطِلَ كَانَ زَهُوقً۬ا

وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ مَا هُوَ شِفَآءٌ۬ وَرَحۡمَةٌ۬ لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ‌ۙ وَلَا

يَزِيدُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارً۬

وَإِذَآ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَى ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنِ أَعۡرَضَ وَنَـَٔا بِجَانِبِهِۦ‌ۖ

وَإِذَا مَسَّهُ ٱلشَّرُّ كَانَ يَـُٔوسً۬ا

قُلۡ ڪُلٌّ۬ يَعۡمَلُ عَلَىٰ شَاكِلَتِهِۦ فَرَبُّكُمۡ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَنۡ

هُوَ أَهۡدَىٰ سَبِيلاً۬

And say: "Truth has (now) arrived, and Falsehood perished: for Falsehood is (by its nature) bound to perish."

We send down (stage by stage) in the Qur'an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe: to the unjust it causes nothing but loss after loss. Yet when We bestow Our favours on man, he turns away and becomes remote on his side (instead of coming to Us) and when evil seizes him he gives himself up to despair! Say: "Everyone acts according to his own disposition: but your Lord knows best who it is that is best guided on the Way."

(Qur'an : al-Isra': 17: 81-84)

وَلَا تَلۡبِسُواْ ٱلۡحَقَّ بِٱلۡبَـٰطِلِ وَتَكۡتُمُواْ ٱلۡحَقَّ وَأَنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ

"Confound not truth with falsehood, nor knowingly conceal the truth."

(Qur'an: Baqarah: 2: 42)

رَبَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا بِمَآ أَنزَلۡتَ وَٱتَّبَعۡنَا ٱلرَّسُولَ فَٱڪۡتُبۡنَا مَعَ ٱلشَّـٰهِدِينَ

وَمَڪَرُواْ وَمَڪَرَ ٱللَّهُ‌ۖ وَٱللَّهُ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡمَـٰكِرِينَ

إِذۡ قَالَ ٱللَّهُ يَـٰعِيسَىٰٓ إِنِّى مُتَوَفِّيكَ وَرَافِعُكَ إِلَىَّ وَمُطَهِّرُكَ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ

ڪَفَرُواْ وَجَاعِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ

ٱتَّبَعُوكَ فَوۡقَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓاْ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ‌ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَىَّ

مَرۡجِعُڪُمۡ فَأَحۡڪُمُ بَيۡنَكُمۡ فِيمَا كُنتُمۡ فِيهِ تَخۡتَلِفُون

فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فَأُعَذِّبُهُمۡ عَذَابً۬ا شَدِيدً۬ا فِى ٱلدُّنۡيَا

وَٱلۡأَخِرَةِ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّـٰصِرِينَ

وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمۡ

أُجُورَهُمۡ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

"Our Lord! we believe in what thou hast revealed, and we follow the Messenger;

then write us down among those who bear witness."

And (then unbelievers) plotted and planned, and Allah too planned, and the best of planners is Allah.

Behold! Allah said: "O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself and clear thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject Faith, to the Day of Resurrection; then shall ye all return unto Me, and I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute. "

As to those who reject faith, I will punish them with terrible agony in this world and in the Hereafter nor will they have anyone to help.

As to those who believe, and work righteousness Allah, will pay them (in full) their reward; but Allah loveth not those who do wrong.

(Qur'an: aali-'Imran: 3: 53-57)

WaAllaahu a'lam

TO BE CONTINUED ..............................................

(8.0 Objection of Islam is not in the use of the word – but the method of their evangelism)

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