01-how to use these tracts

on Christianity and understanding of its basic truths. At Muslims usually want to know God; this is your op- the same time, get to know his/her level of understanding of Islam; get to know how seriously they follow Islam and Do not be arrogant; it is not the strength of your ar- guments that will win the person, but the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Always be prepared to share the Gospel. Presenting one Discuss and do not preach. Muslims have many of these tracts is no substitute for sharing the Gospel; these misunderstandings, so clarify rather than preach. tracts are designed to strengthen believers in Jesus and to Remember that most Muslims will not have the years challenge Muslims about their faith and understanding of of learning, teaching and terminology that you have, Islam and Muhammad. Lift Jesus high - by your attitudes, words and deeds and do not fear, because no one can com-pare with Him, even from the Qur’an! May you grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ; may He grant you wisdom and boldness in sharing the life- Do not distribute these tracts indiscriminately. The ideal way is changing Gospel of God. We hope and pray that you will that the Muslim first comes to know you and witnesses Christ be blessed by reading and using these tracts and that the working through you first hand. These tracts are intense, and a Lord Jesus will draw many people to Himself through these person needs considerable motivation to read one. They will challenge core beliefs and the person will throw the tract away without a motivating factor of your witness pressing them to read. Discuss the topic, explore the issues; do not simply hand out a tract and think that your work is done. Your motivation is love … … The love of Jesus Christ compels us to share the Gospel with Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and everyone else who lives and breathes. Remember that, whilst they reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ, so did you at one stage. Our goal is to make Jesus Christ not just acceptable, but irresistible. He is the only Saviour for the entire human race. The tracts attempt to highlight the standard of Allah/Muhammad and the standard of Jesus Christ. Do not enter a debate - for the simple reason that it becomes a contest of wills. Discuss, answer his/her questions, but do not argue; in winning an argument, In general share with people of the same sex (i.e., male to male and female to female). Muslims often already view Christians as sexually immoral, so do not put yourself in such a compromising position; we are to avoid even the appearance of evil. Train yourself to answer from the Qur’an and not just from logic or the Bible. Provoke him/her to When asked what you think about his/her beliefs, be very wise and ensure you don’t compromise the Gospel. Avoid insulting Muhammad, Islam, Allah etc. Show respect even though you may not agree with what he/she believes. Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. We hope to become like Muhammad. Just as some Christians have and pray that this series of tracts will be uplifting to you much Biblical knowledge whilst others have little, Muslims The framework of a Muslim’s life is directed by the five and to those with whom you share the truth. Allow us to also vary in their knowledge of the Qur’an, ahadith, and pillars: confession of faith (the Shahada), prayer (Salat—5 explain our purpose in publishing these tracts and to give times a day), alms (Zakat) to purify their earnings and you some general guidelines in our approach. help the poor, fasting (Swam), and pilgrimage (Hajj). Additionally, it is important to recognize that, just as Chris- Some Muslims believe Jihad to be another pillar of Islam, tians have different denominations, varying in orthodoxy however one must always remember that Muslims are not Our approach and purpose have many facets: and practice, so do Muslims. Islam is not a monolithic a monolithic, united, group. They vary in their under- faith; there are a variety of beliefs, teachings and practices 1. To bring awareness of various aspects of Islamic standing and commitment to Islamic faith, teaching and amongst Muslims. There are many sects: Sunni (approx. teachings from the Qur’an, ahadith [plural for 80%), Shia (approx. 15%), Alawi, Alevi, Ismaili, Druze, Hadith], Muhammad’s practice and life, and their Bohra and Ahmedi. Sufis are not a sect as such, but are outworking in the lives of Muslims today, and to con- mystics and represented in all sects. Ummah refers to the 1. Pray. Prayer is vitally important to protect your own trast these with the teachings and practice of Jesus, Islamic community in general. Islam means ‘submission to mind and heart; for getting wisdom; and remembering and their outworking in the lives of Christians today. Allah,’ and a Muslim is someone who has submitted. that it is the righteousness of Jesus Christ that redeems 2. To challenge the notion of pluralism and multicultur- and clothes you. Pray also for the commitment that it NOTE: Islam and Christianity share many similar teach- alism. Not all beliefs teach the same things but every- will take to follow this through. Pray for love (1 Co- ings. However, the majority of these teachings have only a one’s beliefs about good and bad and right and wrong, rinthians 13:1) for the person with whom you share the superficial similarity. The real difference comes in the are the primary motivations behind our actions. practices and examples set by Muhammad and Jesus. The Where these differing beliefs are incompatible, con- 2. Read carefully the tract that you intend to use; read all only effective way to evaluate a religion is not to look at its flict will result. It is important to identify these areas the accompanying references. In this way, you can followers who differ in their zeal and knowledge, but to and to attempt to resolve areas of potential conflict. In identify the context and are less susceptible to charges look at the teaching and example set by their founder. To the long run society will self-destruct if the real issues differentiate between the real and counterfeit currency you are covered up in the name of pluralism, tolerance and 3. Ask us to clarify any point, and get more information need to focus on the differences, because focusing on simi- and related material. It is impossible to include all the larities and ignoring the difference can be very deceptive. relevant references, examples, arguments, and other 3. To stimulate the hearts and minds of Christians and material in a two-page tract. Be as equipped as you Muslims to know and follow the real Jesus—the Jesus Authoritative Islamic texts are the Qur’an, Hadith and earli- est biographies of Muhammad. Muslims believe that the 4. Know the Biblical position intimately and spend more 4. To answer questions about Islamic faith, teaching and Qur’an is the revealed word of Allah (verse numbers differ time in Scripture and prayer, rather than studying Is- slightly in different translations). A Sura (or Surah) is iden- tical to the concept of a chapter so a reference to Sura 1:6 is a reference to chapter one, verse (aya) 6: ‘Guide us to the • enlighten the mind of your friend to the truth; These tracts are an attempt to show the real teaching of Straight Way.’ The Qur’anic chapters are not organized Islam and of the real Muhammad, the founder of Islamic • free them from spiritual, cultural and social according to chronology, but to the size of the chapter, with faith, in the light of the teachings of the Qur’an, Hadith bondages that will prevent them from following the the exception of Sura 1. Within each chapter, there is mini- and earliest biographies of Muhammad by mal organisation. This means that careful study is required classic Muslim scholars. This is important because, just as • convict them of their need of a saviour, and the and caution must be applied as some passages have been Christians are told to follow the example of Jesus Christ, abrogated (cancelled out) by later revelations, and there is so too, Muslims are told to follow the example of their • free you from fear of Muslims and give you a love rarely an indication from the text itself that this is the case. prophet Muhammad. Islam teaches that Muhammad did everything by inspiration and in obedience to Allah (Sura Muslims believe that Muhammad is the perfect example to • give you boldness, wisdom and opportunity in shar- 53:2-4); thus obedience to Muhammad is obedience to be followed by all Muslims. Whatever he said, practiced or Allah (Sura 4:80). Obviously then, it will be necessary approved is called a Hadith. There are six authentic ahadith to observe the life and practice of Jesus and of Muham- (Hadiths): Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmizi, Sunnan Just as there are myths about Islam, so too Muslims have mad if we are to truly to understand Christianity and Ibn Majah and Sunnan Nasa’i. There are many other lesser ahadith that are not considered authoritative. The majority many misconceptions about Christianity, the concepts of of Muslims believe the “authentic” ahadith as true accounts the Trinity and Mary being chief among them. Be pre- Just as Christians differ in their devotion and zeal to be- of the sayings and practices of Muhammad, but there is a pared to explain these concepts in detail. It would be come like Jesus, Muslims differ in their devotion and zeal helpful, when talking to your friend, to find out his views

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