1. George, in your article on “The Love of God in the Quran” you said that in the Quran, Allah does not love “those who do wrong”. Does the Quran define exactly what kind of wrong such people are doing?
The Quran says God does not love those who do wrong in Surah 3:55-57. In context, the “wrongdoers” are probably the Jews who tried to crucify Jesus, and those who propagate false belief about Jesus (i.e. the Christians). Generally speaking, the wrongdoers are all those who fail to believe the message of the Prophet Muhammad as found in the Quran, and do not do works of righteousness. God’s love is not extended to anyone outside of Islam, and only to those who are faithful in their obedience to the many requirements of being a Muslim. Surah 5:67 says that God does not love “those who do mischief”, referring to the Jews again in context. The prophet of Islam, Muhammad, tried to convince the Jews of his region that he was a prophet like Moses. However, the Jews rejected his claim and became a thorn in his side. So it is not too surprising that we find the Quran castigating the Jews and relegating the Jews to hell.
2. Is it important to the Muslims to know they are loved by God?
Muslims are people who have a basic need to be loved just like anyone else. They may not be conscious of that need since they do not expect that God will love them. Commonly, Muslims think that only the very holy people and the prophets are loved by God. The Christian message of God’s love to all is foreign to Muslim thinking, and can be a real surprise. Furthermore, when a Muslim sees unselfish Christian love in action, it can have a profound impact.
3. Does a Muslim who participates in terrorist activities expect to be loved by God?
Muslims who engage in terrorism believe that they are doing the will of God. In their mind, they are waging a holy war, seeking to extend God’s rule throughout the earth. Their attitude is much like that of Saul of Tarsus (Apostle Paul) before his conversion to Christ. He thought he was doing God’s work by imprisoning and even killing Christians. In the same way, the terrorist believes he is doing a righteous thing, making himself more pleasing to God. But just like Saul of Tarsus, it may take an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ to convince him that he is wrong. May God make it so!
4. Do Muslim extremists have any provision in their religion for forgiveness of terrorist acts?
The thinking of such people is that they are doing a commendable thing, needing no forgiveness. It is a “struggle” or “effort” (jihad) for God. Rather than needing forgiveness doing for such acts, such people believe itobtains forgiveness of sins. If they die during the jihad, it is even better. For in that case, they believe they will gain instant Paradise! All Muslims believe in the underlying principle of jihad, or “struggle” for God. However, most Muslims would not include terrorism as a legitimate kind of jihad.
5. Is there a hope for those who do good and are loved by God? Hope as in do Muslims believe in a heaven?
Yes, Muslims believe in heaven and hope to get there someday. However, before heaven is obtained, they must suffer for their sins in the grave for many centuries. They hope that through such things as the prayers of the living for the dead, their torment in payment for their sins, and even the intercession of Muhammad in judgement day that they will ultimately be released from their agonies and be admitted into heaven. Only the martyrs who die in “struggle for God” and the very holy (like the prophets) can be admitted to heaven directly.
6. If the God of the Quran does not “love all men”, then what becomes of those who aren’t loved by God?
They burn in hell forever. Islam teaches that everyone except for Muslims will go to hell. Hypocritical Muslims may also go to hell, though there is some disagreement about that. Some people will go to deeper, harsher judgment in hell, including idolators (Hindus), Jews, and Christians.
7. Is there any talk amongst the Muslim community in Canada/USA as to what their involvement would be if the UN/USA and allies should declare war on Iraq?(Editor’s Note–this question was asked before the American attack on Iraq, but is included for some pertinent points that are made).
Most Muslims are not supportive of such a war because Iraq is a Muslim country. Most will do nothing, but try to go about their lives quietly as law-abiding citizens, and try not to attract persecution from Americans who think that all Muslims are evil. They will be living on ‘high alert’, in fear of fellow Americans. It is a good opportunity for Christians to show the love of Christ–love for our neighbors, or love for our enemies, if we can’t bring ourselves to look upon them as friends. Whether war starts or not, and no matter how we view Muslim Americans, as individual followers of Christ we are bound to show the love of Christ to them as individuals who need Christ. The government’s task is one thing, the church’s is another. Jesus loved Muslims enough to die for them. How can we dare to hate something that Christ loves? If Jesus loves Muslims, so must I.
