Islam for Christians
This podcast, hosted by a Christian seminary graduate, explores Islam from a Christian perspective. It covers topics such as Muhammad, the Quran, and historical stories spanning 1400 years, aiming to provide a resource for learning and spiritual growth. The host also directs listeners to a YouTube channel for additional content.
Episodes
200 - Hadith – Known Only to God
Narrated Ibn `Umar:The Prophet said, "The keys of the unseen are five and none knows them but Allah: (1) None knows (the sex) what is in the womb, but Allah: (2) None knows what will happen tomorrow, but Allah; (3) None knows when it will rain, but Allah; (4) None knows where he will die, but Allah (knows that); (5) and none knows when the Hour will be established, but Allah."
199 - Islamic History – 628 – The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah
Going through the details of the The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and examining what it means for the future... which will be coming very soon. This treaty will unleash many of the strengths of the new religion, but first the Muslims must move past some painful parts of this moment.
198 - Quran - Surah 69 – Al-Haqqah - The Reality
1The Inevitable Hour!2What is the Inevitable Hour?3And what will make you realize what the Inevitable Hour is?4˹Both˺ Thamûd and ’Ȃd denied the Striking Disaster.5As for Thamûd, they were destroyed by an overwhelming blast.6And as for ’Ȃd, they were destroyed by a furious, bitter wind7which God unleashed on them non-stop for seven nights and eight days, so that you would have seen its people lying
197 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 40 – New Testament - The Apostles Part 11 – James Part 2
A look at the more Quranic sounding passages of James and the overlap between Muslim and Christian teachings that the document presents. There are limits, however, so we will also go over the Book of James as an inherently Christian document.
196 - Hadith – The Evil Eye
The evil eye... what it meant then, and what it means now.
195 - Islamic History – 628 - Hudaybiyyah
The lead up to the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. Muhammad brings his followers to the borders of Mecca, demanding to make a pilgrimage to the Kaaba.
194 - Quran - Surah 70 – Al-Ma'arij - The Ascending Stairways
70:1 A challenger has demanded a punishment bound to come 70:2 for the disbelievers—to be averted by none— 70:3 from Allah, Lord of pathways of ˹heavenly˺ ascent, 70:4 ˹through which˺ the angels and the ˹holy˺ spirit will ascend to Him on a Day fifty thousand years in length. 70:5 So endure ˹this denial, O Prophet,˺ with beautiful patience. 70:6 They truly see this ˹Day˺ as impossible, 70:7 but We
Islam for Christians - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 39 – New Testament - The Apostles Part 10 – Intro to James and His Lone Epistle
Examining the Epistle of James at the intersection of the Catholicism, Protestantism and Islam. James is most definitely a Christian document, but among some Muslims it is viewed quite favorably for its focus on practical matters.
192 - Hadith – The Rock and the Jew
Allah's Messenger said, "The Hour will not be established until you fight with the Jews, and the stone behind which a Jew will be hiding will say. "O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, so kill him."
191 - Islamic History – God Sides with Aisha
Aisha is cleared in the Quran, and the perpetrators are punished. Well… most of them.
190 - Quran - Surah 71 – Nuh - Noah
We sent Noah to his people: “Warn your people before there comes upon them a painful punishment.” He said, “O my people, I am to you a clear warner.Worship God and reverence Him, and obey me. And He will forgive you of your sins, and reprieve you until a stated term. God’s term cannot be deferred once it has arrived, if you only knew.” He said, “My Lord, I have called my people night and day.
189 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 38 – New Testament - The Apostles Part 9 – John Part 3 - Revelation
Observing John's apocalypse with one eye on Islam. The nature of the Book and its relevance to Islam. Examining the medieval belief about Muhammad/Islam in Revelation.
188 - Hadith - Nothing is in Vain for a Believer
Strange are the ways of a believer for there is good in every affair of his and this is not the case with anyone else except in the case of a believer for if he has an occasion to feel delight, he thanks (God), thus there is a good for him in it, and if he gets into trouble and shows resignation (and endures it patiently), there is a good for him in it.
187 - Islamic History – Circa 627 - Aisha and the Tall, Dark Soldier
Aisha comes out of the desert with a young man, and one of the great early Medinan scandals is unleashed. We look at the social dynamics surrounding this, and well as the main people responsible for fueling the rumors.
186 - Quran - Surah 72 – Al-Jinn - The Jinn
Say, “It was revealed to me that a band of jinn listened in, and said, ‘We have heard a wondrous Quran.It guides to righteousness, so we have believed in it; and we will never associate anyone with our Lord.And Exalted is the Majesty of our Lord—He has taken neither a wife nor a son.But the fools among us used to say outrageous things about God.We thought that humans and jinn would never utter a l
185 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 37 – New Testament - The Apostles Part 8 – John – The Letters
Examining the letter of the Apostle John and their relation to Islam. John addresses heresies in these letters, possibly predicting future men who claim to be prophets...
184 - Hadith - This Religion Is Defective... I Want to Return It
A Bedouin came to the Prophet and gave a pledge of allegiance for embracing Islam. The next day he came with fever and said (to the Prophet), "Please cancel my pledge (of embracing Islam and of emigrating to Medina)." The Prophet refused (that request) three times and said, "Medina is like a furnace, it expels out the impurities (bad persons) and selects the good ones and makes them perfect."
183 - Islamic History – The Year After the Trench
The year after the Battle of the Trench was a flurry of raids and diplomacy and treaties that continued to tighten the noose around the Quraysh in Mecca. These are some the details behind that, and leading up to the Treaty of al-Hudaybiyah.
182 - Quran - Surah 73 - Al-Muzzammil - The Enshrouded One
O you wrapped ˹in your clothes˺!Stand all night ˹in prayer˺ except a little—˹pray˺ half the night, or a little less,or a little more—and recite the Quran ˹properly˺ in ameasured way.˹For˺ We will soon send upon you a weighty revelation.Indeed, worship in the night is more impactful and suitable for recitation.For during the day you are over-occupied ˹with worldly duties˺.Always˺ remember the Name
181 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 36 – New Testament - The Apostles Part 7 – John - The Gospel
The Gospel of John, almost in its entirety, contradicts the Quran. We go over some key passages and go over some key parts that are significant to Muslims… including what some believe to be a prediction of Muhammad.
180 - Hadith - Stoning a monkey for adultery
Narrated`Amr bin Maimun:During thepre-lslamic period of ignorance I saw a she-monkey surrounded by a number ofmonkeys. They were all stoning it, because it had committed illegal sexualintercourse. I too, stoned it along with them.
179 - Islamic History – Notebook from Medina Part 2
The Day of Al-Raji... where Muslim martyrs die in a somewhat Christian style. A woman beats a Jewish man to death... and shames the man who did not do it.
178 - Quran - Surah 74 - Al-Muddaththir - The Cloaked One – Part 2
Part 2 of Al-Muddaththir - The Cloaked One. The focus will be on line 31... that long paragraph and talks about Jews and Christians. We also go over what the Quran says about those who are "mindful of it."
177 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 35 – New Testament - The Apostles Part 6 – Peter Part 2 – The Epistles
A look at the two epistles of Peter... the authorship, the content and its implications for Islamic thinking.
176 - Hadith – Hell is full of women
The Prophet said, "I looked at Paradise and found poor people forming the majority of its inhabitants; and I looked at Hell and saw that the majority of its inhabitants were women."
175 - Islamic History – 622-627 – Notebook from Medina Part 1
A few stories from the Medina period I haven't shared yet. A poem from a convert that may be relevant to Christians. The original Jewish expulsion - the Banu Qaynuqa.The violent story of Muhayyisa and Huwayyisa... a moral minefield if there ever was one.
174 - Quran - Surah 74 - Al-Muddaththir - The Cloaked One – Part 1
1. O you covered up in your clothes!2. Arise and warn all.3. Revere your Lord alone.4. Purify your garments.5. Continue to shun idols.6. Do not do a favour expecting more in return.7. And persevere for the sake of your Lord.8. For when the Trumpet will be sounded,9. that will truly be a difficult Day—10. far from easy for the disbelievers.11. And leave to me O Prophet the one I created all by Myse
173 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 34 – New Testament - The Apostles Part 5 – Peter Part 1 - Peter in the Gospels and Book of Acts
Examining Peter in the Gospels and Acts... and the issues these passages present for Islam. Jesus is presented as divine in every Gospel... often by Peter himself. How to reconcile these accounts with a Quran who claims Peter as a righteous man?
172 - Hadith – The prophet says to take a bath
The companions of Allah's Messenger used to practice manual labor, so theirsweat used to smell, and they were advised to take a bath.
171 - Islamic History – 627 – Battle of the Trench Part 5 – Evaluating the Second Trench
Evaluating the moral aspects of the second trench... massacre or justified act in different times? This was, is, and will be a major theme of Jewish history, and how you think of this can vary greatly on the lens you look through and what you believe. Jews, Christians, Muslims and the non-religious all see this differently, and we go over why in this episode.
170 - Quran - Surah 75 - Al-Qiyamah - The Resurrection
I do swear by the Day of Judgment!And I do swear by the self-reproaching soul!Do people think We cannot reassemble their bones?Yes ˹indeed˺! We are ˹most˺ capable of restoring ˹even˺their very fingertips.Still people want to deny what is yet to come,asking ˹mockingly˺, “When is this Day of Judgment?”But when the sight is stunned,and the moon is dimmed,and the sun and the moon are brought together,
169 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 33 – New Testament - The Apostles Part 4 – Paul and Muhammad…. Continued
Paul and Muhammad discuss angels, Satan, revelation, heaven and the re-writing of sacred texts. They compare their visions of the afterlife in this second installment of Paul and Muhammad.
168 - Hadith – Killing Another Muslim
It is not permissible to take the life of a Muslim who bears testimony (to the fact that there is no god but Allah, and I am the Messenger of Allah, but in one of the three cases: the married adulterer, a life for life, and the deserter of his Din (Islam), abandoning the community.
167 - Islamic History – 627 – Battle of the Trench Part 4 - Siege of the Banu Qurayza
The Muslim army turns from north to south... besieging a Jewish tribe of questionable loyalty. The aftermath remains one of the most controversial chapters in Muslim history.
166 - Quran - Surah 76 - Al-Insan - The Man
1. Is there not a period of time when each human is nothingyet worth mentioning?2. ˹For˺ indeed, We ˹alone˺ created humans from a drop ofmixed fluids, ˹in order˺ to test them, so We made them hear and see.3. We already showed them the Way, whether they ˹choose to˺be grateful or ungrateful.4. Indeed, We have prepared for the disbelievers chains,shackles, and a blazing Fire.5. Indeed, the virtuous w
165 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 32 – New Testament - The Apostles Part 3 – Paul and Muhammad
Examining the similarities between Paul and Muhammad... their styles, their reactions to revelation... their place within their respective communities...
164 - Hadith - The Eye of the Beholder
I heard Allah's Messenger saying, "Allah does not take away the knowledge, by taking it away from (the hearts of) the people, but takes it away by the death of the religious learned men till when none of the (religious learned men) remains, people will take as their leaders ignorant persons who when consulted will give their verdict without knowledge. So they will go astray and will lead the peopl
163 - Islamic History – 627 – Battle of the Trench Part 3 - The Ticking Clock
The clock keeps ticking on the viability of the allied army, and the Banu Qurayza begins its indecisive ride toward disaster.
162 - Quran - Surah 77 - Al-Mursalat - The Emissaries
By those winds sent forth successively,and those blowing violently,and those scattering rainclouds widely!And by those angels fully distinguishing truth from falsehood,and those delivering revelation,ending excuses and giving warnings.Surely, what you are promised will come to pass.So when the stars are put out,and the sky is torn apart,and the mountains are blown away,and the messengers’ time to
161 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 31 – New Testament - The Apostles Part 2 – The Historical Arguments
Looking at the Islamic historical arguments for why the Quran is right and the Gospels are wrong... assessing the ideas and their plausibility.
160 - Hadith - It May Not Be What You Think
"A man from Banu Fazarah came to the Prophet and said: 'My wife has given birth to a black boy' -and he wanted to disown him. He said: 'Do you have camels?' He said: 'Yes.' He said: 'What color are they?' He said: 'Red.' He said: 'Are there any gray ones among them?' He said: 'There are some gray camels among them.' He said: 'Why is that do you think?' He said: 'Perhaps it is hereditary.' He said:
159 - Islamic History – 627 – Battle of the Trench Part 2
The Muslims learn of the large army, and its 600 horses, that are marching toward Medina. This situation looks awful for the Muslims, but an outside convert comes up with a new idea to even up the odds. And Abu Sufyan's army... uninspired as ever... has to deal with a major surprise.
158 - Quran - Surah 78 - An-Naba - The Tidings
What are they asking one another about?About the momentous news,over which they disagree.But no! They will come to know.Again, no! They will come to know.Have We not smoothed out the earth ˹like a bed˺,and ˹made˺ the mountains as ˹its˺ pegs,and created you in pairs,and made your sleep for rest,and made the night as a cover,and made the day for livelihood,and built above you seven mighty ˹heavens˺,
157 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 31 – New Testament - The Apostles
The Quran clearly paints the apostles as righteous and honest men. What does that mean for the difference between the Christian and the Muslim versions of these men?
156 – Hadith – Three People in a Cave
Three persons set out on a journey. They were overtaken by rain and they had to find protection in a mountain cave where at its mouth there fell a rock of that mountain and thus blocked them altogether. One of them said to the others: Look to your good deeds that you performed for the sake of Allah and then supplicate Allah, the Exalted, that He might rescue you (from this trouble). One of them sa
155 - Islamic History – 627 – Battle of the Trench Part 1 - The Gathering Alliance
The preamble to the Battle of the Trench... or the Siege of Medina. Same thing. Setting the table with some historical parallels, and also looking at the reasons for the battle and the strengths of the combatants. Muhammad has a week to prepare for an alliance of Arab tribes coming right at Medina -- that's the good news. The bad news? They have 600 horses. He has none.
154 - Quran - Surah 79 - An-Nazi'at - Those Who Drag Forth
By those angels stripping out evil souls harshly,and those pulling out good souls gently,and those gliding through heavens swiftly,and those taking the lead vigorously,and those conducting affairs obediently!Consider the Day when the quaking Blast will come to pass,followed by a second Blast.The deniers’ hearts on that Day will be trembling in horror,with their eyes downcast.But now they ask mocki
153 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 30 – New Testament - Jesus Part 9 – The Islamic Jesus in Review
A review of the Jesus portion of the series.... emphasizing key concepts and being brutally honest of the possibility of Christian-Muslim dialogue about Jesus.
152 - Hadith - Because I Said So
Muhammad, like an overwhelmed parent, tires of the constant questions... particularly those asked in bad faith.
151 - Islamic History – 625-627 – Adding Wives and Raising Eyebrows Part 2
Muhammad marries Zaynab, and we discuss the legacy of this action from several different perspectives.
150 - Quran - Surah 80 - 'Abasa - He Frowned
He frowned and turned his attention away,simply because the blind man came to him interruptingYou never know O Prophet, perhaps he may be purified,or he may be mindful, benefitting from the reminder.As for the one who was indifferent,you gave him your undivided attention,even though you are not to blame if he would not be purified.But as for the one who came to you, eager to learn,being in awe of
149 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 29 – New Testament - Jesus Part 8 – Eschatology Part 3
Going through the specifics of the Islamic second coming of Jesus.
148 - Hadith - Religious Innovation
Allah's Messenger said, "If somebody innovates something which is not in harmony with the principles of our religion, that thing is rejected."
147 - Islamic History – 625-627 – Adding Wives and Raising Eyebrows Part 1
Muhammad marries his son's ex-wife and the community erupts in scandal. This is his fifth wife and a major break from Arab tradition -- some in the community call it incest. This is what we know about how this situation came to be.
146 - Quran - Surah 81 - At-Takwir - The Overthrowing
When the sun is overthrown,And when the stars fall,And when the hills are moved,And when the camels big with young are abandoned,And when the wild beasts are herded together,And when the seas rise,And when souls are reunited,And when the girl-child that was buried alive is askedFor what sin she was slain,And when the pages are laid open,And when the sky is torn away,And when hell is lighted,And wh
145 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 28 – New Testament - Jesus Part 7 – Eschatology Part 2 – The Mahdi
The Mahdi is a figure from the hadith... a man from Muhammad's family who will come before Jesus comes... again. The Mahdi is a curiosity for some Muslims, dogma for others, and the source of religious imagination for those who dream of a world beyond Islamic orthodoxy.
144 - Announcement Regarding Frequency of Episodes
Episodes will now be released twice a month rather than the four you may be used to...
143 - Islamic History - 625-627 – The Phony War
For two years after Uhud, both sides avoid major battles and fight on the outskirts of Arabia. A second Battle of Badr is planned but never happens, but it becomes obvious that these sides will fight, and only one can be master of the peninsula.
142 - Quran - Surah 82 - Al-Infitar - The Cleaving
When the sky splits open,and when the stars fall away,and when the seas burst forth,and when the graves spill out,then each soul will know what it has sent forth or left behind.O humanity! What has emboldened you against your Lord, the Most Generous,Who created you, fashioned you, and perfected your design,moulding you in whatever form He willed?But no! In fact, you deny the ˹final˺ Judgment,while
141 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 27 – New Testament - Jesus Part 6 – Eschatology Part 1 – Hints From the Quran
What the Quran has to say on Jesus and the end times.
140 – Hadith – Vomiting Charity
He who gets back his charity is like a dog which vomits, and then returns to that and eats it.
139 - Islamic History - 625 – The Expulsion of the Banu Nadir
The seeds for 1400 years of Jewish-Muslim enmity are planted as Muhammad takes action against a tribe he sees as disloyal and dangerous. This was a first in Muslim history, but for the Jews it was just another in a countless number of expulsions through out time. From Assyria to Babylon to Rome to Spain to Russia to Uganda... this is a familiar pattern - with an ironic twist from the conflict in m
138 - Quran - Surah 83 - Al-Mutaffifin - The Defrauding - Part 2
Surah 83 continued, focusing in a few more words unique in the Quran.
137 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 26 – New Testament - Jesus Part 5 – The Cross Part 2 (April
If the Christian story is wrong... then what exactly is right? If Jesus did not suffer, die, get buried and rise from the dead on the third day -- then what is the Islamic story? There are many theories but little certainty.
136 - Hadith – The Religious Observer and The Believer
The Messenger of Allah said: "The Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand the people are safe, and the believer is the one from whom the people's lives and wealth are safe."
135 - Islamic History - 625 – The Battle of Uhud Part 5
Wrapping up the Battle of Uhud. Who won? The Quran gives one answer, and also downgrades the expected strength of a Muslim warrior.
134 - Quran - Surah 83 - Al-Mutaffifin - The Defrauding - Part 1
Woe unto the defrauders:Those who when they take the measure from mankind demand it full,But if they measure unto them or weight for them, they cause them loss.Do such (men) not consider that they will be raised againUnto an Awful Day,The day when (all) mankind stand before the Lord of the Worlds?Nay, but the record of the vile is in SijjinAh! what will convey unto thee what Sijjin is!A written re
133 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 25 – New Testament - Jesus Part 4 – The Cross
The difficulty of the cross has spouted different non-Christian interpretations throughout the years... including a very old heresy called Docetism. Muslims, as believers in the holiness of Jesus, need a much more detailed accounting for Jesus and the cross than Jews.... however, the Quran has little to say on the subject.
132 - Hadith – Sweetness of Faith
"I heard Anas bin Malik narrating that the Prophet said: 'There are three things, whoever attains them will find therein a sweetness of faith: When he loves a person, and only loves him for the sake of Allah; when Allah and His Messenger are dearer to him than all else; and when he would prefer to be thrown into the fire rather to go back to the disbelief from which Allah has saved him.'"
131 - Islamic History - 625 – The Battle of Uhud Part 4
Hamza's body is mutilated.... Quryashi allies recoil at the battlefield mutilation... the battlefield victors leave for Mecca... why they left... an alternate theory on what happened at Uhud.
130 - Quran - Surah 84 - Al-Inshiqaq - The Sundering
When the heaven is split asunderAnd attentive to her Lord in fear,And when the earth is spread outAnd hath cast out all that was in her, and is emptyAnd attentive to her Lord in fear!Thou, verily, O man, art working toward thy Lord a work which thou wilt meet (in His presence).Then whoso is given his account in his right handHe truly will receive an easy reckoningAnd will return unto his folk in j
129 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 24 – New Testament - Jesus Part 3 – The Word of God
Jesus as the Word of God. What does that mean anyway? And what does it mean in Islam? Well... it's complicated.
128 - Hadith – Muslims Who Are Disbelievers
We witnessed along with Allah's Messenger the Khaibar (campaign). Allah's Messenger told his companions about a man who claimed to be a Muslim, "This man is from the people of the Fire." When the battle started, the man fought very bravely and received a great number of wounds and got crippled. On that, a man from among the companions of the Prophet came and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Do you know w
127 - Islamic History - 625 – The Battle of Uhud Part 3
The Muslim army begins to win the battle... then suffers an unlikely setback. Muhammad give his archers a clear directive: “Whether we are winning or losing you stay where you are. If you see us plundering a defeated army and wish to have a share of it… stay where you are. If you see us dying and want to help us… stay where you are.” Some listen, some don't, and the battle takes a chaotic turn. Mu
126 - Quran - Surah 85 - Al-Buruj - The Mansions of the Stars
By the sky full of constellations,and the promised Day of Judgmentand the witness and what is witnessed!Condemned are the makers of the ditch—the fire pit, filled with fuel—when they sat around it,watching what they had ˹ordered to be˺ done to the believers,who they resented for no reason other than belief in Allah—the Almighty, the Praiseworthy—the One to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens a
125 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 23 – New Testament - Jesus Part 2 – The Trinity - Jesus as the Son of God
Jesus as the Son of God. What is a son, anyway? How would it have been seen in Muhammad's world? And what is the function of Jesus -- a special prophet born of a virgin -- within Islam? If Jesus is not the Son of God... then what is He?
124 - Hadith – The Primacy of Religion
Sunan an-Nasa'i 5013It was narrated from Qatadah that:He heard Anas say: "The Messenger of Allah said: 'None of you has believed until I am dearer to him than his son, his father and all the people.'"
123 - Islamic History - 625 – The Battle of Uhud Part 2
The armies line up at the foot of Mount Uhud, and the Muslims find yet another great position to fight. The armies fight while 50 key archers protect the flanks, rendering the Meccan cavalry useless. Hamza falls in the battle, basically assassinated by a well-paid slave. And the moment of truth arrives for the 50 archers who could make or break the Muslim army.
122 - Quran - Surah 86 - At-Tariq - The Night Visitor
God gives solace to Muhammad... and hints at the nature of why evil appears to thrive. Lo! they plot a plot (against thee, O Muhammad)And I plot a plot (against them).So give a respite to the disbelievers. Deal thou gently with them for a while.
121 - Biblical Figures in Islam Part 22 – New Testament - Jesus Part 1
Giving a broad take on Jesus' role in Islam, and his importance (or lack thereof) in Islamic theology. A preview of the rest of the Jesus episodes.
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