Teachings of Islam

In the book's 19 chapters, Ram Swarup provides representative quotes from the collected traditions of Islam to illustrate the main beliefs of Muslims: faith, purification, prayer, fasting. pilgrimage, marriage, divorce, crime and punishment, jihad, paradise, hell, repentance, and many more.

The introduction states: "Muslim theologians make no distinction between the Quran and the Hadiths. Both are considered works of revelation or inspiration.... In the Quran Allah speaks through Mohammad; in the Sunnah he acts though Mohammad....The Quran cannot be understood without the aid of the Hadith, for every Quranic verse has a context which only the Hadith provide."

Raised in Ohio as devout Sunni Muslims, Ergun Caner and Emir Caner, by the grace of God, are now professors of Christian Church History and Theology. Their book provides "an easily understood panorama of Islam, explaining motives, beliefs, and history. It is meant to guide and encourage every person who wants to be a more effective witness to Muslims."

These two well-educated former Muslims provide practical information that is helpful to Christians on a variety of topics, including: Muhammad; The Qur'an; Sunnah and Hadith; Allah; The Five Pillars; Women; Salvation; Holy Days; Islamic Sects; Jihad; Christianity; Jesus in the Qur'an; Outreach to Muslims; Topical Index to the Qur'an; Fatalism in Islam.

In four brief chapters Hahn, who was a Lutheran missionary in India 1952-1978, outlines the main similarities and differences between Islam and Christianity, provides some detail about Muslims in North America, and encourages effective outreach by Christians. Some excerpts:

• Most Muslims do not come (to the U.S. and Canada) for religious reasons. The West offers economic stability, freedom, educational opportunities, employment.
• Muslims in the West want more Muslim teachers who are not only well-versed in Islamic disciplines but also are able to identify effectively with Muslim youth, their problems, and their conflicts within a Western context.
• The Muslim Student Association produces and distributes many publications as da'wah, "Islamic proclamation."
• Some Muslims are delighted to receive the Injil of Isa (Jesus), a book they may have heard about but never had a chance to read.
• The problem of Christian mission among Muslims is as much a problem of Christian apathy - a neglect of Muslim spiritual and physical welfare - as it is Muslim rejection of the Gospel.

See attachment below to read a summary of the four chapters.