The Qur'an deals extensively with Islamic law as seen in this collection of
one hundred and six verses. Islam is a very legalistic faith. It centers its
message on the law. It emphasizes submission to both the commands found in the
Qur'an and Islamic tradition found in Muslim history books called the “Hadith.”
Many of the rules in the Qur'an are a mixture of Biblical virtues, Arabic values
and formerly pagan rituals.
Biblical values such as faith, obedience, prayer, charity, righteousness and
marriage are evident in the Qur'an. This is to be expected since Muslims believe
the Qur'an is a continuation of the teachings of the prophets of the Bible. Some
of the values do parallel those in the Bible, yet others endorse Arabic customs
of Mohammed’s day. Marriage is one such virtue that can be used as an example of
this fact. The Qur'an allows such things as polygamy, concubines who were
captured in battle and a form of incest. The latter does not include blood
relations, but a man may marry his stepdaughters as well as their mother. A man
may marry his daughter-in-law as long as his adopted son has divorced her. Such
rules are foreign to Christians.
Both Islam and Christianity emphasize the importance of righteous behavior,
but “The Golden Rule” is missing from the Qur'an and prominent in the Bible.
Another teaching that is unique to the Bible is “grace.” The New Testament
defines God’s grace as His totally undeserved forgiveness and love for his
chosen people. Knowing such love frees Christians from the anxiety of trying to
do the impossible, earn God’s favor, and empowers them to please God. They no
longer live by the law, but by the Spirit (Romans 8:1-4).
One example, of how grace works in the lives of Christians, can be taken from
a simple traffic situation. The person “living by the law” enters a school zone
and glances constantly at his speedometer to make sure he fulfills the law. The
person “living by the Spirit” enters a school zone, slows down and constantly
glances around for children who might be crossing the street or chasing a loose
ball. Christians report a motivation to fulfill the law that is more powerful
than a fear of Hell.
This amazing grace is reflected in Christian rituals such as baptism and
communion. These rituals were a continuation of those given to the Jews in the
Old Testament known as circumcision and the Passover meal. The observance and
meaning of these Jewish rituals were transformed for believers in the Messiah
because of the cross and resurrection of Christ.
In the same way, the rituals required by Islamic law are a continuation of
those practiced by idol worshipers who resided in Mecca before Mohammed. They,
too, have been transformed by the Islamic form of monotheism. Actually, the
pagans or idol worshipers of the time of Mohammed practiced most of the rituals
which are required by the Qur'an. Such practices included pilgrimage to Mecca,
circling the rectangular building called the Kaaba which is inside a large
arena, visiting the sacred hills near Mecca and a month of fasting. For the
pagans of Mohammed’s tribe, Allah was the name of their most prominent deity.
Mohammed’s kinsmen of the Hashim tribe were keepers of the Kaaba in Mecca. It is
a building measuring about 45 feet high, 33 feet wide, and 50 feet long.
Mohammed claimed several things. He said that Allah was the only deity, Allah
demanded the devotion of all people everywhere and that the pagan rituals were
to continue with the exclusion of all the idols inside the Kaaba. The only thing
inside the Kaaba that was allowed to stay was a black stone. Just as the pagans
did before Mohammed, this stone (possibly a meteorite) is kissed in veneration
by Muslims today as they circle around the Kaaba. Fulfilling these rituals is
central to Islamic law since Muslims believe they were instituted by Abraham.