True History - Veritas Card #7 - Mohammed and Islam

Mohammed and Islam - 570-632

    I'm sure by now most of the readers have heard of Mohammed. One of the world's major religions, Islam, was founded by Him. Mohammed never learned how to read or write, but he still had skills that he used to help him in his newly found religion. As a young man, he became a camel-driver. He was hired by a wealthy Arabian woman named Khadijah, to care for her camel caravan. Somehow, they got to know each other and became man and wife.
   As time went on, Mohammed went into a desert cave to study and think. It was at this time that he believed he had an encounter with the angel Gabriel, who told him that Allah (the god that the Muslims worship) wanted him to teach the people about Islam. (Islam means submission). His wife, family and friends became his followers, and were called 'Muslims' (those who submit). Some people wanted to get rid of him, so they made plans to kill Mohammed. Mohammed found out and fled to Medina.
   The religion of Islam is composed of 5 tenets. These tenets are called 'pillars'. Here is what they are:
1. Muslims have to confess that there is one god, and Mohammed is his prophet.
2. Muslims must pray 5 times a day, facing Mecca.
3. Muslims must give alms (money for charity).
4. Muslims must fast one month each year (Ramadan).
5. Muslims must go on a pilgrimage once in their life time to Mecca.

As you can see, Islam is a religion based on works. They believe that if a person has done well in keeping these 5 tenets, Allah will let them into heaven. They do not have assurance that they have met the goal, nor do they know how well they have kept the tenets. They believe that the angel Gabriel gave these teachings to Mohammed. But the teachings do not match what is in the Scriptures about God, salvation, eternal life, or Jesus. The teachings of Islam are kept in a book called the 'Quran' which they believe are inspired by God. If the Bible is true, then Islam can't be true and vice-versa. Only one can be right. Jesus claimed to be the only way to heaven. Either we will believe His words, or we will face an eternity without God.
   Islam was spread by the Arabs in the lands of the Middle East, North Africa, and Spain. Today Islam is growing at a rapid pace. It also ties in with political powers. It is a very aggressive religion which has no tolerance for people who do not embrace the Muslim faith.