Seven Reasons Why Every Christian Should Study Islam

By: Sherene Khouri, Ph.D. | October 22, 2023

Is it important for Christians to learn about Islam? Christianity is a completed religion; it includes the Old and New Testaments. The written Inspired word of God is completed. Christians are not waiting for another prophet or another message from God. Many prophecies are accomplished, and some will be fulfilled at the end of time. So, what are the benefits of studying a set of doctrines that Christians disagree with? This article seeks to give seven reasons why every Christian should learn the Islamic religion if they are to be faithful to the Bible.

Reason 1: It is Biblical to Learn About other Religions

Apostle Paul learned about other dominating religions during his time and quoted them. He quoted pagans in the New Testament. He never considered their writings to be inspired, but he used their message to make a point and defend the truth of the Christian faith. In order for Paul to do all the above, he would have had to study pagan literature. For instance, Paul quotes Epimenides and Aratus in the book of Acts 17:28 ESV, stating, “For in Him we live and move and have our being; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’” Some theologians argue that the first part of this verse comes from Epimenides of Crete, and the second part of the verse comes from Greek poets and is found in the Stoic poet Aratus of Soli.^[1]

A second example worth mentioning is written in 1 Cor 15:33. Paul states, “Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.’” Scholars recognize this quote, which is coming from the no longer extant comedy Thais by the Greek dramatist Menander (292 BC), which was widespread during the time of Paul.[2] Although the proverb itself can have a wide range of applications, Paul’s use of it meant to focus on “avoiding the corrupting influence of those who are denying the resurrection from the dead.”[3] So, Paul sets an example for Christians to learn the non-Christian teachings and quote them for the furtherance of the gospel message.

Reason 2: Islam Is the Second-Largest World Religion Today

According to Pew Research, “There were 1.8 billion Muslims in the world as of 2015 – roughly 24% of the global population – according to Pew Research Center estimate. But while Islam is currently the world’s second-largest religion (after Christianity), it is the fastest-growing major religion. Indeed, if current demographic trends continue, the number of Muslims is expected to exceed the number of Christians by the end of this century.^[4] By contrast, Christianity is under a third of the world’s population, including all types and denominations of Christianity.

Reason 3: Islam Is Among the Fastest Growing Religions in the World

According to Pew Research, Muslims are projected to be the world’s fastest-growing major religious group. The way they discovered this fact is through the visible rapid growth of children born to Muslim families. “In the period between 2010 and 2015, births to Muslims made up an estimated 31% of all babies born around the world – far exceeding the Muslim share of people of all ages in 2015 (24%).”[5] What helps Muslims grow large families is the system of polygamy that they practice in many countries. Having four wives is helpful for having many kids and large families. In contrast, Millennials and GenZ women are choosing to live childless to pursue a career and a better future. “44% of non-parents ages 18 to 49 say it is not too or not at all likely that they will have children someday.”[6]

In the United States, there are 3.45 million Muslims of all ages, which is about 1.1% of the U.S. population (2017). This might seem a small population, but if we compare it to other religions in the US the perspective will change. There is a 1.8% Jewish and a 0.7% Hindu population in the US. There are 2.15 million Muslim adults in the country. Three-quarters of them are immigrants or children of immigrants.^[7] If they continue to grow at the same rate, they will be the second largest religion in the country. By the year 2050, the Muslim population will be 8.1 million people, which will make up 2.1% of the US population. This is close to the entire population of New York City.

Immigration plays a huge factor in this increase. In 2013, Pew Research estimated that the number of Muslim Green Card holders increased from 5% in 1992 to roughly 10% in 2012, representing about 100,000 immigrants in that year.[8] This is a fact, not a political point. The author is not trying to make a comment against immigration, but these are numbers that should help Christians understand that learning about Islam is valuable for future conversation.

Reason 4: Islam Teaches World Domination

There are several verses in the Qur’an, where Mohammad taught that Islam is the true religion among others and Allah sent him to spread Islam to the whole world and dominate all other religions. Mohammad states, “He it is Who hath sent His messenger with the guidance and the Religion of Truth, that He may cause it to prevail over all religion” (Surah 9:33, Pickthall). There are many similar verses that carry the same meaning, such as Surah 48:28 and Surah 61:9.

There is also Hadith Nabawi (authenticated sayings of Mohammad) explaining the same view. Mohammad said,

I have been ordered to fight with the people till they say, ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah,’ and whoever says, ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah,’ his life and property will be saved by me except for Islamic law, and his accounts will be with Allah, [either to punish him or to forgive him].[9]

Since Islam is a system, not just a religion, dominance will take a different shape. It will change all religions, all cultures, and all governments in order to subjugate all to Allah. If this happens on a large scale, then it absolutely would seek to destroy Christianity as it did in the Middle East. Christians became a minority after three centuries of Islamic domination because they were forced to subjugate to Islamic law or die.

Not many people realize that Islam teaches sharia, which is a complete set of rules and regulations for religious practices, education, judicial systems, and social structures, etc. Therefore, when Islam gains power in a culture, the Islamic sharia replaces everything else, including language. Arabic language, for instance, dominated the Levant area in the ninth century, substituting Syriac, Aramaic, Assyrian, and many other local languages.

Today, not all Muslims practice militant jihad and kill the infidels, but many of them are involved in da’wah (Invitation to Islam). In the US, Muslims are purchasing empty churches and turning them into Mosques and Islamic centers. In Florida, they are building the 1^st mega da’wah center.[10] In New York alone, there are more than twenty Islamic centers. In Dearborn, MI Muslims built the largest Islamic center in the US.[11] They are raising millions of dollars to build these centers for the purpose of perpetuating the social, moral, and religious standards of Islam in the United States. To help Muslims practice Islam as a belief, a behavior, and a way of life. To conduct programs that teach Islamic knowledge to young Muslims, and to “cherish the bonds of friendship and understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims within the framework of Islam.”[12] Christians should take advantage of these centers and engage with their Muslim brothers and sisters to strengthen the relationship, foster debates, and defend the faith.

Reason 5: God Loves Muslims

This truth might be shocking to many; however, it deserves some explanation. Muslims are human beings created in the image of God and enjoy dignity and worth in God’s sight. “God loves Muslims” should not be interpreted, however, as God loves Islam. Islam is not the true religion, and it contradicts the Christian faith. Nonetheless, Muslims should be loved and respected. Apostle John reminds us, “For God so loved the world, [including Muslims] that he gave his only Son… (John 3:16). God loves all people of the world and the Muslims and He sent his son to die for their sins. Some Muslims accepted this truth and converted to the saving faith in Jesus. So, if God loves Muslims and Jesus died for them, we should love them too and we should be diligent to present the Gospel to them. One Muslim apologist suggested that we should take the word ISLAM as an acronym for the phrase, “I Should Love All Muslims.” If we are going to love them, we need to understand their faith and avoid any pitfalls while presenting the Gospel to them.

Reason 6: Christians Are Obligated to Share the Truth – The Great Commission

By studying Islam, Christians can better reach Muslims with the Gospel. While defending his ministry, Paul reminds the Corinthians not to walk in the flesh and to be ready for warfare. He explains, “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Cor 10: 3-5). How are Christians going to be obedient to the word of God and destroy every thought that is against the teaching of Jesus Christ? This warfare is spiritual and intellectual. Unless Christians learn how Muslims think and what their objections against Christianity are, they will never be able to defend their faith or captivate the Muslims’ thoughts to obey Jesus Christ.

In Divinity schools, students study many heresies and liberal theologians to learn what heterodoxy is and how to appreciate Orthodoxy. They study these thinkers’ thoughts, so they are better equipped to distinguish good theology from bad theology. They can better engage with these arguments and refute what is unorthodox. In the same way, studying a major non-Christian world religion can help Christians better understand and appreciate their own faith.

Studying Islam is an application of the Golden Rule. Jesus said, “Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them” (Matt 7:12). Would you want Muslims to take time to understand the Christian faith? If you want that to happen, then you should take time to understand the Muslim faith as well.

In Islam, there is no atoning sacrifice, no sin cleansing, and no assurance of salvation. The Islamic salvation system is a work-based system, and it is up to Allah to decide the believers’ destiny. Mohammad states in Surah 5:9, “Allah hath promised those who believe and do good works: Theirs will be forgiveness and immense reward.” Also, he states in Surah 23:102-103, “Then those whose scales are heavy, they are the successful. And those whose scales are light are those who lose their souls, in hell abiding.” So, salvation is related to works and no genuine person believes that he never sinned or messed up in his or her life. In contrast, Christianity teaches that salvation is by faith, not by works, “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Rom 3:28). In this case, salvation is guaranteed because it is God’s works, not human.

What Islam teaches about salvation, will help Christians preach the gospel of forgiveness that is guaranteed in the work of Christ. Muslims have no real hope of salvation unless they die as martyrs while practicing jihad against non-Muslims. When Christians take their time to study Islam, they also learn how to defend Christianity. The major objections of Islamic religion toward Christianity are the Trinity, the Deity of Christ, and the authenticity of the Bible. Not many churches are intentional about teaching these doctrines; therefore, by studying Islam, Christians will also learn how to understand and defend these main beliefs.

Reason 7: Our Brother and Sister in Christ Suffer Great Persecution Today in Muslim Countries

Persecution of Christians occurs in many Muslim and non-Muslim countries. However, it is no secret that the persecution of Christians is a particular problem in Muslim countries. Sharing the gospel with Muslims is considered one of the greatest sins in many Islamic countries. The person will be persecuted and deported if he or she was caught and the person who converted to Christianity will be killed. Honor killing is not a big problem in many Islamic countries, where criminals receive reduced sentences. Moreover, the Muslim Background Christians are our brothers and sisters in Christ. They are fellow members of Christ’s family and fellow citizens of Christ’s kingdom. If one member suffers all suffer together (1 Cor 12:26). We have a responsibility in Western countries to help the persecuted body of Christ. It is the Christian duty to help by evangelism, prayer, fundraising, or raising awareness of the believers’ plight.

Conclusion

Islam is the second-largest religion and the fastest-growing among all religions. If it grows at this current pace, it will be the world’s major religion by 2060. The GenZ will be parents and grandparents seeing their children and grandchildren being ruled by majority Islamic rules. God loves Muslims and hates their sins (as all sins of all people). He sent his only Son to save them and all the people of the world. However, how can they be saved if no one shares the Gospel with them? How can Christians share the Gospel effectively if they cannot articulate the Trinity doctrine, explain the Deity of Christ, or prove the authenticity of the Bible? Christians have a double duty: they need to learn how to explain Christian doctrines well and what Islamic beliefs are. They need to make comparisons, contrasts, and be diligent in their work. Obeying the Great Commission starts by learning about Islam.

About the Author

Sherene Khouri was born into a religiously diverse family in Damascus, Syria. She became a believer when she was 11 years old. Sherene and her husband were missionaries in Saudi Arabia. Their house was open for meetings, and they were involved with the locals until the government knew about their ministry and gave them three days’ notice to leave the country. In 2006, they went back to Syria and started serving the Lord with RZIM International ministry. They traveled around the Middle Eastern region—Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, and United Arab Emirates. Sherene was also involved in her local church among the youth, young adults, and women’s ministry. In 2013, the civil war broke out in Syria. Sherene and her husband’s car was vandalized 3 times and they had to immigrate to the United States of America. In 2019, Sherene became an American citizen.

Sherene is an assistant professor at Liberty University. She teaches Arabic, Religion, and Research classes. Sherene holds a Ph.D. in Theology and Apologetics, M.A. in Christian Apologetics from Liberty University, and B.S. in Biblical Studies from Moody Bible Institute. She is also working on a Master of Theology in Global Studies at Liberty University and a M.A in Arabic and Linguistics from PennWest University.