Austin's Blog When Will It All End?
When Will It All End?
In our seventh lesson of the “Understanding Islam” series, I presented an overview of “Sects and Splinters,” with a particular focus on the origin of the Shi’a and Sunni division. For those of you who have not had time to review that lesson, Muslim followers of the fourth Imam, Ali bin al Taleb, fought in the first civil war (fitna) against opponents who were supported by Muhammad’s last wife, Aisha. Ali was assassinated in 661 AD and the great split began.
From that killing, nearly 1400 years of bloody battles have raged between the largest group of Muslims, the Sunni, and the minority Shi’ites who believe that any leader of the Islamic world must trace his roots to a blood relationship with Muhammad. The Shi’a, literally “the faction of Ali,” now await the return of the Mahdi, a messianic figure who will arise after a period of deadly upheaval and usher in a new period of history. Most believe this Mahdi was five years old when he disappeared in an ‘occultation’ that has held him in hiding for many hundreds of years.
Arabic signs of the glorious appearing of the 12th Imam
Is the Mahdi a Messiah? A Savior? It depends how you define ‘salvation.’ As we learned, the Iranian President Ahmadenijad, an outspoken Shi’a Muslim, is committed to inciting worldwide chaos that will encourage the return of the Shi’a Mahdi… a bold warrior whom some Muslim clerics compare directly to the Antichrist of the Bible’s Book of Revelation.
In the class, one of our students asked “when will it all end? Will Shi’a ever stop fighting the Sunnis?” I started to give my answer, based more on book learning than real life, when a member of our class piped up. This young woman had converted from Islam to Christianity years ago, and her answer was so stark that the room went deathly silent.
“No, it won’t ever end,” she said. She described in graphic detail the death of Ali, saying “we” when she spoke of her Sunni ancestors and the grisly atrocities committed against Ali and his followers. “They will never forget,” she said, speaking as an ex-Sunni, “not until we are all dead.”
After hearing President Ahmadenijad’s statements about his goal to eliminate Israel, and his call for the quick return of the Mahdi, the point struck home with everyone in the room. This conflict will not end in a peaceful way. Muslim clerics who compare the Mahdi to the Antichrist raise the specter of a chaotic and deadly future in the battle between Islam’s two major factions… two deeply divided factions whose irresolvable hatreds will prove pivotal in the world’s future.
Muqtada al-Sadr’s “Jaish al-Mahdi Army” has been responsible for murderous sectarian violence in Iraq. (Photo: Wissam al-Okaili / AFP-Getty Images)
What can we do? Do we throw in the towel and wait on the Tribulation? Do Christians simply pray for a rapture and hope to be pulled out of the coming conflict? Or do we get engaged and try to make a difference? I opt for the second approach. I want to understand this conflict, get to the core of the issues between Sunni and Shi’a and find a way to share the love of Jesus Christ with both sides. Understanding Islam is essential to sharing faith in Jesus, because we have to earn the right to be heard when we wade into a morass as deadly as the Sunni-Shi’a turmoil.
There may well be a Mahdi, a returning warrior who arrives during a period of murderous upheaval to lead men, with marks on their foreheads, to prostrate themselves before him. Messianic? Not in my book. But I do know a Messiah, Jesus Christ, who loves all men and forgives those who turn to Him. I want to understand my Muslim brothers and lead them to a Jesus they already believe in, but do not yet worship.
Be sure…this conflict will not ever end. Not until the Son of God returns. In the meantime, my goal is to thin the ranks of the Shia, the “Mahdi army,” and their Sunni opponents by at least a few men and women while there is still time. I want to love them into God’s Kingdom…not kill them.
It is crazy to think about how close these times seem to the coming of the last days that has been prophesied in the Bible. I heard someone say that Israel is God’s time clock and since so many of the prophesies of the end times revolve around Israel it is good to keep an eye on events occuring in the Middle East. I believe that the time is drawing nearer and is close, it may occur in our lifetime or the next, but we don’t know and so I agree that we do have an urgency to spread the word of God and draw everyone possible to the love of Christ. If you look at even a lot of the Apostles, such as Paul, and many prominent church figures throughout history, they all thought that the Lord would return in their lifetime, and they were obviously wrong but I think that that is a good view to have and a good way to live your life because he could return at anytime and we must be prepared.
How worried should America be about President Ahmadenijad’s overt extremism? Isn’t it true that the real political and religious power, especially in foreign policy, resides with Supreme Leader Khamenei?
Will it really never end? How confident can we say that? It seems like basing that fact off of one student is a bit bold. As well, is there no hope that God will use people like you and I to see the end of this struggle?
I wholeheartedly agree with what you are saying about understanding our brothers before witnessing to them. I feel that so many Christians these days are just so hyped up about preaching and witnessing that they forget to love! I think if Jesus was here today, he would be doing a whole lot more lovin and less preachin!
Dios te bendiga
One word… Forgiveness. Although Ali was assassinated, the Shi’ites have continued to hold a grudge against the Sunnis, which will never lead to a resolution. How can this ever end when the parties involved only act with bloodshed? I don’t understand how two sects born from the same religion can be opponents. They are both believers of Islam, yet see each other as enemies.
I do agree that we need to be compassionate to one another, and reach out to Muslims. They are at war with one another and many people are in the world even in different cultures and groups. We live in an imperfect world and it will never be perfect. We need to do our part and make the most of our time here on earth. We need to help in furthering the true God’s Kingdom.
Finding a way to share the love of Christ with “the ranks of the Shia” seems like quite an undertaking. Within the most extreme factions, a Christian sharing the love of Jesus would be considered an infidel and possibly killed. I would love to hear of your progress and the specific steps you are taking to bring Muslims into God’s kingdom.
Islam supports Christian scriptures, yet says that the key piece to Christianity, Jesus, is not the savior. Instead of salvation by faith and grace- ultimate forgiveness, Islam relies effectively on salvation by works and deeds. I am struck by the potential peace that the acceptance of Christ can bring to the heart of a Muslim striving to please Allah. A belief in Jesus is held in Islam but the truth has been twisted. The key is forgiveness as Ping said. Jesus offers the ultimate example of forgiveness. Loving and understanding Muslims to bring an acceptance of amazing grace into their lives is an awesome ambition!
I agree with what “Stillwwg” had suggested concerning the thought that it may be possible to end. I cannot fully understand the extent of hatred between the Sunni and Shi’a, but I think that it is a pretty bold statement to suggest that the fight will “never end.” Is there instability? Certainly. However, I believe that many individuals base their thinking off of instability. Christians need to further open their eyes to understand what the extent of this ongoing issue may be. We have the power to fight off instability through our returning King.
I think it is very important to understand people and their conflicts, their motives, their beliefs, etc. because by listening, we are showing we care, and by showing we care, we are demonstrating Christ’s love. I think, however, that though Christians may not be killing one another over denominational differences, that we need to look internally and resolve a few things as well because Christ says that our witness is how we love ONE ANOTHER, specifically and also everyone in general
I agree with you Austin, we need to invite people to Christ and love them because Jesus can forgive them and so should we.
I agree that understanding is important, because by listening and seeking to understand others we are loving them- which is what Christ calls us to do, and which tills the soil of a hurting heart to be ready to receive the word. However, i think a priority we often forget is uniting Christians across denominations- it is sad how few denominations work together to fight poverty. if we are not resolved to deeply and visibly love and care for one another within the body of Christ, we are loosing our most powerful testimony. not that there are christians killing christians perse, but sometimes our attitudes about denominations, etc. can be destructive. we need to listen to one another.
The idea that President Ahmadenijad’s has a goal to eliminate Israel, really stood out to me. He is so confident in what he believes that he would destroy or kill for what he believes and I am sure he would die for his belief as well. I have a very strong feeling about my beliefs in My God also, and though I really really like to think that I would die for my God, I can most certainly say that I would not kill for Him. Does that make our passions for what we believe different? I had never realized this before reading that this post.
I definitely think that we need to continue to do our best to simply love, which is what Christianity is all about. In doing so, hopefully they will see our good and turn and praise our God and Father in heaven.
Could you share more about the Mahdi and how this individual affects the muslim paradigm? Is this character a warrior/savior to them? Thanks!
I find it interesting that the Shi’a are waiting for a leader who has supposedly been hiding out for hundreds of years. My first reaction was to wonder how they could possibly believe in something so inconceivable and impossible. However, then I started thinking about Christianity. Does it seem just as strange to non-believers that we talk about people being raised from the dead and “supernatural” figures called angels? I believe it will help when spreading our faith if we are mindful of the perspectives of others and how our faith might be perceived by them.
They need to come together as one and stop the killing. Forgiveness and love are the answers not killing. The continuation of hatred will only bring about more problems and Shi’ite and Sunni deaths. All we can do is pray for them and hope they see someday that the Love of Christ is all you need.
Thanks to all for the insightful comments. You wisdom stretches me every time I read them. In particular, I’d like to address a point several of you have raised, either in comment or question, and that is about how to share Jesus with Muslims… particularly when factions of Muslims are so bent on destroying each other.
In the spring of 2009 we’ll address a marvelous book in my class, “The Camel Training Manual” by Kevin Greeson. In Kevin’s short but to-the-point book he illustrates the path to Christ for a Muslim… and that is through a focus on Jesus. Muslims believe in Jesus; our Lord is the common ground that Christians have in any discussion with a Muslim. Of course, it states (wisely) in the Bible that ‘even demons believe… and shudder.’ Clearly a BELIEF in Jesus is not sufficient for salvation.
But here’s the key… Muslims will engage in dialogue about Jesus. Recall Jesus question of the disciples? “Who do you say that I am?” Kevin Greeson shows us how to use that same rhetorical approach to share our faith. Here are three key points he makes on pages 58-60 of his excellent text. Get a copy and learn his simple, and powerful witnessing method.
1. Isa (Arabic for “Jesus”) is holy
2. Isa has power over death
3. Isa knows the way to heaven.
Using his rhetorical question method, Greeson guides us in how to launch into each of these three key points. He concludes with two key questions.
A. If Muhammad did not know where he was going after death, how can he help us? (Consult my lesson on Muhammad… even he did not know what Allah would do with him after his death.)
B. Out of all the prophets, which do you think is best capable of helping you get to heaven?
From these questions comes a dialogue with Muslims about their eternal future. As Greeson says, “Muslims are a proud people. Approach Muslims with a humble attitude and as a genuine learner. For the first time in your life, a good measure of ignorance makes you highly effective at something.”
Or, in my words, Understand Islam and then earn the right to be heard. Listen twice as much as you speak, and ask lots of probing questions. Love your neighbors to lead them to the Kingdom.
Austin
As Christians I think it is vital for us to continue our love for eachother as well as our love for Christ no matter what the results of other cultures. If we could only get the Sunni and Shi’a to understand the war is not the answer…
Religion is a funny thing, and it can cause it’s followers to do funny things. It’s interesting how as Christians, we are quick to say that it is wrong to wage war without forgiveness, but what about the Crusades? What about the Salem Witch Trials? What about the Catholic/ Protestant battles? That’s exactly the same idea.
The funny thing is, when it’s for their religion, people think that it’s all fine and dandy, until we are looking at it from the outside. It’s not that we shouldn’t have religion, it’s that we should embrace each other’s differences and accept all people for who they truly are, God’s Children, for who are we to judge?
I think that we all need to dive in and learn more about this conflict. Knowledge is power, especially understanding both perspectives. As Christians our response should be through love, and Christ like actions. Like we talked before we have common ground in Jesus, and that is a good starting place for conversation.
I agree with many statements before that we need to educate ourselves about this conflict, so we can actually know how to help. Many Americans today only know that there is fighting in the Middle East, and that lots of people, from everywhere around the world, that are dying. If we knew more at the very least it would help our prayers, knowing exactly what to pray for. Understanding Islam is the key to helping them, and I hope more Americans probe into this. It has certainly helped my attitude towards Muslims and the war.
We do need to love our neighbors as ourselves. To have the most impact on someone I believe you need to have patience with whoever you might be witnessing to. You need to let them feel like they will be heard if they speak to you. Arguing will get you nowhere, it will probably do the complete opposite of what you are trying to do in witnessing to them.
Is this war only contained to Sunni and Shi’a, or does the whole world have to be in chaos for the Mahdi to come? Should we be worried about the President of Iran and others, possibly trying to create war and terror in all of the Middle East or the world?