Page 101 - World Religions I - Islam

Study Section 12: Islamic Ideologies

12.1 Connect

A Muslim does not believe that a person sins because he has a nature to sin. He believes that
everyone if born without a nature to sin, and only sins by committing an act of sin against himself.
Allah is not offended by sin. Every man’s sin only effects that person who sins.

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During the Enlightenment Period of World History (17 to 19 centuries) which emerged out of a
European intellectual and scholarly movement known as Renaissance humanism, the belief in the perfectibility of
man was made popular. Enlightenment thinkers promoted the idea that all men were born a “blank slate” or
innocent soul. Their future life was highly determined by the environmental pressures that pushed them to do
what is right or wrong. That’s where the idea of a “kinder” (child) “garden” (wonderful environment) or
kindergarten was birthed. Put an innocent child in a beautiful garden with opportunities for learning, and he will
automatically soak in all the wonderful ways he can become a positive asset to society. But let him grow up in a
depraved environment, and he will become a thief or criminal.

In a sense, Muslims believe man’s nature is similar. And they even believe that the great prophets, while they may
have sinned (except Jesus), eventually developed the ability to not sin anymore. It’s all about personal choices.

The Christian believes that man is born with a nature to sin. He sins against God because He has a nature to do so.
As we go through the Islamic Ideologies, you will see many GREAT differences between what the Bible clearly
teaches and what is promoted in the Qur’an and other Muslim holy books. Let’s take a look…

12.2 Objectives

1. The student should be able to explain Islam’s view of sin and the nature of man.

2. The student should be able to explain Islam’s teaching on how a person can get to Heaven (Paradise)
and receive salvation after death.

3. The student should be able to describe Islam’s teaching on what Heaven is like and who will be there.

12.3 Islamic Ideologies

Both the Qur'an and the Traditions reference material that is woven throughout the fabric of Islam, but
are not directly included in the Doctrines or Pillars. These spiritual ideologies help shape the context of
Islam, as well as the culture.

Sin
Islam acknowledges the reality of sin, but defines it differently than what
was revealed in the prior Scriptures.

• Muslims believe that everyone is born sinless and without a sinful nature.
o The concept of original sin does not exist in Islam.
 According to The New Encyclopedia of Islam, "There is a Fall [of mankind], but not an inherent

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