Thoughts on Evangelical Christianity

Talk by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - Alquería des Rosales, Spain - 29 June 2009 - 34 mins 12 secs

In this talk, Sheikh Abdal Hakim offers some thoughts on the increasingly assertive evangelical trend in Christianity, and how Muslims can constructively repsond to it. He emphasises firstly the importance of the Qur'anic principle of responding with what is better, and not being dragged into the abusive slanging matches so often sadly seen on Internet discussion fora and elsewhere. He then outlines some of the important points of discussion that can be had with committed Christians who want to engage in respectful dialogue. These points include: the importance in all religious traditions of God's love for the poor and outcast, and the problems of being identified with worldly, especially military, power; the importance of respecting that the Divine Love makes redemption available throughout history, not only during a defined period; and the need to deconstruct the stereotype often imposed upon Muslims (as on Jews in the past) as being legalistic. As the sheikh points out, the Muslim theology which considers God, while the source of Justice, as absolutely free in His Love and Mercy to forgive who He chooses seems a lot less legalistic than a theology that considers mankind's sinfulness a debt that He must collect.

Many thanks to Zak Whiteman for sending this in, jazahu Allah kheir.

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'To every people a guide'

Friday sermon (jum'ah khutba) by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - Cambridge - 29 May 2009 - 26 mins 40 secs

Islam is often perceived as an exclusive religion, dividing humanity into believers and non-believer. It is true that that the Divine Message of the Qur'an is rigorously uncompromising in its demand for a clear distinction between right and wrong, truth and falsehood. But, as the sheikh reminds us in this sermon, these divisions do not necessarily correspond to divisions between different religious groups. Muslim does not always mean right, and non-Muslim wrong, although we often act is if they do. Discussing the Christians of Najran, the response of Waraqa b. Nawfal to the Prophet Muhammad's message (peace and blessings be upon him), and other examples, the sheikh elaborates on this important aspect of the Qur'anic message. Perhaps uniquely among ancient scriptures, the Qur'an asserts the correct belief of more than one religious community. The sheikh also touches on the role of Khadija (may God be pleased with her), Waraqa's cousin and of course the Prophet's first confidant and follower; thus highlighting another compelling aspect of the Prophet's mission which the ummah could do so much more to bring alive today.

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The Qur'anic Jesus

Talk by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - Keble College, Oxford - 9 February 2009 - 1 hr 25 mins 09 secs

Our brothers and sisters over in Oxford have also been working hard, outdoing us with a whole term of Experience Islam events, may God reward them. Check out the impressive programme here, and get along to some of the events yet to come if you can. Among the talks so far was this one on Islamic perspectives on Jesus by Sheikh Abdal Hakim. In it he presents the Qur'anic understanding of Jesus ('Isa, peace be upon him), and relates it to historical and contemporary debates about his nature and role. The talk highlights in particular the possibility of a shared Christological dialogue between the Abrahamic faiths.

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