Islamic Psychology and Salvation

QUESTION: Islamic Psychology – Accomplishing Our Salvation

ANSWER:

As you can imagine, the Muslim view of salvation contrasts sharply with the Christian view. Muslims believe that we naturally have a good nature and that we must look to ourselves and the abilities God has given us to achieve our own salvation. According to Abdalati, “The true Muslim believes that man must work out his salvation through the guidance of God. This means that in order to attain salvation a person must combine Faith and action, belief and practice. Faith without action is as insufficient as action without Faith. In other words, no one can attain salvation until his Faith in God becomes dynamic in his life and his beliefs are translated into reality. This is in complete harmony with other Islamic articles of Faith. It shows that God does not accept lip service, and that no true believer can be indifferent as far as practical requirements of Faith are concerned. It also shows that no one can act on behalf of another or intercede between him and God (see, for example, the Qur’an, 10:9–10; 18:30; 103:1–3).”¹

Islamic Psychology – A Salvation Based on Obedience
Christians also affirm “faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:20). For Christians, however, faith always precedes obedience (Ephesians 2:8–10). We obey because we love God and place our faith in Him because He saves us. God requires good deeds, but He also enables us to accomplish them (Philippians 2:12–13). The good deeds required of Muslims (circumcision, prayer five times a day, a pilgrimage to Mecca, avoiding pork, etc.) as well as the motivation to accomplish them stand in contrast to the good deeds required of Christians.

Notes:

Rendered with permission from the book,Understanding the Times: The Collision of Today’s Competing Worldviews(Rev. 2^nd ed), David Noebel, Summit Press, 2006. Compliments of John Stonestreet, David Noebel, and the Christian Worldview Ministry at Summit Ministries. All rights reserved in the original.

¹ Hammuda Abdalati, Islam in Focus (Indianapolis, IN: 1975), 17--18. This stands in distinct contrast to biblical examples of intercession between God and sinful humans (such as Exodus 32:11–14, where Moses intercedes on behalf of sinful Israel) and the biblical teaching that the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26–27) and Christ (Hebrews 7:25) intercede for us.