What I learned from Islam

I recently read the book Three Cups of Tea for grad school. The book is about a man, Greg Mortenson, who has helped to build schools in the villages of Pakistan and Afghanistan, especially schools for girls. Mortenson, an American, is largely successful because he exhibits enough humility to get to know the people he is helping and their ways of life. One of the tenants of life in that area of the world is Islam.

One of the first things that comes into the heads of most Americans when those countries and the word "Islam" are together is terrorism. It's tragic, but it's true. Terrorism, though, comes from radical Islam. Radical Islam is awful. But so is radical Christianity. The Des Moines Register ran an article today about the protesting presence at Drake University of members of that Baptist "church" from Topeka who go disrupt military funerals and walk around with signs carrying such pearls of wisdom as "God hates Fags," "God hates Jews," and "Fags are Beasts." Their leader said the dead coal miners in the West Virginia tragedy this week are now "burning in hell." Radical anything is dangerous, an abominition, and tragically colors the reputation of non-radicals. Aligning terrorists with the Islamic faith is foolish. Aligning me this Topeka crew is just as insulting.

Having learned through this book about several individuals who are passionate followers of Islam, I was impressed by a couple of things:

1. "Allah Akbhar!" This phrase was commonly used and roughly translates into "Glory/Thanks be to God." It is said with passion. Every major positive event is followed with this phrase. There is immediate gratitude to God, and all blessings are attributed to him. It is not luck or chance. I am blessed daily. I do not carry the phrase "Thanks be to God" around with me, however. Too many days I feel entitled to my blessings.

2. "Inshallah." Another common phrase meaning "God willing." When Mortenson relates his plans to locals, his words are often responded to with this. They don't tell God his will, and they don't expect their lives to go perfectly. They will be blessed, God willing. They will see friends or family again, God willing. They will live through the next day, God willing. They recognize their dependence on God, and they respect when His will is not what they have planned.

3. They stopped everything 5 times a day for prayer. They go through a cleansing ritual before praying out of respect for God, and they drop absolutely everything to pray. There were no excuses. There was no busyness getting in the way. I can imagine it is much easier to thank God and rely on God's will and attribute great blessings to Him when one unconditionally responds to His goodness 5 times a day.

4. Ramadan. During this one month holiday, all Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, out of respect to God and as a way of "fine-tuning" their spiritual devotion. One month. They don't give up chocolate. They don't give up chewing gum. They fast for a month, in honor of God.

These are a patient people. Their faith enables them to endure a great number of hardships with persistence. I am not suggesting I should become a follower of Islam. Christ is the only path to salvation, and I pray that these passionate and devoted people embrace Christ.

The bottom line, though, is that their devotion can be learned from. Their faithfulness is an example Christians should seek to match. They don't blow up buildings - they make God the prominent focus in their lives.