Allah - The God of Islam - Uncaring

This is a continuation of a multi-post article. You can read the first post here. This is also part of a larger series called "The Koran from a Christian perspective." You can find other posts in this series here.

The God if Islam is often depicted in the Koran as being aloof and disconnected from the lives and cares of men. In many ways, the God of Islam is an uncaring and unfriendly God. God sees the plight of men and knows that their end is destruction, yet He seems completely untouched by their pain and quite willing that they should find their way to hell. Their sins and the pain of their everyday life experiences appear to mean nothing to Him as He relishes in the thought of their chastisement.

"They shall say, 'Our Lord, our adversity [ill-fortune] prevailed over [against] us; we were an erring people. Our Lord, bring us forth out of it! Then, if we revert [go back again to our sins], we shall be evildoers indeed.''Slink you [be driven down] into it,' He shall say, 'and do not speak to Me [address Me not]." (Koran 23:98-110)

"And let not the unbelievers suppose that the indulgence [length of days] We grant them is better for them; We grant them indulgence [length of days] only that they may increase in sin; and there awaits them a humbling chastisement." (Koran 3:172)

While the God of Islam adds length of days to increase the pain of mankind's sins, the God of the Christians and Jews adds length of days in patience and in hope them men might return to Him.

"The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)

"and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation." (2 Peter 3:15)

The God of Islam is like that angry father or that yelling mother who uses threats and anger to motivate and coercer obedience from their children.

"Therefore remind [warn] by the Koran him who fears My threat [menace]." (Koran 50:45)

While the God of the scriptures does use threatening at times to warn and exhort His children, He also uses many other means to help them along the way as they learn to grow in Him.

"As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, 'Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?'... Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, 'One thing you lack...'" (Mark 10:17, 21)

God often uses love, kindness, and favor to lead and guide us, even while we are still lost in our sins. God does not desire our destruction but continually tries to lead us into life.

The God of Islam is also unforgiving. His forgiveness seems to be dolled out according to His own capriciousness. One never really knows if they are forgiven or if they will be forgiven the next time they sin.

"Equal it is for them, whether thou askest forgiveness for them or thou askest not forgiveness for them; God will never [by no means] forgive them. God guides not the people of the ungodly [a perverse people]." (Koran 63:6)

However, Jesus tells us that all sins may be forgiven save one.

"Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin" (Mark 3:28-29)

Finally, the God is Islam is a God that tiers of mankind and is willing to leave them to their own devices. God has better things to do them worry and fret over sinful mankind. If they want to sin, let them!

"And had We willed, We would have raised him up thereby; but he inclined towards the earth and followed his lust." (Koran 7:175)

"Whomsoever God leads astray [misleads], no guide he has; He leaves them [distraught] in their insolence blindly wandering." (Koran 7:185)

However, the God of the scriptures never grows tired and He never gets weary.

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the  Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives  strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He  increases power." (Isaiah 40:28-29)

God never leaves us alone but is always watching over us, looking out for us, and wooing us back to Him. God may not like everything we are doing but He will never leave us or forsake us.

"You, in Your  great compassion, did not  forsake them in the  wilderness; the pillar of cloud did not leave them by day, to guide them on their way, nor the pillar of fire by night, to light for them the way in which they were to go." (Nehemiah 9:19)

The God of Muhammad is an uncaring God. However, the God of the scriptures is a loving and caring God. He loves us and cares for us because He created us and He loves everything He has created. We are not perfect people yet, in our imperfections and our sins, we know that God will continue to love, guide, and care for us. This is a great hope and comfort in our lives.

More to come...

David Robison