Muslims are often confused by Christian worship services. Many see their worship in person or on TV and are confused. Let’s see eight reasons why Christian worship is flawed according to Muslims.
1. Using Musical Instruments
According to Psalm [Zabur] 150, the Prophet David asked religious people to use musical instruments to worship Allah. The instruments were harps, tambourines, flutes, drums, etc. People who believe in the Prophet David’s teachings are also allowed to sing and use musical instruments to worship Allah.
2. Clapping Hands
It’s written in Psalm [Zabur] 47:1 to “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.” The Prophet Isaiah used an illustration of trees in the fields rejoicing by clapping their hands. Allah’s people should worship Him by clapping their hands with joy (Isaiah 55:12).
3. Sitting on Chairs
Allah’s Word never limits the way to worship Allah to one specific position. People can kneel, stand or bow.
Europeans and Americans sit in chairs during worship services. People in the Middle East prefer to sit on the floor because Islam adopted the Saudi culture. Some Christians in Indonesia also pray by sitting or kneeling on the floors.
4. Wearing Western Clothes
Each country has its own customs. Muslims in Indonesia wear a sarong to pray. Other countries like Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan wear different types of clothes. American pastors used to wear suits and ties. Many Indonesian pastors now wear Batik.
Allah prioritizes our motives, not our clothes.
5. Wearing Shoes
People in eastern cultures don’t wear shoes at home out of respect. But both easterners and westerners wear shoes or sandals when they go to work or stores.
Christians don’t consider a church building Allah’s home. Allah dwells in their lives.
6. Men and Women Sitting Together
Christians believe in the importance of family unity, so they sit together during worship services.
Allah’s Holy Book says men and women are created equally by God. Therefore, it doesn’t honor Allah to make women sit at the back. Are men and women equal in paradise? Send us your thoughts.
7. Women Not Wearing Head Coverings
Each country has its own laws regarding dress codes. Foreigners visiting Saudi Arabia or Iran might be imprisoned if they don’t dress according to their laws.
Wearing head coverings began thousands of years ago. Many don’t follow this tradition anymore. Christian women can choose not to wear head coverings. Allah judges our hearts, not our head coverings.
8. Women Wearing Improper Clothes
According to Allah’s Word, women should dress with modesty (Injil, 1 Timothy 2:9-10). Christian churches should welcome anyone regardless of their religious backgrounds. Women who wear improper clothes might not understand the teaching of the Bible.
Men should control their sexual desires because Allah commands not to look at a woman with lustful intent (Injil, Matthew 5:28-29). A man whose thoughts are immoral might have lustful desires even without a woman wearing sexy clothes.
The Purpose of Worship
We worship Allah to know Him. According to the Bible, to know Allah is to know Isa Al-Masih [Jesus]. “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (Injil, John 17:3).
When we understand that Allah is holy, we come to Allah with humility and faith. Instead of focusing on why Christian worship is flawed, focus on knowing Allah deeper. Contact us to learn more.
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