Practices in the Gospel Compatible with the Qur’an

Fasting

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting... But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your God, Who is unseen; and your God, Who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew, 6:16-18)

... She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. (Luke, 2:36-37)

... Then Jesus... after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. (Matthew, 4:1-2)

For John came neither eating nor drinking... (Matthew, 11:18; Luke, 7:33)

The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' (Luke, 18:11-12)

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting... So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off... (Acts, 13:2-3)

Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. (Acts, 14:23)

... by now it was after the fast. (Acts, 27:9)

Giving Alms

So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well [for God's good pleasure]. (2 Corinthians, 12:15)

... "Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But give what is inside the dish to the poor, and everything will be clean for you. (Luke, 11:39-41)

Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your God..." So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your God, Who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew, 6:1-4)

As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven [paradise] is near.' Heal the sick... cleanse those who have leprosy... Freely you have received, freely give. Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts. (Matthew, 10:7-9)

... And much grace was upon them all [believers]. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money to the apostles and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. (Acts, 4:33-35)

For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your God knows that you need them. But seek His kingdom [seek God's approval], and these things will be given to you as well. "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your God has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Luke, 12:30-34)

[Jesus:] "But I tell you who hear me: If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you... And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great." (Luke, 6:27-35)

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew, 6:19-21)

If it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Romans, 12:8)

John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same". (Luke, 3:11)

Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (Romans, 12:13)

Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." (Luke, 14:12-14)

But Zacchaeus stood up and said... "Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. (Luke, 19:8-9)

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on." (Mark, 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4)

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life [paradise]?... "You know the commandments [of God]: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich [unless they give alms] to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were amazed at his words... The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?" Peter said to him [Jesus], "We have left everything to follow you!" "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me [for the approval of God] and the Gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life [paradise]. But many who are first will be last, and the last first. (Mark, 10:17-31; Matthew 19:16-30; Luke 18:18-30)

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought part of the money to the apostles. Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that satan has so filled your heart that you have lied... and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God." (Acts, 5:1-4)

Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift... (1 Corinthians, 16:1-4)

Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the Gospel, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. (2 Corinthians, 9:13)

All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts, 2:44-47)

The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' (Luke, 18:11-12)

This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God, Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything... (Hebrews, 7:1-2)

Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the Gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account [increase your reward in the hereafter]. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches... To our God... be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Philippians, 4:15-20)

Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there. For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this fruit, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ. (Romans, 15:25-29)

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians, 9:6-8)

Daily Prayer in the Gospel

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.'" (Luke, 18:9-11)

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your God... forgive you your sins." (Mark, 11:25-26)

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, "God, if You are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but Yours be done." (Luke, 22:39-42)

Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed... (Acts, 9:40)

When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. (Acts, 20:36)

But when our time was up, we left and continued on our way. All the disciples and their wives and children accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. (Acts, 21:5)

For this reason I kneel before the God... (Ephesians, 3:14-15)

Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." (Acts, 7:60)

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."... Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed... (Matthew, 26:36-39)

... Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray."... Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed... (Mark, 14:32-35)

... so he will fall down and worship God... (1 Corinthians, 14:25)

... The twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One Who is and Who was, because you have taken Your great power and have begun to reign." (Revelation, 11:16-17)

... They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" (Revelation, 7:11)

Specified Times of Worship in the Gospel

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (Mark, 1:35)

After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. (Matthew, 14:23)

One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. (Luke, 6:12)

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. (Acts, 3:1)

About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. (Acts, 10:9)

Cornelius answered: "Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered [accepted] your gifts to the poor." (Acts, 10:30-31)