Islam in Relation to the Christ Impulse: A Search for Reconciliation between Christianity and Islam Andrei Younis elucidates esoteric reasons behind the emergence of Islam from the perspective of Steiner’s Spiritual Science. He draws on more than thirty years of studying Steiner’s works, as well as on first-hand knowledge gained from living in various Islamic countries and cultures. His purpose is to reconcile the origins, beliefs, and meanings of Islam and Christianity. Looking closely at the history and various manifestations of Islam, Younis discusses the spiritual impulses behind Islamic beliefs and practices, grounding his commentary in both the Koran and the Bible. Comprehending this anthroposophic perspective on the emergence of Islam is key to understanding why Islam manifests as it does today. Whereas this book will be enlightening and even surprising to most open-minded Western readers, it is not meant to be a foundation for beliefs (or non-belief), but as a springboard for thought and new avenues of understanding and compassion in a dangerous time. C O N T E N T S Preface 1. The Need to Understand Islam through Anthroposophic Wisdom Noteworthy contrasts between Christianity and Islam Reasons concealed behind the emergence of Islam as a new Yahweh Moon religion Influences on the descendants of Ishmael during the Kali Yuga period The critical situation 333 years after the coming of Christ The advent of Christ in relation to the crisis of 333: Lucifer’s involvement in blunting the Sorathic intervention 2. Sorath’s Intervention in AD 666 and the Role of Ishmael’s Descendants The aftermath of the invasion of the Gondishapur Academy Yahweh’s transformation into Allah: The beginning of the denial of spirit Further considerations on the absence of the concept of spirit in Islam: Confusion of three significant Hebraic terms What are the fundamental messages of the Koran? How did Muhammad’s verses influence pagan Arabs? Is the principle of freedom indicated anywhere in the Koran? Sharia law, the rule of retaliation, and the new principle of forgiveness in the Koran Are there any signs of the Christ impulse in the Koran? 3. In What Ways Has Arabism Influenced Islam? Absence of the concept of spiritual freedom as a result of Arabism Absence of a concept of reincarnation Absence of the concept of karma and confined to the fatalistic concept of qadar Confusing Islam today with incidents and verses related only to Muhammad’s time What is Arabism? How are we to define it? What does Islam mean for Muslims, and how do they regard other religions? 4. Muhammad as the Last Prophet Sent by Allah: Lucifer’s Involvement in Islam Lucifer’s role in Arabism’s increase in power: The influence of luciferic morality on Islam Other reasons why the Koran has been misunderstood and misinterpreted Influence of apocryphal gospels on koranic verses and Islam: The influence of folk souls Is Islam related to Christ in any way? Consequences of the reappearance of Abraham’s monotheistic faith Why is the Antichrist (Dajjal) mentioned in Islam? How do Muslims interpret the Second Coming of Christ? 5. How Is Jesus of Nazareth Conceived in Islam? Reasons behind the denial of the Holy Trinity and God’s Son What did Abraham’s monotheistic faith mean to Muhammad and to Muslims? The Prophet Muhammad’s two sons Further consequences of adhering to the old principle, “I and Father Abraham are one” Denial of the Crucifixion and its consequences Conclusion: Can Christianity and Islam find a key to reconciliation? About the Author Andrei Younis is a graduate of the Bournemouth & Poole Colllege of Art and Design in England. He has researched monotheistic religions and Far-Eastern teachings and visited India during that time. Andrei Younis has studied Anthroposophy for more than thirty years and has written numerous articles on the subject. He traveled in the Middle East and lived in Islamic lands for several years, which gave him a chance to experience in a direct way how Muslims have been influenced by Islamic teachings and coming to understand Islam as an insider. Since 2003, Andrei Younis has offered conferences on Anthroposophy and led seminars to introduce the content of anthroposophic wisdom in Islamic countries.