Why you must revert to Islam from Christianity?

Surah 3 Ali ‘Imran, Ayat 85-85

وَمَنۡ يَّبۡتَغِ غَيۡرَ الۡاِسۡلَامِ دِيۡنًا فَلَنۡ يُّقۡبَلَ مِنۡهُ​ ۚ وَهُوَ فِى الۡاٰخِرَةِ مِنَ الۡخٰسِرِيۡنَ‏ ﴿3:85

 Christianity is a Semitic religion, which claims to have nearly 1.2 billion adherents all over the world. Jesus, he did not use this word Christianity. It is first used in Book of Acts chapter 11 verse 26 by Antioch who called the follower of Jesu by this name.

“English Standard Version

and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year, they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch, the disciples were first called Christians.”

In the Bible, there many where told about the son of God and it told about Adam, Ibraham, Israel peace be upon all. In Romanc chapter 8 told those who performed by the soul of God, all of them is the son of God. If you are Dud of God, then you son of God according to the Bible. So it is a common phrase by the Bible.

But some Christians want to tell Jesus was “begotten Son” that not fear a God. Because this happened in the lower class animal. 32 higher class christen scholars who are supported by 50 charge or missionaries who told that this word begotten was a mixed, Nonsense and Cheating and they cancel this word in the revised standard version of the bible from the Gospel of John chapter 3 verse 16.

Revised Standard Version: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Red letters are found in some of the verses in the Red-letter edition Bible “in which the Dominical words—those spoken by Jesus.

In the whole Bible, NO where Jesus told himself that he is God

Jesus told in Gospel of Matthew chapter 12 verse 28

“New American Standard Bible

“But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”

So he told that he does it by the help of God and he is not begotten son of God. He is a messenger of God.

 

The Holy Bible is the sacred scripture of the Christians:

a) The Bible is divided into two parts, the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament is the Holy Scripture of the Jews and contains records of all the prophets of the Jews that came before Jesus (pbuh).

The New Testament contains records of the life of Jesus (pbuh).

b) The complete Bible, i.e. the Old Testament and the New Testament put together, contains 73 books. However, the Protestant Bible i.e. the King James Version, contains only 66 books as they consider 7 books of the Old Testament to be apocrypha, i.e. of doubtful authority.

Therefore the Old Testament of the Catholics, contains 46 books and that of the Protestants, 39 books. However the New Testament of both these sects contains 27 books.

This article addresses the following questions relying mostly on quotations from the Holy Quran:

• What are the origins of Christianity?
• Was Jesus (pbuh) born without a father?
• Is Jesus (pbuh) a son of God?
• Did Jesus (pbuh) speak as a baby?
• Was he crucified?

 

THE ORIGINS OF CHRISTIANITY

Historical facts reveal that Jesus (peace be on him) did not use the word Christianity. He and his followers used to worship in the temple which other Israelites used. The message of Jesus was to call people back to the religion of Abraham and Moses from which they had gone astray. After  Jesus, Paul declared that belief in Jesus sufficed for salvation. The Jewish scholars of that time called the followers of  Jesus the misguided sect of Nazarene or Galilaens. In 43 C.E., when Paul and Barnabas went to Antioch to preach, they were ridiculed and were called Christians by the masses. The ones who were called Christians felt that if they are being given a name in reference to Jesus, there is nothing wrong in accepting it. Westerners have used the similar concept in labelling Muslims as Mohammedans. Oddly enough, literature on “Mohammedans” is still in abundance in the Western libraries.
 

PAUL ALTERED THE MESSAGE

    At the beginning, Paul was a staunch opponent of  Jesus and remained so for many years after his ascension. When he did join the followers of Jesus later on, he initiated many alterations in the teachings of Jesus in hopes of winning over the Gentiles (non-Jewish people). He introduced the following concepts into Christianity:

• the concept of Jesus as son of God;
• Jesus died on the cross to wash eternal sins of Adam’s children through his blood; and
• the Law of Torah was renounced.

Paul eliminated all regulations concerning food and abrogated the injunctions of circumcision. The real followers of Jesus opposed these blatant misrepresentations of the message of Jesus. Their struggle to reject the notion of Divinity of Jesus continued for about two hundred years. Since these alterations were very appealing to the Gentiles, the true believers were unable to stop the misguidance. In 325 C.E., a council of Christian leaders met at Nicaea and officiated Paul’s beliefs as their religion. Roman Empire declared Paul’s religion as the religion of the State and all those books which denied these beliefs were banned. In 367 C.E., the State announced a list of books acceptable to it and fifteen years later, a council held under the presidency of Pope Damasius gave its approval to these books. At the end of the fifth century, Pope Galasius published a list of unauthorized books (Apocryphal) to further conform with Paul’s religion of Christianity.

 

JESUS BORN WITHOUT A FATHER

The true story of Jesus’ birth from Mary is narrated in the Holy Quran. We are told that he was born without a father by the command of God. Mary was single and a chaste woman.

(21:91) And (remember) her who guarded her chastity: We breathed into her of Our Spirit, and We made her and her son a Sign for all peoples.
19:16 Relate in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the East.
19:17 She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them: then We sent to her Our angel, and he appeared before her as a man in all respects.
19:18 She said: “I seek refuge from thee to (God) Most Gracious: (come not near) if thou dost fear God.”
19:19 He said: “Nay, I am only a messenger from thy Lord, (to announce) to thee the gift of a holy son.”
19:20 She said: “How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me, and I am not unchaste?”
19:21 He said: “So (it will be): thy Lord saith, `That is easy for Me: and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign unto men and a Mercy from Us’: it is a matter (so) decreed.”
19:22 So she conceived him, and she retired with him to a remote place.
19:23 And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree: she cried (in her anguish): “Ah! would that I had died before this! Would that I had been a thing forgotten and out of sight!”
19:24 But (a voice) cried to her from beneath the (palm-tree): “Grieve not! for thy Lord hath provided a rivulet beneath thee; 19:25 “And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm-tree: it will let fall fresh ripe dates upon thee.
19:26 “So eat and drink and cool (thine) eyes. And if thou dost see any man, say, `I have vowed a fast to (God) Most Gracious, and this day will I enter into no talk with any human being.’ “

JESUS SPOKE AS A BABY

19:27 At length she brought the (babe) to her people, carrying him (in her arms). They said: “O Mary! truly an amazing thing hast thou brought!
19:28 “O sister of Aaron! thy father was not a man of evil, nor thy mother a woman unchaste!”
19:29 But she pointed to the babe. They said: “How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?”
19:30 He said: “I am indeed a servant of God: He hath given me revelation and made me a prophet;
19:31 “And He hath made me Blessed wheresoever I be, and hath enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I live;
19:32 “(He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable;
19:33 “So Peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the Day that I shall be raised up to life (again)”!
19:34 Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: (it is) a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute.
19:35 It is not befitting to (the majesty of) God that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! When He determines a matter, He only says to it, “Be,” and it is.
19:36 Verily, God is my Lord and your Lord: Him therefore serve ye: this is a Way that is straight.
19:37 But the sects differ among themselves: and woe to the Unbelievers because of the (coming) Judgment of a momentous Day!

HE BEGETS NOT!
We note that the Holy Quran refers to Jesus as ‘Jesus ibn Maryam’, i.e., Jesus son of Mary. It is in contrast to the common usage in which children are referred to by their father’s name and not by their mother’s name. He is not a son of God. The following chapter from the Holy Quran explains the position of Islam in absolute terms:

SAY: “Allah is Unique!! Allah, the Source [of everything]. Allah has not fathered anyone nor was He fathered, and there is nothing comparable to Him!” (Chapter 112)

JESUS WAS NOT CRUCIFIED
The Holy Quran also rejects the claim that Jesus was killed on the cross.

4:157 That they said (in boast), “We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Apostle of God”; but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow for of a surety they killed him not.
4:158 Nay, God raised him up unto Himself; and God is Exalted in Power, Wise.
4:159 And there is none of the People of the Book but must believe in him before his death; and on the Day of Judgment He will be a witness against them.
 

Based on the statements of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), Muslims believe that Prophet Jesus will return to earth at a time when Muslims will be in a dire need of a leader. He will not initiate a new religion but rather obey the Holy Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and lead Muslims to victory over the disbelievers.

    We hope that this short essay will help our readers understand the origins of Christianity and Islam’s position on Jesus. We encourage everyone to read the Holy Quran to obtain a better understanding of Jesus and Islam. The Holy Quran also gives a detailed account of the mission and lives of “Jewish” prophets like Moses and Zakarea. Altogether, twenty-five prophets are mentioned by name in the Quran, including prophet Abraham, who was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but a devout Muslim and a friend of Allah.

For more details about this http://etheses.uin-malang.ac.id/5436/1/10320045.pdf
 

References:

• Manual of Dawah for Islamic Workers, The Islamic Circle of North America, 166-26 89th Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11432. (718)657-4090
• The Message, monthly magazine by ICNA, December 1993 issue is devoted fully to the Christianity.
• English translation of the Holy Quran by Abdullah Yusuf Ali

 

Allah in The Bible?
by
Ishaq Zahid

ALLAH – for Muslims the greatest and most inclusive of the Names of God, an Arabic word of rich and varied meaning, denoting the One Who is adored in worship,  Who creates all that exists, Who had priority over all creation, Who is lofty and hidden, Who confounds all human understanding. It is exactly the same word that the Jews, in Hebrew, use for God (eloh), the word which Jesus Christ used in Aramaic when he prayed to God.

But what about The Bible?

   At the bottom of this text is an image of the Ten Commandments from the Bible. Well, it is Bible in Arabic. I purchased it via the internet from the Barnes and Nobles site. You can do the same. However, it may not do you any good if you don’t know the Arabic. The Arabic Bible, as is evident from the image page at the bottom, uses the word Allah to refer to God. Thus Arab Christians’ God is Allah. It may surprise many in the West, but it is the plain truth. Allah is the One God of every one. Allah is the Creator of prophets like Jesus and Muhammad (peace be on them). Allah is also the creator of Satan. May we be in the protection of Allah from Satan all the times. Ameen.

“He is God, the One God Independent and sought by all; He begets not, nor is begotten, and there is none like unto Him” (The Holy Qur ‘an – Chapter 112 – Al-Ikhlas- Sincerity of Faith)

NOTE: The photographed image below is taken from, “Al-Kitab Al-Muqqadis,”  i.e. The Holy Bible in Arabic.

 

 

Dr Zakir Naik vs Dr. William Campbell debate on the topic Qur’an and the Bible in the light of Science

Br Sabeel Ahmed) As Salaam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah. It is my pleasure to introduce one of the best scholars of our time, Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik. Age 34 years old, he is the president of Islamic Research Foundation, Bombay, India. Though a medical doctor by professional training, Dr. Zakir Naik is known as a dynamic international orator, in Islam and comparative Religion. Dr. Zakir Naik clarifies Islamic view points, and clears misconceptions about Islam, based upon the Qur’an, Hadith and the other Religious Scriptures, as well as adhering to reason logic and scientific facts.
He is popular for his critical analysis and convincing answers to challenging questions posed by audiences, after his public talks. In the last four years itself, Dr. Zakir Naik has delivered more than 400 public lectures world wide, in addition to many public talks in India. He appears regularly on many international TV and Satellite TV channel programs in several countries of the world. He has authored books on Islam and comparative Religion. He has also participated in several symposiums and dialogues, with prominent personalities of other Religious faiths.
(Dr. Mohammed) May I announce, after the talks by both the speakers and the response session, we would be having an open Question and Answer session. So those who have come late, kindly note, we‟ll have questions on the mikes, followed by questions on index cards. Ladies and gentlemen, may I call upon Dr. Zakir Naik to present his talk.
(Dr. Zakir) …(Arabic)… Respected Dr. William Campbell, Dr. Maracuss, Dr. Jamal Badavi, Br. Samuel Nauman, Dr. Mohammed Naik, my respected elders and my dear brothers and sisters, I welcome all of you with the Islamic greetings… ‘As Salaamo Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barkatahu. May peace mercy and blessings of Allah Subhanawataala be on all of you. The topic of today‟s dialogue is „The Qur’an and the Bible in the light of Science.‟ The Glorious Qur’an is the last and final Revelation which was revealed to the last and final Messenger Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him.
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For any book to claim that it is a Revelation from Almighty God, it should stand the test of time. Previously in the olden days, it was the age of miracles – Alhamdulillah, the Qur’an is the miracle of miracles. Later on came the age of literature and poetry, and Muslims and Non Muslims alike, they claim the Glorious Qur’an to be the best Arabic literature available on the face of the Earth. But today is the age of science and technology. Let us analyze whether the Qur’an is compatible or incompatible with modern science. Albert Einstein said… „Science withtout Religion is lame, and Religion without Science is blind‟. Let me remind you that the Glorious Qur’an is not a book of Science…S-C-I-E-N-C-E, It is a bjook of signs S-I-G-N-S… It is a book of Ayats. And there more than 6000 signs… Ayats in the Glorious Qur’an out of which more than a thousand speak about science. As far as my talk regarding Qur’an and Science is concerned, I will only be speaking about scientific facts which has been established. I will not be speaking about scientific hypothesis and theories, which are based on assumption without any proof, because we all know many a times science takes U-turns. Dr. William Campbell who wrote a reply to the book of Dr. Maurice Bucaille… „The Qur’an and the Bible in the light of history and science‟ – He says in his book, that there are two types of approaches. One is a concordance approach – Which means a person tries to bring compatibility between the Scripture and science. And the other is the conflict approach, in which a person tries to bring a conflict between Scripture and science, like how Dr. William Campbell has done very well. But as far as the Qur’an is concerned, irrespective whether a person uses a conflicting approach, or a concordance approach – As long as you are logical, and after a logical explanation is given to you, not a single person will be able to prove a single Verse of the Qur’an, in conflict with established modern science. Dr. William Campbell has pointed out various alleged scientific errors in the Qur’an, and I am supposed to actually refute in the rebuttal. But since he chose to speak first, I will be refuting a few points in my talk – I will reply to the major part of his talk, mainly dealing with Embryology and with Geology. The remaining InshaAllah, InshaAllah, I will try my level best to reply in the rebuttal. I have to do both – I cannot do injustice to the topic. The topic is… „Qur’an and Bible in the light of Science.‟ I cannot only speak about one Scripture – Dr. William Campbell hardly spoke about one or two points about the Bible, which I will deal with InshaAllah. I will speak about both InshaAllah, – I want to do justice to the topic. As far as Qur’an and modern Science is concerned, in the field of „Astronomy‟, the Scientists, the Astronomers, a few decades earlier, they described, how the universe came into existence – They call it the „Big Bang‟. And they said… „Initially there was one primary nebula, which later on it separated with a Big Bang, which gave rise to Galaxies, Stars, Sun and the Earth, we live in.‟ This information is given in a nutshell in the Glorious Qur’an, in Surah Ambiya, Ch. 21, Verse No. 30, which says…. (Arabic)…. Do not the unbelievers see…? …. (Arabic)…. „That the heavens and the earth were joined together, and we clove them asunder.‟ Imagine this information which we came to know recently, the Qur’an mentions 14 hundred years ago. When I was in school, I had learned that the Sun in respect to the Earth – it was stationary – the Earth and the Moon, they rotated about in axis, but the sun was stationary. But when I read a Verse of the Qur’an saying, in Surah Al–Ambiya, Ch.. 21 Verse No. 33, it says…. (Arabic). … „It is Allah who has created the night and the day.‟…. (Arabic)…. The sun and the moon…. (Arabic)…. Each one travelling in an orbit with its own motion. Now Alhamdulillah, modern science has confirmed the Qur’anic statement. The Arabic word used in the Qur’an is ‘Yasbahoon’, which describes the motion of a moving body. When it refers to a celestial body, it means it is rotating about its own axis. So Qur’an says the sun and the Moon, they revolve as well as rotate about their own axis. Today we have come to know that the Sun takes approximately 25 days to complete one rotation. It was Edvin Hubbel who discovered that the universe is expanding. The Qur’an says in Surah Dhariyat, Ch. 51, Verse No. 47, that…„We have created the expanding universe‟ – The vastness of space. The Arabic word „Mohsiana‟ refers to „vastness‟ – „the expanding universe.‟ Regarding the topics on Astronomy, which Dr. William Campbell touched, I will deal in the rebuttal, InshaAllah. In the field of „Water cycle, Dr. William Campbell pointed out, certain things. The Qur’an describes the water cycle in great detail. And Dr. William Campbell mentioned 4 stages. In his book he mentions 4 (a) and (b) – the last one he did not mention in the slide – I don‟t know why? It says… „The Driplinition‟…„The Water table.‟ He missed out here – Maybe because it was not mentioned in the Bible. He said there is not a single Verse in the Qur’an, which speaks about „evaporation.‟ Qur’an says
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in Surah Al-Tariq, Ch. No. 86, Verse No. 11, that….(Arabic)…. „By the capacity of the heavens to return.‟ And almost all the commentaries of the Qur’an – they said, that this Verse of Surah Tariq, Ch. No. 86, Verse No. 11, refers to the capacity of the heavens to return back rain – meaning „Evaporation.‟ Dr. William Campbell who knows Arabic, may say…„Why did not Allah Subhanawa Taala specifically mention….(Arabic) …. Meaning… „The capacity of the heavens to return back rain.‟ Why did not Allah mention specifically? Now we have came to know why did not Allah do that, in His Divine wisdom. Because today we have came to know that besides – the Ozonosphere… the layer above the earth
– Besides returning back rain, it even returns back other beneficial matter and energy of the Earth, which is required by the human beings. It does not only return back rain – Today we have come to know, it even returns back waves of Telecommunication, of Television, of Radio, by which we can see TV, we can communicate, we can hear the radio. And besides that, it even returns back the harmful rays of the outer space, back on the other side, and absorbs. For example the sun light… the ultraviolet rays of the Sun light is absorbed by the Ionosphere. If this was not done, life on the Earth would have ceased to exist. So Allah Subhanawataala is far superior and for more accurate, when He says…. (Arabic)…. By the capacity of the Heaven to return.‟ And the remaining things as he mentioned is there in the Qur’an – You can refer to my Videocassette. The Qur’an describes the „Water cycle‟ in great detail. Regarding what he said about the Bible, he showed stage 1 and stage 3 in the first slide, and in the second stage 1, 3, and then 2. „That the rain water is taken up‟… he says… „and then the rain water comes down on the Earth.‟ This is the philosophy of Phasofmillitas, in 7th century BC. He thought that the spray of the ocean was picked up by the wind, and send to the interior as rain. There is no cloud mentioned there. In the second quotation Dr. William Campbell gave – First is, according to him, „evaporation‟ which we agree. We don‟t mind having the concordance approach with the Bible. „…Then rain falls down, and then are the clouds formed.‟ – That is not the complete water cycle. Alhamdulillah, the Qur’an describes the water cycle in great detail, in several places. How does the water rise, evaporates, forms into clouds – the clouds join together, they stalk up, there is thunder and lightning, water comes down, the clouds move into the interior, they fall down as rain, and the evaporation of the water table and Alhamdulillah in great detail. The Qur’an speaks about the water cycle in great detail, in several places. In Surah Nur, Ch. No. 24, Verse No. 43, in Surah Rum, Ch. No. 30, Verse 48, in Surah Al-Zumar, Ch. 39, Verse 21, in Surah Muminun, Ch. 23, Verse 18, in Surah Rum Ch. No. 30, Verse No. 24, in Surah Al- Hijr, Ch. 15, Verse No. 22, in Surah Araf Ch. No. 7, Verse No. 57, in Surah Rad, Ch. No. 13, Verse No. 17, in Surah Furqan, Ch. 25, Verse No. 48 and 49, in Surah Fatir, Ch. No. 35, Verse No. 9, in Surah Yasin, Ch. 36, Verse No. 34, in Surah Jathiya, Ch. 45, Verse No. 5, in Surah Qaf, Ch. No. 50, Verse No. 9, in Surah Al-Waqiah, Ch. No. 56, Verse No. 68 and 70, in several places, Surah Al-Mulk,Ch. 67, Verse No. 30, the Glorious Qur’an speaks about the „Water cycle‟, in great detail. Dr. William Campbell spent maximum time on Embryology‟… about half his talk – quite a lot on Geology – and touched on other six topics – I‟ve noted down. In the field of Geology, we have come to know today
– the Geologists, they tell us, that the radius of the Earth is approximately 3750 miles, and the deeper layers, they are hot and fluid, and cannot sustain life. And the superficial part of the Earth‟s crust, which we live on, it is very thin – Hardly 1 to 30 miles. Some portions are thicker, but majority one to 30 miles. And there are high possibility that this superficial layer, the Earth‟s crust – it will shake. It is due to the „Folding phenomenon‟, which gives rise to mountain ranges, which gives stability to this Earth. And Qur’an says in Surah Nabaa, Ch. No. 78, Verse No. 6 and 7…„We have made the Earth as an expanse…. (Arabic) ….and the mountains as stakes.‟ The Qur’an does not say, mountains were thrown up as stakes… mountain as stakes. Arabic word ‘Autaad’ means „stakes‟… meaning „tent peg‟. And today we have come to know in the study of modern Geology, that mountain has got deep roots. This was known in the second half of the 19th century.
And the superficial part that we see of the mountain, is a very small percentage. The deeper part is within – Exactly like a stake how it is driven in the ground. You can only see a small part on top… the majority is down in the ground – or like a tip of the ice berg…you can see the tip on the top and about 90% is beneath water. The Qur’an says in Surah Gashiya, Ch. 88, Verse No. 19, and Surah Naziat, Ch. No. 79, Verse No. 32 ….. (Arabic) …. And We have made the mountains standing firm on the Earth‟ – Made the mountains standing firm on the Earth. Today after modern Geology has advanced, and
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Dr. William Campbell said that… „By the theory of Platectonics – It was propounded in 1960, which gives rise to mountain ranges.‟ The Geologists today, do say that the mountains give stability to the Earth – Not all Geologists, but many do say. I have not come across a single Geological book, and I challenge Dr. William Campbell to produce a single Geological book – Not his personal correspondence with the Geologist. That does not carry weight. His personal correspondence with Dr. Keith Moore …. Documented proof. And if you read the book „The Earth‟ which is referred by almost all the universities, in the field of Geology, one of its authors by the name of Dr Frank Press, who was the advisor to the former president of USA, Jimmy Carter, and was the president of the Academy of Science of USA. He writes in his book that…„The mountains are wedge shaped – It has deep roots within. And he says that…„The function of the mountain is to stabilize the earth.‟ And the Qur’an says in Surah Ambiya, Ch. No 21, Verse No. 31, in Surah Luqman, Ch. No. 31 Verse No.10, as well as in Surah Nahl, Ch. No. 16, Verse No. 15, that…„We have made the mountains standing firm on the Earth, lest it would shake with them and with you.‟ The function of the mountain in the Qur’an, is given to prevent the Earth from shaking. Nowhere does the Qur’an say that the mountain prevents the earthquake. And Dr. William Campbell said – He writes in his book, and even the talk, that… „You find in the mountains regions, there are various earthquakes, and mountains cause earthquake.‟ Point to be noted – Nowhere does the Qur’an say that mountains prevent earthquake. The Arabic word for „earthquake‟ as Dr. William Campbell knows Arabic, is ‘zilzaal’ or ‘zalzala’- But the words used in these three Verses I quoted, it is ‘Tamida.’ ‘Tamida’ means „to shake‟, „to „sway‟, „to swing.‟ And Qur’an says in Surah Luqman, Ch. 31, Verse No. 10, as well as Surah Nahl, Ch. No. 16 Verse No. 15…„We have put on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it would shake with you. It is ‘tamide bikum’…„Shake with you‟, Indicating, if the mountains were not there, if you would have walked, if you would have moved, even the earth would have moved with you – If you would have swayed, even the earth would have swayed with you. And we know normally when we walk on the Earth, the Earth does not shake, and the reason for this is, according to Dr. Frank Press and Dr. Najjat who is from Saudi Arabia, and he wrote a full book on the Geological concepts in the Qur’an, answering almost every thing what Dr. William Campbell has said – in detail. And Dr. William Campbell in his book, he writes that…„If mountains prevent the shaking of the earth, then how come you find earthquakes in the mountains regions.‟ I said, No where does the Qur’an say, mountains prevent earthquake. Earthquake is ‘zilzaal’ – and if you see the definition in the Oxford dictionary, it says… Earthquake is due to convulsion of the superficial crust of the Earth, due to relief of compressed Siesmic waves, due to crack in the rock, or due to volcanic reaction. The Qur’an speaks about ‘zalzala’ in Surah Zalzaal, Ch. 99 – But here it speaks about ‘tamida bikum’- „to prevent the earth from shaking with you.‟ And in reply to the statement…„That if mountains prevent earthquakes, how come you find earthquakes in mountainous regions ?‟ The reply is, that – If I say that medical doctors, they prevent the sickness and disease in a human being, and if someone argues…„If doctors prevent the sickness and diseases in a human being, how come you find more sick people in the hospitals, where there are more doctors than at home – where there are no doctors.‟ In the field of Oceanology, the Glorious Qur’an says, in Surah Furqan, Ch. No. 25, Verse No. 53, that…„It is Allah who has let free two bodies of following water – One sweet and palatable, the other salt and bitter. Though they meet, they do not mix. Between them there is a barrier which is forbidden to be trespassed. Qur’an says in Surah Rahman, Ch. 55 Verse No. 19 and 20……. (Arabic) ……„It is Allah who has let free two bodies of flowing water. Though they meet, they do not mix. Between them there is barrier, which is forbidden to be trespassed.‟ Previously the commentators of the Qur’an wondered…„What does the Qur’an mean? We know about sweet and salt water – But between them there is a barrier – though they meet do not mix. Today after advancement of Oceanology, we have come to know, that whenever one type of water flows into the other type of water, it looses its constituents, and gets homogenized into the water it flows. There is a slanting homogenizing area, which the Qur’an refers to as „Barzak’ „unseen barrier‟ And this has been agreed upon by several Scientists, even of America, by the name of Dr. Hay – he is an Oceanologist. And Dr. William Campbell writes in his book that…„It is an observable phenomena. The fisherman of that time knew there were two types of water… salt and sweet So Prophet Mohammed during an expedition to Syria, he may have gone in the sea, or he might
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have spoken to these fishermen.‟ Sweet and salt water is an observable phenomenon, I agree – But people did not know that there was an unseen barrier, until recently. The Scientific point to be noted here is the „Barzak‟ – not the sweet and the salt water. In the field of Embryology, Dr. William Campbell spent approximately half of his talk on that. Time will not permit me to reply to every small thing which are illogical. I‟ll just give a brief reply, which will be satisfactory InshaAllah. And for more details, you can refer to my Video cassette – „Qur’an and Modern Science‟, and my other cassettes on… „Qur’an and Medical Science.‟ There were a group of Arabs who collected the data dealing in the Qur’an about „Embryology‟ and the Hadith dealing with Embryology. And they presented it to Professor Keith Moore, who was the chairman and the head of the department of „Anatomy‟, in the university of Toronto, in Canada – And at present he is one of the leading scientist in the field of „Embryology.‟ After reading the various translations of the Qur’an, he was asked to comment, and he said… „Most of the Verses of the Qur’an and the Hadith, are in perfect conformity with Modern Embryology. But there are a few Verses which I cannot say that they are right neither can I say that they are wrong, because I myself don‟t know about it. And two such Verses were the first two Verses of the Qur’an to be revealed, from Surah Iqra or Surah Alaq , Ch. 96 Verses No. 1 and 2 which says…(Arabic)… „Read, recite or proclaim in the name of thy Lord, Who created, Who created the human beings from something which clings – a leech like substance. Regarding Dr. William Campbell‟s statement that…„To analyse the meaning of a word, we have to see what was the meaning at that time when it was revealed‟-At that time when the book was written. And he rightly said that to analyze the meaning, we have to analyze the meaning at the time it was revealed, and to the people whom it was meant for. As far as this statement of his is concerned, regarding the Bible, I do agree with it totally – Because the Bible was only meant for the children of Israel, for that time. It is mentioned in the Gospel of Mathew, Ch. No. 10, Verse No. 5 and 6, Jesus Christ peace be upon him tells his disciples… „Go ye not in the way of the Gentiles.‟ Who are the Gentiles? The Non-Jews, the Hindus, the Muslims „But rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.‟ Jesus Christ peace be upon him said in the Gospel of Mathew, Ch. No. 15, Verse No. 24… „I am not sent, but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.‟ So Jesus Christ and the Bible, were only meant for the children of Isreal. Since it was meant for them, to analyze the Bible, you have to use the meaning of the word, which was utilized at that time. But the Qur’an was not meant only for the Arabs of that time – Qur’an is not meant only for the Muslims. The Qur’an is meant for the whole of humanity, and it is meant to be for eternity. Qur’an says in Surah Ibrahim, Ch. 14, Verse. 52, in Surah Baqarah Ch. No. 2, Verse 185, and Surah Zumar Ch. 39, Verses. 41, that the Qur’an is meant for the whole of human kind. And Prophet Mohammed, may peace be upon him, was not sent only for the Muslims or the Arabs. Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Ambiya Ch. No. 21, Verse No. 107——(Arabic)—-That We have send thee as a mercy, as a guidance, to the whole of humankind.‟ So as far as the Qur’an is concerned, you cannot limit the meaning only for that time, because it is meant for eternity. So one of the meaning of ‘Alaqa’… is „leech like substance‟ or „something which clings.‟ So professor Keith Moore said… „I did not know whether the early stage of the embryo looks like a leech‟ And he went into his laboratory, and he analyzed the early stage of an embryo, under a microscope and compared it with the photograph of a leech, and he was astonished at the striking resemblance. This is a photograph of a leech, and human embryo. What Dr. William Campbell showed you is the other perspective of it. If I show this book – it looks like a rectangle – If I show you like that, it is a different perspective. That diagram is given in the book – The diagram which you saw on the slide is even there – And I‟ll deal with it InshaAllah. Professor Keith Moore, after about 80 questions were asked to him, he said… „If you would have asked me these 80 questions, 30 years ago, I would not be able to answer more than 50 percent – Because embryology has developed recently in the past 30 years.‟ He said this in the eighties. Now, do we believe Dr. Keith Moore whose statement is available outside in the foyer – his videocassette is available… „This is the truth‟…‟Anna-ul-Haq‟… recorded statement. So will you believe Dr. William Campbell‟s personal conversation with Professor Keith Moore, or the one mentioned in this book, with Islamic edition as well as the photograph that I had shown to you? And in the videocassette available outside you can see it – He makes those statements. So you have to choose which is more logical – Personal discussion with Dr. William Campbell or his statement on Video. Like how Dr. William Campbell showed my
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video – 100 percent proof what I said… „Moon is reflected light‟ – I‟ll come to it later on. And whatever additional information he got from Qur’an and Hadith, it was incorporated later into this book…„The Developing Human‟ – the 3rd edition nd this book got an award for the best medical book written by a single author in that year. This is the Islamic edition that was put forward by Shaikh Abdul Majeed Al-Jindani and certified by Keith Moore himself. The Qur’an says in Surah Muminun, Ch. 23 Verse No. 13, and Surah Haj Ch. 22, Verse No. 5, and no less than 11 different places in the Qur’an, that the human beings have been made from a „nutfaa‟ „minute quantity of liquid‟…like a trickle that is remaining in the cup. „Nutfa‟ in Arabic… a very small quantity. Today we have come to know, that in one seminal emission, in which there are several millions of sperms, only one is required to fertilize the ovum – „The Qur’an refers as „nutfa.‟ Qur’an says in Surah Sajda Ch. 32 Verse no. 8…„We have created the human beings from „Sulalah‟ – That means the best part of a whole. The one sperm which fertilizes the ova out of the millions of sperms, the Qur’an refers to as „Sulalah‟…„best part of the whole.‟ And Qur’an says in Surah Insan, Ch. 76 Verse No. 2…„We have created the human beings from „nutfatunamshaj‟…a minute quantity of mingled fluid‟ – referring to the sperm as well as the ovum – Both are required for the fertilization. The Qur’an describes the various embryological stages in great detail, of which the slides were shown to you – Dr. William Campbell, he helped me to complete this topic. It is mentioned in Surah Muminun Ch. 23, Verses No. 12 to 14 – The translation is that…„We have created the human beings from a „nutfa.‟ – „A minute quantity of liquid.‟ Then placed it in „cararemakeen‟ – a place of security. Then We made it into an „Alaqa‟ – a leech like substance – something which clings – a congealed clot of blood. Then We made that „Alaqa‟ into a „Mutga‟ a „chewed like lump.‟ Then We made the „Mutga‟ into „Izama‟…bones. Then clothed the bones with „leham‟… flesh. Then We made it a new creature. Blessed be Allah Who is the best to create. These 3 Verses of the Qur’an, speak about the various embryological stages in great detail. First the nutfa placed in a place of security – Made into an „Alaqa‟, Alaqa has got 3 meanings – One is „something‟ which clings‟, and we know that in the initial stages, the embryo clings to the uterine wall and continues clinging till the end. Point No.2, that it also means a leech like substance, and as I discussed earlier, the embryo in the initial stages, does look like a leech. Besides looking like a leech – it also behaves like a leech – It receives its blood supply from the mother‟ like a bloodsucker. And the 3rd meaning which Dr. William Campbell objected to – that is the right meaning… „the congealed clot of blood‟- And that is why Qur’an has a scientific error. And I do agree with him that Dr. William Campbell did not agree. He said how can it mean a congealed clot of blood, because if this is the case, then the Qur’an is wrong. am sorry to say Qur’an is not wrong – Dr. William Campbell with due respect to him… He is wrong. Because today…today…after advancement of embryology, even Dr. Keith Moore – He says that… „In the initial stages, the embryo, besides looking like a leech, also looks like a congealed clot of blood, because in the initial stages, of the stage of „Alaqa‟, 3 to 4 weeks, the blood is clotted within closed vessels. And Dr. William Campbell made it easy for me – He showed you a slide. It will be difficult for you to see – But this is the slide he showed you. This is exactly what Professor Keith Moore said… „Looks like a clot, in which the blood is clotted within closed vessels And during the 3rd week of the embryo, the blood circulation does not take place – it starts later on – Therefore it assumes the appearance of a clot. And if you observe the conspectus – that is after abortion takes place, you can see, it look like a clot. Only one line answer is sufficient to answer all the allegations of Dr. William Campbell is that, the stages of the Qur’an while it describes the embryological stages, is only based on appearance… Appearance. First is the appearance of the „Alaqa‟ , a „leech like substance‟ as well as a clot of blood.‟ And Dr. William Campbell rightly said that some ladies come and ask… „Please remove the clot‟ – It does look like a clot And the stages are based on appearance. It is created from something, which appears like a clot, which appears like a leech, and is also something which clings. Then the Qur’an says… „We made the „Alaqa‟ into „Mutga‟ – a chewed like lump.‟ Professor Keith Moore took plastic seal, and bit between his teeth to make it look like a „Mutga‟- The teeth marks resembled the „somites.‟ Dr. William Campbell said… „When the „Alaqa‟ becomes a „Mutga‟ the clinging is yet there – It is there till 8 and a half months- So… the Qur’an is wrong.‟ I told you in the beginning, the Qur’an is describing the appearance. „The leech like‟ appearance and the „clot like‟ appearance, is changed to the „chewed‟ like appearance. It yet continues to cling till the end – There is no problem.
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But the stages are divided on appearance – Not on the function. Later on the Qur’an says… „We made the „Mutga‟ into „Izama‟…bones – Then clothed the bones with flesh.‟ Dr. William Campbell said, and I do agree with him, that… „The precursors of the muscles and the cartilagees… that is the bones, they form together – I agree with that. Today embryology tells us that the primordia of the muscles and the bones – they form together between the 25th and the 40th day, which the Qur`an refers to as the stage of „mudga.‟ But they are not developed… they are not developed. Later on, at the end of the seventh week, the embryo takes form of human appearance – then the bones are formed. Today modern embryology says the bones are formed after the 42nd day, and it
gives an appearance of a skeletal thing. Even at this stage when the bones are formed, the muscles are not formed. Later on, after the 7th week and the starting of 8th week, are the muscles formed. So Qur’an is perfect in describing first „Alaqa‟, then „Mutga‟, then „Izama‟, then clothed with flesh, and when they form – the description is perfect. As Professor Keith Moore said that… „The stages – that how it is described in modern embryology… stage 1,2,3,4,5, is so confusing, The Qur’anic stage on embryology describing on the base of appearance, and the shape, is far more superior.‟ Alhamdulillah. Therefore he said… therefore he said that… „I have no objection in accepting that Prophet Muhammed is the messenger of God and that this Glorious Qur’an has to be a Divine Revelation, from Almighty God.‟ It is mentioned in Surah Nisa, Ch. No. 4, Verse No. 56, It speaks about „Pain.‟ Previously the doctors, they thought that the brain was only responsible for feeling of „pain.‟ Today we have come to know besides the brain, there are certain receptors in the skin, which are responsible for feeling of the pain, which we call as the „pain receptors.‟ Qur’an says in such Surah Nisa Ch. 4, Verse 56, that… „As to those who reject Our signs, We shall cast them into the hell fire, and as often as their skins are roasted, We shall give them fresh skin, so that they shall feel the pain. Indicating that there is something in the skin, which is responsible for feeling of pain, which the Qur’an refers to as „pain receptors.‟ Professor Thagada Tagada Shaun, who is the head of the department of Anatomy, in Chang Mai University in Thailand, – Only on the basis of this one Verse, he proclaimed the Shahada, in the 8th Medical
conference in Riyadh, and said …(Arabic)…. That… „There is no God but Allah, and that Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him, is the Messenger of Allah. I started my talk by quoting the Verse from the Glorious Qur’an from Surah… from Surah Fussilat, Ch. 41, Verse 53, which says…(Arabic) „That soon We shall show them Our signs in the farthest reaches of the horizons, and into their souls, until it is clear to them, that this is the truth.‟ This one Verse was sufficient to prove to Dr. Thagada, Thagada Shaun, that Qur’an is a Divine Revelation. Some may require 10 signs, some may require 100. Some, even after a 1000 signs are given, they will not accept the truth. Qur’an calls such people, as in Surah Baqarah Ch. 2, Verse 18…(Arabic)… „The deaf, the dumb, the blind, they will not return to the true path.‟ The Bible says the same thing in Gospel of Mathew, Ch. No. 13, Verse No. 13… „Seeing they see not, hearing they hear not, neither will they understand.‟ nd regarding the other parts of „Embryology‟, I will deal in my rebuttal InshaAllah, if time permits – I have to do justice to the other part also… regarding „Bible in the light of science.‟ At the outset let me tell you, that Qur’an says in Surah Rad, Ch. 13, Verse. 38, that… „We have given several Revelations.‟ y name only 4 are mentioned
– The Torah, the Zaboor, the Injeel and the Qur’an. The Torah is the ‘Wahi’ the „Revelation‟, which was given to Prophet Moses, peace be upon him. The Zaboor is the ‘Wahi’, which was given to David, peace be upon him. The Injeel is the ‘Wahi’, the „Revelation‟ which was given to Jesus, peace be upon him. And Qur’an is the last and final Revelation, which was given to the last and final Messenger Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him. Let me make it very clear to every one, that this Bible which the Christians believe to be the word of God, is not the „Injeel‟ which we Muslims believe, was revealed to Prophet Jesus, peace be upon him. This Bible according to us, it may contain the words of God – But it also contains words of Prophets, words of historians, it contains absurdities, obscenity, as well as innumerable scientific errors. If there are scientific points mentioned in the Bible – there are possibilities – why not? It may be part of the word of God, in the Bible. But what about the scientific errors ? – What about the unscientific portions? – Can you attribute this to God ? want to make it very clear to my Christian brothers and sisters – The purpose of my presentation on „Bible and science‟ is not to hurt any Christian‟s feeling. If while presenting, if I hurt your feelings, I do apologize in advance. The purpose is only to point out, that a God‟s Revelation cannot
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contain scientific errors. As Jesus Christ, peace be upon him said… „Search ye the truth, and the truth shall free you.‟ We have the Old Testament, we have the New Testament – Now you should follow the Last and Final Testament, which is the Glorious Qur’an. As far as Dr. William Campbell is concerned, I can be more liberal with him – Because he has written a book „The Qur’an and the Bible in the light of history and science.‟ He has given a presentation, and he is a medical doctor – I don‟t have to be very formal with him. As far as the other Christian brothers and sisters are concerned, I apologize if I hurt you feelings during the presentation. Let us analyse what the Bible says about modern science – First we deal with Astronomy., The Bible speaks about the creation of the universe. In the beginning, 1st Book, Book of Genesis, 1st Ch., it is mentioned – It says…
„Almighty God created the Heavens and the Earth, in six days and talks about a evening and a morning, referring to a 24 – hour day. Today scientists tell us, that the universe cannot be created in a 24 hour period of six days. Qur’an too speaks about six ‘ayyams’. The Arabic word singular is ‘yaum’ plural is ‘ayyam’. It can either mean a day of 24 hours, or it is a very long period, an ‘yaum’, an epoch. Scientists say we have no objection in agreeing that the universe – it could have been created in 6 very long periods. Point No.2 – Bible says in Genesis Ch. No. 1 Verses No. 3 and 5,…„Light was created on the first day.‟ enesis, Ch., 1 Verses, 14 to 19… „The cause of light – stars and the sun, etc. was created on the fourth day‟. How can the cause of light be created on the 4th day – later than the light which came into existence on the first day? – It is
unscientific. Further, the, Bible says Genesis, Ch. 1, Verses 9 to 13… „Earth was created on the 3rd day. How can you have a night and day without the earth ? The day depends upon the rotation of the Earth Without the earth created, how can you have a night and day? Point No..4, Genesis, Ch. No. 1 Verses 9 to 13 says… „Earth was created on the third day.‟ Genesis Ch. No. 1 Verses 14 to 19 says…„The Sun and the Moon were created on the fourth day.‟ Today science tells us… „Earth is part of the parent body… the sun.‟ It cannot come into existence before the sun – It is unscientific. Point No. 5, the Bible says in Genesis, Ch. No.1, Verse No. 11 to 13…„The vegetation, the herbs the shrubs, the trees – they were created on the 3rd day And the Sun, Genesis, Ch. No. 1, Verses. 14 to 19, was created on the 4th day.How can the vegetation come into existence without sunlight, and how can they survive without sunlight ? Point No.6, that the Bible says in Genesis, Ch. 1, Verses No.16, that…„God created two lights the greater light, the Sun to rule the day, and the lesser light the Moon, to rule the night. The actual translation, if you go to the Hebrew text, it is „lamps‟…„Lamps having lights of its own.‟ And that you will come to know better, if you read both the Verses – Genesis, Ch. No.1, Verse. 16, as well as 17. Verse No.17 says…„And Almighty God placed them in the firmament, to give light to the earth… To give light to the earth.‟ Indicating, that Sun and the Moon has its own light – which is in contradiction with established scientific knowledge that we have. There are certain people who try and reconciliate, and say that the six days mentioned in the Bible, it actually refers to epocs – like the Qur’an long periods – not six, 24 hour day. It is illogical – you read in the Bible, evening, morning – It clearly states 24 hours, it indicates. But even if I use the concordance approach – no problem. I agree with your illogical argument – Yet they will only be able to solve the 1st scientific error of 6 days creation, and second, of first day „light‟ and 3rd day „earth.‟ The remaining four, yet they cannot solve. Some further say that… „If it is a 24-hour period, why cannot the vegetables survive for one 24 hour day without sunlight?‟ I say „Fine – If you say that the vegetables were created before the sun, and can survive for one 24-hour day, I have got no objection. But you cannot say the days mentioned are 24 hours as well as epochs – You cannot have the cake and eat it, both. If you say it is long period, you solve Point No.1 and 3, the remaining 4 are yet there. If you say the days are 24 hours day, you solve only Point No.5 – the remaining 5 are yet there – It becomes unscientific. I leave it to Dr. William Campbell, whether he wants to say… „It is long period‟, and say that there are only 4 scientific errors – or say… „It is a 24 hour day‟, and say there is only 5 scientific errors in the creation of the universe. Regarding the concept of Earth, there are various Scientists who have described… „How will the world end.‟ Hypothesis – Some may be right, some may be wrong. But either the world will perish or the world will live forever. Both cannot take place simultaneously – It is unscientific. But this is exactly what the Bible says. It is mentioned in the Bible, in the book of Hebrews, Ch. No.1 Verses No.10 and 11, and the book of Psalms, Ch. No.102, Verse No.25 and 26, that…„Almighty God created the Heavens and the Earth, and they will perish.‟ Exactly
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opposite is mentioned in the book of Ecclesiastics, Ch. No.1, Verse No.4, and the book of Psalms, Ch. No.78, Verse No.69, that… „The earth will abide forever.‟ I leave it to Dr. William Campbell to choose which of the two Verses are unscientific – the first pair or the second pair. One has to be unscientific – Both cannot take place. The world cannot abide forever as well as perish – It is unscientific. Regarding „the Heavens‟, the Bible says in Job, Ch. 26, Verse 11, that…„The pillars of the Heaven will tremble.‟ Qur’an says in Surah Luqman, Ch. 31, Verse No.10, that…„The Heavens are without any pillars – Don`t you see? Don‟t you see the Heavens are without any pillars? – Bible says heaven have got pillars. Not only do the Heavens have got pillars – Bible says in the first book of Samuel, Ch. No.2 Verses No.8, as well as the book of Job Ch. No.9, Verse No.6, and the book of Psalms Ch. No.75, Verse No.3, that… „Even the earth have got pillars.‟ In the field of „Diet and Nutrition‟ lets analyse, what does the Bible say. The Bible says in the book of Genesis, Ch. No.1, Verse No.29, that… „God has given you all the herbs bearing seeds, the trees bearing fruits – those that bear seed, as meat for you.‟ New International Version says… „The seed bearing plants, and the trees bearing fruits bearing seeds are food for you, all of them.‟ Today, even a layman knows that there are several poisonous plants like wild berries, stritchi, datura, plants containing alkaloid, polyander, bacaipoid – that which if you ingest, if you eat there are high possibilities you may die. How come the Creator of the universe and the human beings, does not know, that if you have these plants, you will die. I hope Dr. William Campbell does not give these vegetarian diet to his patients. The Bible has a scientific test how to identify a true believer. It is mentioned in the Gospel of Mark, Ch. No.16, Verse No.17 and 18 – It says that… „There will be signs for true believers and among the signs – In my name they shall cast out devils, they shall speak foreign tongues, new tongues, they shall take up serpents – And if they drink deadly poison, they shall not be harmed – And when they place their hand over the sick, they shall be cured.‟ This is a scientific test – In scientific terminology, it is known as the „confirmatory test‟ for a true Christian believer. In the past 10 years of my life, I have personally interacted with thousands of Christians, including missionaries – I have not come across a single Christian, who has passed this confirmatory test of the Bible. I have not come across a single Christian who took poison – I have not come across any who took poison, and who has not died. And in scientific terminology, this is also called as the „falsification test‟ That means if a false person tries and does this test… takes poison, he will die. And a false person will not dare attempt this test – If you are not a true Christian believer, you will not dare attempt this test. Because you try and attempt the falsification test, you will fail. So a person who is not a true Christian believer, will never attempt this test. I have read the book „The Qur’an and the Bible in the light of history and science‟ written by Dr. William Campbell. And I assume – that he is a true Christian believer, and at least I would like him to confirm to me about the falsification test. Please be rest assured… Please be rest assured, I will not ask Dr. William Campbell to have deadly poison – Because I don‟t want to jeopardize the debate. What I‟ll do – I will only ask him to speak in foreign tongues… In new languages. And as many of you may be aware that India is a land, which has more than 1000 languages and dialects. Only thing I request him is, to say these 3 words… „One hundred rupees‟, in the 17 official languages. There are only 17 official languages in India and to make it easier for Dr. William Campbell, I have got a „One hundred-rupee note.‟ And this has all the 17 languages mentioned here. Besides English and Hindi, I will help him. I give him a beginning –‘Ek sav rupaiya, In Hindi.
The remaining 15 languages are here – I request him to read. I know the test says… „They will speak foreign languages on their own, without the help of reading‟ – but I want to make the test easier, I want to see someone passing the test – I‟ve not seen any one. So if he cannot say it on his own, or from his memory, at least read it. I don‟t mind I‟ll accept it. And I would request the chairperson to give it to Dr. William Campbell. He has his rebuttal – 15 languages, „Ek sav rupaiya‟… 3 words only. What does the Bible say regarding „Hydrology‟? Bible says in Genesis, Ch. No.9, Verse No.13 to 17, that… „After God, at the time of Noah submerged the world by flood, and after the flood‟ subsided, He said… „I put up a rainbow in the sky as a promise to the humankind never to submerge the world again, by water. To the unscientific person it may be quite good… „Oh rainbow is a sign of Almighty God, never to submerge the world by flood again.‟ But today we know very well, that rainbow is due to the refraction of sunlight, with rain or mist. Surely
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there must have been thousands of rainbows before the time of Noah, peace be upon him. To say it was not there before Noah‟s time you have to assume that the law of refraction did not exist – which is unscientific.‟ In the field of medicine, the Bible says in the book of Leveticus, Ch. No.14, Verse No.49 to 53 – it gives a novel way for disinfecting a house from plague of leprosy… disinfecting a house from plague of leprosy. It says that… „Take two birds, kill one bird, take wood, scale it – and the other living bird, dip it in water… and under running water – later on sprinkle the house 7 times with it.
Sprinkle the house with blood to disinfect against plague of leprosy? You know blood is a good media of germs, bacteria, as well as toxin – I hope Dr. William Campbell does not use this method of disinfecting the OT, the operation theatre. It is mentioned in the book of Leveticus, Ch. No.12, Verse No.1 to 5, and we know medically, that after a mother gives birth to a child, the post-partal period, it is unhygienic. To say it is „unclean‟, Religiously – I have got no objection. But Leviticus, Ch. No.12 Verse No.1 to 5, says that… „After a woman gives birth to a male child, she will be unclean for 7 days, and the period of uncleanliness will continue for 33 days more. It she give birth to a female child, she will be unclean for two weeks, and the period of uncleanliness will continue for 66 days. In short, if a woman gives birth to a male child… „a son‟, she is unclean for 40 days. If she gives birth to a female child… „a daughter‟, she is unclean for 80 days. I would like Dr. William Campbell to explain to me scientifically, how come a woman remains unclean for double the period, if she gives birth to a female child, as compared to a male child. The Bible also has a very good test for adultery – How to come to know a woman has committed adultery, in the book of Numbers, Ch. no.5 Verse No..11 to 31. I‟ll just say in brief. It says that… „The priest should take holy water in a vessel, take dust from the floor, and put it into the vessel – And that is the bitter water „And after cursing it, give it to the woman And if the woman has committed adultery, after she drinks it, the curse will enter her body, the stomach will swell, the thigh will rot, and she shall be cursed by the people. If the woman has not committed adultery, she will remain clean and she will bear the seed. A novel method of identifying whether a woman has committed adultery or not. You know today in the world, there are thousands of cases pending in different parts of the world, in different courts of law – only on the assumption that someone has alleged that a woman has committed adultery. I had read in the newspapers, and I came to know from the media, that the President of this great country Mr. Bill Clinton, he was involved in a sex scandal about 2 years back. I wonder, that why did not the American court use this „bitter water test‟ for adultery? He would have gone scot-free immediately. Why did not the Christian missionaries of this great country, specially those who are in the medical field like my respected Dr. William Campbell, use this bitter water test to bail out their President, immediately. „Mathematics‟ is a branch, which is closely associated with science, with which you can solve problems, etc. There are thousands of contradictions in the Bible – hundreds deal with mathematics, and I‟ll first touch on few of them. It is mentioned in Ezra, Ch. No.2, Verse No.1, and Nehemiah, Ch. No.7, Verse No.6, the context that… „When the people returned from exile, from Babylon, when king Nebucheldeser of Babylon, when he released the men from Israel, they came back from captivity‟ – and the list of the people are given. The list is given in Ezra, Ch. No.2, Verse No.2 to 63, and Nehemiah Ch. No.7, Verse No.7 up to 65; the list is given with the names as well as number of people released. In these 60 Verses there are no less than 18 times – the name is exactly the same but the number is different. There are no less than 18 contradictions in less than 60 Verses, of these two Chapters. This is the list – I don‟t have time to run through the list – There are no less than 18 different contradictions in less than 60 Verses. Further it is mentioned in Ezra, Ch. No.2 Verse No.64 that… „The total congregation, if you add up… if you add up, it comes to 42,360.‟ And if you read in Nehemiah, Ch. No.7, Verse No.66, there also the total is the same 42,360. But if you add up all these verses – which I had to do my homework – this is the list of Ezra… this is the list of Nehemiah. Ezra Ch. No 2, Nehemiah Ch. No 7 – If you add up – I had to do my homework…if you add up, Ezra Ch. No. 2 – It does not come to 42,360 – it comes to 29,818. And if you add up Nehemiah, Ch. No. 7, even then it does not come to 42,360 – It comes to 31,089. The author of the Bible, presumed to be „Almighty God‟, does not know simple addition. If you give this problem, even to a person who has passed elementary school, he will be
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able to get the right answer. If you add up all the 60 Verses, it is so easy. Almighty God did not know adding – Nauzubillah… if we presume, that this is the word of God. Further if we read, in Ezra Ch. No. 2, Verse No. 65, it says…There were 200 singing men and women – Nehemiah Ch. No. 7, Verse No. 67…„There were 245 singing men and women.‟ Were they 200 – or were they 245 singing men and women? Context is the same – A mathematical contradiction. It is mentioned in the 2nd Kings, Ch. No 24, Verse No 8,
that…„Jehoiachin was 18 years old, when he began to reign Jerusalem, and he reigned for 3 months and 10 days. 2nd Chronicles, Ch. No 36, Verse No 9, says that…„Jehoiachin
was 8 years old when he began to reign and he reigned for 3 months, 10 days. Was Jehoiachin 18 years when he began to reign, or was he 8 years old? Did he reign for 3 months, or did he reign for 3 months 10 days? Further it is mentioned in the 1 st Kings, Ch. No 7, Verse No 26, that…„In Solomon‟s temple, in his molten sea, he had 2000 baths. In 2nd Chronicles, Ch. No 4, Verse No 5, he had 3000 baths. Did he have 2000
baths or did he have 3000 baths? – That, I leave it upon Dr. William Campbell to decide which is correct. There is a clear-cut mathematical contradiction. Further more it is mentioned in the First Kings, Ch. No. 15, Verse No. 33, that… „Basha, he died in the 26th year of reign of Asa.‟ And 2nd Chronicles Ch. No 16, Verse No 1, says that…„Basha invaded Judah in the 36th years of the reign of Asa.‟ How can Basha invade 10 years after his death? – It is unscientific. To make it easier for Dr. William Campbell, to answer to the points I have raised, I will just mention it in brief -The points that I mentioned. The first point was that -„The creation of the Earth and the Heaven – the universe was in six, 24-hour days. Light was then before the source of light – Point No. 2. Three – Day came into existence before creation of Earth. Point No. 4 – Earth came into existence before Sun. Point No. 5 – Vegetation came into existence, before sunlight Point No. 6 – Light of the Moon is its own light. Point No. 7 – The earth – Will it perish or will it abide forever? Point No. 8 – The earth has got pillars. Point No. 9 – The heavens have got pillars. Point No. 10 – God said… „You can have all plants and all vegetation, including the poisonous plants?‟ Point No. 11 – The scientific test the falsification test, of Mark, Ch. No. 16, Verse No. 17 and 18. Point No. 12 – A woman remains unclean for double the period, if she gives birth to a daughter, as compared to a son. Point No. 13 – Using blood to disinfect the house, against plague of leprosy. Point No. 14 – How do you find out the bitter water test for adultery? Point No. 15 – Eighteen different contradictions in less than 60 Verses of Ezra, Ch. 2, and Nehemiah, Ch. 7. I did not count them as 18 different – I counted them only as one. Point No. 16 – The total is different is both the chapters. Point No. 17 – Are there 200 singing men and women, or are there 245 singing men and women? Point No. 18 – Was Jehoiachin 18 years old, or was he 8 years old when he began to reign? Point No. 19 – Did he reign for 3 months, or 3 months 10 days. Point No. 20 – Did Solomon had 3000 baths, or 2000 baths? Point No. 21 – Is that Basha, how could he invade Judah, 10 years after his death? Point No. 22 is – Almighty God – He said, I put up a rainbow in the sky, as a promise to the human kind, never to submerge the world again by water. I have listed only 22, out of the hundreds available unscientific points in the Bible… scientific errors – And I request Dr. William Campbell to answer them. And irrespective whether he uses the „concordance approach‟ or the „conflict approach‟… as long as he is logical, he will never be able to prove scientifically, all these 22 aspects I have told him. We agree in Jesus Christ peace be upon him – to him was revealed the Injeel. This is not the Injeel – It may contain part of God – But the other unscientific portion is not the word of God. I would like to end my talk by giving the quotation of the Glorious Qur’an, from Surah Baqarah, Ch. No. 2, Verse 79 …. (Arabic)…. „Woe to those who write the book with their own hands, and then say this is from Allah, to traffic with it for a miserable price. Woe to those for what they write, woe to those for what they earn.‟ Wa Aakim Dawana Anil Hamdulillahi Rabbil Aalameen .
(Dr. Mohammed) I would request the audience to bear with us, and maintain due decorum, for the continuation of this dialogue. Now I call upon Dr. William Campbell to present his response, to Dr. Zakir Naik.
(Dr. William Campbell) Well Dr. Naik has brought up some real problems – And there are also these problems that he has said. I do not deny them, and I don‟t have good answers for them. But I will tell about… (Clapping)… We are going to make a
“””””””””””””””””””
mathematical study of prophesies – called the theory of probabilities. Estimate … and we will estimate the possibility, that these prophesies could be fulfilled by chance.
(Dr. Mohammed) I now call upon Dr. Zakir Naik, to present his response to Dr. William Campbell.
(Dr. Zakir) Dr. William Campbell only touched on 2, out of the 22 points I made – only
2. You can only solve 2 problems. The „six day creation problem‟, and „first day light came‟, and „the third day, Earth‟ – But the remaining four problems, yet is there. So Dr. William Campbell chose to say „Days are long period‟- and out of 6, he solved 2 scientific errors. The remaining 4 of „the creation of the universe‟ , he does agree to it -That is good. The King James Version, as well as the New International Version, which Dr. William Campbell refers to… „Drink deadly poison‟ – „Not eat‟… „Drink.‟ Dr. William Campbell does not know there are Indians out here – Surely many may know Gujarati, Marathi – Even I know. If I ask you… „Shu che….?‟ Dr. William Campbell did not reply to my 20 points, and he started speaking about „Prophesy.‟ What has „Prophesy‟ to do with „Science in the Bible.‟ If „Prophesy‟ is the test – But even if there is one unfulfilled prophesy, the whole Bible is disproved to the word of God. I can give you a list of unfulfilled prophecies – According to your theory of… theory of probability, Bible is not the word of God. Irrespective whether you use the „conflict approach‟ or the „concordance approach‟ , if your logical, you will not be able to take out a single Verse of the Qur’an, which is contradicting – Neither a single Verse which is against the established science. If Dr. William Campbell cannot understand the Qur’an – That does not mean, Qur’an is wrong. Bible says in Job, Ch. No. 10, Verse No. 9 and 10 that… „We have made the human beings from clay, like poured out milk and curdled cheese.‟ „Poured out milk and curdled cheese‟… is the exact plagerization from Hypocrites.
(Q) Yes, I would like to pose this question, or rather this test to Dr. William Campbell. Why don‟t you attempt the falsification test of the Bible, given in the book of Mark, Ch. 16, Verses 17 and 18, and prove to the audience here right now, that you are a true Christian believer?
(Q) My question is to Dr. Zakir Naik. The Christians explain the concept of „trinity‟ scientifically, by giving the example of water, which can be in there states – solid , liquid and gas, in the form of ice, water and vapour. Similarly one God, is a triune God – Father , Son and Holy ghost. Is this explanation scientifically correct?
(Dr. Zakir) The word „trinity‟ is not there in the Bible, but it is there is the Qur’an.
(Q) Dr. Zakir, you said… there is not any mistake in Qur’an. I see more than 20 mistakes in Arabic grammar, and I will tell you some of them. ….(Arabic) …. He said in Baqarah. And then in Haj ….(Arabic) .…Which is right – ‘assabeun’ or „assabreen.‟ „Number 1 and number 2‟… He said.
(Dr. Mohammed) Brother, one question at a time please.
(Q) Ya .. Since …the thing …. He said in Surah Taha, 63 …. (Arabic) ….Mistake ! …. (Arabic) ….Can you explain that ?
(Dr. Zakir) And the book he is referring to is by Abdul Faadi. Abdul Faadi… Correct ?… „Is the Qur’an infallible?‟ I can see something ….ya…. Alhamdulillah my eye sight is good.
(Q) Dr. Campbell, since you are a medical doctor, could you please explain scientifically, the various medical aspects, that in the Bible, regarding – because you did not answer them in your rebuttal. , For example… Blood used as a disinfectant , Bitter water test for adultery, and most importantly , that the woman is unclean for double the period, when she gives birth to a daughter, than as compared to a son.
“””””””””””””””””
Q) Okay Dr. Campbell, if you cannot answer the contradictions in Genesis, regarding „Creation‟ – don‟t you think that proves that the Bible is unscientific, and therefore not from God?
(Dr. Campbell) I admit that I have some problems with this.
(Dr. Zakir) The Muslim yard stick „the Qur’an‟, is far superior to your yard stick „the science‟ – therefore you should believe in Qur’an, which is far superior.
(Q) Dr. Campbell agreed to Dr. Naik, that the errors he showed are not wrong, and that he cannot answer them. So does this mean that Dr. Campbell agrees that the Bible has errors – so it is not the word of God ?
(Dr. Campbell) There are things in the Bible that I cannot explain – that I do not have any answer for now.
(Dr. Zakir) How can a son be two years older than the father? Believe me, even… even in Hollywood film, you will not be able to produce it.
23

 

 

Believers are told in the Quran to obey the Sunnah of the Prophet (S.A.A.S)

By HARUN YAHYA

The Sunnah is indivisible from the Quran, for it is the living interpretation of the Quran by Prophet Muhammad (saas), the possessor of great moral values who had such great consideration for believers that he would become distressed when they were troubled and would relieve them of their burdens and chains of bigotry.

The Quran cannot be understood and implemented in one`s life without the Sunnah. For example, in the Quran Allah tells believers to be affectionate toward each other, speak good words, and behave modestly. Commanding the right, forbidding the wrong, communicating the moral values of Islam to all humanity are set out as obligatory duties (fara`id). Cleanliness has been made obligatory. However, such matters are explained in the Quran in certain ways. Believers learn about the examples how to actually implement all these commands in their lives by means of the practices of the Prophet (saas). In the Quran, Allah (swt) reveals:

You have an excellent model in the Messenger of Allah, for all who put their hope in Allah and the Last Day and remember Allah much. (Surat al-Ahzab :21)

The Prophet (saas) is a role model. Believers look at his Sunnah and learn how to implement its precepts and practices in their lives. Indeed, as soon as one looks at the Sunnah, one can see that the Prophet (saas) instructed his community in all matters and showed them how to act befitting a Muslim`s honor. The Prophet`s (saas) entire life reveals a seriousness, responsibility, and sensitivity of which not even the slightest detail is neglected. This is the result of our Prophet (saas) having taught “wisdom,” alongside the Quran, to his community:

Allah showed great kindness to the believers when He sent a Messenger to them from among themselves to recite His Signs to them, purify them and teach them the Book and Wisdom, even though before that they were clearly misguided. (Surah Al `Imran: 164)

THE DANGER OF ABANDONING THE SUNNAH

“The loss of the religion starts with the abandonment of the Sunnah. Just as a rope breaks fiber by fiber, so does religion vanish with one by one abandoning the Sunnah.” (al-Darimi)

Various heresies have appeared during the history of Islam. Different sects have turned away from Islam`s essence and adopted heretical beliefs and un-Islamic practices.

In our day, too, some people reject the Sunnah of the Prophet (saas). “We read the Quran,” they say, “and interpret it for ourselves without the need for any clarification by the Prophet (saas).” They turn their backs on the Sunnah, the practical application and implementation of the Quran.

The fact is that these people who have abandoned the Sunnah in fact ignore the Quran`s commandments. That is because the Sunnah is an explanation of the Quran and more importantly, the Quran orders Muslims to follow it. Allah (swt) has not only made obeying the Quran obligatory, but also obeying the Prophet (saas).

For this reason, Islam can only be practiced together with the Sunnah and Muslims can only apply the Quran into real life with its help. The Sunnah, on the other hand, is the belief of the Ahl al-Sunnah, which is the totality of our Prophet`s (saas) authentic hadiths and their subsequent interpretations by the great Islamic scholars.

Obeying the Prophet (saas) means complying with the Sunnah

The vital importance of the Prophet (saas) to believers is emphasized, as follows, in the Quranic verses addressed to him:

We have sent you bearing witness, bringing good news, and warning so that you might all believe in Allah and His Messenger as well as honor, respect, and glorify Him in the morning and the evening. Those who pledge their allegiance to you pledge allegiance to Allah. Allah`s hand is over their hands. Those who break their pledge only break it against themselves. But as for those who fulfill the contract they have made with Allah, We will give them an immense reward. (Surat al-Fath: 8-10)

One who has taken a vow of allegiance to the Prophet (saas) has taken it to Allah (swt). Our Lord also tells us that: “Whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah.” (Surat an-Nisa`: 80)

We can see from this verse just how important such obedience is. All Muslims are obliged to obey him due to his nature as a role model and his identity as a rule-maker. The Quran reveals that complying with our Prophet`s (saas) commands and rules is just as obligatory as is complying with the verses in the Book of Allah (swt). Indeed, in another verse, our Lord tells us this with regard to the Prophet`s (saas) power of forbidding and commanding:

[The believers are] those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find written down with them in the Torah and the Gospel, commanding them to do right and forbidding them to do wrong, making good things lawful for them and bad things forbidden for them, relieving them of their heavy loads and the chains that were around them. Those who believe in him, honor and help him, and follow the Light that has been sent down with him are successful. (Surat al-A`raf: 157)

In another verse, our Lord states:

You should accept whatever the Messenger gives you and abandon whatever he tells you to abandon. Have taqwa of Allah… (Surat al-Hashr: 7)

These verses show that in addition to what the Quran prohibits, the Prophet (saas) can prohibit other things to his community. Therefore, our Prophet (saas) states in one hadith: “Avoid that which I forbid you to do and do that which I command you to do to the best of your capacity.” (Sahih Muslim, book 30, hadith no. 5818)

Other verses refer to the Prophet`s (saas) role as a rule-maker. Muslims take any matter on which they cannot agree to the Prophet (saas) and thereby obtain the best possible outcome.

O you who believe, obey Allah, the Messenger, and those in command among you. If you disagree about something, refer it back to Allah and the Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best thing to do and gives the best result. (Surat an-Nisa`: 59)

So absolute is the Prophet`s (saas) status as rule-maker that Allah (swt) told believers to obey his decisions wholeheartedly and without any doubt:

No, by your Lord, they are not believers until they make you their judge in the disputes that break out between them and then do not resist what you decide and submit themselves [to you] completely. (Surat an-Nisa`: 65)

In another verse, the definitive nature of the Prophet`s (saas) judgment is set out in these terms:

When Allah and His Messenger have decided something, no believing man or woman has a choice about [following or not following] it. Anyone who disobeys Allah and His Messenger is clearly misguided. (Surat al-Ahzab: 36)

Opposing the Prophet`s (saas) role as rule-maker and disobeying his rules constitute denial.

But if anyone opposes the Messenger after the guidance has become clear to him, and follows a path other than that of the believers, We will hand him over to whatever he has turned to, and We will roast him in Hell. What an evil destination! (Surat an-Nisa`: 115)

Since the Prophet`s (saas) status as rule-maker and role model is set out in the Quran in such a clear and firm manner, to advocate turning one`s back on the Sunnah of the Prophet (saas) means opposing the Quran. As Muhammad Asad stated: “Following him in everything he did and in every rule of his is the same as following Islam itself. Turning away from his sunnah, on the other hand, means turning away from the essence of Islam.” (Muhammad Asad, Al-Islam `ala Muftaqir al-Turuq, p. 110)

Indeed, the Companions lived their lives in such a way that all of their actions and words were in perfect accord with both the Quran and the Prophet (saas). One Companion relayed the following quotation:

“Allah (swt) sent us Muhammad (saas) as the prophet at a time when we knew nothing. Whatever we saw Muhammad do, we do the same, in the same way.” (al-Nasa`i, Taqsir 1)

Clearly, the idea of “let`s go back to the Quran, for we have no need of the Sunnah” is incompatible with Islam and stems from a profound ignorance of Islam. Those who hold such a view resemble, in an analogy made by Muhammad Asad, people who want to enter a palace but are unwilling to use the key that opens its door. The Sunnah saves those who embrace it, for as Dahhak states: “Paradise and the Sunnah are in the same position, because those who enter Paradise in the Hereafter are saved, and those who cling to the sunnah in this world [are also saved].” (Tafsir al-Qurtubi, XII, 365) Imam Malik compared the Sunnah to Noah`s (as) ark, for “whoever boards it will be saved, and whoever does not will drown.” (al-Suyuti, Miftah al-Jannah, pp. 53-54)

So great a vehicle of salvation is the Sunnah that in the Quran our Lord reveals that the Prophet`s (saas) commands and prohibitions “will bring people to life”:

O you who believe, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when He calls you to what will bring you to life. Know that Allah intervenes between a person and his heart and that you will be gathered to Him. (Surat al-Anfal: 24)

All of these verses show that a concept of Islam that has abandoned the Sunnah is false and incompatible with the Quran. Islam is the totality of the Quran and the Prophet`s (saas) Sunnah; there is no question of eliminating either one.

The source that conveys to us the Prophet`s (saas) exemplary behavior, as well as his wisdom and judgments, is the Sunnah, the creed of the Ahl al-Sunnah.

The prophets call believers to the life-giving paths

O you who believe, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when He calls you to what will bring you to life. Know that Allah intervenes between a person and his heart and that you will be gathered to Him. (Surat al-Anfal: 24)

Looking at human history reveals that life began with the prophets. This is a true statement, for no religion can be comprehended and implemented in the absence of a messenger. For that reason, a messenger has been sent as a guide to every community.

As with the other prophets, Allah (swt) sent Prophet Muhammad (saas) with the perfect religion and the straight path. He has also made him a prophet for everyone until the Day of Judgment. Obeying, respecting, and loving him, in addition to imitating his lifestyle and abiding by his Sunnah, are responsibilities that all Muslims must try to fulfill.

Indeed, in the Quran obedience to the Prophet (saas) is considered as the same as obedience to Allah (swt). Believers are told to take the Quran and the Sunnah as their guides in matters on which they disagree. The following command is given in the Holy Quran:

No, by your Lord, they are not believers until they make you their judge in the disputes that break out between them and then do not resist what you decide and submit themselves [to you] completely. (Surat an-Nisa`: 65)

As this verse makes crystal clear, the Prophet`s (saas) Sunnah is an absolute and immaculate source of commands, because it is the way of “interpreting, explaining, and applying the Quran.” Therefore, no believer has the right to make interpretations (ta`wil) or be disobedient with regard to the Sunnah, the application of the Quran.

When Allah and His Messenger have decided something, no believing man or woman has a choice about [following or not following] it. Anyone who disobeys Allah and His Messenger is clearly misguided. (Surat al-Ahzab: 36)

In another verse, our Lord reveals:

The believers` reply, when they are summoned to Allah and His Messenger so that he can judge between them, is to say, “We hear and we obey.” They are ones who are successful. (Surat al-Nur: 51)

Each verse in the Quran that deals with obeying the Prophet (saas) states that doing so is obligatory for all believers. That is why the Prophet`s (saas) practices are impeccable and are under the protection of Allah (swt). To put it another way, everything in the Sunnah is, in essence, based upon revelation.

Nor does he speak from whim. It is nothing but Revelation revealed. (Surat al-Najm: 3-4)

Therefore, when disagreement arises, believers are obliged to turn to the Quran and the Sunnah, Islam`s two fundamental reference points:

If you disagree about something, refer it back to Allah and the Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best thing to do and gives the best result. (Surat an-Nisa`: 59)

Not only did the Prophet (saas) transmit the verses he received from Allah (swt) to humanity, but he also explained them. Therefore, the Sunnah can be regarded as the interpretation of the Quran. Viewing it in this way will protect it from corruption, misunderstanding, and distortion and also facilitate its being understood.

Another verse reveals:

Say: “If you love Allah, then follow me and Allah will love you and forgive your sins.” (Surah Al `Imran: 31)

An indication of one`s love for Allah (swt), therefore, is following His Prophet (saas), for doing so reveals that he/she is a follower of Allah (swt). No believer can regard obedience to Allah (swt) as sufficient and abandon obedience to the Prophet (saas). The Prophet (saas) gives the following glad tidings to those who comply with the Sunnah: “Whoever gives life to my Sunnah certainly loves me, and whoever loves me is with me in Paradise.” (al-Tirmidhi)

While the Prophet (saas) imparts the above glad tidings to those who adhere by the Sunnah, in the Quran, our Lord warns the terrible consequences that result from rebelling against the Prophet (saas):

As for those who disobey Allah and His Messenger and overstep His limits, We will admit them into a Fire, remaining in it timelessly, forever. They will have a humiliating punishment. (Surat an-Nisa`: 14)

Those who are unable to understand the Sunnah`s importance and who criticize it, despite what has been related above, are acting directly against the Prophet (saas).

The Prophet`s (saas) words and behavior, described as “conforming to sublime morality” by Allah (swt) in the Quran and by Aisha (ra) in her words that “the Prophet`s (saas) nature was the Quran,” constitute a role model for all human beings. Just as one cannot attain true virtue without taking him as a role model, neither can one attain happiness in this world and the Hereafter without doing so. Those who abandon the Sunnah will lose a highly auspicious reward and be deprived of his intercession on the Day of Judgment.

Moreover, turning one`s back on the Sunnah of the Prophet (saas), who was most affectionate toward his ummah and most sensitive to any harm that might befall them, is showing ingratitude to such a great blessing.

A Messenger has come to you from among yourselves. Your suffering is distressing to him. He is deeply concerned about you, and is gentle and merciful to the believers. (Surat at-Tawba: 128)

Those who hold mistaken opinions about the practices of the Prophet Muhammad (saas) fail to comprehend the importance of his role. The duty entrusted to him requires a sense of responsibility so great that even the slightest detail could not be ignored. That is why our Prophet (saas) has so much to tell us on so many subjects, from trade to health, and from solidarity to education.

The Sunnah`s fundamental principle is its applicability. “Treat the people with ease and don`t be hard on them. Give them glad tidings and don`t fill them with aversion” (al-Bukhari, volume 4, book 52, hadith no. 275) is the clearest indication of this. His wife Aisha (ra) stated that he told his people to do that which they could easily accomplish. Therefore, everyone can adopt the Sunnah. His life is an example of applying the Quran to one`s daily life for every believer.

Another issue is the damaging results that arise when people abandon the Sunnah. Some Muslims, out of ignorance or idleness, have imposed heresy on the Islamic world by coming up with stipulations based on the speculations of people who essentially have no knowledge of Islam, or by following their own interpretations instead of the Sunnah`s guidance.

The Islamic world`s political and economic fragmentation occurred because the Muslims abandoned the Quran and the Prophet`s (saas) Sunnah. The ensuing instability will continue until believers understand that they are members of the community of the Prophet (saas) and strive to develop a community worthy of Him. The only road for Muslims, therefore, is to adhere tightly to the Quran and the Prophet`s (saas) Sunnah.

Any examination of the Prophet`s (saas) life shows that his attitude toward life was not one-dimensional. For example, many reliable hadiths discuss his various roles: a prophet, a head of state, an army commander, a soldier, and a trader. He prays, fasts, prays during the night, lives in a state of constant devout prayer and contemplation, and remembers Allah (swt). A modest leader, he also marries, buys things, treats and visits the sick, jokes with children, wrestles with his friends, and races his wife on the road.

Muslims can only understand and discharge their duties as Allah`s (swt) servants by studying the Prophet`s (saas) practices. The first source of information for this is the great hadith compilations of Muslim, al-Bukhari, and other classical-era hadith scholars. The vast collections of his words, deeds, and personal attributes, particularly those displayed during his prophethood, were collected with great care by narrators or reporters whom all Sunni scholars consider reliable.

 

10 Proofs Muhammad Was A Prophet

Who Invented Trinity?

The three monotheistic religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – all purport to share one fundamental concept: belief in God as the Supreme Being, the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. Known as “tawhid” in Islam, this concept of the Oneness of God was stressed by Moses in a Biblical passage known as the “Shema,” or the Jewish creed of faith:

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord.” (Deuteronomy 6:4)
 

It was repeated word-for-word approximately 1500 years later by Jesus when he said:

“…The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord.” (Mark 12:29)

Muhammad came along approximately 600 years later, bringing the same message again:

“And your God is One God: There is no God but He, …” (The Qur’an 2:163)

Christianity has digressed from the concept of the Oneness of God, however, into a vague and mysterious doctrine that was formulated during the fourth century. This doctrine, which continues to be a source of controversy both within and without the Christian religion, is known as the Doctrine of the Trinity. Simply put, the Christian doctrine of the Trinity states that God is the union of three divine persons – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit – in one divine being. If that concept, put in basic terms, sounds confusing, the flowery language in the actual text of the doctrine lends even more mystery to the matter:
 

“…we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity… for there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, another of the Holy Ghost is all one… they are not three gods, but one God… the whole three persons are co-eternal and co-equal… he therefore that will be save must thus think of the Trinity…” (excerpts from the Athanasian Creed)

Let’s put this together in a different form: one person, God the Father + one person, God the Son + one person, God the Holy Ghost = one person, God the What? Is this English or is this gibberish? It is said that Athanasius, the bishop who formulated this doctrine, confessed that the more he wrote on the matter, the less capable he was of clearly expressing his thoughts regarding it. How did such a confusing doctrine get its start?
 

TRINITY IN THE BIBLE

    References in the Bible to a Trinity of divine beings are vague, at best. In Matthew 28:19, we find Jesus telling his disciples to go out and preach to all nations. While the “Great Commission” does make mention of the three persons who later become components of the Trinity, the phrase “…baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” is quite clearly an addition to Biblical text – that is, not the actual words of Jesus – as can be seen by two factors:
 

1) Baptism in the early Church, as discussed by Paul in his letters, was done only in the name of Jesus; and
2) The “Great Commission” was found in the first gospel written, that of Mark, bears no mention of Father, Son and/or Holy Ghost – see Mark 16:15.

The only other reference in the Bible to a Trinity can be found in the Epistle of   John 5:7, Biblical scholars of today, however, have admitted that the phrase “…there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one” is definitely a “later addition” to Biblical text, and it is not found in any of today’s versions of the Bible. It can, therefore, be seen that the concept of a Trinity of divine beings was not an idea put forth by Jesus or any other prophet of God. This doctrine, now subscribed to by Christians all over the world, is entirely man-made in origin.
 

THE DOCTRINE TAKES SHAPE

    While Paul of Tarsus, the man who could rightfully be considered the true founder of Christianity, did formulate many of its doctrines, that of the Trinity was not among them. He did, however, lay the groundwork for such when he put forth the idea of Jesus being a “divine Son.” After all, a Son does need a Father, and what about a vehicle for God’s revelations to man? In essence, Paul named the principal players, but it was the later Church people who put the matter together. Tertullian, a lawyer and presbyter of the third century Church in Carthage, was the first to use the word “Trinity” when he put forth the theory that the Son and the Spirit participate in the being of God, but all are of one being of substance with the Father.
 

A FORMAL DOCTRINE IS DRAWN UP

    When controversy over the matter of the Trinity blew up in 318 between two church men from Alexandria – Arius, the deacon, and Alexander, his bishop – Emperor Constantine stepped into the fray. Although Christian dogma was a complete mystery to him, he did realize that a unified church was necessary for a strong kingdom. When negotiation failed to settle the dispute, Constantine called for the first ecumenical council in Church history in order to settle the matter once and for all. Six weeks after the 300 bishops first gathered at Nicea in 325, the doctrine of the Trinity was hammered out. The God of the Christians was now seen as having three essences, or natures, in the form of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
 

THE CHURCH PUTS ITS FOOT DOWN

    The matter was far from settled, however, despite high hopes for such on the part of Constantine. Arius and the new bishop of Alexandria, a man named Athanasius, began arguing over the matter even as the Nicene Creed was being signed; “Arianism” became a catch-word from that time onward for anyone who did not hold to the doctrine of the Trinity. It wasn’t until 451, at the Council of Chalcedon that, with the approval of the Pope, the Nicene/Constantinople Creed was set as authoritative. Debate on the matter was no longer tolerated; to speak out against the Trinity was now considered blasphemy, and such earned stiff sentences that ranged from mutilation to death. Christians now turned on Christians, maiming and slaughtering thousands because of a difference of opinion.
 

DEBATE CONTINUES

    Brutal punishments and even death did not stop the controversy over the doctrine of the Trinity, however, and the said controversy continues even today. The majority of Christians, when asked to explain this fundamental doctrine of their faith, can offer nothing more than “I believe it because I was told to do so.” It is explained away as “mystery” – yet the Bible says in I Corinthians 14:33 that “… God is not the author of confusion…” The Unitarian denomination of Christianity has kept alive the teachings of Arius in saying that God is one; they do not believe in the Trinity. As a result, mainstream Christians abhor them, and the National Council of Churches has refused their admittance. In Unitarianism, the hope is kept alive that Christians will someday return to the preachings of Jesus:

“…Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.” (Luke 4:8)
 

ISLAM AND THE MATTER OF THE TRINITY

    While Christianity may have a problem defining the essence of God, such is not the case in Islam. “They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity, for there is no god except One God.” (Qur’an 5:73) It is worth noting that the Arabic language Bible uses the name “Allah” as the name of God. Suzanne Haneef, in her book WHAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ISLAM AND MUSLIMS (Library of Islam, 1985), puts the matter quite succinctly when she says, “But God is not like a pie or an apple which can be divided into three thirds which form one whole; if God is three persons or possesses three parts, He is assuredly not the Single, Unique, Indivisible Being which God is and which Christianity professes to believe in.” (pp. 183-184)

    Looking at it from another angle, the Trinity designates God as being three separate entities – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. If God is the Father and also the Son, He would then be the Father of Himself because He is His own Son. This is not exactly logical. Christianity claims to be a monotheistic religion. Monotheism, however, has as its fundamental belief that God is One; the Christian doctrine of the Trinity – God being Three-in-One – is seen by Islam as a form of polytheism. Christians don’t revere just One God, they revere three. This is a charge not taken lightly by Christians, however. They, in turn, accuse the Muslims of not even knowing what the Trinity is, pointing out that the Qur’an sets it up as Allah the Father, Jesus the Son, and Mary his mother. While veneration of Mary has been a figment of the Catholic Church since 431 when she was given the title “Mother of God” by the Council of Ephesus, a closer examination of the verse in the Qur’an most often cited by Christians in support of their accusation, shows that the designation of Mary by the Qur’an as a “member” of the Trinity, is simply not true. While the Qur’an does condemn both trinitarianism (the Qur’an 4:17) and the worship of Jesus and his mother Mary (the Qur’an 5:116), nowhere does it identify the actual three components of the Christian Trinity. The position of the Qur’an is that WHO or WHAT comprises this doctrine is not important; what is important is that the very notion of a Trinity is an affront against the concept of One God.

    In conclusion, we see that the doctrine of the Trinity is a concept conceived entirely by man; there is no sanction whatsoever from God to be found regarding the matter simply because the whole idea of a Trinity of divine beings has no place in monotheism. In the Qur’an, God’s Final Revelations to mankind, we find His stand quite clearly stated in a number of eloquent passages:
 

“…your God is One God: whoever expects to meet his Lord, let him work righteousness, and, in the worship of his Lord, admit no one as partner.” (Qur’an 18:110)
“…take not, with God, another object of worship, lest you should be thrown into Hell, blameworthy and rejected.” (Qur’an 17:39)
…Because, as God tells us over and over again in a Message that is echoed throughout All His Revealed Scriptures: “…I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore, serve Me (and no other)…” (Qur’an 21:92)

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INTRODUCTION OF III&E
The Institute of Islamic Information and Education (III&E) is dedicated to the cause of Islam in North America through striving to elevate the image of Islam and Muslims by providing the correct information about Islamic beliefs, history and civilizations from the authentic sources.
Enquiries are welcome. for more information please contact:
The Institute of Islamic Information and Education P.O. Box 41129 Chicago, Illinois 60641-0129 U.S.A

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CONCEPT OF GOD IN CHRISTIANITY
by Dr. Zakir Naik

I	Position of Jesus (peace be on him) in Islam:
	(i)	Islam is the only non-Christian faith, which makes it an article of faith to believe in Jesus (pbuh). No Muslim is a Muslim if he does not believe in Jesus (pbuh).
	(ii)	We believe that he was one of the mightiest Messengers of Allah (swt).
	(iii)	We believe that he was born miraculously, without any male intervention, which many modern day Christians do not believe.
	(iv)	We believe he was the Messiah translated Christ (pbuh).
	(v)	We believe that he gave life to the dead with God’s permission.
	(iv)	We believe that he healed those born blind, and the lepers with God’s permission.
II	CONCEPT OF GOD IN CHRISTIANITY:
	1.	Jesus Christ (pbuh) never claimed Divinity
	One may ask, if both Muslims and Christians love and respect Jesus (pbuh), where exactly is the parting of ways? The major difference between Islam and Christianity is the Christians’ insistence on the supposed divinity of Christ (pbuh). A study of the Christian scriptures reveals that Jesus (pbuh) never claimed divinity. In fact there is not a single unequivocal statement in the entire Bible where Jesus (pbuh) himself says, “I am God” or where he says, “worship me”. In fact the Bible contains statements attributed to Jesus (pbuh) in which he preached quite the contrary. The following statements in the Bible are attributed to Jesus Christ (pbuh): (i) “My Father is greater than I.” [The Bible, John 14:28] (ii) “My Father is greater than all.” [The Bible, John 10:29] (iii) “…I cast out devils by the Spirit of God….” [The Bible, Mathew 12:28] (iv) “…I with the finger of God cast out devils….” [The Bible, Luke 11:20] (v) “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgement is just; because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” [The Bible, John 5:30]
	2.	The Mission of Jesus Christ (pbuh) – to Fulfill the Law
	Jesus (pbuh) never claimed divinity for himself. He clearly announced the nature of his mission. Jesus (pbuh) was sent by God to confirm the previous Judaic law. This is clearly evident in the following statements attributed to Jesus (pbuh) in the Gospel of Mathew: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the Prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” [The Bible, Mathew 5:17-20]
	3.	God Sent Jesus’ (pbuh)
	The Bible mentions the prophetic nature of Jesus (pbuh) mission in the following verses:
	(i)	“… and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.” [The Bible, John 14:24]
	(ii)	“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent.” [The Bible, John 17:3]
	4.	Jesus Refuted even the Remotest Suggestion of his Divinity
	Consider the following incident mentioned in the Bible: “And behold, one came and said unto him, ‘Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?’ And he said unto him, ‘Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.’ “ [The Bible, Mathew 19:16-17] Jesus (pbuh) did not say that to have the eternal life of paradise, man should believe in him as Almighty God or worship him as God, or believe that Jesus (pbuh) would die for his sins. On the contrary he said that the path to salvation was through keeping the commandments. It is indeed striking to note the difference between the words of Jesus Christ (pbuh) and the Christian dogma of salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus (pbuh).
	5.	Jesus (pbuh) of Nazareth – a Man Approved of God
	The following statement from the Bible supports the Islamic belief that Jesus (pbuh) was a prophet of God. “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know.” [The Bible, Acts 2:22]
	6.	The First Commandment is that God is One
	The Bible does not support the Christian belief in trinity at all. One of the scribes once asked Jesus (pbuh) as to which was the first commandment of all, to which Jesus (pbuh) merely repeated what Moses (pbuh) had said earlier: “Shama Israelu Adonai Ila Hayno Adonai Ikhad.” This is a Hebrew quotation, which means: “Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord.” [The Bible, Mark 12:29] It is striking that the basic teachings of the Church such as Trinity and vicarious atonement find no mention in the Bible. In fact, various verses of the Bible point to Jesus’ (pbuh) actual mission, which was to fulfill the law revealed to Prophet Moses (pbuh). Indeed Jesus (pbuh) rejected any suggestions that attributed divinity to him, and explained his miracles as the power of the One True God. Jesus (pbuh) thus reiterated the message of monotheism that was given by all earlier prophets of Almighty God.
NOTE: All quotations of the Bible are taken from the King James Version.

 

III	CONCEPT OF GOD IN OLD TESTAMENT:
	1.	God is One
	The following verse from the book of Deuteronomy contains an exhortation from Moses (pbuh): “Shama Israelu Adonai Ila Hayno Adna Ikhad”. It is a Hebrew quotation which means: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord” [The Bible, Deuteronomy 6:4]
	2.	Unity of God in the Book of Isaiah
	The following verses are from the Book of Isaiah:
		(i)	“I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour.” [The Bible, Isaiah 43:11]
		(ii)	“I am Lord, and there is none else, there is no God besides me.” [The Bible, Isaiah 45:5]
		(iii)	“I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me.” [The Bible, Isaiah 46:9]
	3.	Old Testament condemns idol worship
		(i)	Old Testament condemns idol worship in the following verses: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:” “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God.” [The Bible, Exodus 20:3-5]
		(ii)	A similar message is repeated in the book of Deuteronomy: “Thou shalt have none other gods before me.” “Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that in the earth beneath, or that is in the water beneath the earth.” “Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God.” [The Bible, Deuteronomy 5:7-9]

 

PROPHET MUHAMMAD (pbuh) IN THE BIBLE by Dr. Zakir Naik

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in the Old Testament:

The Qur’an mentions in Surah Al-Araf chapter 7 verse 157: “Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (scriptures) in the law and the Gospel”.

1.

MUHAMMAD (PBUH) PROPHESISED IN THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY:

Almighty God speaks to Moses in Book of Deuteronomy chapter 18 verse 18: “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and I will put my words in his mouth; and     he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.” The Christians say that this prophecy refers to Jesus (pbuh) because Jesus (pbuh) was like Moses (pbuh). Moses   (pbuh) was a Jew, as well as Jesus (pbuh) was a Jew. Moses (pbuh) was a Prophet and Jesus (pbuh) was also a Prophet. If these two are the only criteria for this prophecy to be fulfilled, then all the Prophets of the Bible who came after Moses (pbuh) such as Solomon, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Malachi, John the Baptist, etc. (pbut) will   fulfill this prophecy since all were Jews as well as prophets. However, it is Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) who is like Moses (pbuh):

i)	Both had a father and a mother, while Jesus (pbuh) was born miraculously without any male intervention. [Mathew 1:18 and Luke 1:35 and also Al-Qur’an 3:42-47]
ii)	Both were married and had children. Jesus (pbuh) according to the Bible did not marry nor had children.
iii)	Both died natural deaths. Jesus (pbuh) has been raised up alive. (4:157-158)

Muhammad (pbuh) is from among the brethren of Moses (pbuh). Arabs are brethren of Jews. Abraham (pbuh) had two sons: Ishmail and Isaac (pbut). The Arabs are the descendants of Ishmail (pbuh) and the Jews are the descendants of Isaac (pbuh). Words in the mouth: Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was unlettered and whatever revelations he received from Almighty God he repeated them verbatim. “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.” [Deuteronomy 18:18]

iv)	Both besides being Prophets were also kings i.e. they could inflict capital punishment. Jesus (pbuh) said,     “My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36).
v)	Both were accepted as Prophets by their people in their lifetime but Jesus (pbuh) was rejected by his people. John chapter 1 verse 11 states, “He came unto his own, but his own received him not.”
iv)	Both brought new laws and new regulations for their people. Jesus (pbuh) according to the Bible did not bring   any new laws. (Mathew 5:17-18).

2.	It is Mentioned in the book of Deuteronomy chapter 18:19
	“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not harken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will     require it of him.”
3.	Muhammad (pbuh) is prophesised in the book of Isaiah:
	It is mentioned in the book of Isaiah chapter 29 verse 12: “And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.” When Archangel Gabrail commanded Muhammad (pbuh) by saying Iqra – “Read”, he replied, “I am not learned”.
4.	prophet Muhammad (pbuh) mentioned by name in the old testament:
	Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is mentioned by name in the Song of Solomon chapter 5 verse 16: “Hikko Mamittakim we kullo Muhammadim Zehdoodeh wa Zehraee Bayna Jerusalem.” “His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.” In the Hebrew language im is added for respect. Similarely im is added after the name of Prophet Muhammad      (pbuh) to make it Muhammadim. In English translation they have even translated the name of Prophet Muhammad     (pbuh) as “altogether lovely”, but in the Old Testament in Hebrew, the name of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is yet      present.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in the New Testament: Al-Qur’an Chapter 61 Verse 6: “And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said, ‘O Children of Israel! I am the messenger of Allah (sent) to you, confirming the Law (which came) before me and giving glad tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmed.’ But when he came to them with clear signs, they said, ‘This is evident sorcery!’ “ All the prophecies mentioned in the Old Testament regarding Muhammad (pbuh) besides applying to the Jews also hold good for the Christians.

1.	John chapter 14 verse 16:
	“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.”
2.	Gospel of John chapter 15 verse 26:
	“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which  proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.”
3.	Gospel of John chapter 16 verse 7:
	“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you”. “Ahmed” or “Muhammad” meaning “the one who praises” or “the praised one” is almost the translation of the Greek word Periclytos. In the Gospel of John 14:16, 15:26, and 16:7. The word ‘Comforter’ is used in the English      translation for the Greek word Paracletos which means advocate or a kind friend rather than a comforter.   Paracletos is the warped reading for Periclytos. Jesus (pbuh) actually prophesised Ahmed by name. Even the Greek word Paraclete refers to the Prophet (pbuh) who is a mercy for all creatures. Some Christians say that the Comforter mentioned in these prophecies refers to the Holy Sprit. They fail to realise that the prophecy clearly says that only if Jesus (pbuh) departs will the Comforter come. The Bible states that the Holy Spirit was already present on earth before and during the time of Jesus (pbuh), in the womb of Elizabeth, and    again when Jesus (pbuh) was being baptised, etc. Hence this prophecy refers to none other than Prophet     Muhammad (pbuh).
4.	Gospel of John chapter 16 verse 12-14:
	“I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is  come, he will guide you unto all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he     speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me”.
The Sprit of Truth, spoken about in this prophecy referes to none other than Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) NOTE: All quotations of the Bible are taken from the King James Version.

 

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY
by Dr. Zakir Naik

Al-Qur’an 3:64 Al-Qur’an 20:25-28 Greet you in the same manner as Jesus (pbuh) greeted in Hebrew Luke 24:36 ‘Sholam alay kum’ or Islamic greeting in Arabic Assalaamu alai kum both meaning ‘Peace be on you’.   Similarities / Similar Teachings in the Qur’an and the Bible which Muslims follow but Christians don’t
I	ISLAM
	1.	DEFINITION
		A.	Meaning of Islam
			(i)					Islam is derived from the word salaam meaning peace.
			(ii)					Submission to the Will of Allah (swt) i.e. God Almighty.
		B.	Meaning of ‘Muslim’ – One who submits his will to Allah.
		C.	Islam is not a new religion found by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
	2.	MESSENGERS IN ISLAM
		A.				(i)		To every nation was sent a Guide or a Messenger Al-Qur’an 35:24 Al-Qur’an 13:7
						(ii)		25 Prophets mentioned by name in the Qur’an
						(iii)		Islam is the only non-Christian faith that believes in Jesus (pbuh)
						(iv)		Stories only of some prophets mentioned in Qur’an Al-Qur’an 4:164 Al-Qur’an 40:78
						(v)		More than 1,24,000 Messengers according to Hadith
		B.				(i)		Previous Messengers were only sent for their people and nation and their complete message was meant only for a particular time period.
						(ii)		Moses (pbuh) was only sent for the Jews.
						(iii)		Jesus (pbuh) sent only for the Jews i.e. lost sheep of Israel. Al-Qur’an 3:49 Mathew 10:5-6 Mathew 15:24
						(iv)		Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the Last and Final Messenger for the Whole of Mankind. Al-Qur’an 33:40 Al-Qur’an 21:107 Al-Qur’an 34:28 Sahih Bukhari Vol.1 Book of Salaah Chapter 56 Hadith No. 429
						(v)		Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) prophesised in the Bible. Al-Qur’an 7:157 Al-Qur’an 61:6 Deuteronomy 18:18 Isaiah 29:12 Song of Solomon 5:16 John 16:7 John 16:12-14
	3.	REVELATIONS OF GOD
		A.				Several Revelations sent by Allah – Al-Qur’an 13:38. By name only four are mentioned in the Qur’an.
		B.				(i)		The Qur’an is the Last and Final Revelation.
						(ii)		All previous Revelations before Qur’an were only sent for a particular group of people and for a particular time period
						(iii)		The Qur’an was Revealed for the Whole of Mankind Al-Qur’an 14:1 Al-Qur’an 14:52 Al-Qur’an 2:185 Al-Qur’an 39:41
II	PILLARS OF ISLAM:
	1.			Tauheed: Monotheism
				A.			La ilaha ilallahu, Muhammad-ur-Rasoolullah Sahih Bukhari Vol. 1 Hadith No. 7
				B.			Believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels and the Book and the Messengers. Al-Qur’an 2:177
				C.			Come to common terms — Worship of one God Al-Qur’an 3:64
				D.			Concept of God Al-Qur’an 112:1-4 Deuteronomy 6:4 Mark 12:29
				E.			Shirk – Biggest Sin Al-Qur’an 4:48 Al-Qur’an 4:116 Exodus 20:2-5 Deuteronomy 5:7-9
				F.			Jesus (pbuh) not God. He never claimed Divinity Al-Qur’an 5:72 John 14:28 John 10:29 Mathew 12:28 Luke 11:20 John 5:30 Acts 2:21
				G.			99 Attributes of Almighty God Al-Qur’an 17:110
				H.			Prefer using name ‘Allah’ rather than the word ‘God’ as the word ‘God’ can be played around with. Allah in the Bible – Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani Mark 15:34 Mathew 27:46
	2.			Salaah
				A.			Not merely Prayers but Programming Al-Qur’an 5:90 Al-Qur’an 2:188
				B.			Prayers restrain you from shameful and unjust deeds Al-Qur’an 29:45
				C.			Salaah timings – for healthy soul five times a day . Al-Qur’an 17:78 Al-Qur’an 20:130
				D.			Take off shoes before entering mosque.
							(i)	Commandment of Allah to Moses Al-Qur’an 20:11-12 Exodus 3:5 Acts 7:33
							(ii)	Can Pray with Shoes. Sunan Abu Dawood – Vol. 1, Book of Salaah, Chapter 240, Hadith No. 652-653.
							(iii)	Hygienic
				E.			Ablution
							(i)	Al-Qur’an 5:6 Exodus 40:31-32 Acts 21:26
							(ii)	Hygienic
							(iii)	Mental Preparation
				F.			Stand shoulder to shoulder, while praying – Sahih Bukhari – Vol. 1, Book of Adhan Chapter 75 Hadith no. 692 Abu Dawood – Vol. 1, Book of Salaah Chapter 245 Hadith No. 666.
				G.			Sujud – Prostration
							(i)	To humble your mind, humble your body
							(ii)	Sujud mentioned 92 times in the Qur’an Al-Qur’an 3:43 Al-Qur’an 22:77
							(iii)	Prostration in the Bible Genesis 17:3; Numbers 20:6 Joshua 5:14; Mathew 26:39
	3.			Zakaah
				A.			Meaning: Purification and Growth
				B.			Description: 2.5% of saving every lunar year in charity Al-Qur’an 9:60
				C.			If every human being gives Zakaah, not a single person will die of hunger.
				D.			“Wealth does not circulate only amongst the wealthy and the rich” Al-Qur’an 59:7
				E.			I Peter 4:8
	4.			SAUM – FASTING
				A.			Description – one lunar month i.e. during the month of Ramadaan every lunar year, Muslims fast, i.e. abstain from food and drinks from sunrise till sunset.
				B.			Benefits: learn self restraint. If you can control your hunger you can control almost all your desires. It enhances spiritual awareness. Al-Qur’an 2:183
				C.			Medical Benefits:
							(a)	Increases absorption capacity of intestines
							(b)	Lowers cholestrol.
				D.			Discourages smoking, alcoholism and other addictions.
				E.			Bible prescribes Fasting Mathew 17:21 Mark 9:29
	5.			HAJJ
				A.			Description – Pilgrimage atleast once in life time if you can afford it
				B.			Universal Brotherhood – 2.5 million people from all over the world gather, wear two pieces of unsewn cloth, preferably white. Cannot differentiate between rich and poor. Al-Qur’an 49:13
				C.			Significance of Kaaba – Muslims don’t worship it Psalms 84:4-7
III	ISLAM IS A COMPLETE WAY OF LIFE These five pillars do not constitute complete Islam. Only if the pillars are strong, will the structure be strong.
	1.				HUMANS CREATED TO WORSHIP ALLAH
					A.		Jinn and Man created for worship of Allah Al-Qur’an 51:56
					B.		Meaning of Ibadaah – root word Abd meaning ‘slave’.
	2.				OBEYING COMMANDMENTS OF ALLAH IS SUBMITTING YOUR WILL TO ALLAH
					A.		Abstaining from alcohol Al-Qur’an 5:90 Proverbs 20:1 Ephesians 5:18
					B.		Abstaining from prohibited food Al-Qur’an 5:5 Al-Qur’an 2:173, 5:3, 6:145, 16:115
							(i)	Dead meat Leviticus 17:15 Deuteronomy 14:21
							(ii)	Blood Genesis 9:4, Leviticus 17:14, Deuteronomy 12:16, I Samuel 14:33, Acts 15:29
							(iii)	Pork is prohibited Leviticus 11:7-8 Deuteronomy 14:8 Isaiah 65:2-5
							(vi)	Food on which names beside Allah have been invoked Acts 15:29; Revelation 2:14
					C.		(i)	Being Honest in your Business
							(ii)	Helping Neighbours Al-Qur’an 107:1-7
							(iii)	Abstaining from Backbiting Al-Qur’an 104:1-3 Al-Qur’an 49:11-12
							(iv)	Obeying and Respecting Parents Al-Qur’an 17:23, 24
							(v)	Celibacy or Monasticism is prohibited in Islam Sahih Bukhari: Vol. 7 Book of Nikah, Chapter No. 3, Hadith No. 4
							(vi)	Loving, being Kind and Just to your Wife Al-Qur’an 4:19
							(vii)	Abstaining from Adultery Al-Qur’an 17:32
					D.		Dressing Modestly
							(i)	Al-Qur’an 24:30 Mathew 5:27-28
							(ii)	Al-Qur’an 24:31
							(iii)	Six Criteria for Hijab in Islam Deuteronomy 22:5 I Timothy 2:9 e.g. of Mary I Corinthians 11:5-6
					E.		Circumcision Acts 7:8 John 7:22 Luke 2:21
					F.		In short, every Muslim should follow all the Commandments of Allah (swt) and His Messenger Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and abstain from the things they have prohibited.
							CONCLUSION
							(a)	If Christian is a person who follows the teachings of Christ (pbuh) and not one who worships Christ (pbuh). (We are more Christian than the Christians themselves).
							(b)	Muslim is a person who submits his will to Allah. Jesus (pbuh) said, “not my will but thy will be done.” i.e. Muslim. John 5:30
							(c)	Al-Qur’an 5:82

 

TEN MOST COMMON QUESTIONS ASKED BY CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES AGAINST ISLAM by Dr. Zakir Naik
1.	QUR’AN PLAGIARIZED FROM THE BIBLE :
	Question Is it not true that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has copied the Qur’an from the Bible? Answer Many critics allege that Prophet Muhummad (pbuh) himself was not the author of the Qur’an but he learnt it and/or plagiarised (copied or adapted) it from other human sources or from previous scriptures or revelations.
1.	MUHUMMAD LEARNT THE QUR’AN FROM A ROMAN BLACKSMITH WHO WAS A CHRISTIAN
	Some Pagans accused the Prophet of learning the Qur’an from a Roman Blacksmith, who was a Christian staying at the outskirts of Makkah. The Prophet very often used to go and watch him do his work. A revelation of the Qur’an was sufficient to dismiss this charge – the Qur’an says in Surah An-Nahl chapter 16 verse 103: “We know indeed that they say, ‘It is a man that teaches him,’ The tongue of him they wickedly point to is notably foreign, while this is Arabic, pure and clear.”                           [Al-Qur’an 16:103] How could a person whose mother tongue was foreign and could hardly speak little but of poor broken Arabic be the source of the Qur’an which is pure, eloquent, fine Arabic? To believe that the blacksmith taught the Prophet the Qur’an is some what similar to believing that a Chinese immigrant to England, who did not know proper English, taught Shakespeare.
2.	MUHUMMAD (PBUH) LEARNT FROM WARAQA – THE RELATIVE OF KHADIJAH (RA)
	Muhummad’s (pbuh) contacts with the Jewish and Christian Scholars were very limited. The most prominent Christian known to him was an old blind man called Waraqa ibn-Naufal who was a relative of the Prophet’s first wife Khadijah (r.a.). Although of Arab descent, he was a convert to Christianity and was very well versed with the New Testament. The Prophet only met him twice, first when Waraqa was worshipping at the Kaaba (before the Prophetic Mission) and he kissed the Prophet’s forehead affectionately; the second occasion was when the Prophet went to meet Waraqa after receiving the first revelation. Waraqa died three years later and the revelation continued for about 23 years. It is ridiculous to assume that Waraqa was the source of the contents of the Qur’an.
3.	PROPHET’S RELIGIOUS DISCUSSIONS WITH THE JEWS AND CHRISTIANS
	It is true that the Prophet did have religious discussions with the Jews and Christians but they took place in Madinah more than 13 years after the revelation of the Qur’an had started. The allegation that these Jews and Christians were the source is perverse, since in these discussions Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was performing the roles of a teacher and of a preacher while inviting them to embrace Islam and pointing out that they had deviated from their true teachings of Monotheism. Several of these Jews and Christians later embraced Islam.
4.	THE PROPHET LEARNT THE QUR’AN FROM THOSE JEWS AND CHRISTIANS THAT HE MET OUTSIDE ARABIA
	All historical records available show that Muhummad (pbuh) had made only three trips outside Makkah before his Prophethood: At the age of 9 he accompanied his mother to Madinah. Between the age of 9 and 12, he accompanied his uncle Abu-Talib on a business trip to Syria. At the age of 25 he led Khadija’s Caravan to Syria. It is highly imaginary to assume that the Qur’an resulted from the occasional chats and meetings with the Christians or Jews from any of the above three trips.
5.	LOGICAL GROUNDS TO PROVE THAT THE PROPHET DID NOT LEARN THE QUR’AN FROM JEWS OR CHRISTIANS
	The day-to-day life of the Prophet was an open book for all to see. In fact a revelation came asking people to give the Prophet (pbuh) privacy in his own home. If the Prophet had been meeting people who told him what to say as a revelation from God, this would not have been hidden for very long.   The extremely prominent Quraish nobles who followed the Prophet and accepted Islam were wise and intelligent men who would have easily noticed anything suspicious about the way in which the Prophet brought the revelations to them – more so since the Prophetic mission lasted 23 years.   The enemies of the Prophet kept a close watch on him in order to find proof for their claim that he was a liar – they could not point out even a single instance when the Prophet may have had a secret rendezvous with particular Jews and Christians.   It is inconceivable that any human author of the Qur’an would have accepted a situation in which he received no credit whatsoever for originating the Qur’an. Thus, historically and logically it cannot be established that there was a human source for the Qur’an.
6.	MUHUMMAD (PBUH) WAS AN ILLITERATE
	The theory that Muhummad (pbuh) authored the Qur’an or copied from other sources can be disproved by the single historical fact that he was illiterate. Allah testifies Himself in the Qur’an In Surah Al-Ankabut chapter no.29 verse 48 “And thou was not (able) to recite a Book before this (Book came), nor art thou (able) to transcribe it with thy right hand: in that case, indeed, would the talkers of vanities have doubted.”       [Al-Qur’an 29:48] Allah (swt) knew that many would doubt the authenticity of the Qur’an and would ascribe it to Prophet Muhummad (pbuh). Therefore Allah in His Divine Wisdom chose the last and final Messenger to be an ‘Ummi’, i.e. unlettered, so that the talkers of vanity would not then have the slightest justification to doubt the Prophet. The accusation of his enemies that he had copied the Qur’an from other sources and rehashed it all in a beautiful language might have carried some weight, but even this flimsy pretence has been deprived to the unbeliever and the cynic. Allah reconfirms in the Qur’an in Surah Al A’raf chapter 7 verse 157: “Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (Scriptures) in the Law and the Gospel” The prophecy of coming of the unlettered Prophet (pbuh) is also mentioned in the Bible in the book of Isaiah chapter 29 verse 12. “And the book is delivered to him that is not learned.”                        [Isaiah 29:12] The Qur’an testifies in no less than four different places that the Prophet (pbuh) was illiterate. It is also mentioned in Surah A’raf chapter 7 verse 158 and in Surah Al-Jumu’a chapter 62 verse 2.
7.	ARABIC VERSION OF THE BIBLE WAS NOT PRESENT
	The Arabic version of the Bible was not present at the time of Prophet Muhummad (pbuh). The earliest Arabic version of the Old Testament is that of R. Saadias Gaon of 900 C.E. – more than 250 years after the death of our beloved Prophet. The oldest Arabic version of the new Testament was published by Erpenius in 1616 C.E. – about a thousand years after the demise of our Prophet.
8.	SIMILARITIES IN THE QUR’AN AND THE BIBLE DUE TO COMMON SOURCE
	Similarities between the Qur’an and the Bible does not necessarily mean that the former has been copied from the latter. In fact it gives evidence that both of them are based on a common third source; all divine revelations came from the same source – the one universal God. No matter what human changes were introduced into some of these Judeo-Christian and other older religious scriptures that had distorted their originality, there are some areas that have remained free from distortion and thus are common to many religions. It is true that there are some similar parallels between the Qur’an and the Bible but this is not sufficient to accuse Muhummad (pbuh) of compiling or copying from the Bible. The same logic would then also be applicable to teachings of Christianity and Judaism and thus one could wrongly claim that Jesus (pbuh) was not a genuine Prophet (God forbid) and that he simply copied from the Old Testament. The similarities between the two signify a common source that is one true God and the continuation of the basic message of monotheism and not that the later prophets have plagiarised from the previous prophets. If someone copies during an examination he will surely not write in the answer sheet that he has copied from his neighbour or Mr. XYZ. Prophet Muhummad (pbuh) gave due respect and credit to all the previous prophets (pbut). The Qur’an also mentions the various revelations given by Almighty God to different prophets.
9.	MUSLIMS BELIEVE IN THE TAURAH, ZABOOR, INJEEL AND QUR’AN
	Four revelations of Allah (swt) are mentioned by name in the Qur’an: the Taurah, the Zaboor, the Injeel and the Qur’an. Taurah, the revelation i.e. the Wahi given to Moosa (a. s.) i.e. Moses (pbuh). Zaboor, the revelation i.e. the Wahi given to Dawood (a.s.) i.e. David (pbuh). Injeel, the revelation i.e. the Wahi given to Isa (A.S.) ie. Jesus (pbuh). ‘Al-Qur’an’, the last and final Wahi i.e. revelation given to the last and final Messenger Muhammad (pbuh). It is an article of faith for every Muslim to believe in all the Prophets of God and all revelations of God. However, the present day Bible has the first five books of the Old Testament attributed to Moses and the Psalms attributed to David. Moreover the New Testament or the four Gospels of the New Testament are not the Taurah, the Zaboor or the Injeel, which the Qur’an refers to. These books of the present day Bible may partly contain the word of God but these books are certainly not the exact, accurate and complete revelations given to the prophets. The Qur’an presents all the different prophets of Allah as belonging to one single brotherhood; all had a similar prophetic mission and the same basic message. Because of this, the fundamental teachings of the major faiths cannot be contradictory, even if there has been a considerable passage of time between the different prophetic missions, because the source of these missions was one: Almighty God, Allah. This is why the Qur’an says that the differences which exist between various religions are not the responsibility of the prophets, but of the followers of these prophets who forgot part of what they had been taught, and furthermore, misinterpreted and changed the scriptures. The Qur’an cannot therefore be seen as a scripture which competes with the teachings of Moses, Jesus and the other prophets. On the contrary, it confirms, completes and perfects the messages that they brought to their people. Another name for the Qur’an is the ‘The Furqan’ which means the criteria to judge the right from the wrong, and it is on the basis of the Qur’an that we can decipher which part of the previous scriptures can be considered to be the word of God.
10.	SCIENTIFIC COMPARISON BETWEEN QUR’AN AND BIBLE
	If you glance through the Bible and the Qur’an you may find several points which appear to be exactly the same in both of them, but when you analyse them closely, you realise that there is a difference of ‘chalk and cheese’ between them. Only based on historical details it is difficult for someone who is neither conversant with Christianity or Islam to come to a firm decision as to which of the scriptures is true; however if you verify the relevant passages of both the scriptures against scientific knowledge, you will yourself realize the truth.
	Creation of the Universe in Six Days As per the Bible, in the first book of Genesis in Chapter One, the universe was created in six days and each day is defined as a twenty-four hours period. Even though the Qur’an mentions that the universe was created in six ‘Ayyaams’, ‘Ayyaam’ is the plural of years; this word has two meanings: firstly, it means a standard twenty-four hours period i.e. a day, and secondly, it also means stage, period or epoch which is a very long period of time. When the Qur’an mentions that the universe was created in six ‘Ayyaams’, it refers to the creation of the heavens and the earth in six long periods or epochs; scientists have no objection to this statement. The creation of the universe has taken billions of years, which proves false or contradicts the concept of the Bible which states that the creation of the Universe took six days of twenty-four hour durations each. Sun Created After the Day The Bible says in chapter 1, verses 3-5, of Genesis that the phenomenon of day and night was created on the first day of creation of the Universe by God. The light circulating in the universe is the result of a complex reaction in the stars; these stars were created according to the Bible (Genesis chapter 1 verse 14 to 19) on the fourth day. It is illogical to mention the result that is the light (the phenomenon of day and night) was created on the first day of Creation when the cause or source of the light was created three days later. Moreover the existence of evening and morning as elements of a single day is only conceivable after the creation of the earth and its rotation around the sun. In contrast with the contents of the Bible on this issue, the Qur’an does not give any unscientific sequence of Creation. Hence it is absolutely absurd to say that Prophet Muhummad (pbuh) copied the passages pertaining to the creation of the universe from the Bible but missed out this illogical and fantastic sequence of the Bible. Creation of the Sun, The Earth and the Moon According to the Bible, Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verses 9 to 13, the earth was created on the third day, and as per verses 14 to 19, the sun and the moon were created on the fourth day. The earth and the moon emanated, as we know, from their original star, the Sun. Hence to place the creation of the sun and the moon after the creation of the earth is contrary to the established idea about the formation of the solar system. Vegetation Created on the third day and Sun on the fourth day According to the Bible, Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verses 11-13, vegetation was created on the third day along with seed-bearing grasses, plants and trees; and further on as per verses 14-19, the sun was created on the fourth day. How is it scientifically possible for the vegetation to have appeared without the presence of the sun, as has been stated in the Bible? If Prophet Muhummad (pbuh) was indeed the author of the Qur’an and had copied its contents from the Bible, how did he manage to avoid the factual errors that the Bible contains? The Qur’an does not contain any statements which are incompatible with scientific facts. The Sun and the Moon both Emit light According to the Bible both the sun and the moon emit their own light. In the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verse 16 says, “And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night”. Science tells us today that the moon does not have its own light. This confirms the Qur’anic concept that the light of the moon is a reflected light. To think that 1400 years ago, Prophet Muhummad (pbuh) corrected these scientific errors in the Bible and then copied such corrected passages in the Qur’an is to think of something impossible.
11.	ADAM (PBUH), THE FIRST MAN ON EARTH, LIVED 5,800 YEARS AGO
	As per the genealogy of Jesus Christ given in the Bible, from Jesus through Abraham (pbuh) to the first man on earth i.e. Adam (pbuh), Adam appeared on the earth approximately 5800 years ago:
	1948 years between Adam (pbuh) and Abraham (pbuh) Approximately 1800 years between Abraham (pbuh) and Jesus (pbuh) 2000 years from Jesus (pbuh) till today These figures are further confused by the fact that the Jewish calendar is currently on or about 5800 years old. There is sufficient evidence from archaeological and anthropological sources to suggest that the first human being on earth was present tens of thousands of years ago and not merely 5,800 years ago as is suggested by the Bible. The Qur’an too speaks about Adam (pbuh) as the first man on earth but it does not suggest any date or period of his life on earth, unlike the Bible – what the Bible says in this regard is totally incompatible with science.
12.	NOAH (PBUH) AND THE FLOOD
	The Biblical description of the flood in Genesis chapter 6, 7 and 8 indicates that the deluge was universal and it destroyed every living thing on earth, except those present with Noah (pbuh) in the ark. The description suggests that the event took place 1656 years after the creation of Adam (pbuh) or 292 years before the birth of Abraham, at a time when Noah (pbuh) was 600 years old. Thus the flood may have occurred in the 21st or 22nd Century B.C. This story of the flood, as given in the Bible, contradicts scientific evidence from archaelogical sources which indicate that the eleventh dynasty in Egypt and the third dynasty in Babylonia were in existence without any break in civilisation and in a manner totally unaffected by any major calamity which may have occurred in the 21st century B.C. This contradicts the Biblical story that the whole world had been immersed in the flood water. In contrast to this, the Qur’anic presentation of the story of Noah and the flood does not conflict with scientific evidence or archaeological data; firstly, the Qur’an does not indicate any specific date or year of the occurance of that event, and secondly, according to the Qur’an the flood was not a universal phenomenon which destroyed complete life on earth. In fact the Qur’an specifically mentions that the flood was a localised event only involving the people of Noah. It is illogical to assume that Prophet Muhummad (pbuh) had borrowed the story of the flood from the Bible and corrected the mistakes before mentioning it in the Qur’an.
13.	MOSES (PBUH) AND PHARAOH OF THE EXODUS
	The story of Moses (pbuh) and the Pharaoh of the Exodus are very much identical in the Qur’an and the Bible. Both scriptures agree that the Pharaoh drowned when he tried to pursue Moses (pbuh) and led the Israelites across a stretch of water that they crossed. The Qur’an gives an additional piece of information in Surah Yunus chapter 10 verse 92: “This day shall We save thee in thy body, that thou mayest be a sign to those who come after thee! But verily, many among mankind are heedless of Our Signs!”                     [Al-Qur’an 10:92] Dr. Maurice Bucaille, after a thorough research proved that although Rameses II was known to have persecuted the Israelites as per the Bible, he actually died while Moses (pbuh) was taking refuge in Median. Rameses II’s son Merneptah who succeeded him as Pharaoh drowned during the exodus. In 1898, the mummified body of Merneptah was found in the valley of Kings in Egypt. In 1975, Dr. Maurice Bucaille with other doctors received permission to examine the Mummy of Merneptah, the findings of which proved that Merneptah probably died from drowning or a violent shock which immediately preceeded the moment of drowning. Thus the Qur’anic verse that we shall save his body as a sign, has been fulfilled by the Pharaohs’ body being kept at the Royal Mummies room in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. This verse of the Qur’an compelled Dr. Maurice Bucaille, who was a Christian then, to study the Qur’an. He later wrote a book ‘The Bible, the Qur’an and Science’, and confessed that the author of the Qur’an can be no one else besides God Himself. Thus he embraced Islam.
14.	QUR’AN IS A BOOK FROM ALLAH
	These evidences are sufficient to conclude that the Qur’an was not copied from the Bible, but that the Qur’an is the Furqaan – ‘the Criteria’ to judge right from wrong and it should be used to decipher which portion of the Bible may be considered as the Word of God. The Qur’an itself testifies in Surah Sajda chapter 32 verse 1 to 3 Alif Laam Meem. (This is) the revelation of the Book in which there is no doubt – from the Lord of the Worlds. Or do they say, ‘He has forged it’? Nay, it is the Truth from thy Lord, that thou mayest admonish a people to whom no warner has come before thee: in order that they may receive guidance.”                             [Al-Qur’an 32:1-3]
7	DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MARY AND MIRIAM
	Question It is mentioned in your Qur’an that Mary was the sister of Aaron (pbuh). Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) who wrote the Qur’an did not know the difference between Miriam the sister of Aaron (pbuh) and Mary the Mother of Jesus (pbuh), the time span between both of them was about a thousand years. Answer
1.	IN THE SEMITIC LANGUAGES SISTER ALSO MEANS DESCENDANT
	The Qur’an mentions in Surah Maryam, Chapter 19 verses 27-28 “At length she brought the (babe) to her people, carrying him (in her arms). They said: ‘O Mary! Truly an amazing thing hast thou brought! O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a man of evil, nor thy mother a woman unchaste!’”                     [Al-Qur’an 19:27-28] Christian missionaries say that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) did not know the difference between Mary the mother of Jesus (pbuh) and Miriam the sister of Aaron (pbuh). The time span between both was more than a thousand years. In the Arabic construction of the sentence, sister is also considered as a descendant. Thus, when the people said to Mary, Ukhta Haroon i.e. ‘sister of Aaron’ it actually means descendant of Aaron (pbuh).
2.	SON ALSO MEANS DESCENDANT
	It is mentioned in the Gospel of Mathew, Chapter 1 verse 1 “Jesus Christ, the son of David,….”.                     [Mathew 1:1] Gospel of Luke Chapter 3, verse 23 “And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, …..”                      [Luke 3:23] DID JESUS (PBUH) HAVE TWO FATHERS? What do you call a person who has two fathers? The explanation of the phrase that Jesus (pbuh) was the son of David (pbuh), is that Jesus (pbuh) was a descendant of David (pbuh). ‘Son’, here means a descendant.
8.	JESUS (PBUH) DID NOT DIE
	Question Is it not true that your Qur’an mentions in Surah Maryam, Chapter 19 verse 33 that Jesus (pbuh) died and was resurrected? Answer JESUS (PBUH) SAID, “THE DAY THAT I DIE”, NOT “THE DAY THAT I DIED” It is mentioned in Surah Maryam, Chapter 19 verse 33 “So Peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die and the Day that I shall be raised up to life (again)”.                    [Al-Qur’an 19:33] The Qur’an mentions that Jesus (pbuh) said “Peace is on me the Day I was born, the day that I die”. It is not stated “the day that I died”. It is in the future tense and not in the past tense.
1.	JESUS (PBUH) WAS RAISED UP ALIVE
	The Qur’an further says in Surah Nisa, Chapter 4 verse 157-158: “That they said (in boast), ‘We killed Jesus Christ the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah’ – But they killed him not, Nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not – Nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is exalted in Power, Wise.”                       [Al-Qur’an 4:157-158]
9.	JESUS IS “A WORD” OF ALLAH AND A “SPIRIT” FROM ALLAH
	Question Does not your Qur’an mention that Jesus is Kalimatullah –”The Word of Allah (swt)”, as well as Ruhullah – “The Spirit of Allah”, indicating his Divinity? Answer
1.	JESUS (PBUH) “IS A WORD FROM ALLAH” NOT “THE WORD OF ALLAH”
	The Qur’an mentions in Surah Ali ‘Imran Chapter 3 verse 45 “Behold! The angels said: O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus. The son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those Nearest to Allah.         [Al-Qur’an 3:45] Jesus (pbuh) is referred in the Qur’an as a word from Allah and not as ‘the word of Allah’. “A word” of Allah means a message of Allah. If a person is referred to as “a word” from Allah, it means that he is a Messenger or a Prophet of Allah.
2.	THE TITLE OF A PROPHET (PBUH) DOES NOT MEAN THAT IT EXCLUSIVELY BELONGS TO THAT PROPHET (PBUH)
	Different titles are given to different prophets (pbut). Whenever a title is given to a prophet (pbuh), it does not necessarily mean that the other prophets do not have the same characteristic or quality. For e.g. Prophet Abraham (pbuh) is referred to in the Qur’an as Khaleelullah, a friend of Allah. This does not indicate that all the other Prophets (pbuh) were not the friends of Allah. Prophet Moses (pbuh) is referred to in the Qur’an as Kaleemullah, indicating that God spoke to him. This does not mean that God did not speak to others. Similarly when Jesus (pbuh) is referred to in the Qur’an as Kalimatullah, “a word from Allah”, it does not mean that the other Prophets were not “the word,” of Allah.
3.	JOHN THE BAPTIST (PBUH) IS ALSO CALLED “A WORD” OF ALLAH
	Yahya (pbuh) i.e. John the Baptist (pbuh) is also referred to in the Qur’an as Kalimatullah i.e. a word of Allah in Surah Ali ‘Imran, Chapter 3, verses 38-39 “There did Zakariya Pray to his Lord, saying: “O my Lord! Grant unto me from Thee a progeny that is pure: for Thou art He that heareth prayer! While he was standing in prayer in the chamber, the angels called unto him: “Allah doth give thee glad tidings of Yahya, witnessing the truth of a Word from Allah, and (be besides) noble, chaste, and a Prophet – of the (goodly) company of the righteous.”                [Al-Qur’an 3:39]
4.	JESUS (PBUH) REFERRED AS RUHULLAH – A SPIRIT OF ALLAH
	Jesus (pbuh) also never referred to as Ruhullah “a spirit of Allah” but as a spirit from Allah in Surah Nisa Chapter 4 verse 171 “O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Jesus Christ the son of Mary was (no more than) a Messenger of Allah, And His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a Spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in Allah and His Messengers. Say not ‘Trinity’: desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is One God: glory be to Him: (Far Exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. And enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs.”                   [Al-Qur’an 4:171]
5.	SPIRIT OF ALLAH IS BREATHED IN EVERY HUMAN BEING
	A spirit from Allah does not indicate that Jesus (pbuh) is God. The Qur’an mentions in several places that Allah breathed into the human beings “His Spirit” in Surah Al-Hijr, chapter 15 verse 29 in Surah Sajdah, chapter 32 verse 9 Surah Al Hijr Chapter 15 verse 29 “When I have fashioned him (in due proportion) and breathed into him of My spirit, fall ye down in obeisance unto him.”            [Al-Qur’an 15:29] Surah Sajdah Chapter 32 verse 9 “But He fashioned him in due proportion, and breathed into him something of His spirit. And He gave you (the faculties of) hearing and sight and feeling (and understanding): little thanks do ye give!”             [Al-Qur’an 32:9]
10.	IS NOT THE QUR’AN WRITTEN BY SATAN?
	Question The Qur’an is not the Word of God but on the contrary the handiwork of Satan. Answer In reply to a similar allegation put forward by the pagans of Makkah, that the prophet (pbuh) received the revelations from Satan, the following verses were revealed: Surah Waqiah, chapter 56 verses 77-80 “That this is indeed A Qur’an most honourable, In a Book well-guarded, Which none shall touch But those who are clean: A Revelation from the Lord Of the Worlds.” Kitabim Maknoon means a book well guarded or a protected book, referring to Lauh-e-Mahfooz in the heaven, which none shall touch except the Mutahhareen. i.e. those who do not have any uncleanliness or impurity or evil like sin. This refers to the angels. The satan is absolutely prohobited. Thus since it is impossible for satan to come anywhere close to it or touch it, the question of him writing the verses of the Glorious Qur’an does not arise. It is further mentioned in Surah Shura, chapter 26 verse 210-212 “No evil ones have brought Down this (Revelation): It would neither suit them Nor would they be able (To produce it). Indeed they have been removed Far from even (a chance of) Hearing it.” Many people have a wrong concept of satan. They think that satan can probably do everything, except a couple of things that God can do. According to them, satan is slightly below God in power. Since the people do not want to accept that the Qur’an is a miraculous revelation, they say that it is satan’s handiwork.
	If satan would have written the Qur’an, he would not have mentioned in the same Qur’an in Surah Nahl, chapter 16 verse no. 98 “When thou does read The Qur’an, seek Allah’s protection from Satan the Rejected One.” Is this how you feel satan would write a book? Does he tell you; “Before you read my book ask God to save you from me?” There are several verses in the Qur’an which will give enough evidence that satan is not the author of the Qur’an. In Surah Al Aaraf chapter 7 verse 200 “If a suggestion from Satan assail your (mind), seek refuge with Allah; for He hears and knows (all things). Why would satan tell his followers, that whenever he gives any suggestions to them, they should seek refuge in Allah (swt) to whom he is an avowed enemy. In Surah Baqarah, chapter 2 verse 168 “O ye people! Eat of what is on earth, lawful and good; and do not follow the footsteps of the Evil one, For he is to you an avowed enemy.” In Surah Yasin, chapter 36 verse 60 “Did I not enjoin on you, O ye children of Adam, that ye should not worship Satan; for that he was to you an enemy avowed?” Satan is intelligent, no wonder that he can put this idea into the minds of people that he himself wrote the Qur’an. Compared to Almighty God, Satan is insignificant, and Allah (swt) is far more intelligent. He knows satan’s evil intentions and hence no wonder that He has given the reader of the Qur’an several proofs to show that Qur’an is God’s word, and not satan’s word. The Bible mentions in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 3, verses 24-26 “And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” “And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” “And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.”

 

Was Jesus a Christian or a Muslim? By: Abo Kareem El-Marakshy

Christ is derived from the ancient Greek: Χριστός, Khristós, meaning ‘anointed’, which is a translation of the Hebrew ַ יחִׁ שָ מ (Māšîaḥ), the Messiah, and is used as a title for Jesus. Islam” means Complete and Perfect Peaceful Submission to the Will of Almighty God. The word “Christian” simply means “A Follower of Christ” or “Christ-ian”. The word “Muslim” simply means a person who Submits his Will to Almighty God. Jesus May Allah’s Peace and Blessings be Upon Him (PBUH) said: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (Matthew 5:17-18). “He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” (Luke 24:44). Jesus (PBUH) did not have the authority to abrogate the law. He (PBUH) only had the authority to fulfill, reaffirm, clarify and apply it to new or specific situations. Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 1- PURITY Ablution Before the Prayer Moses (PBUH) and Aaron (PBUH) made ablution before prayer, they washed their hands and feet whenever they entered the Tent of Meeting or approached altar for prayer. This was a Divine command: (Exodus 40:31- 32). David (PBUH): (Psalm 26:6), (2 Samuel 12:20). Jesus (PBUH) did not oppose ablution before prayer. It was mentioned in (James 4:8) “Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts,…”. Jesus (PBUH) carefully followed and fulfilled this law, because it was a Divine command. 4 Christians’ way Muslims’ way Christians do not make ablution before praying in their Churches. Christians do not wash their hands and feet before they pray as commanded by Almighty God. Christians do not follow the law fulfilled by Jesus (PBUH). Muslims make ablution before praying in their Mosques, Muslims wash their hands, feet, face …etc. The Noble Qur’an (5:6). Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) stated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), said, He who performed ablution well, his sins would come out from his body, even coming out from under his nails. (Sahih Muslim). Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 2- Putting off the shoes before Praying Moses (PBUH) received the Divine command to put off his sandals (shoes) before entering and praying on the holy ground: (Exodus 3:5) and (Acts 7:33). Jesus (PBUH) carefully followed and fulfilled this law because it was a Divine command. Christians’ way Muslims’ way Christians do not put off their shoes before entering and praying in their Churches. Christians do not follow the law fulfilled by Jesus (PBUH). Muslims put off their shoes before entering and praying in their Mosque. . The Noble Qur’an (20:11-12). 5 Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 3- Precise times for daily prayer The Biblical times of prayer are: Evening, morning, and at noon: (Psalm 55:17), even several prayers can be situated within these three times, It was stated in (Psalm 119:164) `Seven times a day do I praise you, …’. The early morning dawn prayer was mentioned in the Aramaic Bible in Plain English: (Psalms 5:3), before dawn prayer: (Psalms.119:147)..Prayer at midnight:.(Psalms.119:62). There are precise times for prayer: (Psalm 32:6), (Psalm 69:13). It was obviously unacceptable, according to David (PBUH), to neglect the proper times of prayer. Jesus (PBUH) carefully followed and fulfilled this law. Christians’ way Muslims’ way Many Christians observe a more informal pattern of morning and evening prayers, blessing or prayer before meals, this type of informality lacks the precision and repetition. Christians do not follow the law fulfilled by Jesus (PBUH). Muslims must regularly pray five times a day at precise times, each prayer requires about five to 10 minutes. These five prayers occur at precise times:. 1.dawn,.2.afternoon,.3.later.afternoon,.4- .following sunset, 5-night. There are also other optional prayers. The Noble Qur’an: (20:132), (7:205), (33:42), (48:9), (76:25), (24:58), (52:49), (17:78), (11:114), (20:130). Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? 6 Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 4- Prayer toward a particular direction Jerusalem (Ka’bah) in Mecca David (PBUH) worshiped Almighty God toward the direction of the holy temple: (Psalm 5:7), (Psalm 138:2), according to Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible “Not the temple at Jerusalem, which was not yet built… but rather the tabernacle of Moses, in which was the ark.”, however the tabernacle of Moses was not a holy temple!, then the question is: what was the other holy temple that David (PBUH).prayed toward its direction?! Solomon (PBUH) prayed toward the direction of the holy temple in Jerusalem:.(2.Chronicles.6:21),.Daniel.(PBUH): (Daniel 6:10), Jonah (PBUH) : (Jonah 2:7). At the time of Jesus (PBUH), the direction of prayer was toward Jerusalem: (John 4:20-21). Jesus (PBUH) said that the true worshipers will worship God in “spirit and truth”: (John 4:23-24), which means “they will be sincere in their worship”, it does not mean that they will worship God in any direction. Jesus (PBUH) carefully followed the earlier prophets and prayed toward the direction of the holy temple. Christians’ way Muslims’ way Early churches were built so that the direction of the assembly faced East, as a symbol of Christ (the rising sun). It was also common to pray facing Jerusalem. Later Christians prayed in any direction. Christians do not follow Jesus (PBUH) and do not pray toward a particular direction. The early Muslims prayed toward the direction of Jerusalem for a short time, then Almighty God (Allah) instructed the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to change the direction of prayer and pray toward the direction of the holy mosque (Ka’bah) in Mecca (Makkah). The Noble Qur’an: (2:144). Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? 7 Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 5- Prostration with the forehead on the earth The earlier Prophets and their followers prostrated in prayer, they bowed with their faces touching the ground, Abraham (PBUH): (Genesis 17:3), (Genesis 17:17), Moses (PBUH) and Aaron (PBUH): (Exodus 34:8), (Numbers 16:22), (Numbers 20:6), Joshua (PBUH): (Joshua 5:14), (Joshua 7:6), Elijah (PBUH): (1 Kings 18:42), David (PBUH): (Psalm 22:29), (1 Samuel 20:41), after Solomon (PBUH) finished prayer: (2 chronicles 7:3), during the prayer of Ezra (PBUH): (Nehemiah 8:6), the Holy Angels: (Revelation 7:11). Jesus Christ (PBUH) never invited people to worship him instead of God, or as God, or as son of God. This law was stated very clearly in (Numbers 23:19): “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent…”. God is not a man: (1Samuel 15:29), (Hosea 11:9). Jesus (PBUH) carefully followed and fulfilled this law, and bowed with his face touching the ground and prayed to Almighty God: (Matthew 26:39), (Mark 14:35), the disciples of Jesus (PBUH) did the same: (Matthew 17:6). Christians’ way Muslims’ way Christians kneel down in front of the cross, clasping their hands in prayer, they perform the sign of the cross by tracing a large cross from forehead to chest and then shoulder to shoulder, this performance can’t be ascribed to Jesus (PBUH). Christians do not bow with their faces touching the ground, they do not prostrate with their foreheads on the earth. Christians do not follow the same worshiping way of Jesus (PBUH). Muslims prostrate in prayer, they bow with their faces touching the ground during their daily prayers. The Noble Qur’an: (22:77), (7:206), (13:15), (17:109), (19:058), (25:060), (96:019), (32:015), (38:024), (53:062), , (76:026), (10:9-10). Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? 8 Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 6- Spreading up the hands after prayer Solomon (PBUH) spread up his hands after prayer and praised Almighty God and asked His blessings: (1 Kings 8:54). Jesus (PBUH) carefully followed and fulfilled this practice. Christians’ way Muslims’ way Christians do not spread up their hands after prayer. Christians do not follow the practice fulfilled by Jesus (PBUH). Muslims spread up their hands in Qonoot prayer and after prayer they (make Dua’a), they praise Almighty God, ask His forgiveness and seek His blessings. The Noble Qur’an: (2:255, 286), (25: 74). Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 7- Fasting Moses (PBUH) fasted for forty days by neither eat nor drink, he did neither eat bread, nor drink water: (Deuteronomy 9:9), (Exodus 34: 28). Earlier prophets also fasted, David (PBUH): (2 Samuel 12:22), Elijah (PBUH): (1 Kings 19:8), Ezra (PBUH): (Ezra 10:6), Daniel (PBUH): (Daniel 9:3). Special months of fasting were instituted during the Babylonian captivity of Judah: (Zechariah 8:19). A specific fast day: (Jeremiah 36:6). A precise month for fasting (the ninth month): (Jeremiah 36:9). Jesus Christ (PBUH) fulfilled this law, and fasted for forty days by neither eat nor drink, afterward Jesus (PBUH) was hungry: (Matthew 4:2), (Matthew 6:16). Jesus (PBUH) carefully followed and fulfilled this law. 9 Christians’ way Muslims’ way The way that Christians fast differs, some Christians abstain from solid food, others don’t eat special foods as (meat, fish, chicken and eggs), some others don’t drink special drinks as (milk and wine). Christians don’t fast like Jesus (PBUH) by neither eat nor drink for a certain period of time, they do not taste hunger and thirst. Christians do not follow the law fulfilled by Jesus (PBUH). Muslims fast from dawn until dusk for the whole month of Ramadan (ninth lunar month) , abstaining from food, drink, sexual intercourse, smoking, backbiting, lying and some other pleasures. Muslims taste hunger and thirst, the fasting helps them to obey God, be more sensitive to the sufferings of others, develop self-discipline and appreciate their unity. The Noble Qur’an (2:183-185, 187, 196). Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 8- A Messenger and a Prophet of God Jesus (PBUH) asserted that he was sent by God, i.e. A Messenger of Almighty God: (John 7:16), (John 17:3), (John 5:30), (John 4:34), (John 6:38) and (John 11: 41-42). Jesus (PBUH) referred to himself as a Prophet: (Luke 13:33-34), others also called him a Prophet: (Luke 7:16), (Luke 24:17-22), (John 4:19), (John 6:14), (Matthew 21:11), (John 9:17). Jesus (PBUH) was referred to as a servant of God: (Acts 3:13), (Acts 4:27). Jesus (PBUH) was sent only for (the lost sheep of) the house of Israel and not to the Gentiles:.(Matthew 10:5-6), (Matthew 15:24-27). Jesus (PBUH) was called “the son of Man”: (Matthew 12:32), (Matthew 12:40), (Matthew 17:9), (John 6:27). Jesus (PBUH) was also described as ‘a man approved by God’: (Acts 2:22). This law was mentioned in the 10 Old Testament: “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent…”.(Numbers 23:19), God is not a man: (1Samuel 15:29), (Hosea 11:9). The prayer of Jesus (PBUH) did not go unanswered, but was answered through the angel, which appeared, in order to strengthen him: (Luke 22:43). Jesus Christ (PBUH) fulfilled this law, he declared that he is a Messenger and a Prophet of God. Christians’ way Muslims’ way Christians believe that Jesus is the second member of the Triune God, the son of the first part of the Triune God, and at the same time “fully” God in every respect. Christians believe that Jesus is “Divine” and God incarnate, have two natures, divine and human at the same time. The Christians’ view that the mediator between God and man must be both man and deity and not only man as stated in: (1 Timothy 2:5). Most Christians don’t believe that Jesus (PBUH) was only a Messenger, a Prophet, a servant of God, and just a human being as asserted by Jesus (PBUH) himself. Christians do not follow the law fulfilled by Jesus (PBUH). Muslims speak of both Jesus (PBUH) and his mother virgin Mary with reverence and respect. Muslims believe that Almighty God gave revelations not only to Abraham (PBUH) and Moses (PBUH), but also to Jesus (PBUH) and other prophets. Muslims believe that Jesus (PBUH) is one of God’s holy messengers, he possessed knowledge and wisdom, was blessed, born without a father like Adam.(PBUH). The miraculous birth of Jesus (PBUH) does not make him a fully God or a son of God or a “begotten” son of God. Qur’an calls Jesus (PBUH) is the Word of God “Be”, this does not mean that Jesus is God or son of God. The Noble Qur’an (112:1-4), (5:73), (19: 31-33). Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? 11 Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 9- Submission to the Will of Almighty God (Islam) Jesus (PBUH) Submitted himself to the Will of Almighty God: (Luke 22:42), (Matthew 26:39), (Mark 14:36). The oldest translation of the Bible was in Greek language, submission to God was mentioned: (James 4:7), in Old Greek language: (Ὑποτάγητε οὖν τῷ Θεῷ) and in modern Greek language: (Υποταχθείτε, λοιπόν, στον Θεό), the English translation: Submit yourself therefore to God, i.e. “Become a Muslim”. Jesus (PBUH) worshiped Almighty God: (Luke 5:16), (Matthew 26:39), (Matthew 26:42), (Matthew 26:44). Jesus (PBUH) prayed and asked Almighty God for help even when he raised up Lazarus to life: (John 11:41-43). Jesus always expressed his subordination to Almighty God: (John 5:30), (John 14:31). Jesus Christ (PBUH) fulfilled this law, he submitted himself to God, i.e. Jesus (PBUH) declared his Islam. Christians’ way Muslims’ way Christians declared their allegiance to Jesus.. Christians believe that one comes to God except through Jesus. i.e. Christians Submit their Wills to Jesus. Christians ignore that Jesus (PBUH) expressed his subordination to Almighty God, and Submitted all his Will to Almighty God. Christians do not follow the law fulfilled by Jesus (PBUH). Muslims believe that all the Prophets from the beginning of the creation were Muslims: (Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Lot, Joseph, Moses, Solomon, Jesus) and the final Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon them) because they preached the same message, their religion was: “Submission to the Will of Almighty God”. i.e. they declared their Islam. The Noble Qur’an (10:72), (2:128,132-133), (51:31-36), (12:101), (5:3, 44), (27:30-31, 38, 42, 44), (3:19-20, 52, 83), (40:66). Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? 12 Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 10- The name of Almighty God (the creator) Jesus (PBUH) spoke the Aramaic language, the name of God in Aramaic in the standard script is ( ), and in the Estrangela script is ( ) and read Alah, in Arabic language the name of God is (هللا (and read Allah. In Hebrew language one of the basic Hebrew words for God, is ( ) and read Eloh, can easily be pronounced Alah without the diacritical marks, the suffix “im” of the word ( יםִׁ ִ֑ להֱ ֹא” ( Eloh-im” is a plural of respect in the Hebrew Bible: (Genesis 1:1). According to the Bible, Jesus (PBUH) used these two words ELI : (Matthew 27:46) and ELOI: (Mark 15:34), these two words ELI and ELOI are derived from the word Eloh (יִׁ ִ֑ להֱ ֹא (in Hebrew, Elah or Allah in Arabic and doesn’t sound like “Jehovah”. Christians’ way Muslims’ way The name of God for the Arab Christians is Allah. Christians do not use these names: Eloh (יִׁ ִ֑ להֱ ֹא (or Eli or Eloi or Allah (هللا (as names of Almighty God. Christians do not follow the way of Jesus. Muslims worship the same Almighty God of the prophets Noah, Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus (peace be upon them all). The name of Almighty God is Allah. The Noble Qur’an (2:255), (59:22-24), (112:1- 4 ). Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 11- Monotheism None of the earlier prophets taught the doctrine of the Trinity. Rather, they proclaimed the Oneness of God. Chapter 20 verse 3 of Exodus states, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” God’s statements are simple, clear and free from contradiction and confusion. “I am the LORD your God.” All the earlier Prophets of Almighty God preached Monotheism, Moses 13 (PBUH): (Exodus 3:14-15), (Exodus 20:2), (Genesis 17:1), (Exodus 20:3- 5), (Leviticus 19:3- 4). (Deuteronomy 6:13), (Exodus 18:11), (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). David (PBUH): (Psalms 83:18, 104:1, 105:7, 118:27, 118:28), Solomon (PBUH): (Proverbs 9:10), (Ecclesiastes 12:13), Isaiah (PBUH): (Isaiah 45:19, 43:10-11, 44:6, 45: 21-23, 40:28). “No one can see God, nor hear His voice”: (Exodus 33:20). “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent…”: (Numbers 23:19), God is not a man: (1Samuel 15:29), (Hosea 11:9). Jesus (PBUH) said: “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD.”: (Mark:12:29). Jesus never said I am God worship me. He (PBUH) called people to pray, worship and serve only God: (Mark 14:32), (Luke 5:16), (John 17:3), (Matthew 4:10), (Luke 4:8), (Mark 12:28-29). Jesus (PBUH) said that No one is good except God alone: (Luke 18:18-19), (Mark 10:18), (Matthew 19:17). No one can see God, nor hear His voice: (John 5:37). The unity of God is reiterated: (James 4:12). God does not change (James 1:17). The disciples of Jesus (PBUH) accepted these teachings and had faith in the one true God. Jesus (PBUH) carefully followed and fulfilled the Oneness of God law “the Monotheism law.” Christians’ way Muslims’ way Christians violate the first commandment law by worshipping Jesus as God or as son of God. The First Council of Constantinople drew up a dogmatic statement on the Trinity and defined Holy Spirit as having the same divinity expressed for the Son by the Council of Nicaea 56 years earlier. i.e. Two more Gods were added to Almighty God. 1-God the Father = the creator. 2-God the Son = the savior. Muslims believe that all the prophets were sent by the same God, the Creator, to convey the same message: The true God is only ONE, Worship Him Alone and keep His commandments. The Noble Qur’an (2:136), (7:59), (2:132), (21:25), (27:61), (27:63), (27:64), (1:1- 5), (2:225), (5:76), (20:8), (59:23). The Noble Qur’an 112 emphasized and explained the Monotheism law: Say, “He is Allah , [who is] One, (1) 14 3-God the Holy spirit = the counselor. Christians deviated away from the Monotheism law, they elevated Jesus (PBUH) too high to the rank of God. Christians do not follow the Monotheism law fulfilled by Jesus (PBUH). Allah , the Eternal Refuge. (2) He neither begets nor is born, (3) Nor is there to Him any equivalent.” (4). Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 12- Sons of God The use of the phrase “sons of God” does not in itself imply deity and was a common phrase among Jews who called themselves “children of God” or “sons of God”. The phrase “son of God” in the Bible was not limited only to Jesus. The Bible told us that God has many sons!. Jacob: (Exodus 4:22), Solomon: (2 Samuel 7:13-14), Ephraim: (Jeremiah 31:9), Adam (Luke 3:38), even common people were called “sons of God”: (Deuteronomy 14:1), (Genesis 6:2), (Genesis 6:4), (Psalm 29:1), (Job 38:7), (Job 2:1), (Job 1:6). Jesus (PBUH) spoke of “the peace makers” as “sons of God”. In the Jewish tradition, any person who follows the Will of God was called the “son of God”: (Genesis 6:2,4), (Exodus 4:22), (Jeremiah 31:9), (Psalms 2:7), (Luke 3:38), (Romans 8:14), (John 6:35). i.e. If Jesus said in the Bible that he is the “son of God”, this does not elevate him to the rank of Almighty God. Jesus (PBUH) never said “I am God worship me”. he (PBUH) carefully followed the earlier prophets and fulfilled this law. 15 Christians’ way Muslims’ way Christians worship Jesus the Son of the first part of the Triune God, they consider Jesus (PBUH) “fully” God in every respect. Jesus (PBUH) himself refuted the trinity deception and never really praised it in the Bible. He even worshiped GOD Almighty Himself! Christians do not follow the law fulfilled by Jesus (PBUH). Almighty God (Allah) never begets any son, any daughter, any wife. Almighty God doesn’t need a son nor a wife to help Him in anything. He is the Absolute, One, Living True King. Almighty God corrected the Jews’ and Christians’ “Son of God” misunderstanding. “And they say: “(God) Most Gracious has begotten offspring.” Glory to Him! they are (but) servants raised to honour.” (The Noble Quran, 21:26) Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 13- Salvation & Savior Forgiving the sins is restricted only to Almighty God: (Isaiah 43:25), (Isaiah 44:22), (Isaiah 33:22), (Isaiah 64:9), (Jeremiah 31:34), (Ezekiel 18:22), (Ezekiel 33:16), (Micah 7:18), (Micah 7:19). Almighty God is the only Savior: (Jude 1:25), (Deuteronomy 32:15), (2 Samuel 22:3 ), (2 Samuel 22:47), (1 Chronicles 16:35), (Psalms 17:7), (Psalms 18:46), (Psalms 24:5), (Psalms 25:5), (Psalms 27:9), (Psalms 38:22), (Psalms 42:5), (Psalms 42:11), (Psalms 43:5), (Psalms 65:5), (Psalms 68:19), (Psalms 79:9), (Psalms 85:4), (Psalms 89:26), (Psalms 106:21), (Isaiah 17:10), (Isaiah 19:20), (Isaiah 43:3), (Isaiah 43:11), (Isaiah 45:15), (Isaiah 45:21-22), (Isaiah 49:26), (Isaiah 60:16), (Jeremiah 14:8), (Hosea 13:4), (Micah 7:7), (Habakkuk 3:18). The phrase “Savior” in the Bible is not limited only to Jesus. The Bible told us that some other individuals were also given this title “Savior” without being gods!. Jeroboam son of Jehoash: (2 Kings 14:27), Othniel the son of Kenaz: (Judges 3:9), Ehud the son of Gera: (Judges 3:15). 16 Salvation according to Jesus (PBUH) is through sticking only to the commandments of Almighty God: (Mathew 19:16-17). Jesus (PBUH) carefully followed and fulfilled this law. Christians’ way Muslims’ way Christians believe in their Salvation through Jesus, they believe in his Divinity and his crucifixion, and that Jesus bought their forgiveness when he died on the cross. Christians believe that Jesus is their Savior, and will forgive their mistakes and sins. Christians do not follow the law fulfilled by Jesus (PBUH). Muslims believe that Almighty God (Allah) is their Salvation, He is their Savior in this world and in the day of Judgment. Muslims believe that no one is responsible for the mistakes of others. The Noble Qur’an (6:164). . Muslims also believe that Almighty God rescued prophet Jesus (PBUH) from crucifixion, and that he was neither killed nor crucified. The Noble Qur’an (4:157). Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 14- Omniscience Jesus (PBUH) denied “omniscience” knowledge of the unseen and the day of Judgment: (Mark 13:32), (Matthew 24:36). Christians’ way Muslims’ way Christians attribute “omniscience” to Jesus. Jesus (PBUH) denied his “omniscience”. Christians do not follow the law fulfilled by Jesus (PBUH). Almighty God has perfect knowledge. Muslims believe in the omniscience of Allah, He knows the past and the future. The Noble Qur’an (49:18) 17 Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 15- Miracles Jesus (PBUH) and the earlier Prophets performed different awesome miracles, these extraordinary events were only done by the permission of Almighty God. Moses: (Exodus 14:22), Elisha (PBUH): (2 Kings 4:44) , (2 Kings 5:14), (2 Kings 6:17&20), (2 Kings 4:34), (2 Kings 13:21), Elijah (PBUH): (1 Kings 17:22), Jesus (PBUH): (Luke 9:10-17), (John 6:16-24), (Mark 6:45-52), (Matthew 14:22-33). Jesus (PBUH) did not act on his own, he said in (John 5:30): “By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me, also in (John 8:28) “…I do nothing of myself; but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things.” These verses do not imply omnipotence. Jesus (PBUH) lessened himself, and made himself inferior to Almighty God. Jesus (PBUH) fulfilled this law. Christians’ way Muslims’ way Christians consider the awesome miracles performed by the earlier Prophets as evidences of their Prophethood and were done by the permission of Almighty God, meanwhile they consider the awesome miracles performed by Jesus (PBUH) as evidences of his Divinity. Christians do not follow the law fulfilled by Jesus (PBUH). Muslims believe that Almighty God supported His Prophets such as: Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace be upon them) with miracles, that are usually of the same nature that the people of that particular prophet excelled at, these miracles were only done by the permission of Almighty God. In the Noble Qur’an. the name of Jesus (PBUH) has 25 Occurrences, the name of his mother Virgin Mary has 34 Occurrences, while the name Muhammad (PBUH) has 3 Occurrences and Ahmad 1 occurrence. 18 Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 16- Greetings David (PBUH) greeted the people by saying “Shalom aleichem” which means in Hebrew language “Peace be upon you”: (1 Samuel 25:6). Jesus (PBUH) followed this tradition, and also greeted in the same way by saying “Peace be upon you”: (John 20:19), (John 20:21), (John 20:26), (Luke 24:36). Jesus (PBUH) fulfilled this tradition. Christians’ way Muslims’ way Christians don’t greet each other by saying “Peace be upon you”. Christians do not follow this tradition fulfilled by Jesus (PBUH). Muslims greet each other by saying: “asSalāmuʿalaykum” which means in Arabic language “Peace be upon you”. The Noble Qur’an (6:54), (7:46), (11:48), (13:24) (39:73), (11:69), (14:23), (36:58), (97:5). Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? 19 Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 17-.Alcoholic drinks The earlier Prophets’ abstained from Alcoholic drinks. Moses (PBUH): (Leviticus 10: 8-10), (Numbers 6: 1-4), Solomon (PBUH): (Proverbs 20: 1), (Proverbs 23: 29-33), Isaiah: (Isaiah 5: 22-24), (Isaiah 5: 11-12), (Possibly) Samuel: (Judges 13: 4-7). Jesus (PBUH) carefully followed and fulfilled this law. Regarding the “miracle of turning water into wine” it is found only in the Gospel of (John 2:1-11), which consistently contradicts the other three Gospels. The New Testament scholars have expressed doubt about the authenticity of this incident. Christians’ way Muslims’ way Many Christians drink different types of Alcoholic drinks, they ignore parts of God’s word on the assumption that not all of it applies to them. Christians do not follow the law fulfilled by Jesus (PBUH). It is a common knowledge among Muslims that Alcoholic drinks are absolutely forbidden, because it affects negatively their relationship with Almighty God, and could also lead to many negative issues, such as health and social problems. The Noble Qur’an (5:90). Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 18- Pork Moses (PBUH) did not eat pork following the prohibition mentioned in: (Leviticus 11: 7-8) and (Deuteronomy 14:8). Jesus (PBUH) carefully followed and fulfilled this law: (Matthew 5:17-18), (Luke 24:44). 20 Christians’ way Muslims’ way Many Christians eat pork, they ignore parts of God’s word on the assumption that not all of it applies to them, Christian scholars interpreted the Pauline statements and discussion about vegetarianism in (Romans 14:2-3) so as to grant permission to eat ritual impurities. Christians do not follow the law fulfilled by Jesus (PBUH). Muslims don’t eat pork and its products because it is forbidden. The Noble Qur’an (5:3), (2:173). Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 19- Slaughtering of animals The Hebrew term “Shechita” is the ritual slaughter of mammals and birds according to Jewish dietary laws: (Deuteronomy 12:21), (Deuteronomy 14:21), (Numbers 11:22). . The ritual slaughterer Bless God, and mention the Sovereign of the universe God’s name alone, no idol’s names are pronounced. The animal must be killed “with respect and compassion” by a ritual slaughterer, the act is performed by severing the trachea, esophagus, carotid arteries, jugular veins in a swift action using an extremely sharp blade. This results in an instant drop in blood pressure in the brain and the irreversible expiration of consciousness. At the end of the slaughtering process the meat becomes fit for consumption, called in Hebrew language “Kosher”. It was stated in Acts 15:20 “But that we write to them, that they abstain…from things strangled, and from blood.” Jesus (PBUH) carefully followed and fulfilled these slaughtering rules. .. Is slaughtering cruel? ? This claim was examined through the use of EEG and ECG records during slaughter. 21 Christians’ way Muslims’ way Before slaughtering some Christians mention the names of God in the Holy Trinity, others mention the name of Jesus Christ as a second member of the Triune God, others do not mention any name. Some Slaughtering companies strangle the animals to keep blood in the meat, this action was prohibited in (Acts 15:20), some other companies kill their animals by Captive bolt guns or applying strong Electric shock which incapacitates the animals. The EEG readings indicated severe pain. Christians do not follow the slaughtering rules mentioned in their Bible. Christians do not follow the law fulfilled by Jesus (PBUH). There are many conditions for an Islamic slaughtering method (Zabiha), the main conditions are as follows: 1) The slaughterer must be a Muslim. 2) Making “Takbeer” at the time of slaughtering the animal, i.e. saying “Allahu Akbar” which means Almighty God (Allah) is Great. 3) that the throat, windpipe and jugular veins are cut. The meat becomes fresh for a longer time due to deficiency of blood and lawful for consumption, in Arabic it is called “Halal”. . The EEG recorded a zero reading, indicating no pain at all. . The Noble Qur’an (22:34), (6:121), (5:3), (2:173). Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 20- Eating meat with blood in it The earlier prophets instructed their people not to eat any flesh with the blood in it, Noah (PBUH): (Genesis 9:3-4), Moses (PBUH): (Leviticus 19:26), (Leviticus 17:10-14), (Deuteronomy 12:16,23). It was stated in Acts 15:20 “But that we write to them, that they abstain…from things strangled, and from blood.” Jesus (PBUH) carefully followed and fulfilled this law. 22 Christians’ way Muslims’ way Christians may eat meat with blood in it (example: rare steaks), however it was prohibited in (Acts 15:20), (Acts 15:29). Christians believe that this rule was relaxed by early churches. Christians do not follow the law fulfilled by Jesus (PBUH). In Islam it is forbidden to eat Meat that contains blood in it. The Noble Qur’an (6:145), (2:173), (5:3). Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 21-.Veiled women Veiled women lived around Jesus (PBUH) and the earlier Prophets . (Genesis 24: 64-65), (1 Corinthians 11:5-6). Jesus (PBUH) never considered Veil as an old ritual or a cultural rule that is no longer binding. Jesus (PBUH) carefully followed and fulfilled this law: (Matthew 5:17-18), (Luke 24:44). Christians’ way Muslims’ way Now days most of the Christian women are not veiled, do no guard their modesty, and display their beauty. Veil is seen as an old ritual and a cultural rule that is no longer binding. Christians do not follow the law fulfilled by Jesus (PBUH). The majority of Muslim women are veiled, guard their modesty, do not display their beauty. The Noble Qur’an (24:31), (33: 59). Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? 23 Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 22- PURITY Washing the entire body Moses (PBUH) commanded the laws in (Leviticus 11), (Leviticus 12), and (Deuteronomy 14) for purity (tohoRAH) / impurity (tumAH). David (PBUH) washed to be clean and went to the house of the LORD and worshiped: (2 Samuel 12:20), Elisha (PBUH): (2 Kings 5:10, 14). Jesus (PBUH) didn’t abolish or oppose the purity/impurity laws. Jesus (PBUH) answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, …” (John 13:10). Jesus (PBUH) didn’t reject any contemporary ritual impurity regulations. The New Testament showed that the practice of washing the body (ritual purity and its spiritual, moral and ethical counterpart) with pure water was continued by the followers of Jesus (PBUH): (Hebrews 10:22). Jesus (PBUH) carefully followed and fulfilled this law. Christians’ way Muslims’ way Now days Many Christian do not follow the purity/impurity Leviticus laws. For example, men and their wives after their sexual intercourse, men after the seminal discharge, women in their monthly period can enter the churches and pray normally without washing their body for purity. This action was based on Paul’s Epistles: (1 Thessalonians 5:16- 18) “Pray without ceasing”. However, this verse simply means “always remember God”, it does not mean “Pray while you are pure and/or impure”! Christians do not follow the law fulfilled by Jesus (PBUH). There are many Islamic laws for purity (taharah) / impurity (najasah). For example: men and their wives after their sexual intercourse, men after the seminal discharge, women in their monthly period can’t enter the Mosque and pray until they are completely purified and shower their whole body for purity. In Islam menstruation is neither “the curse” nor a result of the so-called original sin of Eve. The Noble Qur’an (2:222). Islam provided divine guidance both from Almighty God (Allah) and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by which a person could “always remember God.” Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? 24 Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 23.Polygamy Polygamous marriages occurred among the Prophets before Jesus (PBUH). Abraham (PBUH) had three wives: (Genesis. 25:1) and concubines: (Genesis. 25:6). Jacob (PBUH) had 2 wives and 2 concubines: (Genesis 30:3,9). Moses (PBUH) had two wives: (Exodus 2:21), (Exodus 18:1-6), (Numbers 12:1). David (PBUH) had eight wives who were named in the Bible, but there were numerous other wives that were not named and more than ten concubines: (1 Chronicles 3:1- 9), (2 Samuel 15:16), (2 Samuel 16:21-22), (2 Samuel 20:3). Solomon (PBUH) had 700 wives, princesses and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3). Jesus never opposed or discussed the issue of the decreasing the number of wives and concubines. Jesus (PBUH) followed and fulfilled this law. According to Father Eugene Hillman that the Church in Rome banned polygamy in order to conform to Greco-Roman culture which prescribed only one legal wife while tolerating concubinage and prostitution. (Polygamy Reconsidered, p:140). Christians’ way Muslims’ way Many Christians make a great show of monogamy, but actually they practice polygamy, such as mistresses. It is now very usual to find in the Christian societies sexual relations outside of marriage, unlawful secret relationships & adultery. . The problem of the unbalanced sex ratios becomes a problem at times of war. polygamy continues to be a viable solution to some of the social ills of modern societies. Christians do not follow the law fulfilled by Jesus. Islam has permitted polygamy as a solution to social ills and has allowed a certain degree of latitude to human nature but only within the strictly defined framework of the law, (maximum of four wives at one time) and stipulated the maintenance of justice as a basic condition for polygamy. The Noble Qur’an (4: 3). Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? 25 Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 24- Bowing down to Idols Graven Images, statues, Crosses… Pagan influence introduced the cross as a symbol The earlier prophets (peace be upon them) prohibited all kinds of idolatry such as graven images, statues, icons, idols, no image of any male or female inside their shrines and Temples, they also prohibited bowing down to them. Almighty God called himself “a jealous God”. Moses (PBUH): (Exodus 23:24), (Exodus 20:4-5), (Exodus 34:7), (Exodus 34:14), (Deuteronomy 5:6-9), (Deuteronomy 4:24), (Deuteronomy 5:9), David (PBUH): (Psalm 94:1), Joshua (PBUH): (Joshua 23:7), (Joshua 24:19), Elijah (PBUH): (1 Kings 19:10), Ezekiel (PBUH): (Ezekiel 20:7), (Ezekiel 39:25), Nahum: (Nahum 1:2). The earlier prophets (peace be upon them) prohibited bowing down before graven images or serveing idols. Moses (PBUH): (Exodus 20:3-5), (Deuteronomy 4:15-19), (Leviticus 26:1), (Exodus 32:7-8), David (PBUH): (Psalms 135:15-18), Isaiah (PBUH): (Isaiah 44:9), (Isaiah 2:17-18), and Ezekiel: (Ezekiel 30:13). Jesus (PBUH) carefully followed and fulfilled this law: (Matthew 5:17-18), (Luke 24:44), (1 John 5:21), (Acts 17:28-29), (Revelation 2:14), (Revelation 2:20), (Revelation 21:8), (Revelation 22:15). N.B. The shape of the Cross had its origin in ancient Chaldea, it was used as the symbol of the god Tammuz (T is the initial of his name) … In order to increase the prestige of the apostate ecclesiastical system pagans were received into the churches apart from regeneration by faith, and were permitted largely to retain their pagan signs and symbols. Hence the T, in its most frequent form, with the cross-piece lowered, was adopted to stand for the “cross” of Christ. (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words), Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers). So as the above indicates, pagan influence slowly introduced the cross as a symbol, which later became adopted by the Greco-Romans. Christians’ way Muslims’ way Churches have many types of idols, such as: portrays, graven images of God, statues of the Blessed Mother Mary, Angels, Jesus In Islam it is not permissible to pray in a room in which statues or images of animate beings are hanging. There are several sayings 26 hanging on the cross, and icons of saints, graven images, images of males and females, pigeons, fishes…etc. Christians kneel down in front of the cross, they bow down before images and statues that humans made and serve them. Some Christians wear crosses as “a symbol of their beliefs. Christians violate the second Divine command of the Ten Commandments: (Exodus 20:3-5). Christians do not follow this law fulfilled by Jesus (PBUH). (Ahadith) of the Prophet (PBUH) such as: 1-“The angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or images.” (Agreed upon). 2- “…‘The people who will be most severely punished on the Day of Resurrection will be those who imitate the creation of Allah.’” (Agreed upon). The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) destroyed 360 idols around the Kaaba that were worshiped by pre-Islam people. Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 25- Adultery It was stated in (Hebrews 13:4) that marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Adultery was forbidden “You shall not commit adultery” (Adultery occurred in the Bible 49 times in different forms). (Exodus 20:14), (Leviticus 20:10), (Deuteronomy 5:18), (Psalms 51:1), (Proverbs 6:32), (Jeremiah 3:6), (Jeremiah 3:8), (Jeremiah 3:9), (Jeremiah 5:7), (Jeremiah 7:9), (Jeremiah 23:14), (Jeremiah 29:23), (Ezekiel 16:32), (Ezekiel 16:38), (Ezekiel 23:27), (Ezekiel 23:37), (Ezekiel 23:43), (Ezekiel 23:45), (Hosea 1:2), (Hosea 2:2), (Hosea 2:4), (Hosea 4:2), (Hosea 4:13), (Hosea 4:14), (Hosea 4:15), (Hosea 7:4), (Matthew 5:27), (Matthew 5:28), (Matthew 5:32), (Matthew 15:19), (Matthew 19:9), (Matthew 19:18), (Mark 7:21), (Mark 10:11), (Mark 10:12), (Mark 10:19), (Luke 16:18), (Luke 18:20), (John 8:3), (John 8:4), (Romans 2:22), (Romans 13:9), (Galatians 5:19), (James 2:11), (2 Peter 2:14), (Revelation 2:22), (Revelation 17:2), (Revelation 18:3), (Revelation 18:9). Jesus (PBUH) carefully followed and fulfilled this law. 27 Christians’ way Muslims’ way Many Christians believe that God will not exercise judgment because Jesus Christ is their Savior, they permit sexual relations outside of marriage, adultery, fornication, secret relationships with the opposite sex,…etc. Many Christians forgot that adultery is a sin against God, and they do not follow the law fulfilled by Jesus (PBUH). Muslims are very keen to make Islamic marriage, because Islam does not permit sexual relations outside of marriage, adultery, fornication,…etc. These are considered as Great sins. The Noble Qur’an (24:3-4), (17:32), (7:33), (24:26). Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 26- PURITY Circumcision Circumcision is not based on Mosaic legislation but on the Abrahamic covenant: (Genesis 12:1-3). The Prophet Abraham and his descendents were circumcised (the everlasting covenant): (Genesis 17:1-2). Failure to be circumcised constitutes a breaking of covenant with God: (Genesis 17:14). Circumcision is an absolute prerequisite for participation in the observance of Passover: (Exodus 12:44,48). The general legislation was repeated in (Leviticus 12:3). Exodus 4:26 mentioned the circumcision of Moses’ son. Joshua five reported the circumcision before entering the promised land. In Genesis 34:15 it was prohibited for a guardian to consent to the marrying of a believer woman to an uncircumcised man. . Jesus (PBUH) kept the “everlasting covenant” and was circumcised: (Luke 2: 21), Luke 1:59 (Romans 2:29). Jesus spoke about circumcision in John 7:22-23 . Jesus carefully followed and fulfilled this religious law. 28 Christians’ way Muslims’ way In general male Christians are not circumcised because of Paul’s false interpretation who claimed that circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the spirit: (Romans 2:29). Paul said that “Christ will profit you nothing if you are circumcised”: (Galatians 5:2), “…what value is there in circumcision?…”:(Romans.3:1-2). In 1 Corinthians 7:18-19 Paul makes the same point more briefly Circumcision is nothing. Christians do not follow the law fulfilled by Jesus (PBUH). As a general practice all male Muslims are circumcised, because It was the practice of Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) (PBUH), also it was the practice (Sunnah) of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 27- Usury The Biblical term for usury, “Neshek”, is strongly negative, coming from a root whose basic meaning is to strike as a serpent. . The earlier Prophets opposed taking or giving Usury: (Deuteronomy 23:19,20), (Leviticus 25:36-37), (Exodus 22:25), (Ezekiel 18:8-9), (Ezekiel 18:13), (Ezekiel 18:17), (Ezekiel 22:12), (Psalm 15:1-5), (Jeremiah 15:10). Jesus (PBUH) opposed taking or giving Usury: (Matthew 25:27) and (Luke 19:22-23). Jesus (PBUH) carefully followed and fulfilled this law: (Matthew 5:17-18), (Luke 24:44). 29 Christians’ way Muslims’ way Now days many Christians are not aware that taking or giving usury is a sin. Christians do not follow the law fulfilled by Jesus (PBUH). The Arabic term for usury, “Reba”, coming from a root meaning to increase. Muslims developed an alternative system of banking commonly known as “Islamic Banking” which is interest free to avoid taking or giving Usury. The Noble Qur’an (2: 275, 276, 278), (3:130), (4:161). Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 28- Beard and Long Dress The earlier Prophets were bearded: (Psalm 133:2), (Isaiah 50:6), (Ezra 9:3). The Mosaic Law prohibited the cutting off of the sideburns and the ‘extremity of the beard’: (Leviticus 19:27), (Leviticus 21:5). Jesus (PBUH) carefully followed and fulfilled this law. Moses (PBUH) and Aaron wore long dress Garments: (Numbers 15:38), (Leviticus 16:23), (Exodus 29:29), (Exodus 29:5), (Exodus 28:2), (Exodus 31:10). Jesus (PBUH) also wore long dress robe: (Matthew 9:20-22), (Luke 8:43-48) and (Mark 6:56). Jesus (PBUH) carefully followed and fulfilled this tradition. Christians’ way Muslims’ way It is rare now days to find male Christians wearing long dresses/robes similar to Jesus (PBUH), some grow their beard as a fashion. Christians do not follow the tradition and the law fulfilled by Jesus (PBUH). Many Muslims are bearded, because they follow the practice (Sunnah) of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The majority of Muslims are dressed in a modest way and many of them wear long dresses. 30 Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 29- Muhammad Foretold in The old Testament by Name In Solomon’s Song of Songs (Shir ha-Shirim, 5:16), the word יםִַׁד מֲח מ is read in the original form as Ma.ha.mad.dim; in the Hebrew language ‘im’ is added for plurality of respect, the word origin of ד מְ ח מ is from “hamad” which in both Hebrew and Arabic languages is verb praise, desire and it is the prime root of the Arabic word ( مد َّح َم ( ُwhich is read as Muhammad. If Mahammad דַ מְ חַ מ was a random word, without a meaning, then why it was translated to “lovely” or “desirable”? Hence Mahammad דַ מְ חַ מ was translated wrongly and has an incorrect meaning!. If you watch this video Song of Solomon 5:16 read in Hebrew: youtube.com/watch?v=3YsA45CuvFk , then you will hear a Hebrew Rabbi reading this word as Mahammad-im. According to Strong’s Concordance מַ חְ מַ ד :Word Original Part of Speech: Noun Masculine Then why the noun masculine דַ מְ חַ מ was translated wrongly as an adjective (“lovely” and “desirable”)?. If you copy this Hebrew word מחמד and paste in the translation web sites: http://www.freetranslation.com, and http://www.worldlingo.com then you will find that the word מחמד is translated to Muhammad. 31 Christians’ way Muslims’ way Jews will say this word in Hebrew יםִׁ ד מֲ ח מ is discussing Solomon (PBUH), while Christians will say it is discussing Jesus (PBUH). The Biblical translation of the verse as follows: “His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.” The correct translation for (Song of Songs, 5:16) should be as follows: “His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether Muhammad. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.” Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? Comparison The way of Jesus Christ (PBUH) Following the earlier Prophets and Fulfilling their Laws. 30- Muslims mentioned in the Bible The name “Meshullam” in Hebrew םָ לֻׁ שְ מ was very common in post-exilic times, it has 25 Occurrences in the Bible. In (Luke 6:40) of the Hebrew Bible, Jesus (PBUH) used this word שמשלם and its transliteration is “SheMushlam”. The word origin of these two Hebrew words “Meshullam” and “Mushlam” is from “Shalam” ם לָ ש , and the word origin of this Arabic م word ِسل ْم” ُMuslim” is from “Salima” َ مِلَس . In both Hebrew and Arabic languages “Shalam” and “Salima”, have the same meanings “To be in a covenant of peace, peaceful Obedience, , submission to God, to be complete, “perfect heart” towards God. This means that Mushlam means Muslim. Christians’ way Muslims’ way The Hebrew word שמשלם ” She-Mushlam” was translated to “perfect”. The Biblical translation of the verse in (Luke 6:40) as follows: “The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.” The correct translation for the Hebrew word שמשלם” She-Mushlam” is Muslim. The correct translation for the verse in (Luke 6:40) as follows: “The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is Muslim shall be as his master.” 32 Was Jesus (PBUH) a Christian? Was Jesus (PBUH) a Muslim? Conclusion 1- Jesus (PBUH) followed and fulfilled the earlier Prophets’ laws and was a Muslim, his religion was Islam. 2- If you are not following the laws fulfilled by Jesus Christ (PBUH), then WHY do you call yourself Christ–ian?, actually you should call yourself Church-ian or Paul-ian or whomever you follow. 3- If you are interested to follow the Muslims’ way, then you can visit our site: www.islamic-invitation.com References 1- The Noble Qur’an. 2- Multilingual translations of the Bible. 3- The Torah. 4- Authentic websites in comparative religions.

 

Last Edit 30 October 2020