JESUS (PBUH)
Jesus (pbuh), the Messenger of GOD
Jesus Christ was a Messenger … and no more than a Messenger of GOD. Neither he nor her mother did possess Divinity, as they used to take their daily meals like any other living creature of GOD.
Christ the son of Mary was no more than a Messenger; many were the Messengers that passed away before him. His mother was a woman of truth.1 They both used to eat their (daily) Food.2 See how Allah makes His Signs clear to them; yet see in what ways they are deluded away from the truth!
(Al-Maidah- 5:75)
He (Jesus) said, “I am indeed a slave servant of GOD. He has given me Revelation and made me a Prophet. And He has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me Prayer and Zakaat as long as I live. (He has made me) kind to my mother, and not oppressive or unblessed; 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.” Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: (It is) a statement of truth about which they vainly dispute. It is not be fitting 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. (Maryam – 19:30-35)
Jesus (pbuh) given ‘Clear Signs’
The birth of Jesus (pbuh) was miraculous, as he had no human father; so he has been called in the Qur‘an “the son of Mary.” GOD gave him spiritual strength by HIS word and with the holy spirit. The Qur‘an mentions as Clear Signs some other unusual happenings and miracles related to him.
We gave Moses the Book and followed him up with a succession of Messengers; We gave Jesus the son of Mary Clear Signs and strengthened him with the holy spirit. Is it that whenever there comes to you a Messenger with what you yourself desire not, you are puffed up with pride?
(Al-Baqarah 2:87)
When Jesus came with Clear Signs, he said: “Now I have come to you with Wisdom, and in order to make clear to you some (of the points) on which you dispute: therefore fear GOD and obey me. (Al-Zukhruf 43:63)
These Messengers (who have been designated to guide people), WE have exalted some of them above the others: Among them are such as were spoken to by GOD Himself, and some HE exalted in other respects. And WE granted Jesus, son of Mary Clear Signs and supported him with the spirit of holiness….
(Al-Baqarah 2:253)
And WE made the son of Mary and his mother a Sign: WE gave them both shelter on high ground affording rest and security and furnished with springs. (Al-Mu’minoon 23:50)
No distinctions among the Prophets of GOD
The followers of Islam (like the followers of other religions.) can’t think or talk in terms of ‘my prophet’, ‘your prophet’, ‘their prophet’. The Holy Qur‘an enjoins every Muslim to have equally firm faith in the Prophethood of all Messengers of GOD making no difference, or discrimination whatsoever.
You say: “We believe in GOD and the revelation to us, and to Abraham, Isma‘il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes,1 and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to all Prophets from their Lord: we make no difference between one and another of them1 : and we bow to GOD.” (Al-Baqarah – 2:136)
Say: “We believe in Allah, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Isma‘il, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Moses, Jesus and the Prophets from their Lord: we make no distinction between one and another among them, and to GOD do we bow our will.”
(Al-e-‘Imran 3:84)
Jesus is like all other Prophets
Jesus was a Prophet2 like all other Prophets right from Noah to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon them all). All of them had one thing in common; and that was Divine Revelation.
WE have sent you revelation, as WE sent it to Noah and the messengers after him. WE sent revelation to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, to Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron and Solomon, and to David WE gave the Psalms (Zaboor).
(Al-Nisa 4:163)
And WE bestowed upon Abraham (his offspring) Ishaq (Isaac) and Yaqub (Jacob) and each of them did WE guide to the Right Way as WE had earlier guided Noah (Nuh) to the Right Way; and (of his descendants WE guided) Dawud (David) and Sulayman (Solomon), Ayyub (Job), Yusuf (Joseph), Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron). Thus WE rewarded those who do good. (And of his descendants WE guided) Zakariya (Zechariyah), Yahya (John), Isa (Jesus) and Ilyas (Elias): Each of them was of the righteous. (Al-An‘am 6:84-85)
Jesus was neither ‘killed’, nor ‘crucified’
It is noteworthy that Basilidans, a Christian sect of the early days after Jesus Christ (pbuh), do not believe that Christ was killed on the Cross. According to their belief someone else was substituted for him. The Qur’anic viewpoint is that Jesus (pbuh) was not killed nor was he crucified by the Jews; notwithstanding some apparent circumstances that caused illusion in the minds of some of his enemies. It says:
They said (in boast), “We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of GOD”; but they did not kill him, nor did they crucify 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 did not kill him. (al-Nisa 4:157)
Jesus forbade ‘Polytheism’
Prophet Jesus (pbuh) says, according to Mark 12:29, “The first of all the commandments is, Hear O Israel; the Lord our GOD is One Lord.” Christ rebuked a ruler for calling him Good Master, in the words of Luke 18:19, “Why callest thou me good? None is good save ONE, that is GOD.” According to John 20:17, Christ says to Mary Magdalene, “Go unto my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father and to my GOD and your GOD.” According to Matthew 4:10, Christ rebuked Satan for prescribing the worship of deities other than GOD.
Prophet Jesus (pbuh), as the Qur‘an relates, did warn the ‘Children of Israel’ against a very grave consequence if they join in worship other gods with GOD. The Holy Qur‘an refers to Jesus (pbuh) as saying this, in the following verse:
They do blaspheme who say: “GOD is Christ the son of Mary.” But Christ said: “O Children of Israel! Worship GOD, my Lord and your Lord1 .” Whoever joins other gods with Allah, Allah will forbid him the Garden, and the Fire will be his abode. There will be none to help the wrong-doers. (Al-Maidah 5:72)
Imitation of preceding Unbelievers
In all ancient mythologies, there have been fables describing human beings as ‘gods’ or sons of GOD. Such fables would have been developed in the times of primitive ignorance and superstition when teachings of GOD’s prophets were forgotten or disappeared. But there was no excuse for such a superstition after the Prophets of GOD had explicitly and clearly explained their true relation to GOD; specifically Prophet Moses and Prophet Jesus (pbut). The Holy Qur‘an refutes the fable belief that Uzair (Ezra), or Christ were sons of GOD; a belief held by the Jews and Christians in imitation of preceding unbelievers:
The Jews call ‘Uzair a son of GOD, and the Christians call Christ the son of GOD. That is saying from their mouth; (In this) they but imitate what the Unbelievers of old used to say. GOD’s curse be on them: How they are deluded away from the Truth. (Al-Taubah- 9:30)
Mission of Prophet Jesus (pbuh)
The mission of Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was not different from that of other Prophets. It was the extension of one and the same prophetic missthe Scriptures revealed upon the preceding Prophets, and the ‘Truth’ that remained intact despite interpolations down the ages.
And WE sent Jesus (pbuh), the son of Mary, after those Prophets, confirming the ‘Truth’ of whatever there still remained of the Torah. And WE gave him the Gospel wherein is Guidance and Light; and which confirms the Truth of whatever there still remained of the Torah; and a Guidance and Admonition for the pious, those who fear GOD.
(Al-Maidah - 5:46)
Prophet Jesus (pbuh) and the ‘Trinity’
Excess of zeal and love towards any particular person may lead people to baseless beliefs and wrong deeds and actions. Similarly in religion, people’s excesses, exaggerations and imbalanced attitudes may lead them to a creed diametrically opposite to the actual religion. The Holy Qur‘an, saviour and cherisher of the true and purest form of creed and deeds, enjoins the “People of the Book” to desist Trinity.1
O ‘People of the Book’! commit no excesses in your religion: nor say of GOD anything but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) a Messenger of GOD, and HIS Word, which HE bestowed on Mary, and a Spirit proceeding from HIM: so believe in GOD and HIS Messengers. Do not say “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 He as a Disposer of affairs. (Al-Nisa 4:171)
GOD’s Covenant from Jesus and other Prophets
In addition to an implied covenant on all living creatures (due to their very nature), to follow GOD’s Law (by their free choice), there is a special implied covenant with all Prophets, strict and solemn, that they shall carry out their mission, proclaim GOD’s Truth without fear or favour; and be ready in His service, i.e. follow His commandments with fullest obedience and sincerity, in all circumstances. GOD took such a covenant from Prophet Jesus (pbuh) also.
And remember, WE took from the Prophets their Covenant and from thee, from Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus the son of Mary. WE took from them a solemn Covenant (so) that (GOD) may question the truthful about their truthfulness, HE has prepared for the Unbelievers a grievious chastisement.
(Al-Ahzab – 33: 7,8)
HE has ordained for you that religion which HE ordained unto Noah and that which WE reveal upon you (Muhammad), and that which WE ordained unto Abraham and Moses and Jesus, saying: Establish the religion, and be not divided therein. Intolerable for the idolators is that unto which you call them. GOD chooses for HIMSELF whom HE wills, and guides unto HIMSELF him who turns to HIM in repentance and obedience.
(Al-Shura 42:13)
Prophet Jesus’ prophecy about Prophet Muhammad
Prophet Jesus (pbuh), according to the Qur‘an, unambiguously predicted the arrival of the Prophet Muhammad immediately after him:
And remember, Jesus the son of Mary, said: “O Children of Israil! 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 Ahmad.”1 But when he came to them with Clear Signs, they said, “This is evident magic (aimed at deception).” (Al-Aaf – 61:6)
Miracles of Prophet Jesus (pbuh)
There are many miracles of Prophet Jesus (pbuh) mentioned in the Holy Qur‘an, viz: speaking in his cradle (during infancy) as speaking normally in maturity and manhood; making out of clay the facsimile of a bird, breathing into it and making it a real live bird; healing those born blind, and the lepers; and bringing the dead to life. These miracles were not of his own making but happened by GOD’s will and power.
(And remember) when the angles said, “O Mary! GOD gives you glad tidings of a word from HIM whose name is the Messiah, Jesus1 son of Mary, illustrious in this world and and in the Hereafter, and one of those brought near (unto GOD). He will speak unto mankind in his cradle2 and in his manhood, and he is of the righteous. (Al-e-Imran, 3:45, 46)
… And he (Jesus) pbuh will be a Messenger to the ‘Children of Israel’. (And when he (Jesus) came to them … Children of Israel … he said): “I have come to you with a Sign from your LORD. I will make for you from clay the likeness of a bird and then I will breathe into it and by the leave of GOD, it will become a (live, real) bird. I will also heal the blind and leper, and by the leave of GOD, I will bring the ‘dead’ to ‘life’:3 (Al-e-Imran 3:49)
Imagine, then, when GOD will say: “Jesus, son of Mary! Recall MY favour upon you and your mother, and when I strengthen you with the spirit of holiness so that you talk to people in the Cradle and also when you become of age; and when I taught you the ‘Book’ and ‘Wisdom’, and the Torah and the Gospel; and when by MY leave, you fashioned from clay the likeness of a bird and you breathed into it and by MY leave it became a (live and real) bird; and you healed, by MY leave the blind-by-birth, and the leprous; and when, by MY leave you caused the dead to come to life… .”1 (Al-Maidah- 5:110)
Jesus not son of GOD, but HIS creation
Prophet Jesus (pbuh), says the Qur‘an, was not the ‘son’ of GOD, but HIS creation (like Adam). Jesus (pbuh) had no father. Similarly Adam (and Eve too) had no father (nor even a mother).2
Surely, in the sight of GOD, the similitude of the creation of Jesus is the creation of Adam whom HE created out of dust, and then said, “Be”, and he was. Tell (O Muhammad) whoever disputes with you on this matter after true knowledge has come to you: “Come! Let us summon our sons and your sons, and our women and your women, and ourselves and yourselves; and then let us pray together and invoke the curse of GOD on those who lie.” (Al-e-Imran – 3:59-61)
Say (O Muhammad)! “O people of the Book! Come to a word common between us and you that we shall worship none but GOD and shall associate none with HIM in HIS Divinity and some of us will not take others (viz. Ezra, Jesus or anyone else) as lords other than (our Lord) GOD.” (Al-e-Imran – 3:64)
And imagine when thereafter GOD will say: “Jesus son of Mary! Did you say to people: Take me and my mother for gods beside GOD?” and he will answer: “Glory to you. It was not for me to say what I had no right to. Had I said so, YOU would surely have known it. YOU know all that is in my mind whereas I do not know what is within YOURS. YOU, indeed YOU, fully know all that is beyond the reach of perception. I said to them nothing but except what YOU commanded me, that is: ‘Serve (and worship) GOD, my LORD and your LORD. I watched over them as long as I remained among them; and when you did recall me, then YOU YOURSELF became the Watcher over them. Indeed, YOU are witness over everything.”
(Al-Maidah- 5:116, 117)
They disbelieved indeed who say that GOD is Christ the son of Mary. Say: “who then has the least power against GOD; if HIS will were to destroy Christ, the son of Mary, and his mother and all those who are on earth?” For to GOD belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them. HE creates what HE wills. GOD is all powerful.
(Al-Maidah – 5:17)
They say: “GOD has taken a son.” Glory be to HIM. HE is self-sufficient! HIS are all the things in the heavens and on earth. Have you any authority to support (that GOD has taken a son)? Do you ascribe to GOD something, of which you have no knowledge? (Yunus – 10:68)
They say: “GOD has taken to HIMSELF a son.” Glory be to HIM! Nay, whatever is in the heavens and the earth, belongs to HIM. To HIM are all in obedience. He is the Originator of the heavens and the earth. Whenever HE decrees a matter, HE (merely) says “Be”, and it is. (Al-Baqarah – 2:116, 117)
They say: “The Most Compassionate LORD has taken to HIMSELF a son.” Glory be to HIM. Those whom they so designate are only HIS honoured servants. (Al-Anbiya – 21:26)
They claim: “The Most Compassionate LORD has taken a son to HIMSELF.” Surely you have made a monstrous statement. It is such a monstrosity that heavens might well-nigh burst forth at it, the earth might be cleaved and mountains fall at their ascribing a son to the Most Compassionate LORD. There is no one in the heavens and the earth but he shall come to the Most Compassionate LORD as His servant (on the Day of Resurrection). (Maryam – 19:88-93)
And the Jews say: Uzair (Ezra) is the son of GOD; and the Christians say “Messiah is the son of GOD.” That is their saying with their mouth, resembling the saying of those who disbelieved aforetime. GOD’s curse be on them, how they are eluded away from the truth. (Al-Taubah – 9:30)
Prophet Jesus taught absolute Monotheism
The Holy Qur‘an, in its basic teaching, projects ‘Deen’ (Religion) as “One” (Complete and Comprehensive) set of fundamental beliefs based on Tauheed (Oneness of GOD). The Qur‘an, at numerous places, makes an appeal to the people (who did disintegrate, segregate, and compartmentalise this “ONE FAITH” into many) that Islam is their own religion. With particular reference to chapter 43, in its verses 26-28, this appeal is made to the pagans (Mushriks) of Arab, referring to the religion (of Islam) preached by their ancestor Abraham (pbuh). In verses 46-54 the same appeal is made to Jews with reference to Prophet Moses (pbuh). And this very appeal is made to Christians also in verses 57-65. The Qur‘an, referring to Jesus (pbuh), says:
When Jesus (pbuh) came with Clear Signs and said: “I have brought wisdom to you that I may make plain to you some of the things you differ about. So fear GOD and follow me. GOD is my LORD and your LORD; therefore serve (and worship) HIM (alone) that is the Right Path, the Straight Way.
(Al-Zukhruf – 43:63-64)
Neither Rabbis, Monks nor Jesus are GOD
The very idea of a separate and perpetuating order of ‘priesthood’ that stands permanently between GOD and man, and claims to be the exclusive repository of GOD’s secrets is derogatory to all Goodness, Greatness, and allprevailing Grace of GOD. Priest-worship, and Saintsworship is a very serious deviation from religion, a phenomenon encouraged by superstition in all ages. The growth of Jewish superstition is shown in Talmud, and the Christian superstition in the doctrine of Papal infallibility. The worship of “lords many and gods many” (not confined to the pagans only) and deification of Jesus (pbuh) has been condemned by the Holy Qur‘an:
They take their Rabbis and their Monks to be their Lords beside GOD1 and (also they take as their Lord) Christ the son of Mary; yet they were commanded to worship but One GOD: There is no god but HE. Praise and glory be to HIM: (Far is HE from having partners they associate (with HIM).
(Al-Taubah- 9:31)
Jesus… no more than a servant (‘abd) of GOD
While the Qur‘an was being revealed; the doctrine of “Oneness of GOD” was renewed and the false worship of others besides GOD was strictly prohibited. In this context, the example of Jesus (pbuh) (being worshipped falsely as “GOD” and as “GOD’s son”) was presented to the pagans of Arabia. They deliberately confused the issue, ridiculed and laughed at it. Instead of appreciating the essence, and accepting the true message of the example, they started creating confusion and baseless quarrels, and tried to justify their paganism.
The Qur‘an comments:
And when the son of Mary (Jesus) is quoted as an example, behold! Your people cry aloud (laugh out). And say: “Are our deities (gods) better or he (Jesus)?” They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome (contentious, disputatious) people. He (Jesus) was no more than a servant (of OURS), one upon whom WE bestowed OUR favours and whom WE made an example to the Children of Israel. (Al-Zukhruf- 43:57-59)
Prophet Jesus, in the light of the Qur‘an
Apart from being described in some seventy verses quoted above, Prophet Jesus (pbuh) has been mentioned, directly or indirectly, in numerous other verses of the Holy Qur‘an. Some of them are being reproduced hereunder:
Then when Jesus came to know of their disbelief, he said, “Who will be my helper in (the cause of) GOD? The disciples said, “We are the helpers (in the cause) of GOD, we believe in GOD, and bear witness that we are Muslims (i.e. we submit to GOD). Our LORD! We believe in what YOU sent down, and we follow the Messenger (Jesus); so write us down among those who bear witness.” (Al-e-Imran 3:52,53)
And they plotted (to kill Jesus), and GOD plotted too; and GOD is best of those who plot. (Al-e-Imran, 3:54)
And it was the part of HIS scheme) when GOD said: “O Jesus! I will recall you and raise you up to ME and will purify you (of the company) of those who disbelieve, and will set your followers above the unbelievers till the Day of Resurrection. Then to ME shall all of you return and I shall judge between you regarding whatever you differed among yourselves.”
(Al-e-Imran 3:55)
Those of the Children of Israel who took to unbelief have been cursed by the tongue of David and Jesus the son of Mary, for they rebelled and exceeded the bounds of right. They did not forbid each other from committing the abominable deeds they committed. (Al-Maidah 5:78,79)
And recall when I revealed to the disciples to believe in ME and in MY Messenger, they said: “We do believe and we bear witness that indeed we are the ones who submit to GOD. Also recall when the disciples asked Jesus son of Mary: “Jesus son of Mary! Has your Lord the power to send down to us a repast from the heaven?” Thereupon Jesus said: “Fear GOD if you do indeed have faith.” They said: “We desire to partake of it that our hearts be satisfied and we know that you did speak the truth to us, and that we are its witnesses. Jesus son of Mary then prayed O GOD our Lord! Send down to us a repast from the heaven that shall be the festival for the first of us and the last of us and a Sign from YOU and provide us with sustenance, for YOU are the Best Provider of sustenance.” (Al-Maidah 5:111-114)
In their wake, WE sent a succession of OUR Messengers and raised Jesus son of Mary after all of them and bestowed upon him the Evangel, and WE set tenderness and mercy in the hearts of those that followed him. As for Monasticism it is they who invented it. WE did not prescribe it for them. They themselves invented it in persuit of GOD’s good pleasure, and then they did not observe it as it ought to have been observed. So WE gave their reward to those of them that believed. But many of them are wicked. (Al-Hadeed 57:27)
O believers! Be helpers (to the cause) of GOD; as Jesus son of Mary said to the disciples: who is my helper (in the cause) of GOD? The disciples responded by saying: “We are helpers (in the cause) of GOD.” Then a section of the Children of Israel believed, and a section rejected the call. Thereafter WE aided the believers against their enemies and they prevailed.”
(Al-Saf 61:14)
MARY
(Peace be upon her)
• Birth of Mary
• Miraculous sustenance
• Status of Mary
• GOD’s Commandment
• To Muhammad … about Mary
• Glad tidings
• Fate of accusers of Mary
• Jesus … a Word of GOD conveyed to Mary
• Mary’s miraculous motherhood
MARY
Birth of Mary
Before the birth of Mary, her mother—‘Imran’s woman’ as the Qur‘an puts it — vowed to devote the child to GOD’s service, a tradition that prevailed in those days.
Behold! Woman of Imran said: “O my LORD! I vow (and dedicate) unto YOU that the child in my womb is to be devoted to YOUR exclusive service. Surely you alone are All-Hearing, All-Knowing. When she gave birth to a female child, she said: “O LORD! I have given birth to a female.” And GOD knew full well what she had given birth to”1 —“and a male is not same as female.2 I have named her Mary and commit her and her (future) off-spring to YOU for protection from Satan the accursed.”
(Al-e-‘Imran 3:35, 36)
Miraculous sustenance
Mary grew under Allah’s special protection, in the care of Zechariah. Her sustenance – physical needs as well as spiritual food – came from GOD.
Thereupon her LORD graciously accepted Mary and vouchsafed to her a goodly growth (in purity and beauty) and placed her in the care of Zakariya. Whenever Zakariya visited her in the sanctuary, he found her provided with food. He asked her: “Mary! How did this come to you?” She said: “It is from GOD. GOD provides sustenance to whom HE wills beyond all reckoning.” (Al-e-‘Imran 3:37)
Status of Mary
Mary was unique, as she was only one, among the women of the world and all nations, as chosen by Allah to give birth to a child without having any physical contact with any man, and guarding her purity (of character) and chastity.
Then came the time when the angels said: “O Mary! Behold, GOD has chosen you and made you pure and has exalted you above all the women in the world.” (Al-e-‘Imran 3:42)
GOD’s commandment
Mary – a human being, though a chosen one, and no more than the slave-servant of GOD – was, as per the Qur‘an, not the ‘Mother of GOD’.
So, Allah commanded her to worship HIM as the others (believers) do.
O Mary! Worship your LORD devoutly; prostrate yourself and bow down (in prayer) along with those who bow down (before HIM, in prayers). (Al-e-‘Imran 3:43)
To Muhammad … about Mary
Regarding the matter as to who was to take charge of caring Mary, there arose a dispute among the priests, as mentioned in the Christian apocryphal writings. Almost seven centuries after the event, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) could not (and hence obviously did not) know about this dispute, and about how it was ultimately sorted out. It was the Divine Revelation only, that informed him about the details of the event. This was, and is, an obvious compelling reason, for the people of The Christian faith, to have belief in the Prophethood of Muhammad, and in the Qur‘an being Allah’s Revelation.
(O Muhammad), We reveal to you this account from a realm which lies beyond the reach of your perception (and knowledge); for you were not with them when they drew lots with their arrows,1 about who should be Mary’s guardian, and you were not with them when they disputed about it.
(Al-e-‘Imran 3:44)
Glad tidings
When Mary was given the glad tidings of a son, she was amazed, for, no man had even touched her. On this she was told about the omnipotence of Allah to create whatever HE wills.
And when the angles said: “O Mary! GOD gives you the glad tidings of a WORD from HIM: his name shall be Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary. He shall be highly honoured in this world and in the Next. And shall be one of those near stationed to Allah. And he shall speak to people in the cradle and also later when he grows to maturity and shall indeed be among the righteous.” She said, “O my LORD! How shall I have a son when no man has ever touched me.” The angel answered: “Thus shall it be. Allah creates what HE wills. When HE decides something, HE merely says “Be”, and it is.”
(Al-e-‘Imran 3: 45-47)
Fate of accusers of Maryam
Islam is very particular about guarding the chastityrelated good reputation of women. According to the Qur‘an, if the slanderers of women fail to produce four witnesses, they have to be flogged with eighty stripes and debarred from being a competent witness in any legal case.
On the hearts of those who broke Divine Covenant, rejected Signs of Allah, slew the Messengers of Allah; Allah did set a seal for their blasphemy, as they rejected Faith and blamed Mary with gravest false accusation, that she was unchaste.
[They (Jews) have incurred divine displeasure]: In that they broke their Covenant; that they rejected the Signs of Allah, that they slew the Messengers in defiance of right; that they said, “Our hearts are the wrappings,” nay, Allah has set the seal on their hearts for their blasphemy and little is it they believe that they rejected faith; that they uttered against Mary a grave false charge. (Al-Nisa 4:155-156)
Jesus…only a word of GOD conveyed to Mary
GOD ordered Mary’s womb to become impregnated without a human seed. In the beginning, the followers of the Christian faith were told of it, as the secret of fatherless birth of Jesus. But after passage of time there developed among them the false doctrine of the Godhead of Jesus (pbuh). The Holy Qur‘an warned the “People of the Book”:
O the People of the Book! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, and do not attribute to GOD anything except the Truth. The Messiah, Jesus the Son of Mary was only a word of GOD (HIS command) that HE conveyed unto Mary, and was a spirit from HIM. (Al-Nisa 4:171)
Mary’s Miraculous Motherhood
When Mary was told by the Angel – who appeared to her in the guise of a man – about her having a son, she just could not believe this because of her chastity. The Qur‘an narrates the whole sequence: Mary conceiving a child, his birth, surprise and objection of the people to this birth, the miracle of the child talking and replying to the objection in the cradle, declaring himself a slave servant (‘Abd) of GOD; and introducing himself as a (would be) Prophet given revelation (from GOD); and in the last, asserting the fact that begetting a son (as ignorant people do claim) does never fall fit to GOD’s exalted and Divine status.
(O Muhammad), recite in the Book, the account of Mary, when she withdrew from her people to a place towards the east,1 and drew a curtain, screening herself2 from people whereupon WE sent to her OUR spirit3 and he appeared to her as a well-shaped man. Mary exclaimed: “I surely take refuge from you with the Most Compassionate LORD, if you are at all GODfearing.” He said: “I am just a message-bearer of your LORD, I have come to grant you a most pure boy.” Mary said: “How a boy can be born to me when no man has even touched me, nor have I ever been unchaste?” The Angel said: “Thus shall it be. Your LORD says, ‘It is easy for ME, and WE shall do so in order to make him a Sign for mankind and a mercy from us. This has been decreed.”
Then she conceived him and withdrew with him to a far-off place. Then the birth pangs drove her to the trunk of a palm tree and she said, “Oh, would that I had died before this and had been all forgotten.” Thereupon the Angel cried out from below her: ‘Grieve not, for your LORD has caused a stream of water to flow beneath you. Shake the trunk of the palm tree towards yourself and fresh and ripe dates shall fall upon you. So eat and drink and cool your eyes; and if you see any person, say to him, ‘Verily I have vowed a fast to the Most Compassionate LORD, and so I shall not speak to anyone today’.”
Then she came to her people carrying her baby. They said: “O Mary! You have committed a strange thing. O sister of Aron! Your father was not an evil man, nor your mother an unchaste woman.” Thereupon Mary pointed to the Child. They exclaimed: “How can we speak to one who is in the cradle, a mere child?” The child cried out: “Verily I am GOD’s slave servant; HE has granted me the Book and has made me a Prophet, and has blessed me wherever I might be and has enjoined me Prayers and Zakah (purifying alms) as long as I live.”
(Maryam – 19:16-30)
Virgin birth of Jesus (pbuh) was a miracle, i.e. a Sign (Ayah) of GOD’s omnipotence in creating any living body (human or non-human) even against the usual norms and the apparent physical laws.
And WE made Mary’s son, and his mother a Sign, and gave them refuge on a lofty ground, a peaceful site with springs flowing into it. (Al-Mu’minun – 23:50)
This is not implicit in the birth of Jesus (pbuh) that GOD was his father; –– father in the sense in which Zeus was the father of Apollo by Latona, or the Minos by Europa in Greek mythology. As far as the use of “spirit of GOD” is concerned, which according to the Qur‘an was breathed into the body of Maryam, it does not imply that GOD was Jesus’ father.1 Breathing GOD’s spirit in the stage of creation of every human child has been mentioned in the Holy Qur‘an (32:9)2 , and that of Adam, especially, in chapter 15-verse 29.3 The Qur‘an’s assertion is that Mary was ‘chaste’.
Allah has also set forth the parable of Mary, the daughter of ‘Imran who guarded her chastity1 and into whom WE breathed of OUR Spirit2 and who testified to the words of her Lord and HIS Books. She was among the Obedient. (Al-Tahrim 66:12)
The gist of 93 Qur‘anic verses quoted above is:
(a) Mary, the mother of Jesus (pbuh), was a woman of high, glorified status.
(b) Mary, even by giving birth to a child without a father, was chaste, and Jews’ allegation of her committing a sin is refuted by the Qur‘an.
(c) GOD the Omnipotent can create a human being without a human father, as HE created Adam without parents and Eve (pbuh) too, without father and mother.
(d) As such, calling Jesus (pbuh) a ‘Son’ of GOD – son in literal sense instead of a Biblical-metaphoric one – is false.
APPENDICES*
A.
• The Bible speaks of non-Godhead of Jesus and of anybody else.
• The word GOD has been used for Prophets also in the Bible.
B.
• History of Trinity.
– Doctrinisation of Trinity
– Formulation of the ‘Doctrine of Trinity’
– Trinity, a product of three centuries of development
C.
• Miracles and Godhead – what does the Bible say?
D.
• Son, Sons, Children, Daughters of GOD.
E.
• Others too filled with Holy Spirit … says the Bible.
F.
• Commonalities between Biblical/Qur‘anic teachings.
G.
• About the Bible’s versions.
H.
• Historical authenticity of the Qur‘an
Appendix A
Bible Speaks of Non-Godhead of Jesus (pbuh) and of Anybody Else
This is not unwise to ponder on the implications of the creed of Trinity. Does the Bible say something categorically about confirming Jesus (pbuh) as GOD, God incarnate, Eternal, Divine, etc.? Let us read the verses of the Holy Bible itself:
• And Jesus answered him. The first of all the commandments is “Hear O Israel: the Lord our GOD is one GOD.” (Mark – 12:29)
• For there is one GOD and one mediator1 between GOD and man, the man Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy – 2:5)
• You shall have no other GOD before ME.
(Exodus – 20:3)
• For you shall worship no other god; for the Lord whose name is Jealous, is a jeolous GOD. (Exodus – 34:14)
• Hear O Israel: The Lord our GOD is one Lord.
(Deuteronomy – 6:4)
• According to John – 5:37 what they saw, or heard from, could never be GOD. This was only Jesus. GOD had only sent him (i.e. as a Messenger and Prophet) and testified of him.
• According to Luke- 4:1-13 Jesus (pbuh) was tempted by Satan for 40 days; whereas according to James – 1:13, “… for GOD cannot be tempted with evil.”
• GOD and Jesus (pbuh) … in Biblical metaphor ‘Father and Son’ … are two different entities, with difference in status:
“My Father is greater than I.” (John – 14:28)
• I do nothing of myself. (John – 8:28)
• Father, into thy hand I commend my spirit.
(Luke-23:46)
• At the Cross, Jesus (pbuh) cried:
“My GOD! My GOD! Why did you forsake me?”1
(Mark – 15:34)
• As per Timothy – 6:16, GOD is whom no man has seen nor can see. (Whereas people had seen and could see Jesus, pbuh).
• Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there in no other god but one.2 (I Carinthians 8:4)
• That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting that there is none besides ME. I am the Lord, and there is no other. (Isaiah – 45:6)
• Look to me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am GOD, and there is no other. (Isaiah- 45:22)
• For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens, who is GOD, who formed the earth and made it, who has established it, who did not create it in vain, who formed it to be inhabited: “I am the LORD, and there is no other.” (Isaiah – 45:18)
• Thus says the Lord … ‘I am the First and I am the Last; besides ME there is no god.’ (Isaiah – 44:6)
• “You are MY witness,” says the LORD, “and MY servant1 whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe ME and understand that I am HE. Before ME there was no god formed, nor shall there be after ME.”
(Isaiah – 43:10)
• “I, even I, am the LORD, and besides ME, there is no Saviour. I have declared and saved, I have proclaimed, and there was no foreign god among you; therefore you are MY witness,” says the Lord that “I am GOD.”
(Isaiah – 43:10-12)
• Among the gods2 there is none like YOU, O LORD; nor are there any works like YOUR works. (Psalms-86:8)
• For who in the heavens can be compared to the LORD? Who among the sons3 of the Mighty can be likened to the LORD? (Psalms – 89:6)
• The LORD is high above all nations, HIS glory above the heavens. Who is like the LORD our GOD, WHO dwells on high…? (Psalms – 113:4,5)
• So he said, “Tomorrow”. And he said, “Let it be according to your word, that you may know that there is no one like the Lord our GOD. (Exodus – 8:10)
• To you it was shown that you might know that the LORD Himself is GOD; there is none other besides HIM. (Deuteronomy – 4:35)
• Therefore you are great, O LORD GOD. For there is none like ME, nor is there any god besides ME, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
(II Samuel – 7:22)
• LORD GOD of Israel, there is no god in heaven above or on earth below like YOU, who keep your covenant and mercy with YOUR servants who walk before YOU with all their hearts…” (I Kings – 8:23)
• O LORD, there is none like you, nor is there any GOD besides YOU, according to all that we have heard with our ears. (I Chronicle – 17:20)
• Yet I am the LORD your GOD ever since the land of Egypt, and you shall know no god but ME, for there is no Saviour besides ME. (Hosea – 13:4)
• And the LORD shall be king over all the earth. In that day it shall be – “The LORD is One”, and HIS name one.
(Zechariah – 14:9)
The Word ‘god’ used for Prophets also
The word ‘god’ has been used in the Bible (in OT and NT both) for Prophets, for other people, and even for Satan also. This proves that the use of the word ‘god’, for Jesus Christ (pbuh) in the scripture does not make him GOD.
• So the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have made you as god to Pharoah, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet. (Exodus – 7:1)
• GOD stands in the congregation of the mighty. He judges among the gods. (Psalm – 82:1)
• I said, “You are gods and all of you are children of the Most High.” [Psalm – 82:6]
• Whose minds the god of this age1 has blinded, who do not believe, let the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of GOD, should shine on them. (II Corinthians – 4:4)
Appendix B
History of Trinity
“Triune God” theory was not a novel one, rather it was very much in vogue during the early Christian era in other beliefs, religions and theosophies. There was:
1. The Hindu triad of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
2. The Mahayana Buddhist triune of Transformation Body, Enjoyment Body and Truth Body.
3. The Egyptian triad of Horas, Osiris and Isis.
4. The Palmyra triad of Moon god, Sun god and Lord of Heaven.
5. The Babylonian triad of Ishtar, Sin and Shamash.
6. The Egyptian triad of Ramses II, Amon-ra and Nut.
This Triune theory (1 GOD + 1 god + 1 god = 1 GOD) is related to the people of the faiths other than Christianity uptill the early centuries of Christianity. But now the Trinitarianism having acquired the significance of ‘Basic Christian Faith’ for almost 16 centuries, needs to be studied vis-a`-vis its origin, evolution and doctrinisation.
The term ‘Trinity’ was first coined by Tertullian (155-220 C.E.), a lawyer and presbyter of the III Century Church in Carthage. He put forth the theory that the Son and the Spirit participate in the being of GOD, but all are one being of substance with the father (Interpreter’s Dictionary of Bible, V.4, P.711)
Doctrinisation of ‘TRINITY’
Jesus (pbuh), John, Matthew, Luke, Mark, all of the apostles, and even Paul were completely unaware of any “Trinity”. In a detailed account of the development of the doctrine of Trinity, in the chapter “Councils and Creeds” of his book Eerdman’s Handbook to the History of Christianity, David F. Wright, a senior lecturer in Ecclesiastical History at the University of Edinburough, writes that around 318 C.E, Arius, a senior presbyter in-charge of Baucalis, one of the twelve ‘parishes’ of Alexandria clashed with Bishop Alexander, refuting any divinity of Jesus (pbuh).
About this time two separate events were about to lead up to the official recognition of the church by the Roman empire. On the one hand Emperor Constantine, the pagan Emperor of the Romans, began to notice the increasing number of new converts to the new faith among his subjects, posing a serious threat to the internal stability of the empire as a whole.
On the Christian front the controversy that was in 318 C.E. got blown up between two churchmen from Alexandria, Arius the decon and Alexander his bishop, as mentioned above. When several attempts by the Emperor Constantine failed to pacify them, he, in 325 C.E. did make a drastic effort, and called the “Council of Nicea”.
Council of Nicea met and voted on whether Jesus (pbuh) was God or not. They effectively voted Jesus (pbuh) in the position of God. There is extensive proof, (according to Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics – chapter ‘Arius’) that most of those who signed this decree, did not actually believe in it, but thought it politically expedient to do so. The vast majority signed under political pressure. Out of 2030 attendees, only 318 readily accepted this creed of Trinity. Only on returning home, people like Eusebius of Nicomedia, Maris of Chaledon and Theognis of Nicea gathered the courage to write to Emperor Constantine regretting on having put their signatures on the Nicean document. Eusebius of Nicomedia wrote:
“We committed an impious act, O Prince, by subscribing to a blasphemy, from fear of you.”
Formulation of Trinitarian Doctrine
After the decree by the Council of Nicea, Christian monotheism transformed officially into polytheism of three Gods in one GOD. This did fully suit to the whims of the Roman pagan Emperor Constantine and to the strength and stability of his empire, and this resulted in the official recognition of the Church too. Now the task ahead was to formulate the Doctrine of Trinity.
• According to Encyclopaedia Britannica this doctrine was formulated by the following persons:
1. Athenagoras (Encycl. Brit. 1: 667 : 2b)
2. Basil the Great (Encycl. Brit. 1: 938 : 1a)
3. Gregory of Nazianzus (Encycl. Brit. 5 : 482 : 1b)
4. Gregory of Nyssa (Encycl. Brit. 5 : 483 : 2b)
5. Cappadocian Fathers (Encycl. Brit. 16 : 319 : 1b)
• According to Early Christian Doctrines – J.N.D. Kelly, Happer & Row Publications, U.S.A. 1960, p. 252, the persons chiefly responsible for formulating the Trinitarian Doctrine, were:
In eastern Church: Cappadocian fathers:
1. Basil the Great (329 – 370)
2. Gregory of Nazianzus (329 – 391)
3. Basil’s Younger brother Gregory of Nyssa (335 – 395)
In western Church : 1. Augustine of Hippo (d 430)
Trinity and its doctrine, not in the New Testament
“In Christian doctrine, the Unity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit as three persons in one Godhead, neither the word TRINITY nor the explicit doctrine appears in the New Testament…. The Council of Nicaea in 325 stated the crucial formula for that doctrine in its confession that the Son is ‘of the same substance (homoousios) as the Father’, even though it said very little about the Holy Spirit. Over the next half century, Athanasius defended and refined the Nicene formula, and, by the end of the 4th century, under the leadership of Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa, and Gregory of Nazianzus (the Cappadocian Fathers), the doctrine of the Trinity took substantially the form it has maintained ever since.” (Encyclopaedia Britanica, under heading “Trinity”.)
Trinity — a product of three centuries of doctrinal development:
“…It is difficult in the second half of the 20th century to offer a clear, objective, and straightforward account of the revelation, doctrinal evolution and theological elaboration of the Mystery of Trinity. Trinitarian discussions, Roman Catholic as well as others, present a somewhat unsteady silhouette. There is the recognition on the part of exegetes and Biblical theologions including a constantly growing number of Roman Catholics that one should not speak of Trinitarianism in the New Testament without serious qualification. There is also the closely parallel recognition on the part of historians of dogma and systematic theologians that when one does speak of an unqualified trinitarianism, one has moved from the period of Christian origins to, say, last quadrant of the 4th century. It was only then that what might be called the definitive Trinitarian dogma ‘One GOD in three Persons’ became thoroughly assimilated into Christian life and thought.… it was the product of 3 centuries of doctrinal development.” (New Catholic Encyclopaedia, Vol. XIV p.295)
Appendix C
Miracles and Godhead
“I can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and my judgement is righteous, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the Father who sent me. If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. There is another WHO bears witness of me, and I know that the witness which HE witnesses of me is true.”
– Jesus, pbuh (John – 5:30-32)
Showing miracles does not make a man GOD. Apart from Jesus, pbuh, other prophets and holy men too did it by the grace of GOD the Almighty. This did not prove that they possess the status of Godhead. The Holy Bible witnesses such miracles:
• Miracle of Healing Leprosy: Prophet Jesus, pbuh, could heal leprosy: But Elisha too did it. Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a leper. Elisha, the “man of GOD” did heal his leprosy miraculously. (II Kings – 5:14)
• Blindman made to see: Prophet Jesus, pbuh, could make a blind man see. This miracle was by the grace of GOD. By the grace of GOD, Elisha too did make a blind man see. (II Kings – 6:17)
• Raise the dead: Prophet Jesus, pbuh, could raise the dead alive; and Elijah too did it. (I Kings – 17:21-22)
• Causing a dead child alive: Elisha caused a dead child alive. (II Kings - 4:32-35)
• Raise the dead: Prophet Jesus, pbuh, could raise the dead alive; and Elijah too did it. (I Kings – 17:21-22)
• Causing a dead child alive: Elisha caused a dead child alive. (II Kings - 4:32-35)
• Little food, fed much people: Prophet Jesus, pbuh, could feed much more people with very little food. But Elisha too did this. (II King – 4:42- 44)
• Touching dead bones: A dead man stood on his feet while during burial his body got touched with the dead bones of Elisha in his tomb. (II King – 13:21)
• Cripple man leaped and walked: Paul saw a man born crippled from his mother’s womb; observed him intently and said, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked. (Acts – 14:8-10)
• ‘A rod’ in the hands of Moses became a serpent.
(Exodus – 4:3)
• Hand of Moses, when put in his bossom and then taken out was leprous like snow. (Exodus – 4:6)
• When again put in his bossom and drawn out, Moses’ hand was again restored like his other flesh.
(Exodus – 4:7)
Appendix D
Words Son, Children, Father, god, Holy Spirit used in the Bible
Words Son of GOD, GOD, Father have extensively occurred in the Bible and the phrase, ‘Children of GOD’ also occurs at some places. Looking into the related verses reveals that these English words (translated from Original Hebrew to Aramaic to Greek to Latin to European languages, to English) do not carry the same meaning as is prevalent in Christianity that formulated the Doctrine of Trinity more than three centuries after Jesus (pbuh). Let’s look into the fact through the verses of the Bible itself.
Words ‘Son’, ‘Sons’, ‘Children’ of GOD and ‘Father’ used metaphorically, not literally:
• And the Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do all those wonders before Pharoah which I have put in your hand. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. Then you shall say to Pharoah. Thus says the Lord: ‘Israel is My son, My firstborn’.” (Exodus – 4:21,22)
• He (David) shall build a house for MY name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father and he shall be MY son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. (II Samuel – 7:13,14)
• He (Solomon) shall build a house for MY name, and he shall be MY son and I will be his father, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.
(I Chronicles – 22:10)
• They shall come with weeping, and with supplications. I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, in a straight way in which they shall not stumble: for I am a Father to Israel and Ephraim is MY firstborn. (Jermiah – 31:9)
• You are the children of the Lord your GOD; you shall not cut yourselves nor shave the front of your head for the dead. (Deuteronomy – 14:1)
• I will declare the decree: the LORD has said to me, You (David) are MY son, today I have begotten you.
(Psalms – 2:7)
• That you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for HE makes HIS sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
(Matthew – 5:45-48)
• For whom HE foreknew, HE also predestined to be conformed to the image of HIS Son that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom HE predestined, these HE also called; whom HE called, these HE also justified; and whom HE justified, these HE also glorified. (Romans – 8:29-30)
• ….the son of Adam the son of GOD.” (Luke – 3:38)
• He (David) shall cry to ME; ‘You are my father, my GOD, and the rock of my salvation. Also I will make him MY firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.
(Psalms – 89:26-27)
• Then the sons of GOD saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all when they chose. (Genesis – 6:2)
• Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. And it shall come to pass in the place, where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people’, there it shall be said to them, ‘You are sons of the living GOD.
(Hosea – 1:10)
• Now there was a day when the sons of GOD came to present themselves before the LORD , and Satan also came among them. (Job – 1:6)
• Again there was a day where the sons of GOD came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.
(Job – 2:1)
• When the morning-stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job – 38:7)
• Jesus rebuked the demons on being said to be son of God. (Luke – 4:41)
Not only ‘son’ and ‘sons’, but even ‘daughters’ of GOD.
Use of words son, sons of GOD in the Holy Bible, is not all about the metaphorical (instead of literal) use of these words, and that of the word Father / father; but even the word “danghters” has been used therein:
• “I will be Father to you and you shall be MY sons and daughters,” Says the LORD Almighty.
(II Corinthians – 6:18)
• I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not keep them back! Bring MY sons from afar and MY daughters from the ends of the earth.
(Isaiah – 43:6)
CONCLUSION
If Jesus (pbuh) is believed to be the ‘Son’ of GOD (in the literal sense of the word instead of the metaphorical one) because it has been translated so in the versions of the Bible; and therefore his person is believed to be God incarnate and himself GOD, this “logic” is confronted by an implicit big problem put forth by the Bible itself and none else; that is, the same words have been used in the Holy Bible for no less than 5 other Prophets too, and even for the common people – as cited in the above relevant verses of Old Testament and New Testament.
In the light of these Biblical verses, sonship of Jesus (pbuh) and his Divinity and Eternity, and his status as GOD incarnate, and his being worshipped as a diety holds not a least reason; for if it is believed to be reasonable, the other Prophets and common people, mentioned in the Bible, shall also deserve to be worshipped for being the son, or sons of GOD (in the particular metaphorical diction of the translations of the Scripture).
Appendix E
Others too Filled with
Holy Spirit – Bible
The womb of Mary conceiving Jesus without a human husband does not imply that it was the seed of the Holy Spirit – one part of the ‘Triune GOD’, that caused the conception. This does not make it implicit that Jesus was another part of ‘Triune GOD’; for the Bible (New Testament) itself speaks of many others also who were filled with Holy Spirit. The New Testament reads as follows:
• For he (Barnabas) was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith. And a great many people were added to the LORD. (Acts – 11:24)
• And we are HIS witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom GOD has given to those who obey HIM. (Acts – 5:32)
• And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit….
(Acts – 6:5)
• For prophecy never came by the will of man. But holy men of GOD spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (II Peter 1:21)
• That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. (II Timothy 1:14)
• And he (John the Baptist) will be great in sight of the LORD, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. (Luke – 1:15)
• And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. (Luke – 1:41)
Appendix F
Commonalities Between Biblical Teachings and Qur‘anic/Islamic Teachings
Despite interpolations and concoctions in the Holy Bible, as has been recognised by the reputed Christian theologians themselves1, many teachings of Prophet Jesus, pbuh, remain intact on the pages of New Testament and also those related to other Prophets of Old Testament. Such teachings are common with Islamic/Qur‘anic teachings.
In the table below some of such teachings/practices are being given, which occur in the Bible (O.T and N.T.). Prophet Jesus (pbuh) taught, or followed them, but which were later abandoned by the Church. (St. Paul2 had the main role in this shift). However most of these teachings were revived in the final message of Islam revealed by Divine Decree to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and remain a fundamental part of Muslim religious practice until today, and it will remain so until the Last Day. The followers of the Christian faith would appreciate, that Islam does suit to them better, in light of the Bible itself. This paves the way for having a fresh, realistic, and pragmatic approach towards Islam.
Qur‘anic/Islamic Teachings Biblical Teachings
(1) Unity of GOD, absolute Monotheism as fundamental Creed vide numerous verses of the Qur‘an (e.g. 112:1–4) and numerous sayings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) Unity (Oneness) of GOD taught in the Bible. Prophet Christ Jesus taught pure monotheism. (Exodus 20:3; 34:14; Deut. 6:4; Mark–12:29
(2) No Qur‘anic Prophet, including Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “I am GOD. Worship me.” No Biblical Prophet, including Prophet Jesus (pbuh) said: “I am GOD, GOD-in-carnate, son of GOD, part of the being of GOD. Worship me.”
(3) Polytheism forbidden. (13:36; 4:36 3:64; 4:48, 116; 52:43) Polytheism refuted. (Isaiah 43:10; 45:6, 18, 22; Isaiah 44:6; Exodus- 8:10, Hosea13:4; I Chron: 17:20; Matthew-4:10),Exodus 23:13
(4) Giving, taking interest made unlawful.(2:275, 286) Giving and taking Interest forbidden. (Deuteronomy 23:19)
(5) Fasting to be observed by the believers. (2:183) Jesus used to fast (Matthew 4:2) and Moses used to fast. (Exodus 34:88)
(6) Ablution before Prayer. (Al-Maidah 5:6) and in the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) Moses, Aaron used to do ablution (Exodus 40:30-31) and Jesus followed the teachings of Torah.
(7) Prostration (Sajdah) in prayers. 25:60, 27:25, 41:37, 53:62, 50:40, 7:206 Prostration during prayers (Matthew 26:39; Genesis 17:3; Numbers 16:22, 20:6; Joshua 5:14, 7:6, I Kings 18:42)
(8) Veiling of women (24:31, 33:59). And in numerous sayings (Hadeeths) of Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh). – 24:65, 38:14) also “The Jewish women in Rabbinic Literature” p.239… by Rabbi Dr. Menachem M. Bayer.
(9) Greeting “Assalam-u-Alaikum” (peace be to you) (6:54); also the Qur‘an says that those entering paradise will be greeted in the same above mentioned words by the angels (7:46). The Qur‘an enjoins believers to bid the greeting of peace on entering homes. (24:27) Greeting “Peace be on you” (John 20:19) related to Jesus, pbuh. “Peace be to you” related to David (pbuh) as he instructed the emissaries whom he sent to Nabal, to salute Nabal with this greeting of Peace (I Samuel 25:6)
(10) Compulsory charity “Ushr” and “Zakah” (6:141, 9:60) Genesis – 41:34; Exodus 22:29-31 ‘Tithe’ institution of compulsory charityGenesis (14:20) confirmed by Jesus (pbuh)
(11) Eating “blood” prohibited (6:145) Eating “Blood” forbidden (Genesis-12:16, 41:34; Leviticus 19:26)
(12) Eating pork made unlawful (2:173, 5:3, 6:145) Eating meat of swine forbidden (Leviticus 11:7-8, Deuteronomy 14:8)
(13) Drinking wine/ alcohol forbidden. (5:90) Drinking alcohol forbidden. Numbers 6:1-4, Luke 1:15
(14) Circumcision (Bukhari Vol. 7, No. 717, Page 717, Muslim Vol. 1, No. 495, p.159. Genesis 17:10-13, Galatians 6:15, Luke 2:21
(15) Polygyny allowed (4:3) Genesis 16:3, I Samuel 27:3, I Kings 11:3, II Chronicles 11:21, Deuteronomy 21:15-16
Appendix G
About the Bible’s Versions
History of human efforts to ‘correct’ the
‘serious and grave defects’ in the ‘WORD OF GOD’
William Tyndale made the first English version of the New Testament by directly translating the Scripture from Hebrew and Greek. Although being executed and burned in 1536 on accusation of “wilfully perverting the meaning of the Scriptures,” his work became foundation of subsequent English versions, notably five amongst them, made in 1535, 1537, 1539, 1560 and 1568.
• The King James Version (KJV – made in 1611) was, (after Biblical studies and discovery of more ancient than those upon which it was based) said to have grave defects, that are so many and so serious as to call for its revision.
• There were unauthorised publications (of the Bible) between 1881-1901 which tampered the text of the English Revised Version (1881-1885) in “supposed interest of American Public”.
• A committee of thirty two scholars along with fifty representatives of an Advisory Board, published Standard Revised Version (SRV) containing O.T. in 1946, and then containing both O.T. and N.T. in 1951.
This is a brief account of changes, improvements and alterations; and producing version after version during, merely 416 years (1535-1951). What happened, and what could have been done to the Bible during 2000 years is difficult to even imagine. This is an important situation, significant for the scholars of, and the adherents to the Faith, to ponder over.
• American Standard Version (ASV) – 1901 (This was a revision of King James Version (KJV) - 1611)
• William Tyndale made fist English Version by direct translation from original Hebrew and Greek. Accused of “wilfully perverting the meaning of the Scriptures”, his New Testaments were ordered to be burned as “untrue translation.” He was executed and burned in October 1536.
• Tyndale’s work served as foundation of subsequent English versions, notably those of:
1. Coverdale – 1535
2. Thomas Matthew 1537
3. Great Bible 1539
4. Geneva Bible 1560
5. Bishop’s Bible 1568
6. Translation of N.T. made from the Latin Vulgate by Roman Catholic scholars published 1582 in Rheims.
• “King James Version has grave defects.” “…… the development of Biblical studies and the discovery of many manuscripts more ancient than those upon which the KJV was based, made it manifest that these defects are so many and so serious as to call for revision of the English translation.” By authority of Church of England in 1870, this task was undertaken.
• English Revised Version (ERV) published 1881-1885 60 Jesus and Mary in the Holy Qur‘an American Standard Version (ASV) embodying the preferences of the American scholars associated in the work was published in 1901.
• There were unauthorised publications between 1881- 1901 which tampered the text of the ERV, in supposed interest of American public.
So ASV was copyrighted with International Council of Religion Education (ICRE) in 1928.
• Need was felt (as recommended by a committee appointed by the ICRE) for a thorough revision of the 1901 version. with a direction that the “resulting version should embody the best results of modern scholarship as to the meaning of the Scriptures and express this meaning in English diction which is designed for use in public and private worship….”
• Thirty two scholars have served as members of the (afore-mentioned) committee along with an Advisory Board of Fifty representatives. The committee worked in two sections - one dealing with the O.T. while the other with N.T. Each section submitted its work to the scrutiny of the members of the other section, and the charter of the Committee required that all changes be agreed upon by 2/3 vote of total membership of the Committee.
• The Revised Standard Version (RSV) of the N.T. was published in 1946. The publication of the RSV, containing O.T. and N.T. was authorised by vote of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA in 1951.
• “Most of the corrections adopted are based on the ancient versions1 (translations into Greek, Aramaic, Syriac and Latin) …”
• “There are more than three hundred such English words which are used in KJV in sense substantially different from that which they now convey.”
• “Some changes of words or phrases are made…” (that appear in RSV) “… in the interest of consistence, clarity, or accuracy of translation … for example, in Job 19:26; Matthew 7:9, I Corinthians 10:17; Matthew 21:9, 27:54. Mark 15:39; John 16:23; I Corinthians 15:19; I Timothy 3:2, 12, 5:9, and Titus 1:6.”
Excerpts from the Preface (pp-iii to vii) of the Holy Bible – Revised Standard Version – Thomas Nelson & Sons, London, Toranto – 1959.
(Translated from the ORIGINAL TONGUES. Being the Version set forth C.E. 1611, Revised C.E. 1881-1885 and C.E. 1901 compared with the most ancient Authorities and revised C.E. 1946-1952.)
Appendix H
Historical Authenticity of the Qur‘an
The Holy Qur‘an is the only Divine Scripture that was revealed in full light of history. When and where it began being revealed upon Prophet Muhammad; when and at which place the revelation was completed, are very important points to ponder over; and also how it was recorded and preserved.
The Noble Qur‘an started being revealed, through Angel Gebriel, upon Muhammad (pbuh) on 17th August 610 CE in the HIRA Cave situated on top of a mountain – now known as Jabal-al-Noor (Mountain of light) – in the city of Makkah, some 3-4 Kms from the Prophet’s residence. He, at the age of about 40, used to go to this place, stay there in the cave for days together meditating on the realities of life, GOD’s existence and HIS creations, relation between man and GOD. He received first Divine Revelation at the age of 40 years 11days.
The revelation was completed on May 31, 632 CE, eight days prior to the Prophet’s demise, in the city of Madinah.
Each word of every verse revealed upon the Prophet was being preserved through broadly four means:
1. In first place, the revelation was memorised by the Prophet by GOD’s special arrangement (as the Qur‘an itself confirms – Al-Qiyaamah, 75:16)
2. The Prophet’s companions used to write down the verses immediately as and when dictated and instructed by the Prophet himself. The number of all such scribes (Kaatibeen-al-Qur‘an) has been recorded as 41. Even their fathers’ names and the tribe’s identity are on record.
3. Some of the companions used to memorise every revealed verse or some part of the Qur‘an. This process did perpetuate throughout the history of over 1400 years with unbroken continuity; and as of now, there are millions of people (Huffaz-al-Qur‘an) in whose memory, the Qur‘an is preserved with absolute precision and perfection.
4. Some parts of the Quran are recited in obligatory prayers (Salah) five times a day; and also in optional prayers every day by Muslims round the globe. Moreover, whole of the Quran is recited and listened to, in nightly prayers (during the month ‘Ramadhan’ of obligatory Fasting) in individual/congregational ‘Taraaweeh’ Salah. All these prayers – Quran - centric–are being offered for about 1450 years. Thus the original text of the Quran has been preserved perpetually alive.
The Qur‘an was compiled fully during the life of the Prophet himself, and Usman-ibn-Affan (may Allah be pleased with him), the third Caliph of Islam, did produce seven copies of the Scripture and sent it officially to seven important places of the Islamic state. Some of those original copies are still available and accessible as they have been preserved in museums in Tashkent, Istanbul, etc. Any of the billions of the copies found today in almost every part of the globe may be checked with respect to the original one. One would be amazed to find no difference in even one single word.
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