Islam is Your Birthright

7. The Unique Proof


One of the proofs that Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was a prophet is that the message he came with has reached across to the East and the West, and his community now extends all over the world; something which did not occur with any previous community. Had Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, not been a prophet, the prophets who came before him, especially Moses and Jesus, would have warned their peoples vehemently about him, and we would have seen this in their scriptures because all of the prophets warned of false prophets and cautioned their peoples about following them and being guided by them. The previous prophets mentioned the Antichrist by name, for example, and even Noah, who was the first Messenger, warned his people about him. However, none of the prophets warned about Muhammad. In fact, quite the contrary: Jesus gave good tidings of Muhammad, praised him and ordered people to follow him, and forbade them to oppose or disobey him.


Conclusion

It should now be clear that the Biblical prophecies speak of none other than Muhammad (peace be upon him). As the well-known scholar shaykh Sa'di wrote:

If Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was not a true prophet, then his message would have contradicted the common message of Jesus and other prophets before him. Instead, it revived it and re-instated it.

Many thanks to Allah who made the path clear for us. It is interesting to note that in year 571 CE, Jesus‘ prophecy was fulfilled. Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born into a community of Ishmaelite Arabs who had become polytheists and idolaters, and when he reached maturity and was given revelation, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) started preaching his message of the worship of Allah alone.

In the year 632 CE; he left this world, but his bright message remains with people till the end of this world.

Being a true follower of Jesus (peace be upon him) must be more than a mere claim, wherein one says that he or she follows Jesus or loves Jesus and that is it, in order to attain paradise and be saved from hellfire. True followers of Christ should accept his prophecy of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and follow his teachings of “Islam‘, or complete and devoted submission to the One and Only God—Allah.


to continue Insha Allah

XVI. The Facts about the “Original Sin”(87)

20 arguments regarding the doctrine of the “original sin”


Background

According to the explanation of this doctrine, Adam (peace be upon him) sinned when he disobeyed Allah and ate from the forbidden tree. According to the Christian theology, the following eight doctrines branch off the “original sin” principle:

1. All Adam‘s descendants inherit his sin, which means that all human beings are born with this original sin.

2. For God‘s justice to be achieved, a price must be paid as a penalty for every sin that has been committed, in order for that sin to be wiped out and the individual to be forgiven.

3. The only way to wipe out sin is shedding of blood, and according to Paul, ―without the shedding of blood there is no remission‖ (Hebrews 9:22).

4. But this blood must be perfect, sinless, and incorruptible.

5. Christians believe that Jesus alone could pay the infinite price of sin, because they believe that his blood is perfect, sinless, and incorruptible, and he is the alleged son of God, the infinite God.

6. Christian theology says that Jesus shed his holy sinless blood, suffered indescribable agony, and died to pay for the sins of people. This concept is known in Christian theology as “Atonement”.

7. Christians believe that nobody can be saved (attain salvation) unless he or she accepts Jesus Christ as his or her redeemer. In other words, salvation is restricted to those who believe that Jesus was willingly crucified and killed on the cross, and shed his blood as a price of that sin. Acceptance of this doctrine is the only way to attain “salvation”.

8. Otherwise, everyone is condemned to suffer eternally in hell because of his/her sinful nature and originally inherited sin from the father of humankind, Prophet Adam.

The doctrine of original sin can be divided into six distinct parts:

1) The factuality of the existence of original sin.
2) Humanity’s inheritance of the original sin.
3) The belief that God‘s justice requires a penalty of blood which must be paid against that sin.
4) The belief that Jesus has paid the price for the sins of all humankind by sacrifice of his blood, through his “death on the cross”.
5) The rationality of “God’s sacrifice” dogma.
6) The salvation from sin (original and newly attained) is only possible for those who believe in his vicarious sacrifice.



Analysis

The arguments against these six parts of the dogma of “Original Sin”:

Argument against the first part, the factuality of the original sin:

1. There is no conflict between what the Qur’an says and the Christian theology that Adam committed a sin when he ate from the forbidden tree. However, Allah says in the Qur’an that Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) repented after that and submitted himself completely to his Lord, and consequently he was forgiven by Allah for the sin he committed. This is a tenet of Islamic belief and is mentioned in three different verses in the Qur’an (2: 37, 7: 24 & 20: 122). Based on Adam’s repentance and Allah’s acceptance of his repentance, the sin of Adam was not inherited by the children of Adam, nor did it require the suffering and death of Jesus Christ (or of anyone else) to be forgiven.



Argument against the second part, “all human beings inherited Adam's sin”:

2. The doctrine of the inherited sin has no support in the words of Jesus.

3. Indeed, Jesus himself regarded children as innocent and pure, and not born in sin. This is clear from his reported saying: ―Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for such is the Kingdom of God. Verily, I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.‖ (Mark 10:14-15)

4. The doctrine of the inherited sin implies that all people after Adam and before Jesus were born with original sin and died with original sin, and all of them will be cast into Hellfire, because they did not even know of this dogma, and thus could not profess it!

5. The doctrine of the inherited sin has no support in the words of the prophets who had come either before him or after him. If it was required by God, then they would have told their people about it and taught them to believe in it, because all prophets were sent to guide people to the way of paradise and warn them from sins and hellfire.

6. All prophets taught that every human being is accountable for his/her own sins, and hence children will not be punished for the sins of their fathers. Allah says in the Qur’an,

The bearer of burdens will not bear the burden of another. (Qur’an 53: 38).

He also says,

Every soul will be a pledge for its own deeds. (Qur’an 74: 38)

7. Sin, as it says, is not inherited, but it is something which a person acquires for himself/herself by doing what He or She should not do or not doing what He or She should do. Rationally considered, it would be the height of injustice to condemn the entire human race for a sin committed thousands of years ago by the first parents. Sin is a willful transgression of the Law of Allah. The responsibility or blame for it must lie only on the person committing it, and not on his or her descendants. It is the height of misanthropy to consider it. How unreasonable and hard-hearted a person can become by believing that every baby is sinful at birth!

8. Saying that the original sin committed by our father Adam was inherited through humanity goes against the attribute of mercy which Allah attributes to Himself. With this, the creed of the inheritance of original sin has no room whatsoever in Islamic teachings.



Argument against the third part: “blood penalty”

The third part of the original sin doctrine says that God’s justice requires that a price must be paid for the sins of humankind (original and otherwise) and that if God were to pardon (forgive) a sinner without punishment, it would be a denial of His justice.

The response to that has two points:

9. This view reflects complete ignorance of two of Allah‘s attributes, namely mercy and forgiveness. To elaborate, if Allah finds some real good in you and sees that you are sincerely repentant, having a real urge to conquer the evil within you, then Almighty Allah will forgive your failings and sins, out of His loving mercy and forgiveness.

10. The God we worship (Allah) is the Most Strong and Most Rich, and no one can harm Him. Consequently, if He prescribes a law and demands obedience, then it is not for His own benefit to abide by it, but for the benefit of humankind. If we disobey Him then we are the losers, not Allah. If He punishes a person before death for his/her faults and sins, it is not for His own satisfaction or compensation, but in order to check evil and purify/reform the sinner, which is out of His mercy. Bearing these facts in mind, claiming that Allah‘s justice requires a price to be paid for the sins of others is not valid.



Argument against the fourth part of “original sin”- Jesus was sacrificed for humanity

The fourth part of the original sin doctrine says that Jesus paid the penalty for all sins (the original sins and any others) by sacrificing his blood on the cross of Calvary. The response to this proposition has ten points:

11. The Christian concept of salvation has no support in the words of Jesus (peace be upon him). It is not historically correct to say that Jesus had come to die willingly and deliberately for the sins of all humanity. Actually, the present form of the Bible testifies that he did not wish to die on the cross. (See Mark 14:36)

12. Indeed, the Bible points to the fact that God (Allah), not Jesus, is the ultimate saviour, ―You may know and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after Me. I, I am the Lord, and besides Me there is no Saviour. (Isaiah 43:10-11)

13. To punish a man who is not guilty for the sins of others is the height of injustice, harshness and lack of mercy, which cannot be attributed to the Almighty.

14. Rationally, we cannot accept that the suffering and death of one man can wipe out the sins of others. It is similar to a father, for example, removing one of his good teeth to relieve the pain of his child‘s bad tooth. Hence, the idea of crucifixion is false and illogical.

15. Jesus (like all prophets) was sent to convey a message and to be an example for his followers during his time on earth, and not by deliberately dying for them on the cross or offering his blood for their sins.

16. Allah mentioned in the Qur’an that He is the Most Merciful and Most Compassionate; he forgives the sinner from any sin no matter how bad once the sinner repents. He may even forgive the sinner who did not repent, according to His will, mercy and favour.

17. The concept of atonement is false because it indirectly encourages people to sin, since their sins will be wiped out through someone else once they believe in him! Further, if someone died for another person‘s sins, what is the point of adhering to good and forbidding evil?

Argument against the fifth part, the “sacrifice‘ of Jesus

18. Christian doctrine states that Jesus was crucified by the administration of the Roman governor of Jerusalem, Pontius Pilate, with the cooperation of certain Jewish leaders.88 However, the Qur’an explains that Jesus (peace be upon him) did not die, but Allah raised him up when they attempted to kill him. Allah replaced him with another person who looked like him, and in fact, it was this person that was killed. To this day, however, Christians believe that Jesus was killed on the cross. Allah says in the Qur’an:

And they said: We killed the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, Messenger of Allah, but they did not kill him or crucify him, but that is how it appeared to them. Verily, those who disagree with this matter are in doubt; they have no knowledge of it and they follow speculation. They certainly did not kill him. Certainly, Allah raised him up; Allah is Almighty and All-Wise. (Qur’an 4: 157-158)

19. Another proof that Jesus was not killed and is still alive is that in Islamic teachings there is clear evidence indicating the second coming of Jesus (peace be upon him) before the Final Hour. He will come back to correct the misconception which people have developed about his personality and his mission. According to a statement by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), he will stay for forty years, which will be the happiest years of life on this earth. At that time, those who had misconceptions about him will correct their misconception and believe in him as a messenger, not as the “son of God” or as God incarnate.

It is narrated by Abu Hurayrah, (One of Prophet Muhammad’s Companions, may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

By the one in whose hand is my soul, it will not be long before the son of Mary descends amongst you, a just judge and ruler. He will break the cross and kill the swine and abolish the tribute paid by Jews and Christians. Money will be so plentiful that no one will accept it. At that time a single prostration will be better than this world and everything in it. (89) Abu Hurayrah then said, ―Read if you wish (the following verse of the Qur’an):

And verily there is no one from among the people of the scripture90 except that he will believe in him before his death and on the Day of Resurrection he will be a witness over them. (Qur’an 4: 159) (91)

This ends the answer on the fifth part of the doctrine.



Argument against the sixth part: salvation only possible via belief in Christ’s vicarious “sacrifice”

20. The Bible itself contradicts the notion of ―Original Sin‖. In this regard, the Bible says about the dispute concerning the original sin: ―The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labour.‖ (I Corinthians 3:8)



Original Sin and Atonement from an Islamic Perspective

Islam declares that:

People cannot transfer their responsibilities to saviours or saints. Each person’s redemption and salvation depends on his or her own deeds.

Forgiveness of sins (salvation) can only be attained through repentance to Allah and sincere and persistent efforts to fight off evil and do good. Allah forgives the faults and sins of those in whom He sees real goodness and those who have turned away from their sins and reformed themselves—without punishing them or any other person on their behalf.

In numerous verses in the Qur’an and statements of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), it is mentioned that those who repent are granted forgiveness from sins; furthermore, their sins are to be replaced with an equivalent reward, and there shall be no fear upon them, neither shall they grieve. In many verses of the Noble Qur'an Allah Almighty calls on people to repent sincerely.

Declare [O Muhammad] to My slaves that, truly, I am the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful, and that My Torment is indeed the most painful torment. (Qur’an 15: 49-50)

Here Allah invites the sinners to repent; regardless of the magnitude of their sins, He will forgive them. At the same time, He warns those who do not repent that no punishment can be compared to His punishment.

He also says,

Say: O My slaves who have transgressed against themselves [by committing evil deeds and sins], do not despair of the Mercy of Allah; verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And turn in repentance and obey Him before the torment comes upon you, when you will not be helped. (Qur’an 39: 53-54)

See how beautifully, soundly and logically the Book of Allah, the Qur’an, addresses the issue of sinning and atonement. It must be noted that Islam teaches that this Islamic approach to the subject was revealed in all divine messages, including the message of Jesus Christ. May peace and blessings be upon him and all the prophets.

Conclusion

By maintaining the concept of original sin, the entire notion of justice in Christian theology becomes flawed. Having analysed the six tenets of this doctrine and the arguments against them, the structure of the whole principle of “original sin and atonement” is shown to be false, because it has no support either in revealed sources or in logic, but rather only in the ideology of the Christian Church.




87. Compiled from “My Great Love for Jesus Led Me to Islam‘, by S. Caraballo

88. “Who Killed Jesus?‘ by Daniel Harrington, in Scriptures from Scratch, St. Anthony Messenger Press, accessed online at http:// www. americancatholic. org/Newsletters/ SFS/ an 0399.asp

89. This is because with the advent of Jesus (peace and blessings be upon him), people will know with certainty that the Final Hour is very near.

90. i.e. Jews and Christians.

91. Narrated by Al-Bukhari (3448).


to continue Insha Allah

Introduction:

All prophets were sent with the same faith: Monotheism in the worship of Allah, testifying to the supremacy of Allah‘s attributes and His unity of essence. However, their messages may differ in legislation (shariah) like the manner of performing prayers, fasting, types of charity and so on, depending on each nation‘s characteristics, according to Allah‘s wisdom, for He knows His creatures better than they know themselves.

Every prophet revived the basic beliefs that had been distorted after the departure of the preceding prophet. Islam, being the final message, revived the basic beliefs and practices of all the preceding messages, including the message of Jesus, elaborating on them in some detail so that people would find them clear and straightforward to follow.

The following focuses on some basic teachings which were established by Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) and revived in the message of Islam:


1. Revival of the creed of Allah’s Unity (of essence)

This fundamental teaching was taught by Jesus (peace be upon him), as quoted below, but abandoned by most Christians, then revived by the message of Islam. All praise and thanks are for Allah for His guidance.

Sixteen proofs from the Bible and rational thought on Allah’s Unity in His essence

Negating the doctrine of the Trinity

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

2. Has not the One God made and sustained for us the spirit of life? (Malachi 2:15)

3. You may know and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after Me. I, I am the Lord, and besides Me there is no Saviour. (Isaiah 43:10-11)

4. I am the first and I am the last; besides Me there is no god. Who is like Me? (Isaiah 44:6)

5. And there is no other god besides Me, a righteous God and a Saviour; there is none besides Me. Turn to Me and be saved…To Me every knee shall bow. (Isaiah 45: 21-23)

6. Now this is life eternal, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.(93) (John 17:3)

7. Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only. (Matthew 4:10)

8. Hear O Israel: The Lord our God is One Lord. (Mark 12:29)

9. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. (94) (1 Timothy 2:5)

10. ―I am the Lord, and there is no other god. I have not spoken in secret or kept My purpose hidden… I am the Lord, and I speak the truth; I make known what is right." (Isaiah 45:19).

11. An additional important proof from the Bible that God (Allah) is one and distinct in His essence, Jesus is one and distinct in his essence, and the Holy Spirit is one and distinct in his essence, is that it is not mentioned anywhere in the Bible (in either the Old or New Testaments) that Allah, Jesus or the Holy Spirit comprise one entity called God, or one of the three. It is just a mere product of manmade illogical philosophical thinking which people blindly inherit from parents and grandparents through ages and generations, without any rational assessment or validation.

12. Not only that, but the following biblical verses contradict the creed of the Trinity in an indirect way:

You have never heard his voice nor seen his face. (John 5:37)
No one has ever seen him. And no one can see him. (1Timothy 6:16)
No one can see me and stay alive. (Exodus 33:20)

13. According to these biblical verses, no one can see or hear God. Yet God is supposed to be Jesus according to Christian belief. These verses then would make no sense, because Jesus’ family and followers, the Jews, and many other contemporaries saw Jesus and heard him during his time. Which means that Jesus cannot be what these verses are talking about; they must be referring to someone else: to God (Allah), the Highest, Whom no one can see or hear.

It is curious, too, that Jesus himself never mentioned the Trinity. He did not say anything regarding divine entities forming a trinity. If there were a trinity, he would have said it clearly to his people, because prophets came to convey the truth, not to hide it.

14. The concept that Jesus (peace be upon him) held about Allah was in no way different from the concept that all the other previous prophets had. Absolutely all of them preached the Unity of Allah, not the “Trinity”. Jesus (peace be upon him) simply repeated the same monotheistic, unitarian message that had been revealed to the prophets that came before him.

15. The doctrine of the Trinity is irrational because nothing that comes out of Him or is created by Him can become His equal and partner in Godhead.

16. The Qur’an rejects the concept of the Trinity as strongly as it rejects the idea that Allah has a son. This is because Allah tells us He is One. This is a fundamental tenet of all the revelations. Three, by reason and by simple arithmetic, are not one. The Qur’an addresses Christians on this subject:

O People of the Scripture! Do not exaggerate in your religion nor utter anything concerning Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a messenger of Allah, and His Word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers, and do not say, “Three!”Cease! [it is] better for you! Allah is only One God. Far is it removed from His Transcendent Majesty that He should have a son. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is sufficient as Defender.(95) (Qur’an 4: 171)

Islam revived the concept of Allah’s Unity in essence, and absolutely negates the doctrine of “sonship” and the doctrine which states that Allah is Jesus. Allah says:

Surely, they have disbelieved who say: Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary. (Qur’an 5: 72)

Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:

Say: He is Allah the One [in His essence]. Allah is the eternal absolute. He begets not, nor is He begotten. And there is none like unto Him. (Qur’an 112: 1-4)




92. Compiled from The True Message of Jesus Christ and “My Great Love for Jesus led Me to Islam‘.

93. This verse indicates very clearly the distinction between Allah and Jesus as a prophet.

94. This verse indicates clearly that God is to be worshipped alone without any mediator, and that Jesus is a man, not “God‘.

95. The Glorious Qur’an by M. Pickthall


to continue Insha Allah

2. Revival of Allah’s Supremacy In His attributes and qualities

Allah has the supreme attributes. He is the Most Gracious and Most Merciful. His attributes are many, and He was praised in all revealed books and on the tongues of His prophets. According to the Bible, Jesus taught that Allah is supreme in His attributes. In Matthew 19:16-17, when the man called Prophet Jesus “good”, saying, ―Good teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?‖ Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) replied, ―Why do you call me good? No one is good but One, that is God.‖ He denied the attribution of “infinite goodness‘ or “perfect goodness‘ to himself, and affirmed that this attribute belongs to Allah alone.

In Isaiah (44:6), it is reported that God (Allah) says, ―I am the first and I am the last; besides Me there is no god. Who is like Me?‖

Islam effectively revived this basic concept. Numerous verses in the Qur’an and the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) affirm that Allah:

Has no partners nor equals.

Is “invisible” because He is over His throne, over the heavens, and no one can see Him in this life.
Is not physically manifested or incarnated in other forms.
Is eternal; He does not die.
Begets not, nor is He begotten; He is not in need of anyone like a mother, a wife, or a son.
Has no partners in His Godhead.
Is self-sufficient; all depend on Him and are in need of Him, but He does not depend on anyone, nor is He in need of anything such as food, drink, or help. For example, Allah says in the Qur’an:

There is nothing like unto Him.(Qur’an 42: 11)

Do not invent similitude’s for Allah, Indeed Allah knows and you do not know. (Qur’an 16: 74)

Allah has the best attributes; He is the Dominant, possessing complete wisdom. (Qur’an 16: 60)

Actually, this basic part of belief (belief that Allah deserves the best names and attributes) is emphasized repeatedly in the Noble Qur’an. This is evident to the reader of the Qur’an, who finds that numerous Qur’anic verses end with a reference to a divine attribute, such asthe All-Hearing, All-Seeing, the Most Forgiving, the All-Compassionate, and the Most High, the Most Great.[/i]



3. Revival of the doctrine of Monotheism

The Worship of Allah alone

As mentioned earlier, the call to the worship of Allah alone (Monotheism) without any intermediary is the message of all prophets. Because of the persisting deviation in this doctrine, it has had to be reaffirmed by all of the prophets of Allah down through the ages. The monotheistic message of Islam simply tells people that they should worship only Allah, and should not worship anyone or anything other than Allah, in any way, shape or form.

However, Christians now call upon (supplicate to) Jesus (and others) besides Allah. Moreover, they direct all types of worship to Jesus. Associating others with Allah is nothing but polytheism. Surprisingly, although the text of the Bible has been altered so much, there is still evidence in it that Jesus called others to monotheism:

In Luke 3:8, the Devil asks Jesus to worship him, promising him the authority and glory of all of the kingdoms of this world, ―And Jesus answered him, “It is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.”‖
―And there is no other god besides Me, a righteous God and a Saviour; there is none besides Me. Turn toMe and be saved…To Me every knee shall bow.‖ (Isaiah 45: 21-23)
―Turn to me now and be saved, people all over the world! I am the only God there is.‖ (Isaiah 45:22)
―Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.‖ (Matthew 4:10)

In the Bible, the true God emphatically testifies, ―I am the Lord, and there is no other god. I have not spoken in secret or kept my purpose hidden…I am the Lord, and I speak the truth; I make known what is right.‖ (Isaiah 45:19)

Thus, the essence of the message of Jesus was that only Allah deserves to be worshiped, and that the worship of anyone or anything besides Allah or along with Allah is false. It is important to note that worshipping others besides God is a major alteration of Jesus’ message. The call to Monotheism became distorted after his departure by later followers, beginning with Paul, who turned that pure and simple message into a complicated Trinitarian philosophy which justified the worship of Jesus, and then the worship of Jesus' mother, Mary, the angels and the saints. Catholics have a long list of saints to whom they turn in times of need.

Worshiping others besides Allah is irrational and in vain, because neither the living nor the dead can answer the prayers (supplication) of humankind. The worship of Allah should not be shared with His creation because they are people just like us; they are not creators, they are weak creatures like us; they need food, drink, shelter, and help, and after their death (or ascension in the case of Jesus) they cannot even hear the ones who call them!

Islam effectively revived the doctrine of Monotheism. For example, Allah says in the Qur’an:

The Messiah said: O Children of Israel, Worship Allah, My Lord and your Lord. Verily, whoever sets up partners (in worship) with Allah, then Allah has forbidden paradise to him, and the Fire will be his abode, and for the wrongdoers (polytheists); there are no helpers. (Qur’an 5: 72)

Surely, those whom you supplicate besides Allah are slaves like yourselves. (Qur’an 7: 194)

Can there be another god besides Allah? High is Allah above what they associate with Him. (Qur’an 27: 63)

Can there be another god besides Allah? Say: Bring forth your proof, if ye are telling the truth! (Qur’an 27: 64)

I have not created the jinn and humankind except to worship Me. (Qur’an 51: 56)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) says: Supplication is an essential act of worship. (96) Consequently, if a person prays to a prophet, saint, statue, or anything else, s/he has stepped out of the bounds of Islam.


Thus, according to these affirmations, all other supposed gods and deities whom people worship and call upon, like Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Brahma, Shiva, Krishna, or Buddha are neither gods, nor are they manifestations of the one true God (Allah). Even if someone were to worship Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) then the same punishment mentioned above would apply to him.




96. Narrated by at-Tirmidhi (2969) and Abu Dâwood (1479)

to continue Insha Allah

4. Revival of the creed of Jesus “humanness andProphethood, negating divinity and Sonship”


11 proofs from the Bible of Jesus‘ Humanness and Prophethood


There are many verses in the New Testament which affirm Jesus’ prophethood and contradict the attributed divinity to him.

1. ―Now this is life eternal, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (97)‖ (John 17:3)

2. In Matthew 21:11, the people of his time are recorded as referring to Jesus as prophet: ―And the crowds said: this is the prophet Jesus of Nazareth of Galilee.‖

3. In Mark, 6:4, it is stated that Jesus referred to himself as a Prophet, ―And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.”‖

4. In the previous verses, Jesus is referred to as having been sent as a messenger. In Matthew 10:40, Jesus was purported to have said: ―He that receiveth you receiveth me, and He that receiveth him that sent me.‖

5. In John 5:30, it is narrated that Jesus also said, ―I can do nothing on my own authority, as I hear I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of Him who sent me.‖

6. for there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 2:5) (98)

7. Jesus was also reported in the Gospel according to Matthew 19:16-17 to have been referred to as “the teacher‘, which is the role of all prophets: ―Now behold, one came and said to him, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?‘‖

8. In Matthew 19:17, Jesus responded to one who addressed him as ―good teacher‖, saying, ―Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is God.‖ Jesus (peace be upon him) here rejects being called “good”, and states that only God is truly good; he clearly implies that he is not God. Also, Jesus here rejects being called “perfectly good”, because perfection belongs only to God (Allah).

9. Even in some of the writings of Paul, which the Church has taken to be sacred, Jesus is referred to as a man, distinct and different from God (Allah). In 1 Timothy, 2:5, Paul writes: ―For there is one God and one mediator99 between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.‖

10. In Mathew 5:17-18, Jesus stated: ―Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the (way of) the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them, for I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.‖

11. Also in Matthew 5:19, Jesus Christ was reported to have insisted on strict obedience to the commandments of Allah, which is the role of any prophet, ―Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.‖



No Evidence for the Divinity of Jesus in the Bible.


It should be noted that nowhere in the Gospels does Jesus actually call himself “God” or the “Son of God” or one of three. If this was the case then it would have been mentioned very clearly in the Bible at least once, because Jesus was sent to enlighten the lives of people and unveil doubts, not to lead them into confusion.

Today, there are many modern scholars in Christianity who hold that Jesus Christ was not “God”.

In 1977, a group of seven biblical scholars, including leading Anglican theologians and other New Testament scholars, published a book called “The Myth of God Incarnate”, which caused a great uproar in the General Synod of the Church of England. In the preface, the editor, John Hick, wrote the following:

The writers of this book are convinced that another major theological development is called for in this last part of the twentieth century. The need arises from growing knowledge of Christian origins, and involves a recognition that Jesus was (as he is presented in Act 2.21) “a man approved by God” for a special role within the divine purpose, and that the later conception of him as God incarnate, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity living a human life, is a mythological or poetic way of expressing his significance for us. (100)

It should be noted that the concept of Jesus’ humanness is not only held by Muslims, but also by the Jews and other early sects of Christianity such as the Ebionites (Nazarenes), the Cerinthians, the Basilidians, and the Goths. They too maintained that Jesus (peace be upon him) was a beloved Prophet of God, and they have not elevated him from his rightful status. Even today there are churches in Asia and Africa, the Unitarian church, and Jehovah‘s Witnesses who do not worship Jesus as God. It is important to stress here that this is not enough to free them on the Day of Judgment, but they must accept Islam, the Prophet Muhammad, and the last revelation from Allah.




97. This verse indicates very clearly the distinction between God the Deity and Jesus the Prophet. See also John 4:34, 5:30, 7:16 & 28, 11:42, 13:16, 14:24.

98. This verse indicates clearly that God shall be worshipped alone without any mediator, and that Jesus is a man, and is not God.

99. All prophets are mediators between God and people in the sense that they are His messengers who deliver His message.

100. The True Message of Jesus Christ, p. 61


to continue Insha Allah

The Truth about “Sonship”(101)



In the Bible, the expression of “Son” has been used to refer to many of the earlier prophets. Israel, for example, was called the "Son of God" in one of the books of Moses, ―And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, thus saith the Lord, Israel is My son, even My first born.‖ (Exodus 4:22)

Also, in the Psalms, the same title was given to David, ―I will declare the decree: the Lord had said unto me, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten thee.‖ (Psalms 2:7)
Likewise, in I Chronicles, 22:10, Solomon was called the Son of God: ―He 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.‖

From the above statements and for many others in the Bible, it has been established that the word "son" really meant “nearness to God in love”. This is ascertained when we see Jesus himself said that every man who did the will of the Father in heaven was a Son of God.

Jesus (peace be upon him) was reported to say in the following verses:

―Love your enemies… that ye may be the children of your Father who is in Heaven.‖ (Mathew 5:44-45)

―Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.‖ (Mathew 5:9)
Hence, what made a man worthy of being called the “Son of God” was a devout life and kind, merciful behaviour.

The Bible proves that Jesus actually rejected being called “Son of God”: ―And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God”: But he rebuked
them, and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.‖ (Luke 4:41) (102)

Therefore, in view of the above, there is no justification to regard Jesus as the Son of God in an exclusive and unique meaning. When Jesus used the phrase "Son of God", it meant exactly the same as it meant when it was used for Adam, Israel, David and Solomon.

The humanness and prophethood of Jesus is affirmed in many verses of the Qur’an to correct the grave mistake of elevating him to the status of God (Allah) or the Son of God (Allah).

In the Qur’an, Allah denies having a son in nine different chapters: 2:116, 10:68, 11:117, 18:4, 19:77, 19:88, 19:91-92, 21:26, 25:2, 39:4, and 72:3. As an example, He says:

And they say: The All-Merciful has taken unto Himself a son. You have indeed invented a terrible, evil thing, whereby the heavens are nearly torn apart, the earth split asunder, and the mountains full in ruins that they ascribe a son to the All-Merciful. It is not befitting for the All-Merciful to take a son. There is none in the heavens and earth but comes unto the All- Merciful as a slave. Verily, He has taken account of them all, and numbered them exactly. And every one of them will come to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection. (Qur’an 19: 88-95)

Allah also says,

The Christ, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger, who was preceded by many messengers, his mother was a woman attributed with full truth;103 they both ate food. See how Allah makes His signs clear to them (people), yet see in what ways they are deluded away from the truth. (Qur’an 5: 75)

Clearly, the idea that Jesus was God or that he was the son of God is textually weak and logically impossible.


Important note

As a precautionary measure, there are many verses in the Qur’an which also confirm Prophet Muhammad's humanness, in order to prevent his followers from elevating him to a divine or semi-divine status, as happened with Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him).

For example, in Chapter 18, Allah instructs Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to inform all who hear his message of the following:

Say: Indeed, I am only a man like you to whom it has been revealed that your god is only one God (Allah). (Qur’an 18: 110)



5. Revival of the doctrine of Jesus’Ascension (negating crucifixion)


Some of the changes that took place were made to Prophet Jesus’ message after his ascension are so fundamental that they strike at the very root of Christianity.

For example, the only two references to the ascension of Jesus that were found in the Gospels of Mark and Luke in the King James Version have now been removed from the Revised Standard Version, edited in 1952. Before the removal of these passages, the relevant verses read as follows:

―So then after the Lord had spoken to them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.‖ (Mark 16:19)

―And it came to pass; while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up to heaven.‖ (Luke 24:51)

The relevant verse in the Gospels of Mark has been removed along with a number of other verses that immediately preceded and succeeded it, sixteen verses in total.
Verse 51 of Luke now reads as follows:

―While he blessed them he parted from them.‖ The words, ―carried up to heaven‖ have been removed. (104)


Islam revived the knowledge of Jesus’ ascension.

The Qur’an confirms the earliest scriptures that tell that Allah raised him up to Him when his enemies attempted to crucify him. He replaced him with another person who looked like him, and in fact, it was this person that crucified and died on the cross. To this day, it is thought by Christians that Jesus himself (peace be upon him) was the one who was killed.

Allah says in the Qur’an:

And they said: We killed the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, Messenger of Allah. But they did not kill him or crucify him, but his likeness appeared to them. Verily, those who are in conflict about him are in doubt. They certainly did not kill him. Certainly, Allah raised him up, Allah is Almighty and All Wise. (Qur’an 4: 157-158)



6. Revival of the prohibition of Augury(105)

Knowledge of what is going to happen in the future is a unique attribute of Allah alone. No one knows what will happen in the near or far future except Allah. Using augury and witchcraft is prohibited in the revealed scriptures because the one who does it raises himself to the level of Allah in assuming one of His divine attributes.

Forecasting the weather is not considered as part of augury and witchcraft, because weather forecasters depend on physical measures and mathematical calculations, unlike augury and witchcraft, where a person claims that he or she knows what is going to happen in the future, just like Allah. He alone is All-Knowing.

Jesus (peace be upon him) prohibited augury and witchcraft. In Leviticus 19:26, ―you shall not eat any flesh with the blood in it. You shall not practice augury or witchcraft.‖
Islam revived the doctrine which says that Allah alone knows the future. He says:

the Unseen is known to Allah only... (Qur’an 10: 20)

He also says:

Say: None in the heavens and the earth knows the Unseen except Allah, nor can they perceive when they will be resurrected. (Qur’an 27: 65)

Based on this, Islam strictly prohibits consulting fortune-tellers, clairvoyants, and the like. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: If anyone consults a fortune-teller or sooth- sayer, and believes in what he (or she) says; then (that person) has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad.



7. Revival of the prohibition of Witchcraft

Referring to the Old Testament quotation above (Leviticus 19:26), witchcraft is prohibited in the teachings of Moses, Jesus, and all the prophets. The reason behind that is that sorcerers and practitioners of the occult seek satanic assistance to do their magic, which is against the teachings of all the prophets.

Islam revived the prohibition of witchcraft. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: Avoid the seven great destructive sins. The Prophet‘s companions asked: O Allah‘s messenger, what are they? He (peace be upon him) said: to worship others besides Allah, to practice sorcery... (106)





101. Compiled from “My Great Love for Jesus Led Me to Islam‘

102. The True Message of Jesus Christ, p. 50

103. She never claimed that she was a mother of God, or that her son was God. She was a pious, virtuous woman.

104. Revised Standard Version of the Bible, 1952

105. Augury has many meanings, some of which are prognostication, prophecy, and divination. Of course prophecy is a gift that Allah gave to the prophets alone.

106. Narrated by Bukhari (2766) and Muslim (89)


to continue Insha Allah

8. Revival of the prohibition of harmful practices

Along with the doctrinal teachings about the nature of Allah and Jesus (peace be upon him) that were revived by the religion of Islam, some of the prohibitions pertaining to practices harmful to the individual and/or to society which Jesus and the earlier prophets had taught people were revived as well.



Interest

Upholding the Law, Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) opposed giving or taking of interest because the texts of the Old Testament expressly forbade interest. It is recorded in Deuteronomy 23:19 that, ―You shall not lend upon interest to your brother, interest on money, interest upon victuals, interest on anything that is lent for interest.‖(107)

Islam revived the teaching of Jesus regarding the prohibition of interest:

O you who believe, fear Allah and give up interest if you are real believers. (Qur’an 2: 278)

There is great wisdom in the prohibition of dealing with interest. First, the one who earns income by interest earns it without working for it, whereas in Islam it is strongly encouraged to work for one‘s living.

Second, the one who borrows does so due to a lack of financial resources, but the interest debt creates an even greater burden in that the borrower must repay the principle coupled with hefty interest charges.

Third, a system based on interest can lead to inflation, recession and even a complete collapse of financial markets, as we are witnessing in our time. Many nations in both the developed and developing world have become enslaved by the system of usury and interest.

It is undisputed that the 2008-2009 world economic downturn (and possible collapse of many world economies), which started in the United States and spread to Europe and Asia, was caused directly by the excessive lending in amounts several times over the actual worth of the assets in loans, spreading the interest charges over many resold loans, resulting in an exaggerated and unrealistic inflation of the value of the actual money lent.

This false representation of reality meant that it would be impossible for most debtors to pay back such loans. God the Almighty forbade usury in three places in the Qur’an (2:275-278; 3: 130; and 4: 161).

Those who devour usury will not stand [on the Day of Resurrection] except like the standing of a person beaten by Satan, leading him to insanity. That is because they [the unbelievers] say: Trading is only like usury whereas Allah has permitted trading and forbidden usury. So whosoever receives an admonition from his Lord and refrains from usury shall not be punished for the past, his case is for Allah [to judge]; but whoever returns [to usury] such are the dwellers of the Firethey will abide therein. (Qur’an 2: 275)

In Islam, the distinction between legitimate (allowed) practices vs. forbidden ones is very clear. Islam permits loans and the borrowing of money, but without interest charges. In fact, it is highly encouraged in the Qur’an to forgive a debt in order to remove the hardship from the one who has borrowed, if he/she is in financial difficulties, whereupon for doing so Allah promises a great reward for the one who is able to make this sacrifice.

Muslims who abide by these rules consequently never suffer negative repercussions, but when human beings do disobey God Almighty they are engulfed by disastrous results, which may come in the form of health threats, financial collapse, break-up of the social fabric, and much more.

So it is clear that Islam warns people about many serious ailments afflicting our societies in this day and age, and it is equally clear that these ailments are recognized by the world community as harmful. This is a powerful sign that Islam is the true religion and that Allah (Hallowed is He) is the true God, the One only Divine Lord and saviour.



Pork

Jesus did not eat pork. He followed the laws of Moses and he did not eat pork at all.

Leviticus 11:7-8 says: ―And the swine, because it parts the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. Of their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch, they are unclean to you‖.(108)

Nevertheless, most Christians today eat pork. Islam revived the prohibition of eating the meat of the pig. In the Qur’an, Allah says:

He has only forbidden you animals which die naturally [without being ritually slaughtered], blood, the flesh of swine and animals sacrificed for others besides Allah. But if one is forced by necessity and not wilful disobedience nor transgression, then there is no sin on him. Truly, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Qur’an 2: 173)


Consuming blood

Jesus also did not eat anything containing blood, nor did he eat blood. God [Allah] is recorded as having instructed Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) in the Torah, Deuteronomy 12:16: ―only you shall not eat the blood, you shall pour it upon the earth like water,‖ and in Leviticus 19:26, ―you shall not eat any flesh with the blood in it. You shall not practice augury or witchcraft.‖(109)

This prohibition has been revived in many verses of the Qur’an, one of which says:

Say: I do not find in what has been revealed to me anything forbidden to be eaten except animals which die of themselves, blood poured forth and swine flesh, for they are indeed impure.(110) (Qur’an 6: 145)



Alcoholic drinks

Jesus abstained from alcoholic drinks according to the instructions recorded in Numbers 6:1-4: ―And the Lord said to Moses, say to the people of Israel, when either a man or a woman makes a special vow, the vow of the Nazirite, to separate himself to the Lord, he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, he shall drink no vinegar made from wine or strong drink, and shall not drink any juice of grapes or eat grapes fresh or dried. All the days of his separation he shall eat nothing that is a product of the grapevine, not even the seeds or the skins.‖(111)

Islam revived the prohibition of intoxicants irrevocably. In the Qur’an Allah says:

O you who believe, intoxicants, gambling, sacrificial altars, and divination are an abomination of Satan's handiwork, so avoid them in order to be successful. (Qur’an 5: 90)





107. The True Message of Jesus Christ, p. 93

108. The True Message of Jesus Christ, p 83

109. The True Message of Jesus Christ, p. 84

110. The Qur’an (2:173) (mentioned earlier) prohibits the meat of the pig (pork, ham, etc.) and the blood of any animal that is lawful to eat. The blood must be drained from the slaughtered animal before preparing the meat for food.

111. The True Message of Jesus Christ, pp. 85-86


to continue Insha Allah

9. Revival of various beneficial practices

Along with the doctrinal teachings about the nature of Allah and Jesus (peace be upon him) that were revived by the religion of Islam, some of the detailed practices pertaining to everyday life which Jesus and the earlier prophets had taught by example were revived as well. To continue our list, the following are a few examples of those teachings.

Ablution before prayer

Prior to making prayer, Jesus used to wash his limbs according to the teachings of the Old Testament. Ablution is a preparation for prayers, and is considered as an act of worship by itself. Moses and Aaron are recorded as doing the same in Exodus 40:30-1, ―And he set the laver between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it for washing, with which Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet…as the Lord commanded Moses.‖(112)


Islam revived ablution

The significance of ablution is evident when we put in mind that it is a preparation for prayer, where worshippers cleanse themselves first before they stand before Allah, the Creator.

Islam revived ablution for prayer in the Qur’an, which says:

O you who believe, when you intend to pray, wash your faces and forearms up to the elbows, wipe your heads and wash your feet up to the ankles…(Qur’an 5: 6)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught his followers (by his statements and his example) that ablution includes washing the hands, rinsing the mouth, washing the face, washing the arms, wiping the head, and finally washing the feet.


Performing prayers physically

Jesus (peace be upon him) performed his prayers in a physical manner, not just through supplication. In Mark 14:32, it states: ―And they went to a place which was called Gethsemane; and he (Jesus) said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I pray.”‖ and in Luke 5:16, ―But he withdrew to the wilderness and prayed.‖

Islam revived prayers as a main act of worship. Allah instructs believers to perform prayers in numerous Qur’anic verses, for example:

Establish prayer, pay the poor-due, and bow down with those who bow down (in worship) (Qur’an 2: 43)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught his followers (by saying and action) that performing prayers includes standing up, bowing down and prostrating.

Actually, the manner of prayer in Islam is more in line with what Jesus taught than with what Christians do today. According to Isaiah (45: 21-23), God is reported to have said ―To Me every knee shall bow.‖

Jesus is described in the Gospels as prostrating during prayer. The method of prostration in prayer followed by Jesus was not of his own making. It was the mode of prayer of the prophets before him. In the Old Testament, Genesis 17:3, Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) is recorded to have fallen on his face in prayer; in Numbers 16:22 & 20:6, both Moses and Aaron are recorded to have fallen on their faces in worship; in Joshua 5:14 & 7:6, Joshua fell on his face to the earth in worship; in I Kings 18:42, Elijah bowed down on the ground and put his face between his knees. This was the way of the prophets. (113)

―Christians today kneel down, clasping their hands, in a posture which cannot be ascribed to Jesus or others.‖( 114)

In many of his statements, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught his followers the manner of prayer, including bowing down and prostrating one‘s face to Allah.



Compulsory Charity

Jesus confirmed the institution of compulsory charity known as “the tithe (tenth)‘, which was required from the annual harvest. ―You shall tithe all the yield of your seed, which comes forth from the field year by year.‖ (Deuteronomy 14:22) (115)


The Qur’an is a revival of Jesus’ teachings. It teaches Muslims to pay the charity at the time of harvest. Allah says,

It is He who produces trellised and un-trellised gardens, date palms and crops of different varieties, and olives and pomegranates, similar yet different. Eat of their fruit when they bear, but pay the due charity at the time of harvest(116) without being extravagant, for surely He does not like those who are extravagant. (Qur’an 6: 141)

The system of charity is well organized; it provides different rates for cash, precious metals, various trade goods, agricultural products and cattle. (117) The purpose of charity is very well defined; it is to provide social support to the needy people in the community and not to provide comfortable living for priests.(118)


The categories of those who are eligible to receive such charity are also clearly defined in the Qur’an. (see 9: 60).

In Islam, although the Zakah is obligatory, voluntary charity is highly promoted and encouraged. Often, Muslims give from their wealth far more than the obligatory minimum amount, on their own. They do so because charity that is based on sincere intentions promises great rewards for the donor by Allah. In the history of Islam there are many accounts of people who gave their entire wealth to poor, seeking Allah’s pleasure through this remarkable act of charity.



Fasting

Allah says in the Qur’an that fasting is enjoined on Muslims as it was enjoined on previous nations.

According to the Gospels, Jesus fasted for forty days. Matthew 4:2 says, ―And he fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry.‖(119) This was in accordance with the practice of the earlier prophets. Moses (peace be upon him) is also recorded in Exodus 34:28 to have fasted. It says, ―And he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights, he neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.‖(120)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) affirmed that Prophet David (peace be upon him) used to fast regularly; he said: The best manner of fasting (121) is that of my brother David, who used to fast every other day. (122)



The Qur’an is a revival of many of the teachings of Jesus and Moses.

It teaches the believers to fast the month of Ramadan. It says:

O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, in order that you may attain consciousness of Allah. (Qur’an 2: 183)

Greeting with the supplication of peace

According to Dr. Bilal Philips, Jesus (peace be upon him) greeted his followers by saying, “Peace be with you”. This greeting was the same as that mentioned in the books of the Old Testament. In 1st Samuel 25:6, Prophet David (peace be upon him) instructed emissaries whom he sent to Nabal: ―And thus you shall salute him: ―Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have.‖(123)

Islam is a religion of peace and respect for others. It revived this noble moral teaching.

The Qur’an instructs all who enter homes to give greeting of peace... God instructs the believers to greet each other with peace:

When those who believe in My signs come to you, say: Peace be upon you...(Qur’an 6: 54) (124)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also taught his followers to say this greeting whenever they met each other. The greeting of peace extends even to heaven as angels greet those who enter paradise with the same greeting of peace.



Veiling (Hijab) for women

The women around Jesus veiled themselves according to the practice of women around the earlier prophets. Their garments were loose and covered their bodies completely, and they wore scarves which covered their hair. In Genesis 24:64-65: ―And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she alighted from the camel, and said to the servant, “who is the man yonder, walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master” So she took her veil and covered herself.‖(125)

Islam encourages decency. Muslim women are instructed to cover their bodies and wear veils that cover their heads and chests. Allah says:

Tell the believing women to lower their gaze and protect their private parts and not to expose their adornment, except only what normally appears, and to draw their veils over their bosoms…(Qur’an 24: 31)

The wisdom behind veiling is given in Chapter 33, verse 59, where the Qur’an states that it provides women with protection from possible social harm.(126) In addition, veiling works to discourage males from approaching females with dishonourable intentions.


Polygyny


There is no record of Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) opposing polygyny. There are a number of examples of polygamous marriages among the prophets recorded in the Old Testament. Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) had two wives, according to Genesis 16:13, ―So after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, Sarai, Abram's wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her maid, and gave her to Abram her husband as a wife.‖

So did Prophet David (peace be upon him), according to the first book of Samuel 27:3, ―...and David with his two wives, Ahin'o-am of Jezreel, and Abigail of Carmel, Nabal's widow.‖

In 1 Kings 11:3, Solomon is said to have ―…had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines.‖

According to 2nd Chronicles 11:21, Solomon's son, Rehobo'am, had a number of wives. The Old Testament even specified laws regarding the division of inheritance in polygamous circumstances, which indicates that the practice was a normal one in society. (See Deuteronomy 21:15-16) (127)

Islam revived this practice of the earlier prophets, but imposed stringent restrictions on polygyny. It permits marriage to up to four women with strict conditions stipulating justice and equal treatment among one‘s wives as the basic condition for polygyny. In the Qur’an Allah states:

Marry those women that please you, two, three or four; but if you fear that you will not be able to deal justly, then [marry only] one.(Qur’an 4: 3)

The only restriction on polygamy [polygyny] recorded in earlier scriptural teaching was the ban on taking a wife's sister as a rival wife in Leviticus 18:18. (128) This law is applied in Islam as well, as is stated in the Qur’an (4: 23).



Circumcision

Jesus (peace be upon him) was circumcised. According to Luke 2:21: ―And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.‖

According to the Old Testament, Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him), who was himself neither a Jew nor a Christian, was the first to be circumcised.

In Genesis 17:9, it is written, ―And God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. This is my covenant, which you shall keep between me and you and your descendants after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. He that is eight days old among you shall be circumcised.”‖

However, today most Christians are not circumcised because of a rationale introduced by Paul, who claimed that circumcision was the circumcision of the heart. In his letter to the Romans 2:29, he wrote: ―He is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart, spirited and not literal.‖ In his letter to the Galatians 5:2, he wrote: ―Now I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you.‖ This was Paul's false interpretation. Jesus was not circumcised in the heart nor did he say anything about circumcision of the heart, he kept the ―everlasting covenant‖ and was circumcised in the flesh.‖(129)


Islam revives circumcision

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was quoted as saying: There are five practices which correspond to the natural human inclination: shaving pubic hair and underarm hair, circumcision, trimming the moustache, and trimming fingernails and toenails. (130)



Conclusion


To conclude, Islam revived the faith of the prophets, which is based upon the belief in one God (Allah), and revived along with belief many rules and practices related to morality, justice, and clean living. Hence, the Islamic way of life is much closer to the way of life of Jesus and the previous prophets (peace be upon them all) than that of any other group of people who claim to be their followers.




112. The True Message of Jesus Christ, pp. 86-87

113. The True Message of Jesus Christ, p. 87-88

114. The True Message of Jesus Christ, 87

115. The True Message of Jesus Christ, p. 91

116. The due is one tenth if the field is naturally irrigated, and one twentieth if it is artificially irrigated. This obligatory charity is levied on other material resources, like trade and livestock.

117. For example, the amount of zakah for cash after one year has passed on it (intact) is 2.5%.

118. The True Message of Jesus Christ, p. 92

119. See also Matthew 6:16 & 17:21

120. The True Message of Jesus Christ, p. 92

121. He meant the voluntary fasting, not the obligatory fast prescribed during the month of Ramadan.

122. Narrated by Bukhari (1131) and Muslim (1159)

123. The True Message of Jesus Christ, p. 90

124. The True Message of Jesus Christ, pp. 90-91

125. The True Message of Jesus Christ, p. 88

126. The True Message of Jesus Christ, p. 89-90

127. Source: The True Message of Jesus Christ, p. 94

128. The True Message of Jesus Christ, p. 95

129. The True Message of Jesus Christ, p. 81-82

130. Narrated by Abu Hurayrah, and recorded in all six authentic collections


to continue Insha Allah

Allah has made the message of Islam easy to understand and to follow. He annulled some previously prescribed rites and practices while affirming others according to His wisdom. As a result, the Islamic creed and law suit peoples’ spiritual, psychological, social and economical needs, for all of humankind and for all eras.

Islamic teachings have the following unique features:

1. Rationality

One should not have to derive the truth from a series of complicated logical proofs, only to arrive at something he or she is unsure of (as is common in other religions or philosophies). When the truth is found, it should be clear and obvious. The truth is so simple that anyone is capable of seeing it, and this is the most compelling feature of Islam.


2. Perfection

Since Allah is perfect, His teachings must also be perfect and free from any contradiction or error. The Qur’an challenges its readers to find any errors in it, if they do not believe it is really from Allah:

Will they read the Qur’an prudently? Had it been from other than Allah, they would have found many contradictions in it.(Qur’an 4: 82)

Dr. Maurice Bucaille, a French Christian physician, found many scientific facts mentioned in the Qur’an that were not known by humans at the time that the verses of the Qur’an were being conveyed by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to those around him. Bucaille wrote, - I could not find a single error in the Qur’an (131)


3. Clarity

Allah is the Most Compassionate. He therefore guides people through clear and simple revelation free of myths, superstitions and mysteries.



4. Scientific validity and accuracy

It is not surprising to find in the Qur’an and statements of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) information which has only recently been discovered by modern science. This indicates that the Qur’an is the word of Allah and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His Prophet. On the other hand, the religious views which the church presented concerning God, the Bible, and the individual‘s relation to God forced people into an unfortunate choice: either science or God. Most educated people have come to the conclusion that one cannot be a scientist or an educated person and be a true Christian at the same time. Many philosophers, scientists and the majority of lay people lost hope of reconciling religion and science; thus the ideology of secularism was developed. This dichotomy would not have arisen if the original Gospel which was revealed to Jesus (peace and blessings be upon him) had not been distorted. Islam, the pure religion, raises no contradiction whatsoever between religion and science. This is naturally obvious because both religion and true scientific knowledge are from the same source: Allah, who does not contradict Himself. (132)



5. Prophetic fulfillment

Many of the events prophesied in the Qur’an and in the Prophet‘s statements have come to pass. This is further proof that Islam is not a man-made religion, because it is unimaginable for an uneducated man who was living isolated from other civilizations to make up such prophecies.



6. Moderation

In Islam, there is no conflict between spiritual and worldly life. Rather, it provides a balance between all aspects of human life, taking into account the needs and wants of individuals and society. Therefore, secularism, materialism, monasticism and extreme asceticism are all rejected in Islam, which provides a middle way to achieve harmony and balance between the spiritual and material needs of people. This is why Allah called the Muslim Nation in the Qur’an the moderate nation. (2: 143)


7. Comprehensiveness

Islamic teachings provide people with definite guidelines to follow in all aspects of life: spiritual, individual, social, moral, political, economical, and so on.


8. Uniqueness

For anyone who claimed that Islam was man-made, Allah challenges them to produce the like thereof. Indeed, the entire Qur’an—its language, its elegance, its miraculous nature—is unparalleled. The ancient non-Muslim Arabs tried to construct a verse yet failed, even though their language and poetry was very highly developed in that era. Even many recent non-Muslim scholars admit that the Qur’an is one of the greatest books known to humankind. This point ultimately leads to the fact that Muhammad [peace be upon him (the illiterate)] was a true prophet to whom the Qur’an was revealed.


9. Justice

All of humankind descended from one man and one woman (Adam and Eve). Islam teaches that the criterion by which each human being is judged is righteousness, not the colour of one‘s skin or one‘s status in society. The best person in the view of Allah is the most righteous. A verse of the Glorious Qur’an reads:

The best of you in the sight of Allah is the one who is most righteous.(Qur’an 49: 13)



131. The Qur’an and Modern Science, by Maurice Bucaille, IIPH

132. For more information on the many scientific facts that are referenced in the Qur’an see The Qur’an and Modern Science, by Dr. Maurice Bucaille and A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam, by I. A. Ibrahim, IIPH, also available at www.islam-guide.com.


to continue Insha Allah

Islam is a universal message to all of humankind and for all times, until the Day of Judgment, whereas every other prophet was sent to his own people, and for a limited time period. Prophet Jesus’ mission was limited to the ―lost sheep of the house of Israel.‖(133) Muhammad peace be upon him was sent for everyone: male or female, rich or poor, Arab or non-Arab, slave or freeborn. Islam can be practiced anywhere on earth; it is not tied to locality or culture. So if you are not from the tribes of Israel (the descendants of the twelve sons of Prophet Jacob) as in the case of Indians, Asians, Africans, indigenous peoples and Europeans; and you are a Christian; then you are following a prophet (Jesus) and a message which was not meant for you. This means you are not on the right track!






Every person should return to Islam because it is the birthright of every person and the original print on every human soul when he or she was born.

Every person should return to Islam because Allah has sealed and superseded all previous messages with Islam. Allah says to all people in the Qur’an:

This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.(Qur’an 5: 3)

Every person should return to Islam because people in every age must worship their Lord (Allah) according to the Law prescribed by Him as revealed to His Prophet.

The tribes of Israel, for example, were ordered to worship Allah according to the Law of Moses (peace be upon him). When Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) was sent to them, they were ordered to worship Allah according to what was prescribed in the Gospel.

Then, when Allah sent Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) with the message of Islam to all people, it became incumbent on all people, the tribes of Israel and all others, to enter Islam.

After all, what could be more serious than the rejection of the religion which the Creator and Sustainers of everything has enjoined upon all people? Indeed this is the greatest injustice committed by human beings. It is sad but true that if a person dies in this state, then he or she will be punished and cast into the hellfire to live there for eternity. This concept is emphasized hundreds of times in the Qur’an and in the statements of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Allah says in the Qur’an:

If anyone desires a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted from him, and in the hereafter he will be among the losers.(Qur’an 3: 85)

Also, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: Whoever among the Christians and Jews hears of me and does not follow what I have brought, and dies in this state will be among the inhabitants of hellfire. (134 )


Note that Allah was reported to have said in the prophecy of Deuteronomy 18, ―If anyone does not listen to My words that the prophet speaks in My name, I Myself will call him to account.‖ (Deuteronomy 18:19)

Having proved that the prophet referred to here is Muhammad (peace be upon him), this means that whoever believes in the Bible must believe in this prophet and in what this prophet says, or he will be called to account for that. After the realization of who this prophet is, it follows logically that one must adhere to the teachings of this very prophet.

There are those who may not accept Islam because they think that becoming a Muslim means to turn one‘s back on all previous prophets sent by Allah. This is a false concept because of the following:

First, the belief in all messengers of Allah is a pillar of Islamic faith and hence, no Muslim is a believing Muslim if he does not believe in Jesus, Moses or any other prophet.

Second, belief in the messengers is a part of what each messenger taught (that is, every prophet called his people to believe in the next prophet who comes after him and follow him whenever he appears). So, rejecting a prophet amounts to rejecting the predecessor.

Third, rejecting any messenger amounts to rejecting the One Who sent him: Allah.

Fourth, Islam promises the followers of previous faiths great rewards if they add belief in Islam to belief in their previous faith. The Messenger of Allah, (peace be upon him) said: Three people have a double reward: a person from the people of the scriptures (the Jews and Christians) who believed in his prophet (Jesus or Moses) and then believes in the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him (by embracing Islam)...(135) That is, the first reward for believing in his/her faith before s/he knew about Islam and the second reward for recognizing the truth and believing in Islam.

Hence, the Islamic perspective on the relationship between the messengers is like the relationship between the links in a chain, where rejecting one of them amounts to rejecting all of them. Therefore, becoming a Muslim means having the honour of believing in all the prophets who came before Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and not turning one's back on any previous prophets.

Finally, we have to accept Islam because Islam revived the eternal divine teachings that had been either forgotten or distorted from their mention in the previous messages. Islam retains and maintains the practical teachings mentioned in the previous scriptures that are part of the birthright of all people till the end of this world.







133. Matthew 15:24

134. Narrated by Muslim (153)

135. Narrated by Bukhari (97)

to continue Insha Allah

XXI. A Final Call to Reason

A concluding suggestion: consider what everyone has in common. Come, let us reason together,

Say: O People of the Book, come to common terms between us and you: that we worship none but Allah, that we associate no partners with Him, that we do not set up, from among ourselves, lords and patrons other than Allah. If then they turn back, say: bear witnesses that we (at least) are Muslims. (Qur’an 3: 64)

"People of the Book" is the respectful title given to the Jews and the Christians in the Noble Qur’an. The Muslims are here commanded to invite them with noble and respectful words: O People of the Book, O Learned People, O People who claim to be the recipients of Divine Revelation of a Holy Scripture, let us gather together onto a common platform: that we worship none but Allah, because none but Allah is worthy of worship, because He is our Lord and Cherisher, our Sustainer and Evolver, worthy of all praise, prayer and devotion.

These truths are basic and an integral part of any human being‘s intellect. Sort through the layers of indoctrination which hide this simple fact, and one will be able to see that deep down, every human being retains the simple and obvious concept of Allah. In essence, every human being agrees that there is only One God worthy of worship, One God who is free of partners, helpers, or anything that is ascribed to Him falsely. In essence, every human being is in agreement.

XXII. To Sum it up

The following twenty-five facts were discussed in this book:

First, the purpose of creation is to worship Allah alone.

Second, the basic message of Islam is to worship Allah alone without any intercessor or mediator. Any form of worship that is not dedicated to Allah alone, will be rejected as one form of polytheism (shirk), which amounts to apostasy from the Islamic point of view.

Third, the evidence that only Allah has the right to be worshipped was elaborated.

Fourth, the message of false religions is paganism (the worship of creatures, rather than the Creator).

Fifth, Allah and His creation are totally different entities. He is One, distinct from His creations.

Sixth, both the divine origin of the name of the religion “Islam‘ and the comprehensiveness of its meaning point to its truth.

Seventh, Islam's basic principles and characteristics point to its truth.

Eighth, the truth of every religion relies on the accuracy with which the original revelation from Allah was preserved. This rule is only satisfied by Islamic teachings. The Qur’an is the final word of Allah which has been preserved throughout the ages. Hence, it supersedes all previous scriptures. (136)

Ninth, Islam is the final religion, and intended for all humankind. All people therefore have an obligation to embrace it.

Tenth, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent to all people. He is the last Prophet and his teaching, Islam, will remain as the only correct and authentically revealed teaching until the Day of Judgment.

Eleventh, Islam is uniquely rational, simple and uncomplicated. It rejects all forms of polytheism and false beliefs.

Twelfth, prophets are human beings sent by Allah to convey and revive the original message: worship of Allah alone (Monotheism) and being careful not to worship anything other than Him. Prophets are only human beings sent by Allah to be examples of how the scriptures were to be understood and implemented.

Thirteenth, Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a virtuous woman, honoured above the women of all nations in that time.

Fourteenth, Islam is the only religion today that teaches the right concept of Allah, free of any confusion or irrational facts.

Fifteenth, it has been proved that the Bible is widely distorted; this implies that Christianity has been distorted as well, as is evident from several doctrines introduced by humans into Christianity that resulted in its deviation from pure monotheism into tri-theism within the first 400 years after Jesus’ ascension.

Sixteenth, Islam is a restatement of the basic message of all religions: worship Allah alone. It is the last religion for all people and for all times. So, whether they were raised as Jews, Christians, Hindus, atheists, or with any other creed, everyone, once they hear about it should follow it, become a Muslim and pronounce the testimony right away, without further delay; and whoever rejects it then it means that he or she has rejected the message of Allah, and accordingly will be cast into hell. Such a person cannot expect guidance, for he/she has deliberately renounced guidance.

Seventeenth, it is evidenced in many places in the Old and New Testaments that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was mentioned by his illustrious predecessors, namely the Prophets Jesus and Moses (may Allah’s blessings be upon them all). With this decisive and factual evidence, it is only befitting that sincere Christians and Jews accept Islam as a continuation of the prophetic legacy left by all the messengers and prophets. As such, they should enter Islam‘s fold wholeheartedly.

Eighteenth, indeed, Islam is the only religion that fights extremism-whether that extremism comes from secularism and materialism or from excessive spiritualism. Islam ensures a balance between spiritual, moral and materialistic needs. It is truly the middle path and is a perfectly balanced way of life. This should not be surprising because Islamic teachings are not manmade, but have been revealed to humanity by Allah the Creator, the Most Wise, the Most Knowledgeable.

Nineteenth, oral traditions passed on for generations were substantially changed from the original message. People who had not seen Jesus (peace be upon him) began to write books focusing on his personality more than his message. These articles became overly exaggerated, losing the true essence of his existence and message. They exalted him to extreme heights. This then posed a problem for Christianity as divisions in the doctrine arose, with each group espousing their own theories and explanations. This resulted in variant notions of the crucifixion, the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus, the divine “sonship” of Christ, original sin, and atonement. The following cardinal doctrines of Christianity are rejected by Islam:

The Trinity
The divinity of Jesus (peace be upon him)
The notion that Jesus is the son of God.
Original sin
Atonement (reconciliation between God and humankind brought about by the life and death of Jesus)
Redemption (salvation from sin through Jesus‘ sacrifice)

Twentieth, the reality of the prophets, their uniform message, and the way of life is revived and can only be found preserved in Islamic teachings, manifested in the Qur’an and the statements and actions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). They are the only authentic and proven resource documents today which preserve the facts about Jesus, Moses and their messages. They guide those who follow these sources to a way of life which is more consistent with the way of life of Jesus and Moses than that practiced by most Christians and Jews themselves. They guide to the love and respect of both of them, and of all the prophets.

Twenty-first, the way to please Allah has been detailed for us. The Qur’an defines it clearly and the Prophet (peace be upon him) gives us details at every point.

Twenty-second, Islam considers any disrespect of any prophet as stepping out from the boundaries of Islam.

Twenty-third, the popular Christian concept of salvation is inaccurate. The true way to achieve salvation is to do good deeds and to avoid and repent from sins, and to follow the commandments mentioned in the scriptures, sealed and superseded by the Qur’an. Islam teaches that sin cannot be transferred from person to person or inherited. Each person is accountable for his/her own deeds and will be rewarded accordingly.
Allah says in the Qur’an:

And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer,(137) those will enter paradise and will not be wronged (even so much as) the speck on a date seed. (Qur’an 4: 124)

Twenty-fourth, God (Allah) is One, His message is one, and the way to Him is one: namely Islam. Allah says in the Qur’an:

Verily, this is My way leading straight, so follow it, and do not follow other paths, as they will scatter you from His right path; this is His commandment to you, that you may be righteous. (Qur’an 6: 153)

Last but not least, Islam is your birthright. Yes, you read correctly. Islam is your right. Every human being was born into the religion of Islam and human beings are naturally drawn to what they already know.

These are the twenty-five basic components which logically and rationally dictate that Islam be considered the last and true religion of Allah, so all people should follow it.



136. It shall be noted that those who followed the scriptures when they were in their pure, unadulterated forms are considered to be on the right religion, and will have nothing to fear on the Day of Judgment.

137. Believing in the six pillars of faith mentioned earlier

to continue Insha Allah

XXIII. This s it

In this book you have been shown the right path, and Allah has given you the ability to distinguish right from wrong, and the freedom of choice whether to accept the message of Islam or not. If you accept His call, then you will be warmly welcomed into paradise. If you reject it, you will end up with the biggest loss ever imagined: the loss of paradise and the guarantee of abiding in hellfire for all eternity. Take a moment to comprehend what eternity really means. It is a very frightening realisation.

To those who have been faithful Christians, you are warmly welcomed to embrace Islam because:

Jesus asked his followers to follow Muhammad whenever he appeared;

And when Jesus comes back before the end of this world, he will follow Muhammad and abide by his teachings.

Yes, since Jesus (Peace be upon him) called to it when he was on earth, and will follow Islam when he comes back, and because he called his true followers to follow it; then the faithful Christian should follow Islam as well.

To those who have been believing Jews, remember that Abraham and Moses surrendered themselves completely to their Lord, whether they called Him Elohenu, God, or Allah. All pride in ethnicity or ancestry is vain: what will matter in the end is your individual relationship with your Creator. This means total submission--Islam.

To those of other faiths, or who until now did not feel that they had any faith at all, consider this message NOW, without any reluctance or hesitation, before it is too late. Before DEATH overtakes you. It can be soon. Who knows?





Some people are not able to find the truth because of their blind commitment to their beliefs. Their tenacious adherence is usually not based on an intellectual understanding of the teachings, but on powerful cultural and emotional influences. Because they were brought up in a particular family or society, they firmly cling to the beliefs of that group, believing that they are upholding the truth.

To accurately identify the true religion, an objective point of view must be maintained which does not allow our emotions to cloud our vision and thereby blind us to the truth. Indeed, we must look at all issues rationally so that we can separate the truth from falsehood, then judge it and follow it, with sincere prayers to the Almighty to guide us to the right path.

Being presented with the previous proofs, whoever has a sane intellect can analyze and reason; a crossroads has been reached, in which Allah (Glorified be He) calls all people to follow the clear, straight road and avoid all the foggy, zigzagging ones. The right path has now become distinct from the wrong path, as Allah says in the Qur’an (2: 256).

There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in false gods and believes in Allah, then he [or she] has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.





It is my duty and responsibility as a member of this great planet, and as one who has submitted my free will to the Law and Commandments of the Supreme Being, to urge all human beings to stay away from the worship of false deities, to stop putting their faith in statues, sphinxes, figures, amulets, talismans, horseshoes, and any other objects that have been manufactured by humans or created by God. After repentance, a person should submit completely to the Will of Allah, the Only God of the Universe.

No matter how much money, prestige, position, and power that an unbeliever might have possessed in this life, he or she will never have enough to buy his or her entrance to paradise. In the hereafter, the poorest from among the inhabitants of earth who had testified to the truth of Islam will be far happier and more dignified than the richest person who did not accept the message of Islam.

Rejecting Allah’s message is the biggest sin that one can commit. For this reason, while the soul of an unbeliever is still in his or her body, the wise man/woman should quickly utilize the occasion that he/she is still alive to accept Allah‘s message before it is too late.
The time for repentance is limited. Once death arrives, it is no longer possible to obtain forgiveness.(138) Allah says in the Qur’an:

When death comes to the person he will say: O my Lord, send me back [to life] that I may do righteous deeds [in the times that I wasted]. No, it is a word he says. (139)(Qur’an 23: 100)

As religion is without question the most important aspect of a person’s life because it impacts whether a person is rightly guided or not, it follows therefore that choosing the true faith is the most important personal decision one must make, and this decision needs to be based on clarity and total conviction. When it comes to matters of religion and creed, absolutely nothing must be left to chance, because one who is truly guided-as opposed to one who is not-will surely find eternal happiness in the hereafter!

As you have read this book, “Islam is Your Birthright”, and examined the evidence therein on the truthfulness of Islam, I pray to God Almighty that you can and would make the right choice! I invite you to choose Islam as your way of life so you get on the right path! Lâ ilâha illâ Allâh (there is no deity but Allah), Muhammad rasoolu Allâh (Muhammad is Allah‘s Messenger).





How to become a Muslim

Every religion has its own requirements for conversion: If someone wants to become Jewish, he/she needs to be able to pledge all of the following:

1) To enter the “eternal covenant” between God and the people of Israel and to become a Jew of his/her own free will;
2) To accept Judaism to the exclusion of all other religious faiths and practices, which means to deny the prophethood of Jesus and of Muhammad and to deny the revelations that God sent to humankind through them;
3) To pledge undivided loyalty to Judaism and to the Jewish people under all circumstances;
4) To commit to learning the Torah and Jewish knowledge; and
5) To raise his/her children as Jews.


To be a Christian one must:

1) Believe that God (Allah) has a partner, a mother, and a son;
2) believe that every newborn baby is born sinful;
3) believe that God became a man and descended to earth to die for the sins of people;
4) Deny the prophethood of Muhammad to all people; and
5) Deny that the Qur’an is revelation from Allah.

However, to become a Muslim is simple:

1) Bear witness that no one deserves worship except Allah (disown all false gods);
2) Bear witness that Muhammad is His messenger;
3) Believe in the six articles of faith; and
4) Worship Allah as taught by Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

May the light of truth shine in our minds and in our hearts. May it lead us to peace and certitude in this life and eternal bliss in the hereafter.

Majed S. Al-Rassi
P.O. Box 12021
Jubail 31961, Saudi Arabia
Mobile: 00966 (0) 505906761
e-mail: majed.alrassi@gmail.com


138. Compiled from “My Great Love for Jesus Led Me to Islam‘

139. So the unbeliever will ask for a “second chance‘ when he or she sees the angels ready to punish him/her, but it is too late; s/he was given the time, the intellect and the guidance, but s/he neglected it for years till time ran out.


to continue Insha Allah

Bibliography

Simon Caraballo (Muhammad bin Abdullah Caraballo), My Great Love for Jesus Led Me to Islam: Jubail Da”wah & Guidance Centre, KSA.
Dr. Manestet H. al-Johani, The Truth about Jesus, World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY)
Dr. Bilal Philips, The True Message of Jesus Christ, International Islamic Publishing House, P. O. Box 55195, Riyadh, 11534, K.S.A.
Dr. Ahmed Deedat, Christ in Islam (peace be upon him): Islamic Propagation Centre International, Durban, RSA.
The Holy Qur’an: English Translation of the Meaning and Commentary, King Fahd Holy Quran Printing Complex
Dr. Jamal Badawi, Muhammad in the Bible, Islamic Information Foundation (IIF), Halifax, Canada
Dr. Bilal Philips, The True Religion, Riyadh: International Islamic Publishing House
Dr. Naji I. Arfaj, Seeking The Truth Series, distributed by the author (seekkfu.edu.sa)
Study Guide, Comparative Study – Islam and Christianity, 1978, compiled by Imam Jamil Abdul Razak, Islamic Center of Seattle, Washington, USA
Explanation of the Three Fundamental Principles of Islaam by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-'Uthaymeen, Al-Hidaayah Publishing and Distribution, UK, 1997


Appendix
For Further Information About Islam


1. The Glorious Qur’an, translation of the meaning in English by M. Marmaduke Pickthall.
2. Ata ur-Rahim, Muhammad and Thomson, Ahmad, Jesus, Prophet of Islam, Riyadh: International Islamic Publishing House, 2008
3. Baageel, M., Christian-Muslim Dialogue, Riyadh: International Islamic Publishing House
4. Bucaille, Maurice, The Quran and Modern Science, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: International Islamic Publishing House
5. Caraballo, Simon (Muhammad bin Abdullah Caraballo), “My Great Love for Jesus Led Me to Islam‘, Saudi Arabia: Jubail Da”wah & Guidance Centre
6. Ibrahim, I. A., A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam, Houston, TX: Darussalam, 1997. Also available at www.islam-guide.com
7. Khan, Maulana Wahiduddin, God Arises, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: International Islamic Publishing House, 2005
8. Khan, Abdul Waheed, The Personality of Allah‘s Last Messenger, 2nd ed., Riyadh: International Islamic Publishing House, 2007
9. LeBlanc, Abdul-Malik, The Bible Led Me to Islam, Toronto: Al-Attique Publisher
10. Philips, Bilal, The Purpose of Creation, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: International Islamic Publishing House
11. Philips, Bilal, The True Message of Jesus Christ, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: International Islamic Publishing House, 2006
12. Al-”Uthaymeen, Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih, Explanation of the Three Fundamental Principles of Islaam, UK: Al-Hidaayah Publishing and Distribution, , 1997

You may also wish to visit the following web sites for up-to-date information and a wealth of reading material:

Online information about Islam:
www.islamfortoday.com
www.islam-guide.com
www.islamonline.net
www.islamtomorrow.com
www.missionislam.com


Online bookstores:
www.al-hidaayah.co.uk
www.dar-us-salam.com
www.iiphonline.com
www.soundvision.com


Glossary of Islamic Terms


Allâhu akbar الله أكبر Allah is the Greatest.
Bismillâh بسم الله in the name of Allah
Dajjâl الدجّال Antichrist
Da”wah دعوة disseminating the teachings of Islam and calling people to accept and embrace Islam
Hadith (hadeeth) حديث the collected statements and
actions of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) that with the Qur'an form the basis of Islamic law
Hajj حج the major pilgrimage to the Sacred Mosque, site of the Ka”bah at Makkah, to be undertaken by every able Muslim once in his/her lifetime
Jizyah جسيت a tax levied on the people of the Scriptures when they are under the protection of a Muslim government.
Kaaba (Ka”bah) الكعبت the House of Allah in Makkah, originally built by Prophets Ibrâheem and Ismâ”eel
Ramadan رمضان the ninth month in the Islamic calendar; the month of obligatory fasting
Sharia (shari”ah) شرعت Islamic law derived from the Qur’an and the statements and actions of the Prophet.
Zakât (zakâh) زكاة obligatory charity: an 'alms tax' on wealth payable by Muslims and to be distributed to poor Muslims who qualify as recipients.__



Masha Allah TabarakAllah, a very informative book.

May Allah guide us to the truth and keep us firmly on the path that leads to Success and Paradise Ameen