Dear Brian,
I have read your email, and considered deeply what you’ve
said. After re-reading your previous
emails, I realized that you were right about one thing at least. I had been a bit hasty in my responses, and
had failed to address certain issues, which you brought up. As a result, my explanations seem to have
gaps, where I had either neglected to mention certain things, or had assumed
that you would understand the implications of some of my conclusions without
showing you how I reached them. To remedy
this, I am returning your first email to you, with my own commentary included
in the text. This way, God willing, I
will not fail to address each of your points, and you will understand in
fullness, my statements.
Dear Michael,
Thank
you for sending me your comments on the information on my website.
Truly, it is appreciated.
First I will comment on you
statement that Moslems, "...believe that these books
do not exist in their
original form." If that belief is held, then it is not
based on the Koran, but it
is held in spite of the Koran. Further then, one
could argue that those who
believe that statement are not truly Moslems. The
Koran affirms itself to be
the Word of God. More so, it affirms the Bible - the
previous revelations- to be
(or used to be) the Word of God, whether that same
Bible is still around today
or not.
(Surah 16;43) "And
before you also the Messengers We sent were but men, to whom We granted
inspiration: if you do not realize this, ask of those who possess the Message."
(Surah 2;53) "And
remember We gave Moses the Scripture and the Criterion: there was a chance for
you to be guided aright." *3;184 *57;25,27 *2;53,87
*6;89,154 *40;53 *41;45 *46;12 *4;54 *6;155
*5:44
Agreed (so far).
I don't think that any
Moslem denies the revelations of Moses, David, and
Jesus were from God.
Now, if these revelations were from God, then they WERE the Word of God.
However, the Koran says that the Word of God can never change. That means
they still ARE the Word of God.
(Surah 6;114-115)
"Say "Shall I seek for judge other than Allah? - when He it
is that sent you the Book
in detail." They know full well, to whome We have
given the Book, that it has
been sent down from your Lord in truth. Never be
then of those who
doubt. The Word of your Lord finds its fulfillment in truth
and in justice: non can
change His Words for He is the One Who hears and knows all." ('Don't be in
doubt to whether the Bible is still the Word of God, for God's Word will never
change.')
(Surah 6;34) "Rejected
were the Messengers before you: with patience and
constancy they bore their
rejection and their wrongs, until Our aid reached
them: there is none that
can alter the Words of Allah. Already you have
recieved some account of
those Messengers."
(Surah 18;27) "And
recite what has been revealed to you of your Lord: none can
change His Words, and none
will you find as a refuge other than Him."
(Surah 10;64) "For
them are Glad Tidings, in the life of the Present and in the
Hereafter: no change can
there be in the Words of Allah. This is indeed the
supreme felicity."
True, God’s words
will never change, but what if someone writes something and claims that it’s
from God?
2.79 Therefore woe be unto
those who write the Scripture with their hands and then say, "This is from
Allah," that they may purchase a small gain therewith. Woe unto them for
that their hands have written, and woe unto them for that they earn thereby.
This
verse has been discussed before, and I know your stance on it. In this light I offer you a challenge. Please bring me a proof from the Quran or
Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad which limit the meaning of this verse to the
example you provided as follows:
“it does not say
that those who write actually alter God's existing word, but that they have
made new words. This is also known from history where the undevout
Jews in Arabia made up targums to sell to people while saying it was from God.”
I believe that here you have
provided a great example of the reality of this phenomenon. However it is not the only example. In fact, the Quran provides an example in
the following verses:
10.68-70 They say: Allah hath
taken (unto Him) a son. Glorified be He! He hath no needs! His is all that is
in the heavens and all that is in the earth. Ye have no warrant for this. Tell
ye concerning Allah that which ye know not? Say: Verily those who invent a lie
concerning Allah will not succeed. This world's portion (will be theirs), then
unto Us is their return. Then We make them taste a dreadful doom because they
used to disbelieve.
5.116 And when Allah saith: O
Jesus, son of Mary! Didst thou say unto mankind: Take me and my mother for two
gods beside Allah? he saith: Be glorified! It was not mine to utter that to
which I had no right. If I used to say it, then Thou knewest it. Thou knowest
what is in my mind, and I know not what is in Thy mind. Lo! Thou, only Thou art
the Knower of Things Hidden.
005.017. They
indeed have disbelieved who say: Lo! Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary. Say:
Who then can do aught against Allah, if He had willed to destroy the Messiah
son of Mary, and his mother and everyone on earth ? Allah's is the Sovereignty
of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them. He createth what He
will. And Allah is Able to do all things.
Therefor it is the claim of
the Quran that God never revealed that Jesus was the son of God, or that he was
God incarnate. The claim of the Quran
is that these words were written by men and later claimed to be from God.
This brings me to look at the
reality of the New Testament. It
contains 2 things at least: The teachings of Jesus, and the teachings of his
followers. However, the Quran only
tells Muslims to believe in what was revealed to Jesus. It does not mention any revelation to his
followers. Therefor God’s Word is in
the Bible, but the Bible is not necessarily God’s Word.
5:46 And We caused Jesus, son of Mary,
to follow in their footsteps, confirming that which was (revealed) before him,
and We bestowed on him the Injeel wherein is guidance and a light, confirming
that which was (revealed) before it in the Torah a guidance and an admonition
unto those who ward off (evil).
Please note that I am not, at
this time trying to convince you that the New Testament is a forgery, or is not
inspired. This is a discussion we can
have later. I am merely demonstrating
that the according to the Quran Muslims must believe that God’s Message was
revealed to other prophets before Muhammad.
However, they are not required to follow those books, due to them being
mixed with false statements, as demonstrated above, and because of the
existence of the Quran, which abrogates the previous revelations. To further elaborate this point, I offer
some hadith from the Prophet, and his companions, which solidify this
understanding.
Bukhari 9.460 Narrated Abu
Huraira
The people of the Book used
to read the Torah in Hebrew and then explain it in Arabic to the Muslims.
Allah's Apostle said (to the Muslims). "Do not believe the people of the
Book, nor disbelieve them, but say, 'We believe in Allah and whatever is
revealed to us, and whatever is revealed to you.' "
Note the use of the term
‘revealed’, which makes a distinction between God’s revealed word, and other
writings, in some cases claimed to be from God. Also note that the Prophet referred to the Jews as People of the
Book, it’s not relevant now, but it will be later.
Tirmidhi 69 Narrated Jabir
ibn Abdullah
Umar ibn al-Khattab brought
to Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) a copy of the Torah and said: Allah's
Messenger, this is a copy of the Torah. He (Allah's Messenger) kept quiet and
he (Umar) began to read it. The (colour) of the face of Allah's Messenger
(peace be upon him) underwent a change, whereupon buBakr
said: Would that
your mother mourn you, don't you see the face of Allah's Messenger? Umar saw
the face of Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) and said: I seek refuge with
Allah from the wrath of Allah and the wrath of His Messenger. We are well
pleased with Allah as Lord, with Islam as religion, and with Muhammad as
Prophet. Whereupon Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: By Him in Whose
hand is the life of Muhammad, even if Moses were to appear before you and you
were to follow him, leaving me aside, you would certainly stray into error; for
if (Moses) were alive (now), and he found my prophetical ministry, he would
have definitely followed me.
Transmitted by
Darimi.
4.658 Narrated Abu Huraira
Allah's Apostle said
"How will you be when the son of Mary (i.e. Jesus) descends amongst you
and he will judge people by the Law of the Qur'an and not by the law of Gospel.
These hadith demonstrate that
according to Islamic belief, even if a previous messenger of God were to return
to earth, who could certainly distinguish what was revealed from what wasn’t,
it would not matter. The Quran
supercedes all previous revelation, whether corrupted or not. This concept is further corroborated by the
following verse of the Quran.
2.106 Such of Our revelations
as We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, we bring (in place) one better or the
like thereof. Knowest thou not that Allah is Able to do all things?
I could go on and on with
these verses, but these should be enough. Further
more, the Koran explicitly
says that nothing has been omitted from the Bible:
(Surah 6;38) "Nothing
have we omitted from the Book, and they all shall be
gathered to their Lord in
the end." (This is right after the unbelievers ask
why a sign has not been
sent down. This is the response, saying that there has
already been a sign, the
previous revelations, that we have already sent down,
this should confirm the new
Book, the Koran.).
Actually, this is refers to a
different book all together. This
called the Book of Decree, which is Allah’s Book. The Revelations we get are just a part of this Book, which was
written before creation. It contains
information about everything in the whole universe in detail. Read the following verses and statements of
the Prophet, and I think you’ll get the idea.
78.29
Everything have We recorded in a Book.
Narrated Abu Huraira
Allah's Apostle said,
"When Allah completed the creation, He wrote in His Book which is with Him
on His Throne, "My Mercy overpowers My Anger."
Narrated Ubadah ibn as-Samit
Allah's Messenger (peace be
upon him) said: The first thing which Allah created was Pen. He commanded it to
write. It asked: What should I write? He said: Write the Decree (al-Qadr). So
it wrote what had happened and what was going to happen up to eternity.
57.22 Naught of disaster
befalleth in the earth or in yourselves but it is in a Book before We bring it
into being--Lo! that is easy for Allah—
10.61 And thou (Muhammad) art
not occupied with any business and thou recitest not a lecture from this
(Scripture), and ye ( mankind) perform no act, but We are witness of you when
ye are engaged therein. And not an atom's weight in the earth or in the sky
escapeth your Lord, nor what is less than that or greater than that, but it is
(written) in a clear Book.
6.59 And with Him are the
keys of the invisible. None but He knoweth them. And He knoweth what is in the
land and the sea. Not a leaf falleth but He knoweth it, not a grain amid the
darkness of the earth, naught of wet or dry but (it is noted) in a clear
record.
33.6 The Prophet is closer to
the believers than their own selves and his wives are as their mothers. Blood
relatives have a greater claim on one another than the other believers and the
Muhajirin (early Muslims who migrated from Makkah to Madinah) according to the
Book of Allah: although you are permitted to some good (through leaving
bequests) for your friends This has been written in the Book of Allah.
35.11 Allah created you from
dust, then from a little fluid, then He made you pairs (the male and female).
No female beareth or bringeth forth save with His knowledge. And no one groweth
old who groweth old, nor is aught lessened of his life, but it is recorded in a
Book. Lo! that is easy for Allah
The Bible and the Quran are
pretty long books, but they can’t possibly contain every single fact of every
aspect of creation down to the atom.
These verses are referring to Allah’s book of decrees, which remains
with Him, hidden from our knowledge.
Here we see that the Quran is but a part of this Greater Book, which is
kept hidden.
56.77-79 That (this) is
indeed a noble Qur'an. In a Book kept hidden. Which none toucheth save the
purified,
In addition to this Book of
Decrees which is with Allah, there are books written for every good and bad
deed performed. These two books also
seem to be part of Allah’s book, which contains everything. They are mentioned separately by name in the
following two verses, and described further in other verses.
83.18-21 Nay, but the record
of the righteous is in Iliyin Ah, what will convey unto thee what Iliyin is! A
written record, Attested by those who are brought near (unto their Lord).
83.7-10 Nay, but the record
of the vile is in Sijjin Ah! what will convey unto thee what Sijjin is! A
written record. Woe unto the repudiators on that day!
Bukhari 8.498 Narrated Ibn
Abbas
The Prophet narrating about
his Lord and, "Allah ordered (the appointed angels over you) that the good
and the bad deeds be written, and He then showed (the way) how (to write). If
somebody intends to do a good deed and he does not do it, then Allah will write
for him a full good deed (in his account with Him); and if he intends to do a
good deed and actually did it, then Allah will write for him (in his account)
with Him (its reward equal) from ten to seven hundred times to many more times:
and if somebody intended to do a bad deed and he does not do it, then Allah
will write a full good deed (in his account) with Him, and if he intended to do
it (a bad deed) and actually did it, then Allah will write one bad deed (in his
account)."
13.13-14 And every man's
augury have We fastened to his own neck, and We shall bring forth for him on
the Day of Resurrection a book which he will find wide open. (And it will be
said unto him): Read thy book. Thy soul sufficeth as reckoner against thee this
day.
18.48-49 And they are set
before thy Lord in ranks (and it is said unto them): Now verily have ye come
unto Us as We created you at the first. But ye thought that We had set no tryst
for you. And the Book is placed, and thou seest the guilty fearful of that
which is therein, and they say: What Kind of a book is this that leaveth not a
small thing nor a great thing but hath counted it! And they find all that they
did confronting them, and thy Lord wrongeth no one.
39.68-69 And the trumpet is
blown, and all who are in the heavens and the earth swoon away, save him whom
Allah willeth. Then it is blown a second time,
and behold them standing
waiting! And the earth shineth with the
light of her Lord, and the Book is set up, and the Prophets and the witnesses
are brought,
and it is judged between them
with truth, and they are not wronged.
45.28-29 And thou wilt see
each nation crouching, each nation summoned to its record. (And it will be said
unto them): This day ye are requited what ye used to do. This Our Book
pronounceth against you with truth. Lo! We have caused (all) that ye did to be
recorded.
50.3-4 When we are dead and
have become dust (shall we be brought back again)? That would be a far return!
We know that which the earth taketh of them, and with Us is a recording Book.
69.19 Then, as for him who is
given his record in his right hand, he will say: Take, read my book!
25 But as for him who is
given his record in his left hand, he will say: Oh, would that I had not been
given my book.
This is all climaxed with
the emphatical statements that the Koran employs,
namely, that the Bible has
been kept pure and holy, and that Allah has set His
seal upon His Word
"guarding it in safety.":
(Suah 98:1-3) "Those
who reject (Truth), among the People of the Book and among the Polytheists,
were not going to depart (from their ways) until there should come to them
Clear Evidence,- A Messenger from Allah, rehearsing scriptures kept pure and
holy: Wherein are laws right and straight."
The People of the Book are
Jews and Christians. The Messenger with
Clear Evidence is Muhammad, and the scripture referred to is the Quran. The Quran always uses this phrase “people of
the book/scripture” to refer to the Jews and /or Christians.
4.153 The
People of the Scripture ask of thee that thou shouldst cause an (actual) Book
to descend upon them from heaven. They asked a greater thing of
Moses aforetime, for they
said: Show us Allah plainly. The storm of lightning seized them for their
wickedness. Then (even after that) they chose the calf (for
worship) after
clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty) had come unto them. And We forgave them
that! And We bestowed on Moses evident authority.
To further elaborate the
verse in question, the Quran explains itself…as usual.
5.19 O people of the
Scripture! Now hath Our messenger come unto you to make
things plain after an
interval (of cessation) of the messengers, lest ye should
say: There came not unto us a
messenger of cheer nor any warner. Now hath a
messenger of cheer and a warner
come unto you. Allah is Able to do all things.
(Surah 80;12-16)
"Therefore let whoso will, keep in remembrance. (It is) in
Books held (greatly) in
honor, Exalted (in dignity), kept pure and holy,
(Written) by the hands of
scribes- Honorable and pious and just."
This referres to an event in
the life of the Prophet, and it is referring to the Quran, please read the
entire chapter so it is in context. The
Quran was originally written on separate sheets, of various materials. In this verse the Arabic word
‘suhuf-scrolls’, is used, not the word ‘kitab-books’. Since this passage is referring to the mission of Muhammad, which
was to convey the teachings of the Quran, and the verse makes no specific
reference to previous scripture, it can only be interpreted to refer to itself,
i.e. the Quran.
80.1-16 He
frowned and turned away because the blind man came unto him. What could inform
thee but that he might grow (in grace), or take heed and so the reminder might
avail him? As for him who thinketh himself independent, Unto him thou payest
regard. Yet it is not thy concern if he grow not (in grace). But as for him who
cometh unto thee with earnest purpose And hath fear, From him thou art
distracted. Nay, but verily it is an Admonishment, So let whosoever will pay
heed to it, On honored leaves Exalted, purified, (Set down) by scribes Noble
and righteous.
(Surah 5;48) "To you
We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture
that came before it, and
guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what
Allah has revealed, and do
not follow their vain desires, diverging from the
Truth that has come to
you."
Yes, this shows
that the truth of the earlier scriptures is still intact, but, as described
earlier, it has been mixed with words, which are not from God. The Quran, therefor allows us to determine
what was revealed in the previous scripture, and what has been added, acting as
a guardian over it. Here are some alternate translations of this same verse,
which may convey this idea more clearly.
Muhammad Asad Translation
5.48 And unto thee (O
Prophet) have We vouchsafed this divine writ, setting forth the truth,
confirming the truth of whatever there still remains of earlier revelations and
determining what is true therein…
Malik Translation
5.48 To you, O Muhammad, We
have revealed this Book with the truth. It confirms whatever has remained
intact in the scriptures, which came before it and also to safeguard it….
Pickthal Translation
5.48 And unto thee have We
revealed the Scripture with the truth, confirming whatever Scripture was before
it, and a watcher over it….
Yusuf Ali Translation
5.48 To thee We sent the
Scripture in truth confirming the scripture that came before it and guarding it
in safety…
Again, reading in context
helps, as the next verse explains how the People of the Book must choose to
follow the new Prophet and Book, or face punishment.
5.49 So judge between them by
that which Allah hath revealed, and follow not their desires, but beware of
them lest they seduce thee from some part of that which Allah hath revealed
unto thee. And if they turn away, then know that Allah's will is to smite them
for some sin of theirs. Lo! many of mankind are evil-livers.
Basically the only argument
I need to use is: 'Can Allah keep His Word, guarding
it, and performing his
promise that it cannot change?' The answer EVERY Moslem has to give is a
very bold "Yes." I could stop here with this logic, leaving
the burden upon the Moslem
whether to believe or not that his god can perform
what he decrees. End
of argument.
However, to kill even
further the already dead carcase, I will show that the the
Koran even commands true
Moslems to believe in the Bible and follow it, as it is
today.
(Surah 2;4-5)
"[Believers are those] Who believe in the Revelation sent to you,
and sent before your time,
and have the assurance of the Hereafter. They are on
(true) guidance, from their
Lord, and it is these who will prosper."
(Surah 2;136) "You say
"We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and
to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac,
Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and
Jesus, and that given to
(all) Prophets from their Lord: we make no difference
between one and another of
them: and we bow to Allah."
(Surah 4;136) "O you
who believe! Believe in Allah and His Messenger, and the
scripture which He sent to
His Messenger and the scripture which He sent to
those before (him).
Any who denies Allah, His angels, His Books, His
Messengers, and the Day of
Judgment, has gone far, far astray."
(Surah 4;162) "Believe
in what has been revealed to you and what has been
revealed before you."
(Surah 29;46-47) " And
do not dispute with the People of the Book, except with
means better (than mere
disputation), unless it be with those of them who
inflict wrong (and injury):
but say, "We believe in the Revelation which has
come down to us and in that
which came down to you; our God and your God is One; and it is to Him We
bow. And thus (it is) that We have sent down the Book to you. So
the people of the Book believe therein, as also do some of these (Pagan Arabs):
and none but Unbelievers reject Our signs."
Belief and action,
as you know, are two different things.
Yes, Muslims are commanded to believe in previous scriptures, but as
mentioned earlier, they are not required to act on them, they have been
abrogated.
(Surah 2;63) "And
remember We took your Covenant and We raised above you (the towering height) of
Mount (Sinai): (saying): "Hold firmly to what we have given you and bring
(ever) to remembrance what is therein: perchance you may fear Allah."
Please try to understand the
context in which these verses are given, this one in particular, is part of a
long discourse addressed to the Children of Israel, not to the Muslims.
2.47 O children
of Israel! call to mind the (special) favor which I bestowed upon You and that
I preferred you to all others (for My message)…
(Surah 3;7) "And those
who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in the Book; the
whole of it is from our Lord."
Nice try, you know
this is referring to the Quran. “Thee”
is referring to the person receiving revelation, i.e. Muhammad. Therefor this verse, again, is referring to
the Quran. Although, if it were
referring to the previous scriptures, it wouldn’t really cause a problem, as
Muslims do believe in all of God’s Books.
3.7 He it is Who has sent
down to thee the Book: in it are verses basic or
fundamental (of established
meaning); they are the foundation of the Book:
others are allegorical. But
those in whose hearts is perversity follow the part
thereof that is allegorical
seeking discord and searching for its hidden
meanings but no one knows its
hidden meanings except Allah and those who
are firmly grounded in
knowledge say: "We believe in the Book; the whole of it
is from our Lord"; and none
will grasp the Message except men of
understanding.
In fact it even commands
Believers to stand fast by the Bible:
(Surah 5;68) "Say:
"O People of the Book! You have no ground to stand upon
unless you stand fast by
the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that has
come to you from your
Lord."
(Surah 5;47) "Let the
People of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed
therein. If any do fail to
judge by what Allah has revealed, they are those who
rebel."
These again refer
to the Christians and the Jews. However
the Prophet only implemented this after they rejected the message of the
Quran. If you keep reading, it explains
what will happen if they don’t accept the Quran.
5.49 So judge between them by
that which Allah hath revealed, and follow not their desires, but beware of
them lest they seduce thee from some part of that which Allah hath revealed
unto thee. And if they turn away, then know that Allah's will is to smite them
for some sin of theirs. Lo! many of mankind are evil-livers.
2.137 And if they believe in
the like of that which ye believe, then are they rightly
guided. But if they turn
away, then are they in schism, and Allah will suffice thee
(for defence) against them.
He is the Hearer, the Knower.
The True believers among the
Jews and Christians are those, who when they hear the Quran, accept it as true,
and therefor become Muslim.
28.52-54 Those unto whom We
gave the Scripture before it, they believe in it, And when it is recited unto
them, they say: We believe in it. Lo! it is the Truth from our Lord. Lo! even
before it we were of those who surrender (unto Him). These will be given their
reward twice over, because they are steadfast and repel evil with good, and
spend of that wherewith We have provided them,
2.146-148 Those unto whom We
gave the Scripture recognize (this revelation) as they recognize their sons.
But lo! a party of them knowingly conceal the truth. It is the Truth from thy
Lord (O Muhammad), so be not thou of those who waver. And each one hath a goal
toward which he turneth; so vie with one another in good works. Wheresoever ye
may be, Allah will bring you all together. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things.
The verses you
provided above, are a last resort, saying, okay you reject this message from
God because you have your own book. Now
you have to actually implement that book if you expect to have any “ground to
stand upon”.
But those who don't believe
in the Bible shall go to Hell and be tortured:
(Surah 40;70-72)
"Those who reject the Book and the (revelations) with which We sent Our
Messengers: but soon shall they know,- When the yokes (shall be) round their
necks, an the chains; they shall be dragged along- In the boiling fetid fluid;
then in the Fire they shall be burned."
(Surah 2:85) "Then is
it only a part of the Book that you believe in, and do you
reject the rest? But
what is the reward for those among you who behave like
this but disgrace in this
life? -and on the Day of Judgment they shall be
consigned to the most
grievous penalty."
No Muslim rejects
the previous revelations of God. It is
made clear that the new one abrogates the old, and the followers of Muhammad
will not even be asked about what the previous generations did.
2.133-134 Or were ye present
when death came to Jacob, when he said unto his sons: What will ye worship
after me? They said: We shall worship thy God, the God of thy fathers, Abraham
and Ishmael and Isaac, One God, and unto Him we have surrendered. Those are a
people who have passed away. Theirs is that which they earned, and yours is
that which ye earn. And ye will not be asked of what they used to do.
And those who do believe in
the Bible shall go to paradise:
(Surah 5;69) "Those
who believe, those who follow the Jewish (Scriptures), and
the Sabians an the
Christians, - any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and
work righteousness, -on
them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve." (also
2;62)
This describes a
sincere belief in Allah and the Last Day, regardless of what label one wears,
as long as the beliefs are in accordance with God’s true teachings. These are the same ones described earlier,
who, if presented with the teachings of the Quran, will recognize and accept
it’s truth, even if they never actually call themselves Muslims. This does not apply to just anyone who calls
themselves a Jew, or a Christian or a Sabian.
5.17 They indeed have
disbelieved who say: Lo! Allah is the Messiah, son of
Mary…
The rest of the conclusions
you’ve drawn need to be re-evaluated.
Please re-read the rest of this letter, and consider the things I’ve
written.
These verses were spoken
around the year 620 A.D. That means that the Moslems at that time had to
believe the Bible for Mohammed confirmed its truth. Jesus confirmed the
Law of Moses:
(Surah 5;46) "And in
their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming
the Law that had come
before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and
confirmation of the Law that had come before him: a guidance and an admonition
to those who fear Allah."
And Mohammed confirmed the
Gospel and Law:
(Surah 6;92) "And this
is a Book which We have sent down, bringing blessings,
and confirming (the
revelations) which came before it."
(Surah 46:12) "And
before this, was the Book of Moses as a guide and a mercy:
and this Book confirms
it."
(See also: 2;41,89 *2;91,97
*2;101 *3;3,81 *4;47 *5;44-49 *6;92 *10;37 *12;111
*23;68 *35;31 *37;37
*46;12,30 *2;4-5,62,136 *4;136,162 *5;44-49,59 *5;66,68).
There are so many more
scriptures that validate this, yet I'll leave it at that.
This goes to show that the
Law could not have been corrupted, as you suggest,
before the time of Jesus,
for Jesus confirmed its validity. And the Law and
Gospel could not have been
corrupted before the time of Mohammed, for Mohammed confirmed their validity,
and at that, overwhelmingly. This means that if you claim is true, that
the Bible today is not its original form, then all this
corruption and changing had
to happen AFTER the time of Mohammed. And NO good Muslim can even believe
that, unless he first admits that his god cannot keep his Word, like he
promised, For his Word cannot change.
So when and where did these
changes happen in the Bible. You have to say AFTER Mohammed.
However, we today have copies (not to mention over 5,000 New Testament
manuscripts, and many, many thousands of parts) of the Bible that date BEFORE
Muhummed. And guess what...these ancient copies of the Bible are what the
Bible TODAY reflects. The Bible we have TODAY is the Bible BEFORE
Mohammed. That means Mohammed is endorsing the Bible TODAY as God's Word,
kept pure and holy.
Even if the Jews or
Christians in Arabia changed parts of the Bible, how did
these individual attempts
to alter the Word of God permeate the already hundreds of thousands of copies
of the true Bible already in almost every part of the known world? It
would be impossible to conspire such a grand coup on the Word of God, for one
would have to gather all of the many existing copies already in
use. Think about this: I could alter the Koran, and maybe
even conspire with as many as 10,000 followers that agree with my
translation. However, it would never be excepted accross the world.
Everyone would know that it corrupted and not the real thing. Why?
Because there are many millions of the original copies that show that it is
indeed a conterfeit. Not to mention all of the those who memorize the
whole Koran, who would easily tell what is th real
thing. It would be an
impossible feat.
So, it changed over time?
through copyist errors, and mistakes in language
translation?
Show us WHERE and WHEN? It is easy to make a bold statement, but not as
easy to back it up. Either way, we don't even have to argue this,
for
we already have hard core
evidence: we have the Bible BEFORE Mohammed's time, which according to
Mohammed is uncorrupted.
If you don't believe the
Bible has been kept, then you are arguing with the
promise of Allah in the
Koran. If you don't believe the Bible has been kept,
then you are also arguing
with every historical scholar of ancient manuscripts.
If you don't believe the
Bible has been kept, you are arguing with logic, and
intentionally looking away
and blinding yourself with foolish arguments and
pathetic attempts.
I have been accused of
taking the scriptures out of context. Please open your
eyes: the scriptures above
say what they say, overwhelmingly, and even more
emphatically when reading
the context around them. I am the one who has shown
dozens upon dozen of
scriptures from all aspects of Mohammed's statements.
Obviously you are the one
that is taking the scriptures out of context and
writing things into the
text that you want them to say. They were
interpretations
verses. The verses I used were blatantly confirming Bible's
authority.
Be real.
This following issue is still
on my mind. I don’t think we need to
discuss it now, there will be time for it in the future, if God wills.
60.8-9 Allah forbids you
not with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out
of your homes from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah
loveth those who are
just.Allah only forbids you with regard to those who fight you for (your) Faith
and drive you out of your homes and support (others) in driving you out from
turning to them (for friendship and protection). It is such as turn to them (in
these circumstances) that do wrong.
About the terrorism
statement that Muslims have to support terrorism because of
the Koran: I make no such
claim on my website, although I would agree with it, as anyone else would if
they sat down and read the WHOLE Koran, rather than little fragements that are
taken here and there, especially exploited by the media
saying that Islam is
peaceful. However, that is one thing I would not want to
prove to Muslims. If
they themselves believe terrorism is wrong, then why would
I want to convince them
otherwise? They should be peaceful, so I'm not going to
try to change their minds.
I'm not even going to go
into showing you the verses on it, for there are too
many, and it would just be
a waste of much of my needed time, for you yourself
can just go the Koran and
see for yourself - it's not hard to see. One
similarity between Islam
and "Christianity" is that both their institutions are
known in history for using
militaristic violence upon their counterparts. For
instance, the Crusades on
the "Christian" part. What is the difference though?
The two religions'
respective leaders either taught this type of domination or
they condemned it.
Islam's followers killed by command of Mohammed, yet
Christ's followers did, I
concede, however, despite the example and teachings of
Christ. Lets read our
history and take account to Mohammed's example, and also the his antithesis,
the example of Jesus Christ. TRUE followers of Christ "pray for
their enemies and those that persecute them, and bless them that curse
them." TRUE
followers of Mohammed "slay them wherever they find them." One
has to look at the true model of one's religion, namely the founders, not the
followers of the religion
that act as bad examples to one's own confessions.
This subject surely is a
deep pool to jump into, especially before one hasn't
had swimming lessons in
their own doctrine.
Thank you again for your
honest objections and constructive criticism to the
material I endorse on my
site. Mature dialogues and deep prayer and sincerity
for the truth and for the
love of the only wise God are what will help us to be
productive in our
search. To have to research and answer serious questions
helps me to learn
more. Thank you for being the resistance of gravity that
exercises my spiritual
muscles. I hope that I could be the same for you.
In sincere love of my Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ,
Brian Lucero
