Basic Islamic Qs Answered

Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 11:44 pm Post subject:

Isn't it true that the Qur'an is copied from the Bible?

No. This is not true. All evidence show that the Qur'an could not have been copied from the Bible.

Take for example the story of the flood that occurred in the days of the prophet Noah, on whom be peace. This event is narrated in both the Bible and the Qur'an. A careful examination of the two versions will show that the Qur'anic version could have come from no other source but God alone. One important difference between the two accounts is that whereas the Bible describes the flood as a worldwide flood (see Genesis ch. 7) the Qur'an mentions it as a local flood affecting the people of Noah (see Qur'an 7:59-64). Today it is acknowledged that no record exists of a worldwide flood occurring at the time specified in the Bible. How did the author of the Qur'an avoid this mistake unless the author was God Himself?

The closest thing in history to a flood like the one described in the Bible and the Qur'an, is a discovery made by Archaeologist Sir Charles Leonard Wooley. In 1929 he discovered remains from a flood which occurred around 4000 B.C. His findings are described in the book entitled The Bible as History by Werner Keller. Keller tells us:
The incredible discovery at Ur made headline news in the United States and in Britain (The Bible as History, 2nd Revised Edition, Bantam Books, 1980, p. 27).
But was this a worldwide flood? After describing the extent of the flood, Keller explains:
Looking at the map we should call it today 'a local occurrence' (p.28)."In other words," writes Keller, that flood was "obviously not of sufficient magnitude for the Biblical Flood" (p.29). Furthermore, he says: "A flood of the unimaginable extent described in the Bible still remains 'archaeologically not demonstrated"' (pp.29-3O).

Another comparison will again demonstrate that the Qur'an was not copied from the Bible. In the Bible we are told that God drowned the Pharaoh and his army when they pursued Moses, on whom be peace, and his people (see Exodus 14:28). The clear indication in that description is that the body of the Pharaoh perished in the sea. However, the Qur'an dared to differ and prove true. In the Qur'an we find that God promised to preserve the body of the Pharaoh as a sign for later generations (see Qur'an 10:90-92).

True to the Qur'anic promise, the mummified body of the Pharaoh was discovered by Loret in 1898 at Thebes in the Kings' Valley (see The Bible, the Qur'an and Science by Dr. Maurice Bucaille, p.238). From there it was transported to Cairo. Elliot Smith removed its wrappings on July 8, 1907 and gave a detailed description in his book entitled the Royal Mummies (1912).

From which source did the author of the Qur'an derive this information? How did the author of the Qur'an know that the Pharaoh's body was preserved whereas the knowledge that the ancient Egyptians mummified their dead was not discovered until recently? And how could the author of the Qur'an predict that the body of the Pharaoh will be discovered later, unless the author was God Himself?

Coming next : Does the Qur'an have the story of the Fall of Man as told in the Bible? Are the stories similar or different?

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2006 11:12 pm Post subject:

Does the Qur'an contain any prophecies about the future? Have any of these proved true?

Yes, the Qur'an contains many prophecies about the future. Many of these have already proved true, and we confidently expect that the others will also come to pass in due time. In addition, no statement in the Qur'an has ever proved to be false.

Let us see some examples of Qur'anic prophecies that has already been fulfilled. One example is a prophecy that occurs in Surah 30 of the Qur'an. In the first six verses Allah promised that the Romans who had just been defeated in the year 615 C.E. would turn around and win a decisive victory within nine years. At the time this statement was made, no human could envision how it could come to pass. The Romans had been so soundly defeated that no hope was left that they could make a comeback within such a short period of time. The disbelievers mocked at the Muslims over this passage in the Qur'an because they thought the prophecy would surely fail. One man, Ummayah bin Khalaf by name, even placed a bet of a hundred camels that the prophecy would fail. Abu Bakr, the closest follower of the prophet, on whom be peace, took up that challenge because he was sure that the word of God could never fail. True enough, within the specified period, in the year 624 CE, the Romans confronted the Persians in battle at a place called Issus. The Romans won their decisive victory exactly as prophecised in the Qur'an, and Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, won the bet of one hundred camels. In the meantime, however, revelation from Allah had prohibited gambling, so the prophet directed Abu Bakr to give away the camels to the poor and needy.

So the prophecy was fulfilled. But there is more to this. The same verses contain yet another prophecy. It says that while the Romans are winning their victory, the believers in the Qur'an will rejoice in the victory granted by Allah. We know from history that in that very year the Muslims were threatened with total annihilation, but Allah rescued them. The Muslims had been driven out of Mecca, their hometown. Now they found safe haven in Medina. But the unbelievers could not rest knowing that the Muslims were free to practice their faith somewhere else. So they marched against the Muslims with an army of one thousand men fully equipped for battle. The Muslims mustered the best defense they could, a mere 313 men lacking suitable equipment for battle. From a human point of view, the greater force would win, but the help of Allah was with the small group of believers. Miraculously, the believers won, and the Qur'anic prophecy was fulfilled despite all odds. The unfolding of this double prophecy proves beyond doubt that the Qur'an could not have been authored by any human being.

Another prophecy occurs in Surah 111 of the Qur'an. That Surah states that a certain man and his wife will perish as unbelievers. This was uttered at a time when no one but God could say who will or will not become believers later on. Many of the most severe opponents in the early days became devoted followers in later days. But not this couple. They tried everything to oppose, ridicule, and disprove the Qur'an. One would expect that they would also pretend to become believers just to throw doubt on the accuracy of the Qur'an. But they did not apply this obvious strategy. What prevented them, if not the power of God and the truth of His word?
In this way many prophecies were fulfilled, and not one has ever failed. This gives us every reason to place our full confidence in the book of God.

Next : Does the Qur'an have the story of the Fall of Man as told in the Bible? Are the stories similar or different?

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2006 11:15 pm Post subject:

Does the Qur'an have the story of the Fall of Man as told in the Bible? Are the stories similar or different?

They are similar in a basic outline, but different on a few important points.

First, let us consider the basic outline. Adam and Eve were placed in a garden in a state of happiness. God instructed them to eat from any tree except one tree. Eventually, they were deceived into eating from the forbidden tree and their nakedness became apparent to them. God then expelled them from the garden.

Now, the disagreements.
1. Neither book names the fruit, but the Bible alone calls it the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The Qur'an does not call it such, but teaches that humans are already inspired with the knowledge of good and evil at creation in order to enable them to exercise choice between good and evil. This knowledge did not come as a result of eating from a forbidden tree.

2. The Bible says the deceiver was a serpent, but the Qur'an says it was Satan.

3. The Bible says that Adam was not deceived, but only Eve was deceived; it says that Eve then gave the fruit to Adam and he ate. On the other hand, more than one Qur'anic passages mention that they were both deceived. One passage specifically says that Satan approached Adam and deceived him. The Qur'an does not single out Eve for blame in any passage.

4. The Bible says that when the couple heard the sound of God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, they hid from him among the trees. So God called out to Adam asking where he was, and asking if he ate from the forbidden tree. On the other hand the Qur'an does not depict God in limited human form. The Qur'an and the Bible both teach that God knows everything always.

5. According to the Bible, when the couple was confronted with their mistake, they blamed each other, and Adam even blamed God because God gave him the woman who gave him the fruit. According to the Qur'an they did not pass the blame. Instead, both repented.

6. According to the Bible, God cursed them. According to the Qur'an, God forgave them and guided them.

7. According to the Bible, they were driven out of the garden because God was afraid that they may eat from the tree of life and live forever. According to the Qur'an, God's plan was to educate our first parents in paradise, then send them into the world for a limited time to resist Satan, the enemy. They were sent to earth as part of God's plan for them; not as a way of preventing them access to the tree of life, but as a test to distinguish those deserving of everlasting enjoyment in God's paradise.

8. According to the Bible, God had said that when Adam eats from the tree he would surely die, and the serpent said they will not surely die. The serpent was right - they did not die. Contrary to this, in the Qur'an, God said that if Adam and Eve eat from the tree they will become wrongdoers, then they will have to leave the garden and come out to where they will have to labour. Satan, however, promised them that if they eat from the tree they will live forever. Satan was wrong - they did not live forever.

9. According to the Bible, because of God's curse, serpents have to crawl and eat dust, women have to suffer in childbirth, and men have to sweat for a living. According to the Qur'an, no such curse was issued. The difficulties of life on earth are what makes it different from life in paradise.

Next : Why does the Qur'an agree with the Bible in some things and disagree in other things?

Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 3:51 pm Post subject:

Why does the Qur'an agree with the Bible in some things and disagree in other things?

The Bible is an important means by which people had access to God's message for thousands of years. It contains many truths from God. Throughout history many prophets were sent by God to guide humankind. The Qur'an teaches that prophets were sent to every people to call them to shun false gods and worship only the one true God. Some of the truths which those prophets taught are recorded in the Bible. A seeker of truth cannot deny those truths.

The Bible has had more impact on western civilization than any other book. The Bible's emphasis on the belief in the one and only God has helped millions of people to turn away from worshipping idols and other false gods. Famous commandments like 'you shall not murder' have become universal principles. Many of the Bible's moral principles have helped to convert some of the worst people into compassionate, good citizens.

Obviously, if the Qur'an were to disagree with these moral and theological truths the Qur'an would have to teach the opposite of truth. This the Qur'an does not do. Where the Bible is true the Qur'an is also true, since they agree on many fundamental truths. This agreement, however, does not mean that one book copied out of another as some individuals are quick to conclude. This we have already demonstrated in our answer to Question 6. The reason the Qur'an agrees with the truths in the Bible is that those truths and the Qur'anic passages all come from the same source, namely God. Since He alone revealed the Qur'an and all the truths of the Bible, it is only logical that the truth will be one, regardless in which book it is found.

When the Qur'an disagrees with the Bible it is also for a reason. The Qur'an was revealed at a time when people knew the art of writing, and so designated scribes were able to write down the revelation immediately to ensure its preservation in written form. At the time people were also accustomed to memorizing eloquent compositions. With God's help they began a practice of memorizing the Qur'an, thus ensuring its preservation also in the hearts of millions of believers throughout history. Due to these two preservation methods, the Qur'an available all over the world today is the same in its original language whether you buy a copy in Canada, Australia, or China.

Therefore the Qur'an can be trusted in its entirety, and a believer can confidently say, "All of it is from our Lord" as the Qur'an states in 3:7. God has promised that He will safeguard the book (Qur'an 15:9). He further says that no falsehood can get into the Qur'an (Qur'an 41:42). He tells us that He sent the Qur'an to confirm the truth of what is in the previous scriptures and also to expose the errors that crept into those scriptures (Qur'an 5:48). So one reason the Qur'an differs from the Bible can be understood best in light of the transmission history of the two books.

Another type of difference between the two books pertains to the specific instructions that God gave. God always gives instructions which are suitable for the varying conditions of human life. Some of the instructions in the Bible, were meant for a particular historical circumstance, and are therefore no longer applicable. Since the Qur'an is newer, it contains God's latest instructions which are still applicable to our present conditions, and which provide the best solution for some of life's most pressing problems today.

Coming up : Does the Qur'an teach Muslims to believe in the Torah, the Psalms and the Gospel? If so, why don't Muslims accept the Bible?

Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 3:52 pm Post subject:

Does the Qur'an teach Muslims to believe in the Torah, the Psalms and the Gospel? If so, why don't Muslims accept the Bible?

The Qur'an commands Muslims to believe in the revelations given to all of God's prophets. These prophets include Moses, David, and Jesus (peace be upon them). Muslims must believe in the revelations received by such prophets. Books associated with them are called by the names Torah, Psalms, and Gospel. Muslims, therefore believe in the original Torah, Psalms and Gospel.

The Bible contains books by the same names and other books besides. Muslims are not commanded to believe in the other books. To be more specific, the Bible contains 66 books in the Protestant version, and 73 in the Catholic version. In the Bible, consisting 66 or 73 books, the Torah is represented as 5 books, the Psalms as 1, and the Gospel in 4 versions. This makes a total of 10 books within the Bible. Muslims are not required to believe in any more than the ten books. But that assumes that the 10 books referred to are the same as what the Qur'an refers to when the Qur'an speaks of the Torah, Psalms and Gospel.

A further check proves that these books changed contents over time although their names remained the same. To understand this concept, consider that a book like the Encyclopedia Britannica changes its contents and size several times throughout its history, yet is called by the same name. Obviously the Encyclopedia Britannica is not the same as it used to be. A closer check shows that something similar occurred with the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel.

For a long time many people believed that Moses wrote the five books called Torah in the Bible. But now it is widely known that Moses could not have written those books in their entirety. One evidence for this is that Chapter 34 of the book of Deuteronomy describes the death and burial of Moses, and how the people mourned for him after his death. Obviously, Moses did not write that passage. Biblical scholars also acknowledge that the present composition of the Psalms cannot in its entirety be traced back to David.

The Gospels is a more complex matter because the Bible contains not one but four. There is only one true Gospel which Jesus preached, but these are represented in four versions each according to a different author. The Qur'an requires Muslims to believe in the original Gospel that Jesus preached before the four versions were written. Everyone agrees that the four versions were written long after Jesus.

Next : The Bible says in Revelation 22:18, 19 that nothing Is to be added to It. In view of this, how can a believer in the Bible accept the Qur'an?

Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 3:59 pm Post subject:

The Bible says in Revelation 22:18, 19 that nothing Is to be added to It. In view of this, how can a believer in the Bible accept the Qur'an?

The Christian scholar William Barclay in his commentary on Revelation quotes another Christian scholar R.H. Charles as saying that the above mentioned passage in Revelation "may not be part of the original book at all" (Revised 1976, volume 2, p. 232). After mentioning the reasons for this, Barclay agrees with Charles by saying:
It is, therefore, by no means impossible that these words are not the words of John but of a later scribe anxious that none should alter the book in the days to come (vol.2, p.232).

But even if that passage is genuine, it does not prohibit a believer from believing also in the Qur'an. Many people misunderstand the passage if they are unaware of the history of the Bible and how it came to be written. They assume that because the book entitled Revelation is the last book in the Bible it must have been the last book from God, and that every later book should be rejected. However, according to many Bible Commentaries such an understanding is wrong. The Abingdon Bible Commentary explains as follows:

The fact that the words happen to come at the end of the English Bible has led sonic to suppose that they applied to the whole Bible itself. This, of course, is not so. As a matter of fact, several New Testament books were written after Revelation (The Abingdon Bible Commentary, 1929, p. 1 398).As the above quote explains, the book entitled Revelation cannot be the last book from God. The Bible itself contains some books which were written after the book entitled Revelation.

The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, shows that four books in the Bible were written after Revelation (Revised edition 1984, p.1 547). Similarly, Asimov's Guide to the Bible shows that Revelation was not the last book of the Bible to be written (vol.2, p.567).
Another book entitled Key)? to the Bible claims that the last book of the Bible was 2 Peter (see vol 3, p. 152). Yet another Christian scholar points out that at least six books in the Bible were written after Revelation (see Reading the New Testament by Pheme Perkins, 1988, pp.2-8). Clearly, then, the passage does not prohibit its believers from accepting later messages from God. In spite of that passage, believers were still able to believe in other books which they included in the Bible.

Every seeker of truth must examine the Qur'an too to see if it really is from God. One who examines the Qur'an will find the following:

1. Fourteen hundred years later, all opponents of the Qur'an have failed to produce a book like the Qur'an. The Qur'an rightly said that they can never do it .

2. The Qur'an speaks about the future, then the future unfolds exactly the way the Qur'an said it would.

3. The Qur'an describes aspects of history unknown to its contemporaries and confirmed by independent studies.

4. The Qur'an makes statements which no human being could make without knowledge of modern sciences, or prior to the invention of the microscope.

Next : Muslims believe that Jesus did not die on the cross. Does that mean he died of natural causes? Will he come again? Why is he the only prophet to return?

Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 12:12 pm Post subject:

WHY ISLAM FORBIDS PORK?

Food and drink have direct effect on our health. That is why Islam has prescribed regulations about our food and drink. It lays great emphasis on our physical as well as moral health, because both of these are equally important for a healthy society. The abstention from eating pork is one of the steps taken by Islam to practise hygiene and to attain purity of soul.

Islam, for the cultivation of inner faculties, insists upon the cleanliness of body and the purification of soul through Salaat (prayers) Zikr (remembrance of Allah) and other devotional duties. Islam teaches us how to attain the virtues and how to give up bad habits because both good and bad grow in the man according to his upbringing, education and environment.

A human being has natural desires: food, sleep and sex being the three primary ones. He has also natural emotions: sorrow, happiness, love, fear, disgust and avarice etc. Islam doesn't recommend the complete abrogation of these impulses but offers a method of controlling them through religious education and discipline.

The prohibition of eating pork in Islam is relevant in this context. There is a saying in English that "a man becomes what he eats." According to physicians and medical experts, pork is a harmful diet. Consumption of swine-flesh creates lowliness in character and destroys moral and spiritual faculties in a man.

Body & Soul
The life of a man is a compound of body and soul. Anything, which is harmful for the body, hurts the soul as well. Consumption of swine-flesh reduces the feeling of shame and as such the standard of modesty. Those nations, which consume pork habitually, have a low standard of morality with the result that virginity, chastity and bashfulness are becoming a thing of the past in Europe today. The number of unwed mothers is on the increase despite the use of pills and other contraceptives.

According to a report, 60 to 70% girls in Sweden become mothers before marriage. The formula of "skin to skin is no sin" is having its toll but there is hardly and feeling of shame and remorse over the end-result. Since the European nations have become addicted to wine and pork, sexual freedom with all its attendant evils has got ingrained in their culture. Consequently, homosexuality has been legalized by the British Parliament.

The Holy Qur'an has prohibited the swine-flesh, hence the Muslims would not dare touch it. The Bible has also forbidden swine-flesh, but Christians disregarded this order and started consuming it. The Europeans now proclaim that pork is a very powerful diet, rich in protein. Some of them further argue that since there is a great scarcity of food-stuffs in the world and swines are available in abundant quantity, they should be consumed in diet to overcome the food shortage. If this argument is true, why don't they use dog's meat as dogs too are available in plenty? The Europeans perhaps hate the mention of dog's meat in the same way as the Muslims shun pork.

Another wrong notion about swine-flesh is that its consumption lengthens life-span, although this is a pure myth and absurdity. On the contrary, people, who abstain from pork and liquor, have a longer span of life. The Muslims in Central Asia bear a testimony to this truth.

However, in the consumption of flesh Muslims are required to be selective and distinguish between Halaal (Lawful) and Haraam (Unlawful). This step leads automatically to the deeper understanding of the need for the cultivation of a pure human nature. As blood is virtually our life-stream and whatever we consume ultimately affects the blood system, it is, therefore, necessary to exercise choice in the selection of our food and drink as per the requirements of the Shariah.

There are certain foods and drinks specified by Allah, and His Messenger Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) as forbidden. The prohibition of these foods and drinks is not by any means an arbitrary action or an unwarranted decree of Allah. It is the first and foremost a divine intervention in the best interest of man and for his own benefit.

The reasons behind the Divine intervention are numerous. They are of a nature intellectual and spiritual, moral and mental, physical and economic. And the sole purpose is to show man how to develop himself according to an upright course of life in order to be a healthy unit in the structure of the family, then of society and eventually of humanity at large.

Reliable medical doctors and social scientists are able to realize how those foods and drinks forbidden by Islam are harmful and destructive to the human spirit and morality as well as to the physique and moral fibre of man and to verify the benefits of Islamic legislations on the subjects.

The prohibition is based on the aim of the purification of one's nature, because food, when consumed, doesn't merely enter the stomach and intestines and become excreta. It is absorbed and metabolized into the system and circulated to all parts of the human body, including the brain, and this in no small way affects man's nature.

The pig is naturally lazy and indulgent in sex, it is dirty, greedy and gluttonous. It dislikes sunlight and lacks the spirit and will to "fight." It eats almost anything, be it human excreta or anything foul and unwholesome. Amongst all animal flesh, pork is the favoured cradle of harmful germs. Pork also serves as a carrier of diseases to mankind. It is for this reason that its flesh is not suitable for consumption.

Some people have argued that the "modern pig" reared in farms is given only clean foods, therefore, its flesh should be consumable. The answer is that you may feed the pig on clean, wholesome food, but you can't change its nature. It is still a pig. A pig is not a plant and you cannot change it by bud-grafting.

Medical Reports
Dr. E. Kazim. M.D. in his article "Medical aspects of forbidden foods in Islam" (July 1981 issue of Muslim Journal has described diseases carried or caused by the flesh of the swine. He writes:

The pig is a scavenger. It is an omnivorous animal. It eats everything. There are many disease carried from swine to man, particularly parasite infestations. Lately extensive research has been focused on senility-old age is characterized by hardening of inner lining of the blood vessels of the heart, brain etc. a process called atheroselerosis. When a clot forms, it results in coronary thrombosis or a heart attack, cerebral thrombosis or stroke.

Different dietary factors are responsible for atheroselerosis. Gross atheroma may be produced in rabbit by feeding it with cholesterol, but when you add lard (derived from hog fat) to the cholesterol, the incidence of atheroma is increased and thus you would produce coronary thrombosis, and myocardial infraction.

Besides, lard contains 2800 units of vitamin D per 100 grams and no vitamin A at all. Lately vitamin D has been held responsible for atheroma, by causing increased absorption of calcium in the blood vessels. In human beings, serum cholesterol is not dependent on the intake of cholesterol in the diet, but depends upon the proportion of animal fats in the diet, which elevate the beta-lipo protein level in the blood. Animal fats contain saturated fatty acids and these saturated fatty acids have been found to be as one of the causes of atheroma in man. Medium fat bacon contains 25% proteins and 55% fat."

According to medical research, the fat content in pork is more than any other meat (beef, mutton etc.) and it takes longer to digest. Dr. M Jaffer in an article in the Islamic Review (London) of January 1997 issue has listed 16 kinds of harmful germs, which have been discovered in pork in modern researches and the diseases, which could be caused by them. The number of patients suffering from tapeworm disease is the highest in the world among pork eating nations. Other diseases attributed to pigs are caused by tri-chinelia spirates and intestinal worms occupy first place among such nations too.

Dr. Glen Shepherd wrote the following on the dangers of eating pork in Washington Post (31 May 1952).

"One in six people in USA and Canada have germs in their muscles - trichinosis 8 from eating pork infected with trichina worms. Many people so infected have no symptoms. Most of those, who do have, recover slowly. Some die; some are reduced to permanent invalids. All were careless pork caters".

He continued "No one is immune from the disease and there is no cure. Neither antibiotics nor drugs or vaccines affect these tiny deadly worms. Preventing infection is the real answer."

After reading the statement of Dr. Shepherd, one can realize that there is no real guarantee of safety when eating pork that one would not be affected by trichina worm. That is why modern doctors advise three prohibitions during illness: no liquor, no pork and no smoking.

Muslims follow the divine law which is much higher than the medical advice. The Glorious Qur'an says, "So eat of the lawful and good food which Allah has provided for you, and thank the bounty of your Lord if it is Him you serve. He has forbidden for you only carrion and blood and swine-flesh and that which has been immolated in the name of any other than Allah; but he who is driven thereto, neither craving nor transgressing, Lo! then Allah is Forgiving, Merciful." (16:114-115)

The above is the order from the Creator of the universe and Supreme Law-Giver. All Muslims are under the obligation to obey it. This is a plain and straightforward answer to those, who usually ask why Muslims abstain from eating pork. Nevertheless, there is no sin, if a Muslims is forced by famine or starvation to eat pork in order to save his life.

Rashid Shamsi (The Muslim World League Journal, Rajab 1420 - October 1999)

Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 11:28 am Post subject:

Muslims believe that Jesus did not die on the cross. Does that mean he died of natural causes? Will he come again? Why is he the only prophet to return?

Muslims believe that God's messenger Jesus, son of Mary, on whom be peace, did not die yet. God tells us in His own words that Jesus was raised up by God and that he was neither killed nor crucified (see Qur'an 4:157-158). Furthermore, God tells us that in order to foil the plans of the unbelievers, God recalled Jesus and raised him up (see Qur'an 3:55). Muslims understand from these Qur'anic passages that Jesus did not die.

Muslims believe that Jesus will be coming again. A common explanation of verse 159 of Surah 4 in the Qur'an is that when Jesus returns, the people of the book will each believe in Jesus as he really is. Another verse in the Qur'an calls Jesus, on whom be peace, a sign of the day of Judgement (see Qur'an 43:61). This was further explained by the prophet Muhammad, on whom be peace, when he said that Jesus's return will be a sign that the day of Judgement is near.

God alone knows the full wisdom behind what He does. We can only try to understand some of the reasons. With God's help we can point to several reasons why Jesus will be coming again. One reason is that when the angel Gabriel announced to Mary about the birth of Jesus, he prophesied that Jesus will speak to mankind while he is a baby and again when he is mature (see Qur'an 3:46). The Arabic word Kahlan here translated 'maturity' actually refers to a maturity at 40 years old. When Jesus comes back he will live to this age and the prophecy will be fulfilled. Jesus also foretold his death (see Qur'an 19:33). This too will be fulfilled when he returns, and Jesus will be buried in Medina near his brother in faith, the last prophet, on whom be peace.

Another reason for Jesus's second coming is that he will be honored with the opportunity to personally correct the belief of his people. Too many have disbelieved and rejected him. Many others have believed incorrectly about him. When he returns, everyone will believe in him correctly. Yet another reason for his coming is that some of his teachings have been forgotten (see Qur'an 5:14), and replaced by misguided teachings (see Qur'an 5:77, 9:30). Jesus will have the honor of breaking the symbols of such false teachings and dramatically confirming his true teachings which were also taught by his brother in faith, the last prophet, on whom be peace.

A further reason is that in the last days an evil man called the Antichrist will arise. He will spread much corruption on the earth. Jesus will return to slay this man and restore peace on earth.

As to why Jesus alone and no other prophet will come back is for God alone to say. The above are only a few indications.

Finally, we must admit that Jesus, on whom be peace, was very unique. His entry into the world was unique, his departure was unique, and his return will be spectacular. The Qur'an rightly calls him "illustrious in the world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near (unto Allah)" (Qur'an 3:45).

Next : Muhammad is dead. But Jesus is alive. Doesn't that mean that Jesus Is superior to Muhammad?

Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 11:31 am Post subject:

Muhammad is dead. But Jesus is alive. Doesn't that mean that Jesus Is superior to Muhammad?

Muslims believe that Jesus and Muhammad were both prophets and messengers of Allah. Peace be upon both of them. Muslims will not belittle any of God's prophets or reject their message. The Qur'an tells us to declare our faith in all of the prophets including Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, and that we should make no distinction among them (see Qur'an 2:136; 3:84; 2:285). This means that since each of them preached the true message of God, it would be wrong to say we believe in some but not in others.

The prophets themselves were humble servants of God. They did not try to prove themselves superior to others. It would be wrong for their followers to argue over who is superior. Once a Muslim and a Jew were arguing. The Muslim said that Muhammad is superior over all the people. The Jew said that Moses is superior over all the people. When this was related to the prophet Muhammad, on whom be peace, he said:
Do not give me superiority over Moses (This is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari, vol.4, p.410, Arabic- English edition).
He also said "None should say that I am better than Jonah, son of Matta" (ibid, p.413).
He also instructed,"Do not give superiority to any prophet among Allah's prophets" (ibid, p.414).

Once the prophet was asked, "Who is the most honorable among the people?" He replied, "The most God-fearing". When he was asked to name a specific individual, he replied:
The most honorable person is Joseph (i.e. the son of Jacob) (ibid, p.390).
This humility was shared by other prophets too. The prophet Jesus, on whom be peace, is reported to have said:
I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11).
But John the Baptist was also humble. He did not claim that greatness for himself. He spoke of a greater one who was to come after him. He is quoted as saying:
After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie (Mark 1:7).
When God sent the angel Gabriel to take the prophet Muhammad to the Aqsa Mosque one night, the prophet, on whom be peace, led the prayers there, and the other prophets followed his lead. He also related the truth that on the Day of Judgement he will lead the banner of Praise under which will be all the other prophets. But the prophet Muhammad did not boast about this. He instructed Muslims that they should not praise him as the people praised Jesus, son of Mary. He said:
Call me a slave of Allah and His Messenger (Bukhari, vol.4, p.435).

What is important is not to try and prove one prophet superior over another, but to believe in both of them. The prophet Muhammad, on whom be peace, said:
If a man believes in Jesus and then believes in me, he will get a double reward (ibid. p.435).

Up Next : Jesus said that he is the way and that no one can come to God except through him. What do Muslims say about that?

Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 11:33 am Post subject:

Jesus said that he is the way and that no one can come to God except through him. What do Muslims say about that?

Muslims believe that Jesus, on whom be peace, was indeed the way. This means that he showed the way by which people should approach God. He expected that people should follow him and imitate him. His early followers were called followers of the way because, obviously, they followed Jesus, and Jesus was the way (see Acts 9:2; 18:25; 19:9; 19:23; 22:4; 24:14; 24:22). They were also called Christians, which means 'imitators of Christ' (see Acts 11 :26). This shows that the early followers of Jesus copied and imitated him.

Jesus had said that his true followers will hold on to his teachings, then they will know the truth, and the truth will set them free (see John 8:31-32). God did reveal His truth in these last times. And true followers of Jesus will readily accept that truth, for they will find it in agreement with the unadulterated teachings of Jesus. In these last times God has sent a messenger and declared that anyone who claims to love Him must follow His messenger, on whom be peace. God directs His messenger as follows:
Say! If you love Allah then follow me. Allah will love you and forgive your sins. Surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful (Qur'an 3:31).

Now this messenger, Muhammad, on whom be peace, has brought God's final message for all of humankind. If we love God we must follow him. He brought the truth which Jesus said his true followers will recognize. The truth sets people free from unreasonable doctrines and dogmas.

Confusion arises in the minds of some who imagine that Jesus is the only way for peoples of all times and all places. Clearly, the Old Testament prophets directed people to Yahweh, the only God. They showed therefore the way to Yahweh. In fact, people were calling on the name of Yahweh since the time of Adam (see Genesis 4:1).

Jesus was the way for his time; now Muhammad is the way. We believe in both of them, and we worship the one God whom they both worshipped. These men showed us the way to worship God. Jesus, for example, fell on his knees and worshipped God (see Luke 22:4 1). He also fell on his face and worshipped God (see Matthew 26:39). Muhammad too adopted similar postures of humility in worshipping God. Likewise is the practice of the true imitators of Jesus and Muhammad, peace be upon both of them.

Finally, we should recall that Jesus is the way, not the destination. He spoke of one who is greater than himself (see John 14:28). And he said that, that one alone is the only true God (see John 17:3).
God has sent numerous prophets and messengers. Each in his time was the way to God. No one can approach God in a way contrary to the way of God's messenger. This is why God said that He will call to account anyone who does not listen to His prophet who will speak in His name (see Deuteronomy 18:19).

Next: If there is no original sin, then why does everyone have to die? Isn't death the consequence of sin?

Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 11:41 am Post subject:

If there is no original sin, then why does everyone have to die? Isn't death the consequence of sin?

Muslims have a very positive view of life and death. Life on earth is temporary. Death is the door through which one enters into everlasting life. Muslims do not see death as something scary or frightful. Death is the way one returns to Allah. God says in the Qur'an:
Say: The angel of death, who has been given charge of you, will carry off your souls. Then to your Lord you shall all return (Qur'an 32:11).
Muslims hopeful of God's mercy look forward to the day when God will address them as stated in the Qur'an:
O peaceful and fully satisfied soul, return to your Lord: you are well-pleased (with your good end) and well-pleasing (in the sight of your Lord). Join My (righteous) servants and enter my Paradise (Qur'an 89: 27-30).
Viewed in this way, death becomes a joy for the true believer. This view of death was further explained in a saying of the Prophet, on whom be peace. He said:
Allah loves to meet whoever loves to meet Him.

It is true that no one likes to die. But the prophet, on whom be peace, said:
When death comes to a believer, he is given good news of the pleasure of Allah and his gifts. There is then nothing dearer to him than what is ahead of him. So he loves to meet Allah, and Allah loves to meet him (This was reported by Bukhari and Muslim).
This positive view of death should not imply a negative view of life. Life should be lived to its fullest, and believers should not wish for an end to their lives. The prophet said; no believer should wish for death, for, as long as there is life in you, if you are righteous, perhaps you may increase your good deeds, and if you are sinful, perhaps given time you may repent (reported by Bukhari).

God in His plan devised this earthly life as a temporary life. The earth is a testing ground. Those who accept God's guidance in this life will be given the abundance of God's grace in the next, the everlasting life. When God decreed for humans to live on the earth, He declared:
Henceforth there shall come to you guidance from Me now and again; whoever will follow it shall have neither fear nor sorrow, and whoever will refuse to accept it and defy Our Revelation, they shall be doomed to the Fire wherein they shall remain forever (Qur'an 2:38-39).
Again, God says that He "created life and death so that He may try you, which of you is best in conduct" (Qur'an67:2).God says further:
Indeed We created man from a mixed drop to try him and therefore We made him capable of hearing and seeing. We showed him the way, whether to be grateful or disbelieving (Qur'an 76:2-3; see also 90;8- 10).
In this life we should use our God-given faculties to learn and follow God's message. The Qur'an says that those who end up being punished for their sins will regret that they neither listened nor used their brains when God's message had reached them (see Qur'an 67:10).
Incidentally, in the Qur'an it is not said that God warned Adam and Eve of death if they ate from the forbidden tree. What God actually said to them was that if they ate from the tree they would become wrongdoers (see Qur'an 2:35). Given the Qur'anic viewpoint, there is no reason to consider death as a consequence for sin.

Next : You said that every child of Adam is a sinner. Does that mean we are born with sin?

Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 11:42 am Post subject:

You said that every child of Adam is a sinner. Does that mean we are born with sin?

No. Muslims believe that every child is born in a pure, natural state. Left to their own, children will grow up instinctively seeking the one true God, Allah. However, environmental influences and parents turn a child away from the pure, natural state. A saying of the prophet, on whom be peace and the blessings of God, confirms this. It says that each child is born in a natural state just as, for example a baby animal is born without any brand on its body; then the owner brands it with his own mark. Similarly, parents too would give a newborn their own religious identity (see Sahih al-Bukhari, Arabic-English, vol.8, no.597 and Sahib Muslim, Eng. Trans. vol 4, no. 6423).

The saying "every child of Adam is a sinner" means that every human being is a sinner, sin being an inevitable outcome of a fallible human nature. No matter how righteous a person is, he or she may at times disobey God through ignorance or forgetfulness. The prophet, on whom be peace, meant to emphasize that the best person is the one who seeks forgiveness for his or her sins. Furthermore, he said that one who repents from sin is like one without sin. God says in the Qur'an that He will replace the evil deeds with good for those who repent, believe, and do righteous deeds (see Qur'an 25:70).

Another saying of the prophet indicates that God actually intended that humans will be a species that commit sins so they can turn to Him and He would forgive them (see Sahih Muslim, Eng. Trans., vol.4, nos. 6620-2). This is a much better explanation than the popular conception according to which God at first sees that humans are good, then God discovers that they are wicked and so, being sorry that He made them in the first place, God eventually decides to wipe them off the face of the earth; but then he changes His mind again and lets them eventually procreate and fill the earth although they are still sinful as ever. The better explanation is that God knew in advance that we would sin, and we turned out just the way God planned. God does not discover new things - He knows everything always.

So, simply put, the Islamic belief is that people are not born in sin but they will eventually commit sins for which they should sincerely repent, and God will wipe out their sins. People do not inherit sins. Sin is something you do wrong. You couldn't have done anything before you were born, therefore you were born without sin. The Qur'an teaches that God does not hold us responsible for what others did before we were born, and no innocent person would carry the guilt of another (see Qur'an 4:111; 6:164). This coincides with our own sense of justice. No one considers it right to blame children for the sins of their ancestors, or to punish the innocent so that the guilty may go free.

Next : How can you say that death is not the consequence for sin whereas the Bible clearly teaches that it is?

Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 12:30 am Post subject:

Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 12:51 am Post subject:

I read that scientist have found fossilised remains on the highest mountains, which indicates that the account of the great flood in Noah's period must have happened. Marine life and animal remains have been found in numerous locations around the world, including the highest peaks and mountains. Does this not prove that the earth was covered in water and that there was a great flood that wiped out all life, except Noah and his family and the animals that god asked him to take with him into the Ark?

Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 10:38 am Post subject:

Salam’alaykum wa rahmatuLLAH wa barakatouhou

The following is a khotba by Cheikh Keichk on « ar’riba/interest). I really wanted to share it with you all. It is originally in French on audio, but I thought that it is such a convincing and pertinent khotba, that I decided to do my best to translate it for, this scourge unfortunately, has widely spread today, to the point of being regarded as a commonplace, that is something irreproachable, not harmful, and sinless… while it is……

Ar’riba

By cheikh Keichk (translated from French)

Dear brothers in Islam, may the peace, the mercy and the blessing of God be upon you. Bismillahi Rahman Raheem, praise to Allah, Lord and Master of the universe. I pray and and give my salam with a fervor worthy of the Emir of Prophets and Imam of messengers, and I testify that there is no divinity but Allah swt, protector of virtuous people, and I testify that our prophet, our beloved Muhammad saws, messenger of Allah swt is the last of the prophets and the last of the messengers. My Lord, may your blessing and your peace be upon this faithful prophet, his family, and his noble and blessed companions, and bestow your mercy to our cheikhs, parents, dead people, and all dead muslims.
This is Mohammed’s school, may Allah swt’s blessing and peace be upon him sws, and all those who are here with us, have to give a pure and blessed salam to our beloved Muhammad sws. Light has shone forth in the whole universe when you appeared to the world surrounded by the Divine protection and raising the standard of Qur’an. May the blessings of Allah be upon you as long as wind blows and the doves coo.

I would like to start with a question regarding a Deadly sin which spread as a fire on a bush and as a violent poison in humans’ entrails. This mortal sin is the practise of “interest”, and there is no equivalent to this sin, and you only need to know with certainty, brothers in islam, that interest is the only sin whose perpetrators were pursued by Allah and his messenger’s anger. Be them individuals or groups, and be the interest local or worldwide, interior or exterior, of consumption or exchange. Yes, the only sin to which Allah swt and his messenger have declared war, as well as to its perpetrators

Glory be to the one who says : "O ye who believe! Fear Allah, and give up what remains of your demand for usury, if ye are indeed believers. If ye do it not, take notice of war from Allah and His Messenger: But if ye turn back, ye shall have your capital sums: Deal not unjustly, and ye shall not be dealt with unjustly." (2:278-279).

Interest is forbidden in all its forms, be it a buyer credit or a lending loan. Allah swt when He allowed trade, has forbidden interest, and when He allowed sales contract, has forbidden interest, and when he allowed contract for services, has forbidden interest, and when He allowed settlement, has forbidden interest. When he imposed Sadaqa and prescribed good deeds, has forbidden interest, and when he allowed the association contract, has forbidden interest.

No excuse, no justification from a penitent or a contestant will be accepted, because if you look at Allah’s Book, you will see that interest is associated to 2 things: On one hand, it is associated to sadaqa and good deeds, and on the other hand, it is associated to trade.

in verse 30-39, the Quran says: “That which ye give in usury in order that it may increase on (other) people's property hath no increase with Allah; but that which ye give in charity, seeking Allah's Countenance, hath increase manifold”

Compare with me between Sadaqa and interest loan. To realise the difference between the Light of the oath, and the Fire of the threat, Prophet Muhammad saws says:

“each time interest and adultery spread in a city (human grouping, nation, community, or any other grouping), the latter aroused itself Allah’s anger, and who will tell you what Allah’s anger is? When Allah swt decides to hit a people with hanger, someone from the sky calls on Lord’s behalf “ May the blessing not be upon you anymore, may your entrails get wider, may your eyes never be satisfied” .

This is how Allah swt associated sadaqa with interest. What you lent on interest for it to multiply to the expense of people won’t multiply near Allah swt.Why? because Allah swt destroys interest and removes its blessing. Something acquired without Allah’s blessing doesn’t last and even if it lasted it would bring no benefit to the owner. You just need to know what Muhammad saws says :

“Allah swt has cursed interest, He has cursed the person who takes it, the one who gives it, the writer who draws up the interest contract and the witnesses who sign with them”.

Interest consists in exchanging a sum of money with the same sum plus another sum that the borrower has to pay to the lender. Sidna RasoulouLLAH sws says:

"gold for gold, wheat for wheat, barley for barley, corn for corn, date for date, salt for salt, each thing for its equivalent, handed personally and the one who gives or takes more will have used interest and will be guilty to the same degree, both will be cursed and chased and will endure Allah’s anger”.

Listen again to what he saws says :

"eating only one mouthful earned through interest amounts to 36 acts of adultery committed by man, and the one who nourishes his body with what is forbidden, deserves the hellfire”.

Here is another Divine word, so as to make you feel disgusted with that appalling crime that carries in its germs the ruin of this world and the lost of the hereafter: He sws says:

"earning only one Dirham from interest amounts to 72 sins” listen to the end of this word that is heartbreaking “this crime amounts to 72 sins the slightest of which is to commit the immoral act with one’s mother inside the ka3ba” This is the slightest of those sins, what about the biggest, the more appalling sin?

Islam has not forbidden interest without any reason, hasha liLLAH. Allah swt has prescribed obligations that we have to respect, and he has imposed bans that we mustn’t break. And if he has omitted some things, this is not out of oblivion, because Allah swt doesn’t forget anything nor does He lead out anybody, but it is rather by mercy, don’t try to know about it, He swt has set limits, and we mustn’t go beyond them.

Allah swt says “Allah has allowed trade and forbidden interest”. The first Muslims have well assimilated those teachings, they understood that trade is a blessing and that it is synonymous of work, effort, and of labour, this is why they practised trade.

See the amazing example of Salman Al Farissi (the Persian), May Allah be satisfied with him, he would sell baskets that he, himself, made from leaves of small palm-trees. He would divide the income in three parts: One that he gave to poor and needy people, the second one, he kept it for himself in order to provide for his family (his wife and his son), as to the third part, he added it to his patrimony to invest it again. When the Prophet Muhammad sws learnt about how Salman acted, (not to forget that He sws himself was a fierce person when it came to labour, he who said: “I have to pick up wood”, he was the Master of exertion and labour) he said :

“the prosperous worker with the blessing of Allah swt, and the monopolistic is cursed” and added: “the one who monopolizes to make prices rise for 40 days denies Allah and Allah denies him!”

He sws also said: “Allah swt likes the servant who has an occupation and hates the idle one (who has nothing to do)”

He sws said again: “look for your subsistence in the entrails of the land”.

This is why in the early times of Islam, the Muslim woman would tell her husband when they left home in the morning to earn their daily bread: “fear Allah and don’t bring food that has been gained in an illicit way, we can bear hunger in this world, but we won’t be able to endure the torments of hell on the Day of Judgement”

Do you know what the messenger of Allah swt said about Salman when he learnt that he divided the benefits into 3 parts? He conferred him the titles of Honour, and the Order of Merit. Let me tell you the kind of reward he deferred him so as to wreathe his head in a crown of dignity, the slightest ruby of which is preferable to any world wealth.

He said: “Salman is a man who loves Allah and his messenger, and Allah swt and his messenger sws love him. Allah swt is pleased when Salman is happy, and He is angry when Salman is so. Paradise is more eager to welcome Salman than he is to enter it”

Can you imagine? This Paradise, which is our ultimate aim and for which we all work all lifelong, is burning to welcome him!

Don’t give yourselves up to this world and to what it contains, Death will destroy us and will destroy it assuredly. Work for the Hereafter and do your best for its Keeper (Allah swt) to be satisfied with you. It is a dwelling-place that has been scented by the All-Mighty and Merciful, its palaces are made of gold and its ground of Musc, and saffron grows there like grass does.

Now that I have quoted that marvellous example, I am going to quote another one, darker gloomier, one that makes hearts sink at the thought:

[The messenger sws passes by the body of a dead man lying on the ground, he asks “who killed this man?” his companions reply “oh messenger oh God, he was a thief who was trying to steal sheeps, the dog who keeps the flock jumped on him and killed him”.

Do you remember what the messenger’s reaction was to Salman’s excellent behaviour and the awards he conferred him? Look at how he commented on that horrible scene, appalling to the point that one could think that pieces of hell covered the dead man’s face, he judged this with only a few words:

“He killed himself and then lost the price of blood, and the dog is more valiant than him because the dog is loyal whereas he is perfidious.”

May Allah swt forgive us all our sins, do not commit any of the 7 deadly sins, that is ““to give a partner to Allah swt, to practise witchcraft, to kill the life that Allah swt has made sacred( except for a legitimate reason), to eat the orphans goods/possessions, to practise loaning-interest, to offend gravely a chaste and ignorant female believer”

Fear Allah swt and give up the rest of the interest if you are believers. I leave you under God’s protection, He swt is the one who keeps a watchful eye on his trusts…..

Wa salam’3alaykum wa rahmatouLLAH wa barakatouhou

Personal comment: I will upload it on audio insha’Allah for the French-speaking people who want to listen to it, for I think that it is much more convincing and scaring, and it really makes you think…

I would like to apologise if the English I used is not the best, but I tried my best to stick to the closer interpretation, and Allah swt is my witness.
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