I am confused about something. Why is the word of God in Islam so different to the word of God in Christianity? How can one prophet marry several times (once to a 6 year old girl Aysha), lead men into war, kill enemies, pillage, marry slaves taken from war, have visions out of nowhere, not have any prophecies in his name to prepare his coming, perform no miracles:
The other one, Isa, preach peace and love, never hurt anyone(even after what they did to him), do the work of God and have nothing in his possesion except the will of God, never marry(obey chastity because his love for god was so intense there was no room for any other kind of love), perform miracles e.g. raise people from the dead, give sight to the blind, heal cancer and skin disease, feed thousands with 5 loaves of bread and 2 pieces of fish(and have left overs), was born with the word of God and nothing else, and he died the same way but left a hierarchy of men to carry on Gods word with the love of the holy spirit. spread Christianity with words and Miracles of love and faith, not once raising a sword or using violence yet this faith reached billions of people all over the world. died for the people he loved, upon death water and blood poured out of his pierced side (look up medical knowledge to explain why blood and water seperate when people die, very fascinating, only happens in one situation, medically proven).
Why such a big difference? Could God have gotten it wrong twice before perfecting it with the Quran? somebody, please explain logic and facts to a person who is about to leave the islamic Faith. Help!!!!
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Assalaamu alaikum ya muslimeen.
Greetings and good day.
It is me who is confused.
Sam-u appear to be a muslim...by your closing statement in this message. But yet u do not open any of ur messages with the standard and widely accepted and traditional greeting of muslims worldwide-i.e. 'salaam alaikum'. Now...I will give u the benefit of the doubt, and assume that as u are inclining to claim by your closing comment...that u are a muslim...simply one who does not use the formal and traditional form of greeting. That is fine. It is basically a tradition and sense of common good courtesy. Not a requirement or determining factor of one's Islam.
However, still you ask why is the word or name of God different to Christians and Muslims. That as well tends to lead me to understand that u are not a muslim..for even the less knowledgeable muslims understand that God is one God...whether He is the God of a muslim or the God of a christian or anyone else.
If you will refer to the Arabic language...which is the original language in which the message of Islam was revealed, you will find that the first name for God is Allah. This name...the formal name of God...is also used by Arabic christians. U can find it in their bibles. It is merely the Arabic formal translation of God. Or perhaps it should be said the other way around...that God is the English (or other language) translation of the original 'Allah'. The arabic word 'llah' or 'ilah' indicates 'god'. Please note here the small case 'g' as opposed to the capital case 'G' in the personal name of God (Allah). This second word or name 'llah' or 'ilah' is indicating the various or any selection of the varrying deities that ppl have tended to worship and take as 'gods' throughout the history of mankind.
That said...I will also give u the benefit of the doubt in this stance...that perhaps u are not aware of the particularities of the name of God (Allah). This, similar to the 'salaam' or formal greetings of peace between muslims...is only a small point...and not a definitive factor regarding one's essence or presence as a muslim.
As for the legitimacy of Mohammed (SAAW) and his message that he was endowed with to bring forth to mankind...it is very true and very real. And he is not in competition with any of the previous messengers or prophets. May Allah grant peace to them all.
His life, his mission, and his message is merely the culmination and completion of all that came before him. Islam holds in high regard and respect those prophets and messengers who came before Mohammed(SAAW). And we also accept in full the messages that they came forth with.
In fact, if you will investigate closely the message of all who came before Mohammed(SAAW), including Jesus (Isa) (AS), you will find that it was nothing more nor less than to worship God in His full right as He ought to be worshipped. And to submit one's human will to the Will of God Almighty.
I suggest sincerely and humbly that u read from the Quran...and continue to read..to better understand the message of Islam...and examine when the Quran asks u to examine things...such as a miracles of nature or the state of the world. Perhaps then, inshaAllah, you shall be more enlightened, inshaAllah.
Lulua.
servant_of_Allah
08-01-2003, 19:53
I seek refuge in Allah, from the accursed Shaytaan, Ameen !
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
I ask Allah to help me in replying to this post, and i ask Him to forgive any mistakes i make, or sins i commit, Ameen. I ask Him to make me reply to this post, solely for His pleasure, and with the desire to defend my Deen, with which i am very pleased. And may Allah be pleased with me, and all the Muslims, Ameen.
"Why is the word of God in Islam so different to the word of God in Christianity?"
Firstly, let us begin with affirming the Existence and Oneness of God. There is only one God, Allah, and no God besdies Him. The Torah, which was revealed to Prophet Musa, peace be upon him, is the Word of Allah, the Injeel, which was revealed to Prophet Isa, peace be upon him, is the Word of Allah, and the Qur'an, which was revealed to Prophet Muhammed, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is the Word of Allah. Glory and praise be to Allah.
Now, let it be known to you, that tahrif took place in the Injeel. It got corrupted. There is no doubting this fact, since not only have Muslims known this fact (for centuries), but this fact is confirmed by Christian scholars, who say that the Gospel (Injeel) was corrupted. The Christian scholars themselves state this. Therefore, the Qur'an, which is the Word of Allah, and the Final Revelation, is the criterion. Whatever is found in the Bible, which is in agreement with the Qur'an, is correct. Whatever is found in the Bible, that contradicts what the Qur'an says, is wrong.
So, for example, if it is mentioned in the Bible, that there is only one God, and we should worship Him alone, and associate no partners with Him, then this is correct. You may also read : http://www.islamonline.net/askaboutislam/display.asp?hquestionID=2718
"How can one prophet marry several times....."
The answer to this question of yours is here : http://www.islamonline.net/askaboutislam/display.asp?hquestionID=2679
"....once to a 6 year old girl Aysha"
The answer to this question of yours is here : http://www.muslim-answers.org/aishah.htm
"lead men into war"
Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did indeed lead the believers in several battles, Alhamdulilah. How fortunate were those believers, who were with him, met him, believed in what he said, participated in battles with him. Subhan Allah.
"kill enemies"
Actually, Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings of Allah) is reported to have killed only one person, in jihad, and Allah Knows Best.
"marry slaves taken from war"
The answer to this question is given here : http://www.islamonline.net/askaboutislam/display.asp?hquestionID=2852
"have visions out of nowhere"
Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was a Messenger of Allah (SWT). Allah chose him as His Prophet and Messenger. I think, when you talk about 'visions', perhaps you are referring to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) receiving revelation. The truth is, that he did indeed receive Revelation, from Allah (SWT), the Qur'an. It was Allah (God Almighty) Who revealed the Qur'an to Him.
"not have any prophecies in his name to prepare his coming"
Actually, Muslim scholars have written books and articles, proving, Alhamdulilah, that upto this day, Prophet Muhammed's (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) name is found in the Bible. Infact, even Christian scholars have accepted this fact. You may go to : http://www.aramaic.org/PARAVLETE.html
The above link, is a Christian website, where they accept the fact that Prophet Muhammed's (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) name is found in the Bible. His name is still there upto this day. Prophet Isa (AS) informed his people that there would be a Prophet after him, and that is Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
"perform no miracles" This shows ignorance on your part. The fact is that Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) performed many miracles. The reports which inform us about this truth and fact, are mutawaatir reports.
"The other one, Isa, preach peace and love, never hurt anyone(even after what they did to him), do the work of God and have nothing in his possesion except the will of God, never marry(obey chastity because his love for god was so intense there was no room for any other kind of love), perform miracles e.g. raise people from the dead, give sight to the blind, heal cancer and skin disease, feed thousands with 5 loaves of bread and 2 pieces of fish(and have left overs), was born with the word of God and nothing else, and he died the same way but left a hierarchy of men to carry on Gods word with the love of the holy spirit. spread Christianity with words and Miracles of love and faith, not once raising a sword or using violence yet this faith reached billions of people all over the world. died for the people he loved, upon death water and blood poured out of his pierced side (look up medical knowledge to explain why blood and water seperate when people die, very fascinating, only happens in one situation, medically proven)."
The answer to this paragraph of yours lies here : http://www.islamonline.net/askaboutislam/display.asp?hquestionID=2718
Also, please be informed that Prophet Isa (AS) never died, and is still alive in Paradise. He was never killed. This fact is mentioned in the Holy Qur'an.
"Could God have gotten it wrong twice before perfecting it with the Quran?"
Allah is beyond all imperfections, Glory be to Him. He makes no mistakes, Glory be to Him.
Now, as for those who doubt the Qur'an, then the Qur'an challenges them. Produce a Surah like it, and the shortest Surah in the Qur'an is only 3 ayahs (verses). Keep in mind, it has to be in Arabic, since the Qur'an was revealed in Arabic. Infact, even if all of mankind and jinn-kind got together, co-operating with one another, inorder to TRY to do such a thing, they would fail, because it is impossible that they can produce a Surah like the Qur'an.
Or do they say: "He (Muhammad) has forged it?" Say: "Bring then a sûrah (chapter) like unto it, and call upon whomsoever you can, besides Allah, if you are truthful!" (Qur'an, Surah 10, ayahs 37-38)
The Arabic language and Arab speech are divided into two branches. One of them is rhymed poetry. It is a speech with metre and rhyme, which means every line of it ends upon a definite letter, which is called the 'rhyme'. This rhymed poetry is again divided into metres or what is called as al-Bihâr, literally meaning 'The Seas'. This is so called because of the way the poetry moves according to the rhythmic patterns. There are sixteen al-Bihâr viz; at-Tawîl, al-Bassit, al-Wâfir, al-Kamîl, ar-Rajs, al-Khafîf, al-Hazaj, al-Muttakarib, al-Munsarih, al-Muktatab, al-Muktadarak, al-Madîd, al-Mujtath, al-Ramel, al-Khabab and as-Saria'. Each one rhymes differently. For metres of Arabic poetry please see please see Lyall's book Translations Of Ancient Arabian Poetry, Chiefly Pre-Islamic.[1] He discusses al-Kamîl, al-Wafir, al-Hajaz, at-Tawil, al-Bassit, al-Khafîf and al-Madîd briefly.[2]
The other branch of Arabic speech is prose, that is non-metrical speech. The prose may be a rhymed prose. Rhymed prose consists of cola ending on the same rhyme throughout, or of sentences rhymed in pairs. This is called "rhymed prose" or sajc. Prose may also be straight prose (mursal). In straight prose, the speech goes on and is not divided in cola, but is continued straight through without any divisions, either of rhyme or of anything else. Prose is employed in sermons and prayers and in speeches intended to encourage or frighten the masses.[3] One of the most famous speeches involving sajc is that of Hajjâj bin Yûsuf in his first deputation in Iraq in post-Islamic and Quss bin Sa'idah in pre-Islamic times.
So, the challenge, as cAbdur Rahîm Green mentions, is to produce in Arabic , three lines, that do not fall into one of these sixteen al-Bihâr, that is not rhyming prose, nor like the speech of soothsayers, and not normal speech, that it should contain at least a comprehensible meaning and rhetoric, i.e. not gobbledygook. (Source : www.islamic-awareness.org)
This is the challenge of the Qur'an, to all those who doubt it.
I would like to end my article by quoting an ayah from the Qur'an.
And if ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant, then produce a Surah like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers (If there are any) besides Allah, if your (doubts) are true. But if ye cannot- and of a surety ye cannot- then fear the Fire whose fuel is men and stones,- which is prepared for those who reject Faith. (Qur'an, Surah 2, ayahs 23-24)
Wassalamu Alaykum,
servant of Allah.
Originally posted by sam
[B]I am confused about something. Why is the word of God in Islam so different to the word of God in Christianity?
Assallamu alaikaum to all!
I think all of your 'confused' questions have been answered by; sister lulua and bro servantofallah.
Only thing i wanted to add, after a lot of reasearch and finding, is that, once i was watching Dr Zakir Naik, and he was asked a similar question to your first question. I have located his word for word answer from his 'Is the Quran Gods Word Part II' and it should be helpful to you.
"(Q) I am Mrs. Sarla Ramchander. I would like to ask why do Muslims call God, Allah?
(Dr. Zakir) The question posed by the sister is why do Muslims call God as Allah? During my talk, I had given the definition of Allah (SWT) from the Qur’an, from Surah Ikhlas, Ch. No. 112, which says...(Arabic)... ‘Say he is Allah, one and only’ ...(Arabic)... ‘Allah, the absolute, the eternal’ ...(Arabic)... ‘He begets not nor is he begotten’ ...(Arabic)... ‘And there is nothing unto him like in this world’. But the Qur’an also says in Surah Isra, Ch. No. 17, Verse No. 110, it says...(Arabic)... ‘Say you call upon him by Allah or by Rahmaan. By whichever name you call upon him, to him belongs the most beautiful names’. The same message that to Allah belongs the most beautiful names, is mentioned in the Surah Araf, Ch. No. 7, Verse No. 180, in Surah Hashr, Ch. No. 59, Verse No. 24, as well as in Surah Ta Ha, Ch. No. 20, Verse No. 8, it says... ‘To Allah belongs the most beautiful names’. But the name should not conjure up a mental picture. It should be a beautiful name. Why do Muslims prefer calling God Almighty as ‘Allah’ then the English word God, because the Arabic word ‘Allah’ is a pure word. The English word God, it can be played around with. If you add an ‘s’ to God, it becomes ‘Gods’, ‘plural of God’. You can not add an ‘s’ to Allah. There is nothing like plural Allah. Allah is one...(Arabic)... ‘Say he is Allah one and only’. If you add a ‘dess’ to God, it becomes ‘Goddess’, ‘a female god’. There is nothing like female Allah or male Allah. Allah has got no gender. If you have a god with a capital ‘G’, it becomes true God. If you have a god with a small ‘g’ it becomes fake god. In Islam we have only one true Allah. We do not have any false Allah, only true Allah. If you add father to god, it becomes ‘godfather’. He is my godfather. He is my guardian. You can not add an abba to Allah or a father to Allah. There is nothing like ‘Allahabba’ or ‘Allahfather’ in Islam. If you add a mother to god, it becomes Godmother. You can not add a mother to Allah or an ‘ammi’ to Allah. There is nothing like ‘Allahammi’ in Islam. If you put a tin before God, it becomes ‘Tingod’, ‘fake God’. In Islam there is nothing like ‘Tin Allah’. Allah is pure. It is unique, you can call him by any name, but it should be a beautiful name. I hope that answers the question."
The source; http://www.irf.net/is_quran_gods_word_II.zip
And for more, facinating and excellent material, by this renowned scholar, check out his site, and his download area; http://www.irf.net/irf/download/middle/displaydowncatg.php3
Wasalllam. If you have any questions, or any comments sam or other members, please do ask, as they say, 'those who are afraid to ask, are afraid to learn'.
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