Prayer Times
I have mentioned some things concerning the Salat which Muslims pray during their prayer times.
“The Salat (prayer) must be performed in the Arabic language...”
(Quoted from an Islamic website)
This is something made up by Mohammad, since the true and real God doesn't demand that anyone must pray in any specific language whatsoever. Some Muslims may point out that God is very pleased to hear the prayers in Arabic. But according to the holy Bible God is rather more pleased if any person, whatever language he speaks, prays with a burning heart for God. That prayer is then far more pleasant than anyone can utter in the most poetic or beautiful tongue whatsoever but without this burning desire for God.
“[1] And it came to pass, that as he was in a certain place praying, when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him: Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. [2] And he said to them: When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. [3] Give us this day our daily bread. [4] And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”
Luke 11:1-4 (Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible)
Jesus never taught you must pray in a special tongue or language, neither that your prayer must be spoken of in your first or second language to please God. Instead he taught us to forgive others as God forgives us. To always let the will of our Father who is in heaven be done, and not ours. So as long as you have this fervent heart for God to pray all the times, and does your utmost to accomplish this, that prayer is the best one directed towards God. A prayer in all humility as these verses teaches us.
The rest of the Islamic quotes below are taken from: According to Five Islamic Schools of Law, by: Allamah Muhammad Jawad Maghniyyah, Translated from the Arabic by Mujahid Husayn.
”The schools concur that salat is not valid if performed before its appointed time and that the time of the zuhr prayer sets in when the sun passes the meridian. They differ concerning its duration.”
When one wants to pray, one shouldn't feel forced to pray any special time of the day. Neither has God commanded anything of its like.
“[5] And he said to them: Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and shall say to him: Friend, lend me three loaves, [6] Because a friend of mine is come off his journey to me, and I have not what to set before him. [7] And he from within should answer, and say: Trouble me not, the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. [8] Yet if he shall continue knocking, I say to you, although he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend; yet, because of his importunity, he will rise, and give him as many as he needeth.”
Luke 11:5-8 (Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible)
Here we can understand that although, sometimes it might seem difficult or almost impossible to pray, whatever might have happened to us or in whatever shape we might be, we shouldn't give up, even if Hell itself would stand before us and ready to devour us.
”Ignorance of the Qiblah (direction): It is wajib (a religious duty) for a person ignorant of the qiblah to inquire and strive to determine its exact or approximate direction... If a person prays not facing the qiblah and comes to know about his mistake, the Imamis state: 'If the error is known during the salat and the correct qiblah lies between his two hands, the part of the salat already performed will be valid and he will have to correct his direction for the remaining part of the salat. But if it is known that he has been praying facing the right or the left (90 degree off the direction) or his back towards the qiblah (180 degree off the direction), the salat will be invalid and he will perform it anew. If the error is known after performing the salat, it should be performed again if its time is still there, not otherwise.'”
God, the true God from the Bible, never commanded anyone to pray in a particular direction. But Jesus told us to direct our hearts toward God in all purity and sincerity. If one want's to pray towards a certain direction, or to pray before an holy image of God, etc., or praying in a particular position, he can do so, because it's not the image, direction or what have you (as long as it is not sinful) that makes you acceptable before God. Although these things are a great help to direct our thoughts towards God.
“[16] I say then, walk in the spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. [17] For the flesh lusteth against the spirit: and the spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary one to another: so that you do not the things that you would. [18] But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law. [19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are fornication, uncleanness, immodesty, luxury, [20] Idolatry, witchcrafts, enmities, contentions, emulations, wraths, quarrels, dissensions, sects, [21] Envies, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like. Of the which I foretell you, as I have foretold to you, that they who do such things shall not obtain the kingdom of God. [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is, charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, longanimity, [23] Mildness, faith, modesty, continency, chastity. Against such there is no law. [24] And they that are Christ's, have crucified their flesh, with the vices and concupiscences. [25] If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
Galatians 5:16-25 (Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible)
It's about attaining purity of heart so we can live by the Spirit, and not by the flesh.
“4. The Skin of Uneatable Animals: The Imamis are alone in holding that it is invalid to perform salat while wearing the skin (even if tanned) of an animal whose flesh is not allowed to be eaten, as well as anything consisting its hair, wool, fur or feathers. The same is true of clothes bearing any secretion from its body- eg. sweat and saliva- as long as it is wet. Hence, even if a single hair of a cat or any such animal happens to be present on the dress of a person performing salat and if he performs it with the knowledge of its presence, his salat is invalid. They exclude wax, honey, the blood of bugs; lice, fleas and other insects which have no flesh, as well as the hair, sweat and saliva of human beings. They also consider salat invalid if any part of a dead animal (maytah) happens to be on the clothes irrespective of whether the animal is one used for food or not, whether its blood flows when cut or not, and its skin is tanned or not.”
Now the text above comes to mere superstitions. We can read of things God commanded the Israelites not to eat, as different animals that was unclean for them, etc. That was in the Old Testament. And much of the laws and rituals of the Old Testament were figures or symbols of something else. But the New Testament has clearly declared that nothing is unlawful of whatsoever one may eat, etc., since much of the things from what goes in (especially foods in itself), doesn't makes us unclean, but rather the things that goes out from us, e.g. bad thoughts, etc.
“[1] And there assembled together unto him the Pharisees and some of the scribes, coming from Jerusalem. [2] And when they had seen some of his disciples eat bread with common, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. [3] For the Pharisees, and all the Jews eat not without often washing their hands, holding the tradition of the ancients: [4] And when they come from the market, unless they be washed, they eat not: and many other things there are that have been delivered to them to observe, the washings of cups and of pots, and of brazen vessels, and of beds. [5] And the Pharisees and scribes asked him: Why do not thy disciples walk according to the tradition of the ancients, but they eat bread with common hands? [6] But he [Jesus] answering, said to them: Well did Isaias prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. [7] And in vain do they worship me, teaching doctrines and precepts of men. [8] For leaving the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men, the washing of pots and of cups: and many other things you do like to these. [9] And he said to them: Well do you make void the commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition. [10] For Moses said: Honour thy father and thy mother; and He that shall curse father or mother, dying let him die. [11] But you say: If a man shall say to his father or mother, Corban, (which is a gift,) whatsoever is from me, shall profit thee. [12] And further you suffer him not to do any thing for his father or mother, [13] Making void the word of God by your own tradition, which you have given forth. And many other such like things you do. [14] And calling again the multitude unto him, he said to them: Hear ye me all, and understand. [15] There is nothing from without a man that entering into him, can defile him. But the things which come from a man, those are they that defile a man. [16] If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. [17] And when he was come into the house from the multitude, his disciples asked him the parable. [18] And he saith to them: So are you also without knowledge? understand you not that every thing from without, entering into a man cannot defile him: [19] Because it entereth not into his heart, but goeth into the belly, and goeth out into the privy, purging all meats? [20] But he said that the things which come out from a man, they defile a man. [21] For from within out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, [22] Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. [23] All these evil things come from within, and defile a man."
Mark 7:1-23 (Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible)
Here we can understand that it is not any part from an animal or any other external thing (as long as it is not sinful) that hinders our prayer directed to God and makes it invalid. We should rather be more careful of disciplining our thoughts to attend to a pure prayer. With other words, it's mere superstitions to believe one must be total clean from the things mentioned above from the Islamic text.
“3. Qiyam (standing): The schools concur that qiyam is wajib in the obligatory salats from the beginning of takbirat al-'ihram until going to ruku', and that standing uprightly, stationarily and independently are its requisites. Hence it is not valid to recline on any support when one is able to stand without it. If one cannot stand, he may perform salat sitting, and if this too is not possible, while laying down on the right side facing the qiblah (in the same position that a dead body is placed in the grave). This is the opinion of all the schools except the Hanafis, who state: 'A person who cannot sit will perform salat laying down on his back with his feet pointing towards the qiblah, so that his gestures in lieu of ruku' and sajdah are made towards the qiblah.'”
Here we have a strange thing, to pray standing makes the salat valid, but invalid in any other case (except in necessity). This is not what makes a prayer fervent and acceptable before God. God wants rather that a man learn to pray with a fervent heart. It is better to focus more on getting a pure and a fervent heart instead of showing an outward appearance of humility with a less fervent heart. Because a less fervent heart leads very easy to much more distracting thoughts when praying, like standing or praying on the knees. Therefore it is far more acceptable to God and for ones self to learn to pray in a more comfortable position, because then it will be easier to direct one's mind to God. And Prayer is the way to salvation, the better the prayer, the better the soul.
“[5] And when ye pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, that love to stand and pray in the synagogues and corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men: Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. [6] But thou when thou shalt pray, enter into thy chamber, and having shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee. [7] And when you are praying, speak not much, as the heathens. For they think that in their much speaking they may be heard. [8] Be not you therefore like to them, for your Father knoweth what is needful for you, before you ask him."
Matthew 6:5-8 (Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible)
From the verses above we can understand that it is not about finding a special position in praying, but to shut out all kind of distracting things, thoughts, etc. that could distract our prayer.
The things mentioned above is only a small part of refutation against the Salat (prayer) which Muslims perform. Below is also an informative part of refuting Muslims that believe in their Koran which mentions Jesus as not being the Son of God. But we Christians do indeed believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, true God and true man.
First of all we need to know that even Satan believes in God and he knows Christ is the truth. If Islam said or the one who made Islam said "I believe in Christ" that does not mean anything. It's just a way satan is deceiving us in Islam. Satan knows how to attack those who love to be men or women of God. In China they say the most frightening lie is the one that is half true ( then things will be mixed up for you and so hard to know where is the lie ) but... the Lord didn't leave himself without witness. Contradictions between the Jesus of Islam and the Jesus of the Bible cannot be reconciled, since some of these contradictions are diametrically opposed to each other. The chart below illustrates some of these obvious differences, which clearly cannot be reconciled. Jesus cannot be the “Son of God” and not be the “Son of God”. He could not die on the cross, and not die on the cross.
|
Jesus |
Islam |
Bible |
|
Son of God |
Jesus is not the Son of God, but only a prophet. Surah 4:171, Surah 9:30 Surah 10:68, Surah 17:111, Surah 18:4, Surah 19:35,88 |
Jesus is the Son of God. Matthew 27:53, Mark 1:1, Luke 1;35, Luke 22:70, John 1:34, John 3:18, 5:25, 20:31 |
|
Deity |
Jesus is just a man, and not God. Surah 5:17, 75,116 Surah 23:24 |
Jesus is not only man, but God incarnate as proclaimed in the Old and New Testaments. Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1-3 |
|
The Cross |
Jesus did not die on the Cross, but a phantom was killed in his place. Surah 4:157 Surah 3:55 |
Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world. Matthew 27:50, John 19:30, Mark 15:37, Luke 23;46 |
|
His purpose |
Jesus came to deliver the message of the prophets, who were before him. Mohammad like Jesus came to give the same message of Islam. Surah 2:136, Surah 3:84, Surah 42:13, Surah 5:46 |
Jesus came to die for the sins of the world, as the way of salvation. His death paid for sins. John 3:15-17 |
Therefore since both positions cannot be reconciled, we can clearly see the Jesus of the Bible and the Jesus of the Quran, cannot both be the same person. In addition to these differences, the Jesus of Islam and the Quran have other differences, which can be clearly seen.
The Names of Jesus in Islam
Jesus is known by several names and titles in the Quran. In the Quran, the most popular name used for Jesus is Isa, used 25 times. Sixteen times the name is linked with the title, “son of Mary”. Jesus is also referred to Al Messiah (The Messiah) eight times. He is also called the Word of God, Kalimet Allah, two times, and Ruh Allah, Sprit of Allah, once.
1. Isa
Jesus in the Quran is not known by the name Jesus, which is the Greek pronunciation of the Hebrew name Joshua, but by the name “Isa”. According to Samuel Zwemer, author of the Muslim Christ, there are several theories on the name Isa in the Quran. One theory is that Mohammad used the name Isa because it rhymed better with the name of Moses, Musa; the Quran was written in poetic prose. The problem with this theory, the names of Moses and Jesus (Musa and Isa) are only linked five times. Another is by Muslim commentator Beidhawi, he says Isa is the Arabic form of the Hebrew Yesu’a (Joshua). An additional theory, which has gained traction, is the name was a result of the Jews of Medina, who gave Mohammad the Hebrew name Esau, Isa, in place of Joshua, as a term of derision.
A fourth explanation is offered by Dr. Otto Pautz. "The Koran expression Isa corresponds with the Hebrew Esau, the name of the brother of Jacob (Israel). Because his descendants all through their history stood hostile over against the Israelities, who were the people of the promise, the later Jews caricatured the name of Jesus by making it Esau. Mohammed took this form of Esau from the Jews at Medina, without being conscious of the sinister import connected with the name in their minds." We would like further proofs of this ingenious theory before accepting it, although it appears most plausible in view of all that Mohammed borrowed and adapted from Judaism.
2. Son of Mary
Along with the name Isa, which appears twenty-five times, is the phrase “Son of Mary” which occurs sixteen times linked with Isa, and twenty-five times total. In contrast to the Gospels, the name Son of Man is the most common used phrase to identify Jesus, followed by Son of God.
6. And when Jesus (Isa) son of Mary said: O Children of Israel! Lo! I am the messenger of Allah unto you, confirming that which was (revealed) before me in the Torah, and bringing good tidings of a messenger who cometh after me, whose name is the Praised One. Yet when be hath come unto them with clear proofs, they say: This is mere magic. (Surah 61:6)
3. Al Messiah (The Messiah)
This term occurs eight times in the Quran, and is often joined with Isa (Jesus) or it's used by itself. The declaration of Messiah’s humanity and his non-divine nature is clearly demonstrated in this Surah, since the Quran claims Allah could destroy the Messiah.
17. 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. (Surah 5:17)
4. The Word of God (Kalimet of Allah)
Two times the messiah is referred to as the “Word of God” or Kalimet Allah, Surah 3:40 and Surah 4:169.
5. The Spirit of God (Ruh of Allah)
One time he is called the Spirit of God, in Surah 4:169. In this verse, all five names used for Jesus are included, along with a very specific rejection of the doctrine of the trinity.
171. O People of the Scripture! Do not exaggerate in your religion nor utter aught concerning Allah save the truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a messenger of Allah, and His word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers, and say not "Three". Cease! (it is) better for you! Allah is only One God. Far is it removed from His transcendent majesty that he should have a son. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is sufficient as Defender. (Surah 4:171)
Mohammad’s understanding of the Trinity was incorrect; he understood the doctrine to include Mary as the third person, not the Holy Spirit. Several Surahs indicate this to be the case. (See Surahs 5:18, 75)
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. (Surah 5:116)
Jesus in the Quran
The Jesus of Islam, is derived from two main sources, first the Quran and second the Hadith or traditions. The traditions were collected a couple hundred years after the death of Mohammad, so Muslims selectively question the validity of various Hadith. Muslims are not likely to question the Quran, which according to Islam is the copy of an identical book in Heaven.
The account of Jesus in the Quran can be divided into several segments:
- His annunciation.
- His birth.
- His miracles.
- His mission and message.
- His death.
- His character as an apostle and prophet.
His Annunciation
According to the Quran, Mary went out into the wilderness, and the Allah sent “Our spirit”, the angel Gabriel who assumed the form of a perfect man, he announced to Mary she would give birth to the Messiah. The Messiah would speak from his cradle and to men, with a message to Israel. Allah would create the Messiah in her womb, even though no man had touched her.
|
43. O Mary! Be obedient to thy Lord, prostrate thyself and bow with those who bow (in
worship). |
16. And make mention of Mary
in the Scripture, when she had withdrawn from her people to a
chamber looking East, 17. And had chosen seclusion from them.
Then We sent unto her Our spirit and it assumed for her the
likeness of a perfect man.18. She said: Lo! I seek refuge in
the Beneficent One from thee, if thou art God fearing. 19. He
said: I am only a messenger of thy Lord, that I may bestow on
thee a faultless son. 20. She said: How can I have a son when
no mortal hath touched me, neither have I been unchaste! 21.
He said: So (it will be). Thy Lord saith: It is easy for Me.
And (it will be) that We may make of him a revelation for
mankind and a mercy from Us, and it is a thing ordained. |
His Birth
The Jesus of Islam was born by the trunk of palm tree. The baby Jesus of Islam consoled his mother who did not know how to explain the birth of a son. First he told her about a little stream of water, a rivulet where she could drink water, he then tells her to shake the date tree and eat the dates and be consoled. Mary then takes the baby back to her town’s people, who accuse her of being a wicked woman, the baby Jesus then comes to the defense of Mary, making all know he was a prophet, a slave of Allah, speaking from the cradle. The Jesus of Islam declares from the cradle, he would die and be resurrected, which is why according to Islam, Jesus will return, get married, and then die, followed by the resurrection. The version of the events here are very similar to events described in a Christian Apocryphal work known as The Infancy Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew. In this work the infant Jesus orders a palm tree to feed his mother dates, he then orders the tree to rise. The baby Jesus then orders the palm tree to open a course of water between its roots.
22. And she, conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a place. 23. And the pangs of childbirth drove her unto the trunk of the palm tree. She said: Oh, would that I had died ere this and had become a thing of naught, forgotten! 24. Then (one) cried unto her from below her, saying: Grieve not! Thy Lord hath placed a rivulet beneath thee, 25. And shake the trunk of the palm tree toward thee, thou wilt cause ripe dates to fall upon thee. 26. So eat and drink and be consoled. And if thou meetest any mortal, say: Lo! I have vowed a fast unto the Beneficent, and may not speak this day to any mortal. 27. Then she brought him to her own folk, carrying him. They said: O Mary! Thou hast come with an amazing thing. 28. Oh sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a wicked man nor was thy mother a harlot. 29. Then she pointed to him. They said How can we tale to one who is in the cradle, a young boy? 30. He spake: Lo! I am the slave of Allah. He hath given me the Scripture and hath appointed me a Prophet, 31. And hath made me blessed wheresoever I may be, and hath enjoined upon me prayer and alms giving so long as I remain alive, 32. And (hath made me) dutiful toward her who bore me, and hath not made me arrogant, unblest. 33. Peace on me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive! 34. Such was Jesus, son of Mary: (this is) a statement of the truth concerning which they doubt. (Surah 19:22-34)
In the Infancy Gospel of Pseudo Matthew, we read about baby Jesus, who like the baby Jesus of the Quran speaks to his mother about and the palm tree, telling the tree to provide dates and water to his mother. The Jesus here is three days old, about the same age as the baby Jesus of the Quran.
Then the infant Jesus, who was resting with smiling face at his mother’s bosom, said to the palm, “Bend down, tree, and refresh my mother with your fruit.” And immediately, at this voice, the palm bent down its head to the feet of Mary, and they gathered fruit from it… Then Jesus said to it, “Raise up, palm, and be strong, and be companion of my trees which are in my Father’s Paradise. Open a water course beneath your roots which is hidden in the earth, and from it flow waters to satisfy us”.
His miracles
The Quran teaches Jesus of Islam would have miracles, like the Jesus of the Bible, including healing the blind and the leper. He would also raise the dead. However, the Jesus of Islam records a miracle which is not in the scripture. In this miracle Jesus creates a pigeon or bird from clay and breathes life into it, causing it to fly. This scene is repeated in Surah 5:110. This “so-called” miracle is not found in the bible, but it is found other works, which Mohammad may have had access to, including The Infancy Gospel of Thomas and its Arabic translation known as The Arabic Infancy Gospel.
48. And He will teach him the Scripture and wisdom, and the Torah and the Gospel. 49. And will make him a messenger unto the children of Israel, (saying): Lo! I come unto you with a sign from your Lord. Lo! I fashion for you out of clay the likeness of a bird, and I breathe into it and it is a bird, by Allah's leave. I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I raise the dead, by Allah's leave. And I announce unto you what ye eat and what ye store up in your houses. Lo! herein verily is a portent for you, if ye are believers. 50. And (I come) confirming that which was before me of the Torah, and to make lawful some of that which was forbidden unto you. I come unto you with a sign from your Lord, so keep your duty to Allah and obey me. 51. Lo! Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path. 52. But when Jesus became conscious of their disbelief, he cried: Who will be my helpers in the cause of Allah? The disciples said: We will be Allah's helpers. We believe in Allah, and bear thou witness that we have surrendered (unto Him). 53. Our Lord! We believe in that which Thou hast revealed and we follow him whom Thou hast sent. Enroll us among those who witness (to the truth). (Surah 3:48-53)
In the Infancy Gospel of Thomas we read the following regarding the creation of birds from clay:
I Thomas the Israelite, announce and make known to all you brethren from the Gentiles the childhood and the great deeds of our Lord Jesus Christ… When this child Jesus was five years old, he was playing at the ford of a stream… He made soft clay and modeled twelve sparrows from it. It was the Sabbath when he did this. There were many other children playing with him. A certain Jew saw what Jesus did while playing on the Sabbath; he immediately went and announced to his father Joseph, “See your child is at the stream, and has taken clay and modeled twelve birds; he has profaned the Sabbath.” Joseph came to the place, and seeing what Jesus did he cried out, “Why do you do on the Sabbath what it is not lawful to do?” Jesus clapped his hands and cried sparrows, “Be gone” and the sparrows flew off chirping. The Jews saw this and were amazed…
The same Jesus of this work then kills another who happens to bump into him, demonstrating the source behind the work.
“Once again he was going through the village, and a child who was running banged into his shoulder. Jesus was angered and said to him, “You shall go no further on your way.” And immediately the child fell down dead.”
His mission and message
The message of the Muslim Jesus is the same as Mohammad’s, which is to bring man back to Allah, not to redeem them. Jesus is presented as one of many prophets who have a similar mission, with Mohammad being the last of the prophets with this same message. Mohammad’s message is a repetition of the earlier apostles, message including Moses and Jesus.
|
26. And We verily sent Noah
and Abraham and placed the Prophethood and the Scripture among
their seed, and among them there is he who goeth right, but
many of them are evil livers. |
253. Of those messengers, some
of whom We have caused to excel others, and of whom there are
some unto whom Allah spake, while some of them He exalted
(above others) in degree; and We
gave Jesus, son of Mary, clear proofs (of Allah's sovereignty)
and We supported him with the holy Spirit.
And if Allah had so willed it, those who followed after them
would not have fought one with another after the clear proofs
had come unto them. But they differed, some of them believing
and some disbelieving. And if Allah had so willed it, they
would not have fought one with another; but Allah doeth what
He will. |
|
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 Gospel wherein is guidance and a light,
confirming that which was (revealed) before itin the Torah a
guidance and an admonition unto those who ward off (evil). |
87. And verily We gave unto
Moses the Scripture and We caused a train of messengers to
follow after him, and We gave unto Jesus, son of Mary, clear
proofs (of Allah's sovereignty), and We supported him with the
holy Spirit is it ever so, that, when
there cometh unto you a messenger (from Allah) with that which
ye yourselves desire not, ye
grow arrogant, and some ye disbelieve and some ye slay? |
|
6. And when Jesus son of Mary
said: O Children of Israel! Lo! I
am the messenger of Allah unto you, confirming that which was
(revealed) before me in the Torah,
and bringing good tidings of a messenger who cometh after me,
whose name is the Praised One. Yet when be hath come unto them
with clear proofs, they say: This is mere magic. |
157. And because of their
saying: We slew the Messiah Jesus son of Mary, Allah's
messenger They slew him not nor crucified, but it appeared so
unto them; and lo! those who disagree concerning it are in
doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of
a conjecture; they slew him not for certain. |
His death
According to Islam, Jesus did not die on the cross but was taken up to Allah, it only appeared that he died. However, according to the Quran he will return to get married and die. This completely contradicts the Bible, which clearly teaches, Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was resurrected to never die again.
|
54. And they (the
disbelievers) schemed, and Allah schemed (against them): and
Allah is the best of schemers. |
156. And because of their
disbelief and of their speaking against Mary a tremendous
calumny; |
|
33. Peace on me the day I was
born, and the day I die,
and the day I shall be raised alive! |
|
The view of Jesus “not dying on the cross” is not unique to Islam. The position of Islam is remarkably similar to the Gnostic teaching of Basilides, a first century Gnostic, who taught Jesus was not crucified because Jesus changed forms to look like Simon of Cyrene, and Simon was made to look like Jesus. Jesus then watched the crucifixion and laughed, returning to Heaven. Islam believes Jesus did not die on the cross, but only appeared to die. Jesus was taken up into heaven, like the Jesus Basilides presented.
Wherefore he did not himself suffer death, but Simon, a certain man of Cyrene, being compelled, bore the cross in his stead; so that this latter being transfigured by him, that he might be thought to be Jesus, was crucified, through ignorance and error, while Jesus himself received the form of Simon, and, standing by, laughed at them. For since he was an incorporeal power, and the Nous (mind) of the unborn father, he transfigured himself as he pleased, and thus ascended to him who had sent him, deriding them, inasmuch as he could not be laid hold of, and was invisible to all… If any one, therefore, he declares, confesses the crucified, that man is still a slave, and under the power of those who formed our bodies; but he who denies him has been freed from these beings, and is acquainted with the dispensation of the unborn father. (Basilides)
In the sixth century, many of the heretical Christian sects fled to the security of the Arabian Desert, bringing with them their heretical teachings and writings. There is a good possibility Mohammad developed his ideas presented in the Quran, from material presented by the Gnostics about Jesus not dying on the cross, but an image presented to look like Jesus. In this case, Simon of Cyrene, many Muslim commentators have speculated Judas was made to look like Jesus among others. (Mohammad)
The Second Coming
The return of Jesus, the Second Coming is not referred to in the Quran directly, but inferred. If Jesus was caught up, and did not die, but said he would die, then he must return and die. And when he returns, he must die, in order to be resurrected. So the background regarding the Second Coming is contained in the Hadith, not in the Quran. In the Hadith, Jesus comes as an enemy to the Jews and Christians; he kills the Jews and breaks the crosses, declaring himself as a Muslim. In the end, the Muslims along with the Muslim Jesus hunt for the Jews, who are in hiding. Even the rocks and trees reveal where the Jews are hiding. The whole world, then becomes Muslim, Jesus gets married and has children and dies. After his death, the Muslim Jesus is buried near Mohammad in Medina.
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The last hour would not come unless the Muslims will fight against the Jews and the Muslims would kill them until the Jews would hide themselves behind a stone or a tree and a stone or a tree would say: Muslim, or the servant of Allah, there is a Jew behind me; come and kill him; but the tree Gharqad would not say, for it is the tree of the Jews. (Book 041, Number 6985: Sahih Muslim)
This view of a Muslim Jesus, directly contradicts the biblical view of Christ’s return and the events surrounding it. The Bible clearly indicates and teaches God’s promise to Israel and their relationship with the Messiah, the Hebrew word for Christ. Jesus, referring to his return, said he would not return until the Jewish nation accepts Him as Messiah.
37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 "See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 "for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' " (Matthew 23:37-39)
In the end the nation of Israel, believes in the Messiah, who returns in glory and power, the nations are judged, and Israel and Jerusalem are elevated above the other nations of the earth. The Jews are not killed, but saved by the Messiah, who returns to those who pierced him.
9. "It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. 10. "And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. (Zechariah 12:9-10)
The “House of David” are Jews not Muslims. The nations come against Jerusalem, a Jewish city in the last days. In Zechariah, God is speaking first person, and refers to the nations looking upon “Him”, who was pierced.
