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Dear Reader,
Is the God presented in the Holy Qur’an the same God as revealed in the Holy Bible? For example, the Qur’an makes such claims in Surah 2:62, 2:136 and 29:46 as quoted below. (The translation of the Qur’an used is by M. H. Shakir unless otherwise indicated.) Their claims are that the God of Islam, Allah, is the God of Ibrahim (Abraham), Ismail (Ishmael) and Ishaq (Isaac) and Yaqoub (Jacob), Musa (Moses) and Isa (Jesus).
Surah 2.62 “Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the of Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the Last day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve.”
Surah 2.136 “Say: We believe in Allah and (in) that which had been revealed to us, and (in) that which was revealed to Ibrahim and Ismail and Ishaq and Yaqoub and the tribes, and (in) that which was given to Musa and Isa, and (in) that which was given to the prophets from their Lord, we do not make any distinction between any of them, and to Him do we submit.”
Surah 29:46 “And do not dispute with the followers of the Book except by what is best, except those of them who act unjustly, and say: We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you, and our God and your God is One, and to Him do we submit.” {Surah 2:105 says “Those who disbelieve from among the followers of the Book …” is translated as “Neither those who disbelieve among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) …” in the ‘Interpretation of the Meaning of the Qur’an in the English Language by Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali and Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan. Translation of the meaning of the Qur’an.’}
These quotations naturally lead to the conclusion that Allah is the same Person as the God of the Jewish/Christian Scriptures i.e. the Bible. However is this correct? The Qur’an gives you advice about what to do if any of the readers are having doubts about the Qur’an in Sura 10:94 “So if you (O Muhammad SAW) are in doubt concerning that which We have revealed unto you, (i.e. that your name is written in the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)) then ask those who are reading the Book (the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)) before you. Verily, the truth has come to you from your Lord. So be not of those who doubt (it).” (Dr. Hilali & Dr. Khan). So the Qur’an says that if Muhammad was to doubt the revelation given to him he was to “ask those who are reading the Book (the Taurat (Torah) {i.e. the Jews} and the Injeel (Gospel)) {i.e. the Christians} before you.” Consequently are we to take for granted that just because the Qur’an states that Allah is the Yahweh of the Bible that both Jews and Christians must believe this to be accurate? Or do we examine the characteristics of Allah, as stated in the Qur’an, and compare them to the characteristics of God (Yahweh), as stated in the Bible, to find if this is the case? This examination is essential as our objective is to discover the true nature of God. The outcome of this involves people’s everlasting condition in the life after death. If Allah is the God of Abraham then Jews and Christians should accept Islam. But if Allah is not the God of Abraham, i.e. Yahweh, then Muslims are not worshipping the same God, but a different one to the Jews and Christians.
IS THE GOD (YAHWEH) OF THE BIBLE THE SAME AS ALLAH OF THE QUR’ÂN?
THE CHARACTER OF GOD (YAHWEH)
1.1 Does God Change?
Christianity: God does not change.
James c1v17: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
Malachi c3v6 “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore you sons of Jacob are not consumed.”
Islam: Allah’s Word changes.
Surah 2:106 “Whatever communications We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring one better than it or like it. Do you not know that Allah has power over all things?”
1.2 Is God Loving?
Christianity: God loves everyone. His love is unconditional.
1 John c4v8 “He that loves not knows not God; for God is love.”
John’s Gospel c3v16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son …”
Islam: Allah is temperamental and does not love everyone. His love is conditional.
Surah 32:13 “And if We had so willed, We could have given every soul its guidance, but the word from Me concerning evildoers took effect: that I will fill hell with the jinn and mankind together.” (The Meaning of the Glorious Qur’an, by M.M. Pickthall) {For non-Muslims: “jinn” are any of a class of spirits, lower than the angels, capable of appearing in human and animal forms and influencing humankind for either good or evil. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/jinn}
Surah 2:195 “… surely Allah loves the doers of good.”
Surah 2:276 “Allah does not bless usury, and He causes charitable deeds to prosper, and Allah does not love any ungrateful sinner.”
1.3 Is God Deceptive?
Christianity: God cannot lie.
Titus c1v2 “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; “
Hebrews c6v18 “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.”
Some might complain about 2 Samuel c17v14 “And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.” It is noticeable that God does not tempt anyone with moral evil in the form of sin, but visits mankind with the due reward of their deeds.
Some comment about Jeremiah c20v7 “O LORD, you have deceived me, and I was deceived: you are stronger than I, and have prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocks me.” The Gesenius’ Hebrew Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament says about the Hebrew word for deceived “pathah” (Strongs Concordance no. 06601) that it means ‘… intrans. to open, … Niphal to let oneself be persuaded Jeremiah c20v7; Piel (1) to persuade anyone Jeremiah c20v7 …’ Also the context shows that the word can only mean “persuade” because Jeremiah complained that God was persuading him to continue to serve Him, even though he didn’t want to.
Islam: Allah deceives.
Surah 3:54 “And they (the disbelievers) schemed, and Allah schemed (against them): and Allah is the best of schemers.” * (Pickthall)
Surah 13:42 “Those who were before them plotted; but all plotting is Allah’s. He knoweth that which each soul earneth. The disbelievers will come to know for whom will be the sequel of the (heavenly) Home.” (Pickthall)
The term for “scheme” in Arabic is “makara” which means one who is a deceiver, one who is conniving, a schemer. It is always used in a negative sense. Allah is thus seen as the best of deceivers, the premiere schemer and conniving one. The translations by Pickthall and by “Free Minds” of Surah 3:54 are the ones that are realistically accurate. By using the word “planners” the other translations are trying to give a positive/good impression of a negative/bad word.
1.4 Is God a Trinity?
Christianity: God is Three Persons and yet One God.
Matthew c28v19 “Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name* of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (*please note that this is singular).
Acts c1v4-5 “And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, you have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days from now.”
While any illustrations of the Trinity fall short of giving the real truth, an illustration of the Trinity is a triangle which has three sides but is one triangle. If you take away one of the sides then it is no longer a triangle. So if you take away one Person of the Trinity, God is no longer God.
Islam: Trinity is blasphemy.
Surah 5:73 “They surely disbelieve who say: Lo! Allah is the third of three; when there is no God save the One God. If they desist not from so saying a painful doom will fall on those of them who disbelieve.” (Pickthall)
1.5 Who is in the Trinity?
Christianity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The Father is God: John’s Gospel c6v27 “Labour not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him has God the Father sealed.”
The Son is God: Colossians c2v9 “For in him (Christ v8) dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”
The Spirit is God: Acts c5v3-4 “But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, … you have not lied unto men, but unto God.”
Islam: Believes the Christian Trinity is God the Father, God the Mother (Mary) and God the Son (Jesus).
Surah 5:116 “And when Allah will say: O Isa son of Marium! did you say to men, Take me and my mother for two gods besides Allah … ”
1.6 What is God’s Attitude to sin?
Christianity: God Hates Sin.
Zechariah c8v17 “And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, said the LORD.”
Hebrews c1v9 “You (God the Son v8) hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.”
Islam: Allah desires that people should sin.
Sahih Muslim Book 037, Hadith Number 6622, “Abu Huraira reported Allah’s messenger (may peace be upon him) having said: By Him in Whose Hand is my life, if you were not to commit sin, Allah would sweep you out of existence and He would replace (you by) those people who would commit sin and seek forgiveness from Allah, and He would have pardoned them.”
1.7 Does God Approve of or Allowing Lying?
Christianity: God Disapproves of Lying.
Exodus 20v16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.” This includes saying things that are not true and omitting, or misleadingly presenting, some truth.
Proverbs 6v16-19 “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaks lies, and he that sows discord among brethren.” (underlining mine)
Ephesians 4v25 “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.”
Jesus Christ Disapproves of Lying and He Was the Truth
John’s Gospel c8v44 (Jesus said to certain unbelieving Jews v42) “You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
John’s Gospel c14v6 “Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me.”
God and Jesus Christ Disapprove of Murder
Concerning murder the God of Moses commanded him to write in Exodus c20v13, ““You shall not kill.” This Jesus Christ confirmed that He believed in Matthew c19v18, “… Jesus said, ‘… You shall do no murder, …”
Islam: Allah Permits Lying
Like most religions, Islam generally, forbids lying. Surah 2:42 “And do not mix up the truth with the falsehood, nor hide the truth while you know (it).”
In the Hadith Mohammed is quoted as saying, “Abdullah reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: It is obligatory for you to tell the truth, for truth leads to virtue and virtue leads to Paradise, … and endeavours to tell a lie is recorded as a liar with Allah.” (Sahih Muslim Book 032, Number 6309)
However lying is permissible as follows. “Taqiyya” (saying something that isn’t true) and kitman (lying by omission) are two forms of lying to unbelievers Islam permits under certain circumstances.
Surah 3:28 “Let not the believers Take for friends or helpers Unbelievers rather than believers: if any do that, in nothing will there be help from Allah: except by way of precaution (prevention), that ye may Guard yourselves from them (prevent them from harming you.) But Allah cautions you (To remember) Himself; for the final goal is to Allah” (Dr. Hilali & Dr. Khan). See also Surahs: 2:225 (in the context of marriage), 5:89 and 16:106. So Muslims can lie while under oath and falsely deny faith in Allah, as long as they keep the profession of faith in their hearts, and even their intentional lies can be absolved by performing extra duties.
“PERMISSIBLE LYING r8.2 “The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, `He who settles disagreements between people to bring about good or says something commendable is not a liar.’
This much is related by both Bukhari and Muslim, with Muslim’s version recording that Umm Kulthum added, “I did not hear him permit untruth in anything people say, except for three things: war, settling disagreements and a man talking with his wife or she with him (A: in smoothing over differences), … When it is possible to achieve such an aim by lying but not by telling the truth, it is permissible to lie if attaining the goal is permissible (N: i.e. when the purpose of lying is to circumvent someone who is preventing one from doing something permissible), and obligatory to lie if the goal is obligatory.”’ (“Reliance of the Traveller and Tools for the Worshipper” by Ahmad Ibn Naqib Al-Misri Edited and translated by Sheik Nuh Ha Mim Keller)
“PERMISSIBLE SLANDER “Slander, though unlawful, is sometimes permissible for … some aim countenanced by Sacred Law that is unattainable by other means.” This may be for: Redressing Grievances, Eliminating Wrongdoing, Asking For A Legal Opinion, Warning Muslims Of Evil, Someone Unconcerned With Concealing Their Disobedience and Identification (r2.16-r2.23 Reliance of the Traveller and Tools for the Worshipper). This is a broad base for permitting slander.
Hadith Bukhari Volume 9, Book 84, Number 64 “Narrated ‘Ali: Whenever I tell you a narration from Allah’s Apostle, by Allah, I would rather fall down from the sky than ascribe a false statement to him, but if I tell you something between me and you (not a Hadith) then it was indeed a trick (i.e., I may say things just to cheat my enemy). …” So Ali confirms that lying is permitted so as to cheat/deceive an “enemy”.
Muhammad Permitted Lying
Hadith Bukhari Volume 5, Book 59, Number 369 “Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah: “Allah’s Apostle said, “Who is willing to kill Ka’b bin Al-Ashraf who has hurt Allah and His Apostle?” Thereupon Muhammad bin Maslama got up saying, “O Allah’s Apostle! Would you like that I kill him?” The Prophet said, “Yes,” Muhammad bin Maslama said, “Then allow me to say a (false) thing (i.e. to deceive Kab). The Prophet said, “You may say it.” Muhammad clearly condoned dishonesty, as well as murder, when it suited his purposes.
1.8 Is God the Author of evil?
Christianity: God does not tempt anyone.
James c1v13 “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man.”
Habakkuk c1v13 “You art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore do you look upon them that deal treacherously, and hold your tongue when the wicked devours the man that is more righteous than he?” God cannot look on iniquity with approval or pleasure.
God and Jesus Christ Disapprove of Adultery
Concerning adultery the God of Moses commanded him to write in Exodus c20v14, “You shall not commit adultery.” This Jesus Christ confirmed that He believed in Matthew c19v18, “… Jesus said, ‘… You shall not commit adultery …”
Islam: the Qur’an teaches that Allah commands men to sin in order to destroy them.
Surah 6:123 “And thus have We made in every city great ones of its wicked ones, that they should plot therein. They do but plot against themselves, though they perceive not.” (Pickthall)
Surah 17:16 “And when We would destroy a township We send commandment to its folk who live at ease, and afterward they commit abomination therein, and so the Word (of doom) hath effect for it, and we annihilate it with complete annihilation.” (Pickthall)
Abu Huraira, (603 – 681 AD) was a companion of Muhammad and the narrator of the Hadith. {For non-Muslims the Hadith is the record of the sayings of Muhammad and has come to supplement the Holy Qur’an as a source of the Islamic religious law. The Hadith is the second pillar after the Qur’an upon which every Muslim rests his faith. www.al-islam.org/short/alhadith}. “Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Apostle as saying:
“Verily Allah has fixed the very portion of adultery which a man will indulge in, and which he of necessity must commit (or there would be no escape from it).” Sahih Muslim 6421, 6422.
2. IS THE JESUS CHRIST OF THE BIBLE THE SAME AS THE JESUS OF THE QUR’AN?
THE NATURE OF JESUS CHRIST
2.1 Is Jesus Created?
Christianity: Jesus is not created.
Colossians c1v17 “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” {my underlining}
John’s Gospel c1v3 “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
Islam: Jesus was created.
Surah 3:59 “Surely the likeness of Isa is with Allah as the likeness of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him, Be, and he was.”
2.2 Is Jesus Lord or an Apostle?
Christianity: Jesus is Lord.
Philippians c3v20 “For our conversation* is in heaven; from which also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (*meaning Christian citizenship)
Islam: Jesus is just an Apostle.
Surah 4:171 “O followers of the Book! do not exceed the limits in your religion, and do not speak (lies) against Allah, but (speak) the truth; the Messiah, Isa son of Marium is only an apostle of Allah …”
2.3 Was Jesus was sent by God into the world?
Christianity: God sent Jesus into the World.
John’s Gospel c3v17 “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
John’s Gospel c3v34 “For he (Christ v28) whom God has sent speaks the words of God: for God gives not the Spirit by measure unto him.”
Islam: Allah sent Jesus into the World.
Surah 2:87 “And most certainly We gave Musa the Book and We sent apostles after him one after another; and We gave Isa, the son of Marium, clear arguments and strengthened him with the holy spirit, What! whenever then an apostle came to you with that which your souls did not desire, you were insolent so you called some liars and some you slew.”
2.4 Was Jesus born of the virgin Mary?
Christianity: Jesus was born of the virgin Mary.
Luke c1v34-35 “Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God.”
Matthew c1v24-25 “Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”
Islam: Jesus was born of the virgin Mary.
Surah 21:91 “And (remember) she who guarded her chastity (Virgin Maryam (Mary)), We breathed into (the sleeves of) her (shirt or garment) (through Our Rooh Jibrael (Gabriel)), and We made her and her son (Iesa (Jesus)) a sign for Al-Alamin (the mankind and jinns).” (Dr Hilali and Dr Khan)
2.5 Was Jesus Crucified?
Christianity: Jesus was Crucified.
John’s Gospel c19v17-18 “And he (Jesus v16) bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.”
1 Corinthians c2v2 “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”
Islam: Jesus was not crucified.
Surah 4:157 “And their saying: Surely we have killed the Messiah, Isa son of Marium, the apostle of Allah; and they did not kill him nor did they crucify him, but it appeared to them so (like Isa) …”
3. IS JESUS CHRIST THE SAME AS MUHAMMAD?
3.1 Is Jesus the Son of God or just a man?
Christianity: Jesus is Son of God and the One through Whom God was perfectly revealed.
1 John c5v13 “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”
John’s Gospel c10v36 Jesus said, “Say you of him, whom the Father has sanctified, and sent into the world, You blaspheme; because I said, I am the Son of God?”
John’s Gospel c14v9 “Jesus said unto him, ‘… he that has seen me has seen the Father …”
Romans c1v4 “(Jesus Christ v3) And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”
If you think that it is blasphemy to say that God had close personal relations with Mary and so produced the Son of God then we agree with you. So how is the description “the Son of God” meant to be understood? If a book is called “the mother of books”, for say Italian cooking, does it mean that all other Italian cooking books come from that one book? No it means that the book referred to is considered the best source of information for Italian cooking. The phrase “a son of a road” does not mean that two roads got together and produced another road. No, it is a colloquial expression meaning that a person is a traveller. The same principle applies to the description “the Son of God”. Jesus is characteristically the Son of God as seen in Isaiah c9v6 says “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: …” and 1John c4v14, “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” As someone has to exist before they are sent anywhere so Jesus Christ was eternally the Son of God before He was born on the earth and became a Man.
Islam: Jesus is not the Son of God but was just a man.
Surah 2:116 “And they (Jews, Christians and pagans) say: Allah has begotten a son (children or offspring). Glory be to Him (Exalted be He above all that they associate with Him). Nay, to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth, and all surrender with obedience (in worship) to Him.” (Dr Hilali and Dr Khan)
Surah 9:30 “And the Jews say: Uzair is the son of Allah; and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away!”
Surah 2:136 “Say (O Muslims), “We believe in Allah and that which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Ibrahim (Abraham), Ismail (Ishmael), Ishaque (Isaac), Yaqoob (Jacob), and to Al-Asbat (the twelve sons of Yaqoob (Jacob)), and that which has been given to Moosa (Moses) and Iesa (Jesus), and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islam).” (Dr Hilali and Dr Khan)
Surah 18:4-5 “And warn those who say: Allah has taken a son. They have no knowledge of it, nor had their fathers; a grievous word it is that comes out of their mouths; they speak nothing but a lie.”
3.2 Is Muhammad the Son of God or just a man?
Christianity: Muhammad is not mentioned or referred to in the Bible.
The context of the Bible shows that the reference in Deuteronomyc18v15 “The LORD your God will raise up unto you a Prophet from the midst of you, of your brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken” is to the Lord Jesus. “Of your brethren, like unto me” was Moses as is confirmed by Acts c3v22 “For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you” (see also Acts c7v37). So “this Prophet” was going to be a Jew which Muhammad was not.
The reference to the Comforter in John’s Gospel c14 is to the Holy Spirit, and not to Mohammad, as that chapter and history shows and c14v26 says, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
Islam: Muhammad was just a mortal man, an apostle and the one through whom the Quran was revealed.
Surah 18:110 “Say (O Muhammad SAW): “I am only a man like you. It has been inspired to me that your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God i.e. Allah). So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.” (Dr Hilali and Dr Khan)
Surah 17:94-95″And nothing prevented people from believing when the guidance came to them except that they said: What! has Allah raised up a mortal to be an apostle? Say: Had there been in the earth angels walking about as settlers, We would certainly have sent down to them from the heaven an angel as an apostle.”
Surah 33:40 “Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Apostle of Allah and the Last of the prophets; and Allah is cognizant of all things.”
Surah 47:2 “And (as for) those who believe and do good, and believe in what has been revealed to Muhammad, and it is the very truth from their Lord, He will remove their evil from them and improve their condition.”
3.3 Who is “the Word”?
Christianity: Jesus is “the Word”.
John’s Gospel c1v1-2, 14 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. … And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
Islam: Jesus is “the Word”.
Surah 3.45 “When the angels said: O Marium, surely Allah gives you good news with a Word from Him (of one) whose name is the Messiah, Isa son of Marium, worthy of regard in this world and the hereafter and of those who are made near (to Allah).”
Surah 4.171 “O followers of the Book! do not exceed the limits in your religion, and do not speak (lies) against Allah, but (speak) the truth; the Messiah, Isa son of Marium is only an apostle of Allah and His Word which He communicated to Marium and a spirit from Him; believe therefore in Allah and His apostles, …”
Islam: Muhammad is not “the Word”.
In the Qur’an Muhammad is not given the status of “the Word”.
3.4 Sinless or a Sinner?
Christianity: Jesus was Sinless.
1 Peter c2v21-22 “For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.”
2 Corinthians c5v21 “For he (God v21) has made him (Christ v21) … who knew no sin; ….”
1 John c3v5 “And you know that he (Christ) was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.”
Islam: Muhammad was a Sinner.
Surah 48:1-2 “Verily, We have given you (O Muhammad SAW) a manifest victory. That Allah may forgive you your sins of the past and the future, and complete His Favour on you, and guide you on the Straight Path. ”
Surah 47:19 “So know (O Muhammad SAW) that La ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), and ask forgiveness for your sin, and also for (the sin of) believing men and believing women. And Allah knows well your moving about, and your place of rest (in your homes).” (Translation and Interpretation of the meaning of the Qur’an in the English Language by Dr Hilali and Dr Khan)
3.5 Who Knows the Thoughts of Men?
Christianity: Jesus knew the thoughts of men.
Luke c16v15 “And he (Jesus v1) said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knows your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”
John’s Gospel c2v24-25 “But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.”
Revelation c2v23 “… and all the churches shall know that I (the Son of God v18) am he which searches the reins (seat of the desires and emotions) and hearts (thoughts) …”
Islam: Muhammad did not know the thoughts of men.
Surah 11:31 “I do not say to you that I possess the treasuries of Allah, and I do not know the unseen, …”
3.6 Forgiveness or Revenge?
Christianity: Jesus taught forgiveness.
Matthew c18v21-22 “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus said unto him, I say not unto you, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”
Luke c7v47 “Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”
Islam: Muhammad taught revenge.
Surah 2:194 “The Sacred month for the sacred month and all sacred things are (under the law of) retaliation; whoever then acts aggressively against you, inflict injury on him according to the injury he has inflicted on you …”
3.7 Use of Sword?
Christianity: Jesus forbade the use of the sword.
Matthew c26v52 “Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again your sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.”
Islam: Muhammad urged the use of the sword.
Surah 8:65 “O Prophet! urge the believers to war; if there are twenty patient ones of you they shall overcome two hundred, and if there are a hundred of you they shall overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve, because they are a people who do not understand.”
3.8 Who Is Alive?
Christianity: Jesus is Alive.
1 Peter c1v21 “Who by him (Christ v19) do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.”
Hebrews c9v24 “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us (Christians).”
Islam:Jesus is Alive.
Surah 3:55 “And when Allah said: O Isa, I am going to terminate the period of your stay (on earth) and cause you to ascend unto Me and purify you of those who disbelieve and make those who follow you above those who disbelieve to the day of resurrection; …”
Surah4:158-159 “Nay! Allah took him up to Himself; and Allah is Mighty, Wise. And there is not one of the followers of the Book but most certainly believes in this before his death, and on the day of resurrection he (Isa) shall be a witness against them.”
Islam:Muhammad is dead and buried in Medina Awaiting Allah’s Judgment.
Bukhari Hadith Volume 4, Book 56, Number 736: “Narrated ‘Aisha: The Prophet died when he was sixty three years old.”
Muhammad died 8 June 632 CE, was buried and his tomb is under the Green Dome of Al-Masjid an-Nabawi at Medina, Saudi Arabia.
Bukhari Hadith Volume 5, Book 58, Number 266: “… the Prophet said, ‘… By Allah, though I am the Apostle of Allah, yet I do not know what Allah will do to me, …’
4. SALVATION: IS IT THE SAME FOR CHRISTIANITY AS WITH ISLAM?
4.1 Is Man born with Original Sin?
Christianity: Man is born with Original Sin and All are Sinners.
Romans c5v12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”
Mark c7v21 “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness (excess with shamelessness), an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”
Romans c3v22b-23 “… for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory (character) of God.”
Some Muslims accuse Christianity by saying that if a baby does not put their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour before dying, then that poor baby is condemned to hell. The Bible teaches otherwise in Mark 10:13-14, “Then they brought little children (properly infants) to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children (again infants) come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.” As the word for “young children” is “infants” then the Lord Jesus was saying that babies or young children who die before reaching the age of understanding will go to heaven.
Islam: Man has no original sin. Sin is by deed only.
In all the Qur’an there is no mention of original sin.
Surah 6:164 “Say: What! shall I seek a Lord other than Allah? And He is the Lord of all things; and no soul earns (evil) but against itself, and no bearer of burden shall bear the burden of another; …”
Muslims say, “Islam does not teach original sin. Islam teaches that everyone is born pure and it is us who corrupt our selves.”
{This view is not true to life because people and children can think sinful thoughts without “the devil is going to try and trick us into committing sin…”. Can a piece of wood be drawn to magnetic metal and be affected by it? No it cannot because wood is made of a different material to metal. Can a magnet draw bits of metal to itself and affect them? Yes because they are both of the same material or nature. So if people had pure natures they could not be attracted by sin around them. The fact that they are attracted to and can sin shows that they were born with the capacity to sin and therefore are sinners. This is further seen by the fact that toddlers and young children can: cheat, disobey, lie and steal without being taught these things. Also how can people who are capable of evil, and sometimes terrible evil, have goodness as the central part of their person with evil as the periphery? When we look at ourselves and others is it not the other way round?}
4.2 Is Jesus the only way to salvation?
Christianity: Jesus is only way.
John’s Gospel c14v6 “Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me.”
Acts c4v12 “Neither is there salvation in any other (Jesus Christ v10): for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Islam: Jesus was a man, and a servant of Allah.
Surah 3:45 “When the angels said: O Marium, surely Allah gives you good news with a Word from Him (of one) whose name is the Messiah, Isa son of Marium, worthy of regard in this world and the hereafter and of those who are made near (to Allah).”
Surah 19:29-30 “Then she (Maryam (Mary):28) pointed to him. They said: “How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?” “He (Iesa (Jesus)) said: Verily! I am a slave of Allah, He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet;” (Dr Hilali and Dr Khan)
4.3 Is Salvation open to Everyone?
Christianity: Salvation is offered to all.
John’s Gospel c3v16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Acts c2v14a, 21 “But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them … And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Romans c10v13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Islam: Salvation is only in Allah’s hands.
Surah 2:284 “…then He (Allah) will forgive whom He pleases and chastise whom He pleases, and Allah has power over all things.”
4.4 God’s Grace (undeserved favour) and Mercy, or by Our Works?
Christianity: Grace and Mercy alone save.
Acts c15v11 (Peter speaking v7) “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we (“us” Jews v7) shall be saved, even as they (Gentiles, i.e. non Jews, v7).”
Romans c11v6 “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”
Ephesians 2v8-9 “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
1 Peter c2v10 “Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”
Titus c3v5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his (God our Saviour v4) mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration*, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” (* that is done by God).
Islam: Good works cancel bad deeds.
Surah 11:114 “And keep up prayer in the two parts of the day and in the first hours of the night; surely good deeds take away evil deeds this is a reminder to the mindful.”
Hell is a place of eternal punishment and torment (14:17; 25:65; 39:26), in fire (104:6-7) for those who are not Muslims (3:131) as well as those who were, and whose works and faith were not sufficient (14:17; 25:65; 104:6-7).
Surah 5:9 “Allah has promised to those who believe and do good deeds (that) they shall have forgiveness and a mighty reward.”
Surah 8:29 “O you who believe! If you are careful of (your duty to) Allah, He will grant you a distinction and do away with your evils and forgive you; and Allah is the Lord of mighty grace,”
Surah 33:70-71 “O you who believe! be careful of (your duty to) Allah and speak the right word, He will put your deeds into a right state for you, and forgive you your faults; and whoever obeys Allah and His Apostle, he indeed achieves a mighty success.”
Surah 42:26 “And He answers those who believe and do good deeds, and gives them more out of His grace; and (as for) the unbelievers, they shall have a severe punishment,”
4.5 Is there Assurance in this life for Eternal Salvation?
Christianity: There is Eternal Security in this life.
John’s Gospel c3v15 “That whosoever believes in him (Jesus Christ, the Son of Man v15) should not perish (meaning go to hell), but have eternal life …”
John’s Gospel c10v28 (Jesus v25 said) “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish (meaning go to hell), neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
Romans c1v16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; …”
Colossians c1v5 “For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.”
Titus c1v2 “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.”
1 Peter c1v5 “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
1 John c2v25 “And this is the promise that he (Jesus Christ in John’s Gospel c4v14, c5v24, c10v28) has promised us, even eternal life.”
Islam: Jihad is encouraged and which Allah rewards eternally in the life after death.
A. The Cause of Allah, that is otherwise translated “the way of Allah”, is Jihad.
Surah 2:190 “And fight in the Way of Allah those who fight you, but transgress not the limits. Truly, Allah likes not the transgressors.” (This verse is the first one that was revealed in connection with Jihad, but it was supplemented by another (V.9:36)). “And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. And Al-Fitnah is worse than killing. And fight not with them at Al-Masjid-al-Haram (the sanctuary at Makkah), unless they (first) fight you there. But if they attack you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers.” (Dr Hilali and Dr Khan)
Surah 9:38-39 “O you who believe! What is the matter with you, that when you are asked to march forth in the Cause of Allah (i.e. Jihad) you cling heavily to the earth? Are you pleased with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter? But little is the enjoyment of the life of this world as compared with the Hereafter. If you march not forth, He will punish you with a painful torment and will replace you by another people, and you cannot harm Him at all, and Allah is Able to do all things.” (Dr Hilali and Dr Khan)
B. Surah 2:154“And do not speak of those who are slain in Allah’s way as dead; nay, (they are) alive, but you do not perceive.”
Surah 3:157-158 “And if you are slain in the way of Allah or you die, certainly forgiveness from Allah and mercy is better than what they amass*. And if indeed you die or you are slain, certainly to Allah shall you be gathered together.” *”(of worldly wealths, etc.)” is added by Dr Hilali and Dr Khan)
Surah 4.74 “Therefore let those fight in the way of Allah, who sell this world’s life for the hereafter; and whoever fights in the way of Allah, then be he slain or be he victorious, We shall grant him a mighty reward.”
Surah 47.4″So when you meet in battle those who disbelieve, then smite the necks until when you have overcome them, then make (them) prisoners, and afterwards either set them free as a favour or let them ransom (themselves) until the war terminates. That (shall be so); and if Allah had pleased He would certainly have exacted what is due from them, but that He may try some of you by means of others; and (as for) those who are slain in the way of Allah, He will by no means allow their deeds to perish.”
4.6 Is Salvation Coerced?
Christianity: God forces no one to salvation and worship.
Acts c10v43 “To him (Jesus v38) give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins.”
Revelation 3v20 “Behold, I (Christ v14) stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
Mark c6v11 Jesus (v4) said “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when you depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.”
Islam: Allah forces religion and worship.
Surah 2:193 “And fight with them until there is no persecution, and religion should be only for Allah, but if they desist, then there should be no hostility except against the oppressors.”
Surah 9:29 “Fight those who do not believe in Allah, nor in the latter day, nor do they prohibit what Allah and His Apostle have prohibited, nor follow the religion of truth, out of those who have been given the Book, until they pay the tax in acknowledgment of superiority and they are in a state of subjection.”
CONCLUSION
This is a short assessment between the God, Who was worshipped by Abraham, Moses and the disciples of Jesus Christ etc and as revealed in the Holy Bible, and the Allah as revealed by the Holy Qur’an. This assessment directs us to the conclusion that they cannot possibly be the same God. The differences in natures and characteristics, including important ones, between both God and Allah, and Jesus and Muhammad, are too many to be overlooked, and so they cannot be considered as one.
We will return, briefly, to one of the most important differences. God gives assurance of eternal salvation through another perfect Person, the eternal Son of God, Who is Jesus Christ the Lord. This assurance is something that Allah never promises outside of military “martyrdom” (Surah 3:157-158). God loves you so much that 1 John c4v14 says, “… the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” Jesus Christ, Who pre-existed His coming into the world, was sent here by God to be the Saviour. The Lord Jesus did not come to save those who we call “good” people but sinners because, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I (the apostle Paul) am chief.” (1 Timothy c1v15).
Romans c2v2 says “But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things*.” (*The catalogue of sinful thoughts, words and deeds that are listed in Romans c1v21-32). So it is amazing that God Who is holy (Psalm 99v5 “Exalt you the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.”) and just (Isaiah c45v21 “… and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.”) should ever send the Lord Jesus to die for us sinners and bring the guarantee of eternal life to all who trust in Him.
No one else but the Lord Jesus “… died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” (1 Corinthians c15v3-4). 1 Peter c2v24 says “Who his own self (Christ v21) bare our sins in his own body on the tree …” So as Christ has taken God’s judgment for our sins by His death on the cross, He is the only Person Who has provided the acceptable sacrifice to God on behalf of sinners. That is the reason why God can promise and guarantee the forgiveness of all sins and eternal life as below. This is something which the Qur’an only promises to certain Muslims according to their actions.
Ephesians c4v32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.”
John’s Gospel c3v36 “He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him.”
2 Corinthians c5v1 “For we (Christians) know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
1 John c5v11 “And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” (all underlining added).
When eternal life is received there is a change in attitudes to others and to sin.
1 John c2v29 “If you know that he (God the Father because of James 1v17-18, 1 John 3v9, 5v1) is righteous, you know that every one that does righteousness is born of him.”
1 John c3v14 “We know that we have passed from (spiritual) death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loves not his brother abides in death.”
1 Peter c2v17 “Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.”
See also: Matthew c5v16, John’s Gospel c3v21, Romans c6v15, 22, 1 Corinthians c15v34, Colossians c1v3-6, c3v5-10, 1 Timothy c3v5, 2 Timothy c2v22, Titus c2v11-12, 1 Peter c3v8-11, c4v2, 1 John c2v1, 2 John v9, 3 John v11.
When you receive eternal life you also have a relationship with God.
1 John c1v3 “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that you also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”
Romans c8v15 “For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
2 Thessalonians c2v16-17 “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which has loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.”
See also: 1 John c2v13, c3v1, Galatians c1v4, Ephesians c1v2, Philippians c4v20, 1 Thessalonians c3v11, and c3v13.
The Bible clearly teaches that there is no other way for a person to be saved.
John’s Gospel c14v6, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by me.‘”
Acts c4v12 “Neither is there salvation in any other (Jesus Christ v10), for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Therefore Muslims, and others, must make a decision. They either:
- Accept Jesus Christ as God’s Son and believe in Him as their personal Saviour and so receive the assurance in this life of the forgiveness of sins, a relationship with God and everlasting/eternal salvation after they die.
- Or they continue to worship Allah of the Qur’an who never promises them the joy of knowing that their sins have been forgiven as well as giving them the assurance in this life of eternal salvation after they die.
The choice is left for the reader to decide.