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CHRISTIANS,
VIRGIN MARY
& JESUS CHRIST
IN THE QUR'AN
NEAREST IN LOVE TO MUSLIMS ARE
CHRISTIANS
THE QUR'AN (KORAN) REVEALS:
Strongest among men in enmity to the Believers
you will find the Jews and Pagans; and nearest among them in love to the
Believers you will find those who say: "We
are Christians"; because amongst these are
men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they
are not arrogant.
Qur'an 5 : 82
Say: "O People of the Book! You have no ground
to stand upon unless you stand fast by the Torah, the Gospel, and all the
revelations that has come to you from your Lord." It is the revelation
that cometh to thee from thy Lord, that increaseth in most of them, their
obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. But
sorrow thou not over (these) people without
faith. Qur'an 5 : 68
Those who believe (in the Qur'an), those who
follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Sabians, and the Christians,
and who
believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work
righteousness, - on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
Qur'an 5 : 69
Note: In verse 2 : 62, it is added;
"and shall have their reward with their Lord on them."
And they say: "None shall enter Paradise unless
he be a Jew
or a Christian". Those are their (vain) desires.
Say:
"Produce your proof if you are truthful."
Nay, - whoever submits his whole self to Allah
and is a doer of good -, he will get his reward with his Lord; on such
shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. Qur'an 2 : 111-112
O People of the Book! There hath come to you
Our Messenger, revealing to you much that you used to hide in the Book,
and passing over much. There hath come to you from Allah a (new) Light
and a perspicuous Book, - wherewith Allah guideth all who seek His good
pleasure to ways of peace and safety, and leadeth them out of darkness,
by His Will, unto the Light, - guideth them to a path that is straight.
Qur'an 5 : 15-16
THE EPITHETS AND NAMES OF JESUS
IN THE QUR'AN
Whenever I have divulged the fact that the Qur'an testifies the chastity
of the Virgin Mary and the Allah had chosen her above the women of all
nations (Q. 3:42); as well as it reveals that the birth of Jesus was by
Allah's act of Breathing His Spirit into the body of honorable Virgin Mary
(Q. 66:12), most of the Christians have been taken by surprise. Continuing
the dialogue little further I disclose, the Qur'an exemplifies:
"The similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam." (Q. 3:59).
If Allah could create Adam from the dust - without both the parents
- it is not difficult for Him to create Jesus, with one parent.
The righteous Messiah - Jesus, holds an exalted place within Islam.
Here are some of the honorable epithets mentioned in the Qur'an:
"Word of Allah"
(kalimatu-Llah).
"Spirit from God" (ruhun
mina' Llah).
"The Righteous"
(as-saalihiin).
"Messiah"
(masih).
"Prophet"
(nabi).
"Messenger of God" (rasul).
"The son of Mary" (ibne Marium).
Allah had granted His Favor upon Jesus, and, he was made
"an example to the Children of Israel". Qur'an 43 : 59.
Before his birth, the angels had foretold Mary that her son, whose
name will be Messiah Jesus, shall be held in high honor in this world,
and, in the Hereafter, he will be among the nearest to Allah.
Q. 3 : 45.
In the Qur'an the name of Virgin Mary appears 34 times; the name
of her righteous son - Jesus, 25 times; the name Muhammad 3 times and the
name Ahmad only once.
THE MIRACLES AND SIGNS
THAT GOD PERFORMED THROUGH JESUS
Before raising Lazarus from his tomb, where he had been four days,
Jesus raised his eyes to the heaven and while thanking the God he pleaded
that he had promised the sister of the deceased; she would see the glory
of God, if is she believed. Furthermore, he also wanted the people standing
around him to believe that the Heavenly God, who hears him, had sent him.
(John 11 : 39-42). Prophet Elijah also prayed to God, before bringing back
to life the son of a widow. 1 Kings 17:21-22.
In the Book of Acts it is recorded that; Jesus the Nazarene was a
man attested to the Men of Israel by God with miracles, wonders and signs
which God performed through him, in their midst. Acts 2:22.
The Qur'an while acknowledging the various miracles performed by
Jesus adds one more to the list. It is a miracles which is not recorded
by the apostles.
Then will Allah say: "O Jesus the son of Mary! Recount My favor
to thee and to thy mother. Behold, I strengthened thee with the Holy Spirit,
so that thou didst speak to the people in childhood and in old age. Behold!
I taught thee the Book and Wisdom, the Torah and the Gospel. And Behold!
thou makest out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by My leave.
And thou breathest into it, and it becometh a bird by My leave. And thou
healest those born blind, and the lepers by My leave. And behold! thou
bringest forth the dead by My leave. And behold! I did restrain the Children
of Israel from (violence to) thee, when thou didst show them the clear
signs. And the unbelievers among them said; 'This is nothing but evident
magic." Qur'an 5: 110
JESUS TAUGHT TO HIS FOLLOWERS...
(Jesus said) "I have come to you to attest the Torah which was before
me. (see Matthew 5:17). And
to make lawful to you part of what was (before) forbidden to you; I have
come to you with a Sign from your Lord. So fear Allah, and obey me. It
is Allah who is my Lord and your Lord; (see
John 20:17). Then worship Him. This is
a Way that is straight." When Jesus found unbelief on their part he said:
"Who will be my helpers to (the work of) Allah?" Said the Disciples,
"We are Allah's helpers. We believe in Allah, do thou bear witness that
we are Muslims. Our Lord!
we believe in what Thou hast revealed and we follow the Messenger;
then write us down among those who bear witness." And (the unbelievers)
plotted and planned. And Allah too planned, and the best of planners is
Allah. Qur'an 3 : 50-54
Note: The word Muslim means; the one who
submits to the will of Allah.
Never said I to them (the followers), ought except what Thou didst
command me to say, to wit. "Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord": and
I was a witness over them whilst I dwelt amongst them; when Thou didst
take me up Thou wast the Watcher over them, and Thou art a Witness to all
things. Qur'an 5 : 117
(see John 12:49 and 20:17)
Christ disdaineth not to serve and worship Allah, nor do the angels,
those nearest (to Allah): Qur'an 4:172
THE FINAL DAYS OF THE MINISTRY
OF JESUS
Jesus Christ gave in advance many perceptible and manifest signs
to his disciples, concerning the final days of his ministry. Once a reader
fully comprehends what the Christ had himself foretold and what did happen
to him, it would be easy for him or her to understand the inner meanings
behind the verses of the Qur'an, on the subject.
Here are some of these sayings of Jesus, that have been recorded
by the apostles:
APOSTLE MARK (AFTER I AM AWAKENED...)
Apostle Mark has recorded the following sign, which Jesus did fulfill:
Jesus and his disciples went out to the Mount of Olives.
And Jesus said to them:
"... after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee." Mark
14 : 28.
The original Greek word used by Mark, which is translated "raised"
in the above text, is very crucial. It is an accurate portrayal of what
happened. I am reproducing below the literal translation of the above verse
with the corresponding Greek - Strong's Dictionary numbers.
(LIT) Mk 14:28 ... after (3326-GSN) the (3588-GSN)
rising (1453-GSN) of me, (3165-GSN) I will go ahead of (4254-GSN)
you (5209-GSN) into (1519-GSN) Galilee (1056-GSN).
The word "rising" has number 1453 of Strong's Greek Dictionary.
Below is the Strong's dictionary meaning for 1453 and also for 1825
which is one of it's derivations:
Strong's Number: 1453-GSN
Transliterated: egeiro
Pronounced: eg-i'-ro
probably akin to the base of 0058 GSN (through the idea of collecting
one's faculties); to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e. rouse
(literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death;
or
figuratively, from obscurity, inactivity, ruins, nonexistence):
KJV--awake, lift (up), raise (again, up), rear up, (a-)rise (again, up),
stand, take up.
Strong's Number: 1825-GSN
Transliterated: exegeiro
Pronounced: ex-eg-i'-ro
from 1537 GSN and 1453 GSN; to rouse fully, i.e. (figuratively) to
resuscitate (from death), release (from infliction): KJV--raise up.
When Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome went looking
for the tomb of Jesus, they were told by young a man dressed in the white
robe:
"He has been raised (1453 GSN - lit. "awakened"); he is not here.
Look there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter
that he is going ahead of you to Galilee;
there you will see him, just as he had told you. So they went out
and fled from the tomb, for the terror and amazement had seized them: and
they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid." Mark 16:6-8.
In the older manuscripts Mark's Gospel ends with verse 16:8.
In the revised versions of the Bible the rest of text, after verse
number eight, is placed within the parentheses.
APOSTLE MATTHEW (THE "SIGN OF JONAH"...)
Apostle Matthew has recorded another sign that Jesus gave to the
scribes and Pharisees, who said to him: "Teacher, we wish to see
a sign from you." Jesus answered them:
"An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign,
but no sign will be given to it except the sign of
the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was
three days and three nights in the belly of a sea monster,
so for three days and three nights the Son of Man
will be in the heart of the earth..." Mt. 12 : 38-40
It is important to know the fact that the prophet Jonah was "saved"
by the God from the belly of a sea monster. Jonah kept on praying while
his life was ebbing away in the belly. "Then the Lord spoke to the fish,
and it spewed Jonah out upon the dry land." Jonah 2:10.
During his ordeal, the prophet's life did not come to an end. The
one who finally emerged out of the belly of the sea monster was the same
old Jonah, who had experienced the agony of death. Jesus had foretold:
"For just as Jonah was... in the belly of a sea monster,
so... the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth..."
APOSTLE LUKE (FEEL MY HAND AND
MY FEET...)
While the eleven disciples and their companions were talking about
the
awakened (risen) Jesus,
Jesus appeared before them and said. "Peace be with you". They were
startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Jesus
said to them why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?
Look at my hands and at my feet: see that it is I myself. Touch me and
see, for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have."
And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
Luke 24: 36-39
Thereafter, Jesus asked for something to eat and in their presence ate
a piece of broiled fish (and an honey comb). Luke 24 : 41-42. This
shows, the "awakened" Jesus was really hungry for he had missed several
of his meals.
APOSTLE JOHN (RAISE "THE TEMPLE"
IN 3 DAYS...)
In the city of Jerusalem, when Jesus had overturned the tables of
the money changers and driven out from the temple - making a whip of cords
- the cattle, sheep, doves, their traders and the moneychangers, the Jews
demanded a kind of explanation from Jesus, saying:
"What sign can you show us for doing this? Jesus answered them:
"Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews then
said: "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and
will you raise it up in three days? But he was speaking of the temple
of his body. John 2 : 18-21
After Jesus was bodily "awakened", the disciples remembered the above
baffling response of Jesus and understood the true interpretation of the
term, "the temple".
SHAIKH AHMED DEEDAT (JESUS WAS
ALIVE!)
Shaikh Ahmed Deedat - a well respected retired Islamic scholar from
South Africa, who has in the past delivered numerous lectures in dozens
of countries on this hypersensitive subject, writes as under in chapter
18 of his well-read publication 'Crucifixion or Cruci-fiction?':
(350,000 copies of the booklet distributed between
1984 and 1990)
NONE SO BLIND...
TAKE STOCK. THE TRUTH SHINES THROUGH
Let me give a quick summary of the points we
have discussed so far, concluding the Jesus was neither
killed nor was he crucified, as alleged by
the Christians and the Jews, but that he was ALIVE!
(I have reproduced the headings of the 30
"points" but not the details. To know the supporting details, explanations
and arguments please read the booklet; 'Crucifixion or Cruci-fiction?',
the address of the publishers appear in the next chapter. Thanks).
1. JESUS WAS RELUCTANT TO DIE!
2. HE BESEECHED GOD FOR HELP.
3. GOD "HEARD" HIS PRAYERS.
4. AN ANGEL OF GOD CAME TO STRENGTHEN
HIM:
5. PILOT FINDS JESUS NOT GUILTY!
6. PILOT'S WIFE SHOWN A DREAM IN WHICH
SHE
WAS TOLD THAT --
7. SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE CROSS FOR ONLY
THREE HOURS.
8. THE OTHER TWO - HIS "CROSS MATES" ON
THEIR
RESPECTIVE CROSSES
WERE ALIVE!
9. ENCYCLOPEDIA BIBLICA UNDER ARTICLE
"CROSS" -- COLUMN
960:
10. "FORTHWITH" CAME THERE OUT BLOOD AND WATER:
11. LEGS NOT BROKEN - AS A FULFILLMENT OF
PROPHECY.
12. THUNDERSTORM, EARTHQUAKE AND DARKENING
OF THE
SUN ALL WITHIN 3 HOURS!
13. JEWS DOUBTED HIS DEATH:
14. PILOT "MARVELS" TO HEAR THAT JESUS WAS
DEAD.
15. BIG ROOMY CHAMBER:
16. STONE AND "WINDING SHEETS" HAD TO BE
REMOVED:
17. REPORT ON WINDING SHEETS.
18. EVER IN DISGUISE!
19. FORBADE MARY MAGDALENE TO TOUCH HIM.
20 "NOT YET ASCENDED UNTO MY FATHER"
21. MARY MAGDALENE NOT AFRAID ON RECOGNISING
JESUS.
22. DISCIPLES PETRIFIED ON SEEING JESUS IN THE
UPPER-ROOM.
23. ATE FOOD AGAIN AND AGAIN IN HIS POST
"CRUCIFIXION" APPEARANCES.
24. NEVER SHOWED HIMSELF TO HIS ENEMIES.
25. TOOK ONLY SHORT TRIPS.
26. TESTIMONY OF MEN AROUND THE TOMB.
27. TESTIMONY OF ANGELS:
28. MARY MAGDALENE TESTIFIES --
29. DR. PRIMROSE TESTIFIES:
30. JESUS HAD HIMSELF FORETOLD THAT HIS
MIRACLE WILL
BE THE MIRACLE OF JONAH!.
MUSLIMS ARE EXHORTED TO PASS
ON THE TRUE MESSAGE REVEALED IN THE HOLY QUR'AN...
In February 1985, following the publication
of the above booklet 'Crucifixion of Cruci-fiction?' (First Print: 100,000
in March 1984), an Appeal was filed before the Publication's Appeal Board,
in Pretoria, South Africa. The appeal was made by the Directorate of Publication
to over turn the earlier decision taken by the Publication Committee that
the booklet was not undesirable.
The Publication's Appeal Board, chaired by
Prof. Kobus van Rooyen, consisted of two Reverends and five other Christians.
The publisher - Islamic Propagation Centre (IPC) International, 124 Queen
Street, Durban, South Africa, was successful in convincing the Appeal Board
that the publication was neither blasphemous
nor offensive. The publication was judged
by the Board's chairman, Professor Kobus van Rooyen, as an apologia for
the Muslim faith. The Appeal Board which consisted of all Christians, co-opted
a religious leader from the Muslim Community of South Africa, Mr. A. A.
Jinnah, as an advisor. Attention was also given to the scholarly advice
sought on the subject from an eminent Afrikaner theologian, Professor Johan
Heyns.
By the Grace of Allah, the defenders (Muslims),
were able to convince the Appeal Board that they were propagating the Truth,
flowing from their religious convictions, that they were entitled to and
under duty to propagate the teachings of the Holy Qur'an, which scripture
clearly states:
And they (Jews) said (in boast),
"We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary,
the Messenger of God":
But they killed him not, nor crucified him,
but it was made to appear to them so,
and those who differ therein are full of doubts
with no (certain) knowledge,
but they follow only conjecture.
For a surety they (Jews) killed him not.
Holy Qur'an 4:157
thus, the booklet was not intended to ridicule
the Christian faith, but rather to pass on the True Message as the Muslims
are exhorted to do in the Holy Qur'an. ---Al-Hamdul'llah, (Praise be to
Allah), the defender's submission was upheld and the Directorate's Appeal
was set aside.
A THOUGHT PROVOKING QUESTION
Data: 1. The term "resurrection".
It comes from the Greek word;
Transliterated: anastasis
Pronounced: an-as'-tas-is.
It literally means; a standing up again.
2. The verb "crucify".
The concise Oxford Dictionary renders the meaning:
"Put to death by fastening to a cross".
The Webster's Dictionary of the English Language:
"To put to death by fastening or nailing to a cross".
A thought provoking question:
Imagine a prosecuted individual is sentenced to die by hanging.
He is "hanged" from a rope by his executioners. For one reason or other
he survives the hanging, wakes up the next day and walks away unnoticed
by his prosecutors and executioners. He appears before his friends and
family members and eats with them. Thereafter, he walks away to a distant
place and was never to be seen by his prosecutors.
What would be correct to say; a or b?
a) He was "hanged" by his executioners.
b) It so appeared to them (the persecutors and executors),
that he was "hanged", but in reality he was "not
hanged".
THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS
Where did Jesus Christ go to, from this earth?
What is he doing there? Will there be a 'Second Coming' of Jesus? What
would Jesus do when he comes back? Let us examine what the Scriptures have
to say.
Behold! Allah said: "O Jesus! I will take
thee and raise thee to Myself and clear
thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme; I will make
those who follow thee superior to those who reject
Faith to the Day of Resurrection; then shall ye all return unto Me and
I will judge between you of the matters
wherein ye dispute. ....Nay Allah raised
him up unto Himself; and Allah is Exalted in Power Wise.
The Qur'an 3:55 and 4:158
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom
ye slew and hanged on a tree. .....So then, after the Lord
Jesus had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat down
at the right hand of God.
The Bible, Acts 5:30 and Mark 16:19.
Notes:
A few questions for those who profess Jesus
was God Incarnate but acted as a "Bond Servant of God" (Phillippians 2:7),
while living amongst us. If Jesus was indeed God embodied in flesh upon
this earth, then upon his return back to Heaven, should he not be sitting
on his own seat - "The Throne of God"? Why is he instead, sitting at the
right hand of God? Is he still acting as a "Bond Servant"? If so, is the
one that is sitting on his left hand, his Master?
On the subject of the Second Coming of Jesus, one may observe that
in the verse quoted below from the Qur'an, the name of Jesus is within
the parentheses. The name does not appear in the Arabic text. Hence, one
can say; the verse is neither explicit about Jesus nor it categorically
alludes to the subject matter. The Qur'an does not reveal what Jesus will
or will not do, upon his Second Coming. However, the details are to be
found in the literature of "the reported sayings of the prophet", which
is separate from "the Revelations" received by the prophet.
And (Jesus) shall be a Sign (for the coming
of) the Hour (of Judgment): therefore
have no doubt about the (Hour) but follow ye Me: this is a Straight
Way. The Qur'an 43:61
The Bible is very specific about the Second
Coming of Jesus. Quoted below are a few interesting verses that tell us;
in the end Jesus himself will be subjected to God.
That thou keep the commandment without stain
and reproach, until the appearing
of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Which in his times he will show, who is the
Blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings,
and Lord of lords; Who
only hath immortality, dwelling in the light
which no man can approach unto; Whom no man
hath seen, nor can see: to whom be the honor and
power everlasting. Amen. 1 Timothy 6:14-16
For he (Jesus) must reign, till He hath put
all enemies under his feet.
The last enemy that shall be abolished is death.
For He that hath put all things under his feet. But when
He saith, all things are put under him, it
is manifest that He is excepted, which did put
all things under him. And when all
things shall be subdued unto him,
then shall the Son also himself be subject
unto Him that put all things under him, that
God may be all in all.
The Bible, 1 Corinthians 15 : 25-28.
Please send your comments directly to the
author,
Akbarally Meherally, by e-mail at
trustone@bc.sympatico.ca
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