Christianity
and Islam
Christian:-
You say that the New Testament does not
condemn slavery. But the Catholic Church has condemned slavery. So Christianity
does condemn slavery, but Islam can not.
Comment:-
Is Christianity based on Jesus' teaching or
is it a man made religion?
Jesus did not condemn slavery, nor did Paul.
He said:-
"Slaves, obey your earthly masters with
fear and trembling; in singleness of heart as to Christ. Not in the way of eye
service as men-pleasers, but as servants of Christ doing the will of God from
the heart rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not men knowing
that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same again from the Lord,
whether he is a slave or free." Ephesians 6:5
There is no sign here that he wanted slaves
to be freed.
The Catholics probably got the idea of
freeing slaves from Islam. The Quran has several verses that require freeing of
slaves:- See 2:177, 90:12-13, 4:36, 4:92, 5:89, 24:33, 58:3
Christian:-
You ask: Is Christianity based on Jesus'
teaching or is it a man made religion. I get tired of explaining this to
Muslims. Christianity is a religion ABOUT Jesus, it is not Jesus's religion:
that was Judaism.
Comment:-
I accept that is what it has been made into.
O.K. So now Christianity is a man made
religion not based on the teachings of Jesus. Yes, Muslims did observe that it
is "about Jesus" rather than what he taught.
Forgive us if we do not accept that as a
genuine Religion as revealed by God through His Messenger. For us true Religion
is Surrender to God (Quran 3:19-20). True Christianity would be what Jesus
taught. He taught:-
"Not every one that says unto me
Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but He THAT DOES THE WILL OF
MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN." Matthew 7:21
"Jesus said unto him: You must love
the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all
your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it:
You must love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all
the law and the prophets." Matthew 22-37-40
"Jesus answered them, and said, My
doctrine is not mine, but His that sent me." John 7:16
"And I seek not mine own glory: there
is One that seeketh and judgeth." John 8:50
"I can of mine own self do nothing:
as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will,
but the will of the Father which hath sent me." John 5:30
"And this is Eternal Life that they
might know THEE THE ONLY TRUE GOD and Jesus Christ whom Thou has sent."
John 17:3
"While I was with them in the world I
kept them in THY NAME..." John 17:12
"After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy
will be done in earth, as it is in heaven...." Matthew 6:9-10
"Thus have ye made the commandments
of God of none effect by your tradition....This people draws nigh unto me with
their mouth and honours me with their lis, but their heart is far from me. But
in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of
men." Matthew 15:6, 8-9
So you are even incorrect in stating that
your beliefs have anything to do with Jesus at all.
The Gospels contain what Jesus taught. Paul
appears to have made Christianity into a religion "about Jesus" But
he was contradicting Jesus.
On the other he also observed:-
"I marvel that ye are so soon removed
from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel."
Galatians 1:6
"Professing themselves wise they became
fools and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to
corruptible man.." Romans 1:23
Christians had already departed from the
teachings of Jesus.
Christian:-
Christians are taught:-
"He that loves father or mother more
than me (Jesus) is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more
than me is not worthy of me. And he that takes not his cross, and follows after
me, is not worthy of me." Matthew 10:37-38
Comment:-
Obviously, the cross refers to his burden or task.
It cannot mean that he took away the sins of the world (he is telling others to
do the same). Nor can it mean that his followers should sacrifice themselves
literally. But they are required to sacrifice the worldly life for a spiritual
one.
The Islamic attitude is not very different
from the Christian though formulated differently:-
"The Prophet has a greater claim on
the faithful than they have on themselves (or are closer to him)." 33:6
"Say (O Muhammad), If you love Allah
then follow me, and Allah will love you and forgive you your sins, for Allah is
Forgiving and Merciful. Say: Obey Allah and the Messenger; but if they turn
away Allah loves not disbelievers." 3:31-32
"Yet are there some amongst mankind
who take to themselves (for worship) peers other than Allah; they love them as
they should love Allah. But those who have faith are overflowing with love for
Allah." 2:165
"Surely those who swear allegiance
unto you (O Muhammad) do but swear allegiance to Allah; the hand of Allah is
above their hands. Therefore, whoever breaks his faith, he breaks it only to
the injury of his own soul, and whoever fulfils what he has covenanted with
Allah, He will grant him a mighty reward." 48:10
Christian:-
Christianity is more spiritual in that it is
based on love, faith and hope. Islam seems to be more materialistic, physical
and sensual as its description of Paradise
shows.
Comment:-
Not all things in Scriptures are to be taken
literally. Some things in it are similitudes or metaphorical and some are
allegorical. The description of Paradise is
symbolic as can be seen by reading Quran 2:25-26.
The unbiased reader can also see that faith,
love and hope are integral aspects of Islam. Islam is based on Truth,
Compassion and Justice. But there has been an evolution of Religion such that
the emphasis has shifted from Justice in Hebrewism, to Compassion in
Christianity and Truth in Islam. This is a shift of emphasis from action to
motive and from that to knowledge and awareness. This is an expansion of human
faculties by a shift of level. You can have a set of many separate instructions
to do many different things. But if you are given a motive and purpose then you
are free from confinement to just that set of actions. Versatility increases
and much more can be done intelligently. Though action, motive and ideas are
connected so that one affects the others, it is evident that each also has some
independence so that outer actions can be mechanical or habitual, empty shells.
Jesus certainly criticised the Jewish authorities for this.
However, motives are also limited as to how
they are interpreted and understood and the amount of knowledge and awareness.
People do tend to rationalise, make excuses and attribute false motives to
themselves and others. This leads to much conflict and suffering.
In view of religious evolution I would say
that the Christian doctrines may well have been suitable for the bygone age
that was dominated by Christianity and compatible with the emphasis on Love.
The barbarity, callousness and harshness, especially of the Roman Era, had to
be counteracted before any further progress could be made. However, Islam
introduced the age of Truth and Knowledge, of observation, thought and science
which supersedes or ought to supersede the previous dispensations of religion.
But Christianity is not thereby condemned. It still remains true that people
will be judged according to their actions based on faith.
"They are not all alike. Of the
people of the Book there is an upright community, reciting the revelations of
Allah throughout the night, falling prostrate (in Surrender). They believe in
Allah, and in the last day, and bid intelligent (or right) conduct, and forbid
what is stupid (or wrong), and vie with one another in good works; these are
among the righteous." 3:113-114
But , the Quran also tells us:-
"Naught is the life of this world but
a game (or pastime) and a sport (or amusement). Surely, better by far is the
abode of the Hereafter for those who fear (and do their duty). Will you not
understand?" 6:32
"This life of the world is nothing
but a pastime and game; but, verily, the abode of the Hereafter, that is life,
if they did but knew!" 29:64
"O my people! This life of the world
is only a passing enjoyment, and surely the Hereafter is the enduring
home." 40:39
"Know that the life of this world is
only sport and play and idle talk and boasting among yourselves, and a rivalry
in the multiplication of wealth and children; like the vegetation after rain,
whereof the growth pleases the husbandmen; but then it withers away so that you
will see it become yellow, then it becomes dried up and crumbles away; but in
the Hereafter is a severe chastisement and also forgiveness from Allah and His
good pleasure; and the life of this world is naught but means of deception."
57:20
"Wealth and children are an ornament
of the life of this world; but good works which endure are better with your
Lord, for recompense, and better for hope." 18:47
However,
"And when you have performed your rites,
remember Allah as you remember your fathers, or with a keener memory still.
There is among men such as says: Our Lord! Give us in this world; but then they
have no portion in the Hereafter. And some there be who say: Our Lord! Give us
in this world good and good in the Hereafter; and defend us from the torment of
the fire!" 2:200-201
"Only they are the believers who
believe in Allah and His Messenger, then afterwards they doubt not and struggle
hard with their wealth and their lives in the way of Allah; they are the
truthful (sincere or righteous) ones." 49:15
"O you who believe! Let not your
wealth, or your children, divert you from the remembrance of Allah; and whoever
does that, these are the losers." 63:9
"Then for him who has transgressed
all bounds, and prefers the life of this world, surely, Hell will be his abode.
And as for him who had feared standing in the presence of his Lord and
restrains his soul from lust (or low desires), then surely the Garden, that is
his abode." 79:37-51
"O you who believe! Forbid not the
good things which Allah has made lawful for you, nor transgress (or commit
excess); verily, Allah loves not the transgressors." 5:87
See also 16:106-109, 17:18-19
Islam is not, therefore, as worldly as you
suppose, nor does it discourage or condemn worldly pursuits. Human beings live
on earth and are physical as well as spiritual entities. These aspects
interact. Though the former is a temporary state and man is on earth to learn.
It is a matter of priorities.
Christian:-
In Christianity, God loves all mankind
whether they are righteous or sinners. In fact, God is involved in the world
and suffers with man. In Islam Allah hates sinners.
"And the recompense of evil is
punishment like it, but whoever forgives and amends, he shall have his reward
from Allah; surely He does not love the unjust." 42:40
Comment:-
The concept of Allah is different in Islam.
Though He surrounds all things, He is wholly independent of creation. That is,
it depends on Him; He does not depend on it.
If you mean that in Christianity God does not
punish sinners then you are obviously mistaken. What point would there be in
religion, in the instruction of God, if these were not to be followed.
The word "Love" as other words, can
be understood in three senses - according to action, motive or principle. An
action could be hurtful for a certain time and this pain can be construed as
malevolence. But the motive behind it may be to do a greater good. When an
injury causes pain, this alerts us to something that harms and motivates us to
seek and apply a cure. This pain, though unpleasant and regarded as evil is,
therefore, really good. However, the motive itself has to be judged in a
greater context of existence and therefore, in terms of the principles that
underlie it.
God has created the Universe and mankind for
a purpose and He most certainly loves mankind because He has given them the
faculties and the guidance through Messengers by which they can fulfil
themselves. The rewards and punishments are also forms of guidance towards a
goal and away from its opposite. Does the parent hate his child whom he
punishes when he or she goes astray and is in danger of destruction? He is
Compassionate and Merciful. He rewards and forgives sins.
"Those who give charity, both in
prosperity and in adversity, for those who control their rage, and those who
are forgiving towards mankind. Allah loves the good. Those who when they do an
evil, or wrong themselves, remember Allah, and ask forgiveness for their sins -
and who forgives sins save Allah alone? - And do not knowingly repeat the wrong
they did." 3:134-135
"Say: O my servants! Who have acted
extravagantly (transgressed) against their own souls, do not despair of the
mercy of Allah; surely Allah forgives all faults; surely He is the Forgiving
the Merciful." 39:53
However,
"Allah is only bound to forgive those
who do evil through ignorance and then repent. Surely, these are the ones to
whom Allah is relenting. Allah is Knower Wise." 4:17
Obviously those who do not repent do not
change inwardly and will continue to do evil.
"Verily, Allah does not forgive
associating anything with Him, but He pardons anything short of that, to
whomsoever He will; but whoever associates aught with Allah, he hath strayed
far into error." 4:116
The reason for this is that it is the most
fundamental error from which all other errors arise. It creates a fundamental
multiplicity in the mind and soul that leads to inner and outer conflicts and
disintegration.
The Islamic attitude differs from the
Christian and is formulated thus:-
"That no bearer of burdens shall bear
the burden of another, and that man shall have nothing but what he strives for,
and that his striving shall be seen. Then shall he be rewarded for it with the
fullest reward; and that your Lord is the final goal. " 53:38-42
"And he who strives, strives only for
his own soul; for verily, Allah is altogether Independent of (His) creatures
(or the worlds)." 29:6
"Say: O people of the Book! You have
no ground to stand on till you stand fast by the Torah and the Gospel, and what
is revealed to you from your Lord." But what has been revealed to you from
your Lord will of a surety increase many of them in rebellion and disbelief.
Vex not thyself then for a people who disbelieve. Verily, those who believe and
those who are Jews, and the Sabaeans, and the Christians, whoever believes in
Allah and the Last Day, and does what is right, they shall not fear, nor shall
they grieve." 5:68-69
"Every sect has a goal to which Allah
turns him; but do you strive onwards together to do good works; wherever you
are Allah will bring you all together; verily, Allah has power over all
things." 2:148
"Say: O you people of the Book, come
to an agreement between us and you, that we will not serve other than Allah, or
associate anything with him, nor take others for Lords rather than Allah. But
if they turn away then say: Bear witness that we are they who have
surrendered." 3:64
A Muslim:-
The Muslim objection
to the Trinity is that Spirit and Jesus are created by the command or Word of
God, and cannot be God.
A Christian:-
The idea that
either the Holy Spirit or Jesus are "created" is abhorrent to
Trinitarian Christians, since it leads to idolatry and shirk.
So you believe they
are created. But we do not. We explicitly do not You hold to your position by
faith, and we do to ours. We can equally say that your contention is a denial
of reality and truth, but that would serve little purpose. It seems increasingly
to me that you are taking a (possibly Islamic) philosophical position on this.
As I said earlier, the mistake is the word "created". Does a
"manifestation" of anything necessitate the concept of
"creation" in Islamic philosophy? Or is it a rather more contentious
individual interpretation? Nor does Christianity accept Pantheism.
Comment:-
The Quran tells us
about Jesus:-
"Verily the likeness of Jesus with Allah is as
the likeness of Adam. He created him from earth, then He said to him: BE! And
he was." 3:59
"O you people of the Book! Do not commit
excesses in your religion, nor say against Allah anything save the truth. The
Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, was but the messenger of Allah and His Word,
which He cast into Mary and a Spirit from Him; believe then in Allah and His
messengers, and say not "Three." Desist! it is better for you. Allah
is only one Allah, Glory be to Him, too Exalted is He that He should beget a
Son! To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and that is in the earth, and
Allah suffices as Defender." 4:171
"They disbelieve who say: Verily, Allah is the
third of three; for there is no God but one, and if they do not desist from
what they say, there shall touch those who disbelieve amongst them grievous
woe." 5:73
Compare the creation
of Jesus with what the Quran says about the creation of human beings:-
"(Allah) Who made good everything that He has
created, and He began the creation of man from dust. Then He made his progeny
of an extract, of a fluid held in low esteem. Then He fashioned him and
breathed into him of His spirit, and made for you the faculties of hearing, and
sight and heart; little is it that you give thanks." 32:7-9
"So when I have fashioned it, and breathed into
it of My Spirit, then fall you down before him, prostrating yourselves before
him (in obeisance)." 15:29
Man is a mixture of
earth and spirit and this combination also creates the third ingredient, the
mind with its faculties. Jesus was a creation like man, but "a spirit and
a word from God" refers to his spirit.
I cannot find
anything in the NT that says Jesus was not created a person of flesh and bones
(Luke 24:39). He was certainly born and lived in the flesh and died.
John 1:14 says that
the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. This refers to his spiritual
nature. When the New Testament speaks of the Sons of God (e.g. John 1:12-13,
Romans 8:14, John 10:34-35), that title refers to those who are led by the
Spirit or Word of God. He carried the Word of God and that in Islamic
terminology makes him a Messenger.
The phrase
“manifestation of God” seems to me to be the same as what the Quran
calls “the signs of Allah”. “Manifestation” means that
something is an effect, consequence, symptom, representative or proof of the
existence of something, but is not that something or an incarnation of it. The
Messenger represents God, but is not God, nor an incarnation of God. His
existence is a manifestation of God.
The Quran tells us
about the Spirit:-
"They will ask you about the Spirit. Say: The
Spirit is by the command of my Lord, and you are given but a little knowledge
thereof." 17:85
Now some Muslims
interpret this as meaning that the Spirit was created by God. This, however,
does not seem to me to be compatible with the verses 32:0 or 15:29 quoted above
where it is spoken of as Allah's Spirit. Therefore, I am inclined to interpret
this verse as follows:-
The Command or Word
of Allah as well as the Spirit are aspects of Allah. The Command is carried by
the Spirit. The Spirit is the medium in which the command is conveyed. Things
are created by the Word of Allah, but the Word is not created. The Spirit
likewise is not created but is the medium of creation. It is the ground state
of all things. The Word creates the order, structure or pattern, the Truth of
which things consist at various levels. However, Archangels such as Gabriel are
creatures made of spirit because they have a particular structure and function
and are therefore distinct from other things.
The Spirit can be
symbolically thought of as the Mind of Allah, as Universal Consciousness.
Space-Time are aspects of this, but do not wholly describe it. It is not itself
knowable but things are known through it - we have little knowledge of it. But
we are spiritually sparks of the Divine, agents of Allah. Spiritually we come
from Him and will return to Him. But owing to sin, that is, attachment to
forms, we have become unconscious of the spirit within and strayed from our
proper function. Religion has been sent to "Awaken" us (24:46)
"Surely, We have created man in the best of
moulds. Then We reduced him to the lowest of the low; save those who believe
and act right; for theirs is a reward unfailing." 95:4-6
"O you who believe! Respond unto Allah and His
Messenger when He calls you to that which quickens you; and know that Allah
comes in between a man and his own heart; and that He it is unto Whom you shall
be gathered." 8:24
The Messengers sent
by God, the carriers of the Word, are persons who are Awake, and therefore, in
contact with Allah.
As for the question
of Pantheism, as the medium of creation is the Spirit and all things are simply
patterns or structures at various levels (7 heavens and earths), then the only
Reality IS Allah. All other things are simply entities in His mind. This is not
to say that they are unreal. Allah bestows reality on them. His Word is Truth.
But they are not Allah and collectively do not account for all that is Allah.
However, in so far as human consciousness is limited, the world we see is an
Illusion, though it is part of the Real World.
However, Allah
knows best and I am open to better explanations and understandings.
A Muslim:-
Christians believe
that Jesus is alive and will return. Many Muslims also believe that Jesus is
alive and will return.
Comment:-
The Quran tells
us:-
"And peace upon me (Jesus) the day I was born,
and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised up alive. Such was Jesus, the
son of Mary. This is the statement of truth concerning which they doubt (or
dispute)." 19:33-34
Here Jesus (a) is
born (b) dies and (c) is resurrected. This seems clear enough to me.
Muslim:-
This verse does not
say that 'Eesa died. It says, on the tongue of 'Eesa: The day that I would die.
According to
Al-Bukhari Volume 4, Book 55, Number 658: Narrated Abu Huraira:
"Allah's
Apostle said: How will you be when the son of Mary (i.e. Jesus) descends
amongst you and he will judge people by the Law of the Quran and not by the law
of Gospel.
Comment:-
I do not see that
either of these means that Jesus did not die. It seems that we have a question
of different interpretations.
I prefer the
unambiguous verses that tell us that "every soul must taste of death"
3:185, 29:57. And:-
"We appointed immortality for no mortal before
you. What! If you die, will they live on forever? Every soul must taste of
death. We will test you with evil and with good, as a trial; and unto Us will
you be returned." 21:34-35
"Mohammed is but a Messenger, messengers (the
like of whom) have passed away before his time." 3:144
"The Messiah, the son of Mary, is only a
Messenger: Messengers like him have passed away before him;" 5:75
"I never told them save that which Thou didst
command me (see John 5:30, 7:16), 'Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord,' and I
was a witness of them so long as I was amongst them." 5:117
But like the
martyrs, the Messengers may well be alive in the Spirit. We are told that
Muhammad (saw) in the his vision (Mira'j) met them including Jesus.
Another Muslim:-
Jesus is considered
to be a sign for the last hour (43:61). This seems to agree with the Christian
view. Maulana Maududi's understanding of this verse is that Esa will come a
second time as has been foretold in a great number of traditions but this
meaning is contradicted by the next verse.
Comment:-
The verse 43:61 has
been translated differently by different translators. These appear to be
different interpretations. They all mention the knowledge of the Hour. But none
of them say that Jesus is the sign of the Resurrection. Even if it means that
Jesus is "a sign of the resurrection", it does not mean that Jesus
did not die. On the contrary, resurrection takes place after death.
YUSUF ALI: 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.
PICKTHAL: And lo! verily there is knowledge of the
Hour. So doubt ye not concerning it, but follow Me. This is the right path.
SHAKIR: And most
surely it is a knowledge of the hour, therefore have no doubt about it and
follow me: this is the right path.
ABDEL HALEEM: This
(Quran) gives knowledge of the Hour. Do not doubt it. Follow Me for this is the
right path.
If the original
text says: This gives knowledge of the Hour, then it could refer to:-
(1) the text
preceding or even following this statement. or
(2) the Quran or
(3) Jesus.
The question is:
who does "Follow Me" refer to?
It is not Jesus
(saw) who is speaking here. It could be Muhammad (saw). If it refers to Allah,
it is very unusual because one obeys Allah, one does not follow Him. One
follows a Messenger who is an example.
The preceding
verses state:-
"When the son of Mary is cited as an example,
your people laugh and jeer, saying: Are our gods better or he? - they cite him
only to argue. They are a contentious people. But he is only a servant We
favoured and made an example for the chidren of Israel. If it had been Our will, We
could have sent you (or made some of you) angels as Vicegerents (or Successors)
on earth." 43:57-60
It seems to me that
these "contentious people" supposed that Jesus was a god, one
inferior to theirs, probably because he was presented to them as mortal, as
having been killed. That is why they jeered. The Quran, however, disabuses them
of the idea that he was a god. He was a servant of God.
We are told that
Allah could have sent angels as messengers, but did not, perhaps because angels
could not be examples for humans. He sent mortal men to be examples.
The verse also
makes clear that Jesus was sent as an example to the children of Israel.
The verses
following 43:61 state:-
"And let not the Satan prevent you; surely he
is your open enemy. And when Jesus
came with clear arguments he said: I have come unto you with wisdom, and that I
may make clear to you some of that wherein you differ; so be careful of your
duty to Allah and obey me: Surely Allah is my Lord and your Lord, therefore
serve Him; this is the right path." (See John 6:38, 7:16, 10:37-38, 14:10,
17:3-14) " 43:62-64
It seems to me that
contrarily to what some Christians teach about Resurrection through Jesus, we
are told that Jesus was given and taught the knowledge of the Hour (of
Resurrection and Judgement). Resurrection and Judgement is controlled by Allah.
This is not to deny
that Jesus will return and that this return is a sign of the Day of
Resurrection and Judgement.
But remember that
death and resurrection do not necessarily refer to physical death, but may
refer to spiritual death and resurrection as in Quran 2:28, 8:24. It is
probable that this Day does not only refer to the final judgement but to the
coming of Spiritual Regeneration as the following verse indicates:-
"And among His signs is this, that you see the
earth barren and desolate, but when We send down on it the rain, it stirs to
life and swells into growth: verily He Who gives it life is the Quickener of
the dead; surely He has power over all things. " 41:39
See also 2:55-56,164,
7:57-58, 6:100, 16:65, 30:24, 50, 41:39, 57:20 etc.
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