Five
Questions
A Christian:-
Here are Five Christian Questions Muslims
cannot answer:-
Comment:-
What makes you think Muslims cannot answer
these questions? But you might not accept the answers. Muslims go by the Quran
and Hadith and what is compatible with these.
Christian:-
(1) Tell me the story of the name Israel. Who is Israel? Why is
he Israel?
Who is EL? What does it mean "Israel"? Why not
"Israullah"? Do you believe that Allah came down and wrestled with
Jacob till morning and then named him "Israel" meaning "One who
wrestles EL"?
Comment:-
I think Jacob wrestling with God means that
he was wrestling with his doubts about God as most people do before they
convert, and that it also refers to the struggle between the spiritual and the
physical or worldly temptations which all human being must undergo because they
have this dual nature. This has also been represented in ancient times as the
Cross that people must bear. This is what Jesus was probably referring to when
he said:-
"And he that taketh not his cross, and
followeth after me, is not worthy of me. " Matthew 10:38
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If
any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and
follow me." Matthew 16:24
The Quran may be referring to this in the
following:-
"And when Jesus perceived their
unbelief, He said, "Who will be my helpers in the cause of Allah?"
The disciples said, "We will be Allah's helpers. We believe in Allah, so
bear you witness that we have surrendered (unto Him)." 3:52
I think the name Israel has ultimately the same
significance as Islam, surrender to Allah and one's spiritual nature. Moreover,
the Christians were originally known as Nazarites (Holy men devoted to God) and
that also has the same significance as Islam. (This name was misunderstood to
Nazarene, meaning one who came from Nazareth).
Christian:-
(2) What is a Messiah? Is Messiah a nickname
of Jesus? Is it his middle name? Jesus M. ben Joseph? Is Messiah "the
anointed one" like the kings of the Old Testament? Was Jesus anointed? Who
anointed him? Why was he anointed? Was he a king? King of what? If he was just
a prophet why is he a Messiah?
Comment:-
Messiah means one who is anointed with the
Spirit as Kings were anointed with oil in Israel.
The Quran says:-
"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
Christian:-
(3) Why is a week 7 days? Why is it that God
commanded the Jews 6 day work 1 day rest (Sabbath), yet He created everything
in 6 days but DID NOT rest on the 7th day?
Comment:-
We are living in the 7th period.
"Verily, your Lord is Allah, who
created the heavens and the earth in six Days (or Periods, Ages, Cycles); then
He established (or ascended) Himself firmly on the Throne (of Authority), to
govern (direct, regulate) all things; there is no intercessor, except after His
permission. This is Allah, your Lord! Therefore, worship (serve) Him. Will you
not remind (or praise in thought and action, remember, remain aware)? "
10:4
"Allah is He Who created the heavens
and the earth and what is between them in six Days (periods), and He mounted
the Throne (of authority); you have not besides Him any guardian or any intercessor,
will you not then remember? He directs the ordinance (regulates all affairs)
from the heaven to the earth; then shall it ascend to Him in a Day the measure
of which is a thousand years of what you count. " 32:4-5
Also see 7:54
Christian:-
(4) The Jews await their own Messiah to come
and the Christian await their own Messiah, Jesus, to return. Why do Muslims
believe a "Mahdi" to come and Jesus to return? Why two Messiahs?
Comment:-
John the Baptist was to precede the coming of
the Messiah in both Jewish and Christian tradition. The Mahdi is probably the
same as John the Baptist.
It seems to me that the Jewish prophecy about
the coming of the Messiah was fulfilled in Jesus (saw) and that when Jesus
predicted the return of "The Son of Man" (Matthew 24) that was
fulfilled in Muhammad (saw). The Muslim prediction is for the end of the Age.
Christian:-
(5) Adam sinned and God cursed him throwing
him out of Heaven to this Fallen World. Muslims say there is no Original Sin
because Adam repented after the Fall and God forgave him. If God forgave Adam
then why are we, Adam's descendants, still here on this Fallen World?
Comment:-
Man was made perfect. That includes the
ability to learn. The fact that he sinned and was sent down to earth to learn
does not imply any imperfection, but on the contrary. That is what this 7th Day
of creation is for, that human being should realise the potentialities inherent
in them.
"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
"And the soul and Who fashioned it,
and enlightened it with what is wrong and right for it! He indeed is successful
who causes it to grow (or purifies it)! And he indeed is a failure who corrupts
it! " 91:7-10
And note carefully:-
"And when your Lord said unto the
angels: I am about to place a Vicegerent (Agent, Successor, Inheritor) in the
earth, they said: Will you place therein one who will do evil therein and shed
blood? While we celebrate Thy praise and glorify Thee. Said (the Lord): I know
what you know not. And He taught Adam the Names (qualities), all of them; then
He propounded them to the angels and said: Declare to Me the names of these, if
you are truthful." 2:30-31
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