bible

The 5 Books of Revelation

February 10, 2014 By Basem 10 Comments

God has sent down direct Guidance through various prophets throughout time. Among them, several have brought books of Revelation and Law with them; because of this, these prophets are also considered messengers. The followers of these books are referred to in the Qur’an as “People of the Book” and are indeed from the same source of Light. Let us examine the 5 books of revelation.

The Recitation (Qur’an)

The Qur’an, literally meaning to read or recite, was revealed in the Arabic language to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) in the 6th century. It was compiled during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad and remains in its original form, which is a perpetual miracle in itself. The Qur’an contains themes describing God’s nature, guidance for daily living, stories from history and their moral messages, inspiration for believers, and warnings for disbelievers.

This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah; Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them; And who believe in the Revelation sent to thee, and sent before thy time, and (in their hearts) have the assurance of the Hereafter. [Qur’an, The Cow, 2:2-4]

Gospel of Jesus (Injeel)

Jesus is an honored prophet of God and is mentioned several times in the Qur’an. His native language was Syriac or Aramaic, and the revelation given to Jesus was conveyed and shared among his disciples orally. Jesus preached to his people about monotheism (the Oneness of God) and how to live a righteous life. The revelation given to Jesus from Allah is known as the Injeel (Gospel).

Unfortunately, Jesus’ pure message has been lost, mixed with others’ interpretations of his life and teachings. The current Bible has an unclear chain of transmission and no proven authorship. The actual words of Jesus were indeed Divinely inspired, yet they have not been preserved in writing.

And in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law that had come before him: a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah. [Qur’an, The Table Spread, 5:46]

Psalms of David (Zabur)

The Qur’an mentions that revelation was given to the Prophet Dawud (David). Not much is known about this revelation, but Islam confirms that the Psalms were recited much like poetry or hymns. The Arabic word “zabur” comes from a root word meaning song or music. All of Allah’s prophets brought the same message, so the Psalms also contain praises of God, teachings about monotheism, and guidance for righteous living.

And it is your Lord that knoweth best all beings that are in the heavens and on earth: We did bestow on some prophets more (and other) gifts than on others: and We gave to David (the gift of) the Psalms. [Qur’an, The Night Journey, 17:55]

Torah of Moses (Tawrat)

The Tawrat (Torah) was given to the Prophet Musa (Moses). Like all revelation, it included teachings about monotheism, righteous living, and religious law. The exact text of the Tawrat generally corresponds to the first five books of the Jewish Bible. Many Biblical scholars concede, however, that the current version of the Torah was written by numerous authors over several centuries. The exact words of the revelation to Moses are not preserved.

It was We who revealed the law (to Moses): therein was guidance and light. By its standard have been judged the Jews, by the prophets who bowed (as in Islam) to Allah’s will, by the rabbis and the doctors of law: for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah’s book, and they were witnesses thereto: therefore fear not men, but fear me, and sell not my signs for a miserable price. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) Unbelievers. [Qur’an, The Table Spread, 5:44]

Scrolls of Abraham (Suhuf)

The Qur’an mentions a revelation called the Suhuf Ibrahim, or the Scrolls of Abraham. They were reportedly written by Ibrahim himself, as well as his scribes and followers. However, this holy book is considered to be lost forever. The Qur’an refers to the scrolls of Abraham several times, including the following verse:

And this is in the Books of the earliest (Revelation),- The Books of Abraham and Moses. [Qur’an, The Most High, 87:18-19]

Why Not a Single Book?

The Qur’an itself answers this question:

To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that hath come to thee. To each among you have we prescribed a law and an open way. If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah; it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute; [Qur’an, The Table Spread, 5:48]

What is unique about Islam is that it is the last religion sent by the last prophet in a long chain of messengers – the Final Testament converging all walks of life. In addition, the Qur’an remains unchanged and in its original form. This is indeed a living Mercy and Miracle from God; a promise to be preserved by God forever and still stands today.

We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption). [Qur’an, The Rocky Tract, 15:9]

References

http://islam.about.com/od/booksofrevelation/tp/Books-Of-Revelation.htm

Will Jesus Be Judged By God?

January 26, 2014 By Basem 1 Comment

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. [Qur’an, Family of Imran, 3:55]

Monotheism is the root of all true religions, whether it be inspiration sent to Noah, Abraham, Isma’il, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, Job, Jonah, Aaron, Solomon, David, Muhammad, and even other prophets not documented in history (peace and blessings be upon them all). So why the sudden change with modern-day Christianity? The concept of “Trinity” has clearly derailed Christianity from Monotheism. Now it has become necessary to warn against this oddity and revive Jesus’s original message.

They do blaspheme who say: “Allah is Christ the son of Mary.” But said Christ: “O Children of Israel! worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” Whoever joins other gods with Allah,- Allah will forbid him the garden, and the Fire will be his abode. There will for the wrong-doers be no one to help. [Qur’an, The Table Spread, 5:72]

The Origins of “Trinity”

It is important to note that the word “Trinity” does not appear anywhere in the New Testament. The notion of Jesus as son of God is something that was established under the influence of Paul of Tarsus. Originally named Saul the former Pharisee, he had been an enemy of Jesus, but later changed course and joined the disciples after the departure of Jesus.

Later, however, he initiated a number of changes into early Christian teachings, in contradiction, for instance, to disciples like Barnabas, who believed in the Oneness of God and who had actually lived and met with Jesus.

Paul is considered by a number of Christian scholars to be the father of modern-day Christianity due to his additions of the following ideas:

that Jesus is the son of God,
the concept of Atonement,
the renunciation of the Law of the Torah

His letters are another of the primary sources of information on Jesus according to the Christian tradition. In fact, there are twenty seven books in the Bible and thirteen, or about half of them, were written entirely by Paul. This is despite ever meeting Jesus, nor receiving any authority from him.

Furthermore, the original followers of Prophet Jesus opposed these blatant misrepresentations of the message of Jesus and opposed Paul for injecting into Christianity doctrines of the pagan Roman religion and Platonic philosophy. They struggled to reject the notion of the Divinity of Jesus for close to 200 years.

In 325 (CE), a council of Christian leaders met at Nicaea and made Paul’s beliefs officially part of Christian doctrine. It also ordered that all original Gospels in Hebrew script which contradicted Paul’s beliefs should be destroyed. An edict was issued that anyone in possession of these Gospels would be put to death.

There is among them a section who distort the Book with their tongues: (As they read) you would think it is a part of the Book, but it is no part of the Book; and they say, “That is from Allah,” but it is not from Allah: It is they who tell a lie against Allah, and (well) they know it! [Qur’an, Family of Imran, 3:78]

Despite the vicious campaign to distort or destroy most of the original texts in Christianity, The Gospel of Barnabas has miraculously survived though.

God is Indeed One

The Bible itself preaches monotheism, but it is constantly overlooked.

You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you— for the Lord your God in your midst is a jealous God—lest the anger of the Lord your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth. [Bible, Deuteronomy 6:14-15]

Since God is a jealous One, this means God would never share divinity with a prophet or any other creation. As a matter of fact, Prophet Jesus is constantly quoted in the Bible saying that God is One, but the explanation of the Trinity drowns out reason to these clear verses:

Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” [Bible, Mark 12:29]

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. [Bible, Mark 10:18]

“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. [Bible, Mark 12:32]

God and Jesus are two separate beings. God will question Jesus on the Day of Judgement for the blasphemy his nation committed in his absence.

And behold! Allah will say: “O Jesus the son of Mary! Didst thou say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of Allah’?” He will say: “Glory to Thee! never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, thou wouldst indeed have known it. Thou knowest what is in my heart, Thou I know not what is in Thine. For Thou knowest in full all that is hidden. “Never said I to them aught 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. “If Thou dost punish them, they are Thy servant: If Thou dost forgive them, Thou art the Exalted in power, the Wise.” [Qur’an, The Table Spread, 5:116-118]

The Debate Continues

Brutal punishments and even death did not stop the controversy over the doctrine of the Trinity. The majority of Christians, when asked to explain this fundamental doctrine of their faith, can offer nothing more than mysterious or confusing answers not consistent with teachings of other prophets. This is despite the Bible saying “… God is not the author of confusion …” [Corinthians 14:33].

Such was Jesus, the son of Mary; it is a statement of truth, about which they vainly dispute. It is not befitting to the majesty of God, that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! When He determines a matter, He only says to it, ‘Be’ and it is. [Qur’an, Mary, 19:34-35]

Christianity claims to be a monotheistic religion. Monotheism, however, has as its fundamental belief that God is One; the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, God being Three-in-One, is seen by Islam as a form of polytheism. Christians don’t revere just One God, they revere three.

The similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him: “Be”. And he was. [Qur’an, Family of Imran, 3:59]

The Revival

The relation between man and God has been in existence since the beginning. This relationship came through scriptures and teachings of prophets throughout time, starting with Adam. As prophets passed away, their original message were changed or forgotten. It became Divine pattern for God to revive the relationship with man by sending new prophets with the same message of “One God”, all the way down to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him). Although the word “Trinity” does not appear anywhere in the New Testament, it is ironic that it does indeed appear in the Final Testament:

O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) a messenger of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in Allah and His messengers. Say not “Trinity” : desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is one Allah: Glory be to Him: (far exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. And enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs. [Qur’an, The Women, 4:171]

Conclusion

We see that the doctrine of the Trinity is a concept conceived entirely by man; a concept not compatible or consistent with Monotheism. Christianity has digressed from the Oneness of God into a vague and mysterious doctrine that was formulated after Jesus’s departure.

It is not (possible) that a man, to whom is given the Book, and Wisdom, and the prophetic office, should say to people: “Be ye my worshippers rather than Allah’s”: on the contrary (He would say) “Be ye worshippers of Him Who is truly the Cherisher of all: For ye have taught the Book and ye have studied it earnestly.” Nor would he instruct you to take angels and prophets for Lords and patrons. What! would he bid you to unbelief after ye have bowed your will (To Allah in Islam)? [Qur’an, The Family of Imran, 3:79-80]

There is still hope; the Unitarian denomination of Christianity has kept alive the teachings of Jesus in saying that God is One; they do not believe in the Trinity. As a result, mainstream Christians have outcast them, and the National Council of Churches has refused their admittance. In Unitarianism, the hope is kept alive that Christians will someday return to the preachings of Jesus.

Say: “O People of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah.” If then they turn back, say ye: “Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah’s Will). [Qur’an, The Family of Imran, 3:64]

Muhammad in the Bible, Torah, and Qur’an

March 29, 2010 By Basem

The clash between Muslims, Christians, and Jews resembles the feud that exists between siblings. They all come from the same father (Abraham) and follow the same prophets of the same God, yet ironically the true enemies of God have succeeded in dividing us by forcing us to focus on our differences rather than our staggering similarities.

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Say ye: We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Isma’il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: And we bow to Allah. [Qur’an 2:136]

For more than fourteen centuries, scholars from Judaism, Christianity and Islam have been discussing whether or not the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) could have indeed been a true prophet from the One True God. Was he the long awaited “Messiah” the Jews have been waiting for so many centuries? Was he the unlettered Prophet prophesied in the Old Testament?

Let us examine the passage describing the roots of the next prophet:

We read ‘And the Gentiles shall come to thy light’, and that means this Holy Prophet would arise among the Gentiles and his Light would fill his place where the nations would come and visit. [Isaiah 60:3]

The Children of Israel have always believed the prophethood must stay within the bloodline of the Twelve Children of Israel (starting from the children of Jacob, who is the son of Isaac). Anyone who is not of the Children of Israel is known to the Jews as a “Gentile.” The verse above says there will be an exception of the coming Prophet who will not be from the Children of Israel, but rather a Gentile.

Muhammad was a gentile because he came from the lineage of Ismael, making him an extraordinary gentile of high stature:

And as for Ishmael (son of Abraham), I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, I will make him a great nation. [Genesis 17:20]

Ishmael was the ancestor of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) through Kedar, the second son of Ismael. The lineage of Muhammad (pbuh) is even further illustrated by the Bible:

Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s handmaid, bare unto Abraham: And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam, And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa, Hadar, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah: These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations. [Genesis 25:12-16]

Next thing is that the Bible paints the scenario in which the Divine Revelations decends on the prophesized prophet:

And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. [Isaiah 29:12]

What is remarkable is that the very first word of the Qur’an revealed to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was READ! He told Angel Gabriel that he cannot read. The angel again told him to READ! He says again to the angel that he cannot read. And a third time the angel told him:

READ! In the name of thy Lord Who createth. [Qur’an 96:1]

The Bible describes the coming prophet so that he can be recognized:

I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. [Deuteronomy 18:18]

The claim of Islam is that the Qur’an is the literal, unchanged word of God. So as the Bible foretold, God had literally put His words (the Qur’an) on the tongue of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

It’s common knowledge that chapters of the Qur’an starts with “Bism Allah Al Rahman Al Raheem”, which means “In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Compassionate.” The Bible foretold of this prophecy:

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. [Deuteronomy 18:20]

When the Bible says the phophet will “speak in my name,” this is what Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has done by saying “Bism Allah Al Rahman Al Raheem” before reciting the words of God (the Qur’an). It was required of him and still is today when Muslims recite any part of the Qur’an.

The above proofs are very explicit without the need for further translations. However, there is a wealth of truth that exists in the original languages of the Bible and Torah that were intentionally or ignorantly lost in translation:

His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. [Songs of Solomon 5:16]

In the Hebrew Torah though, it exactly reads like this:

Hikko Mamittakim we kullo Muhammadim Zehdoodeh wa Zehraee Bayna Jerusalem.

Here is the exact Hewbrew text in case you can read Hebrew:

In the English translation, the name of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was translated as “altogether lovely”, which is the true translation of the name “Muhammad”. Was it out of malice or ignorance that a person’s name was translated from Hebrew to English. Never would you translate a name to another language because that is someone’s name. In the Old Testament in Hebrew, the name of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) still exists today! Don’t take my word for it, go to your library and pick up a transliteration of the Hebrew Torah. It is worth noting that in the Hebrew language “im” is added for respect. Similarly im is added after the name of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Next I would like to examine the scriptures written in the original Aramaic language of Jesus. The word “Christianity” did not exist in the time of Prophet Jesus. So what religion did he call himself? You will be surprised to know that the word Muslim is not a new word found only in the Qur’an. Notice the Aramaic words in red, pronounded “Shalam”, keeping in mind its Arabic equivilant is “Salaam”, the root word of Muslim (one who submits):

Jesus further demonstrates that he has completed his work as commanded by Allah leaving nothing undone which also shows that he was a true Muslim (one who submits), a characteristic which only fits the character of a prophet.

Finally, before Jesus departs from this Earth, he leaves behind something which can only be understood if read in his native tongue of Aramaic. In John 14:27, we read:

As you can see above, Jesus departed with the same phrase Muslims today depart and greet with: Assalaam Alaikum.

To conclude in building the bridge between Muslims, Christians, and Jews, I would like to quell instigations created by war elites and the media to divide us. Contrary to common belief, Muslims greatly revere the prophets and books of Christians and Jews. As a matter of fact, Moses and Jesus are more referred to in the Qur’an than Muhammad (pbuh)! Allah repeatedly points out the bond between the People of the Scriptures:

Allah hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture with truth, confirming that which was (revealed) before it, as Allah revealed the Torah and the Gospel. [Qur’an 3:3]

That which We have revealed to you of the Book is the Truth confirming what was (revealed) before it: for Allah is assuredly with respect to his servants well acquainted and fully-Observant. [Qur’an 35:31]

This Qur’an is not such as can be produced by other than Allah; on the contrary it is a confirmation of (revelations) that went before it and a fuller explanation of the Book wherein there is no doubt from the Lord of the Worlds. [Qur’an 10:37]

And the Jews say the Christians follow nothing true, and the Christians say the Jews follow nothing true; yet both are readers of the Scripture. Even thus speak those who know not. Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that wherein they differ. [Qur’an 2:113]

Say O People of the Scripture! Ye have naught (of guidance) till ye observe the Torah and the Gospel and that which was revealed unto you from your Lord. That which is revealed unto thee (Muhammad) from thy Lord is certain to increase the contumacy and disbelief of many of them. But grieve not for the disbelieving folk. [Qur’an 5:68]

And argue not with the People of the Scripture unless it be in (a way) that is better, save with such of them as do wrong; and say: We believe in that which hath been revealed unto us and revealed unto you; our God and your God is One, and unto Him we surrender. [Qur’an 29:46]

The Absolute Truth About Muhammad in the Bible:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMo_3B7m5mk