Right I have decided to reply without looking for answers on the internet e.t.c.
I was hoping, as you initially stated “…I will take my time in responding accordingly …”; that you read over the entire post in detail before replying and that would have sufficed and saved me the trouble of this reply and repeating much of what was said in my earlier response.
Your first paragraph is very presumptuos and frankly utter garbage.
It’s not something I’ve contrived,
It’s summary of verse 5:44 mentioned further in the post,
- “… 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. [5:44] …”
There are other verses to the same effect.
- Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands, and then say: "This is from Allah," to traffic with it for miserable price! Woe to them for what their hands do write, and for the gain they make thereby. [2:79]
- 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! [3:78]
To say now that the spirit of God was not and is with these people is a statement I can never believe is true.
The same can be claimed by any of the adherents of other religions who have a large following. It doesn’t in any way substantiate their claim.
Prophets were sent as warners to their people. After their demise the original message over time became tainted by means of corruption or going to excess in their faith. When that happened and the message was gradually lost amongst the general masses new messengers were sent to make the same reminder. At times there existed numerous Prophets whilst others were still alive especially amongst the descendants of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him). Prophet `Isa and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon them) being the last amongst the lineage of Prohet Ishaaq and Prophet Isma`il (peace be upon them) respectively.
I will tell you that Deuteronomy 18:18, I believe emphatically, is talking about Gods Son, Jesus Christ. Though why you would quote a corrupt scripture at all is something you need to ask yourself.
I’ve already answered this in my last post.
In respect to our acknowledgement of the Bible;
- If the verse conforms with Islamic belief we agree with it (in meaning)
- If it contradicts we reject it
- If we are unsure whether it conforms or contradicts then we remain silent
The statement ‘I will put My Words in his mouth’ is applicable to the style of the revelation of the Quran, the first person narrative, this was my reason to quote it as opposed to the style of passages in the New Testament for example the accounts given in ‘John’. Could one claim these are Words of God and part of the original divine revelation given to Prophet `Isa (peace be upon him)? Or is it more akin to an account being related by someone else?
- 4 And they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came first to the sepulcher.
- 5 And stooping down and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying, yet he went not in.
- 6 Then came Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulcher and saw the linen cloths as they lay
- ..
Also noteworthy is the brothers/brethern of the Jews are the Arabs (respectively descendants of Prophets Ishaaq and Isma`il (peace be upon them)
It is foretold that the sons of Isaac and Ishmael shall always be at war to the end. Genesis 16:12. I pray for grace and mercy to all Gods children.
If you referring to Jews and Arabs then yes this is mentioned in Islamic prophecy and will go on until the descent of Prophet `Isa (peace be upon him) when he will kill the anti-Christ (dajjal). The Jews rejected Prophet `Isa and same occurred with Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon them). They await their Messiah (dajjal) whom they will accept.
There are also Jews who will accept Prophet `Isa on their return and even beforehand at the coming of the Mahdi (title meaning the guided one) [a prophesised Muslim leader who will spread justice in the world as it is currently filled with tyranny and will be the descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Mahdi will precede the coming of the anti-Christ and he will stand alongside Prophet `Isa (peace be upon him) when they return to this world and kill the anti-Christ.
*Edit. I meant to say how I was fascinated to see in the Qua'ran how God talks of Himself in the plural. It has always intrigued me when He does so in the Bible. i.e. When He said "lest they become Gods like us."
The ‘We’, ‘Us’ usage is an address of royalty and authority. Amongst the Blessed Names of Allah mentioned in the Quran are The Loving, The Most Merciful, The Originator, The Sovereign, The Lord of the Worlds, The Gatherer, The Compeller, The Owner/Master of the Day of Judgement, The True King to list a few from the ninety-nine mentioned. I really hope that you are not alluding to trinitarian claims of three in one? The Quran emphatically rejects such a notion in clear verses and states that it is the utterance of the disbelievers.
- Surely, disbelievers are those who said: "Allah is the third of the three (in a Trinity)." But there is no ilah (god) (none who has the right to be worshipped) but One Ilah (God -Allah). And if they cease not from what they say, verily, a painful torment will befall the disbelievers among them. [5:73]
One more thing I would be interested in which truths you as a Muslim except from Genesis regarding Isaac and Ishmael?
If you wish to ascertain what passages in the Bible may indicate towards the truth (in meaning) then I've already mentioned the criteria in my earlier post and above.
They were both major Prophets. Prophet Isma`il the one placed under the knife for sacrifice. From whose lineage Muhammad was the last Messenger and from descendants of Ishaaq `Isa was the last Messenger (peace be upon them all). We believe that whatever was originally revealed in Scripture to the Prophets as absolute truth. However we can’t say for sure what remains as truth. Nor do we go out of our way to study the Bible as it has been abrogated by the revelation of the Quran and serves as the Criterion till the Day of Resurrection. See verse [5:48]; already cited in my previous post and verses below.
- “And We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it." [5:48]
- And He will teach him the Book and Al-Hikmah, and the Tawrah and the Injil. And will make him a Messenger to the Children of Israel (saying): "I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that I design for you out of clay, a figure like that of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah's leave; and I heal the blind, and the leper, and I bring the dead to life by Allah's leave. And I inform you of what you eat, and what you store in your houses. Surely, therein is a sign for you, if you believe. And I have come confirming that which was before me of the Tawrah, and to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden to you, and I have come to you with a proof from your Lord. So have Taqwa of Allah and obey me. Truly, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him (Alone). This is the straight path.'' [3:48-50]
- "Abraham was not a Jew nor Christian; but an upright Muslim." [3:67]
- "And do not debate with the People of the Book, unless in the best of manners, but not with those who are unjust, and say: "We believe in the Revelation that has come down to us and in that which has come down to you; Our God and your God is One, and to Him do we wholly give ourselves." [29:46]
- "Say (O Muslims): we believe in Allah and that which is revealed to us and that which was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael, and Isaac and Jacob, and their children, and that which Moses and Jesus received and that the prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them and unto Him we have surrendered." [2:136]
- "And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers." [3:85]
Ritual laws may have changed in accordance with the Wisdom of Allah as a test for the people. So some divine law(s) applicable to the Children of Israel is no longer applicable and abrogated (see 3:49] However the creed/doctrine in the fundamentals of the faith i.e., the belief in the Oneness of God must remain the same. And this is pertinent point in respect to the assertion in Trinity. It breaks that consistency and purity of the message as conveyed by all righteous prophets throughout the ages conveying the same message - to worship God alone without any partners.
Out of curiosity how many of the previous prophets preached the trinitarian belief and understanding, as conveyed by the Church today, after the demise of the Prophet Ìsa (peace be upon him)? Was it incumbent on Prophets Adam, Nuh (Noah), Ibrahim, Isma`il (Ishamael), Ishaaq (Isaac), Ya`qub (Jacob), Yusuf (Joseph), Musa (Moses), Sulaiman (Solomon) and Yahya (John) amongst others sent - to believe so and were they commanded by God to emphasise and preach it to their respective nation/people? What statements declare that they did such?
And did you reflect on the miracle of the Quran being secured in the hearts? An entire revelation memorised by millions of Muslims. Surely you must admit that there is no parallel for this feat in respect to other Scriptures? Besides the memorisation aspect it's linguistic beauty, eloquence, intensity, emotion and message conveyed also remains unparallelled. The plight and frustration of the pagan Arabs inability to bring anything in comparison to the beauty of the Quran, although they themselves were in their time masters of poetry and eloquence, is succinctly captured in the following verses.
- Therefore, remind and preach (mankind, O Muhammad of Islamic Monotheism). By the Grace of Allah, you are neither a soothsayer, nor a madman. Or do they say: "(Muhammad is) a poet! We await for him some calamity by time.!" Say (O Muhammad to them): "Wait! I am with you, among the waiters!" Do their minds command them this [i.e. to tell a lie against you (Muhammad )] or are they people exceeding the bounds (i.e. from Belief in Allah to disbelief). Or do they say: "He (Muhammad ) has forged it (this Qur'an)?" Nay! They believe not! Let them then produce a recital like unto it (the Qur'an) if they are truthful. [52:29-34]
You’re welcome, thank you.
