:salam2:
post here any misconception, and the answers.. If you have any...
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The biggest misconception....
Terrorism?
Alot of People don't know where the Muslims stand today, with all these attacks going on - we're all confused. Is this terrorism a part of Islam? What should the Muslims really be doing?
We know there's quite alot of verses in the Qur'an which call against killing and harming innocent people;
Whosoever kills a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind, and whoso saves the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind.
[Qur'an 5:32]
So it's mentioned that killing one person unjustly is like killing all of mankind, and saving the life of one person is like saving all of mankind.
Now some people are still confused, are we supposed to be kind to non muslims? The answer for this is also in the Qur'an:
Allah/God forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loves those who are just.
[Qur'an 60:8]
So Allah/God is telling us that He does not stop us from dealing kindly and justly with the people who don't fight us for our faith. He encourages us to be kind and just towards them, and He loves that.
But then there's some people who twist the words of the Qur'an and argue that Muslims are allowed to kill the people who attack Muslim lands. Does this mean that the non fighters should be fought aswell?
Let's look at what the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon him) said;
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) forbade the killing of non-combatants. Ibn `Umar, a Companion of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), said: “I saw the body of a slain woman during one of the battles of the Prophet (peace be upon him), so he forbade the killing of women and children.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim]
This narration shows how it's forbidden to kill people who are not fighting the Muslims, and this includes the innocent people who are living their daily lives within the lands we're living in. Such as the UK, Europe, USA etc.
And even when defense is allowed in Islam, innocent people are not to be killed either;
Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) used to say the following words to his troops before sending them to war: “Go forward in the name of Allah. Do not kill an elderly person, nor a child, nor a woman, and do not exceed the bounds.” [ al-Muwatta’]
The Order of the creation of the heavens and earth - error in Qur'an?
:salam2:
The Order of the creation of the heavens and earth - error in Qur'an?
Question: Does the Qur’ân teach us that the Earth was created first and then the heavens were created? Would this not contradict with our current scientific knowledge?
The Qur’ân does not go into detail about the mechanics of the creation of the universe. Its focus is on the fact that Allah created everything and on reminding us of all the blessings that we have in what Allah has created for us.
The verses in question are the following:
“It is He who created for you all that is in the Earth, then turned to the heaven and made them seven heavens. And He has knowledge of all things.” [Sûrah al-Baqarah: 29]
“Say: Is it that ye deny Him who created the Earth in two days? And do ye join equals with Him? He is the Lord of all the Worlds. He set within it mountains standing firm, high above it, and bestowed blessings upon the Earth, and measured therein all things to give them nourishment in due proportion, in four days alike for (all) who ask. Then He turned to the heaven and they had been smoke. He said to it and to the Earth: ‘Come willingly or unwillingly.’ They said: We come willingly.’ So He completed them as seven heavens in two days…” [Sûrah Fussilat: 9-12]
It is important to note that the word “thumma” – translated in the above-mentioned verses as “then” – does not always indicate chronology. Al-Razî, in his commentary on verse 29 of Sûrah al-Baqarah, states that in this verse, the word thumma it is not indicative of chronology. He writes:
The word “then” (thumma) is not here for chronological order, but merely to enumerate blessings. It is like when one man says to another: “Did I not give you great benefits, then raised your status, then repelled your opponents?” It may be that some of what he mentioned later took place first. The same can be said here. [Mafâtîh al-Ghayb (2/143)]
Al-Baydâwî writes:
Perhaps the word “then” (thumma) here is to indicate the disproportion between the two creations and the greater merit of the creation of the heavens over the creation of the Earth. This is like when Allah says: “Then (thumma) he had been among those who believed”. This is not to indicate its occurring later chronologically. [Tafsîr al-Baydâwî (1/27)]
Keep in mind that these commentators lived a long time ago (roughly 800 years back). They had no reason to worry about the scientific implications that we worry about today, because our current scientific knowledge about the formation of the universe and planets was not around back then. They were only concerned with the linguistic meaning of these verses and were speaking from a purely linguistic perspective.
These verses are simply not discussing the sequential order of the events of creation.
If God is the All-Knowing, then why does He test us?
:salam2:
If God is the All-Knowing, then why does He test us?
God knows all that has happened, all that is happening and all that will happen. That's a fundamental belief, since God implies Perfection - therefore Perfection means that He has to have knowledge of ALL His creation.
So why does He test us?
The response is simple; He knows the answers, but we don't - and since the test is for us, we need to strive to earn His pleasure by obeying Him and His Messengers'. By striving for this target - we hope to be successful in this life and the next. That's His Promise to His obedient servants.
An examiner knows the answers to all the questions he puts forward to his students, the students work hard to achieve the grades they need. Although they know that the exam has already been planned out, the student has to work sincerely and put effort into his/her work to get the desired grades.
Those who attempt to work hard, sincerely - their efforts will not go to waste, whereas those who are too lazy and dont' even attempt to get a good grade - then they'll lose. They'd never know what grade they would have got, if only they had attempted it! They might have been successful.
in other words;
its like the teacher knows that the student is going to fail the Exam, because of lack of obedience/study, so he is going to give the student the exam to show him that he is going to fail, otherwise the student might deny that he will fail..
The word 'aayaat [plural]/aayah [singular]' (in arabic) which is commonly translated as 'verse' by many people isn't as accurate as you may think.
The word; aayah/aayaat actually mean's 'sign/s.'
Now some people try to attack the Qur'an and Sunnah and claim that it's not 'proof' that it is from God, or other concepts which require faith.
Muslims might respond that the Qur'an and Sunnah prove that God exists, but then people who deny the Divine sources of Qur'an and Sunnah may attack back and ask whether the person can see, hear, touch, taste, or smell God. And if we are not able to - then that is not 'proof.'
Other words mentioned in the Qur'an as signs are 'bayinaat'- which comes from the root word Bayna- which means 'between.' So the bayinaat which God gave to His Messengers' would be a sign between both parties - the disbelieving and believing - to show a miracle which no-one could surpass at any time in history, except a Messenger of God.
Even magicians could not surpass this level. And there are many miracles such as the miracles of Moses allowing his people to pass through the Nile, the cures which Jesus 'son of Mary' was able to perform,i.e. wiping the eyes of a blind man with his hand and the man seeing again. Or even the miracle of the Qur'an revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him) -none has ever been able to come up with anything similar to it in any time of history, and the challenge remains open till today - to produce a minimum of just 3 verses to match it. If it wasnt from the Lord of the Worlds, then why isn't anyone to compete with it in any way?
Indeed all these are signs from the Most High, the Wise.
So looking back at the concept of aayah/aayaat or bayinaat - we see that Allah has given us many signs which help us come closer to a conclusion.
Imagine going on a journey, there will be lots of signs/aayaat as you pass by - you can choose to follow the signs and reach your destination, or you can deny them and prefer your own way. Even though the signs are for your benefit, no-one should force you to follow the correct path. But they should be sincere and kind hearted enough to warn you that you are heading the wrong way.
Going down the wrong path will take you to the wrong destination - simply because there is only one way to get to the correct destination - & this is by following the signs which are given to you.
Is then one who walks headlong, with his face grovelling, better guided,- or one who walks evenly on a Straight Way?
[Qur'an 67:22]
speaking of signs, heres an article aimed at atheists
:salam2:
God Doesn't exist because we can't see Him?
By Sami Zaatari
Continuing with our responses to atheist arguments we this time turn our attention to their argument that the belief in God and religion is delusional and crazy because he is invisible to us, basically we have never even seen him. Atheists always tend to make this point through mockery, as if us God believers are crazy people and need help because we believe in an entity that we have never personally seen.
The argument is not logical to begin with, just because you have not seen something does not mean it does not exist, an example of this would be the dinosaurs. We have never seen dinosaurs, yet we believe that they have existed. Now an atheist will say I am wrong because there is actual evidence for dinosaurs, such as bones and so on, hence we are able to know that they really existed. I would respond to this and say exactly! Very good point mr.atheist because this is the exact same thing with God! God has given us many signs and wonders to let us know that he is real and does exist, as he says:
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YUSUFALI: It is He who sends down rain from the sky: from it ye drink, and out of it (grows) the vegetation on which ye feed your cattle.
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YUSUFALI: With it He produces for you corn, olives, date-palms, grapes and every kind of fruit: verily in this is a sign for those who give thought.
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YUSUFALI: He has made subject to you the Night and the Day; the sun and the moon; and the stars are in subjection by His Command: verily in this are Signs for men who are wise.
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YUSUFALI: And the things on this earth which He has multiplied in varying colours (and qualities): verily in this is a sign for men who celebrate the praises of Allah (in gratitude).
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YUSUFALI: It is He Who has made the sea subject, that ye may eat thereof flesh that is fresh and tender, and that ye may extract therefrom ornaments to wear; and thou seest the ships therein that plough the waves, that ye may seek (thus) of the bounty of Allah and that ye may be grateful.
As you can see Allah has given us these many signs for us to ponder and to realize there is a creator. Because how did all of these things happen just perfectly for us? The rainfall which replenishes the earth and allows us to drink, the fruits and that grow on the earth which help us survive and give us great pleasure of taste, how did all these things come about perfectly for us to enjoy and sustain us? Is it all a mere coincidence?
What about the oceans? Which also contain fish that we may eat and enjoy, which helps us survive, is this another coincidence? That not only on land do we have things that help us survive and enjoy, but in the oceans as well! Is this all a mere coincidence that happened by chance?
And then what about the sun and the moon, the stars and the universe, the perfect design was this all by chance? Was it by chance that the suns positioning to earth was just perfect and right that it helps us survive and does not destroy us? Is this another mere coincidence?
Everything is working perfectly for us! And it is all working in a way that allows us to survive, it is not like all these things are there for mere pleasure, because they are above that, these things allow us to live and survive.
As they say in economics, there is something called a need, and a want, a need is something you need to survive and live, a want is something that you desire which you don't really have to have to survive. And is it a coincidence that all these things are a need for us? And that they work just perfectly for us?
So all of this should make a wise man think, and it will let a wise man know that this cant be a mere coincidence. Someone had to create this, to make things good for us, that we survive, if we were to go along as believing that this is a mere coincidence then wow what a coincidence! Only a blind ignorant foolish lost soul will believe this is all by chance.
I could go on to quote the miracles of the Quran, the prophecies, but since atheists would automatically reject this I shall simply remain on what I have quoted, the signs are all there for us, around the earth, the skies, the universe, the food, everything around you!
But as I said atheists will say this is all a mere coincidence, however so Allah refutes them:
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YUSUFALI: Not without purpose did We create heaven and earth and all between! that were the thought of Unbelievers! but woe to the Unbelievers because of the Fire (of Hell)!
This basically refutes the atheist assessment, that all of this is a coincidence, which has no meaning, as Allah says he did not create all of this for no purpose, there is indeed a purpose and wisdom behind it all, not a mere coincidence which means nothing as atheists would have us to believe.
And as Allah also says:
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YUSUFALI: Then to eat of all the produce (of the earth), and find with skill the spacious paths of its Lord: there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colours, wherein is healing for men: verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought.
So these signs make a smart man think, it makes him think how can such things happen? It makes him think and use his mind which brings him to the obvious conclusion that indeed there is a creator, that this is not all a mere chance by coincidence, a wise man will reflect upon all these signs as Allah says, only a blind man will reject it as coincidence!
As Allah also says again:
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YUSUFALI: The parable of those who reject Faith is as if one were to shout Like a goat-herd, to things that listen to nothing but calls and cries: Deaf, dumb, and blind, they are void of wisdom.
This is how we view atheists, atheists like to claim us God believers are crazy and so on, yet this is how we view them, they are deaf, dumb, and blind, they have no wisdom. And it is true, only a blind man with no wisdom and no intelligence will believe all we see around us which works perfectly for us allowing us to survive and get pleasure is all one big fat chance!
I do not seek to convert an atheist; my main aim for this article was to simply refute the erroneous atheist argument, which is that God doesn't exist because we have never seen him. For us God believers God has given us enough signs and miracles to prove his existence, in fact it is also part of faith that we believe in God without seeing him as well, because if someone were to accept God only by seeing him then God does not need such a believer because such a person is merely narrow-minded and ignorant, as the one who says I wont believe till I see!
We are not delusional, nor are we crazy, far from it, we are smart, we have used our brains, and we have seen the signs, which are crystal clear, an atheist will never believe until he sees God face to face, and I end this article with this verse which describes such a person:
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PICKTHAL: And when ye said: O Moses! We will not believe in thee till we see Allah plainly; and even while ye gazed the lightning seized you.
Ameen!
And Allah the Master and the Creator who created us all with wisdom Knows Best!
atheists say that humans are animals, they have desires, they go for what they want - the only advantage they have is that they are more advanced physically aswell as mentally.
we respond: yes, that's totally true. we are created from a similar makeup to animals, we have desires, and we are similar in many ways - however - the difference is that Allah honors us by giving us guidance for that advanced mind and freedom of choice that He has given to us. Unlike the many animals who are limited to their place of location. We have freedom in many ways, and this should lead us to be thankful to God, and He is willing to give us more.
If we use God's blessings, favours and still reject His guidance that He has sent for us (for our betterment) - then yes, we will remain as animals, wandering blindly without a straight path to follow.
why are humans so much like other animals if they didn't evolve off them?
:salam2:
why are humans so much like other animals if they didn't evolve off them?
humans are created from earth, according to the evolution theory - animals also came and were produced from this earth. we say God allowed it to occur, and it happened by His will & control. He created humans the way He wanted (this is explained in the Qur'an), and since alot of explanation isn't given about how animals were formed - the issue of them evolving over time doesn't contradict Islamic teachings.
why are they and we so similar physically? because they and we were created/produced from similar materials - the earth.
why are their and our behaviours so similar? animals were on the planet before humans, scientific research shows this. humans lived on the planet and they also interacted with the animals during their lifetimes, they learnt survival techniques off these animals, they learnt hunting and many other world techniques by watching what animals do and progressing on that.
They learnt higher morals, rules and even worldly advances through the guidance which Allah sent to the Messengers' to unite the people on where they differed. These Messengers were sent to the people to warn them of the consequences of their actions and that they are responsible for them in the sight of God, especially since they have the choice of doing right and wrong, and have the concept of understanding consequences for their actions. We will return to Him who will inform us of all that we used to do, and none will be dealt with unjustly on that Day.
as we are talking about the topic "Atheism" i would like to add somethings..
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Debate With Atheists
atheists dont know who caused the big bang, if you asked them what caused it - they will say 'i dont know.'
therefore they base they're belief on doubt and they have no answer to that question. We say an All Powerful, Knowing God caused it. This is a better belief than having no answer or belief at all.
If they ask who created God - tell them we take Allah as a God because He is uncreated. If he was created He would not be God, and therefore we would not take him as a deity/god. This is our belief, and it is a much more convincing belief that doubt (of the atheists) and no answer.
Because we cannot see God, it doesn't mean that he doesn't exist. 'Absence of proof is not proof of absence' - as the debate topic goes. There can be someone behind a door and although you can't see him, it isn't proof that he isn't there.
We cannot see emotions physically, but we see their product; tears, smile etc. The hormones in our body cause us to get these feelings, however the feelings cannot be physically seen except through their product i.e. tears, laugh etc.
The Big Bang theory attempts to explain how the universe began. This theory was put forward by Edwin Hubble in 1929. He discovered that the galaxies close to the Milky Way are moving and distancing away from us. He also noticed that the further the galaxies were, the faster they were distancing. From this he argued that the universe had a starting point from which it was expanding and has been expanding from since.
"And the heavens We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are [its] expander." [Quran: 51:47] (the word vaasi’ in Arabic means vast, moowsi’oon [which comes from the root word vaasi’] is the word used in that verse which signifies that someone is an expander and expanding that certain thing, in the context of the verse – the heavens or space is gradually being expanded by God’s control.]
What occurred before the Big Bang remains unknown, how did all matter begin, what caused the Big Bang? Scientists who do not believe in the concept of God will say that they don't know and have no answer, while others will argue that this was caused by an all Powerful God who is outside His creation.
In the 1960s, Arno Panzias and Robert Wilson detected an afterglow from the Big Bang. This showed that during the universe’s early period, it was a hot and hostile place. They concluded from this that the universe began as a dense fireball. This is where it began to expand from.
This started to expand gradually, the different gases (of a smoke composition i.e. hydrogen, helium etc.) began to distance away.
Then He turned to the heaven when it was smoke... (Quran, 41:11)
This gradually expanded into the universe, the heavens, and space. After around 300,000 years these gradually cooled and slowly – over time - were formed into stars, and planets (including the planet earth we live in.)
Have not those who disbelieved known that the heavens and the earth were one connected entity, then We separated them? And We have made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?
(Quran, 21:30)
picture 1.
picture 2.
The Lagoon nebula is a cloud of gas and dust, it is about 60 light years in diameter. It is excited by the ultraviolet radiation of the hot stars that have recently formed within its bulk. (Horizons, Exploring the Universe, Seeds, plate 9, from Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc.)
The above picture shows how the nebula (shown in the earlier image) has formed into hot stars gradually as the gases have cooled
We as Muslims simply believe that all this was caused by Allah who is perfect in every way, whereas those who disbelieve in Allah - the Lord of the Worlds will simply have no explanation for who caused this and will remain questioning for eternity. Since they cannot prove or give a suitable explanation to what occured before the Big Bang. The atheists will say all the planets and starts etc. formed by chance, we will say that it all happened by Allah's will.
Why doesn't the Qur'an and Authentic Sunnah explain science in detail?
The answer's simple: The Qur'an and Sunnah are a source of guidance for mankind, they don't have to explain all that we see around us in detail (ie. its not a geology book,nor a science book, nor a geography book, nor a socialogy book,nor a maths Book,etc...) since the main objective of the Qur'an and Sunnah is to explain to us our beliefs and what is required for us to be successful in this life and the next.
Science is what we see in the creation of Allah, we can see it - therefore we can use our 5 senses (seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, touch) to see the world and universe around us. We can use the Qur'an and Sunnah as a basis for what we find, and by reflecting on the creation of Allah - we will increase in faith (instead of believing that everything occurs merely by chance) because we see the products of the amazing design which Allah has originated and formed.
Those who disbelieve in the Lord of the Worlds in this day and age do so mainly because this is promoted to the fullest extent. anyone who believes in a religion is termed as backward and is accused of having blind faith which has no proofs.
What we have come to realise is that it is those who reject the Lord of the Worlds who have more blind faith than any other. They have figured out that the universe began from one location, then expanding (Big Bang) causing matter and what we see to come into existence. Yet this does not contradict our faith in any way. It is discussed in the Qur'an, over 1400 years ago:
The illuminating stars we see at night were, just as was the whole universe, in a ‘smoke’ material. God has said in the Quran:
Then He turned to the heaven when it was smoke... (Quran, 41:11)
Because the earth and the heavens above (the sun, the moon, stars, planets, galaxies, etc.) have been formed from this same ‘smoke,’ we conclude that the earth and the heavens were one connected entity. Then out of this homogeneous ‘smoke,’ they formed and separated from each other. God has said in the Quran:
Have not those who disbelieved known that the heavens and the earth were one connected entity, then We separated them?... (Quran, 21:30)
The science of modern cosmology, observational and theoretical, clearly indicates that, at one point in time, the whole universe was nothing but a cloud of ‘smoke’ (i.e. an opaque highly dense and hot gaseous composition)
Ask them - What did occur before this Big Bang? wasn't it the All Powerful who formed this universe and all matter through this expansion? No, rather they will try to deny any possibility of the Originator of the heavens and the earth - they will argue that this matter and these expansions have been occurring forever, and once a universe has collapsed into its own self - it will expand once again after a while. They believe that this universe we live in today has supported life only after billions of collapses and expansions, and that this planet we live in is located in the exact position to sustain life, again just by chance. Doesn't it become clear that all these chances are based on doubt and not any solid proof which they claim to follow? Yes, these events are based on calculation and precision - but is nature so knowledgeable as to know where to form a planet which will sustain life for millions of years based on its calculations? Why don't they then replace this word nature with the word God, and they will come to realise that what they say now makes sense and is logical.
Indeed the more complex a design, the more it is in need of control, support and sustenance. The existence, order and sustenance of the earth and the whole universe for millions or even billions of years explains His control and authority.
But they will deny God, because they cannot see Him. So ask them, were you present before the Big Bang of this universe? Has any scientist ever been able to prove anything occurred before the Big Bang of this universe? You will find them believing this, although they were not present, nor did they see it occur. Yet they deny the Lord of the Worlds merely because they do not see Him.
Ask them who created this matter which has been collapsing and expanding forever. Did it create itself? They will be amazed, unable to answer – but they will challenge you.
If you deny that the universe has been existent through these collapses and expansions for eternity, what makes you believe a God could be existent forever? Who would create this God? If He was created by another – then who created Him? Or did He create Himself, and from what?
So tell them – the Lord of the Worlds is eternal, and flawless in every way. He is not finite (nor is He limited), if He was any of these – we would not take Him as a God. If He was created by another existence – then He Himself would be a created being. We are forbidden from taking any other false god beside Him because they themselves are created. If there was more than One, they would differ on their creation, causing chaos and destruction, yet the earth and universe are sustained for so long without this major destruction.
His Uniqueness is His Perfection – how can one be perfect if they have an equal who is competing with them? One is only Supreme when they have no competitor, when they have no one equal to them in any way.
So Say: He is the Lord of the Worlds, the First, the Last, and there is none like Him. He is the Hearer, the Seer, the Knowing, the Wise.
Those who were before us would argue that the universe was forever existent without a beginning, but those who claim to have scientific evidence for the beginning of the universe have refuted them. And now they have even more blind faith than their predecessors!
Is it possible that a living being came into existence from something dead without any life? Did the dead give life to itself, or is coincidence just another excuse? If man is incapable of creating life with control, resources and decades of research – then isn’t it logical that a perfect God who has formed the entire universe and all matter, that He be able to give life to the dead?
It is He who gives life to the dead earth by sending down rain, and from it foods of different colours and tastes for us and our different lifestyles? Natural selection is a clear and obvious pattern we see in the creatures of God and believing in it only strengthens belief, since we see that the animals and livestock who survive benefit us more, these are all amazing signs which enhance us and our living. Little thanks it is that you give.
We have one life in this world; having faith in something which makes more sense is much more logical and believable. If you are in need of the truth - and you are in need of the truth – have a firm and sincere mindset, ask Him to take you to it, the One, the Irresistible, who is aware of all that you reveal, and all you conceal. He who knows what is in the depth of the hearts, and the caller when he cries out in times of distress.
But this is not the end… indeed every soul shall taste death.
On that Day, mankind will be gathered like moths in the court of the Almighty, the Just. No soul will bear the deeds of another, and every one will be responsible for their own deeds. Did you think you would never be responsible for all that you did in this world? If you denied God because you felt there was no justice in this life, know that this is the Day of Recompense. Indeed the successful are those who believe and do righteous deeds and enter the Gardens of Bliss, and surely the losers are those who went astray, and lost themselves and their loved ones on the Day of which there is no doubt.
To Him is your return, when He will inform you of all that you used to do. On that day, those who belied His signs and disbelieved, then you will not be punished except for your own rebelliousness - if you were given a life of eternity - would you not disbelieve in Him forever? But if you had believed in Him and His promise, then indeed you would dwell in His Mercy and Reward forever. On this day, the truthful will benefit from their truth – in gardens of delight, living in the pleasure of their Lord. He is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him – indeed it is those who are the successful.
Does the Quran call ALL Jews and Christians monkeys and swine?
:salam2:
Examining 3 often miss-interpreted Ayats
Does the Quran call ALL Jews and Christians monkeys and swine?
One common Christian argument that has been mentioned a lot is that the Quran calls Christians and Jews apes and pigs.
This argument is yet another miss-interpreted verse from the Quran which is taken from the Christians/Jews and also taken out of its proper context.
For one, the Quran NEVER calls the Christians swine's or apes. So that is the first lie of the Christians.
However so, yes, the Quran did call the Jews swine's and apes, however so, was the Quran referring to them all? Was the Quran referring to ALL Jews throughout history? From past till present? Let us see.
To begin with, let us quote the passages which they often use, I will quote all the verses in context:
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YUSUFALI: And remember We took your covenant and We raised above you (The towering height) of Mount (Sinai) : (Saying): "Hold firmly to what We have given you and bring (ever) to remembrance what is therein: Perchance ye may fear Allah."
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YUSUFALI: But ye turned back thereafter: Had it not been for the Grace and Mercy of Allah to you, ye had surely been among the lost.
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YUSUFALI: And well ye knew those amongst you who transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath: We said to them: "Be ye apes, despised and rejected."
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YUSUFALI: So We made it an example to their own time and to their posterity, and a lesson to those who fear Allah.
So first things to note, that these verses are referring to the JEWS. It has nothing to do with Christians.
Secondly, as we also read, these verses were referring to a specific group of Jews who had sinned during the time of Moses.
Note that also verse 66 says that they WERE MADE AN EXAMPLE. So this just happened to a specific group of Jews, who had dis-obeyed God, so God gave them this harsh punishment, and made this punishment as an example.
So as we see, the verse was referring to a specific group of Jews at the time of Moses. NOT ALL Jews throughout history and up to the present. Such lies and distortions by Christians and Jews just expose their blatant ignorance. In fact what makes this funny is that Christians/Jews insult themselves, since they are the ones making the claim that the Quran calls them ALL swine and apes when it doesn't, so it is the Christians/Jews who are calling themselves with such names! The irony!
Let us post the tafsir for this verse:
The Jews breach the Sanctity of the Sabbath
Allah s
(And indeed you knew). This Ayah means, O Jews! Remember that Allah sent His torment on the village that disobeyed Him and broke their pledge and their covenant to observe the sanctity of the Sabbath. They began using deceitful means to avoid honoring the Sabbath by placing nets, ropes and artificial pools of water for the purpose of fishing before the Sabbath. When the fish came in abundance on Saturday as usual, they were caught in the ropes and nets for the rest of Saturday. During the night, the Jews collected the fish after the Sabbath ended. When they did that, Allah changed them from humans into monkeys, the animals having the form closest to humans. Their evil deeds and deceit appeared lawful on the surface, but they were in reality wicked. This is why their punishment was compatible with their crime. This story is explained in detail in Surat Al-A`raf, where Allah said (7:163),
(And ask them (O Muhammad ) about the town that was by the sea; when they transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath (i.e. Saturday): when their fish came to them openly on the Sabbath day, and did not come to them on the day they had no Sabbath. Thus We made a trial of them, for they used to rebel (disobey Allah).)(7:163)
In his Tafsir, Al-`Awfi reported from Ibn `Abbas that he said,
(We said to them: "Be you monkeys, despised and rejected'') means, "Allah changed their bodies into those of monkeys and swines. The young people turned into monkeys while the old people turned into swine.'' Shayban An-Nahwi reported that Qatadah commented on,
(We said to them: "Be you monkeys, despised and rejected''), "These people were turned into howling monkeys with tails, after being men and women
So again as we see, this happened only to a specific group of Jews who had broken the Sabbath. Secondly, those Jews who were turned into swine's and apes did not have any off-spring once they became turned into such animals:
The Monkeys and Swine that exist now are not the Descendants of Those that were transformed
Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ibn `Abbas said, "Those who violated the sanctity of the Sabbath were turned into monkeys, then they perished without offspring.'' Ad-Dahhak said that Ibn `Abbas said, "Allah turned them into monkeys because of their sins. They only lived on the earth for three days, for no transformed person ever lives more than three days. They did not eat, drink or have offspring. Allah transformed their shapes into monkeys, and He does what He wills, with whom He wills and He changes the shape of whomever He wills. On the other hand, Allah created the monkeys, swines and the rest of the creation in the six days (of creation) that He mentioned in His Book.''
Allah's statement,
(So We made this punishment an example) means, Allah made the people of this village, who violated the sanctity of the Sabbath,
(an example) via the way they were punished. Similarly, Allah said about Pharaoh,
(So Allah, seized him with punishing example for his last and first transgression) (79:25). nAllah's statement,
(for those in front of it and those behind it) meaning, for the other villages. Ibn `Abbas commented, "Meaning, `We made this village an example for the villages around it by the manner in which We punished its people.''' Similarly, Allah said,
(And indeed We have destroyed towns (populations) round about you, and We have (repeatedly) shown (them) the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) in various ways that they might return (to the truth and believe in the Oneness of Allah ? Islamic Monotheism)).(46:27)
Therefore, Allah made them an example for those who lived during their time as well as a reminder for those to come, by preserving their story. This is why Allah said,
(and a lesson for Al-Muttaqin (the pious)), meaning, a reminder. This Ayah means, "The torment and punishment that this village suffered was a result of indulging in Allah's prohibitions and their deceit. Hence, those who have Taqwa should be aware of their evil behavior, so that what occurred to this village does not befall them as well.'' Also, Imam Abu `Abdullah bin Battah reported that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said,
(Do not commit what the Jews committed, breaching what Allah has forbidden, by resorting to the lowest types of deceit.)
This Hadith has a good (Jayid) chain of narration. Allah knows best.
The other passages:
005.059
YUSUFALI: Say: "O people of the Book! Do ye disapprove of us for no other reason than that we believe in Allah, and the revelation that hath come to us and that which came before (us), and (perhaps) that most of you are rebellious and disobedient?"
005.060
YUSUFALI: Say: "Shall I point out to you something much worse than this, (as judged) by the treatment it received from Allah? those who incurred the curse of Allah and His wrath, those of whom some He transformed into apes and swine, those who worshipped evil;- these are (many times) worse in rank, and far more astray from the even path!"
So note, this verse is talking to the people of The Book, which are the Jews/Christians. The Quran then REMINDS them of what Allah did to those Jews who broke the Sabbath. Hence in this verse the Quran is simply reminding them of the humiliating punishment given to those specific Jews in the time of Moses! No where in this verse is it calling ALL Christians and Jews swine's and apes.
Here is the tafsir:
The People of the Scriptures Deserve the Worst Torment on the Day of Resurrection
Allah said next,
(Say: "Shall I inform you of something worse than that, regarding the recompense from Allah") The Ayah commands the Prophet to say: Shall I inform you about a worse people with Allah on the Day of Resurrection than what you think of us They are you, with these characteristics,
(those who incurred the curse of Allah) were expelled from His mercy,
(and who incurred His wrath) and anger, after which He will never be pleased with them,
(those of whom He transformed into monkeys and swine,) as we mentioned in Surat Al-Baqarah (2) and as we will mention in Surat Al-A`raf (7). Sufyan Ath-Thawri narrated that Ibn Mas`ud said, "Allah's Messenger was asked if the current monkeys and swine were those whom Allah transformed. He said,
(Allah never destroyed a people by transforming them and making offspring or descendants for them. The monkeys and swine existed before that.)'' This was also recorded by Muslim. Allah said,
(Those who worshipped Taghut...) and served them, becoming their servants. The meaning of this Ayah is: you, O People of the Scriptures, who mock our religion, which consists of Allah's Tawhid, and singling Him out in worship without others, how can you mock us while these are your characteristics This is why Allah said,
(such are worse in rank...) than what you -- People of the Scriptures -- think of us Muslims,
(and far more astray from the straight path.) `More' in the Ayah does not mean that the other party is `less' astray, but it means that the People of the Scriptures are far astray. In another Ayah, Allah said,
(The dwellers of Paradise will, on that Day, have the best abode, and have the fairest of places for repose.)
So note, this is just a reminder of what Allah did to those specific Jews.
Finaly:
007.163
YUSUFALI: Ask them concerning the town standing close by the sea. Behold! they transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath. For on the day of their Sabbath their fish did come to them, openly holding up their heads, but on the day they had no Sabbath, they came not: thus did We make a trial of them, for they were given to transgression.
007.164
YUSUFALI: When some of them said: "Why do ye preach to a people whom Allah will destroy or visit with a terrible punishment?"- said the preachers:" To discharge our duty to your Lord, and perchance they may fear Him."
07.165
YUSUFALI: When they disregarded the warnings that had been given them, We rescued those who forbade Evil; but We visited the wrong-doers with a grievous punishment because they were given to transgression.
007.166
YUSUFALI: When in their insolence they transgressed (all) prohibitions, We said to them: "Be ye apes, despised and rejected."
This is once again a reminder of what Allah did to those specific Jews who broke the Sabbath during the time of Moses.
Here is the tafsir:
The Jews transgress the Sanctity of the Sabbath
This Ayah explains Allah's statement,
(And indeed you knew those among you who transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath..) [2:65] Allah says to His Prophet here,
(And ask them) ask the Jews who are with you, about the story of their fellow Jews who defied Allah's command, so that His punishment overtook them all of a sudden for their evil actions, transgression and defiance by way of deceit. Also, warn the Jews (O Muhammad) against hiding your description that they find in their books, so that they do not suffer what their forefathers suffered. The village mentioned here is Aylah, on the shore of the Qulzum (Red) Sea. Muhammad bin Ishaq recorded from Dawud bin Al-Husayn from `Ikrimah that Ibn `Abbas commented on Allah's statement,
(And ask them about the town that was by the sea...) "A village called Aylah between Madyan and At-Tur (which is in Sinai). `Ikrimah, Mujahid, Qatadah and As-Suddi said similarly. Allah's statement,
(when they transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath means, they transgressed in the Sabbath and defied Allah's command to them to keep it sanctified,
(when their fish came to them openly on the Sabbath day,) visible on top of the water, according to Ad-Dahhak who reported it from Ibn `Abbas. Ibn Jarir said, "Allah's statement,
(and did not come to them on the day they had no Sabbath. Thus We made a trial of them,) means, this is how We tested them by making the fish swim close to the surface of the water , on the day which they were prohibited to fish. The fish would be hidden from them on the day when they were allowed to fish,
(Thus We made a trial for them,) so that We test them,
(for they used to rebel against Allah's command) by defying His obedience and rebelling against it.'' Therefore, these were a people who used a trick to violate Allah's prohibitions, taking an action that seemed legal on the surface. However, in reality, this action was meant to transgress the prohibition. Imam and scholar Abu `Abdullah Ibn Battah reported that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said,
(Do not repeat what the Jews committed, and violate Allah's prohibitions using deceitful tricks.) This Hadith has a reasonable chain.
(164. And when a community among them said: "Why do you preach to a people whom Allah is about to destroy or to punish with a severe torment'' (The preachers) said: "In order to be free from guilt before your Lord (Allah), and perhaps they may fear Allah.'') (165. So when they forgot the reminder that had been given to them, We rescued those who forbade evil, but with a severe torment We seized those who did wrong, because they used to rebel against Allah's command.) (166. So when they exceeded the limits of what they were prohibited, We said to them: "Be you monkeys, despised.'')
Next
Those Who breached the Sabbath were turned into Monkeys, but Those Who prohibited Their Actions were saved
Allah said that the people of this village were divided into three groups, a group that committed the prohibition, catching fish on the Sabbath, as we described in the Tafsir of Surat Al-Baqarah. Another group prohibited them from transgression and avoided them. A third group neither prohibited them, nor participated in their action. The third group said to the preachers,
("Why do you preach to a people whom Allah is about to destroy or to punish with a severe torment''). They said, `why do you forbid these people from evil, when you know that they are destroyed and have earned Allah's punishment' Therefore, they said, there is no benefit in forbidding them. The preachers replied,
("In order to be free from guilt before your Lord (Allah),'') `for we were commanded to enjoin righteousness and forbid evil,' r
("and perhaps they may fear Allah'') for on account of our advice, they might stop this evil and repent to Allah. Certainly, if they repent to Allah, Allah will accept their repentance and grant them His mercy.' Allah said,
(So when they forgot the reminder that had been given to them, ) when the evil doers refused the advice,
(We rescued those who forbade evil, but We seized who did wrong,) who committed the transgression,
(with a severe torment). Allah stated that those who enjoined good were saved, while those who committed the transgression were destroyed, but He did not mention the end of those who were passive (the third group), for the compensation is comparable to the deed. This type did not do what would warrant praise, nor commit wrong so that they are admonished. `Ikrimah said, "Ibn `Abbas said about the Ayah: `I do not know whether or not the people were saved who said;
("Why do you preach to a people whom Allah is about to destroy...'') So I continued discussing it with him until I convinced him that they were. Then he gave me [the gift of] a garment.'' Allah said,
(and We seized those who did wrong with a Ba'is torment) indicating that those who remained were saved. As for `Ba'is', it means `severe', according to Mujahid, or `painful', according to Qatadah. These meanings are synonymous, and Allah knows best. Allah said next,
(despised), humiliated, disgraced and rejected.)
So as we see again, this verse was simply re-telling the story of what Allah did to those specific Jews who broke the Sabbath. Also note that those who did not break the Sabbath WERE SAVED, it was only the bad Jews who were punished and turned into such animals.
So as we see, the Quran simply turned the sinful Jews at the time of Moses into swine's and apes. Allah did not punish ALL Jews, just that very evil sinful ones, the ones who had not broken the covenant were saved. And as we also see, none of the verses were even referring to Christians.
So Christians and Jews should stop distorting what the Quran actually says. If they have a problem with the harsh punishment, then that is their own problem, not the Muslims, nor does it dis-prove Islam since I can get you a ton of harsh punishments from the Bible.
Remember thy Lord inspired the angels (with the message): "I am with you: give firmness to the Believers: I will instil terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them."
One often quoted verse used against Muslims is that of Surah 8, ayat 12. The verse reads as:
008.012
YUSUFALI: Remember thy Lord inspired the angels (with the message): "I am with you: give firmness to the Believers: I will instil terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them."
PICKTHAL: When thy Lord inspired the angels, (saying): I am with you. So make those who believe stand firm. I will throw fear into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Then smite the necks and smite of them each finger.
SHAKIR: When your Lord revealed to the angels: I am with you, therefore make firm those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them.
Anti-Islamics like to always bring this up and claim that this verse proves that Islam promotes terrorism and that the Quran orders Muslims to go and chop people's heads off along with their finger tips.
The fact that anti-Islamic's make such claims shows their lack of knowledge on Islam, and that they should really study Islam with an open heart rather than visit anti-Islamic sites, and read anti-Islamic books and believe everything they tell you.
Even that goon Ali Sina uses this same argument over and over again showing how little he knows about Islam.
So to make things easier for everybody, I shall give the explanation of this verse, in doing so it shall help making dialog between Muslims and anti-Islamic's much easier, since there can't be any dialog when one party's information is incorrect and distorted.
To begin, this verse is referring to a SPECIFIC BATTLE, this verse is not an order on Muslims, and this verse is talking about a battle that took place. The battle it is referring to is the battle of Badr.
Al-Maududi's introduction to this Surah writes:
Name
The Surah takes its name AL-ANFAL (The Bounties) from the first verse.
The Period of Revelation
It was revealed in 2 A. H. after the Battle of Badr, the first battle between Islam and kufr. As it contains a detailed and comprehensive review of the Battle, it appears that most probably it was revealed at one and the same time. But it is also possible that some of the verses concerning the problems arising as a result of this Battle might have been revealed later and incorporated at the proper places to make it a continuous whole. At any rate, in the whole Surah there is nothing that might show that it is a collection of a couple of discourses, that have been patched up together. (http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/maududi/mau8.html)
Let us now also post the tafsir of Ibn Kathir regarding this verse:
Allah commands the Angels to fight and support the Believers
Allah said next,
((Remember) when your Lord revealed to the angels, "Verily, I am with you, so keep firm those who have believed.'')
This is a hidden favor that Allah has made known to the believers, so that they thank Him and are grateful to Him for it. Allah, glorified, exalted, blessed and praised be He, has revealed to the angels -- whom He sent to support His Prophet, religion and believing group -- to make the believers firmer. Allah's statement,
(I will cast terror into the hearts of those who have disbelieved.) means, `you -- angels -- support the believers, strengthen their (battle) front against their enemies, thus, implementing My command to you. I will cast fear, disgrace and humiliation over those who defied My command and denied My Messenger, f
(so strike them over the necks, and smite over all their fingers and toes.) strike them on their foreheads to tear them apart and over the necks to cut them off, and cut off their limbs, hands and feet. It was said that,
(over the necks) refers to striking the forehead, or the neck, according to Ad-Dahhak and `Atiyyah Al-`Awfi. In support of the latter, Allah commanded the believers,
(So, when you meet (in fight Jihad in Allah's cause) those who disbelieve, smite (their) necks till when you have killed and wounded many of them, then bind a bond firmly (on them, take them as captives).) [47:4]
Ar-Rabi` bin Anas said, "In the aftermath of Badr, the people used to recognize whomever the angels killed from those whom they killed, by the wounds over their necks, fingers and toes, because those parts had a mark as if they were branded by fire.'' Allah said,
(and smite over all their fingers and toes.)
Ibn Jarir commented that this Ayah commands, "O believers! Strike every limb and finger on the hands and feet of your (disbelieving) enemies.'' Al-`Awfi reported, that Ibn `Abbas said about the battle of Badr that Abu Jahl said, "Do not kill them (the Muslims), but capture them so that you make known to them what they did, their ridiculing your religion and shunning Al-Lat and Al-`Uzza (two idols).'' Allah than sent down to the angels,
(Verily, I am with you, so keep firm those who have believed. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who have disbelieved, so strike them over the necks, and smite over all their fingers and toes.)
In that battle, Abu Jahl (may Allah curse him) was killed along with sixty-nine men. `Uqbah bin Abu Mua`it was captured and then killed, thus bring the death toll of the pagans to seventy,
(This is because they defied and disobeyed Allah and His Messenger.) joining the camp that defied Allah and His Messenger not including themselves in the camp of Allah's Law and faith in Him. Allah said,
(And whoever defies and disobeys Allah and His Messenger, then verily, Allah is severe in punishment.) for He will crush whoever defies and disobeys Him. Nothing ever escapes Allah's grasp nor can anything ever stand against His anger. Blessed and exalted He is, there is no true deity or Lord except Him.
(This is (the torment), so taste it; and surely, for the disbelievers is the torment of the Fire.)
This Ayah addresses the disbeliever, saying, taste this torment and punishment in this life and know that the torment of the Fire in the Hereafter is for the disbelievers.
So as you can see, these events were taking place during a battle. Now off course during a battle in those days you would aim for the neck to get an immediate blow, and off course you would also aim for their fingers, once taking out their fingers the enemy would not be able to carry his sword hence you neutralize the enemy.
So there is nothing barbaric or mean about these verses, it is simply referring to a battle, and nothing barbaric was done in the battle neither these were how battles were fought back then.
Surah Al Baqarah 2:191 Examined---Does the Passage call for Genocide?
Surah Al Baqarah 2:191 Examined
Does the Passage call for Genocide?
Many times when non-Muslims argue against the Quran, claiming it preaches violence and terrorism, they go on to quote Surah Al Baqarah verse 191, the verse reads as follows:
002.191
YUSUFALI: And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have Turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith.
The non-Muslim quotes this verse and argues that the verse teaches terrorism, and that the verse commands Muslims to slay the unbelievers wherever we catch them. However so does the passage actually preach terrorism? Or is that the non-Muslim is quoting this passage out of its proper context? Well the answer is that the verse is being quoted out of context, which is very sad because it is blatant mis-interpretation and blatant lying because it is not difficult to quote this passage in context, here is the context of this passage:
002.190
YUSUFALI: Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors.
002.191
YUSUFALI: And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have Turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith.
002.192
YUSUFALI: But if they cease, Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful
002.193
YUSUFALI: And fight them on until there is no more Tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah; but if they cease, Let there be no hostility except to those who practise oppression.
So here is the passage being quoted in context, and as you can see when the verse is quoted in context one will notice there is no terrorism or genocide being preached or advocated! The context is if MUSLIMS GET ATTACKED then Muslims have the right to attack back, and the context is very clear on that, the theme comes into play on verse 190, not verse 191 which non-Muslims quote alone, the non-Muslim should quote from verse 190 onwards, and once doing so one will see that this is a defensive war, not an offensive one, if people attack the Muslims then the Muslims have the right to attack back, and that is exactly what the verses are saying.
The verses even say that if the people who started the fight begin to stop and make peace than we too must also stop and make peace as well, far from terrorism.
So it is that simple, verse 191 does not advocate terrorism or genocide, it advocates self-defense as can be seen from it context starting from verse 190 which states that if Muslims are attacked then we can attack back, and the context goes on to say that if the enemies stop attacking and make peace then we too should make peace, very simply and easy!
Is The Quran The Word of Satan? According To The Biblical Jesus, THAT'S ABSURD!
Is The Quran The Word of Satan? According To The Biblical Jesus, THAT'S ABSURD!
The Quran makes it clear that God is the author of the Quran...
Surah 55:1-2
The Most Beneficent (Allah)! Has taught (you mankind) the Qur'an (by His Mercy).
Not Satan...
Surah 26:210-212
The devils did not bring it (the Quran) down. It is not meet for them, nor is it in their power, Lo! verily they are banished from the hearing.
The Quran opposes Satan as a staunch enemy...
Surah 2:168
O mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and wholesome in the earth, and follow not the footsteps of the devil. Lo! he is an open enemy for you.
Surah 7:200
And if a slander from the devil wound thee, then seek refuge in Allah. Lo! He is Hearer, Knower.
Surah 16:98
And when thou recitest the Qur'an, seek refuge in Allah from Satan the outcast.
Surah 36:60
Did I not charge you, O ye sons of Adam, that ye worship not the devil - Lo! he is your open foe! -
Now anyone who studies the Qur'an and knows about its scientific miracles (*1.click), prophecies (*2.click), falsification tests (*3.click) etc. can do nothing but conclude that it came from a supernatural source.
Now Christian missionaries get desperate and say that this supernatural source is Satan.
However, the Quran makes it clear that it is an enemy of Satan. But the desperate Christian missionary replies back that Satan is only disguising himself and attacking himself only to deviate people from the true path.
However, if Jesus Christ heard this argument he would have rebuked it just like how he rebuked the Pharisees who accused him of casting out Satan with the power of Satan...
Mark 3:22-26
22And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, "He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons."
23So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parables: "How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come.
The story is repeated in the gospel of Matthew...
Matthew 12:24-26
24But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "It is only by Beelzebub,[d] the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons."
25Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?
John Gill says in his commentary...
how can Satan cast out Satan?
or one devil cast out another? how unreasonable is it to suppose it? can it ever be thought that such, whose interest it is to unite, would ever oppose and dispossess one another? if therefore, as if he should say, I am Beelzebub, or have him, and he is in me, and I am in confederacy with him; was this the case, can any think I should ever cast him out of others, as I do? (John Gill's Exposition of the Bible, Commentary on Mark 3:23, Source)
how shall then his kingdom stand?
he will never be able to maintain his authority, and keep up the show of a government, as he does: for these words suggest, that there is a form of government among the devils, who are united in one body, under one head; and whose unity and concord are their greatest strength, as in all other governments. Our Lord's argument, and which is his first, for others follow, is, that since Satan, who is so cunning and crafty, can never be thought to act such an opposite part to himself, subversive of his kingdom and government; and which would give so much credit to Christ, and serve so much to strengthen his interest, as to assist him in the casting out of devils; the weakness, and maliciousness of such a suggestion, must be clear and evident to all. (John Gill's Exposition of the Bible, Commentary on Matthew 12:26, Source)
John Darby says in his commentary...
Jesus demonstrates the absurdity of what they had said. Satan would not destroy his own kingdom (John Darby's Synopsis of the Bible, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 12, Source)
In another commentary it also says...
26. And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?--The argument here is irresistible. "No organized society can stand--whether kingdom, city, or household--when turned against itself; such intestine war is suicidal: But the works I do are destructive of Satan's kingdom: That I should be in league with Satan, therefore, is incredible and absurd." (Jamieson, Faussett, and Brown, Commentary on Matthew 12:26, Source)
The Christian missionary will reply back and say that the author of the Quran is Satan and is only deceiving people and making them think that he is attacking himself. While he is only doing this in order to trick the people and convince them even more that Satan is not the author of the Quran while he really is and that the Quran is taking the people away from the truth of Christianity.
Well if that is the case then I can easily argue back and claim that the devils were pretending to go against themselves when they cast each other out of people's bodies. They would do this in cooperation in order to make people think that the one casting out the devils is not Satan. So one could easily refute the Biblical Jesus' argument this way. But the Christian will remain stubborn and will demand that the Satan cannot be cast out by Satan just like the Biblical Jesus said. Well then what does he have to say about the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) casting out Satan?...
There are also Sunnah (traditional statements not part of the Qur'an) that the Prophet Muhammad and his followers expelled evil beings from the bodies of believers using verses from the Qur'an, supplications to Allah, and holy Zamzam water. This example is related by Ya'la ibn Murah:
I saw Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) do three things which no one before or after me saw. I went with him on a trip. On the way, we passed by a woman sitting at the roadside with a young boy. She called out, 'O Messenger of Allah, this boy is afflicted with a trial, and from him we have also been afflicted with a trial. I don't know how many times per day he is seized by fits.' He (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: 'Give him to me.' So she lifted him up to the Prophet.
He (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) then placed the boy between himself and the middle of the saddle, opened the boy's mouth and blew in it three times, saying, 'In the name of Allah, I am the slave of Allah, get out, enemy of Allah!' Then he gave the boy back to her and said: 'Meet us on our return at this same place and inform us how he has fared.' We then went. On our return, we found her in the same place with three sheep. When he said to her, 'How has your son fared?' She replied: 'By the One who sent you with the truth, we have not detected anything (unusual) in his behavior up to this time... (Musnad Ahmad (vol: 4, p. 170), and al-Haakim, who declared it Saheeh, cited here)
Now Christians are obliged to stop using this argument because this is the same argument that Jesus refuted the Pharisees when they used it against him and showed them how absurd such a statement was. If Christians don't stop using this argument then they are indirectly admitting that Jesus' logic is weak and that he was wrong and didn't use good reasoning when defending himself. So they would only end up outsmarting their own false God.
It is impossible to conclude that Qur'an is the word of Satan and Christianity is the religion of God. Because according to the Christian criteria, the Quran cannot be the word of Satan. We are left with the conclusion that the only supernatural source that this Qur'an could be is indeed God Almighty.
There are certain anti-Islamic people out there who often claim the Quran is a book of terror, that it orders the death and destruction of all none-believers, one of the most common verses they use to prove their argument is verse 4 of Surah Muhammad which is the 47th Surah in the Noble Quran. The verse reads:
047.004
YUSUFALI: Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks; At length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them): thereafter (is the time for) either generosity or ransom: Until the war lays down its burdens. Thus (are ye commanded): but if it had been Allah's Will, He could certainly have exacted retribution from them (Himself); but (He lets you fight) in order to test you, some with others. But those who are slain in the Way of Allah,- He will never let their deeds be lost.
The non-Muslims quote this and start claiming terrorism and murder. However so is that the case? Or is the same case as always, that the non-Muslim is simply being dis-honest with themselves, and their fellow people. Well you make that choice after the explanation is given.
Let us analyse this verse to see if it does truly preach terrorism or not. Obviously the part that non-Muslims use the most with this verse is when it reads:
Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks;
The verse is referring to battle, and war, that in a battle, when we meet the unbelieving army that we should aim for the neck. Is that terrorism, is that barbaric? Off course not, this is very logical, and this is the harsh reality of wars and battles, people get killed, and people go into a battle and war with the intention of killing their enemy. It is like if an army gives you instructions on how to attack your enemy during combat, would that be classified as terrorism? Off course it wouldn't, so why is it classed as terrorism or barbarity when the Quran gives Muslims instructions on how they should fight during a battle with an enemy?
So therefore there is nothing wrong with this part of the verse, it does not preach terrorism, or barbarity, not even close!
The second part of the verse that the non-Muslim has a problem with is when it reads:
bind a bond firmly (on them): thereafter (is the time for) either generosity or ransom
What exactly is wrong with this command? Logically after a battle there is a winner and a loser, and obviously after a battle several enemy combatants will come into the hands of the opposition, and logically they will be taken in as prisoners and held for ransom. Is this cruel? Is this barbarity? Not even close, this is the simply the harsh reality of war, in war and battle you risk death, and you risk capture, this is the reality of such events. Secondly, notice that the verse even says the prisoners can be released out of generosity! Basically a ransom is not the only means of freedom, a Muslim has two options, either let the person go out of your own generosity, or if you want, you can get a ransom out of the prisoner.
So in conclusion this verse preaches no terrorism, it preaches no barbarity, all it gives are commands for the Muslims on how they should fight their enemy during battle, and what they should do with any prisoners they have.
Christian missionaries and apologists have been arguing that the Quran completely backs the present day Bible we have in our hands, this indeed is a very interesting false claim, but since they want to cling to this argument I thought I would actually turn the tables on them, showing that in fact it is their Bible which confirms the Quran!
Now if a Christian doesn't agree and so on I say that's too bad, I am going to be exactly like Christian missionaries and apologists.
With that said let us give the proof that the Bible does infact confirm the Quran, 1 John 4:1-6 reads:
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses Jesus as the Christ who has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God, and this is the spirit of the antichrist, that you have heard is coming, and now is already in the world. You are from God, little children, and have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world's perspective and the world listens to them. We are from God; the person who knows God listens to us, but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit." 1 John 4:1-6
So notice the Bible says that anyone who confesses that Jesus is the Christ is from God, that they are a good person, not a false satanic anti-Christ. Well let us read what the Quran says:
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YUSUFALI: Behold! the angels said: "O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah;
The Quran calls Jesus the Christ, the Messiah, hence according to the Bible the Quran must be of God since it confirms that Jesus is the Christ! Hence as you can see according to the Bible the Quran must be from God, and its followers are also on the path of following the true message since we Muslims affirm that Jesus is indeed the Messiah.
So therefore Christians must stop attacking the Quran, to do so means they reject their Bible and are attacking a book and people that their own Bible praises! Hence Christians who attack the Quran are in fact soldiers of the anti-Christ since they are attacking a book and people who bear witness that Jesus is indeed the Christ, Christians attack this hence this means they are the opposite of this hence making them the anti-Christ's army!
