Oh yeah! Samson, is he the one who went to Gaza and had a little fun with the prostitute! Yeah, he is the one. My, Bush, Bush, Bush, kill the terrorists, bomb the Israeli's there religion teaches sucide, Oh my Allah, Jews hurry up and line up for sharon's sucide bomb squad, kill the plastinians. Burn the bible it teaches terrorim, burn it (Chritian airline pilot said burn the Quran's in America, it teaches terrorism), eye for an eye! Burn the Bible first.
Muslim
JoinedPosts by Muslim
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osama and the philistines
by goatlike ini'd just like the general concensus.... nationalism aside ... can anyone explain the difference between osama and samson?
samson pulled of a suicide attack, while the people were celebrating at a festival, and he became a christian hero!
i seem to recall the bible mentioning that he got them all, women and children included.
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Muhammed (pbuh) In The Bible - Fact or Fiction??
by Muslim inin the name of god, most compassionate, most merciful.
he will glorify jesus (pbuh), and he will guide mankind into all truth.
in the above verses we read "if i go not away, the comforter will not come unto you; but if i depart, i will send him unto you.
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Muslim
"Why? Why would you want to do that? Again, you are taking a "straw man" approach to this issue. Rather than attempt to deal with what Christians actually believe - because you cannot - you set up a "straw man" in the form of a teaching that Christians do not believe, because it is easier for you to knock down than the real thing. Christians don't believe in three gods; there is no point in trying to convince us that we do, just so that you can disprove it."
A "Straw Man"! Do you know what does this phrase means! Which part of the doctrine of trinity you don'yt beleave? Which part of the Bible you don't beleive? All my arguments are from the Bible, and none of the verses I have quoted to are twisted in their meaning. And if you claim that a verse has been twisted then show me which verse it is. Other wise stop accusing me of Straw-Man tactic cause I have done my job with evidence.
"So, you can conclusively go on to prove that there are not three gods, but one God, and you may have made your point, but you haven't told the Christian anything he did not already know."
Well prove to me that you there is one God according to the Bible. Don't say "I Beleive that there is one God." I want evidence from the Bible.
Most Christians believe that there is one God, who manifests Himself in three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
None sense, you beleive in three gods, and if you deny that then please refute any of the arguments i have presented to you. Surely the Alimighty Christian god, and the Holy Spirit, can give you the guidance in refuting the argumetns. I mean the Holy Spirit came to teach you all that is needed to refute my arguments. Every Christian claims that the hloy Spirit talks to me, so just ask your Spirit that how do i explain the Trinity to this MUslim, according to the Bible?
This is considered to be the "orthodox" teaching among Christians about the nature of God. Now you can argue, just as do the JW's, that it's illogical that 1+1+1=3, not 1, "Tom, Dick and Harry," and, frankly, we've heard it all before. The Trinity is an antimony of scripture; a seeming contradiction that must be accepted by faith.
A seeming contradiction! It is a clear contordiction. See if you agree with this (everything is its right order, literal meaning, nothing figarutive) : At the beggining there was only a monkey, he ate to many bananas, and became pregnant, then the banana gave birth to the monkey. There was only one monkey. The monkey had hair, but no hair at all, it was hairy, hairless monkey. On the fouteenth day of creation the monkey died, and the monkey rose on the third of creation. And after the monkey rose from the dead it creatted the first day called it the first day of the week.
Do you beleive this? Thats my verion of creation story, if you do/don't tehn tell me why? If you an aept the trintiy then why don't you acept this has the truth?
Obviously, you've been reading a lot of JW literature. The simple answer to that question is that when he said it, Jesus was lesser than the father. Philippians 2:5-7 tells us that Jesus had divested himself of Heavenly power and glory and made himself a human - lower even than the angels - while he was on earth as a man.
So you agree that he was a man. Do you know what the word person means, and the nature of a "person"? A person is limited by its nature; even the Prophets were limited. God approved every action before it happened. You claim that Jesus was "Divine" and "Human". But if he was "Divine" them he was not "Human". The logic says, person can not be "Unlimited" and then "Limited". He can only be one, either limited or Unlimited but not at the same time. When Jesus was on earth, he was in human form, o he was limited, he says "Call no man on earth, your Father, the Father is in heaven." When Jesus said this phrase, he was in the form of man, so he can not be the Father.
. (also see Hebrews 2:9) JW's and other anti-trinitarians love to take the scriptures that refer to Jesus' human nature and twist them to apply to Jesus after his exaltation. It doesn't work. Philippians 2 goes on to tell us that God exalted Jesus to "the highest place" and gave him the "the name that is above every name," even above the name of Jehovah (Yahweh) or, for that matter, of Allah.
I have the bible, in my hand and I have not come accross a verse which states that Jesus is above his father, but I have the bible saying that jesus said "my father is greater then I." Any way can yo show me the vers wich states that Jesus is greater then his father, or he is greather then the one who send Jesus? I am eagerly waiting for your exposition on this matter.
That's a reprehensible way to use scripture, in my opinion. You argue your points from the Bible at length for several paragraphs, then, when you are presented with a scripture that utterly destroys your argument, you dismiss it with a wave of your hand, and say you doubt the events it records ever happened.
Well you have not presented to me any eveidence that refutes my arguments. Show me where have you given me the evidence which utterly destroys my claims, or i have rejected any response with out considering it. Show me.
If the Bible is that unreliable, why do you refer to it at all? It would be just as logical for me to say that Islam cannot be of God, because I doubt there ever was such a person as Muhammad.
Yes, the bible is unrelaible. But there is enough truth in the bible that I can prove Islamic arguments with out going to the Islamic sources. Just like the verse "father ... son. Holy Spirit these three are one" verse was found a forgery, in the same way there are other verses which should have not been in their.
I suspect from reading what you have written that you have not studied very much in the way of orthodox, evangelical writings.
You are wrong. I have almost studied all the Chrisian sects and there doctrines. And read this section clearly, I do not use the JW' literature to argue with Christians I use my own research and argue my points. I don't copy and paste others works, never.
I'd suggest getting a good translation of the Bible (not the New World Translation, which has been altered to fit JW doctrine) and start reading it. Start with the books of John and Romans. At least then, you'll be getting an accurate picture of what real Christians believe, and not the twist
I have NEw International Version, King James VErsion, New World TRanslation, Young's Literal Translation, Duay Arine Version, Urdu translation of KJV, now which one tickles your fansy? And Bruce Metzgers Commentry on the New Testament. Is there anything missing from this? Please do let me know.
Peace!
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Muhammed (pbuh) In The Bible - Fact or Fiction??
by Muslim inin the name of god, most compassionate, most merciful.
he will glorify jesus (pbuh), and he will guide mankind into all truth.
in the above verses we read "if i go not away, the comforter will not come unto you; but if i depart, i will send him unto you.
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Muslim
Part Two:
From the above data produced by the Catholic Encyclopedia I have faithfully have attempted to draw the above chart accurately has possible. I will carry out certain checks to verify the soundness of it. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, "the Son is begotten of the Father", at this very moment of this discussion it is not relevant to scrutinize the terminology used in this passage, nor I am interested in to find out what it exactly means. It is irrelevant what it means, but the importance in here is laid on the fact that "the Son is begotten of the father", which means at some point God Almighty decided to beget Jesus, doesnt matter how? He was begotten, but if we look in the chart we get a different picture altogether.According to the chart above the Son is "Uncreated" just like the rest two, this inconsistency is rather obvious. Therefore it is in directly in conflict with that "the Son is begotten of the father", cause this means that at some stage Jesus did not exist, and he was somehow bought to existence through the act of "begetting".
Now looking at from a different perspective will further shed more light on this blasphemous Tri-unity, and will help to expose such a dubious doctrine ever attributed to the God Al-mighty. According to the above chart, the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit share the same attributes with each other, Co-equal, Co- eternal, Uncreated, Omnipotent, so why is one called the Father? And the other Son-of-god yet he was always there with the father, Son was "Uncreated", or at least that is the belief, and the same applies to the Holy Spirit.
It is mentioned that these three are, "Three Persons being truly distinct one from another" in their physical nature, therefore is it not fair to conclude that Christians believe in three gods while categorically stating that they believe in one God. These three, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit share same attributes has one another, but are still distinct in their out look. Suppose there are three twins, Tom, Dick, and Harry, they all share absolutely similar characteristics, there is no difference in there behavior or anything else, except that they all look different then each other. What would you say, they all are one or will you judge them individually, believing in three different people then in one. Common sense tells us even though these three, Tom, Dick, Harry, are similar in their characteristics but they still are different human being. If we apply the same analogy to the members of Trinity it is in perfectly valid, which leads us to believe that Christians believe in THREE GODS and not in the existence of one God.
By analyzing the chart with the Biblical teaching more inconsistencies in the Doctrine of Trinity can be observed. Which further can help us to realize the irrational of this Doctrine. I will only include a few examples to put forward my evidence in refutation or your claims. The Doctrine of Trinity teaches that all three, Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit are Co-equal, Co-eternal, Uncreated and Omnipotent, but I found a lot of evidence which is in conflict with this belief held by Christians.
For instance in the Gospel of John chapter fourteen verse twenty-eight (John 14:28), Jesus say " I go to the Father; for the father is greater than I." This verse unequivocally refutes the claim that the Son (Jesus) is in the same rank has God.
And you might want to argue that in this verse the word greater doe not necessarily mean being greater or better in authority or status. Then please take notice of John, chapter thirteen, verse sixteen, (John 13:16) where Jesus said "I tell you the truth, no servant is I greater that his Master nor is a Messenger greater then the one who sent him." In the Gospel of John Jesus confirms that he has been sent by the God Al-Mighty so that the Jews may believe in the only one true God. John Chapter 17 verse 3 state this belief in an explicit manner " And this is eternal life, that they may know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou has sent."
It is clear from this that Jesus did not believe in his equal-ness to God. He merely believed that he was a messenger of God, who by his own admission he is inferior to the Mighty-ness of God. The church has forced the Doctrine of Trinity on Jesus and he is clearly not in favor of this Hellenistic Doctrine.
"Jesus, the man, on the other hand had to learn obedience through the things he suffered and was perfected (Heb 5/8). Why do you think, that his name is called Emmanuel, God with us? Why was his name not Jehova? The reason is simple, Jehova is the name of God, Immanuel the name of the Son of God. If you try to divide the trinity in three separate distinct persons, you don't have trinity anymore, but tritheism."
According to my knowledge of the Bible only place Jesus is referred to has Emmanuel is when the angle of the Lord visits Mary to give her the good news of the birth of Jesus; there the angle states that "he shall be called Emmanuel". But there is no other place in the Bible with which Jesus is referred has "Emmanuel". Therefore I doubt in the incident taking place, cause not even once he has been referred has such has the angle of the Lord Prophesied.
The Quran, Chapter Al-Imran verse forty-five (3:45) states the truth concerning the name of Jesus:
"Behold! The angels said: "O Mary! God giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to God;The phrase in Arabic which denote this meaning are "Iss-mu hul maseeh-hu Isa", has far has my knowledge of the Arabic goes the word "Iss-mu" denotes the meanings, "name" and has "title". And in this verse the both meaning are perfectly valid because of the name, Jesus, and the title of Jesus, the Christ. Where has the Bible is in error when it states that Jesus will be called Emmanuel.
"5.14] And with those who say, We are Christians, We made a covenant, but they neglected a portion of what they were reminded of, therefore We excited among them enmity and hatred to the day of resurrection; and Allah will inform them of what they did. [5.15] O followers of the Book! Indeed Our Apostle has come to you making clear to you much of what you concealed of the Book and passing over much; indeed, there has come to you light and a clear Book from Allah; [5.16] With it Allah guides him who will follow His pleasure into the ways of safety and brings them out of utter darkness into light by His will and guides them to the right path. [5.17] Certainly they disbelieve who say: Surely, Allah-- He is the Messiah, son of Marium. Say: Who then could control anything as against Allah when He wished to destroy the Messiah son of Marium and his mother and all those on the earth? And Allah's is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and what is between them; He creates what He pleases; and Allah has power over all things, [5.18] And the Jews and the Christians say: We are the sons of Allah and His beloved ones. Say: Why does He then chastise you for your faults? Nay, you are mortals from among those whom He has created, He forgives whom He pleases and chastises whom He pleases; and Allah's is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, and to Him is the eventual coming. [5.19] O followers of the Book! Indeed Our Apostle has come to you explaining to you after a cessation of the (mission of the) apostles, lest you say. There came not to us a giver of good news or a Warner, so indeed there has come to you a giver of good news and a Warner. And Allah has power over all things."
Was-salam
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Muhammed (pbuh) In The Bible - Fact or Fiction??
by Muslim inin the name of god, most compassionate, most merciful.
he will glorify jesus (pbuh), and he will guide mankind into all truth.
in the above verses we read "if i go not away, the comforter will not come unto you; but if i depart, i will send him unto you.
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Muslim
Here is a debate between me and a Christian, earlier on the subject of Trinity. It as all the response to your messages, Some may be irrelevent but 99 % is relate to what you have wrote. Read it carefully, it pretty much covers all the aspets ogf your respone.
" O followers of the Book! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, and do not speak (lies) against Allah, but (speak) the truth. The Messiah, Isa son of Marium is only an apostle of Allah and His Word, which He communicated to Marium. And a spirit from Him; believe therefore in Allah and His apostles, and say not, Three. Desist, it is better for you; Allah is only one God; far be It from His glory that He should have a son, whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is His, and Allah is sufficient for a Protector."(Surah 4:171)
" The following are taken from two messages I posted on different forums in the past with some minor corrections. It should give enough material to discuss our understanding of what Trinity is, and why it is a believe in One God, and not three gods. "I will explain to you why you should believe in three gods, god the Father, god the Son, god the Holy Spirit.
"(1
) All Christians believe that Jesus was born of the Blessed Virgin Mary. they also believe that although Jesus has two natures (divine and human),(2) He is one Divine Person. Since this one Person was born of Mary, (3) she fully is the Mother of the one Divine Person: in short, the Mother of God."1)
All Muslims believe that Jesus was born of Mary, we believe in his miraculous birth with the modern day Anglican Churches don't. Any one who claims Islam has religion, if he does not believe in Jesus, he is not Muslim. And you will not need a scholar to tell you that.2) Do you know what the word person means, and the nature of a "person"? A person is limited by its nature; even the Prophets were limited. God approved every action before it happened. You claim that Jesus was "Divine" and "Human". But if he was "Divine" them he was not "Human". The logic says, person can not be "Unlimited" and then "Limited". He can only be one, either limited or Unlimited but not at the same time. When Jesus was on earth, he was in human form, o he was limited, he says "Call no man
on earth, your Father, the Father is in heaven." When Jesus said this phrase, he was in the form of man, so he can not be the Father.3) I thought Christian concept of God was
that he is not born he is Alpha & Omega, First & Last, yet god was born, and his mother was Mary. That' blasphemy against God and his Mightiness. The Birth of Jesus is in the further support that Jesus was a normal Human being, and not divines in any way, other then his title of Prophet. And according to the every Christian sect man has inherited the "Original Sin", and every child born has inherited this stain of imperfection, so according to this belief Jesus also inherited the same curse that every other human has inherited. So according to you God died for sin of the mankind, but who will die for his sin?"The problem is, that most Christians have a hazy idea of what Trinity really means. Most Christians asked to explain Trinity would not have a clue, where to start. It is not important for our salvation that we can explain everything as long as the basis is right, salvation by faith in Jesus alone."
So you are saying that has long has you have faith in Jesus and his Cruci-fiction, Death, Resurrection, you have the salvation. You have the free license to rape, murder, steal, and verbally abuse, anyone you like, and you are not responsible for it. Cause according to your belief Jesus has paid for every bodys sins; we only have to except his resurrection to save our self from the hellfire.
Just another point, Christians claim that the Son-of-God died on the cross, but don' you think that is a bit edgy when you consider the verse "these three are one". Which means that Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit are one in number. So who died on the cross was it the Father, Son, or the Holy Spirit? Or was it that God was dead altogether. Explain to me how can God die, and if He had died who bought him back to life? Or was God not dead at all He was just pretending presence of the Jewish and Roman crowd that He has died. And if he was pretending, then God has deceived all the Christiandom.
"The bible makes a clear distinction between Jesus the Son of God, Jesus the Man and God. God cannot be divided, He is not three, but one. If you say, that Mary is God's Mother, than you say that God has a beginning, and for that matter, an end. He becomes a creation. Even to say, that Mary mothered God would be wrong, as this implies that God had to learn making Him imperfect, but God is perfect."
The Catholic Encyclopedia states:
The Trinity is the term employed to signify the central doctrine of the Christian religion -- the truth that in the unity of the
Godhead there are Three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, these Three Persons being truly distinct one from another. Thus, in the words of the Athanasian Creed: "the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, and yet there are not three Gods but one God." In this Trinity of Persons the Son is begotten of the Father by an eternal generation, and the Holy Spirit proceeds by an eternal procession from the Father and the Son. Yet, notwithstanding this difference as to origin, the Persons are co-eternal and co-equal: all alike are uncreated and omnipotent.(http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15047a.htm )
Impossibility upon impossibility, irregularity upon irregularity, I will summarize the above to see if I can get a penny out of the penniless man.
in
the unity of the Godhead Three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit Three Persons being truly distinct one from another "the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, and yet there are not three Gods but one God." the Son is begotten of the Father the Persons are co-eternal and co-equal: all alike are uncreated and omnipotent.Father
Son
Holy Spirit.
Co-eternal
Co-eternal
Co-eternal
Co-equal
Co-equal
Co-equal
Uncreated
Uncreated
Uncreated
Omnipotent.
Omnipotent.
Omnipotent.
God
God
God
From the above data produced by the Catholic Encyclopedia I have faithfully have attempted to draw the above chart accurately has possible. I will carry out certain checks to verify the soundness of it. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, "the Son is begotten of the Father", at this very moment of this discussion it is not relevant to scrutinize the terminology used in this passage, nor I am interested in to find out what it exactly means. It is irrelevant what it means, but the importance in here is laid on the fact that "the Son is begotten of the father", which means at some point God Almighty decided to beget Jesus, doesnt matter how? He was begotten, but if we look in the chart we get a different picture altogether.According to the chart above the Son is "Uncreated" just like the rest two, this inconsistency is rather obvious. Therefore it is in directly in conflict with that "the Son is begotten of the father", cause this means that at some stage Jesus did not exist, and he was somehow bought to existence through the act of "begetting".
Now looking at from a different perspective will further shed more light on this blasphemous Tri-unity, and will help to expose such a dubious doctrine ever attributed to the God Al-mighty. According to the above chart, the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit share the same attributes with each other, Co-equal, Co- eternal, Uncreated, Omnipotent, so why is one called the Father? And the other Son-of-god yet he was always there with the father, Son was "Uncreated", or at least that is the belief, and the same applies to the Holy Spirit.
It is mentioned that these three are, "Three Persons being truly distinct one from another" in their physical nature, therefore is it not fair to conclude that Christians believe in three gods while categorically stating that they believe in one God. These three, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit share same attributes has one another, but are still distinct in their out look. Suppose there are three twins, Tom, Dick, and Harry, they all share absolutely similar characteristics, there is no difference in there behavior or anything else, except that they all look different then each other. What would you say, they all are one or will you judge them individually, believing in three different people then in one. Common sense tells us even though these three, Tom, Dick, Harry, are similar in their characteristics but they still are different human being. If we apply the same analogy to the members of Trinity it is in perfectly valid, which leads us to believe that Christians believe in THREE GODS and not in the existence of one God.
By analyzing the chart with the Biblical teaching more inconsistencies in the Doctrine of Trinity can be observed. Which further can help us to realize the irrational of this Doctrine. I will only include a few examples to put forward my evidence in refutation or your claims. The Doctrine of Trinity teaches that all three, Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit are Co-equal, Co-eternal, Uncreated and Omnipotent, but I found a lot of evidence which is in conflict with this belief held by Christians.
For instance in the Gospel of John chapter fourteen verse twenty-eight (John 14:28), Jesus say " I go to the Father; for the father is greater than I." This verse unequivocally refutes the claim that the Son (Jesus) is in the same rank has God.
And you might want to argue that in this verse the word greater doe not necessarily mean being greater or better in authority or status. Then please take notice of John, chapter thirteen, verse sixteen, (John 13:16) where Jesus said "I tell you the truth, no servant is I greater that his Master nor is a Messenger greater then the one who sent him." In the Gospel of John Jesus confirms that he has been sent by the God Al-Mighty so that the Jews may believe in the only one true God. John Chapter 17 verse 3 state this belief in an explicit manner " And this is eternal life, that they may know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou has sent."
It is clear from this that Jesus did not believe in his equal-ness to God. He merely believed that he was a messenger of God, who by his own admission he is inferior to the Mighty-ness of God. The church has forced the Doctrine of Trinity on Jesus and he is clearly not in favor of this Hellenistic Doctrine."Jesus, the man, on the other hand had to learn obedience through the things he suffered and was perfected (Heb 5/8). Why do you think, that his name is called Emmanuel, God with us? Why was his name not Jehova? The reason is simple, Jehova is the name of God, Immanuel the name of the Son of God. If you try to divide the trinity in three separate distinct persons, you don't have trinity anymore, but tritheism."According to my knowledge of the Bible only place Jesus is referred to has Emmanuel is when the angle of the Lord visits Mary to give her the good news of the birth of Jesus; there the angle states that "he shall be called Emmanuel". But there is no other place in the Bible with which Jesus is referred has "Emmanuel". Therefore I doubt in the incident taking place, cause not even once he has been referred has such has the angle of the Lord Prophesied.The Quran, Chapter Al-Imran verse forty-five (3:45) states the truth concerning the name of Jesus: "Behold! The angels said: "O Mary! God giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to God; The phrase in Arabic which denote this meaning are "Iss-mu hul maseeh-hu Isa", has far has my knowledge of the Arabic goes the word "Iss-mu" denotes the meanings, "name" and has "title". And in this verse the both meaning are perfectly valid because of the name, Jesus, and the title of Jesus, the Christ. Where has the Bible is in error when it states that Jesus will be called Emmanuel.5.14] And with those who say, We are Christians, We made a covenant, but they neglected a portion of what they were reminded of, therefore We excited among them enmity and hatred to the day of resurrection; and Allah will inform them of what they did. [5.15] O followers of the Book! Indeed Our Apostle has come to you making clear to you much of what you concealed of the Book and passing over much; indeed, there has come to you light and a clear Book from Allah; [5.16] With it Allah guides him who will follow His pleasure into the ways of safety and brings them out of utter darkness into light by His will and guides them to the right path. [5.17] Certainly they disbelieve who say: Surely, Allah-- He is the Messiah, son of Marium. Say: Who then could control anything as against Allah when He wished to destroy the Messiah son of Marium and his mother and all those on the earth? And Allah's is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and what is between them; He creates what He pleases; and Allah has power over all things, [5.18] And the Jews and the Christians say: We are the sons of Allah and His beloved ones. Say: Why does He then chastise you for your faults? Nay, you are mortals from among those whom He has created, He forgives whom He pleases and chastises whom He pleases; and Allah's is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, and to Him is the eventual coming. [5.19] O followers of the Book! Indeed Our Apostle has come to you explaining to you after a cessation of the (mission of the) apostles, lest you say. There came not to us a giver of good news or a Warner, so indeed there has come to you a giver of good news and a Warner. And Allah has power over all things."M.s.ali
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24
Muhammed (pbuh) In The Bible - Fact or Fiction??
by Muslim inin the name of god, most compassionate, most merciful.
he will glorify jesus (pbuh), and he will guide mankind into all truth.
in the above verses we read "if i go not away, the comforter will not come unto you; but if i depart, i will send him unto you.
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Muslim
"muslim, where would you suggest an infidel go to learn more about your ideas? are there any online resources?"
That would be: http://groups.msn.com/IslamChristianty thats my community.
All are a must visit.
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Muhammed (pbuh) In The Bible - Fact or Fiction??
by Muslim inin the name of god, most compassionate, most merciful.
he will glorify jesus (pbuh), and he will guide mankind into all truth.
in the above verses we read "if i go not away, the comforter will not come unto you; but if i depart, i will send him unto you.
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Muslim
In the name of God,
Most Gracious, Most Merciful.Proclaim! (or read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher,
Who created-Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood:
Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful,-
He Who taught (the use of) the pen,-taught man that which he knew not.
(From the Holy Quran, Surah 96:1-6, Al-Alaq)
"It does seem odd to me that you are attempting to use the Bible to support Muhammad as God's true prophet, when many of Muhammad's teachings contradict the most basic teachings of the Bible, ..."
I am really really sorry if you feel this way. Please do forgive me cause i was under the mistaken beleife that Chritians use the Quran to forward there arguments about Christianty. I am reffering to the JW's booklet "The Guiddance Of God, Our Way to Paradise." There is plenty of argumetns fro that booklet which are based on the total mutalation of the Quranic verses, all quoted out of there context, to prove that Christianty is the truth and Quran supports the Bible. You do get to use the Quran when it supports your case and ignore it when it doesn't; that's not a reasonable way to argue your point. No muslim will ever say to you that everything in the bible is false, we ay that there is the truth in it, but aslo ther is some things which should not have been there at all.
"... e.g., that Jesus was the Son of God. You don't get to use the Bible when it supports your case and ignore it when it doesn't; that's not a reasonable way to argue your point. Most of us here have already been in a religion that does that."
With regards to term "the Son of God" What doe it mean? Does it mean that God Almighty had a sexual encounter with Mary to beget Jesus, or does it mean that God created Jesus with a miracle?
Christian use the term "the Only Begotten Son of God". What do you mean by the statement? If I say David is "the Only Begotten Son of Ali" how would you understand this? I am sure that you will understand it to mean that Ali have performed a sexual act to get the only begotten son, David. So when the Christian say "the only begotten Son of God" that means God performed a sexual act with Marry to have his only begotten, Jesus. Which is blasphemy against God.
Jehovahs Witnesses in one of their publication "The guidance of God. Our Way to Paradise". Give their account of belief in "Son of God", the author of that booklet trys to persuade the Muslims that the term "Son of God" is to be understood figuratively not literally. I have no problem accepting this, but the Bible passage ("the Only Begotten Son of God") in question does not agree with the figurative meaning, it imposes the literal meaning of the Christian perspective.
So what does this term really mean? To answer these questions we will have to analyze the entire Bible and see if we can arrive at a different understanding of this phrase "Son-of-God". The term Son-Of-God can have various meanings, but the one understood by the Christians is in the Context of this phrase "the only begotten Son-of-God". If I am correct then it was Saint Jerome who is the first person to use the term "Only begotten Son-of-God" in his translation of the Bible from Hebrew to Greek. And since then this term has become a standard expression in every Christians Doctrine. The Greek term for "Begotten" in the ancient Greek is "gennao {ghen-nah-o} as found in Matthew 1:2. In verses under consideration, the word used is not "gennao", instead "monogenes" {mon-og-en-ace}. It is a Greek word which conveys the meaning "Unique" and not "begotten". Thus the correct meaning would be that Jesus the "Unique Son". Meaning that he is the only one of that kind, and every Christian knows that birth of Jesus was a result of a miracle performed by God. There are any Biblical passages in which different people have been reffered has the sons of God. Jesus refferes to the jews has sons of God in response to the criticism made by them: You are man and claiming to be the Son of God, Jesus responds to the saying that "does it not say in the law that you are the sons of God?" This term son of God also is used in the Qumran community to mean a godly person, a righteous person. Let me give you another exact opposite to this, "Bin Ladin the Son of Satan", you would agree that he is not the son of Satan just like jesus is not the son of God, it means that Bin Ladin is a evil person, he has the charateristics of Satan, causing pain, grief, to people, and in the sae way Jesus is Son of God to mean a good person.
Many Christians still will insist that Jesus is the only literal Son of God, yet the bible does not support such beliefs. So here is a short introduction to SONS OF GOD: The Bible ascribes sons by the tons to God. (a) 'Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the SON OF GOD." LUKE 3:38 (b) "That the SONS OF GOD saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took wives of all which they chose. ". . When the SONS OF GOD came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown." GENESIS 6:2 and 4 (c) ". Thus- saith the Lord, Israel is MY SON even my FIRSTBORN." EXODUS 4:22 (d) ". And Ephraim is my FIRSTBORN," JEREMIAH 31:9 (e) ". Thou (o David) ART MY SON; this day have I (God) BEGOTTEN thee. " PSALMS 2:7 (TONS A ton is 2000 lbs. weight, that is about a thousand kilograms.) ("FIRST BORN:" How can there be two "firstborns"?) ("BEGOTTEN" How can God beget David at the age of forty? "This day'?) (f) "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the SONS OF GOD. ' ROMANS 8:14
Finally the conclusion we arrive is that the term Son-of-God is to be understood figuratively and not literally, has it I understood by many Christians. But because th Bible was edited by the early Christians sects, to support their faith, which is still in full practice. The real meanig of the words are lost and instead hellanistic doctrines have been added in the Bible. JW's have the correct beleif but that this term "only begotten Son of God " is the a difficult phrase which no Witness an explain, and even if he manages to riggle out of this by saying that this phrase was an interpolation into the wrod of God (Bible), he still has to wrestle with, the argument, if this phrase is a interpolation then, God has not preserved the Bible fro erorr, contordicting many known passages of the bible.
Like the Verse which explains the Trinity "father, son, holy Spirit ... these three are one" know has been discarded by Jw's has a fabrication, which was not the word of God. But why would god Allow the bible to be changed if he promised that it wil not be chagnee! YOu Christians wrestle wiht this problem, itnot y problem.
"They say: "God hath begotten a son!" - Glory be to Him! He is self- sufficient! His are all things in the heavens and on earth! No warrant have ye for this! Say ye about God what ye know not? Say: "Those who invent a lie against God will never prosper." A little enjoyment in this world! - And then, to us will be their return, then shall we make them taste the severest penalty for their blasphemies."
I leave it to you to decide the truth.
Peace!
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24
Muhammed (pbuh) In The Bible - Fact or Fiction??
by Muslim inin the name of god, most compassionate, most merciful.
he will glorify jesus (pbuh), and he will guide mankind into all truth.
in the above verses we read "if i go not away, the comforter will not come unto you; but if i depart, i will send him unto you.
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Muslim
<P>Why don't you all stop beating around the bush and do what is expected of you JW's. ; At least have the decentcy of having a objetive read, and then go on to present a counter argument.</P>
<P>So shall I take that MUhammed was foretold in the Bible? ; Or are you going to deny that? ; </P>
<P><EM>1<FONT color=#ff0000>) - "This ain't no place to peddle your religion.</FONT></EM><FONT color=#ff0000> (2) - Even though I accept Muhammed as God's Prophet, this ain't the place to carry on."</FONT></P>
<P>1) - ; Thanks ;Allah you ;Jw's have realised that you should not preach in ; any where. ; I mean the most anoying christian sect has to be the Jw's.<IMG class=smilie src=" "> ; ;I ;mean ; ;<EM><STRONG>"Knock, KNock,<IMG class=smilie src=" "> Hello Sir,<IMG class=smilie src=" "> Are you interested in reading our leflets,<IMG class=smilie src=" "> ;here is the ;Copy of ;"Awake", ; I think this will go well with the this ;magzine, ; ;try this "WatchTower" mag also. ; If ;you are interested in a ;Bible ;studey we can arrange it for you. ;<IMG class=smilie src=" ">"</STRONG></EM></P>
<P>Have you ever seeen a muslim doing this?<IMG class=smilie src=" "> ; Oh you will have the answer, "<STRONG><EM>We do this cause we love the MUslims, ; it is out of love for the mankind that we preach gods words, so that we can bring the Kingdom of god on earth."</EM></STRONG> ; Yeah, I have heard that too. ; NOw when a muslim posts a message on the net you are begging to get the worms in your brain. ; How does it feel! ;<IMG class=smilie src=" "> </P>
<P>Oh wait a moment!<IMG class=smilie src=" "> Whats this! ; He is a beleiver in Islam, so when are you going to stop ;feeding on the 2 thousand year old blood of Christ, I mean it would have taste rotten now. Yak!<IMG class=smilie src=" "> ; Like Jesus said, ; "take up your cross and fallow me" ; It means take you responsibilty your self, like this verse puts it clearly <EM><STRONG>"Father shall not bear the wrong doing of the son nor the son shall bear the wrong doings of the father. Wickedness of the wicked is on him and the righteousnes on the righteous, But if the wicked shall repent and do what is lawfull and right he shall surely live he shallk not die."</STRONG></EM> ; It is clear that you have to bear your own burden, and repent of your sins and you shall not go to hell, but heaven. ; So stop feeding on the two thousand blood of Christ, start feeding on your own. ; It is the time that you have recited the onfession of the Islamic faith.</P>
<P><EM><FONT color=#ff0000>"One major thing, is that Muslim women are given no privileges and are treated as possessions. ; I don't care how good a man treats me, I could not live that way. ; It's way too subsurviant and demeaning."</FONT></EM></P>
<P>First of all you are very misinformed about the islamic treatment of women. This is a wast subject which needs alot of ;time. ; I think "one to one" ;would be an appropirate start for such a misunderstood subject. ; Here is My email address: <A href="mailto: [email protected]"> [email protected]</A> conact me and we can have chat on Msn Messenger.</P>
<P><FONT color=#ff0000>"Perhaps the major problem of Muhammedanism (puh!) is that they fail to have a real understanding of Jesus (puh!) and the essence of Christianity (puh!), but in stead stick to a strange, superfluous critisism or streams of words about - as some here stated - this well-hidden majority of true scholars, who have converted because of their understanding of what the other uninformed scholars have somehow failed to see thru the centuries."</FONT></P>
<P><FONT color=#333333>Listen Buddie, ; I understand the essene of Christianty better then most Christians do, and if in doubt, try me out. ; ; ; You said <STRONG><EM>"... but instead stick to a strange, superflous criticism or streams of words about .."</EM></STRONG> ; What makes you think that the post was a "superflous criticism" ; you have not given me any evidence which proves so. ; ; I will ; be waiting to analyze if your claim is valid, so do post a response.</FONT></P> -
5
Was Mary Magdalene a ...?
by FriendlyFellaAL insomething that always puzzled me as i grew up a witness was where those in mainstream christianity gained the notion that mary magadalene had been a prostitute.
no amount of independent study that i did ever turned up anything to back up the allegation.
does anyone know where such information comes from?
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Muslim
I have read the Jewish early commentries of the Old Testament, the one that are very well know and have taken almost the same status has the Old Testament it self. The key source of this sort of information is the Jewish Talmud, and Mishna. These both contain information about the figure of Yashuwa (Jesus). Talmud contains some pretty ugly information, regarding JEsus. It recorded that Jesus was first killed on the Cross and then his entire body was lowered in the dung until his mouth ws filled with it. There is also mentioned of of the Mother of Jesus, it is aleged in the Talmud that she was whore, who was raped by a Roman soilder and has a result she conceived Jesus. It goes further to explain that when she gave birth to Jesus she hid this fact, and instead, made up a fictious account of miraoulus birth. In order to stop her family being disgraced, and save her self from being stoned to death. It also reffers to Jesus has "Bastard", "the fatherless" and so on.
So who is the first to shout " He is Anti-Semetic?"
REad the book called "the illegitamacy of Jesus"
by: Jane Schaberg
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24
Muhammed (pbuh) In The Bible - Fact or Fiction??
by Muslim inin the name of god, most compassionate, most merciful.
he will glorify jesus (pbuh), and he will guide mankind into all truth.
in the above verses we read "if i go not away, the comforter will not come unto you; but if i depart, i will send him unto you.
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Muslim
In the name of God, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.
What Did Jesus Really Say? By Misha'al ibn Abdullah
A "Paraclete" like Jesus:
In the Bible we can find the following four passages wherein Jesus (pbuh) predicts a great event:
John 14:16
"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever"John 15:26
"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me"John 14:26
"But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."John 16:7-14
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you."In these four verses, the word "comforter" is translated from the word "Paraclete" ("Ho Parakletos" in Greek). Parakletos in Greek is interpreted as "an advocate", one who pleads the cause of another, one who councils or advises another from deep concern for the other's welfare (Beacon Bible commentary volume VII, p.168). In these verses we are told that once Jesus (pbuh) departs, a Paraclete will come. He will glorify Jesus (pbuh), and he will guide mankind into all truth. This "Paraclete" is identified in John 14:26 as the Holy Ghost.
It must be pointed out that the original Greek manuscripts speak of a "Holy pneuma." The word pneuma {pnyoo'-mah} is the Greek root word for "spirit." There is no separate word for "Ghost" in the Greek manuscripts, of which there are claimed to be over 24,000 today. The translators of the King James Version of the Bible translate this word as "Ghost" to convey their own personal understanding of the text. However, a more accurate translation is "Holy Spirit." More faithful and recent translations of the Bible, such as the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), do indeed now translate it as "Holy Spirit." This is significant, and will be expounded upon shortly.
All Bibles in existence today are compiled from "ancient manuscripts," the most ancient of which being those of the fourth century C.E. Any scholar of the Bible will tell us that no two ancient manuscripts are exactly identical. All Bibles in our possession today are the result of extensive cutting and pasting from these various manuscripts with no single one being the definitive reference.
What the translators of the Bible have done when presented with such discrepancies is to do their best to choose the correct version. In other words, since they can not know which "ancient manuscript" is the correct one, they must do a little detective work on the text in order to decide which "version" of a given verse to accept. John 14:26 is just such an example of such selection techniques.
John 14:26 is the only verse of the Bible which associates the Parakletos with the Holy Spirit. But if we were to go back to the "ancient manuscripts" themselves, we would find that they are not all in agreement that the "Parakletos" is the Holy Spirit. For instance, in the famous the Codex Syriacus, written around the fifth century C.E., and discovered in 1812 on Mount Sinai by Mrs.Agnes S. Lewis (and Mrs. Bensley), the text of 14:26 reads; "Paraclete, the Spirit"; and not "Paraclete, the Holy Spirit.". Is this just knit picking? "Spirit" or "Holy Spirit," what's the big deal? Obviously they both refer to the same thing. Right? Wrong! There is a big difference. A "spirit," according to the language of the Bible simply means "a prophet" See for instance:
"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world," 1 John 4:1-3:
(also see 1 John 4:6), or an inspired human, for example read 1 Corinthians 2:10, 2 Thessalonians 2:2, ...etc.
We have already exhibited in chapters one and two many documented cases of deliberate modification of the Biblical text by members of the Christian clergy themselves, as well as deliberate large scale projects to "correct" the Bible, and the writings of "the early fathers," (such as the deliberate insertion of the verse of 1 John 5:7 which is now universally discarded). It is, therefore, possible that either:
1) The word "Holy" could have been dropped by a careless copyist., or
2) Someone could have inserted the word "Holy" to convey his personal understanding of the text.
Which was it? In order to arrive at the answer we must follow the same path of detective work the Biblical scholars themselves do. We must study the characteristics of the "Paraclete" and compare them to both the "Holy Spirit" and to a "Spirit." Muslims believe that Muhammad (pbuh) was the one intended and not the Holy Ghost. In the Christian's own "Gospel of Barnabas" Muhammad is mentioned by name here. The Trinitarian church, however, has done its utmost to obliterate all existing copies of "The Gospel of Barnabas," and to hide it from the masses or to label it a forgery (see chapter 7). For this reason, it becomes necessary to show that even the Gospels adopted by Paul's church also originally spoke of Muhammad (pbuh).
1) Christian scholars see evidence of tampering:
In the famous "Anchor Bible" we find the following quote:
"The word parakletos is peculiar in the NT to the Johnannine literature. In John ii Jesus is a parakletos (not a title), serving as a heavenly intercessor with the Father ... Christian tradition has identified this figure (Paraclete) as the Holy Spirit, but scholars like Spitta, Delafosse, Windisch, Sasse, Bultmann, and Betz have doubted whether this identification is true to the original picture and have suggested that the Paraclete was once an independent salvific figure, later confused with the Holy Spirit." The Anchor Bible, Doubleday & Company, Inc, Garden City, N.Y. 1970, Volume 29A, p. 1135
We are about to see some of the evidence that goes to prove this position.
2) Does the Holy Spirit "speak" or "inspire":
The Greek word translated as "hear" in the Biblical verses ("whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak") is the Greek word "akouo" {ak-oo'-o} meaning to perceive sounds. It has, for instance, given us the word "acoustics," the science of sounds. Similarly the verb "to speak" is the Greek verb "laleo" {lal-eh'-o} which has the general meaning "to emit sounds" and the specific meaning "to speak." This verb occurs very frequently in the Greek text of the Gospels. It designates a solemn declaration by Jesus (pbuh) during his preachings (For example Matthew 9:18). Obviously these verbs require hearing and speech organs in order to facilitate them. There is a distinct difference between someone "inspiring" something and him "speaking" something. So the Paraclete will "hear" and "speak," not "inspire."
Muhammad (pbuh), as seen above, did indeed fulfill this prophesy. Whatsoever he "HEARD" from Gabriel (The Qur'an), the same did he physically "SPEAK" to his followers. In the Qur'an we read:
"(God swears) By the star when it falls!: Your comrade (Muhammad) errs not, nor is he deceived; Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. It is naught save a revelation that is revealed (unto him)." The noble Qur'an, Al-Najm(53):1-4
3) The Holy Ghost was already with them:
In the above verses we read "if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." The comforter can not be the Holy Ghost because the Holy Ghost (according to the Bible) was "with" them already (and even quite active) long before the coming of Jesus (pbuh) himself and then throughout his ministry. Read for example.
Genesis 1:2 "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."
1 Samuel 10:10 "And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them."
"And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly." 1 Samuel 11:6 "Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?" Isaiah 63:11
"For he (John the Baptist) shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb." Luke 1:15
"And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee." Luke 1:35
"And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost" Luke 1:41
"And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying," Luke 1:67
"And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him." Luke 2:25
"And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost (Simeon), that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ." Luke 2:26
"And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him (Jesus), and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased." Luke 3:22
"Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost." John 20:21-22
Did they or did they not already receive the Holy Ghost? Was Jesus (pbuh) not still with them when they received the Holy Ghost? Was the Holy Ghost not with Simeon, Mary, Elisabeth and Zacharias before the birth of Jesus (pbuh)? Was the Holy Ghost not with Moses (pbuh) when he parted the seas? There are many more similar verses to be found in the Bible. In the above verses, we are told that if Jesus (pbuh) does not depart then the "parakletos" will not come. Thus, the "Holy Ghost" cannot be the one originally intended since it was already with them. The contradiction is quite obvious.
4) Selective translation: Jesus (pbuh) too is a Paraclete:
The word "Paraclete" is applied to Jesus (pbuh) himself in 1 John 2:1
"My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate(parakletos) with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." 1 John 2:1
Notice how the translators have managed to translate this exact same word one way (advocate) in reference to Jesus (pbuh) and another (comforter) with regard to the coming "parakletos." Why would they want to do such a thing? The reason is that the translators did not want the Christians, after reading
"we have an advocate(parakletos) with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" to then read
"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another advocate(parakletos)."
Can we see why this would make them nervous?
Well, what was Jesus (pbuh)? He was a prophet! Read:
"...This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee." Matthew 21:11
and "..Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people" Luke 24:19:
Muhammad (pbuh) was also a prophet of God. We have already demonstrate in chapter one how the verses of the Bible themselves prove quite conclusively that Jesus (pbuh) was neither a god nor part of God Almighty, but an elect messenger of God. The concept of his divinity was concocted by Paul and his ministry during the first three centuries after the departure of Jesus (pbuh) and is explicitly refuted by the Bible itself and Jesus' apostles (see section 1.2.5).
5) "Another" Paraclete:
Now go back to John 14:16 and notice the words "another Paraclete." If the comforter is the Holy Ghost then how many Holy Ghost's are there? The word "another" is significant. We have already seen how this term is applied to Jesus (pbuh) himself. In English, "another" may mean "One more of the same kind" or "one more of a different kind." If the latter were the one intended then the current Christian interpretation might bear some merit. However, if "One more of the same kind" was what was intended then this is positive proof that the coming Paraclete would be just like Jesus (pbuh), a human being and a prophet, not a ghost. The actual Greek word used was the word "allon" which is the masculine accusative form of "allos" {al'-los}: "Another of the SAME kind." The Greek word for "another of a different kind" is "heteros" {het'-er-os}.
Prof. Abdul-Ahad Dawud (formerly Rev. David Benjamin Keldani, Bishop of Uramia) says:
"The adjective 'another' preceding a foreign noun for the first time announced seems very strange and totally superfluous. There is no doubt that the text has been tampered with and distorted." Muhammad in the Bible, Prof. Abdul-`Ahad Dawud, p. 211
"The Paraclete is a parallel figure to Jesus himself; and this conclusion is confirmed in the fact that the title is suitable for both. It is clear from 14:16 that the source thought there were sendings of two Paracletes, Jesus and his successor, the one following the other" The Gospel of John a Commentary, Rudolf Bultmann, p. 567
6) "Parakletos" or "Periklytos"?:
Some scholars believe that what Jesus (pbuh) said in his own Aramaic tongue in these verses represents more closely the Greek word "Periklytos" which means the admirable or glorified one. This word corresponds exactly to the Arabic word "Muhammad" which also means the "admired one" or "glorified one." In other words, "Periklytos" is "Muhammad" in Greek. There are several similar documented cases of similar word substitution in the Bible. It is also quite possible that both words were contained in the original text but were dropped by a copyist because of the ancient custom of writing words closely packed, with no spaces in-between them. In such a case the original reading would have been: "and He will give you another comforter(Parakletos), the admirable one(Periklytos)" (See examples of many similar cases in the Biblical text in "The Emphatic Diaglott").
In his book "Muhammed in the Bible", Professor `Abdul-Ahad Dawud, formerly Rev. David Benjamin Keldani, Roman Catholic Bishop of Uramiah, submits a much more eloquent and scholarly presentation in defense of these assertions, far beyond the limited abilities of this humble author. For those who which to read a truly scholarly study of this matter, you may obtain a copy of that book. The following is a very brief quotation from that book:
"The 'Paraclete' does not signify either 'consoler' or 'advocate'; in truth, it is not a classical word at all. The Greek orthography of the word is Paraklytos which in ecclesiastical literature is made to mean 'one called to aid, advocate, intercessor' (Dict. Grec.-Francais, by Alexandre). One need not profess to be a Greek scholar to know that the Greek word for 'comforter or consoler' is not 'Paraclytos' but 'Paracalon'. I have no Greek version of the Septuagint with me, but I remember perfectly well that the Hebrew word for 'comforter' (mnahem) in the Lamentations of Jeremiah (I. 2, 9, 16, 17, 21, etc.) is translated into Parakaloon, from the verb Parakaloo, which means to call to, invite, exhort, console, pray, invoke. It should be noticed that there is a long alpha vowel after the consonant kappa in the 'Paracalon' which does not exist in the 'Paraclytos.' In the phrase (He who consoles us in all our afflictions) 'paracalon' and not 'Paraclytos' is used. (I exhort, or invite, thee to work). Many other examples can be cited here. There is another Greek word for comforter or consoler, i.e. "Parygorytys' from 'I console'.....The proper Greek term for 'advocate' is Sunegorus and for 'intercessor' or 'mediator' Meditea" Muhammad in the Bible, Prof. Abdul-`Ahad Dawud, pp. 208-209
God Almighty describes His final prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in the noble Qur'an with the following words:
"And We (God) have not sent you (O Muhammad) but as a mercy to all creation" The noble Qur'an, Al-Anbiya(21):107
"Verily, there has come unto you a messenger (Muhammad) from among yourselves. It grieves him that you should endure hardship. [He is] fearful for you. For the believers [he is] full of pity, merciful." The noble Qur'an, Al-Tawba(9):128
7) "He" not "It":
Notice the use of "he" when referring to the Paraclete and not "it." If we read John 16:13, we will find no less than SEVEN occurrences of the masculine pronoun "He" and "Himself." There is not another verse in the 66 books of the Protestant Bible or the seventy three books of the Catholic Bible which contains seven masculine pronouns, or seven feminine pronouns, or even seven neuter genders. So many masculine pronouns ill befits a ghost, holy or otherwise. The word "Spirit" (Greek, pneu'ma), is of a neutral gender and is always referred to by the pronoun "it."
Mr. Ahmed Deedat says:
"When this point of seven masculine pronouns was mooted by Muslims in India in their debates with the Christian missionaries, the Urdu (Indian) version of the Bible had the pronouns presently changed to SHE, SHE, SHE! so that the Muslims could not claim that this prophecy referred to Muhammad (pbuh) - a man! This Christian deception I have seen in the Bible myself. This is a common trickery by the missionaries, more specially in the vernacular. The very latest ruse I have stumbled across in the Afrikaans Bible, on the very verse under discussion; they have changed the word "Trooster" (Comforter), to "Voorspraak" (Mediator), and interpolated the phrase - "die Heilige Gees" - meaning THE HOLY GHOST, which phrase no Bible scholar has ever dared to interpolate into any of the multifarious English Versions. No, not even the Jehovah's witnesses. This is how the Christians manufacture God's word." "Muhammad, the natural successor to Christ," Ahmed Deedat, p. 51
8) He will guide you into all truth:
In the above verses Jesus (pbuh) is quoted as saying "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth." What does Jesus (pbuh) mean by "ye cannot bear them now"? If we were to read the Bible, we would find many verses throughout the Bible wherein Jesus (pbuh) bemoans the lack of understanding he was constantly greeted with from his disciples throughout his ministry:
"And he(Jesus) saith unto them(the disciples).....O ye of little faith." Matthew 8:26
"...and (Jesus) said unto him(Peter), O thou of little faith." Matthew 14:31
"he (Jesus) said unto them(the disciples), O ye of little faith." Matthew 16:8
"And he(Jesus) said unto them(the disciples), Where is your faith?" Luke 8:25
Notice that these are not common Jews who he is saying these words to, but his own elect disciples. The Bible vividly illustrates how he is constantly going out of his way to simplify matters for them and to speak to them as one speaks to little children. However, even at that, they still misunderstand. He is finally driven to frustration and made to say:
"And Jesus said, Are ye even yet without understanding?" Matthew 15:16
and "And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you?" Luke 9:41
We are even told that his own people did not accept him:
"He came unto his own, and his own received him not." John 1:11
Jesus (pbuh) had "all truth," but he could not give it to them because they were not fit to receive it. Therefore, he told them that another would come after him who shall guide them into "all truth" which they could not receive from him. He tells us that the one who will come will "teach you all things." This one who will guide them into "all truth" is described as "The spirit of truth." We have already seen how the word "spirit" in the Bible is synonymous with the word "Prophet." Muhammad (pbuh), even before he became the prophet of Islam was known among his people as "Al-sadik Al-amin," which means "The truthful, the trustworthy." Thus, it becomes apparent that Muhammad was indeed "the spirit of truth." Since the departure of Jesus (pbuh) and to this day, the "Holy Ghost" has not taught mankind a single new truth not revealed by Jesus (pbuh) himself.
It is important to notice the words "ALL truth" and "MANY things." "Many" and "All" means more than one. What new and innovative teachings has the Holy Ghost given mankind which were not taught by Jesus (pbuh)? The Qur'an says:
"O mankind! The messenger (Muhammad) hath come unto you with the truth from your Lord. Therefore believe; (it is) better for you. But if ye disbelieve, still, lo! unto Allah belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth. Allah is the All-Knower, the All-Wise." The noble Qur'an, Al-Nissa(4):120
"We (God) have sent you (O Muhammad) with the Truth, as a bringer of glad tidings and a warner." The noble Qur'an, Al-Baqarah(2):119
"Those are the Verses of Allah. We recite them upon you (O Muhammad) in Truth. And verily, you are among the messengers." The noble Qur'an, Al-Baqarah(2):252
9) He shall glorify me:
The Paraclete "shall glorify me" and will "testify of me." Muhammad (pbuh) did indeed testify of Jesus (pbuh) and did indeed glorify him and raise him and his mother to their well deserved stations of honor and piety and even made it an article of faith for every Muslim to bear witness to this. Just one of the many examples of this is:
"And the angles said 'O Mary, Allah gives you glad tidings of a Word from Him, his name is Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, High honored in this world and the next, of those near stationed to Allah." The noble Qur'an, A'al-Umran(3):40.
Nobody seems to recognize this fact as being at all extraordinary. People generally look upon the Jews as true worshippers of God and followers of a legitimate faith, even if they do consider them misguided by not following Jesus (pbuh) but killing him. Their book is even incorporated into the Bible as the faultless word of God. On the other hand, Muslims are looked down upon as followers of a false prophet and as savage blood thirsty terrorists or barbarians. However, if we were to look at the Jewish opinion of Jesus (pbuh) we would find that an early reference in the Babylonian "Talmud" says that "Jeshu ha-Nocri" was a false prophet who was hanged on the eve of the Passover for sorcery and false teaching. They further claim that he was a bastard son of a Roman adulterer among many other allegations.
Mr. Josh McDowell is a Biblical scholar who has researched the topic of the Jewish Talmud's view of Jesus. The Talmud, of course, is the ultimate authoritative body of Jewish tradition, comprising the Mishnah and Gemara. In Mr. McDowell's book, "Evidence that demands a verdict," he quotes extensively from the Jewish Talmud with regard to the official Jewish view of Jesus (pbuh). The following is a small sampling from this book:
"Tol'doth Yeshu. Jesus is referred to as 'Ben Pandera'." Note: 'Ben Pandera' means 'son of Pandera'. He was a Roman soldier the Jews allege to have raped Mary to produce the illegitimate son Jesus (God forbid).
Yeb. IV 3;49a: "Rabbi Shimeon Ben Azzai said (regarding Jesus): 'I found a genealogical roll in Jerusalem wherein was recorded, such-an-one is a bastard of an adulteress." Joseph Klausner adds:
"Current editions of the Mishnah, add: 'To support the words of Rabbi Yehoshua' (who in the same Mishnah says: What is a bastard? Everyone who's parents are liable to death by the Beth Din), that Jesus is here referred to seems to be beyond doubt."The Jews had adopted in their ancient references a system of referring to Jesus with code names when heaping upon his person allegations of evil and blasphemy. One good reference on this topic is "The Jewish Encyclopaedia," in twelve volumes. The following information is obtained from that book.
Under the heading of "Jesus in Jewish legend" (Vol. VII, page 170-173), we are told that Jesus is referred to in Jewish references by such code names as "that man," "that anonymous one," "Yeshu," "bastard," "son of Pandera," "son of Stada," "Balaam," (destroyer of the people) etc. Most allegations which are associated with Jesus (peace be upon him and his mother), concern themselves either with belittling the person of Jesus, ascribing to him illegitimate birth, ascribing to his mother Mary (pbuh) acts of whoredom, attributing to Jesus acts of black magic through the vain use of the given name of God, and attributing to him a shameful death as well as severe and denigrating punishment in the afterlife.
These references to Jesus in Jewish records and law claim that Jesus was born to a well known adulteress named "Mary," who conceived him through adultery with a Roman soldier who was named either "Pandera" or "Stada." Jesus is then claimed to have traveled to Egypt and entered into the service of magicians, he lusted after a woman and was excommunicated, he set up a brick as his god and led all of Israel into apostasy. He is claimed to have cut his magic formulas into his skin, by having taken a parchment containing the "declared name of God" and cut it into his skin in order to steal it from the Temple. All of his miracles were then performed through this stolen parchment which was later forcibly retrieved from him. It was Judas Iscarlot who volunteered to retrieve it from Jesus. An arial battle ensued between Judas and Jesus. Judas found that he could in no way touch Jesus so he "defiled" him. Judas emerged victorious and Jesus fled. Forty days before the condemnation of Jesus, a herald called upon anyone who could say anything in Jesus' favor. Not a single person came. The scholars of Israel then bound him to a pillar, however, his disciples attacked them and freed him. He disguised himself and rode an ass into Jerusalem, however, Judas saw through his disguise and exposed him.
We are told that Jesus was then taken to be hung on the tree as the law required, however, he had conjured all of the trees with his black magic and none of them would receive him. Finally they hung him up on a large cabbage stalk which received him. After Jesus' body was placed in the tomb it disappeared and his disciples tried to claim that he had risen, however, it was later discovered that "Judas the gardener" had taken Jesus' body and used it as a dam to hold back the water in his garden. Jesus' body was then retrieved and flung before the Queen. In this manner the lies of the apostles were silenced and there was great rejoicing throughout the land. This same encyclopaedia aleges that the Qur'an "alludes to" the insult delivered to the body of Jesus in the streets of Jerusalem. A claim that is not only preposterous and unfounded, however, the authors are hereby publicly challenged to produce the text of the Qur'an that "alludes to" such evil claims against Jesus, peace be upon him and his mother Mary.
The Jewish encyclopaedia goes on to inform us that Jewish legend has "the pupils of the recantant Balaam inherit Hell." As one of the three most evil enemies of Judaism, a sorceress is claimed to have later recalled Jesus and the other two from hell and asked them who were the closest people to God. Jesus allegedly informed the sorceress that "Israel" were the highest of God's creatures in stature and warned her not to harm them, for to seek to harm the Jews was to seek to harm "the apple of God's eye." (For more on this topic you may purchase the book "The Plot Against Christianity," by Elizabeth Dilling) .
Grolier's encyclopedia tells us that
"...the reliable Jewish sources tell us that he(Jesus) was a Jewish teacher who was put to death for sorcery and false prophecy and that he had a brother named James.."
Mr. H. Abdul Al-Dahir relates on page 76 of his book "Mohammed A Prophesy Fulfilled," that the Jewish Talmudic book Sanhedrin states:
1) Jesus (pbuh) was stoned and then "hanged" (crucified) (Sanh. 43a-45b)
2) Jesus' apostles were all killed (Sanh. 43a-b)
3) Jesus was crucified as a blasphemer (Sanh. 46a)
4) Jesus was burned after he was lowered into dung to his armpits with his mouth forced open and molten lead was poured in, burning his internal organs. (Sanh. 52a)
5) Jesus was strangled after being lowered into the dung (Sanh. 56a, 106b)
6) Jesus is in Hell where his punishment is boiling in hot semen. (Gitten 57A)
7) Jesus committed bestiality, corrupted the people, and is turned into Hell. (Sanh. 105a)
8) Jesus limped on one foot, was blind in one eye, practiced enhancement by way of membrum, committed
bestiality with an ass, and was a fool who did not know his beast's mind. (Sanh. 105a, 105b)
9) Jesus attempted to seduce a woman, was excommunicated by a Rabbi, and then worshipped a brick. He was a seducer of Israel and practiced magic. (Sanh. 107b)
10) Jesus is the chief repository of the criminal law of the Talmud. (Sanhedrin index) (Dilling p. 51)With each new allegation which issued forth from the mouths of the Jews with regard to the alleged corruption and blasphemy of Jesus, the Christians countered with an equal but opposite elevation of his status to lofty new hights. Slowly but surely, Jesus was elevated from being an elect prophet of God to being the highest of God's creation for all time, to being equal to the angels, to being the Son of God, and finally to being God Himself, manifest in the flesh, and the third face of God's claimed Triune nature. This resulted in mankind being given only one of two choices: Either Jesus was the most wicked, evil, and blasphemous false prophet and magician ever to take the name of God in vain, or else he was God Himself in the flesh, having descended from heaven to walk among us and sacrifice himself for our sins. The Qur'an, however, was sent by God in order to show us that the truth lies at neither extreme. Allah Almighty tells us in the Qur'an:
"O people of the book (Jews and Christians)! Do not go to extremes in your religion: nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was [no more or less than] a messenger of Allah, and His Word, which he bestowed upon Mary, and a spirit preceding from Him: so believe in Allah and his messengers. Say not "Three": desist!, it is better for you, for Allah is one god, Glory be to Him, Far exalted is He above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and the earth. And enough is Allah as a disposer of affairs." The noble Qur'an, Al-Nissah(4):171.
God Almighty further revealed the following verses of the Qur'an regarding the Jews: "Then because of their breaking of their Covenant and their rejection of the signs of Allah and their slaying of the Prophets wrongfully and that they said "Our hearts are the wrappings [which preserve Allah's Word; we need no more]"; nay but Allah hath set the seal on their hearts for their rejection, so they believe not save a few. And because of their disbelief and of their speaking against Mary a horrendous fabrication." The noble Qur'an, Al-Nissa(4):155-156.
So tremendous a sin is this lie considered with Allah, that it is not even repeated in the Qur'an. The closest the Qur'an ever comes to actually reproducing their words is:
"Then she (Mary) brought him (Jesus) to her own folk, carrying him. They said: O Mary! You have come with a most atrocious thing. Oh sister of Aaron! Your father was not a wicked man nor was your mother a harlot" The noble Qur'an, Maryam(19):27-28.
"And when the angels said: O Mary! Verily! Allah has chosen you, and purified you, and preferred you above (all) the women of creation.." The noble Qur'an, Aal-Umran(3):42.
10) Sin, righteousness, and error
The coming Paraclete, we are told, will demonstrate the error of the world regarding sin, righteousness, and judgment "he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." This is indeed what Muhammad (pbuh) did. He came to the world to show them how they had been misguided in "sin" by believing that mankind can inherit sin (see last quarter of chapter one, and Ezekiel 18:19-20) and that someone's sin can be forgiven by the sacrifice of others. He also showed them how they had been misguided in "righteousness" by believing that a righteous person is one who has "faith" in the crucifixion and does nothing else (Romans 3:28), or who believes that another man's death will make him a righteous person (Romans 5:19). And they were misguided in "judgment" by believing that they will be judged by "faith" and other people's deeds and not their own deeds (Mark 16:16), or that God's "judgment" was to punish all mankind for the sin of one man (Romans 5:16, 5:18).
Muhammad (pbuh) taught that the unscrupulous had altered the words of Jesus (pbuh). He taught that no one will be held accountable by God for anyone else's sin. He emphasized that God has made this a life of work and the next life one of reward and no work. He also revealed that mankind will be judged individually according to their own individual faith and actions and no one else's.
11) That he may abide with you for ever:
In these verses, Jesus (pbuh) is quoted as saying that the coming Paraclete will "abide with you forever." What does he mean by this? In order to understand this statement, let us read
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? Jesus answered, If I honor myself, my honor is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying." John 8:51-55
and also
"And I (Jesus) give unto them (the believers) eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." John 10:28
and "and my servant David [shall be] their prince forever." Ezekiel 37:25.
and "The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD ... He asked life of thee, [and] thou gavest [it] him, [even] length of days for ever and ever." Psalm 21:1-4
Jesus (pbuh) is quoted many times in the Bible as telling his followers that they will never taste death. However, there is not a single one of them alive to this day. Was he lying? Of course not! As seen above, Jesus' (pbuh) was not telling mankind that his followers would never grow old nor die, rather he was speaking about their second life in the hereafter. He was telling them that the life that we hold so dear and spend so much time fretting over and striving to improve is all but insignificant if compared to the true life, the afterlife. So much so that life and death on this earth is unworthy of consideration. Everything in his estimation revolved around an eternal striving for the reward of the afterlife and this was the yardstick by which all matters were to be measured.
In a similar manner, when king David is described as being a prince forever, this did not mean that he would never die but remain immortal for ever and ever as a prince to Israel. Rather, his teachings, name, and guidance shall remain as a shining beacon to mankind even after his death. In this manner, Jesus (pbuh) lives among us through his faith and teachings, prophet Abraham (pbuh) lives on among them and us through his faith and teachings, and so too, the coming Paraclete will live eternally with us through his faith and teachings.
The Paracletos will be the last prophet, because he will "abide with you forever" and "he will guide you into all truth" (Greek "into the whole truth") and "he shall teach you all things," so there will be no need for any further prophets. In the Qur'an we read:
"Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets; and Allah is Aware of all things." The noble Qur'an, , al-Ahzab(33):40
And "This day have I (God) perfected your religion for you (mankind) and completed My favor unto you, and have chosen for you as religion Islam(the submission)." The noble Qur'an, al-Maidah(5):3
So the religion of Islam is the last message to mankind and it, as well as the Qur'an, will abide with them forever. To this day, Muhammad (pbuh) abides with us through his teachings. Muhammad (pbuh) indeed remains alive and well among us in the vast collection of over 9,500 quotations recorded from him during his lifetime in a broad range of topics. This collection of quotations is named the "Hadeeth." To this day, whenever a Muslims wishes to perform any action no matter how trivial, he does not advance a single step before first consulting Allah/God (in the Qur'an), and then prophet Muhammad (pbuh) (in the Hadeeth). Be it a question on how and what to eat or drink, how to perform marriages, how to pray, what sort of trade or commerce is permissible or prohibited, or what sort of clothes to wear, no Muslim presumes to undertake any action before first obtaining the approval of God then His prophet. Muhammad (pbuh) truly is alive and well among us.
Jesus (pbuh) had "the whole truth" and had many things he longed to teach his disciples but he could not give it to them because they "cannot bear them now." These matters would only be revealed six centuries later by God through the agency of Muhammad (pbuh). What new truths has the Holy Spirit guided us into after the departure of Jesus (pbuh) which Jesus (pbuh) had no say in?
12) He shall not speak of himself:
"For he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak:" This too is an interesting statement. It reminds us of the verses of Deuteronomy 18:18-19 which shall be discussed soon, specifically:
" 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. 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."
It is also interesting to read the words of the Qur'an:
"Nor does he (Muhammad) speak of his own desire. It is but an Inspiration that is inspired [unto him]" The noble Qur'an, Al-Najm(53):3-4
13) He shall bring all things into your remembrance:
The prophesy of this coming Paraclete requires that he shall remind mankind of the words of Jesus. Jesus is speaking here not to those who disbelieved, but to his own followers. He is telling his followers that the Paraclete shall "remind" them of the message of Jesus. However, if the followers of Jesus already know and remember all that Jesus taught then how shall the Paraclete "remind" them of something which they already remember? Obviously, the coming Paraclete shall come in a time when the teachings of Jesus have been forgotten and require one to "remind" Jesus' followers of them. Indeed, the Qur'an does in fact confirm this same situation. We read:
"And from those who said: "We are Christians," We took their covenant, but they forgot a good part of the message which was sent to them. Therefore We have stirred up enmity and hatred among them till the Day of Resurrection, and Allah will inform them of what they used to do. O people of the Scripture! Now has Our messenger (Muhammad) come to you, explaining to you much of that which you used to hide in the Scripture, and forgiving much. Indeed, there has come to you a light from Allah and a plain Scripture. Wherewith Allah guides him who seeks His good pleasure unto paths of peace. He brings them out of darkness by His will into light, and guides them to a straight path." The noble Qur'an, Al-Maidah(5):14-16
It is further important to note that one of the names of the Qur'an is "Al-Thikr" (The Reminder). For example:
"Verily, it is We who have sent down 'The Reminder' and it is We who shall preserve it" The noble Qur'an, Al-Hijr(15):9
(also see Al-Sajda(41):41, and Al-Qalam(68):51)
14) He will show you things to come:
There were many prophesies made in the Qur'an and in the Sunnah (tradition) of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself. For instance, in the opening verses of the chapter of al-Room (The Romans), we read:
"The Romans have been defeated. In the lowest/closest land, and they, after their defeat will be victorious. Within ten years. Allah's is the command in the former case and in the latter and in that day the believers will rejoice. In Allah's support to victory. He helps to victory whom He will. He is the Mighty, the Merciful. It is a promise of Allah. Allah fails not His promise, but most of mankind know not. They know only some appearance of the life of the world, and are heedless of the Hereafter" The noble Qur'an, Al-Room(30):2-6
When Islam was still in its infancy and its followers were being severely persecuted, tortured, and killed by the pagan idol worshipers of Arabia (Quraish), there were two "Superpowers" near by. They were the Romans and the Persians. The pagans of Arabia used to like to see the Persians victorious against the Romans because the Persians were pagans like them. However, the Muslims liked to see the Romans victorious because they were "people of the book." About this time, the Romans suffered a resounding defeat to the Persians that seemed to signal the end of the Roman empire. The pagans of Arabia were ecstatic. They went out of their way to hold this defeat over the heads of every Muslim they would encounter.
They said: "Just as the Christians in Rome have been crushed by the pagans of Persia, so shall we crush you." This was psychological warfare against the Muslims which they were adding to the physical torture they were subjecting the Muslims to. It was at this time that these verses were revealed to Muhammad (pbuh) consoling him and the Muslims in general that matters were not as they seemed, and that the Romans would come back and defeat the Persians within "Bidh'u" years. "Bidh'u" is an Arabic word that means "between three and nine." This prophesy did indeed come true and the Romans were once again victorious against the Persians, at the same time, the Muslims achieved their first strategic victory against the pagans of Arabia in the battle of Badr. Mr. Abdullah Yusuf Ali, in his commentary on the Qur'an narrates the following explanation of the above verses:
"The remarkable defeats of the Roman Empire under Heraclius and the straits to which it was reduced are reviewed in Appendix No. 6 (to follow this Sura). It was not merely isolated defeats; the Roman Empire lost most of its Asiatic territory and was hemmed in on all sides at its capital, Constantinople. The defeat, "in a land close by" must refer to Syria and Palestine, Jerusalem was lost in 614-15 AD, shortly before this Sura was revealed. The Pagan Quraish of Makkah rejoiced at the overthrow of Rome by Persia. They were pro-Persian, and in their heart of hearts they hoped that the nascent movement of Islam, which at that time was, from a worldly point of view, very weak and helpless, would also collapse under their persecution. But they misread the true Signs of the times. They are told here that they would soon be disillusioned in both their calculations, and it actually so happened at the battle of Issus in 622 (the year of Hijrat) and in 624, when Heradius carried his campaign into the heart of Persia (see Appendix No: 6) and the Makkan Quraish were beaten off at Badr. Bidh'un in the text means a short period-a period of from three to nine years. The period between the loss of Jerusalem (614-15) by the Romans and their victory at Issus (622) was seven years, and that to the penetration of Persia by Heraclius was nine years. See last note. The battle of Badr (2 A.H. = 624 AD) was a real time of rejoicing for the Believers and a time of disillusionment for the arrogant Quraish, who thought that they could crush the whole movement of Islam in Madinah as they had tried to do in Makkah, but they were singly repulsed."
There were many other prophesies made by the Qur'an which, without exception, all came true. Some Christians whom I have the the pleasure of speaking to on this topic have attempted to trivialize this and other prophesies of prophet Muhammad (pbuh) which such words as:
"I want a list of [prophet Muhammad's] prophesies and I hope they are not easy prophesies such as a prediction of the outcome of a war which have almost 50-50 chances, but actual supernatural revelation which no man can predict unless he is told by God himself."
Such statements are a result of a general unfamiliarity with the details of these prophesies and the situation surrounding them. For example, regarding the above prophesy, when this verse was first revealed to Muhammad (pbuh) by the Almighty, the Roman Empire was at that time believed by everyone to be on the verge of utter collapse before the advancing Persian forces. After the Persian's final crippling moral and physical defeat of the Romans wherein they took from them the very capital of their faith, all onlookers believed it to be the beginning of the end for the Romans. It was at this time that this verse was revealed wherein the whole message of Islam and the truthfulness of prophet Muhammad (pbuh) were placed in the balance. Not only did this verse directly oppose what everyone else believed, however, it even specified the timeframe when this prophesy was to occur.
This was not the only prophesy made by the final messenger of God, Muhammad (pbuh), rather there were many more such as the time when 10,000 of the troops of the pagan army of Quraish were advancing upon his city to utterly destroy him and his followers (in 'The Battle of the Trench' ) and he and about 3000 of his followers were preparing as best they could to stave off this attack by digging a trench. While prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was digging with them he made a number of prophesies including the Muslim's capture of Al-Yemen, Al-Sham (Jerusalem, Iraq, etc.), Morrocco, Persia, and the Eastern countries. All of this was said by him while many of the Muslims were expecting to be totally destroyed at any minute by the advancing army which vastly outnumbered them and was much better armed.
Another example would be that of Al-Israa(17):7. Then there was also the prophesy made by Muhammad a couple of years before his death that before he would die Makkah, the capital of pagan Arabia, would be captured by the Muslims. This prophesy too came true. On another occation, the prophet was sitting in a garden. Uthmaan ibn Affan walked in and the prophet asked Abu Musa Al-Ashari to give him glad tidings that he shall be of the people of Paradise and to further inform him that the people would mutiny against him. This prophecy was fulfilled many years after the death of the prophet (pbuh) when Uthman became the third Caliph and was murdered shortly therafter when a party of the citizens rose against him and slew him.
Ali ibn Abi Talib, the fourth Caliph, had also been informed by the Prophet of his assassination in such detail that he knew the man who was going to kill him, and identified him pointing him out to the people. They asked Ali why he did not kill the man and he replied: "Then who will kill me?" The night preceding his assassination Ali came out, gazed at the sky and said: "By Allah the prophet (pbuh) never told a lie, nor was a lie ever told to him." The next day the same man killed Ali, as the prophet had predicted.
Safinah narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said: The Caliphate of Prophecy will last thirty years; then Allah will give the rule of His Kingdom to whomever He wills." (narrated by Abu-Dawood). This was indeed the length of the Caliphate after the death of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh). After that, the rule of monarchies replaced the rule of the Caliphate.
The Prophet also predicted the division of the Muslims into many sects, and how some people would do to Ali what the Christians did to Jesus. This clearly refers to the Shi'its, who exaggerate the love and praise of Ali to such a degree that one of their sects, Al-Nusaria, actually worship him as the manifestation of Allah.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) further predicted the capture of Egypt, and commanded his followers when this were to occur that they should treat the people well. He further prophesied that the Muslims would overthrow the Persian Empire and seize the treasures of the their Emperor Choseros. He also told one of the companions by the name of Suraqa bin Malik that he would be given the bracelets of Caesar. Many years after the death of the prophet, these bracelets fell into the possession of Umar ibn Al-Khattab and he called upon Suraqa and placed the bracelets on his arms, reminding him of the prophet's words.
Awf ibn Malik narrated in Sahih Al-Bukhari:
"I went to the Prophet (pbuh) during the battle of Tabuk while he was sitting in a leather tent. He said, 'Count six signs that indicate the approach of the [final] Hour: 1) My death; 2) The conquest of Jerusalem; 3) A plague that will afflict you (and kill you in great numbers) as the plague that afflicts sheep; 4) The increase of wealth to such an extent that even if one is given one-hundred Dinars, he will not be satisfied; 5) Then an affliction which no Arab house will escape; 6) And then a truce between you and Banu al-Asfar (i.e. the Byzantines, or Christians) who will betray you and attack you under eighty flags. Under each flag will be twelve thousand soldiers.'"
The prophesies are many and varied. Some of them deal with what the financial situation of the Muslims shall be after him, some deal with what their moral and religious situation shall be, some deal with upcoming battles, some deal with trials and the anti-Christ and the coming of Gog and Magog. Some deal with the second coming of Jesus (pbuh), and many other issues which can not be dealt with here. However, I shall leave it up to the interested student to research this topic in order to verify its authenticity. Two useful references on this topic are:
1. Ashrat Al-Sa'a (The signs of the hour), by Yusuf Al-Wabil, and
2. It'haf Al-Jama'ah Bima Ja'a fi Al-Fitan Wa Al-Malahim Wa Ashrat Al-Sa'a, By Humood Abdullah Al-Tuwaijiri15) The most knowledgeable Christians recognize the Paraclete as Muhammad:
"And if you (Muhammad) are in doubt concerning that which We have revealed unto you, then ask those who read the Scripture (that was) before you. Verily the Truth has come unto you from your Lord, so do not be among those who waver." The noble Qur'an, Yunus(10):94
Throughout history, there have been a number of Christian scholars who have come to recognize the truth of the prophesy of Jesus (pbuh) and that it originally referred to prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Anselm Turmeda, a priest and Christian scholar was one such person. After recognizing the last prophet of God and embrasing Islam he wrote a famous book titled "Tuhfat al-arib fi al-radd 'ala Ahl al-Salib." In the introduction to this work he relates his history:
"Let it be known to all of you that my origin is from the city of Majorca, which is a great city on the sea, between two mountains and divided by a small valley. It is a commercial city, with two wonderful harbours. Big merchant ships come and anchor in the harbour with different goods. The city is on the island which has the same name - Majorca, and most of its land is populated with fig and olive trees. My father was a well respected man in the city. I was his only son. When I was six, he sent me to a priest who taught me to read the Gospel and logic, which I finished in six years. After that I left Majorca and traveled to the city of Larda, in the region of Castillion, which was the centre of learning for Christians in that region. A thousand to a thousand and a half Christian students gathered there. All were under the administration of the priest who taught them. I studied the Gospel and its language for another four years. After that I left for Bologne in the region of Anbardia. Bologne is a very large city, it being the centre of learning for all the people of that region. Every year, more than two thousand students gather together from different places. They cover themselves with rough cloth which they call the "Hue of God." All of them, whether the son of a workman or the son of a ruler wear this wrap, in order to make the students distinct from others. Only the priest teaches controls and directs them. I lived in the church with an aged priest. He was greatly respected by the people because of his knowledge and religiousness and asceticism, which distinguished him from the other Christian priests. Questions and requests for advice came from everywhere, from Kings and rulers, along with presents and gifts.
They hoped that he would accept their presents and grant them his blessings. This priest taught me the principles of Christianity and its rulings. I became very close to him by serving and assisting him with his duties until I became one of his most trusted assistants, so that he trusted me with the keys of his domicile in the church and of the food and the drink stores. He kept for himself only the key of a small room were he used to sleep. I think, and Allah knows best, that he kept his treasure chest in there. I was a student and servant for a period of ten years, then he fell ill and failed to attend the meetings of his fellow priests. During his absence the priests discussed some religious matters, until they came to what was said by the Almighty Allah through his prophet Jesus in the Gospel: "After him will come a Prophet called Paraclete." They argued a great deal about this Prophet and as to who he was among the Prophets. Everyone gave his opinion according to his knowledge and understanding; and they ended without achieving any benefit in that issue. I went to my priest, and as usual he asked about what was discussed in the meeting that day. I mentioned to him the different opinions of priests about the name Paraclete, and how they finished the meeting without clarifying its meaning. He asked me: "What was your answer?" I gave my opinion which was taken from interpretation of a well known exegesis. He said that I was nearly correct like some priests, and the other priests were wrong. "But the truth is different from all of that.
This is because the interpretation of that noble name is known only to a small number of well versed scholars. And we posses only a little knowledge." I fell down and kissed his feet, saying: "Sir, you know that I traveled and came to you from a far distant country, I have served you now for more than ten years; and have attained knowledge beyond estimation, so please favour me and tell me the truth about this name." The priest then wept and said: "My son, by God, you are very much dear to me for serving me and devoting yourself to my care. Know the truth about this name, and there is a great benefit, but there is also a great danger. And I fear that when you know this truth, and the Christians discover that, you will be killed immediately." I said: "By God, by the Gospel and He who was sent with it, I shall never speak any word about what you will tell me, I shall keep it in my heart." He said: "My son, when you came here from your country, I asked you if it is near to the Muslims, and whether they made raids against you and if you made raids against them. This was to test your hatred for Islam. Know, my son, that Paraclete is the name of their Prophet Muhammad, to whom was revealed the fourth book as mentioned by Daniel. His way is the clear way which is mentioned in the Gospel." I said: "Then sir, what do you say about the religion of these Christians?" He said: "My son, if these Christians remained on the original religion of Jesus, then they would have been on God's religion, because the religion of Jesus and all the other Prophets is the true religion of God. But they changed it and became unbelievers." I asked him: "Then, sir, what is the salvation from this?" He said "Oh my son, embracing Islam." I asked him: "Will the one who embraces Islam be saved?" He answered: "Yes, in this world and the next." I said: "The prudent chooses for himself; if you know, sir the merit of Islam, then what keeps you from it?" He answered: "My son, the Almighty Allah did not expose me to the truth of Islam and the Prophet of Islam until after I have become old and my body weakened. Yes, there is no excuse for us in this, on the contrary, the proof of Allah has been established against us.
If God had guided me to this when I was your age I would have left everything and adopted the religion of truth. Love of this world is the essence of every sin, and look how I am esteemed, glorified and honoured by the Christians, and how I am living in affluence and comfort! In my case, if I show a slight inclination towards Islam they would kill me immediately. Suppose that I was saved from them and succeeded in escaping to the Muslims, they would say, do not count your Islam as a favour upon us, rather you have benefited yourself only by entering the religion of truth, the religion that will save you from the punishment of Allah! So I would live among them as a poor old man of more than ninety years, without knowing their language, and would die among them starving .
I am, and all praise is due to Allah, on the religion of Christ and on that which he came with, and Allah knows that from me." So I asked him: "Do you advise me to go to the country of the Muslims and adopt their religion?" He said to me: "If you are wise and hope to save yourself, then race to that which will achieve this life and the hereafter. But my son, none is present with us concerning this matter , it is between you and me only. Exert yourself and keep it a secret. If it is disclosed and the people know about it they will kill you immediately. I will be of no benefit to you against them. Neither will it be of any use to you if you tell them what you heard from me concerning Islam, or that I encouraged you to be a Muslim, for I shall deny it. They trust my testimony against yours. So do not tell a word, whatever happens." I promised him not to do so. He was satisfied and content with my promise. I began to prepare for my journey and bid him farewell. He prayed for me and gave me fifty golden dinars. Then I took a ship to my city Majorca where I stayed with my parents for six months. Then I traveled to Sicily and remained there five months, waiting for a ship bound for the land of the Muslims. Finally a ship arrived bound for Tunis. We departed before sunset and reached the port of Tunis at noon on the second day. When I got off the ship, Christian scholars who heard of my arrival came to greet me and I stayed with them for four months in ease and comfort. After that I asked them if there was a translator. The Sultan in those days was Abu al-Abbas Ahmed. They said there was a virtuous man, the Sultan's physician, who was one of his closest advisors.
His name was Yusuf al-Tabeeb. I was greatly pleased to here this, and asked where he lived. They took me there to meet him separately. I told him about my story and the reason of my coming there; which was to embrace Islam. He was immensely pleased because this matter would be completed by his help. We rode to the Sultan's Palace. He met the Sultan and told him about my story and asked his permission for me to meet him. The Sultan accepted, and I presented myself before him. The first question the Sultan asked was about my age. I told him that I was thirty-five years old. He then asked about my learning and the sciences which I had studied. After I told him he said. "Your arrival is the arrival of goodness . Be a Muslim with Allah's blessings." I then said to the doctor, "Tell the honourable Sultan that it always happens that when anyone changes his religion his people defame him and speak evil of him. So, I wish if he kindly sends to bring the Christian priests and merchants of this city to ask them about me and hear what they have to say. Then by Allah's will, I shall accept Islam." He said to me through the translator, "You have asked what Abdullah ibn Salam asked from the Prophet when he-Abdullah came to announce his Islam." He then sent for the priests and some Christian merchants and let me sit in an adjoining room unseen by them. "What do you say about this new priest who arrived by ship?", he asked. They said: "He is a great scholar in our religion.
Our bishops say he is the most learned and no one is superior to him in our religious knowledge." After hearing what the Christian said, the Sultan sent for me, and I presented myself before them. I declared the two testimonies that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, and when the Christians heard this they crossed themselves and said: "Nothing incited him to do that except his desire to marry, as priests in our religion can not marry." Then they left in distress and grief. The Sultan appointed for me a quarter of a dinar every day from the treasury and let me marry the daughter of Al-Hajj Muhammed al-Saffar. When I decided to consummate the marriage, he gave me a hundred golden dinars and an excellent suit of clothes. I then consummated the marriage and Allah blessed me with a child to whom I gave the name Muhammed as a blessing from the name of the Prophet."
Let us conclude this section with the following quotation from the Gospel of John. Please keep in mind while reading the following all that we have learned so far in previous chapters:
"These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you. But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you." John 16:1-15
Copyright (c) 1995, Misheal Abdullah Al-Kadhi
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The Greatest man in History.
by refiners fire inwell, next to jesus of course, was none other than our churches dear founder, the bebearded c t russell.. do you doubt this claim?.
well just look at the gushy praise of ct in "the finished mystery".
through st. john the lord jesus revealed the fact that the church would be developed during seven distinct periods, or epochs; and that for each of these epochs he would have a special angel, or messenger, to serve the other members of the body...the great master laid special emphasis on the importance of the messenger to the seventh, or laodicean, period of the church, saying that such an one would be "a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord would make ruler over all his household, to give them meat in due season.".
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Muslim
Nope, I happen to disagree with you my friend. Muhammed was the greatest man ever lived. You don't need to take my word for that Just read the "The hundred greatest men in history" By thomas carlyle. and you will get the picture.