Islam's Green: Quran as Furqan over the Bible

Mashallah, here is good example of dawa through letters. The brother asked me for some pointers, but the hard work is all his:

Hi Arthif (I hope I spelt your name right),

Long time. I really enjoyed the talk I went to in the
Islam awareness week. You haven't heard from since
because my life right now is just work work work as I
expect is the same for you.

I came across this reading in the Bible. The part of
interest is the bit in brackets. As you clearly know,
we Christians use the cross to symbolise that. On the
night of the talk a fellow muslim said to me that at
the time of trial the cross will be burnt down 'as
there is no such thing as the Son and Holy Spirit'

I just wanted to confirm if this is what you believe
as muslims and when you read that bit of scripture,
please tell me your thoughts on it. Do you agree or
disagree and please tell me why.

I hope you hear from you soon.
Take care and God bless.

Oprah

Jesus said in Matthew 28:18-20, when he told his
disciples,

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given
to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the (Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit), and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with
you always, to the very end of the age."

Hi Oprah
I hope you are well.
To answer your question, it is well known amongst modern scholars that this passage is an addition, and is not found in the most ancient manuscript. That means that many Christian scholars of the Bible consider it to be a fabrication.
In addition, and most importantly, we as Muslims, although we believe Jesus (peace be upon him) to have had a scripture revealed to him, we do not believe that that scripture that is pertained today is as how it was revealed to him from God Almighty. We therefore don't hold the Bible to be from God. We believe that much alterations took place, additions, subtractions and therefore it is corrupt.
We agree with what is in the Quran, disagree with that which disagrees with the Quran, and neither confirm or deny the rest.
Because the Quran was sent as a Mohayminan (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over the previous scriptures, as they had been tampered by man. As God Almighty says in the interpretation of the meaning):
And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad ) the Book (this Qur'ān) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and Mohayminan (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old Scriptures). (5:48)
For example:
The Bible says that the heavens and the earth were created in 6 days.
What does the Quran say? It says (interpretation of the meaning):
Allāh it is He Who has created the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them in six Days. (32:4).
Therefore we accept that as the truth.
The Bible claims that God had a 'rest' on the seventh day.
What does the Quran say? It says (interpretation of the meaning):
Allāh! None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber, nor sleep overtake Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter . And they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursī extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great. (2:255)
Therefore we do not recognise this as the truth but a fabricated statement.
The Bible says that Jesus was born of a miraculous birth.
What does the Quran say? It says (interpretation of the meaning):
16. And mention in the Book (the Qur'ān, O Muhammad , the story of) Maryam (Mary), when she withdrew in seclusion from her family to a place facing east.
17. She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her Our Ruh [angel Jibrael (Gabriel)], and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects.
18. She said: "Verily! I seek refuge with the Most Beneficent (Allāh) from you, if you do fear Allāh."
19. (The angel) said: "I am only a Messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a righteous son."
20. She said: "How can I have a son, when no man has touched me, nor am I unchaste?"
21. He said: "So (it will be), your Lord said: 'That is easy for Me (Allāh): And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (Allāh), and it is a matter (already) decreed, (by Allāh).' "
22. So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place (i.e. Bethlehem valley about 4-6 miles from Jerusalem). (19:16-22)
Therefore we accept this as the truth.
The Bible speaks of Jesus being God.
What does the Quran say? It says (interpretation of the meaning):
30. "He ['Iesa (Jesus)] said: Verily! I am a slave of Allāh, He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet;"
31. "And He has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me Salāt (prayer), and Zakāt (charity), as long as I live."
32. "And dutiful to my mother, and made me not arrogant, unblest.
33. "And Salām (peace) be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!"
34. Such is 'Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). (It is) a statement of truth, about which they doubt (or dispute).
35. It befits not (the Majesty of) Allāh that He should beget a son [this refers to the slander of Christians against Allāh, by saying that 'Iesa (Jesus) is the son of Allāh]. Glorified (and Exalted be He above all that they associate with Him). When He decrees a thing, He only says to it, "Be!" and it is.
36. ['Iesa (Jesus) said]: "And verily Allāh is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him (Alone). That is the Straight Path. (Allāh's Religion of Islāmic Monotheism which He did ordain for all of His Prophets)." [Tafsir At-Tabarī]
37. Then the sects differed [i.e. the Christians about 'Iesa (Jesus)], so woe unto the disbelievers [those who gave false witness by saying that 'Iesa (Jesus) is the son of Allāh] from the meeting of a great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection, when they will be thrown in the blazing Fire).
38. How clearly will they (polytheists and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allāh) see and hear, the Day when they will appear before Us! But the Zalimūn (polytheists and wrong-doers) today are in plain error.
39. And warn them (O Muhammad ) of the Day of grief and regrets, when the case has been decided, while (now) they are in a state of carelessness, and they believe not. (19:30-39).

88. And they say: "The Most Beneficent (Allāh) has begotten a son (or offspring or children) [as the Jews say: 'Uzair (Ezra) is the son of Allāh, and the Christians say that He has begotten a son ['Iesa (Christ)], and the pagan Arabs say that He has begotten daughters (angels, etc.)]."
89. Indeed you have brought forth (said) a terrible evil thing.
90. Whereby the heavens are almost torn, and the earth is split asunder, and the mountains fall in ruins,
91. That they ascribe a son (or offspring or children) to the Most Beneficent (Allāh).
92. But it is not suitable for (the Majesty of) the Most Beneficent (Allāh) that He should beget a son (or offspring or children).
93. There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Beneficent (Allāh) as a slave. (19:88-93)
Therefore we do not recognise this as the truth but a fabricated statement.
In fact even the Bible does not affirm this fact. For example it says:
A ruler questioned Him, saying, "Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. (Luke18:18-22).
And that is the 1st commandment ... 'Thou shalt not worship others besides God.'
Anyway, with respect to the scriptures the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
Whatever the people of the Book [Jews and Christians] tell you, do not verify them, nor falsify them, but say: We believe in Allah and His Apostle. If it is false, do not confirm it, and if it is right, do not falsify it.
'Do not believe the people of the Book, nor disbelieve them, but say, 'We believe in Allah and whatever is revealed to us, and whatever is revealed to you.' '
So this is our stance to the Torah and Gospels of today. And that is precisely the reason God Almighty sent the Quran as the final revelation, which God himself promised to perserve.
Verily We: It is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur'ān) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption). (15:9)
It is not that God Almighty 'never cared' about the previous scriptures and thus allowed for them to be tampered with. But because this responsibility had been given to mankind.
Verily, We did send down the Taurāt (Torah) [to Mūsa (Moses)], therein was guidance and light, by which the Prophets, who submitted themselves to Allāh's Will, judged the Jews. And the rabbis and the priests [too judged the Jews by the Taurāt (Torah) after those Prophets] for to them was entrusted the protection of Allāh's Book, and they were witnesses thereto. (5:44)
But with the Quran, He, the Almighty, took this responsibility upon Himself. Which is why you will find that history bears witness to this fact that the Quran has been not changed or altered and is exactly as to how it was 1400 years ago. You will find that if someone was to read the Quran, a specific verse of a specific chapter, if you were to get 100 people from all over the globe, they will recite to you even by memory that exact verse, word for word, letter by letter.
It is an established fact that the Quran which we read today is exactly what was revealed to the last messenger of God, Muhammed (peace be upon him). This view is held not only by those who believe in the Quran but also by those who have scrutinised this aspect of the Quran purely from the research point of view. The famous orientalist Caroness Margaret Von Strein writes:-
"Though all the Divine scriptures were revealed by God yet the Quran is the only scripture which has not undergone even the slightest alteration and is safe in its original form."
Hortwig Horchfeld writes in his book entitled: New Researches into the Composition and Exegeses of the Quran-
"The research workers of the modern age agree on the point that the present version of the Quran is the exact copy if the original script which was written by Zaid Bin Sabit and its text is exactly the same as was given by Muhammed".
It is stated Encyclopedia Britannica, under the heading of Quran:-
"All efforts of the European research workers to prove later additions in the Quranic text have proved absolutely futile."
Sir William Muir writes in his book titled, Life of Muhammed:-
"Otherwise all sorts of external and internal evidence in there to prove that we have exactly the same Quranic text which Muhammed gave (to his followers) and used himself."
That the Quran remained absolutely safe and unaltered, since it was revealed, is thus a proved fact admitted even by the non-Muslim research scholars.
Above-described is the direct evidence in support of the safety of the Quran, from the Quran itself and also the views of the non-Muslim research workers.
Please continue to do your reading, Oprah, and do so with an open mind and open heart. Be sincere because sincerity to the truth is of paramount importance.
If you would like to read the translation of the Quran, I can get you a copy. Meanwhile you can access it online:
http://www.muslimconverts.com/quran/NobleQuran/translation/index.html
Also, below are some Q&A you may find interesting to read:
Question #42573: Discussion with a Christian about the Christian doctrine of redemption
http://www.islam-qa.com/index.php?ln=eng&ds=qa&lv=browse&QR=42573&dgn=4

Question #12634: How did Christianity become mixed with polytheistic beliefs?
http://www.islam-qa.com/index.php?ln=eng&ds=qa&lv=browse&QR=12634&dgn=4

Question #12628: Discussion with a Christian: The Oneness of God is the message of Jesus and all the Prophets, peace be upon them
http://www.islam-qa.com/index.php?ln=eng&ds=qa&lv=browse&QR=12628&dgn=4

Question #47516: The Gospels that are extant nowadays were written after the time of ‘Eesa (peace be upon him) and have been tampered with a great deal
http://www.islam-qa.com/index.php?ln=eng&ds=qa&lv=browse&QR=47516&dgn=4

Question #27093: The differences between Christianity and Islam
http://www.islam-qa.com/index.php?ln=eng&ds=qa&lv=browse&QR=27093&dgn=4

Question #10446: Meaning of the word Islam
http://www.islam-qa.com/index.php?ln=eng&ds=qa&lv=browse&QR=10446&dgn=4
If there is any other way I can be of help, please do not hesitate to contact me.
May God guide us closer to the truth and make us me sincere to it.
Yours truly
Arthif.

Say (O Muhammad ): "This is my way; I invite unto Allāh (i.e. to the Oneness of Allāh - Islāmic Monotheism) with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me (also must invite others to Allāh i.e to the Oneness of Allāh - Islāmic Monotheism) with sure knowledge. And Glorified and Exalted be Allāh (above all that they associate as partners with Him). And I am not of the Mushrikūn (polytheists, pagans, idolaters and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allāh; those who worship others along with Allāh or set up rivals or partners to Allāh)." (12:108)

Comments

Jesus? - Did He Really Die on the Cross? (Evidence says, NO!.)
Bible - Is It the Word of God? (Experts say, NO!.)
Tinity- Did Jesus or anyone teach this? (Bible says, NO!.)
"Only Begotten Son of God"? Was this Jesus? (Bible, says - NO!).
Are children born in original sin? (Bible says, "Yes!" - but Jesus says, "NO!")

All this & more - internets site to compare İslam & Christianity:
http://bibleislam.com

Posted by: Peace | Friday, 21 December 2007 at 16:24

As-salaamu alaykum brother...
I wanted to ask you a question concerning making dawah to Christians.some Christians say that the crucifixtion is prophecised in the Old Testament.now, I know that the idea of a "crucified Christ/Messiah" is an oxymoron to the Jews.

Could u shed some light on this issue.How should I respond if a Christian brings this issue up?

And I watched your video on "Passion of Eesa"It was informative,but I wanted to know how to respond to Christians concerning their claims about prophecies in the OT.

May Allah reward u...and I hope u have a good trip to Toronto.

ARGcomment: If you look at those prophecies closely you will see that although they are some remarkable consistancies all the details do not fit. For example Jesus was called Jesus, not Emanuel. Also one should check how Jewish sources interpreted these Prophecies, since they clearly have a different interpretation.

Posted by: Fawaz Ahmed | Tuesday, 02 June 2009 at 15:21