Answering "answering-islam.org"
Part 11
Islam as the 'End' of Christianity:
Assessing the Arguments for Abrogation by Kevin James Bywater
The Islamic Perception of Christianity
Following the stunning tragedies of 11 September 2001, the world has shifted attention not simply toward the Middle East, but especially toward the religion of Islam. Unfortunately, many Americans perceive Islam merely to be the religion of terrorists. This is not so. And while Islam historically has been characterized by warfare and its own version of colonialism, it is understandable why many people in Central America, South Africa and elsewhere have perceived Christianity in similar terms. Since the retreat of the Ottoman Empire and the advance of colonialism by Europeans, Muslims voiced a similar perception of Christianity. Regardless of these perceptions or misperceptions we need to gain a better understanding of just how Muslims view Christianity (which they often identify simply with the West). In doing so, I believe we will gain a greater understanding of the Islamic faith itself. The trajectory of Islamic theology that is the focus of this study is that of abrogation; not the Qur'anic dynamic of legal abrogation, though that is touched upon, but the assertion that in the religion of Islam, Judaism and Christianity meet their end.
Qur'anic Refraction
Essential to the Islamic perspective is the primary lens through which Muslims view all of reality, the Qur'an. In fact, the Muslim study of other religions has historically focused upon the Qur'anic presentation of their practices, beliefs and history, rather than through a direct investigation of those religions. This has lead to a projection of Mohammad's perception of the practices and beliefs of the Christian faith rather than a clear understanding of the actual realities resident within it. This projectionism is evident, for example, in the confused Muslim description of Christian doctrines such as the incarnation of Christ and the Trinity.
Comment:-
Experience and observation present us with raw data that is meaningless unless interpreted. The interpretation is always done in a framework of concepts and values, which a person might acquire from his culture or training or the system he has accepted and adheres to. The "actual realities" this critic speaks of are his perception of Christianity and he wants to judge Islam from that stand point. We have Christian refraction.
KGB:-
As is well-known, Muslims reject the Trinity because the Qur'an contains outright denunciations of it.
"O people of the Scripture! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, nor say of Allah aught but the truth. The Messiah Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), was (no more then) a Messenger of Allah and His Word, ("Be!" - and he was) which He bestowed on Maryam (Mary) and a spirit (Ruh) created by Him; so believe in Allah and His Messengers. Say not: "Three (trinity)!" Cease! (It is) better for you. For Allah is (the only) One Ilah (God), glory be to Him (Far Exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is All-Sufficient as a Disposer of affairs." (Qur'an 4:171)
But it also is evident that Mohammad never obtained a clear understanding of the doctrine, for the Qur'an confuses Mary with the Holy Spirit and projects the Trinity as polytheistic.
Comment:-
This is pure unfounded fantasy. Muslims do not think that the Quran was written by Muhammad. As the Quran is from God Muslims reject the suggestion that He had no clear understanding of the Trinity. The critic begins with denying that the Quran is inspiration but affirming that the New Testament is. But as the doctrine of the Trinity is not in the New Testament, he is also assuming that this man made doctrine is true. Having assumed them the critic cannot prove them. Nor is there any common ground on which a discussion can be conducted.
The Quran 4:171 does not reject Trinity. What it says is:-" Say not: Three!" Cease! (It is) better for you." It rejects the idea that there are three persons in the Godhead and that one of them is the man Jesus. The verse tells us that it is better not to think that way. Trinity could mean a Unity having three aspects or attributes rather than parts. This would not be objectionable to Muslims. In Islam, Allah has 99 attributes.
KGB:-
"And (remember) when Allah will say (on the Day of Resurrection): "O Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)! Did you say unto men: 'Worship me and my mother as two gods besides Allah?'" He will say: "Glory be to You! It was not for me to say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, You would surely have known it. You know what is in my inner-self though I do not know what is in Yours; truly, You, only You, are the All-Knower of all that is hidden (and unseen)." (Qur'an 5:116)
"Surely, disbelievers are those who said "Allah is the third of the three (in a Trinity)." But there is no Ilah (god) (none who has the right to be worshipped) but One Ilah (God - Allah). And if they cease not from what they say, verily, a painful torment will befall on the disbelievers among them." (Qur'an 5:73)
Such misunderstandings are extremely difficult to work through with Muslims. Some seem to think that if Christians disagree with how the Qur'an describes their beliefs, they must either be lying or must have changed the doctrine of the Trinity. The Qur'an cannot be mistaken. Hence the refracting lens of the Qur'an.
Comment:-
What about the "refracting lens" of the Christian Church doctrines. The Quran describes how things were generally understood at the time in reality and not the sophistry of a few Theologians.
KGB:-
Regardless of such misrepresentation, throughout the history of Christian doctrine polytheism has been rejected. The doctrine of the Trinity is understood as a strong declaration of the essential unity of God. As the Athanasian Creed reads, "We worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity; neither dividing the substance nor confusing the persons." An undivided substance is a unity. And this declaration is at the heart of Christian confession. All orthodox Christians affirm a belief in only one true God. Such an affirmation derives from biblical teaching and is affirmed in both the Old and New Testaments. For example:
"You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides him there is no other ... Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other." (Deuteronomy 4:35, 39)
"You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior." (Isaiah 43:10-11; cf. 44:6-8)
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. (1 Corinthians 8:5-6; cf. Ephesians 4:4-6)
In spite of appeal to these and other biblical passages, and in the face of numerous protests of Christians, Muslims insist that Trinitarian theology is polytheistic. The projection from the mind of Muhammad is recalcitrant in the mentalities of Muslims. As never before Modern Americans must grasp the reality that Muslims perceive our religion through the lens of the Qur'an.
Comment:-
The Critic has quoted Old Testament passages. Muslims do not regard Israelites or Jews as Polytheist. The critic has also quoted Paul, but did not notice the implication of "there is but one God, the Father.". which contradicts the Trinity where the Father is only one of three. But Christians despite what the theory of Trinity is, do worship Jesus, a man (Christians insist he was a historical man) as God and also Mary and have their statues in their Churches. That is the Reality.
KGB:-
Transcending these simple misunderstandings of the Christian faith, Muslims hold to a belief that Islam has superseded and abrogated Christianity, much the same (to their thinking) as Christianity did Judaism. It is to this facet of Islamic teaching that we turn our attention in the following study.
Islam as the 'End' of the Christian Faith
La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadu Rasool Allah. There is no God but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of God. - The essential Muslim profession of faith.
It is one thing to charge another religion with falsehoods and its adherents as misguided, it is quite another to make the sweeping claim that one religion has superseded all others, abrogating all previous divine revelations and divinely instituted obligations. This is precisely the claim of Islam toward Christianity and Judaism. It is the most comprehensive claim that can be made. Indeed, it would be unreasonable to claim that all the elements of another religion are false or destructive or misleading. But an aura of plausibility may attend the assertion of replacing a previous religion.
Comment:-
Do not Christians claim exclusivity? - That only those who accept Jesus as their Saviour will be saved?
But things have not been correctly understood by the critic. The past religions have been superseded, but have not become invalid. The Quran says:-
"Verily, whether it be of those who believe, or those who are Jews or Christians or Sabaeans, whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day and acts aright, they have their reward with their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve." 2:62
"Unto every nation have We given sacred rites which they are to perform; so let them not then dispute about the matter, but summon thou unto thy Lord; verily, thou (Muhammad) indeed followest right guidance." 22:67
"And unto thee (Muhammad) have We revealed the Book in truth, verifying what was before it, and preserving it. Judge then between them by what Allah has revealed, and follow not their lusts (prejudices, fantasies), turning away from what is given to thee of the truth. For each of you have We appointed a Law and a traced out Path. Had Allah pleased He would have made you one nation, but that He may try you by that which He has given you. Therefore, vie with one another in virtue. Unto Allah will you all return, and He will then inform you concerning that wherein ye dispute." 5:48
"To every people was sent a Messenger; and when their Messenger comes to them (on the Day of Judgment), it will be judged between them fairly, and they will not be wronged." 10:48
The Quran does not condemn the original teaching of the founders of the religions (the Prophets who bring the Word of God) but the misinterpretations and corruption of religion by humans.
KGB:-
The Islamic case for the abrogation of Christianity has many elements, from claims for Islam being the original religion, to assertions that all true prophets have taught Islam, to charges that the biblical texts have been corrupted and biblical doctrines distorted by Jews and Christians. We will look at these and other factors in our survey of the Qur'anic teaching regarding Christianity.
The Primacy of Islam.
That Islam is the original religion is understood in two ways, both in terms of its being the original religion existing since the beginning of creation, as well as in terms of its inherence in each human being at birth.
Islam Is the Original Religion.
When God created the first human, Adam, he struck a covenant with him, a covenant of Islam. To this covenant all of the sons of Adam bear witness. To this covenant all people are held accountable.
"And (remember) when your Lord brought forth from the Children of Adam, from their loins, their seed (or from Adam's loin his offspring) and made them testify as to themselves (saying): Am I not your Lord? They said: Yes! We testify, lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection: Verily, we have been unaware of this." (Qur'an 7:172)
Thus the excuse of ignorance of Islam is removed. All humans are responsible to live up to the covenant struck with their first father, Adam. On the day of judgment there will be no excuse.
All Human Beings Are Born Muslims.
In addition to holding Islam as the primordial religion, we find resident within Islamic tradition the belief that each and every human being is born a Muslim, though such a pristine faith at birth may be muted through the mis-instruction of others.
It follows from this that if every human is born a Muslim, then so were the prophets of old, such as Adam, Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus. But not only were these prophets all Muslims, they taught a pure form of Islam as prophets, even though their teaching was not coextensive with that revealed through Mohammad (see below).
Comment:-
But has the critic understood that the word Islam means "surrender to God". It does not refer to a particular religion but to the state of being where a person obeys his inherent nature as made by God (See Quran 30:30). And that the child is born with the nature as made by God without external environmental or cultural influences having altered him.
The main difficulty is that Christians have an attachment to words so that when the word "Islam" is mentioned they react with conditioned reflexes, instead of with the intelligent understanding of the meaning of the word. However, it is also true that Muslims usually think of "Islam" as referring to the religion they know, and confine it to what they understand about it. Thus conflict arises because both misunderstand.
KGB:-
God Has Sent Prophets and Their Books
According to the Qur'an, God graciously has sent messengers to every nation to teach them submission to God and to warn them against false religious teachings and practices.
"And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taghut (all false deities i.e. do not worship Taghut besides Allah." Then of them were some whom Allah guided and of them were some upon whom the straying was justified. So travel through the land and see what was the end of those who denied (the truth)." (Qur'an 16:36)
"Verily We have sent you [Mohammad] with the truth, a bearer of glad tidings and a Warner. And there never was a nation but a Warner had passed among them." (Qur'an 35:24)
Even the religions that predate Islam are understood as Islamic, their prophets as prophets of God: "We did send apostles before thee amongst the religious sects of old" (Qur'an 15:10). So God has graciously revealed his will throughout history and across all cultures. To be specific, though, the Qur'an names a number of these prophets, many of whom are familiar to Christians.
Moses and Jesus Taught Islam.
Moses and Jesus are understood to have been prophets who taught Islam - the primordial faith, the religion of God - and Mohammad is believed to have been granted the very same prophetic mantle. One verse in the Qur'an that sums up the continuity between Moses, Jesus and Mohammad reads as follows:
And (remember) when Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), said: "O children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allah unto you, confirming the Taurat [(Torah) which came] before me, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me, who name shall be Ahmad. But when he (Ahmad i.e. Mohammad) came to them with clear proofs, they said: "This is plain magic." (Qur'an 61:6)
In this verse we see not only that Jesus is understood to confirm the book of Moses, the Torah, but he positions himself to pass the prophetic mantle to one who would come after him, namely Mohammad (we will discuss alleged prophecies of Muhammad below).
Abraham Taught Islam.
Not only is there an asserted continuity between Moses, Jesus and Mohammad, but the Qur'an also appeals to Abraham who was neither a Jew nor a Christian.
"Ibrahim (Abraham) was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a true Muslim Hanifa (Islamic Monotheism - to worship none but Allah Alone) and he was not of Al-Mushrikun [of those who worship other than Allah]." (Qur'an 3:67)
Muslims Should Honor Previous Prophets and Their Books. So, Muhammad's mission was in harmony with the prophets of old, even an extension of it. It is in this light that the Qur'anic teaching makes good sense that Muslims must affirm the previous prophets and their books. Thus we find in the Qur'an commands that Muslims are to affirm all the previous messengers of God.
"Say (O Muslims), We believe in Allah and that which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Ibrahim (Abraham), Ismail (Ishmael), Ishaq (Isaac), Yaqub (Jacob), and to Al-Asbat [the offspring of the twelve sons of Yaqub (Jacob)], and that which has been given to Musa (Moses) and Isa (Jesus), and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islam)." (Qur'an 2:136)
In addition, Muslims are commanded to affirm the books that stem from these ancient prophets.
"O you who believe! Believe in Allah, and His Messenger (Muhammad), and the Book (the Qur'an) which He has sent down to His Messenger, and the Scripture which He sent down to those before (him); and whosoever disbelieve in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, and the Last Day, then indeed he has strayed far away." (Qur'an 4:136)
The Prophet Muhammad
Even though the Qur'an teaches that Islam is the primordial religion, that every human is born a Muslim, that God has sent prophets to all the nations and codified their message in books, and Muslims are to affirm both these prophets and their books, the ministry of Muhammad is not to be understood as merely affirming the status quo. No, with the coming of Muhammad is the coming of a new era, and era of universal Prophethood, an era of the perfection of the true religion.
Mohammad Was Spoken of in the Previous Books. The Qur'an narrates that Jesus spoke of a prophet that would follow him, namely "Ahmed," which is another name for Mohammad.
"And (remember) when Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), said: O children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allah unto you, confirming the Taurat [(Torah) which came] before me, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me, who name shall be Ahmad. But when he (Ahmad i.e. Mohammad) came to them with clear proofs, they said: This is plain magic." (Qur'an 61:6)
Mohammad also affirmed that there were prophecies foretelling his arrival and ministry in the Torah and the Gospel.
"Those who follow the Messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write (i.e. Muhammad (whom they find written with them in the Taurat (Torah) (Deut, xviii 15) and the Injeel (Gospel) (John xiv, 16) ..." (Qur'an 7:157)
The footnote in the King Fhad edition of the Qur'an reads as follows:
"There exists in the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel), even after the original text has been distorted, clear prophecies indicating the coming of Prophet Muhammad, e.g. Deut 18:18; 21:21; Psl. 118:22-23; Isa. 42:1-13; Hab. 3:3-4; Matt. 21:42-43; Jn. 14:12-17, 26-28, 16:7-14."
Muslims believe that only in Mohammad are certain prophecies in the Bible fulfilled. The primary prophetic passages are, in the Old Testament, Deuteronomy 18:15 and, in the New Testament, John 14:16 (both of these passages will be addressed at length below). Thus, if there are prophecies of Mohammad found in the Bible - in both Old and New Testaments, then these are very good reasons for Jews and Christians to drop their distinctive and divisions and become Muslims.
Mohammad Was the Universal Prophet. Though the message of the prophets was true to God, their message was temporary and limited. None were prophets for all people. Their messages were time-bound, even though in harmony with the Qur'an. "The Message of Mohammed," comments Afif Tabbarah, "was sent to all mankind, unlike those of the apostles before him who were sent, each to his own people."11 Thus we read in the Qur'an:-
"Say (O Muhammad): O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah - to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). It is He Who gives life and causes death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), the Prophet who can neither read nor write (i.e. Muhammad), who believes in Allah and His Words [(this Qur'an), the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) ...], and follow Him so you may be guided." (Qur'an 7:158)
"And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all mankind, but most of men know not." (Qur'an 34:28)
Mohammad Was the Final Prophet. Not only is Mohammad uniquely viewed as the only universal messenger of God, he is also understood to be the final messenger, the seal of the prophets. Mohammad's mission was in complete harmony with the previous prophets, but he was unique in that in him the prophetic traditions reached their climax. Thus the Qur'an claims that Mohammad is the seal of the prophets, the final messenger or mouthpiece of God.
"Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the last (end) of the Prophets. And Allah is Every All-Aware of everything." (Qur'an 33:40)
Afif Tabbarah comments on this verse.
This verse concludes the epoch of Prophethood, and decides that there shall be no prophet after Mohammed, though thousands of years had passed on God's creation of the universe before Mohammed, with prophets succeeding one another. In the books of these prophets, there were tidings that other prophets will come after them ... About fifteen centuries have now passed on the revelation of the above-quoted verse, a period long enough for the appearance of many prophets after Mohammed, coming one after the other, or living contemporaneously with one another. Why have they not appeared?
A well-known Hadith provides an instructive illustration of the teaching that Mohammad is the final prophet of God.
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "My similitude in comparison with the other prophets before me, is that of a man who has built a house nicely and beautifully, except for a place of one brick in a corner. The people go about it and wonder at its beauty, but say: 'Would that this brick be put in its place!' So I am that brick, and I am the last of the Prophets."
Comment:-
The Prophecy in the Bible about the coming of Muhammad is to be found mainly in John 16:12-15
The verse 33:40 does not say the "end of the Prophets" but "the Seal of the Prophets". This is interpreted as the end of the line of Prophets. It does not say this about Messengers. But "seal" could mean a mark of authority and completion. It could imply that no new prophetic message is to come.
Note that the Hadith does not say that the other bricks in the house of Religion must be removed, but that the brick added by Muhammad (saw) completes the structure.
KGB:-
The Qur'an
The book associated with the one universal and final prophet, Mohammad, is the Qur'an. It is not only believed to be revelation from God - and as such it is a confirmation of the previous revelations - but it is believed to be God's final revelation, kept and guarded by the divine will and thus uncorrupted to this day.
The Qur'an Confirms the Previous Books.
The Qur'an is understood not to conflict with the books that stem from these older prophets but rather to confirm their message (an assertion we will address below).
"And this Qur'an is not such as could ever be produced by other than Allah (Lord of the heavens and the earth), but it is a confirmation of (the revelation) which was before it [i.e. the Taurat (Torah), and the Injeel (Gospel)], and a full explanation of the Book (i.e. laws, decreed for mankind) - wherein there is no doubt - from the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn, and all that exists)." (Qur'an 10:37)
"And before this was the Scripture of Musa (Moses) as a guide and a mercy. And this is a confirming Book (the Qur'an) in the Arabic language, to warn those who do wrong, and as glad tidings to the Muhsinun ..." (Qur'an 46:12)
The Qur'an Is the Perfect Book.
If the earlier prophets had books, then so did Mohammad. In fact, Muslims view the Qur'an as unsurpassable, the only perfect book on earth.
"Say: If the mankind and the jinn were together to produce the like of this Qur'an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another." (Qur'an 17:88)
The Qur'an Is the Fullness of Revelation. Indeed, not only is the Qur'an incomparable among all the books, it is also the fullness of God's revelation.
"And indeed, We have fully explained to mankind, in this Qur'an, every kind of similitude, but most of mankind refuse (the truth and accept nothing) but disbelief." (Qur'an 17:89)
The Qur'an Is Incorruptible.
While it is common for Muslims to claim that the biblical texts have been tampered with to such an extent that the Bible cannot be regarded as reliable, it is also common for them to assert that the same could never happen to the Qur'an. Why could this never happen to the Qur'an? Because God has vowed to guard it:-
"Verily, We, it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur'an) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption)." (Qur'an 15:9)
Not only do Muslims believe that the Qur'an will be kept from corruption, it is inscribed on an eternal tablet:-
"Nay! This is a Glorious Qur'an, (Inscribed) in the Al-Luah Al-Mahfuz (The Preserved Tablet)! " (Qur'an 85:21-22)
So, even though God Almighty has provided previous revelations, it is only the Qur'an that has been preserved and will be kept from corruption.
Summary and Conclusion: Islam Is the Only Valid Faith.
In our brief survey of the Islamic view of Christianity, we have seen the following. (1) Islam is the original religion, it is the primordial religion, the religion of Adam, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. In addition, all humans are born Muslims. (2) God has sent prophets throughout time to all the nations - prophets such as Abraham, Moses and Jesus. He has not only spoken through those prophets but given them books (e.g. the Torah and the Gospel). But their missions were limited, and their books were incomplete and later corrupted. (3) Mohammad is the final prophet foretold in the Bible, and his book, the Qur'an, is perfect, complete and incorruptible.
Because of the finality of Mohammad's Prophethood, combined with the completion of God's revelation in the Qur'an, orthodox Muslims reject any new claims to divine revelation or religious succession beyond Islam. Thus they are critical of such groups as the Baha'i, the Ahmadiyyah, and the Nation of Islam. Even so, the Baha'i, in particular, assert that in their religion all religions meet their unification.
That Muslims claim Islam as the only viable faith is not objectionable. In a philosophical context that increasingly diminishes the significance of religious differences, distinctions and truth claims, Muslims must be commended for retaining the categorical values of truth and falsehood with regards to religious beliefs and belief systems. Even so, there seems to have been a time when Islam was more inclusive than it is now. The Qur'an teaches, and Muslims once broadly affirmed, that non-Muslim monotheists who affirmed the doctrine of a last day of judgment could retain an assured hope as they faced that day.
"Verily! Those who believe and those who are Jews and Christians, and Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day and does righteous good deeds shall have their reward with the Lord, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve." (Qur'an 2:62)
"Surely, those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah, in His Messenger Muhammad and in all that was revealed to him from Allah), and those who are the Jews and the Sabians and the Christians, - whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, and works righteousness, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve." (Qur'an 5:69)
But even though there was such a time of Islamic religious embrace of other monotheistic faiths, such a time has come to an end. Traditional Muslim commentators are in unanimous agreement that the verses just listed have been abrogated by another.
"And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers." (Qur'an 3:85)
Thus we have come full circle. Islam is the original faith, the faith of Adam and his descendants; Islam is the faith with which every human is born into this world; Islam is the faith of all the prophets - though Muhammad is the universal and final prophet; Islam in its revealed fullness is contained within the pages of the Qur'an, the perfect, ultimate, and incorruptible scripture; and as such, Islam is the only valid faith in our day, the religion in which all monotheistic faith reach their climactic end.
Comment:-
The critic has misunderstood as do most non-Muslims and also many Muslims. Correctly translated the verse 3:85 should read:-
"And whoever seeks a religion other than Surrender to God, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers." 3:85
Do readers see the difference? The verse is speaking about a state of being not a particular doctrine, institution or movement. Alternatively, it is speaking about the Universal Religion, not a particular instance of it. There is no contradiction between this verse and 5:69.
Note that 5:69 says:-" whosoever (1) believes in Allah and (2) the Last Day, and (3) works righteousness, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve." A person who does not believe in the Unity of God cannot be said to believe in Allah and is excluded. Trinity is not a revelation by God but a man made doctrine, which, it seems to Muslims, is a compromise between Unity and plurality. But Allah will be the judge.
KGB:-
Responding to the Arguments for Abrogation.
As we interact with the Islamic perception of Christianity as meeting its end in Islam, we will focus our attention on such primary issues as continuity, the reliability and authority of the Bible, the alleged prophecies regarding Mohammad, and the relationship between Christianity and the faith of the Old Testament.
The Importance of Continuity
In order for one religion to claim to be an organic development of a preceding religion, there must be a high degree of continuity. In other words, there must be substantial agreement in what is essential to that prior religion. To a degree, Islam can claim such continuity with Christianity and Judaism (understood as the religion of the Old Testament).
Regarding God, Muslims believe he exists, that he is one God, that he created the universe, is sovereign, maximally powerful, active with his creation - especially with humanity, and that he knows even the intimate details of human lives and will one day bring all humanity to account for deeds good and evil. Christians and Muslims also believe that God has spoken to humanity through messengers (human and angelic). We also agree that God's revelation has been inscripturated in holy books.
But even with such substantial agreement, far too many discontinuities exist that undermine the plausibility of the Islamic claim to be a harmonious extension of Judaism and Christianity. Let's begin with some representative doctrinal discontinuities.
Islam Is Discontinuous with the Christian Doctrine of Depravity
The claim that Mohammad and the Qur'an confirm the message of the prophets fails to cohere with the actual teachings as found in the Bible, whether Old or New Testament. Consider the doctrine of human sinfulness as taught in the Old and New Testaments. They teach that humans face entry into this world with an inherited tendency toward sin. This is the doctrine of "original sin."
Comment:-
The Critic has misunderstood.
Islam is certainly a continuity. But continuity is not smooth. There are stages as in the development of a child to adulthood. Things appropriate at one stage are not appropriate at another. That is why Jesus, (a) though accepting the Hebrew Law made changes or changed the emphasis e.g. to the "eye for an eye", divorce and so on. (b) He also brought new concepts or popularized some e.g. "Father in Heaven". (c) He brought certain new practices e.g. the Sacrament of the bread and wine. (d) Some new institutions were created. In a similar way Muhammad also brought some changes to laws, concepts, practices and institutions.
As for "original sin", Islam frees man from it. There is no such doctrine in the Bible. It tells us that God made all things perfect (Genesis 1:31) and that man sinned and was banished to earth. This is also the Islamic position:-
"Surely, We have created man in the best of moulds. Then We reduced him to the lowest of the low; save those who believe and act right; for theirs is a reward unfailing." 95:4-6
So it is a question of whether we place our attention on the original perfection or the sin. If there is no original perfection then there could not have been a Fall and there cannot be an ascent and return to paradise.
The problem is this:- Why did God place Satan in Paradise to tempt man? Surely, God, who knows all, knew that man would be tempted. God must have made Satan, wanted him to tempt man and made man weak. The Fall could not then have been man's fault. The Quran tells us:-
"And when thy Lord said unto the angels: I am about to place a Vicegerent (Agent, Successor, Inheritor) in the earth, they said: Wilt Thou place therein one who will do evil therein and shed blood? While we celebrate Thy praise and glorify Thee. Said (Allah): I know what ye know not." 2:30
The angels knew the mischief man would make and so did God. But God had a plan. The implication is that man was destined for earth to fulfill a function with respect to it, and at the same time to learn, grow and develop. His perfection lay in his potentialities for autonomy, self-regulation, and personal responsibility, for learning and development. His creation was not complete until these potentialities were actualized. The angels did not have these possibilities and could only obey.
Having created the doctrine of "Original sin" i.e. that of Adam, the Christian Church had to invent a way of overcoming it. The Crucifixion of Jesus was required to do this. But there could be no explanation of how his crucifixion could have that effect unless Jesus was a god or son of God. The Son of God was to be sacrificed to atone for God having caused the Fall of man (This is not stated explicitly but implied in the doctrine of Original Sin). Thus the doctrines of Original Sin, Vicarious Atonement and Trinity form a triad in which each element supports the other. It becomes a closed self-consistent system. But a problem remains:- Where is the sacrifice if Jesus' death is nullified by his resurrection?
From the Islamic point of view this Christian doctrine is like a small enclosure which ignores the greater world. It is wholly man centered and completely negates the purpose of the creation of the Universe and of man. The task of Islam was break out of this prison.
But if Christians think that it is true then they must realize that "original sin" has been abolished.
K.B.G:-
The Old Testament on Human Nature: Depravity.
Here's how the Old Testament describes the inherent sinfulness of humanity.
"The LORD saw how great humanity's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil all the time." (Genesis 6:5)
The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: "Never again will I curse the ground because of humanity, even though every inclination of their hearts is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. (Genesis 8:1)
"Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me." (Psalm 51:5)
Comment:-
This does not speak of original sin i.e. the sin of Adam. It refer to the existence of sin and proneness to it.
K.G.B:-
The New Testament on Human Nature: Depravity. The New Testament stands in full agreement with the Old Testament. Consider just a few passages.
"Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned - for before the law was given, sin was in the world." (Romans 5:12-13a)
"The mind of sinful man [unredeemed humans] is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God." (Romans 8:6-8)
Comment:-
These are not the words of Jesus and the way they have been interpreted are not in the teachings of Jesus. But yes sin is in the world because people do sin, and the law was given to counteract it. Islam does not disagree.
K.G.B:-
Islam on Human Nature: Perfectible.
In contrast to the biblical description of the predicament of humanity stand the teaching of Islam. Muslims deny that human beings are born with a sinful nature. Comments Abdullah Yusuf Ali,
"As turned out from the creative hand of God, man is innocent, pure, true, free, inclined to right and virtue, and endued with true understanding about his own position in the Universe and about God's goodness, wisdom and power. That is his true nature ... But man is caught in the meshes of customs, superstitions, selfish desires, and false teaching."
Hammudah Abdalati agrees:
"The idea of Original Sin or hereditary criminality has no room in the teachings of Islam. Man, according to the Qur'an (30:30) and to the Prophet, is born in a natural state of purity or fitrah, that is, Islam or submission to the will and law of God. Whatever becomes of man after birth is the result of external influence and intruding factors ... [S]in is acquired not inborn, emergent not build-in, avoidable not inevitable."
Islam Is Discontinuous with the Christian Doctrine of Salvation
The next doctrinal difference we'll briefly examine is the Christian doctrine of salvation, centered in the atoning work of Jesus Christ. While this is a belief denied by non-Christian Jews, the point here is not to argue for its validity over against Jewish objections, but simply to show that the religion of Islam is discontinuous with essential teachings of Christianity. In addition, both Christianity and the Old Testament faith share a common belief in the dependence upon atonement, while Islam denies just this salvific dynamic.
Comment:-
Discontinuity has already been discussed. It is denied.
Islam has abolished the idea of original sin because it means people will be punished not for their own deeds but those of others. This is unjust. If Jesus has abolished it by his crucifixion then it is no more. So Islam remains a continuity. God sends the different Prophets and Messengers with different tasks in the stages of religion. If Jesus (saw) was sent to relieve them from original sin, then Muhammad (saw) was sent to get them to shoulder their responsibilities and begin the ascent back to perfection.
Man according to Quran 15:29 and 32:9 is made of a combination of earth and the spirit of God. There is, therefore, a tension in him between the forces of inertia and consciousness, disintegration and unification, descent and ascent, and between the proneness to evil and desire for good, of horizontal worldly forces and vertical heavenly ones. This has been represented in some past systems as a Cross which man must bear. That is why it is said in some Islamic quarters that Christians have the symbol of the Cross but we have its meaning.
KGB:-
Islam on Salvation: Good and Bad Works. Logically related to this view of human nature is the teaching of the Qur'an that the ultimate question for human destiny is whether one's good deeds are greater than one's evil deeds.
"And the weighing on that day (Day of Resurrection) will be the true (weighing). So as for those whose scale (of good deeds) will be heavy, they will be the successful (by entering Paradise). And as for those whose scale will be light, they are those who will lose their own selves (by entering Hell (because they denied and rejected Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations)." (Qur'an 7:8-9)
"And We shall set up balances of justice on the Day of Resurrection, then none will be dealt with unjustly in anything. And if there be the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it. And Sufficient are We to take account." (Qur'an 21:47)
It is ultimately one's own righteous deeds that determine one's eternal state of happiness or harm. Thus Muslims reject the idea of Jesus' atoning work on the cross, as well as the historical reality that Jesus even died upon a cross.
Comment:-
Jesus also taught:- "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 7:21. And Paul wrote:- "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Galatians 6:7-9
It is not a historical reality that Jesus died on the cross or that this led to atonement of original sin. It is an interpretation of events and a faith. Muslims do not require this idea.
(Continued in next article)
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