” A response to a Muslim Dawagandist”
Continues from Part I
Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, ‘I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.’" Joshua 2:8-11
- He (peace be upon him) was the Seal of Prophets.
No he wasn’t:
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." Matthew 5:17-18
"Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal." John 6:27
"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe." Hebrews 1:1-2
Seeing that Jesus came to complete and seal up the revelation of his Father everyone who claims to be preaching God’s Word must proclaim the same message that Christ gave to the Churches through his blessed Apostles. After all, the very essence and the entire focus of prophecy center completely on the Person and work of Christ:
"At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit (essence or heart) of prophecy." Revelation 19:10
Moreover, the hadith literature admits that Jesus will come back again to finish the job that Muhammad left undone, specifically, ushering in the true faith universally thereby completely eradicating all unbelief. This makes him the seal, not Muhammad, since he will consummate the message of God which promises that his truth would prevail over against all forms of disbelief. More on these points later.
The Qur’an even speaks of a beast that Allah will send in the last days as his messenger:
When the Word falls on them, We shall bring forth for them out of the earth a beast that shall speak unto them: 'Mankind had no faith in Our signs.' S. 27:82 Arberry
All of these points disprove and contradict the assertion of Muhammad being the seal or last prophet.
- He (peace be upon him) will be the first of the Messengers to cross the Sirat on the Day of Judgment.
A few problems here. First, besides this begging the question again the Qur’an doesn’t know of any bridge called Sirat which people will have to cross.
Second, beyond this even the Qur’an actually says that, instead of crossing over a bridge, everyone will have to enter hell and only the righteous will be brought out from there:
No one of you there is, but he shall go down to it; That for thy Lord is a thing decreed, determined. Then We shall deliver those that were god-fearing; and the evildoers We shall leave there, hobbling on their knees. S. 19:71-72 Arberry
This would definitely include Muhammad going to hell. For more on this issue please consult the following articles and rebuttals:
http://answering-islam.org/Shamoun/muslims_in_hell.htm
http://answering-islam.org/Qur’an/Contra/muslims_in_hell2.htm
http://answering-islam.org/Qur’an/Contra/qi029.html
http://answering-islam.org/Responses/Osama/karim_in_hell.htm
http://answering-islam.org/Shamoun/muslims_in_hell_ahadith.htm
Third, the Qur’an does make a single exception in the case of Jesus since it says that he has gone to be with God himself:
Behold! God said: "O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself and clear thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject faith, to the Day of Resurrection: Then shall ye all return unto me, and I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute. S. 3:55 Y. Ali
Nay, God raised him up unto Himself; and God is Exalted in Power, Wise; - S. 4:158 Y. Ali
Thus, Jesus won’t have to cross any Sirat or be taken out of hell since he dwells in God’s very own heavenly presence.
- He (peace be upon him) obeyed the command and followed the guidance of the Messengers who came before him, thus acquiring all the qualities of perfection that they had which made him superior to all of creation.
On the contrary, he violated many of the teachings of the true prophets of God and went so far as to distort their theological beliefs.
- He (peace be upon him) was made Imam over all the Messengers during the night of Mi'raaj.
A fictitious journey which never took place, except perhaps in the imagination of Muhammad or later traditionists who concocted this fairytale. In fact, this tale provides further proof that Muhammad isn’t a genuine prophet and that the Qur’an cannot be God’s word and here is why. According to Q. 17:1 Allah took his servant by night to al-Masjid al-Aqsa or the farthest mosque:
Glory to (God) Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque, whose precincts We did bless, - in order that We might show him some of Our Signs: for He is the One Who heareth and seeth (all things). Y. Ali
Specific narratives identify Masjid al-Aqsa as the
It is narrated on the authority of Anas b. Malik that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: I was brought al-Buraq Who is an animal white and long, larger than a donkey but smaller than a mule, who would place his hoof a distance equal to the range of version. I mounted it and came to the
And:
- -from Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa- - means the Sacred House which is in
Again:
I remember being in Al-Hijr, and the Quraysh were asking me about my Night Journey. They asked me things about Bayt Al-Maqdis that I was not sure of, and I felt more anxious and stressed then than I have ever felt. Then Allah raised up Bayt Al-Maqdis for me to see, and there was nothing they asked me about but I told them about it. And I remember being in a gathering of the Prophets. Musa was standing there praying, and he was a man with curly hair, as if he were one of the men of Shanu'ah. I saw 'Isa ibn Maryam standing there praying, and the one who most resembles him is 'Urwah bin Mas'ud Ath-Thaqafi. And I saw Ibrahim standing there praying, and for the one who most resembles him is your companion (meaning himself). Then the time for prayer came, and I led them in prayer. When I finished, a voice said, 'O Muhammad, this is Malik, the keeper of Hell,' so I turned to him, and he greeted me first. (Ibid., p. 571; source)
Finally,
"The truth is that the Prophet was taken on the Night Journey when he was awake, not in a dream, and he went from Makkah to Bayt Al-Maqdis riding on Al-Buraq. When he reached THE DOOR OF THE SANCTUARY, he tied up his animal by THE DOOR AND ENTERED, where he prayed two Rakahs to 'greet theMasjid'...
"Then he came back down to Bayt Al-Maqdis, and the Prophets came down with him and he led them in prayer there when the time for prayer came. Some claim that he led them in prayer in heaven, but the reports seem to say that it was in Bayt Al-Maqdis. In some reports it says that it happened when he first ENTERED...
"Then he came OUT OF BAYT AL-MAQDIS and rode on Al-Buraq back to Makkah in the darkness of the night. As for his being presented with the vessels containing milk and honey, or milk and wine, or milk and water, or all of these, some reports say that this happened in Bayt Al-Maqdis, and others say that it happened in the heavens. It is possible that it happened in BOTH places, because it is like offering food or drink to a guest when he arrives, and Allah knows best." (Ibid. pp. 572-573; source)
As anyone who has read the Bible and ancient history can attest there was no
And it will not do for Zawadi to say that the Qur’an, in Q. 17:1, is referring to the
For more on this gross error we recommend the following articles and rebuttal:
http://answering-islam.org/Shamoun/nightjourney.htm
http://answering-islam.org/Qur’an/Contra/h003.html
http://answering-islam.org/Responses/Saifullah/aqsa.htm
Moreover, how can he be a leader over the prophets and messengers when, by the hadiths’ own admission, Abraham is better than him and he wasn’t as great as Jonah or Moses?
Finally, what Zawadi is referring to is the assertion of the hadiths that Muhammad led a group of prophets in prayer when he traveled to this non-existent
And Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is the best of them. This is indicated by the fact that he was their imam on the night of the Mi'raaj, because no one but the best is put forward. More evidence that he is the best of them comes from Abu Hurayrah, who said: "The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: I will be the leader of the sons of Adam on the Day of Resurrection, and the first one for whom the grave will be opened, and the first to intercede, and the first whose intercession will be accepted.'"
And:
With regard to the saheeh ahaadeeth, "Do not prefer me over Yoonus ibn Mattaa" and "By the One Who chose Moosa over all of creation" - these all indicate the immense humility of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when speaking of his brothers the Messengers. But he is undoubtedly the best of them all, for he led them in prayer in Bayt al-Maqdis (
If leading prayers in front of a person implies that one is somehow better then does this mean that the Mahdi who will supposedly lead Jesus in prayer when the latter returns is better than the Christ?
Jabir b. 'Abdullah reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) say: A section of my people will not cease fighting for the Truth and will prevail till the Day of Resurrection. He said: Jesus son of Mary would then descend and their (Muslims') commander would invite him to come and lead them in prayer, but he would say: No ,some amongst you are commanders over some (amongst you). This is the honour from Allah for this Ummah. (Sahih Muslim, Book 001, Number 0293)
And:
JESUS AND THE MAHDI
When our liege-lord the Mahdî sees him he will move back and say: "Step forward, Spirit from God!" Jesus will say: "The call to prayer was raised but for you, therefore, step forward!" Then our liege-lord Jesus will pray behind our liege-lord al-Mahdî. Because of this, it was said that among the immense merits of this Community of Islâm is that a Prophet beloved of God and brought near Him – one of the Messengers of High Resolve (ulîl-`azm) - will pray behind an individual from this Community. (Jesus Christ the Son of Mary and His Most Blessed Mother - Translation of a talk given in Arabic at Dâr al-Fatwâ in Beirut, Lebanon on 10 January 2003 by the Shaykh al-Sayyid al-Habib `Ali Jafri of Yemen, translated by GF Haddad; source)
The above example demonstrates that both Zawadi and his Muslim sources are committing a non-sequitur since it does not logically follow that just because Muhammad supposedly led the prophets in prayer that this somehow means he was better than them. If anything, one can say that, just as in the case of Jesus allowing the Mahdi to lead him in prayer, the prophets were being humble and showing kindness to one who had come last of all and was inferior to them as a way of teaching him humility. (Now we obviously don’t believe that Muhammad was a true prophet or that he ever went to
- Allah revealed to him (peace be upon him) a book that He promised to preserve Himself, while in the past entrusted the protection of the books were entrusted to fallible human beings.
Three basic mistakes here. First, the Qur’an claims that Allah promised to preserve all of his revelations, not just the Muslim scripture:
then they would not be respited. It is We who have sent down the Remembrance (al-thikra), and We watch over it. S. 15:9 Arberry
The promise to protect the Remembrance also includes with it the promise to preserve the prophetic Scriptures in the hands of the Jews and Christians since the Qur’an identifies these very writings as the Remembrance:
We sent not any before thee, except men to whom We revealed: 'Question the people of the Remembrance (al-thikri), if it should be that you do not know -- S. 16:43 Arberry
And We sent not before you (O Muhammad SAW) but men to whom We inspired, so ask the people of the Reminder (al-thikri) [Scriptures – the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel(Gospel)] if you do not know. S. 21:7 Hilali-Khan
Notice how some of Islam’s renowned exegetes explained the foregoing verses:
(And We sent not (as Our messengers) before you other than men) human beings like you (whom We inspired) to whom We sent angels just as We have sent to you. (Ask the followers of the Reminder) the people of the Torah and the Gospel (if you know not) that Allah sent only human messengers? (Tanwîr al-Miqbâs min Tafsîr Ibn ‘Abbâs on Q. 21:7; source: see also this page)
And We did not send before you anything other than men, to whom We revealed, and [sent] not angels: 'So ask the followers of the Remembrance, those knowledgeable in the Torah and the Gospels; if you do not know', that, then they know it, and you are more likely to believe them than the believers are to believe Muhammad (s), (Tafsir al-Jalalayn on Q. 16:43; source: see also this page)
Here is another Qur’anic citation:
Or have they taken for worship (other) aliha (gods) besides Him? Say: "Bring your proof:" This (the Qur'an) is the Reminder for those with me and the Reminder (wa thikru) for those before me. But most of them know not the Truth, so they are averse. S. 21:24 Hilali-Khan
Al-Jalalayn explain that:
Or have they chosen besides Him, exalted be He, other than Him, gods? (herein is an interrogative meant as a rebuke). Say: 'Bring your proof, for this - but such a thing is impossible. This is the Remembrance of those with me, namely, my community, and that [Remembrance] is the Qur'an, and the Remembrance of those before me, of communities, namely, the Torah and the Gospel and other Books of God, not a single one of which contains the statement that with God there exists another god, in the way that they claim - exalted be He above such a thing. Nay, but most of them do not know the truth, the affirmation of God's Oneness, and so they are disregardful', of that discernment that leads to [knowledge of] it. (Tafsir Al-Jalalayn; source)
Other Qur’anic verses on this topic are:
And indeed We granted to Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron) the criterion (of right and wrong), and a shining light [i.e. the Taurat (Torah)] and a Reminder (wa thikran) for Al-Muttaqun (the pious - see V.2:2). S. 21:48 Hilali-Khan
For We have written in the Psalms, after the Remembrance, 'The earth shall be the inheritance of My righteous servants.' S. 21:105 Arberry
We also gave Moses the guidance, and We bequeathed upon the Children of
Thus, since God swore to preserve the Remembrance and since the Remembrance includes such Biblical books as the Torah, the Psalms and the Gospels this therefore means that God has sworn to preserve the Holy Bible.
Second, how does Zawadi think Allah (supposedly) preserved the Qur’an if not through fallible human beings to whom he entrusted the Muslim scripture?
Third, the Qur’an hasn’t been preserved perfectly since it contains variant and conflicting readings, missing passages, contradictions etc. (1; 2). This, perhaps, explains the Qur’an’s candid admission that corruption to the Muslim scripture was actually taking place as early as Muhammad’s time:
(Of just such wrath) as We sent down on those who divided (Scripture into arbitrary parts), - (So also on such) as have made Qur'an into shreds (as they please). S. 15:90-91
Doesn’t this reference provide evidence for the fact that people were tampering with the Qur’anic text and that Muhammad could do little about it except warn them against perverting his scriptures?
Hence, the foregoing conclusively demonstrates that Allah miserably failed to fulfil his promise of preserving his "final" book, which shows that he is either impotent or capricious or both.
- He (peace be upon him) is sent to all mankind, while the others were meant for specific groups of people for a specific amount of time.
Wrong again since the Muslim scripture itself testifies that both Jesus and his mother are signs for all creation, and that his Gospel is a guide for all mankind:
It is He Who sent down to thee (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming what went before it; and He sent down the Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) Before this, as a guide to mankind (Min qablu hudan lil-nasi), and He sent down the criterion (of judgment between right and wrong). Then those who reject Faith in the Signs of God will suffer the severest penalty, and God is Exalted in Might, Lord of Retribution. S. 3:3-4 Y. Ali
And We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow in their footsteps, confirming that which was (revealed) before him in the Torah, and We bestowed on him the Gospel wherein is guidance and a light (feehi hudan wa-noorun), confirming that which was (revealed) before it in the Torah - a guidance and an admonition unto those who ward off (evil). Let the People of the Gospel judge by that which Allah hath revealed therein. Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed: such are evil-livers. S. 5:46-47 Pickthall
And make mention of Mary in the Scripture, when she had withdrawn from her people to a chamber looking East, And had chosen seclusion from them. Then We sent unto her Our Spirit and it assumed for her the likeness of a perfect man. She said: Lo! I seek refuge in the Beneficent One from thee, if thou art God-fearing. He said: I am only a messenger of thy Lord, that I may bestow on thee a faultless son. She said: How can I have a son when no mortal hath touched me, neither have I been unchaste? He said: So (it will be). Thy Lord saith: It is easy for Me. And (it will be) that We may make of him a revelation for mankind (ayatan lil-nasi) and a mercy from Us, and it is a thing ordained. S. 19:16-21 Pickthall
And she who guarded her virginity, so We breathed into her of Our spirit and appointed her and her son to be a sign unto all beings (ayatan lil-alameen). S. 21:91 Arberry
For more on this issue, and other related topics, we recommend the following articles:
http://answering-islam.org/Qur’an/Contra/jonah.html
http://answering-islam.org/Qur’an/Contra/mo_not_universal.html
- If any of the Prophets were alive, they would abide by the Law sent down to Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. This is exactly what Prophet Jesus peace be upon him will do in his second return.
On the contrary, the Qur’an commands Muhammad to follow the guidance of the prophets, just as Zawadi admitted, not vice-versa. See above for details. This means that if any of the prophets were walking the earth during Muhammad’s time he would be forced to follow that particular prophet.
Secondly, according to the hadith Jesus will actually change the Qur’an by doing what Muhammad himself failed to do during his lifetime, namely, eradicate disbelief entirely thereby making much of the Qur’an obsolete. See below for the details.
- The Law revealed to Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him is superior to all of those sent in the past and abrogates them all.
A careful examination of the Qur’an in light of the teachings of the Holy Bible, specifically the message brought by Christ and his holy Apostles, shows that the ethical system and moral code of the Muslim scripture is vastly inferior. Muhammad’s teachings fail to compare to the instructions of the Apostles such as the blessed Paul.
Moreover, as we noted above, the Islamic tradition teaches that Jesus will actually abrogate and cancel out a great portion of the law of Muhammad.
Narrated AbuHurayrah: The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: There is no prophet between me and him, that is, Jesus (peace_be_upon_him). He will descent (to the earth). When you see him, recognise him: a man of medium height, reddish fair, wearing two light yellow garments, looking as if drops were falling down from his head though it will not be wet. He will fight the people for the cause of Islam. He will break the cross, kill swine, and abolish jizyah. Allah will perish all religions except Islam. He will destroy the Antichrist and will live on the earth for forty years and then he will die. The Muslims will pray over him. (Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 37, Number 4310)
Two important points to glean from this narration. First, abolishing the jizya shows that at Christ’s return there will no longer be any unbelievers since this payment is taken from the people of the Book (i.e. Jews and Christians) who refuse Islam according to Q. 9:29. Yet since all people must either believe or be killed when Jesus returns there will no longer be any reason to impose the jizya.
Second, Jesus descending to destroy all other religions, thereby completely eradicating unbelief, means that much of the Qur’an will be inapplicable and unnecessary during his second coming. There are many verses within the Qur’an detailing how Muslims should treat non-Muslims, all of which will be of no avail and pretty much useless when Christ returns to abolish disbelief altogether.
For more on this topic, and other related points, please consult the following articles:
http://answering-islam.org/Shamoun/last_prophet.htm
http://answering-islam.org/Qur’an/Incoherence/last_messenger.html
- He (peace be upon him) will hold a banner of praise on the Day of Judgment.
Actually, the One who will be the banner of praise is Jesus since both the Holy Bible and the Qur’an agree that he has been given the highest place of honour and glory by virtue of God raising his beloved Messiah to dwell in his very own presence:
"which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way." Ephesians 1:20-23
"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." Colossians 2:9-10
"and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him." 1 Peter 3:21-22
And according to God’s true Word, the Holy Bible, one of the very reasons why God exalted Christ to the highest level is so that every created thing would glorify and worship him as the Sovereign Lord of all creation:
"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:9-11
"And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.’ Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise!’ Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour and glory and power, for ever and ever!’ The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped." Revelation 5:8-14
- He (peace be upon him) is the only Prophet who was given a miracle (i.e. Qur'an) that can be witnessed by all mankind that come after him.
Far from being a miracle, the Qur’an is one of the greatest proofs against the prophetic claims of Muhammad. The Qur’an is a lasting testimony that Muhammad was a false prophet and had nothing to do with the true God who inspired the books of the Holy Bible.
Continues on Part III
Source: http://answering-islam.org/Responses/Osama/zawadi_mhd_superior.htm
IHS
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