By Sam Shamoun & Jochen Katz1
Bassam Zawadi has produced a short article (*) where he tries to show why Dr. William Lane Craig’s defense (*) of penal substitution is unsatisfactory.
We recommend reading both articles first since this will make it easier to understand the context of Zawadi’s “reply” and our refutation of it. After presenting Dr. Craig’s story about a person who worked in the insurance business to illustrate the concept of imputation Zawadi responds:
Dr. Craig's analogy is flawed on more than one level:
1) There are several factors that determine if an insurance claim is successful or not. For example in the event of 'death by dangerous driving', there is no escape by an insured (or uninsured) driver from an almost certain jail term. The insurance company will not assume any liability for the driver's negligence and can do nothing to save the policy holder from being locked up. In this instance, the driver incurs liability for his crime. Any negligence in the operation of the automobile is thus imputed to the policy holder (driver). The insurance company only imputes certain negligence as outlined in the type of cover (agreement) signed by the policy holder. The insured driver will be held accountable by the court of law for any prohibited act (crime) he committed e.g. driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs etc. This is in no way similar to the example of the Christian faith, where ALL sin is (allegedly) imputed to Christ during his Crucifixion! There are no premiums or excess to be paid and no limits to the types of sins/negligence. It's ALL forgiven in Christian theology.
2) There is no guarantee that an insurance claim will be successful. Even if the claim is successful and the driver's negligence is imputed, e.g. in a minor accident, the insurance company still benefited from the periodic premium fees (and in some cases a compulsory excess) paid by the policy holder. In short, no insurance company will assume liability for your actions for free! The only reason why the insurance company is willing to have some of the policy holder's negligence imputed to them is because they are benefiting out of it more than the policy holder most of the time. Hence, it becomes understandable why they would agree to such a thing in the first place.
He then mentions Dr. Craig’s court analogy and says:
Do Christians really believe that if the murderer genuinely repented and then someone volunteered to incur his punishment on his behalf then that means that justice has been served? That's very revealing of how disastrous Christian theology could influence one's way of thinking. I really have nothing to say to such absurdity except that I pity those who believe such a thing and that I thank God for being a Muslim.
Here it is where Zawadi shows that he is deceptive and has little respect for truth. Notice his assertion carefully since this will expose that he is a fraud who doesn’t care much for honesty or acting with integrity. It is absurd and pitiful to believe that justice has been served if a murderer sincerely repents and someone else volunteers to incur his punishment on his belief. In saying this Zawadi has basically condemned his own god and prophet for being both absurd and pitiful.
The conclusion that Zawadi’s argument is dishonest and not merely ignorant is justified because most of the below following arguments about “Islamic substitution” were already published on Answering Islam some years ago, for example in these two articles: (1) Islam's Doctrine of Substitutionary Atonement and the Ransoming of Sinners [2004], (2) The (In)Justice of Allah Examined [2006]. Morever, Zawadi has even tried to refute the second one of these articles (1, 2), so that he can hardly claim ignorance of these traditions.
For instance, Muhammad taught that a cold blooded murderer who had murdered a hundred people was forgiven solely because he journeyed to a village where he sought for repentance.
Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: The Prophet said, “Amongst the men of Bani Israel there was a man who had murdered ninety-nine persons. Then he set out asking (whether his repentance could be accepted or not). He came upon a monk and asked him if his repentance could be accepted. The monk replied in the negative and so the man killed him. He kept on asking till a man advised to go to such and such village. (So he left for it) but death overtook him on the way. While dying, he turned his chest towards that village (where he had hoped his repentance would be accepted), and so the angels of mercy and the angels of punishment quarreled amongst themselves regarding him. Allah ordered the village (towards which he was going) to come closer to him, and ordered the village (whence he had come), to go far away, and then He ordered the angels to measure the distances between his body and the two villages. So he was found to be one span closer to the village (he was going to). So he was forgiven.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 56, Number 676)
This belittles sin. There is no punishment at all, so just repent and that is sufficient. Where is the justice?
Moreover, note that this man’s “repentance” is hardly sincere. When he doesn’t get a free pass from the monk, i.e. this monk denies that repentance is possible for him, he simply murders the monk, thus adding to his sin. A man who would be truly sorry and genuinely seeking to better his life and live on the basis of God’s commandments would not murder yet another person simply because this person doesn’t give him what he desired. With this act, he showed his full wickedness and that he was not really repentant.
Still, Allah has no problem to wink at his sin and simply forget about his murders.
Thus, if we should believe this tradition, in Islam one does not even need genuine repentance, it is apparently enough to pretend to repent.
After Zawadi judged the Christian concept to be absurd and pitiful, we are anxious to hear his evaluation of the above story.
The prophet Muhammad further taught that a person who had done absolutely no good deed will still enter paradise solely because he was afraid to meet Allah in judgment:
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “A MAN USED TO DO SINFUL DEEDS, and when death came to him, he said to his sons, 'After my death, burn me and then crush me, and scatter the powder in the air, for by Allah, if Allah has control over me, He will give me such a punishment as He has never given to anyone else.' When he died, his sons did accordingly. Allah ordered the earth saying, 'Collect what you hold of his particles.' It did so, and behold! There he was (the man) standing. Allah asked him, 'What made you do what you did?' He replied, 'O my Lord! I was afraid of you.' SO ALLAH FORGAVE HIM.” Another narrator said "The man said, Fear of You, O Lord!” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 56, Number 688)
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "A MAN WHO NEVER DID ANY GOOD DEED, said that if he died, his family should burn him and throw half the ashes of his burnt body in the earth and the other half in the sea, for by Allah, if Allah should get hold of him, He would inflict such punishment on him as He would not inflict on anybody among the people. But Allah ordered the sea to collect what was in it (of his ashes) and similarly ordered the earth to collect what was in it (of his ashes). Then Allah said (to the recreated man), 'Why did you do so?' The man replied, 'For being afraid of you, and you know it (very well).' SO ALLAH FORGAVE HIM." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 93, Number 597)
Again, this man did not even show any signs of repentance. He merely was afraid of Allah, but he did not say he regretted his actions or tried to repent and restitute anything to those whom he had harmed. Without even being asked for forgiveness, Allah simply forgives him? Is that Islam’s superior justice when compared with the biblical concept?
To top it off, Muhammad even said that a person who committed sexual immorality and theft would still go to paradise if s/he died believing in the Islamic creed!
Narrated Abu Dharr: I came to the Prophet while he was wearing white clothes and sleeping. Then I went back to him again after he had got up from his sleep. He said, "Nobody says: ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah’ and then later on he dies while believing in that, except that he will enter Paradise." I said, "Even It he had committed illegal sexual intercourse and theft." I said, "Even if he had committed illegal sexual intercourse and theft? He said. "Even If he had committed illegal sexual intercourse and theft." I said, "Even it he had committed illegal sexual intercourse and thefts." He said, "Even If he had committed Illegal sexual intercourse and theft, in spite of Abu Dharr’s dislikeness." Abu ‘Abdullah said, "This is at the time of death or before it if one repents and regrets and says ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah’, he will be forgiven his sins." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 72, Number 717)
Narrated Abu Dharr: The Prophet said, Gabriel came to me and gave me the glad tidings that anyone who died without worshipping anything besides Allah, would enter Paradise. I asked (Gabriel), ‘Even if he committed theft, and even if he committed illegal sexual intercourse?’ He said, ‘(Yes), even if he committed theft, and even if he committed illegal sexual intercourse." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 93, Number 579)
412. 'Ubada ibn as-Samit reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Whoever testifies that there is no god but Allah alone with no partner and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger and that 'Isa is the slave of Allah and His Messenger and a word which He cast into Maryam and a spirit from Him and that the Garden is real and the Fire is real will enter the Garden WHATEVER HIS ACTIONS." [Agreed upon] (Al-Imam Abu Zakariya Yahya bin Sharaf An-Nawawi Ad-Dimashqi, Riyad as-Salihin (The Meadows of the Righteous), 51. Chapter: On Hope; bold and underline emphasis ours)
In fact, Allah even told a person that he could whatever he wished since his sins were forgiven, thereby encouraging the individual to engage in sinful behavior!
Abu Huraira reported from Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) that his Lord, the Exalted and Glorious, thus said: A servant committed a sin and he said: O Allah, forgive me my sins, and Allah (the Exalted and Glorious) said: My servant committed a sin and then he came to realise that he has a Lord Who forgives the sins and takes to account (the sinner) for the sin. He then again committed a sin and said: My Lord, forgive me my sin, and Allah, the Exalted and High, said: My servant committed a sin and then came to realise that he has a Lord Who would forgive his sin or would take (him) to account for the sin. He again committed a sin and said: My Lord, forgive me for my sin, and Allah (the Exalted and High) said: My servant has committed a sin and then came to realise that he has a Lord Who forgives the sins or takes (him) to account for sin. O servant, do what you like. I have granted you forgiveness. 'Abd al-A'la said: I do not know whether he said thrice or four times to do, "what you desire". The hadith has been narrated on the authority of 'Abd al-A'la b. Hammad with the same chain of transmitters. (Sahih Muslim, Book 037, Number 6642)
Muhammad further said that on the Day of Judgment Allah will take out people from hell and admit them into Paradise despite the fact that they hadn’t performed any good deeds:
“… The Prophet added, ‘Then the prophets and Angels and the believers will intercede, and (last of all) the Almighty (Allah) will say, “Now remains My Intercession.” He will then hold a handful of the Fire from which He will take out some people whose bodies have been burnt, and they will be thrown into a river at the entrance of Paradise, called the water of life. “‘They will grow on its banks, as a seed carried by the torrent grows. You have noticed how it grows beside a rock or beside a tree, and how the side facing the sun is usually green while the side facing the shade is white. Those people will come out (of the River of Life) like pearls, and they will have (golden) necklaces, and then they will enter Paradise whereupon the people of Paradise will say, “These are the people emancipated by the Beneficent. He has admitted them into Paradise without them having done any good deeds and without sending forth any good (for themselves).” Then it will be said to them, “For you is what you have seen and its equivalent as well.”’” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 93, Number 532s)
To make matters worse Allah will actually give these people who have done no good for a reward for every sin they have committed!
2594. Anas narrated that the Prophet said: "Allah will say: ‘Remove from the Fire whoever remembered Me one day, or feared Me while in a state of sinning.’" (Hasan)
[Abu ‘Eisa said:] This Hadith is Hasan Gharib Sahih.
Comments: Remembering Allah and fearing Him is the sign of one’s faith. The Hadith confirms that even those persons who have no good in their Register of Deeds expect the weakest form of faith (iman) will ultimately get deliverance from Fire through Allah’s benevolence and mercy. (English Translation of Jami‘ At-Tirmidhi, Compiled by Imam Hafiz ‘Eisa Mohammad Ibn ‘Eisa At-Tirmidhi, From Hadith no. 1897 to 2605, translated by Abu Khalil (USA), Ahadith edited and referenced by Hafiz Abu Tahir Zubair ‘Ali Za’i, final review by Islamic Research Section Darussalam [Darussalam Publishers & Distributors, First Edition: November 2007], Volume 4, Chapter 9. What Has Been Related About ‘The Fire Has Two Breaths,’ And What Has Been Mentioned About Those Who Will Exit The Fire From The People of Tawhid, p. 572; underline emphasis ours)
And:
2596. Abu Dharr narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: "I know that the last of the people of the Fire depart from the Fire and the last of the people of Paradise to enter Paradise. A man will be brought forth and He will say: ‘Ask about his small sins and hide his large sins.’ So it will be said to him: ‘Did you do this and that on such and such a day, did you do this and that on such-and-such a day?’" He said: "Then it will be said to him: ‘FOR EACH OF YOUR SINS YOU SHALL HAVE A REWARD.’" He said: "So he will say: ‘O Lord! I have done things that I do not see here.’" He (Abu Dharr) said: "I saw the Messenger of Allah laugh until his molars were visible." (Sahih)
Abu ‘Eisa said: This Hadith is Hasan Sahih.
Comments: Allah’s benevolence and mercy are boundless. NO RULES OR LAWS CAN BIND HIM, since He is for Whom it is said in the Qur’an: He cannot be questioned as to what He does. (21:23) HE WILL, THEREFORE, CHANGE THE SINS INTO VIRTUOUS DEEDS FOR WHOMEVER HE WILLS. (Ibid., Chapter 10. Something Else Regarding The Story Of The Last Of The People Of The Fire To Leave it, pp. 573-574; capital and underline emphasis ours)
Talk about a travesty of justice! Allah not only doesn’t punish the wicked he actually rewards them for their wickedness! As the commentator stated, Allah is not bound by anything and is therefore a capricious being who can pervert justice. Clearly, Muhammad’s god is not simply an amoral being, one who is morally neutral, he is actually immoral and unholy who is actually promoting wickedness and the outright perversion of justice by such teachings (or at the very least Muhammad is since he is the one that is alleged to have made these statements).
Moreover, hadiths such as the one stating that Allah gave license to a person to sin as much as he wants simply because Allah forgave him for repenting actually promote and encourage individuals to commit heinous and evil acts. This makes the Islamic god complicit in all the vile, immoral actions that Muslims commit around the world, including the gross sins and sexual immorality that Muhammad himself and his companions engaged in.
Contrast the teachings of Muhammad with that of a true inspired servant of God, namely the blessed Apostle Paul:
“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin — because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey — whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:1-23
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God… Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 18-20
“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” Galatians 5:13-26
“So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:17-32
“Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope — the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” Titus 2:11-14
What a stark contrast! The instructions of Muhammad and his god encourage murder, sexual immorality and wickedness whereas Paul’s inspired teachings promote sexual purity, holiness, self-sacrifice, unconditional love etc. Muhammad, to use the words of John the Baptist, was not worthy to untie Paul’s sandal straps, let alone that of the Lord Jesus who was the One responsible for transforming the Apostle and empowering him to become a holy and righteous vessel whom he used to accomplish his sovereign purposes.
Returning to the issue at hand, it seems that the reason why Muhammad believed that Allah could simply forgive people and allow them to enter into paradise despite having committed heinous crimes and having never performed any good deeds is because Muhammad actually thought that Allah would punish the Jews and Christians in hell for all the crimes committed by Muslims!
Chapter 8: THROWING OF NON-BELIEVERS IN HELL-FIRE FOR BELIEVERS AS DIVINE GRACE AND MERCY
Abu Musa' reported that Allah's Messenger said: When it will be the Day of Resurrection Allah would deliver to every Muslim a Jew or a Christian and say: That is your RESCUE from Hell-Fire. (Sahih Muslim, Book 037, Number 6665)
Abu Burda reported on the authority of his father that Allah's Apostle said: No Muslim would die but Allah would admit IN HIS STEAD a Jew or a Christian in Hell-Fire. 'Umar b. Abd al-'Aziz took an oath: By One besides Whom there is no god but He, thrice that his father had narrated that to him from Allah's Messenger. (Sahih Muslim, Book 037, Number 6666)
Abu Burda reported Allah's Messenger as saying: There would come people amongst the Muslims on the Day of Resurrection with AS HEAVY SINS AS A MOUNTAIN, and Allah would FORGIVE THEM and He would PLACE IN THEIR STEAD the Jews and the Christians. (As far as I think), Abu Raub said: I do not know as to who is in doubt. Abu Burda said: I narrated it to 'Umar b. 'Abd al-'Aziz, whereupon he said: Was it your father who narrated it to you from Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him)? I said: Yes. (Sahih Muslim, Book 037, Number 6668)
These hadiths indicate that Muhammad actually believed and affirmed penal substitution, albeit a rather perverted form of it!
What makes Muhammad’s (per)version of penal substitution so unjust is that these Jews and Christians obviously did not volunteer to take the place of Muslims in hell, which means that Allah is actually forcing them to enter there against their will!
Now if Zawadi thinks that a person who volunteers to incur the punishment of a murderer is absurd and pitiful then what does he do with the teachings of his false prophet who has people being sent to hell in the place of wicked and vile Muslims against their will?
And since Zawadi attacked the Christian doctrine of penal substitution as being unjust he is going to have to condemn Muhammad and his god for teaching something similar. Zawadi has to admit that Muhammad must have been absurd for claiming that Allah would ransom Muslims from the fire by having Jews and Christians take their place of punishment in hell. He needs to acknowledge that Muhammad must have been rather pitiful for actually believing that Allah would punish Jews and Christians for the sins of believers so that murderers and rapists like Muhammad and his companions could be forgiven and enter paradise!
More importantly, in light of his condemnation of penal substitution Zawadi needs to stop being a Muslim. He must abandon the false prophet Muhammad for teaching such a perverted and corrupt version of penal substitution. Otherwise if Zawadi refuses to do so then he will simply be exposing himself as a liar and deceiver who is not interested in truth but only in attacking Christianity.
Hopefully, Zawadi will be a man of integrity and do the right thing by abandoning the false prophet Muhammad and embrace Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Once he does he will then be thankful and praise his risen Lord and Savior for delivering him from the lies and deception of Allah and his messenger.
I praise the risen Lord Jesus that I am not a Muslim who blindly follows the false prophet Muhammad and his corrupt teachings!
Some final remarks
We need to clearly distinguish between EARTHLY penalty for criminal deeds (decided and executed by the state) and the ultimate DIVINE penalty at the last judgment for breaking the law of God.
No Christian would claim that a murderer or a defrauder who genuinely repents and accepts Jesus as his Savior from sin and Lord over his life should not be punished (here on earth) because God also forgives him.
The authority of the state was instituted by God and must judge according to justice, based on the law of the country.
Thus a Christian understanding does not make light of sins and crimes. We stand for justice in this life, within the justice system, and thus the Christian message does not encourage people to lead lawless and sinful lives since "we are forgiven anyway."
The topic of the above article was ONLY the eternal punishment when God judges our lives.
And in this eternal punishment, we are ALL guilty. Every Christian, every Muslim, everyone.
Nobody would make it to heaven based on his own merits. And even Islam acknowledges that.
If Allah should take men to task for their evildoing, He would not leave on the earth one creature that crawls; but He is deferring them to a term stated; and when their term is come they shall not put it back by a single hour nor put it forward.” S. 16:61
O believers, follow not the steps of Satan; for whosoever follows the steps of Satan, assuredly he bids to indecency and dishonour. But for Allah's bounty to you and His mercy not one of you would have been pure ever; but Allah purifies whom He will; and Allah is All-hearing, All-knowing. S. 24:21
Without the mercy of Allah, ALL deserve punishment and would go to Hell.
Against this background, the question that needs to be asked when comparing Christianity and Islam is this:
What is more a reflection of truly divine justice?
- That the biblical God takes the punishment for sin on HIMSELF – making sure that everyone still knows: Sin is incredibly serious. The penalty for sin must be paid. Or,
- That the Islamic god simply forgets about punishing certain sins altogether and let's Muslims into paradise for merely saying the Shahada? Or, as pointed out by certain hadiths, who punishes and tortures Jews and Christians for the sins of the Muslims. To make matters even worse, according to Muhammad there will actually be certain individuals who have not performed any good deeds that will receive a reward for every single sin they have committed! This means that Allah is not simply amoral, but immoral and unholy, a being who perverts justice and promotes wickedness and sin!
Further reading:
Does Goodness live in You?
Postscript
Bassam Zawadi has just come out with an addendum to his original article seeking to explain away the teachings of his prophet which not only condone and promote immoral behavior but also undermine and attack the holy and righteous character of God. What makes Zawadi’s “reply” rather intriguing is that he doesn’t see just how blatantly inconsistent he truly is. He will jump at every chance to attack the message of the Holy Bible based on what he perceives to be its unjust and immoral teachings, even though this is nothing more than a reflection of his gross misunderstanding and misreading of the inspired Scriptures. Yet whenever his religion teaches similar concepts to those that he himself criticizes he will not hesitate to defend them! Nor does he have a problem coming up with excuses to justify the rather wicked and perverted instructions of Muhammad!
To make matters worse, Zawadi repeats the same arguments to defend the justice of Allah sending Jews and Christians to hell in place of Muslims, and raises the same objection against Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 5:17-20, despite the fact that he knows that we have already refuted and addressed his desperate defense and criticism in these articles (1, 2).
To put it mildly, I am not impressed to see Zawadi simply repeating his assertions without responding to our answers. Lord willing, I will answer the rest of Zawadi’s “rebuttal”, i.e. the points which have not already been covered in the earlier articles, in the not so distant future.
If Zawadi really loves Muhammad then he should find another line of work, that is, unless his intention is to expose and discredit his god and prophet. If so then we encourage Zawadi to continue writing articles and “rebuttals” since he is doing an excellent of job of proving that Islam is intellectually and morally bankrupt, and that Muhammad is a false prophet whom every seeker of truth should condemn for deceiving and misleading people away from the true God.
Footnotes
1 This article was written mostly by Sam Shamoun but Jochen Katz contributed the "final remarks" and a couple of comments on the hadiths quoted in the main text.
Source: http://answering-islam.org/authors/shamoun/rebuttals/zawadi/substitution.html
IHS
Bassam Zawadi has produced a short article (*) where he tries to show why Dr. William Lane Craig’s defense (*) of penal substitution is unsatisfactory.
We recommend reading both articles first since this will make it easier to understand the context of Zawadi’s “reply” and our refutation of it. After presenting Dr. Craig’s story about a person who worked in the insurance business to illustrate the concept of imputation Zawadi responds:
Dr. Craig's analogy is flawed on more than one level:
1) There are several factors that determine if an insurance claim is successful or not. For example in the event of 'death by dangerous driving', there is no escape by an insured (or uninsured) driver from an almost certain jail term. The insurance company will not assume any liability for the driver's negligence and can do nothing to save the policy holder from being locked up. In this instance, the driver incurs liability for his crime. Any negligence in the operation of the automobile is thus imputed to the policy holder (driver). The insurance company only imputes certain negligence as outlined in the type of cover (agreement) signed by the policy holder. The insured driver will be held accountable by the court of law for any prohibited act (crime) he committed e.g. driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs etc. This is in no way similar to the example of the Christian faith, where ALL sin is (allegedly) imputed to Christ during his Crucifixion! There are no premiums or excess to be paid and no limits to the types of sins/negligence. It's ALL forgiven in Christian theology.
2) There is no guarantee that an insurance claim will be successful. Even if the claim is successful and the driver's negligence is imputed, e.g. in a minor accident, the insurance company still benefited from the periodic premium fees (and in some cases a compulsory excess) paid by the policy holder. In short, no insurance company will assume liability for your actions for free! The only reason why the insurance company is willing to have some of the policy holder's negligence imputed to them is because they are benefiting out of it more than the policy holder most of the time. Hence, it becomes understandable why they would agree to such a thing in the first place.
He then mentions Dr. Craig’s court analogy and says:
Do Christians really believe that if the murderer genuinely repented and then someone volunteered to incur his punishment on his behalf then that means that justice has been served? That's very revealing of how disastrous Christian theology could influence one's way of thinking. I really have nothing to say to such absurdity except that I pity those who believe such a thing and that I thank God for being a Muslim.
Here it is where Zawadi shows that he is deceptive and has little respect for truth. Notice his assertion carefully since this will expose that he is a fraud who doesn’t care much for honesty or acting with integrity. It is absurd and pitiful to believe that justice has been served if a murderer sincerely repents and someone else volunteers to incur his punishment on his belief. In saying this Zawadi has basically condemned his own god and prophet for being both absurd and pitiful.
The conclusion that Zawadi’s argument is dishonest and not merely ignorant is justified because most of the below following arguments about “Islamic substitution” were already published on Answering Islam some years ago, for example in these two articles: (1) Islam's Doctrine of Substitutionary Atonement and the Ransoming of Sinners [2004], (2) The (In)Justice of Allah Examined [2006]. Morever, Zawadi has even tried to refute the second one of these articles (1, 2), so that he can hardly claim ignorance of these traditions.
For instance, Muhammad taught that a cold blooded murderer who had murdered a hundred people was forgiven solely because he journeyed to a village where he sought for repentance.
Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: The Prophet said, “Amongst the men of Bani Israel there was a man who had murdered ninety-nine persons. Then he set out asking (whether his repentance could be accepted or not). He came upon a monk and asked him if his repentance could be accepted. The monk replied in the negative and so the man killed him. He kept on asking till a man advised to go to such and such village. (So he left for it) but death overtook him on the way. While dying, he turned his chest towards that village (where he had hoped his repentance would be accepted), and so the angels of mercy and the angels of punishment quarreled amongst themselves regarding him. Allah ordered the village (towards which he was going) to come closer to him, and ordered the village (whence he had come), to go far away, and then He ordered the angels to measure the distances between his body and the two villages. So he was found to be one span closer to the village (he was going to). So he was forgiven.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 56, Number 676)
This belittles sin. There is no punishment at all, so just repent and that is sufficient. Where is the justice?
Moreover, note that this man’s “repentance” is hardly sincere. When he doesn’t get a free pass from the monk, i.e. this monk denies that repentance is possible for him, he simply murders the monk, thus adding to his sin. A man who would be truly sorry and genuinely seeking to better his life and live on the basis of God’s commandments would not murder yet another person simply because this person doesn’t give him what he desired. With this act, he showed his full wickedness and that he was not really repentant.
Still, Allah has no problem to wink at his sin and simply forget about his murders.
Thus, if we should believe this tradition, in Islam one does not even need genuine repentance, it is apparently enough to pretend to repent.
After Zawadi judged the Christian concept to be absurd and pitiful, we are anxious to hear his evaluation of the above story.
The prophet Muhammad further taught that a person who had done absolutely no good deed will still enter paradise solely because he was afraid to meet Allah in judgment:
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “A MAN USED TO DO SINFUL DEEDS, and when death came to him, he said to his sons, 'After my death, burn me and then crush me, and scatter the powder in the air, for by Allah, if Allah has control over me, He will give me such a punishment as He has never given to anyone else.' When he died, his sons did accordingly. Allah ordered the earth saying, 'Collect what you hold of his particles.' It did so, and behold! There he was (the man) standing. Allah asked him, 'What made you do what you did?' He replied, 'O my Lord! I was afraid of you.' SO ALLAH FORGAVE HIM.” Another narrator said "The man said, Fear of You, O Lord!” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 56, Number 688)
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "A MAN WHO NEVER DID ANY GOOD DEED, said that if he died, his family should burn him and throw half the ashes of his burnt body in the earth and the other half in the sea, for by Allah, if Allah should get hold of him, He would inflict such punishment on him as He would not inflict on anybody among the people. But Allah ordered the sea to collect what was in it (of his ashes) and similarly ordered the earth to collect what was in it (of his ashes). Then Allah said (to the recreated man), 'Why did you do so?' The man replied, 'For being afraid of you, and you know it (very well).' SO ALLAH FORGAVE HIM." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 93, Number 597)
Again, this man did not even show any signs of repentance. He merely was afraid of Allah, but he did not say he regretted his actions or tried to repent and restitute anything to those whom he had harmed. Without even being asked for forgiveness, Allah simply forgives him? Is that Islam’s superior justice when compared with the biblical concept?
To top it off, Muhammad even said that a person who committed sexual immorality and theft would still go to paradise if s/he died believing in the Islamic creed!
Narrated Abu Dharr: I came to the Prophet while he was wearing white clothes and sleeping. Then I went back to him again after he had got up from his sleep. He said, "Nobody says: ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah’ and then later on he dies while believing in that, except that he will enter Paradise." I said, "Even It he had committed illegal sexual intercourse and theft." I said, "Even if he had committed illegal sexual intercourse and theft? He said. "Even If he had committed illegal sexual intercourse and theft." I said, "Even it he had committed illegal sexual intercourse and thefts." He said, "Even If he had committed Illegal sexual intercourse and theft, in spite of Abu Dharr’s dislikeness." Abu ‘Abdullah said, "This is at the time of death or before it if one repents and regrets and says ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah’, he will be forgiven his sins." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 72, Number 717)
Narrated Abu Dharr: The Prophet said, Gabriel came to me and gave me the glad tidings that anyone who died without worshipping anything besides Allah, would enter Paradise. I asked (Gabriel), ‘Even if he committed theft, and even if he committed illegal sexual intercourse?’ He said, ‘(Yes), even if he committed theft, and even if he committed illegal sexual intercourse." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 93, Number 579)
412. 'Ubada ibn as-Samit reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Whoever testifies that there is no god but Allah alone with no partner and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger and that 'Isa is the slave of Allah and His Messenger and a word which He cast into Maryam and a spirit from Him and that the Garden is real and the Fire is real will enter the Garden WHATEVER HIS ACTIONS." [Agreed upon] (Al-Imam Abu Zakariya Yahya bin Sharaf An-Nawawi Ad-Dimashqi, Riyad as-Salihin (The Meadows of the Righteous), 51. Chapter: On Hope; bold and underline emphasis ours)
In fact, Allah even told a person that he could whatever he wished since his sins were forgiven, thereby encouraging the individual to engage in sinful behavior!
Abu Huraira reported from Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) that his Lord, the Exalted and Glorious, thus said: A servant committed a sin and he said: O Allah, forgive me my sins, and Allah (the Exalted and Glorious) said: My servant committed a sin and then he came to realise that he has a Lord Who forgives the sins and takes to account (the sinner) for the sin. He then again committed a sin and said: My Lord, forgive me my sin, and Allah, the Exalted and High, said: My servant committed a sin and then came to realise that he has a Lord Who would forgive his sin or would take (him) to account for the sin. He again committed a sin and said: My Lord, forgive me for my sin, and Allah (the Exalted and High) said: My servant has committed a sin and then came to realise that he has a Lord Who forgives the sins or takes (him) to account for sin. O servant, do what you like. I have granted you forgiveness. 'Abd al-A'la said: I do not know whether he said thrice or four times to do, "what you desire". The hadith has been narrated on the authority of 'Abd al-A'la b. Hammad with the same chain of transmitters. (Sahih Muslim, Book 037, Number 6642)
Muhammad further said that on the Day of Judgment Allah will take out people from hell and admit them into Paradise despite the fact that they hadn’t performed any good deeds:
“… The Prophet added, ‘Then the prophets and Angels and the believers will intercede, and (last of all) the Almighty (Allah) will say, “Now remains My Intercession.” He will then hold a handful of the Fire from which He will take out some people whose bodies have been burnt, and they will be thrown into a river at the entrance of Paradise, called the water of life. “‘They will grow on its banks, as a seed carried by the torrent grows. You have noticed how it grows beside a rock or beside a tree, and how the side facing the sun is usually green while the side facing the shade is white. Those people will come out (of the River of Life) like pearls, and they will have (golden) necklaces, and then they will enter Paradise whereupon the people of Paradise will say, “These are the people emancipated by the Beneficent. He has admitted them into Paradise without them having done any good deeds and without sending forth any good (for themselves).” Then it will be said to them, “For you is what you have seen and its equivalent as well.”’” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 93, Number 532s)
To make matters worse Allah will actually give these people who have done no good for a reward for every sin they have committed!
2594. Anas narrated that the Prophet said: "Allah will say: ‘Remove from the Fire whoever remembered Me one day, or feared Me while in a state of sinning.’" (Hasan)
[Abu ‘Eisa said:] This Hadith is Hasan Gharib Sahih.
Comments: Remembering Allah and fearing Him is the sign of one’s faith. The Hadith confirms that even those persons who have no good in their Register of Deeds expect the weakest form of faith (iman) will ultimately get deliverance from Fire through Allah’s benevolence and mercy. (English Translation of Jami‘ At-Tirmidhi, Compiled by Imam Hafiz ‘Eisa Mohammad Ibn ‘Eisa At-Tirmidhi, From Hadith no. 1897 to 2605, translated by Abu Khalil (USA), Ahadith edited and referenced by Hafiz Abu Tahir Zubair ‘Ali Za’i, final review by Islamic Research Section Darussalam [Darussalam Publishers & Distributors, First Edition: November 2007], Volume 4, Chapter 9. What Has Been Related About ‘The Fire Has Two Breaths,’ And What Has Been Mentioned About Those Who Will Exit The Fire From The People of Tawhid, p. 572; underline emphasis ours)
And:
2596. Abu Dharr narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: "I know that the last of the people of the Fire depart from the Fire and the last of the people of Paradise to enter Paradise. A man will be brought forth and He will say: ‘Ask about his small sins and hide his large sins.’ So it will be said to him: ‘Did you do this and that on such and such a day, did you do this and that on such-and-such a day?’" He said: "Then it will be said to him: ‘FOR EACH OF YOUR SINS YOU SHALL HAVE A REWARD.’" He said: "So he will say: ‘O Lord! I have done things that I do not see here.’" He (Abu Dharr) said: "I saw the Messenger of Allah laugh until his molars were visible." (Sahih)
Abu ‘Eisa said: This Hadith is Hasan Sahih.
Comments: Allah’s benevolence and mercy are boundless. NO RULES OR LAWS CAN BIND HIM, since He is for Whom it is said in the Qur’an: He cannot be questioned as to what He does. (21:23) HE WILL, THEREFORE, CHANGE THE SINS INTO VIRTUOUS DEEDS FOR WHOMEVER HE WILLS. (Ibid., Chapter 10. Something Else Regarding The Story Of The Last Of The People Of The Fire To Leave it, pp. 573-574; capital and underline emphasis ours)
Talk about a travesty of justice! Allah not only doesn’t punish the wicked he actually rewards them for their wickedness! As the commentator stated, Allah is not bound by anything and is therefore a capricious being who can pervert justice. Clearly, Muhammad’s god is not simply an amoral being, one who is morally neutral, he is actually immoral and unholy who is actually promoting wickedness and the outright perversion of justice by such teachings (or at the very least Muhammad is since he is the one that is alleged to have made these statements).
Moreover, hadiths such as the one stating that Allah gave license to a person to sin as much as he wants simply because Allah forgave him for repenting actually promote and encourage individuals to commit heinous and evil acts. This makes the Islamic god complicit in all the vile, immoral actions that Muslims commit around the world, including the gross sins and sexual immorality that Muhammad himself and his companions engaged in.
Contrast the teachings of Muhammad with that of a true inspired servant of God, namely the blessed Apostle Paul:
“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin — because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey — whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:1-23
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God… Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 18-20
“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” Galatians 5:13-26
“So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:17-32
“Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope — the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” Titus 2:11-14
What a stark contrast! The instructions of Muhammad and his god encourage murder, sexual immorality and wickedness whereas Paul’s inspired teachings promote sexual purity, holiness, self-sacrifice, unconditional love etc. Muhammad, to use the words of John the Baptist, was not worthy to untie Paul’s sandal straps, let alone that of the Lord Jesus who was the One responsible for transforming the Apostle and empowering him to become a holy and righteous vessel whom he used to accomplish his sovereign purposes.
Returning to the issue at hand, it seems that the reason why Muhammad believed that Allah could simply forgive people and allow them to enter into paradise despite having committed heinous crimes and having never performed any good deeds is because Muhammad actually thought that Allah would punish the Jews and Christians in hell for all the crimes committed by Muslims!
Chapter 8: THROWING OF NON-BELIEVERS IN HELL-FIRE FOR BELIEVERS AS DIVINE GRACE AND MERCY
Abu Musa' reported that Allah's Messenger said: When it will be the Day of Resurrection Allah would deliver to every Muslim a Jew or a Christian and say: That is your RESCUE from Hell-Fire. (Sahih Muslim, Book 037, Number 6665)
Abu Burda reported on the authority of his father that Allah's Apostle said: No Muslim would die but Allah would admit IN HIS STEAD a Jew or a Christian in Hell-Fire. 'Umar b. Abd al-'Aziz took an oath: By One besides Whom there is no god but He, thrice that his father had narrated that to him from Allah's Messenger. (Sahih Muslim, Book 037, Number 6666)
Abu Burda reported Allah's Messenger as saying: There would come people amongst the Muslims on the Day of Resurrection with AS HEAVY SINS AS A MOUNTAIN, and Allah would FORGIVE THEM and He would PLACE IN THEIR STEAD the Jews and the Christians. (As far as I think), Abu Raub said: I do not know as to who is in doubt. Abu Burda said: I narrated it to 'Umar b. 'Abd al-'Aziz, whereupon he said: Was it your father who narrated it to you from Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him)? I said: Yes. (Sahih Muslim, Book 037, Number 6668)
These hadiths indicate that Muhammad actually believed and affirmed penal substitution, albeit a rather perverted form of it!
What makes Muhammad’s (per)version of penal substitution so unjust is that these Jews and Christians obviously did not volunteer to take the place of Muslims in hell, which means that Allah is actually forcing them to enter there against their will!
Now if Zawadi thinks that a person who volunteers to incur the punishment of a murderer is absurd and pitiful then what does he do with the teachings of his false prophet who has people being sent to hell in the place of wicked and vile Muslims against their will?
And since Zawadi attacked the Christian doctrine of penal substitution as being unjust he is going to have to condemn Muhammad and his god for teaching something similar. Zawadi has to admit that Muhammad must have been absurd for claiming that Allah would ransom Muslims from the fire by having Jews and Christians take their place of punishment in hell. He needs to acknowledge that Muhammad must have been rather pitiful for actually believing that Allah would punish Jews and Christians for the sins of believers so that murderers and rapists like Muhammad and his companions could be forgiven and enter paradise!
More importantly, in light of his condemnation of penal substitution Zawadi needs to stop being a Muslim. He must abandon the false prophet Muhammad for teaching such a perverted and corrupt version of penal substitution. Otherwise if Zawadi refuses to do so then he will simply be exposing himself as a liar and deceiver who is not interested in truth but only in attacking Christianity.
Hopefully, Zawadi will be a man of integrity and do the right thing by abandoning the false prophet Muhammad and embrace Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Once he does he will then be thankful and praise his risen Lord and Savior for delivering him from the lies and deception of Allah and his messenger.
I praise the risen Lord Jesus that I am not a Muslim who blindly follows the false prophet Muhammad and his corrupt teachings!
Some final remarks
We need to clearly distinguish between EARTHLY penalty for criminal deeds (decided and executed by the state) and the ultimate DIVINE penalty at the last judgment for breaking the law of God.
No Christian would claim that a murderer or a defrauder who genuinely repents and accepts Jesus as his Savior from sin and Lord over his life should not be punished (here on earth) because God also forgives him.
The authority of the state was instituted by God and must judge according to justice, based on the law of the country.
Thus a Christian understanding does not make light of sins and crimes. We stand for justice in this life, within the justice system, and thus the Christian message does not encourage people to lead lawless and sinful lives since "we are forgiven anyway."
The topic of the above article was ONLY the eternal punishment when God judges our lives.
And in this eternal punishment, we are ALL guilty. Every Christian, every Muslim, everyone.
Nobody would make it to heaven based on his own merits. And even Islam acknowledges that.
If Allah should take men to task for their evildoing, He would not leave on the earth one creature that crawls; but He is deferring them to a term stated; and when their term is come they shall not put it back by a single hour nor put it forward.” S. 16:61
O believers, follow not the steps of Satan; for whosoever follows the steps of Satan, assuredly he bids to indecency and dishonour. But for Allah's bounty to you and His mercy not one of you would have been pure ever; but Allah purifies whom He will; and Allah is All-hearing, All-knowing. S. 24:21
Without the mercy of Allah, ALL deserve punishment and would go to Hell.
Against this background, the question that needs to be asked when comparing Christianity and Islam is this:
What is more a reflection of truly divine justice?
- That the biblical God takes the punishment for sin on HIMSELF – making sure that everyone still knows: Sin is incredibly serious. The penalty for sin must be paid. Or,
- That the Islamic god simply forgets about punishing certain sins altogether and let's Muslims into paradise for merely saying the Shahada? Or, as pointed out by certain hadiths, who punishes and tortures Jews and Christians for the sins of the Muslims. To make matters even worse, according to Muhammad there will actually be certain individuals who have not performed any good deeds that will receive a reward for every single sin they have committed! This means that Allah is not simply amoral, but immoral and unholy, a being who perverts justice and promotes wickedness and sin!
Further reading:
Does Goodness live in You?
Postscript
Bassam Zawadi has just come out with an addendum to his original article seeking to explain away the teachings of his prophet which not only condone and promote immoral behavior but also undermine and attack the holy and righteous character of God. What makes Zawadi’s “reply” rather intriguing is that he doesn’t see just how blatantly inconsistent he truly is. He will jump at every chance to attack the message of the Holy Bible based on what he perceives to be its unjust and immoral teachings, even though this is nothing more than a reflection of his gross misunderstanding and misreading of the inspired Scriptures. Yet whenever his religion teaches similar concepts to those that he himself criticizes he will not hesitate to defend them! Nor does he have a problem coming up with excuses to justify the rather wicked and perverted instructions of Muhammad!
To make matters worse, Zawadi repeats the same arguments to defend the justice of Allah sending Jews and Christians to hell in place of Muslims, and raises the same objection against Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 5:17-20, despite the fact that he knows that we have already refuted and addressed his desperate defense and criticism in these articles (1, 2).
To put it mildly, I am not impressed to see Zawadi simply repeating his assertions without responding to our answers. Lord willing, I will answer the rest of Zawadi’s “rebuttal”, i.e. the points which have not already been covered in the earlier articles, in the not so distant future.
If Zawadi really loves Muhammad then he should find another line of work, that is, unless his intention is to expose and discredit his god and prophet. If so then we encourage Zawadi to continue writing articles and “rebuttals” since he is doing an excellent of job of proving that Islam is intellectually and morally bankrupt, and that Muhammad is a false prophet whom every seeker of truth should condemn for deceiving and misleading people away from the true God.
Footnotes
1 This article was written mostly by Sam Shamoun but Jochen Katz contributed the "final remarks" and a couple of comments on the hadiths quoted in the main text.
Source: http://answering-islam.org/authors/shamoun/rebuttals/zawadi/substitution.html
IHS
No comments:
Post a Comment