|
Following Islam- Understanding Islam Who declared Muhammad as Prophet? Muhammad in Bible Was Jesus God? Similarities between Islam and Christianity Who first declared Muhammad (peace be upon him) is Messenger? One of the top questions asked by Christians is that why they should follow Muslims and accept Islam? Well this is a remarkable question which can be asked by one who wants to convert to Islam. Do Christians know that the first one who declared that Muhammad (peace be upon him) will be a Prophet was also a Christian man. According to historians and Muslims scholars when Abu Talib took Muhammad with him on journey to Syria he met there a Christian monk. The monk began looking at the Muhammad (peace be upon him)’s face very carefully. The monk name was Bahira (real name Gorges). He readily recognized the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and said while taking his hand: “This is the master of all humans. Allah will send him with a Message which will be a mercy to all beings.” Abu Talib asked: “How do you know that?” He replied: “When you appeared from the direction of Aqabah, all stones and trees prostrated themselves, which they never do except for a Prophet. I can recognize him also by the seal of Prophethood which is below his shoulder, like an apple. We have got to learn this from our books.” He also asked Abu Talib to send the boy back to Makkah and not to take him to Syria for fear of the Jews. Abu Talib obeyed and sent him back to Makkah with some of his men servants. Not only this. Second man one who confirmed that Muhammad (peace be upon him) was a Prophet was also a Christian whose name was Waraqa bin naufal, cousin of Hazrat Khadija, Prophet’s first wife. According to Hadis bukhari Sahih al-Bukhari: Narrated 'Aisha(R): Volume 4, Book 55, Number 605: "..The Prophet returned to Khadija (after receiving revelation) while his heart was beating rapidly. She took him to Waraqa bin Naufal who was a Christian convert and used to read the Gospel in Arabic. Waraqa asked (the Prophet), "What do you see?" When he told him, Waraqa said, "That is the same angel whom Allah sent to the Prophet) Moses. Should I live till you receive the Divine Message, I will support you strongly." The other hadith is: Narrated 'Aisha(R): Volume 1, Book 1, Number 3 Khadija then accompanied him to her cousin Waraqa bin Naufal bin Asad bin 'Abdul 'Uzza, who, during the pre-Islamic Period became a Christian and used to write the writing with Hebrew letters. He would write from the Gospel in Hebrew as much as Allah wished him to write. He was an old man and had lost his eyesight. Khadija said to Waraqa, "Listen to the story of your nephew, O my cousin!" Waraqa asked, "O my nephew! What have you seen?" Allah's Apostle described whatever he had seen. Waraqa said, "This is the same one who keeps the secrets (angel Gabriel) whom Allah had sent to Moses. I wish I were young and could live up to the time when your people would turn you out." Allah's Apostle asked, "Will they drive me out?" Waraqa replied in the affirmative and said, "Anyone (man) who came with something similar to what you have brought was treated with hostility; and if I should remain alive till the day when you will be turned out then I would support you strongly." But after a few days Waraqa died Waraqa knows that some signs already there in the previous books about a new prophet will come and that is why he said "I will support you strongly". Waraqa (a Christian) man confirmed that Muhammad was a prophet as it was said in his books (bible). We can also judge that Waraqa had faith in Prophet Muhammad as he wished to support Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) strongly. Thus, the first persons who confirmed that Muhammad (peace be upon him) was Prophet were Christians. Now days Christians don’t claim Muhammad peace be upon him as Allah’s last messenger Is there Muhammad’s name or verses about him in bible? Yes, the word Muhammad is there in Bible. In some verses occurrence of Muhammad (peace be upon him) is indirectly said and in Old Testament verses can be found regarding Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Quran says: "THOSE WHO FOLLOW THE APOSTLE, THE UNLETTERED PROPHET, WHOM THEY FIND MENTIONED IN THEIR OWN SCRIPTURES, IN THE TORAH AND THE GOSPEL…" Holy Quran 7:157; Translation by: Yousuf Ali In chapter John bible say: But the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14-26) Who is the man the bible is pointing towards? We can also see this verse states that the one who will be send will teach you all things hence Christian is not complete. For example: Committing adultery and fornication is forbidden in Christ but there is no punishment prescribed, nor there is proper rules about punishing the one who mug, where as Quran also prescribed punishment for the guilty one. Some of the verses in Bible which Muslims think directly relate to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) are: When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth”. (John 16.13). However, Christian says that the spirit of truth is Holy Spirit. Matthew 5:17 New International Version of Bible (NIV) “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”. (The chain of Prophets) Means he was not confirming him as the last Prophet but was there to fulfill the law of Prophets Jesus might have been said that he had come to complete the task of Prophets or He is the last Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18 New International Version (NIV) I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him." Bible itself confirmed about coming of a new Prophet after Jesus John 16:7 New International Version (NIV) But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate (Holy Spirit) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. Jesus has gone away but where is the Holy Spirit? Of course he was Muhammad (peace be upon him). It is wrong understanding of bible that spirit of truth was Holy Spirit. It was there when Jesus was there. However, in the Song of Solomon in Bible the word Muhammad by name is there in the book "His mouth is sweetness itself; he is Muhammad. This is my lover, this my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem." Song of Solomon 5:16 From Hebrew version of Old Testament Although in Hebrew meaning Muhammad is referred as lovely, praised one. The correct meaning is praised one and in Arabic praised one means Muhammad In New Testament the verse has been changed. It is written as "His mouth is sweetness itself; he is altogether lovely. This is my lover, this my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem." Song of Solomon 5:16 So it can be judge by verses of bible that it was indicated that a new Prophet will soon arrive which will led mankind to truth. Surely he was Muhammad (peace be upon him) Was Jesus God? John 15:26 New International Version (NIV) Jesus said that he was sent to the world only to give as much guidance as the people of his own time could bear. As for complete teaching which would stay forever with mankind, he said: But the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 15:26) Thus Jesus never claimed divinity Holy Quran says about Jesus: The Messiah (Jesus), son of Mary, was a messenger, "surely messengers like unto him had passed away before him" (The Holy Quran 5:76) Bible states: John 10:29 New International Version (NIV) My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all.........." If Christians claim that Jesus was God then how can someone be greater then him? Some other verses of bible which prove that Jesus was not God are: John 5:30 New International Version (NIV) By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. Jesus do everything by God’s power. He himself never claimed that he is God John 14:28 New International Version (NIV) “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. Christians says that Jesus said that he was God in John John 10:30 New International Version (NIV) “I and the Father are one.” How a father and his son can be one? If he was God then why did he came to earth? What for? If God can do anything Can you imagine that someone come on earth as Son of his own and claimed that he will become God when he die? Above verses logically prove that Jesus was not god or the son of god but he was a messenger of God. Jesus himself never says that worship him. He never said the was the God Quran says that Allah (God) does not beget nor is He begotten Similarities between Islam and Christianity Both Jesus peace be upon him and Muhammad peace be upon him preached that there is, was and will be One God: Isaiah 43:10 New International Version (NIV) “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. [Al-Quran 112:1-4] He is Allah, The One and Only. Allah, the Eternal, Absolute. He begets not, nor is He begotten. And there is none like unto Him“ Even the sentenced both Prophet spoke to greet someone was same: Jesus (PBUH) himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be upon you. Shalamu A a laikum In Aramaic, the Language of Jesus (PBUH) Luke 24:36, John 20:19, John 20:21, John 20:26 Etc Muslims Greet As Taught by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Salamu Alaikum (May Peace Be Upon You) Every Year Muslims fast for 1 Month from Sun Rise to Sun Set: Christians should also fast as said in bible It is said in Bible in Matthew 4:2 New International Version (NIV) “After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.” Al-Quran says, 2:183: “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint, Jesus (PBUH) fasted for 40 Days & 40 Nights Mathew 4:2 Fasting is Mentioned many times in Bible In both religions charging interest is not allowed: Ezekiel 18:8 New International Version (NIV) ”He does not lend to them at interest or take a profit from them. He withholds his hand from doing wrong and judges fairly between two parties”. Al- Quran 3:130 O you who have believed, do not consume usury, doubled and multiplied, but fear Allah that you may be successful. The eating of swine/pig is forbidden in both religions: Quran 16:115 He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah . But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit] - then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. Leviticus 11:7-8 New International Version (NIV) And the pig, though it has a divided hoof, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you. Both Muslims and Christian’s infants should be circumcised Luke 2:21 New International Version (NIV) On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. Muslims are circumcised Christian women should not dress men’s clothing and covered themselves with veil In bible God says that: Deuteronomy 22:5 New International Version (NIV) A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this. 1 Corinthians 11:5-6 New International Version (NIV) But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head. Similarly Quran says: "Say to the believing man that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands..." (Quran 24:30-31) In Both religions wine is forbidden: Bible says: Proverbs 20:1 New International Version (NIV) Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise Quran says in Surah Miadah 5:90: O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah ], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful So, Today Muslims are circumcised but most Christians are not circumcised Christians have wine but Muslims does not have wine Many Muslims women especially in Arab observed veil but Christians women does not observes veil Christians have Pork/swine but Muslims does not have swine Christians charged interest but Muslims does not charge interest Muslims are more Christians then Christians themselves If Christians means the people who follow Jesus peace be upon him then we Muslims follow all his teachings as were told by Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him but we don’t believe that he was god he was just a messenger of God. Regards, Shafay Islam For comments and more info on Islam contact Shafay1996@yahoo.com
Related Articles -
Jesus (pbuh), Muhammad (pbuh), Teachings,
| 
