My problem with Islam is its too divided, the hadiths, restrictions on free speech through blasphemy and imposition of Sharia via Islamic states.

Jesus As The Way, The Truth, And The Life:

An Examination of John 14:6 In Light Of Muslim Claims by Sam Shamoun

It is not uncommon to find Muslims explaining John 14:6 in light of Islamic theology. The reason being is that to allow John 14:6 to speak for itself would refute the Muslim claims that there are no explicit references made by Jesus in the New Testament where he claims to be God. The passage itself reads:

"Jesus said to him, `I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'"

Muslims assert that there is nothing explicit in Jesus' statement. For instance, Muslims claim that all prophets were the way, the truth and the life since they conveyed the only true religion from God to men. Hence, they were the only way to God since any other message that contradicted theirs would be false. Typical of such a view is Dr. Jamal Badawi. In one of his programs, Badawi claims:

In fact this was an answer given by Jesus to Thomas when he asked him the way. This statement has nothing to do with the divinity of Jesus, if we refer to John 14:7, if you had known me you would have known my father also. In the context of this statement, we can understand what Jesus meant when he said that he was the way, the truth, and the light. Whoever knows, obeys, and follows me knows and obeys God because it is He who sent me. This statement attributed to Jesus applies to every Prophet and messenger because the Prophet is not following his own whim or ideas, he is following the revelation of God. (Source)

In light of Badawi's claims we will examine John 14:6 and ask the following questions. Is it true that Jesus' statement simply meant that he conveyed God's truth to man like the other true prophets of God? Does any other prophet apply these specific titles to describe himself the way Jesus did? Did Muhammad believe or claim to be an infallible guide like Jesus, and hence it can be said that he also was the way, the truth and the life?

First, it must be stated that Jesus' words do not simply mean that he pointed the way to heaven and conveyed God's true religion to man. Jesus was making claims that only God could make and which no other prophet would dare claim. For instance, Jesus claimed to be the Life, a quality which is predicated to God alone throughout the Holy Bible:

"That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them." Deuteronomy 30:20 KJV

"And Joshua said, "Hereby you shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Per'izzites, the Gir'gashites, the Amorites, and the Jeb'usites." Joshua 3:10

"For with thee is the fountain of life; in thy light do we see light." Psalm 36:9

"The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death." Proverbs 14:27

"But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation. Jeremiah 10:10

According to the scriptures, Yahweh is the only source of life and is the only true God. Yet, both Jesus and his followers claimed that Christ is the source of life and that he is the true God:

"In him was life, and the life was the light of men." John 1:4

"Truly, truly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself, Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment." John 5:25-26, 28-29

Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:23-26

But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses." Acts 3:14-15

"When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." Colossians 3:4

"The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the foremost of sinners; but I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience for an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Timothy 1:15-17

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life- the life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father and was made manifest to us- that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." 1 John 1:1-3

"And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, to know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life." 1 John 5:20

Hence, Jesus does not simply point one to life, but he is the very eternal life itself that came from heaven to become man for our salvation. It is only through him that one inherits this life.

Furthermore, not only is God the source of life but he himself is the truth according to the Bible:

"Then they said to Jeremiah, `May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act according to all the word with which the LORD your God sends you to us." Jeremiah 42:5
", they cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before thou wilt judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell upon the earth?" Revelation 6:10

Interestingly, this is precisely how Jesus describes himself in the revelation the Apostle John received from Christ:

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one shall shut, who shuts and no one opens. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name’" Revelation 3:7-8

"And to the angel of the church in La-odice'a write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation." Revelation 3:14

We are told that early in Islamic history, one Sufi named Al-Hallaj (858-922 A.D.) made similar claims by saying, "I am the Truth." In 922 A.D. Muslims crucified and branded him a heretic for this claim. The reason that motivated the killing was based on the fact that one of Allah's 99 names is Al-Haqq (The Truth), with another being Al-Hayy (The Living):

And the faces shall be humbled before the Living, the Self-subsistent God, and he who bears iniquity is indeed a failure, Supremely exalted is therefore Allah, the King, the Truth, and do not make haste with the Quran before its revelation is made complete to you and say: O my Lord! increase me in knowledge. S. 20:110, 114 Shakir

Muslims realized that Al-Hallaj's claim of being the Truth was the same as claiming to be God. Hence, for Jesus to claim to be both the Truth and the Life is equivalent to saying that he is God.

Furthermore, in the hadith we discover that Muhammad consistently applied these titles to God alone. One never finds these titles applied to Muhammad:

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:
The Prophet used to invoke Allah at night, saying, "O Allah: All the Praises are for You: You are the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth. All the Praises are for You; You are the Maintainer of the Heaven and the Earth and whatever is in them. All the Praises are for You; You are the Light of the Heavens and the Earth. Your Word is the Truth, and Your Promise is the Truth, and the Meeting with You is the Truth, and Paradise is the Truth, and the (Hell) Fire is the Truth, and the Hour is the Truth. O Allah! I surrender myself to You, and I believe in You and I depend upon You, and I repent to You and with You (Your evidences) I stand against my opponents, and to you I leave the judgment (for those who refuse my message). O Allah! Forgive me my sins that I did in the past or will do in the future, and also the sins I did in secret or in public. You are my only God (Whom I worship) and there is no other God for me (i.e. I worship none but You)." (Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 93, Number 482)

Narrated Sufyan:

(regarding the above narration) that the Prophet added, "You are the Truth, and Your Word is the Truth." (Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 93, Number 483)

Muhammad claims that God and his Word are the truth. Furthermore, Muhammad affirms that God is both the Sustainer of the universe and the One who can forgive sins, especially Muhammad's sins. In stark contrast to Muhammad, Jesus never asked for forgiveness but claimed that he is the One that forgives sinners as well as the One who holds the entire universe together. That Jesus was clearly aware that he was sinless becomes apparent from the following passages:

"He who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but he who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood." John 7:18

"And he who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him, Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?" John 8:29, 46

Since Jesus is the only one without sin, he alone is qualified to be the Savior from sin:

", she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

And when he returned to Caper'na-um after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"- he said to the paralytic- "I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!" Mark 2:1-12

The scribes rightly surmised that only God could forgive sins. If Jesus was not God, he was obligated to clarify his meaning and correct them for misunderstanding his point. Instead, he reinforces their claim by healing the paralytic, something that clearly affirmed his authority to forgive sins.

They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of your words that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world." John 4:42

"If any one hears my sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world." John 12:47

"And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world." 1 John 4:14

"And Jesus came and said to them, `All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me, and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.'" Matthew 28:18, 20

The fact that all authority in heaven and earth belongs to Christ implies that Jesus sovereignly controls the entire universe:

", for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities-all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17

"He reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of his nature, upholding the universe by his word of power. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, " Hebrews 1:3

Muhammad also denied being the way since he himself prayed to God to constantly guide him on the true path:

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful:
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, The Beneficent, the Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment, Thee (alone) we worship; Thee (alone) we ask for help. Show us the straight path (Ihdinas Siraatal Mustaqiim), The path of those whom Thou hast favoured; Not the (path) of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who go astray. Pickthall

Muhammad, as do all Muslims, always began his prayer with this chapter, Surat ul-Faitha. The phrase, "Show us the straight path" has been translated differently by various Islamicists:

"Show us the straight way, " Yusuf Ali
"Guide us to the straight path , " N.J. Dawood

"Guide us the straight way , " Muhammad Asad

"Guide us to the Straight Way." Hillali-Khan

"Guide Thou us on the straight path , " J.M. Rodwell

"Guide us along the Straight Road , " T.B. Irving

"Keep us on the right path." Shakir

No matter which of the above translations one accepts, the thing that stands out is that Muhammad could not be the way if he himself needed to be guided on the path. If one accepts the translation of Ali, Dawood, Hillali-Khan and Pickthall, then this implies that[b] Muhammad was uncertain of the path and needed God to constantly guide him on the way[/b]. If we accept the translations of Asad, Irving, Rodwell, and Shakir then Muhammad was uncertain of his salvation and feared the possibility that he would fall from the favor of God. This fact is brought out in both the Quran and the hadith:

And surely they had purposed to turn you away from that which We have revealed to you, that you should forge against Us other than that, and then they would certainly have taken you for a friend. And had it not been that We had already established you, you would certainly have been near to incline to them a little; In that case We would certainly have made you to taste a double (punishment) in this life and a double (punishment) after death, then you would not have found any helper against Us. 17:73-75 Shakir

These are very harsh words and seem to assert that Muhammad was uncertain about his role at times.

That Muhammad was uncertain about his destiny, having doubts about his own calling, is further highlighted by the following verses:

(It is) a Scripture that is revealed unto thee (Muhammad) - SO LET THERE BE NO HEAVINESS IN THY HEART THEREFROM - that thou mayst warn thereby, and (it is) a Reminder unto believers. S. 7:2 Pickthall

And if thou (Muhammad) ART IN DOUBT concerning that which We reveal unto thee, then question those who read the Scripture (that was) before thee. Verily the Truth from thy Lord hath come unto thee. So be not thou of the waverers. And be not thou of those who deny the revelations of Allah, FOR THEN WERT THOU OF THE LOSERS. S. 10:94-95 Pickthall

Say: "I am no bringer of new-fangled doctrine among the messengers, NOR DO I KNOW WHAT WILL BE DONE WITH ME OR WITH YOU. I follow but that which is revealed to me by inspiration; I am but a Warner open and clear." S. 46:9

Muhammmad couldn't guarantee his own salvation, let alone the salvation of others, a point reiterated in the following hadiths:

Narrated Abu Huraira:
I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "The good deeds of any person will not make him enter Paradise." (i.e., None can enter Paradise through his good deeds.) They (the Prophet's companions) said, 'Not even you, O Allah's Apostle?' He said, "Not even myself, unless Allah bestows His favor and mercy on me." So be moderate in your religious deeds and do the deeds that are within your ability: and none of you should wish for death, for if he is a good doer, he may increase his good deeds, and if he is an evil doer, he may repent to Allah." (Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 70, Number 577)

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Apostle said, "The deeds of anyone of you will not save you (from the (Hell) Fire)." They said, "Even you (will not be saved by your deeds), O Allah's Apostle?" He said, "No, even I (will not be saved) unless and until Allah bestows His Mercy on me. Therefore, do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and worship Allah in the forenoon and in the afternoon and during a part of the night, and always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course whereby you will reach your target (Paradise)." (Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 76, Number 470)

Narrated 'Um al-'Ala:

An Ansari woman who gave the pledge of allegiance to the Prophet that the Ansar drew lots concerning the dwelling of the Emigrants. 'Uthman bin Maz'un was decided to dwell with them (i.e. Um al-'Ala's family), 'Uthman fell ill and I nursed him till he died, and we covered him with his clothes. Then the Prophet came to us and I (addressing the dead body) said, "O Abu As-Sa'ib, may Allah's Mercy be on you! I bear witness that Allah has honored you." On that the Prophet said, "How do you know that Allah has honored him?" I replied, "I do not know. May my father and my mother be sacrificed for you, O Allah's Apostle! But who else is worthy of it (if not 'Uthman)?" He said, "As to him, by Allah, death has overtaken him, and I hope the best for him. By Allah, though I am the Apostle of Allah, yet I do not know what Allah will do to me," By Allah, I will never assert the piety of anyone after him. That made me sad, and when I slept I saw in a dream a flowing stream for 'Uthman bin Maz'un. I went to Allah's Apostle and told him of it. He remarked, "That symbolizes his (good) deeds." (Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 58, Number 266)

And Muhammad is no more than an apostle; the apostles have already passed away before him; if then he dies or is killed will you turn back upon your heels? And whoever turns back upon his heels, he will by no means do harm to Allah in the least and Allah will reward the grateful. S. 3:144 Shakir

Say: If I err, I err only against my own soul, and if I follow a right direction, it's because of what my Lord reveals to me; surely He is Hearing, Nigh. S. 34:50 Shakir

Interestingly, the Quran provides examples of Muhammad erring and having to repent as a result of it:

Lo! We reveal unto thee the Scripture with the truth, that thou mayst judge between mankind by that which Allah showeth thee. And be not thou a pleader for the treacherous; And seek forgiveness of Allah. Lo! Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful. And plead not on behalf of (people) who deceive themselves. Lo! Allah loveth not one who is treacherous and sinful. S. 4:105-107 Pickthall
Allah forgive thee (O Muhammad)! Wherefor didst thou grant them leave ere those who told the truth were manifest to thee and thou didst know the liars? S. 9:43 Pickthall

Then have patience (O Muhammad). Lo! the promise of Allah is true. And ask forgiveness of thy sin, and hymn the praise of thy Lord at fall of night and in the early hours. S. 40:55 Pickthall

So know (O Muhammad) that there is no Allah save Allah, and ask forgiveness FOR THY SIN and for believing men and believing women. Allah knoweth (both) your place of turmoil and your place of rest. S. 47:19 Pickthall

Lo! We have given thee (O Muhammad) a signal victory, That Allah may forgive thee of thy sin that which is past and that which is to come, and may perfect His favour unto thee, and may guide thee on a right path, S. 48:1-2 Pickthall

It is little wonder that Muhammad specifically stated that he could save no one from God's punishment:

Narrated Abu Huraira:
When Allah revealed the Verse: "Warn your nearest kinsmen," Allah's Apostle got up and said, "O people of Quraish (or said similar words)! Buy (i.e. save) yourselves (from the Hellfire) as I cannot save you from Allah's Punishment; O Bani Abd Manaf! I cannot save you from Allah's Punishment, O Safiya, the Aunt of Allah's Apostle! I cannot save you from Allah's Punishment; O Fatima bint Muhammad! Ask me anything from my wealth, but I cannot save you from Allah's Punishment." (Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 51, Number 16)

Muhammad was simply an ordinary sinful mortal like the rest of us:

Say: I do not control any benefit or harm for my own soul except as Allah please; and had I known the unseen I would have had much of good and no evil would have touched me; I am nothing but a warner and the giver of good news to a people who believe. 7:188 Shakir

Muhammad cannot benefit himself nor does he have knowledge of the unseen. In fact, Muhammad constantly prayed for his own salvation, and the Quran commands Muslims to pray for his salvation and well-being:

Narrated Anas bin Malik:
Allah's Prophet used to say, "O Allah! I seek refuge with You from incapacity and laziness, from cowardice and geriatric old age, and seek refuge with You from the punishment of the grave, and I seek refuge with You from the afflictions of life and death." (Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 75, Number 378)

Narrated 'Aisha:
The Prophet used to say, "O Allah! I seek refuge with You from laziness from geriatric old age, from being in debt, and from committing sins. O Allah! I seek refuge with You from the punishment of the Fire, the afflictions of the grave, the punishment in the grave, and the evil of the affliction of poverty and from the evil of the affliction caused by Al-Masih Ad-Dajjal. O Allah! Wash away my sins with the water of snow and hail, and cleanse my heart from the sins as a white garment is cleansed of filth, and let there be a far away distance between me and my sins as You have set far away the East and the West from each other." (Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 75, Number 386)

"Lo! Allah and his angels pray (Arabic- yasalluuna) for the Prophet. O ye that believe! Pray for him (salluu alayhi) and salute him with all respect (sallimuu tasliimaa)." S. 33:56

We must ask how can Muhammad possibly benefit believers in the way Jesus does seeing that he constantly needs the prayers of his followers? Christians do not pray for Jesus, but pray to Jesus:

"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it." John 14:13-14

The Quran goes on to say:

And they say: We will by no means believe in you until you cause a fountain to gush forth from the earth for us. Or you should have a garden of palms and grapes in the midst of which you should cause rivers to flow forth, gushing out. Or you should cause the heaven to come down upon us in pieces as you think, or bring Allah and the angels face to face (with us). Or you should have a house of gold, or you should ascend into heaven, and we will not believe in your ascending until you bring down to us a book which we may read. Say: Glory be to my Lord; am I aught but a mortal apostle? 17:90-93 Shakir

Say: I am only a mortal like you; it is revealed to me that your god is one God, therefore whoever hopes to meet his Lord, he should do good deeds, and not join any one in the service of his Lord. 18:110 Shakir

And they say: Why are not signs sent down upon him from his Lord? Say: The signs are only with Allah, and I am only a plain warner. Is it not enough for them that We have revealed to you the Book which is recited to them? Most surely there is mercy in this and a reminder for a people who believe. 29:50-51 Shakir

Since he was simply human, he eventually had to die like all men. In fact, Muhammad's death caused much shock and trauma to those who loved him:

Narrated 'Aisha:
(the wife of the Prophet) Allah's Apostle died while Abu Bakr was at a place called As-Sunah (Al-'Aliya) 'Umar stood up and said, "By Allah! Allah's Apostle is not dead!" 'Umar (later on) said, "By Allah! Nothing occurred to my mind except that." He said, "Verily! Allah will resurrect him and he will cut the hands and legs of some men." Then Abu Bakr came and uncovered the face of Allah's Apostle, kissed him and said, "Let my mother and father be sacrificed for you, (O Allah's Apostle), you are good in life and in death. By Allah in Whose Hands my life is, Allah will never make you taste death twice." Then he went out and said, "O oath-taker! Don't be hasty." When Abu Bakr spoke, 'Umar sat down. Abu Bakr praised and glorified Allah and said, No doubt! Whoever worshipped Muhammad, then Muhammad is dead, but whoever worshipped Allah, then Allah is Alive and shall never die." Then he recited Allah's Statement.:-- "(O Muhammad) Verily you will die, and they also will die." (39.30) He also recited:-- "Muhammad is no more than an Apostle; and indeed many Apostles have passed away, before him, If he dies Or is killed, will you then Turn back on your heels? And he who turns back On his heels, not the least Harm will he do to Allah And Allah will give reward to those Who are grateful." (3.144), Then Abu Bakr led the people to True Guidance and acquainted them with the right path they were to follow so that they went out reciting:- "Muhammad is no more than an Apostle and indeed many Apostles have passed away before him." (3.144) (Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 57, Number 19)

Again, we see a major difference between Jesus and Muhammad. Since Muhammad is dead, he cannot benefit anyone. Yet, as Abu Bakr rightly concluded, only the Living One is worthy of worship. According to the NT, Jesus is the Living One:

"When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand upon me, saying, `Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the Living One; I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.'" Revelation 1:17-18

Since Muhammad clearly denied that he could benefit anyone and also denied being the door for believers to enter through, he cannot be the way and the truth and the life. This honor belongs to Christ alone:

"So Jesus again said to them, `Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them. I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.'" John 10:7-10

Jesus is both the door to salvation and the source of abundant life. In relation to the OT prophets none of them claimed to be the source of life or the door of salvation. In fact, the OT prophets all died in the expectation that the One who was to bring salvation to all flesh would shortly come into the world for all to see. This was the One in whom they awaited and were trusting in for their salvation:

"But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it." Matthew 13:16-17

"You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me; yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life." J[b]ohn 5:39-40[/b]

"Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; it is Moses who accuses you, on whom you set your hope. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote of me." John 5:45-46

"Your father Abraham rejoiced that he was to see my day; he saw it and was glad." John 8:56

"The prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired about this salvation; they inquired what person or time was indicated by the Spirit of Christ within them when predicting the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glory. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things which have now been announced to you by those who preached the good news to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look." 1 Peter 1:10-12

A Muslim might claim that Muhammad's requests to be guided on the right path or to be spared from wrath does not prove that he was uncertain of salvation. Rather, it simply points to his humbleness. The problem with this claim is that other prophets who were more humble than him never prayed to be guided on the right path since they knew that they were already on it. Furthermore, the fact that he would request to be guided aright implies that he did not trust God enough to know that the latter had called him to be his prophet and therefore assured his salvation. This is not humbleness, but blasphemy!

In summary, we discovered that Jesus' statement that he is the way and the truth and the life does not simply mean that he points men to God's truth like the other prophets before him. We also discovered that no prophet ever applied the titles that Christ applied to himself, since had they done so this would have implied that they were claiming to be God. Finally, we saw that Muhammad's own words affirm that he could not have been the way, the truth and the life but was in need of the One who is the Life of all flesh. He, like the rest of us, needed the Savior whose name is Jesus Christ the Lord.

Since Jesus from the tesitimonies of the Gospel writers, declared he is the Light, then from the Islamic view, he is a heretic! But that's Christian Jesus. Muslim Jesus might have bEen different.

Kay 17:

Since Jesus from the tesitimonies of the Gospel writers, declared he is the Light, then from the Islamic view, he is a heretic! But that's Christian Jesus. Muslim Jesus might have bEen different.

True !!

Which is why, contrary to the ISLAMIC opinion, we do not acknowledge the same Jesus.

^^ Ultimately different Gods.

May Almighty Allah reward tbaba, ur reward and our's is paradise Insha Allah,

Dawdy:

May Almighty Allah reward tbaba, ur reward and our's is paradise Insha Allah,

Ameen bro!! Salam Aleikum

14 - Prophecies of the Prophet PBUH - The Proof That Islam Is The Truth - Abdur-Raheem Green

[flash=500,400]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyCYH0al0eI[/flash]

Why are there islamic states with Sharia imposed on Sharia imposed on nonmuslims, with blaspemy laws and apostacy?

Are the human rights known today in islamic states or quran??

Kay 17:

Why are there islamic states with Sharia imposed on Sharia imposed on nonmuslims, with blaspemy laws and apostacy?

Are the human rights known today in islamic states or quran??

The first point to note is that there is no islamic state in the world at the moment. No state is properly implementing the sharia altruistically. Everyone is picking and choosing what to implement.

In an islamic state, every religious group has his own legal system, that is the christians within the state rule by their own law and the Jews rule by their own law. This was prevalent in the Ottoman empire and the empires before. Everyone had a choice of which law, he wanted to be judged by.

Non-muslims are to be judged by the sharia, except they want to be.

The rights of everyone is assured under the sharia but for the most part the muslim nations have failed to implement the system since the fall of the Ottoman empire in the 1920's.

13 - Muhammad PBUH in the Bible (Part 2) - The Proof That Islam Is The Truth - Abdur-Raheem Green

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tbaba1234:

The first point to note is that there is no islamic state in the world at the moment. No state is properly implementing the sharia altruistically. Everyone is picking and choosing what to implement.

What a blatant lie.

Saudi Arabia and Iran are 100% fully compliant Sharia countries.

In an islamic state, [b]every religious group has his own legal system, that is the christians within the state rule by their own law [/b]and the Jews rule by their own law. This was prevalent in the Ottoman empire and the empires before. Everyone had a choice of which law, he wanted to be judged by.

Not true , in a fully ISLAMIC society, there is no compulsion for non-believers ( not apostates ) to join ISLAM, but they are mandated to comply 100% with Sharia LAW.

The rights of everyone is assured under the sharia but for the most part the muslim nations have failed to implement the system since the fall of the Ottoman empire in the 1920's.

Hmm, let's see , fully failed to implement the system , right

With the tens of thousands of beheadings, hundreds of thousands of feet and hands cut off, women subjugated and unbelievers relegated to second class citizens, God help us when the REAL Sharia is implemented.

The Ottoman empire didn't tolerate animsim or atheism. Just christianity and Judaism, but this didn't seem to be a direct consequence of Sharia but of State policY and its wasn't an individual right but awarded to a community, At a point homosexuality was decriminalized.

Kay 17:

The Ottoman empire didn't tolerate animsim or atheism. Just christianity and Judaism, but this didn't seem to be a direct consequence of Sharia but of State policY and its wasn't an individual right but awarded to a community,  At a point homosexuality was decriminalized.

It is a direct result of the sharia that the Jews and the Christians rule themselves by their laws:

5:47. It was We who revealed the Law (to Moses): Therein was guidance and light.By its standard have been judged the Jews, by the Prophets who bowed (as in Islam) to Allah's Will, by the Rabbis and the Doctors of Law: For to them was entrusted the protection of Allah's Book, and they were witnesses thereto:
Therefore fear not men, but fear Me, and sell not My signs for a miserable price. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they
are (no better than) Unbelievers.

5:50. And let the People of the Gospel judge by what God has revealed therein. And whoever does not judge by what God has revealed - then it is those who are the defiantly disobedient.

You have to understand that state policy is determined by Islam in an Islamic State.

Homosexuality was not never legalized in the Ottoman empire. The history of the empire reveals quite clearly that gay activity was regarded as a cardinal sin throughout the period of the  empire.

When determines an Islamic State:

1. Every muslim no matter who they are, are citizens of the state.

2. Every law of the sharia is in place and the Dhimmi (Jews and Christians) set up the legal system they wish to be ruled by.

3. Absolute freedoms of the commercial activities of the Jews and Christians. Meaning the Christians can make their wine and rare pigs if they want. The Jews can do the same.

This was a practice that was prevalent throughout the history of Muslim rule.

Currently, there is no state in  the world that meets this criteria.

As regards the atheist, he is not recognized officially by the state but he is free to disbelieve in a God.

Religion does more harm than good? 2/2 Adnan Rashid at NUIG debate with Michael Nugent

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So an atheist or buddhist or Hindu or homosexual can't contract or marry or depose a will?? Why is that?? That's unacceptable by today's standards

^^^^

Acquaint yourself with history muslims ruled India the country of Hiindus and Budhist, till date Hindus are the majority, clearly the were able to conduct their marriage etc.

Kay 17:

So an atheist or buddhist or Hindu or gay can't contract or marry or depose a will?? Why is that?? That's unacceptable by today's standards

This is an ill-informed statement>>>>

Muslims ruled India and parts of china for a long time. The Hindus/buddhists practised their religion freely with no oppression. Atheists can decide to marry or write a will the way they deem fit.

Why is Islam the true religion? | Hamza Tzortzis

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If Islamic laws don't recognise atheists, then it can neither recognise their acts. . .

Islamic invaders of India have had an horrible humanitarian recordn shown religious intolerance and the degrading of Hindus by reducing them to kaffirs. Forcing them to pay jizah taxes which are aimed at improvishing the population.

Kay 17:

If Islamic laws don't recognise atheists, then it can neither recognise their acts. . .

Islamic invaders of India have had an horrible humanitarian recordn shown religious intolerance and the degrading of Hindus by reducing them to kaffirs. Forcing them to pay jizah taxes which are aimed at improvishing the population.

We don't agree on a lot, but I am delighted that you are doing some good research and validating wild claims made by certain people !

Kay 17:

If Islamic laws don't recognise atheists, then it can neither recognise their acts. . .

Islamic invaders of India have had an horrible humanitarian recordn shown religious intolerance and the degrading of Hindus by reducing them to kaffirs. Forcing them to pay jizah taxes which are aimed at improvishing the population.

The first thing you must acknowledge is that atheism as a community never existed in history, but atheists have always lived in muslim communities and have always contributed to their communities.

Where are you getting some of your ideas from? reducing them to kaffirs? A kaffir simply means one who has rejected faith.

First of all, islam came to india through trade,  The conquests really started in the 13-14 centuries, centuries after islam came to India.

Now let's talk about the Impact Islam had in India

The impact of Islam in India is immeasurable and is still seen today.

Muslim rule saw a greater urbanisation of India and the rise of many cities and their urban cultures. The biggest impact was upon trade resulting from a common commercial and legal system extending from Morocco to Indonesia. This change of emphasis on mercantilism and trade from the more strongly centralised governance systems further clashed with the agricultural based traditional economy and also provided fuel for social and political tensions.

The use of ceramic tiles was adopted from architectural traditions of Iraq, Iran, and Central Asia. Rajasthan's blue pottery was a local variation of imported Chinese pottery. There is also the example of Sultan Abidin (1420–70) sending Kashmiri artisans to Samarqand to learn book-binding and paper making. Khurja and Siwan became renowned for pottery, Moradabad for brass ware, Mirzapur for carpets, Firozabad for glass wares, Farrukhabad for printing, Sahranpur and Nagina for wood-carving, Bidar and Lucknow for bidriware, Srinagar for papier-mache, Benaras for jewellery and textiles, and so on. On the flip-side encouraging such growth also resulted in higher taxes on the peasantry.

Numerous Indian scientific and mathematical advances and the Hindu numerals were spread to the rest of the world[1] and much of the scholarly work and advances in the sciences of the age under Muslim nations across the globe were imported by the liberal patronage of Arts and Sciences by the rulers. The languages brought by Islam were modified by contact with local languages leading to the creation of several new languages, such as Urdu, which uses the modified Arabic script, but with more Persian words. The influences of these languages exist in several dialects in India today.
Islamic and Mughal architecture and art is widely noticeable in India, examples being the Taj Mahal and Jama Masjid.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_in_the_Indian_subcontinent

Do you know the purpose of the Jizya tax?

The Jizya law is applicable in an Islamic State,  both the muslims and the non-muslims must pay their taxes to the state.

all muslims pay the Zakat and Ushoor taxes
Non-muslims pay the Jizya.

The taxes paid by the muslims is much, much higher than anything paid by nonmuslims.

With the Jizya, there are exempted from military service if they want, the muslims must defend them,
In addition, they are free to carry out all their commercial activities including dealing in pork and wine.

Besides the very poor are exempted from paying Jizya.

May Allah increase u in knowledge thaba.

But be rest assured the questioner will come up with something more silly and you will answer it again. They are so predictable.

But Allah guide us all.

12 - Muhammad PBUH in the Bible (Part 1) - The Proof That Islam Is The Truth - Abdur-Raheem Green

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@tbaba1234

You see, I understand what you are trying to do; make people understand that Islam is the TRUE religion and is peaceful. My bro, you CAN NOT do this with all these videos you posted here , I agree that extremists have painted a false picture of Islam though. There is something about Christianity that you guys do not understand. There is something VERY VERY REAL about Christianity that I find awesome; the flawless doctrine, the miracles, the hope for Salvation, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and so on. My duty as a Christian is to tell people the truth, but not force them because God has the final say over everything on the day of judgement. He will separate the
"sheep" from the "goats" on the last day!! peace my bro, we all have our beliefs.

ekwah:

@tbaba1234

You see, I understand what you are trying to do; make people understand that Islam is the TRUE religion and is peaceful. My bro, you CAN NOT do this with all these videos you posted here , I agree that extremists have painted a false picture of Islam though. There is something about Christianity that you guys do not understand. There is something VERY VERY REAL about Christianity that I find awesome; the flawless doctrine, the miracles, the hope for Salvation, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and so on. My duty as a Christian is to tell people the truth, but not force them because God has the final say over everything on the day of judgement. He will separate the
"sheep" from the "goats" on the last day!! peace my bro, we all have our beliefs.

Thanks, I appreciate your post. My videos are simply there to pass the message of Islam to people who are ignorant about it. Not only is the religion(Islam) extraordinary, its beliefs are simple, rational and comes with proofs to back it up.

As a muslim, my duty is not to convert anyone to the faith. My duty is to pass the message. Like the Quran states

Surah 32
2. [This is] the Revelation of the Book in which there is no doubt,- from the Lord of the Worlds.
3. Or do they say, "He has forged it"? Nay, it is the Truth from thy Lord, that thou mayest admonish a people to whom no warner has come before thee: in order that they may receive guidance.

Surah 35
23. Thou art no other than a warner.

Basics

The word ‘Islam’ is an Arabic word that has a meaning, and that it is a descriptive term that means ‘submission’ or ‘surrender’ to the Creator.

A Muslim then is one who claims to obey and follow the Creator’s guidance. It also claims that this basic message of believing and following the One, Unique and transcendent God is the basic message that the Creator has always revealed through special chosen people referred to as Prophets or Messengers.

The name of this religion is not connected to a particular person or place. Judaism (Juda), Christianity (Christ), Buddhism (Buddha), Hinduism (India), Zoroastrianism (Zoroaster), are all connected to a person or place. So, for example, if one lived in some remote location and never heard that a man called Jesus, who is also God and God’s son, died for one’s sins, there is no way at all that one could come to the realisation of this through one’s mind or through experience. You could never reason it. Someone would have to tell you.

This is not the case with Islam.

The basic idea of Islam, that there is a Unique Creator whose guidance we should follow, is something anyone anywhere could figure out. As an idea, Islam, submission to the One God, is truly universal.

Thanks once again for your message and have a great day.

@Frosbel: « #267 on: Yesterday at 09:48:39 AM »
[Quote]Quote from: tbaba1234 on February 09, 2012, 11:35 AM
The first point to note is that there is no islamic state in the world at the moment. No state is properly implementing the sharia altruistically. Everyone is picking and choosing what to implement.

What a blatant lie.

Saudi Arabia and Iran are 100% fully compliant Sharia countries.[/Quote]Reading the piece of this europe resident oodee called frosbel wanna make me throw up. Yawk. Tell if both are 100% fully complaint sharia countries, why are they so different? I am assuming you will at least be able to know that there is something one of them is doing that the other is not doing, yet it is in the Quran, where Sharia is pulled from? How can they be both 100% compliant sharia countries, at the same time, now? Your dumminess and mumuism are definitely 100% fully complaint oodeeness aspects of you.



[Quote]Quote
In an islamic state, every religious group has his own legal system, that is the christians within the state rule by their own law and the Jews rule by their own law. This was prevalent in the Ottoman empire and the empires before. Everyone had a choice of which law, he wanted to be judged by.

Not true , in a fully ISLAMIC society, there is no compulsion for non-believers ( not apostates ) to join ISLAM, but they are mandated to comply 100% with Sharia LAW.[/Quote]So when non muslims perform illegal sex, is he and or she brought before the sharia court with 4 witnesses against him and he defending him or herself against them? It is not true that you are not a mumu.



[QUote]Quote
The rights of everyone is assured under the sharia but for the most part the muslim nations have failed to implement the system since the fall of the Ottoman empire in the 1920's.

Hmm, let's see , fully failed to implement the system , right Grin

With the tens of thousands of beheadings, hundreds of thousands of feet and hands cut off, women subjugated and unbelievers relegated to second class citizens, God help us when the REAL Sharia is implemented.[/Quote]Sharia is like the citizen arrest concept in america. every evil doer will be aware that he or she can hide. so he only thinks about it and immediately prevents himself from doing it. and that is the greatest Jihad of all. Frosbel, madam needs to take the key pad and the mouse from you.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecution_of_Hindus

This should be helpful. The Ottoman empire by necessity as a result of its size to devolve power to regional authorities and laws, however provide a substantial examples of other Islamic states who practised a similar brand of Sharia.

Kay 17:

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecution_of_Hindus

This should be helpful. The Ottoman empire by necessity as a result of its size to devolve power to regional authorities and laws, however provide a substantial examples of other Islamic states who practised a similar brand of Sharia.

Not only the Ottoman empire, before them we had the umayyad  and the Abbasid empires were also huge empire and the rights of non-muslims were assured. In Baghdad, there used to be theological debates with all kinds of groups. This was unheard of at the time. Muslims offered freedoms to groups that was way ahead of its time because of the practise of Islam.

There is no brand of sharia. The laws of the sharia are quite clear,  I think you might be limiting the sharia a little bit. Every thing in the muslim's life is the sharia, his prayer, his fasting are all part of the sharia. Economic laws, Inheritance laws, Civil laws are all covered under the sharia.
For Instance: The muslim woman has always had the right to inheritance under the sharia 1400 years ago this was when the church was still arguing whether the woman had a soul. Western civilization only gave this right to a woman a hundred years ago.  I think the problem lies in your understanding of the sharia.

Now lets talk about islam in India

As regards the alleged atrocities by muslim leaders, I can't vouch for every leader /empire but a lot of the history of the hindus under Islam was misrepresented under british rule,  It was part of the divide and rule tactics:

In his famous Khuda Bakhsh Annual Lecture (1985)  the noted Indian scholar and historian, Dr Bishambhar Nath Pande said: 'Thus under a definite policy the Indian history books text-books were so falsified and distorted as to give an impression that the medieval [i.e. Muslim] period of Indian history was full of atrocities committed by Muslim rulers on their Hindu subjects and the Hindus had to suffer terrible indignities under Muslim rule. And there were no common factors [between Hindus and Muslims] in social, political and economic life.'

'We have maintained our power in India by playing-off one part against the other,' the Secretary of State for India reminded yet another Viceroy, Lord Elgin (1862-63), 'and we must continue to do so. Do all you can, therefore, to prevent all having a common feeling.'

Lord Curzon (Governor General of India 1895-99 and Viceroy 1899-1904, d.1925) was told by the Secretary of State for India, George Francis Hamilton, that they 'should so plan the educational text books that the differences between community and community are further strengthened'

I can almost write a paper on this.

The fact is Muslim rule in India had a lot more positives than negatives. The hindus practised their religion under muslim rule freely for the most part.

But Muhammed himself had destroyed idols, preached against it. Is there any Quranic verse that supports the tolerance towards animists??

"Aláu-d dín was a king who had no acquaintance with learning, and never associated with the learned. When he became king, he came to the conclusion that polity and government are one thing, and the rules and decrees of law are another. Royal commands belong to the king, legal decrees rest upon the judg ment of kázís and muftís."

"Kází Mughísu-d dín, of Bayánah, used to go to court and sit down in private audience with the amírs. One day, when the efforts were being made for the increase of the tribute and of the fines and imposts, the Sultán told the Kází that he had several questions to ask him, and desired him to speak the plain truth. The Kází then promised to answer in accordance with what he had read in books."

"The Sultán then asked, “How are Hindus designated in the law, as payers of tribute (kharáj-guzár) or givers of tribute (kharáj-dih)?” The Kází replied, “They are called payers of tribute, and when the revenue officer demands silver from them, they should, without question and with all humility and respect, tender gold. If the officer throws dirt into their mouths, they must without reluctance open their mouths wide to receive it. By doing so they show their respect for the officer. The due subordination of the zimmí (tribute-payer) is exhibited in this humble payment and by this throwing of dirt into their mouths. The glorification of Islám is a duty, and contempt of the Religion is vain. God holds them in contempt, for he says, ‘Keep them under in subjection.’ To keep the Hindus in abasement is especially a religious duty, because they are the most inveterate enemies of the Prophet, and because the Prophet has commanded us to slay them, plunder them, and make them captive, saying, ‘Convert them to Islám or kill them, enslave them and spoil their wealth and property.’ No doctor but the great doctor (Hanífa), to whose school we belong, has assented to the imposition of the jizya (poll tax) on Hindus. Doctors of other schools allow no other alternative but ‘Death or Islám.’”

"Now you tell me that it is all in accordance with law that the Hindus should be reduced to the most abject obedience.” Then the Sul-tán said, “Oh, doctor, thou art a learned man, but thou hast had no experience; I am an unlettered man, but I have seen a great deal; be assured then that the Hindus will never become submissive and obedient till they are reduced to poverty. I have, therefore, given orders that just sufficient shall be left to them from year to year, of corn, milk, and curds, but that they shall not be allowed to accumulate hoards and property.”

Kay 17:

But Muhammed himself had destroyed idols, preached against it. Is there any Quranic verse that supports the tolerance towards animists??

I have a very busy period so i can't respond to all Questions:

As regards this question, The Idols destroyed were only the ones in the Kaaba.

A house which was built by Abraham (RA) and Ismail(RA) for the worship of God. We are told in the Quran not to insult people's gods no matter what. So the statures were destroyed because it was the house of God.

Infact we are commanded not to insult any other religion

The Quran says:Revile not ye those whom they call upon besides Allah, lest they out of spite revile Allah in their ignorance. (Surah 6:108)

As regards the other thing you wrote, i can't vouch for every leader of India, I can only talk about the effect of Islam as a whole in India.

Not every muslim is a great muslim.

Have you read the Quran?