DEFENCE OF YOUR FAITH

 APOLOGETICS

Please do not send a new convert from Islam to Christianity to witness to his own community. He will be taken to Muslim Imams, who will question him and declare him to be a Mushriq (infidel) and likely to be killed. Make sure any new Muslim convert attends a Jamat (Discovery Bible study) at least once a week for some months; otherwise, he will soon revert. The first thing to teach is how to defend oneself. Here are some questions he may have to face and the answers to them --

First Question: “Have you become a Christian. Answer: “No, I have become a follower of Hazrat Isa. Question: What is the difference between them? Answer: The difference is that a Christian only believes, while a Follower of Christ obeys His Commandments. I am a Muslim and I will remain a Muslim.”

Second question: “How did you become a follower of Hazrat Isa?”  Answer: “By reading the Quran.” The Quran says that he was born supernaturally without male intervention, unlike any other prophet. The Quran calls him Ruhollah and Kalimatullah, the Spirit and the Word of Allah (Q. 4:171), unlike any other prophet. He performed miracles, such as giving sight to the blind, making the lame walk, enabling the dumb to speak, casting out demons, and raising the dead, which only God could do, not any other prophet (Q.3:49; 5:110).  This proves that he had divine attributes.” Anyway Innahu laqawlu rasūlin karīmin" Indeed, Quran is not the word of Allah but the word of a noble messenger (Mohammad)."

Third question: Do you believe that he was the Son of God?  Answer: “Yes! Because the Quran says so.”  In Surah Mariam Chapter 19 verses 17-19, the Spirit of Allah appeared as a perfect man and told Maryam that “I am giving you a Holy Son.” That means he is a spiritual and not a physical son of God.

Even though Muslims think that he was only a prophet, the Quran 9:31 clearly puts Allah and Hazrat Isa on the same level: "They have assumed their rabbis (scholars) and their monks as Lords besides Allah and the Messiah, son of Maryam, "(min duni Allah – besides Allah, (wal-Masiha ibna Maryama – and the Messiah, son of Mariam).

Fourth question: Do you believe that Hazrat Mohammad is the last prophet and final prophet, and his name is mentioned both in the Old Testament and the New Testament?  Answer: No, Hazrat Mohammad is not the last and final prophet as Hazrat Isa is coming again on the Last Day to judge the world. (Sahih Bukhari 155/156/2940; Quran 43:61; 3:55).

The Hebrew word Mohmadeen in the Song of Solomon 5:16 does not mean Mohammad (Praise) but means “beloved” and in other places it is mentioned for females. In Deuteronomy 18:18, God promised a prophet from Moses’s brethren, the Sons of Israel and not from Ishmael. In the New Testament, in John 14:16-17, Hazrat Isa is going to send the Holy Spirit (Paraclete), a Comforter who will be forever with us and in us, and not a prophet who will die.

In the Quran, Hazrat Mohammad’s name is mentioned only 4 times, while Hazrat Isa’s name is mentioned 25 times. Also, the 19th chapter in the Quran is dedicated to Mother Mary, while no other chaste woman is mentioned in the Quran. Also, Hazrat Mohammad’s first wife, Khadijah, was a Christian.

Fifth Question: Do you read the Bible, which has been abrogated? Answer: Yes! I do. The Quran says that they are divine revelations and therefore should be read by all. It is not abrogated because Hazrat Mohammad held it in his hand (ma bayna yadayhi) and said, "I respect you" (Sunan Abi Daud 4449; al Maidah 5:68). It is the same Bible that is in circulation today. There is no evidence of what has changed, who changed it, why it was changed or when it was changed. The Quran says, “Allah sent down the Torah and the Zabur and the Injil before the Quran for guidance and light. (Qur’an 3:50). And he is the protector of his Zikr (Revelations) (Surah Al-Hijr, verse 9). Quran 5:68 says that “He who does not believe in the previously revealed books, prophets and the last day is a disbeliever.” Islamic scholars believe that faith in all these elements is obligatory. Rejecting even one of them invalidates the entire belief system.  Before, I was only a one-book Muslim, but now I have become a perfect Muslim by reading all four books.

Question five: Do you believe Hazrat Isa died on the Cross, even though the Qur’an 4:157 denies it?  Answer: “Yes! Because the Quran 19:33 says, And peace is on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive. "According to eyewitness accounts in the Injil, Hazrat Isa died on the cross and rose again three days later. It also says that 40 days later, more than 500 people saw him ascending to heaven in the clouds (1Corinthyians 15:6). The Quran was written 600 years later by those who were not eyewitnesses in a distant land. The Quran further says that Allah is the best of deceivers, as he had put a look-alike person on the cross (Q. 3:54). It is not the character of God to deceive anybody.

Question six: If Hazrat Isa is God, and he died, then who was taking care of the universe? Answer – Father God in heaven and the Holy Spirit throughout the universe. Only Hazrat Isa’s body died. His soul was alive and went to hell to preach the Gospel (1Peter 3:19-20). He said, “I will raise myself in three days” (John 2:19). A dead person cannot raise himself.

Question seven: How can someone die and save others? Answer: Just as in the Old Testament, the blood of animals gave interim salvation, the sinless blood of Isa gives permanent salvation for those who accept it. (Isa. 53:5)

Question eight: Is it not Paul who corrupted the Injil by preaching salvation through the death and resurrection of Hazrat Isa? Answer: Allah says we sent Shumun (Simon Peter), Yuhanna (John), and Bulus (Paulus) in Antioch – reported by bin Abbas, Kab al Ahbar, Wahab bib Munabbih- ibn Ishaq.

Quran (5:68) says, “Oh, people of the scripture, you are standing on nothing until you uphold the Torah, the Gospel and what has been revealed to you from your Lord . The Injil consisted of writings from Hazrat Isa’s disciples and the writings of Saint Paul. If Paul could corrupt the Bible, then he would be greater than Allah, who promised to protect his Zikr (Revelations). (Surah Al-Hijr, verse 9)

Question nine - Muslims are forbidden to argue with Christians: “Argue not with people of the book except in the fairest manner.” Say to them, “We believe in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to you. One is our God and your God.  (Qur’an 29:46). This was advised to Muslims who were in danger of being wiped out in Mecca, to migrate for safety to Habash, which was ruled by Christians.  

Question ten: Are Christians Kafirs (Infidels)?  – Answer: The Quran (Quran 5:82) says, “And you will find nearest to them in affection to the Muslims who say they are Christians. That is because among them are priests and monks, and because they are not arrogant.       Allah says, “I will make those who follow thee (Isa) superior to those who reject faith, on the Day of Resurrection” (Qur’an 3:55)

Question eleven: Do you believe in the Trinity or Tawhid (Oneness of God)? The word Trinity or Tawhid is not in the Bible or the Quran, but the concept is present. God, Son and Mary. (Surah 5:73-75; 5:116). But the Bible never includes Mary as part of the Trinity, but says, “Father in heaven, Jesus the Word (Kalam) of God in flesh on earth and the Holy Spirit of God who is present universally.” (Matt 28:19)

Question twelve: Is there any other reason why you are a follower of Hazrat Isa?  Answer: Yes! All the prophets who died are in their graves. Hazrat Isa is the only one whose grave has been empty for the last 2000 years, while he is alive, near to Allah. (Quran 3:45). In the Injil Hazrat Isa claimed, “I am the way, the truth and life. No one goes to the Father, except through me.” (John 14:6)

Also, there are fundamental differences – Islam does not mean Peace but surrender. Thus, a Muslim is a slave of Allah while a Christian is a son of God (John 1:12) that is why we pray to our Father in Heaven (Matthew 6:9). Islam is based on violence. Hazrat Mohammad led 80 armed expeditions and killed many people, married several women, kept concubines, bought and sold slaves, commanded to kill all enemies of Islam and promised instant Jannat (paradise with 70 virgins) to those who kill or are killed in Jihad (holy war).  According to Injil, those who murder will be consigned to eternal hellfire (Revelation 21:8). Christianity is based on love. Hazrat Isa never picked up a sword, never married, but commanded his disciples to love God, to love your neighbour, to love each other and to love even your enemies. (Matt. 5:44). He has promised eternal life to those who not only believe in him but also obey his commandments. (John 14:15; 5:24)

Any other reasons? Quran says, there is no compulsion in Islam, “Dini waliya dinikum lakum”-“To you is your religion and to me my religion.” (Surah Al Kafirrun 109:6)