BEWEGING VAN BELGISCHE EX-
MOVEMENT OF BELGIAN FORMER MUSLIMS
The Quran confirms the messages that have come earlier
A central theme in the Quran is the notion that Islam is a continuation of previous messages that Christians and Jews received from God: the Gospels and the Torah. Islam in fact presents itself as the perfection of Judaism and Christianity. One of the verses that illustrates this is the following:
2.136. Say ye: "We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: And we bow to Allah (in Islam)."
The messages of all previous Prophets - including Jesus who is considered a Prophet in Islam - are here declared to be valid without further discussion. Muhammad hoped through this way of thinking to easily convince Jews and Christians to become Muslims.
However, when Jewish and Christian scholars pointed to essential differences between his teachings and theirs, Muhammad had Allah state that they had, ...
... either hidden “the truth”:
However, when Jewish and Christian scholars pointed to essential differences between his teachings and theirs, Muhammad had Allah state that they had, ...
... either hidden “the truth”:
2.146. The people of the Book know this as they know their own sons; but some of them conceal the truth which they themselves know.
... or falsified it:
3.78. There is among them a section who distort the Book with their tongues: (As they read) you would think it is a part of the Book, but it is no part of the Book; and they say, "That is from Allah," but it is not from Allah. It is they who tell a lie against Allah, and (well) they know it!
One of the big differences between Islam and Christianity is the Jihad-
2.216. Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not.
In the last 10 years of Muhammad’s life, the Muslims were in a permanent state of war, wars that are claimed to have been defensive in nature. However from a study of the biographies of Muhammad it is clear that he was the one who started this state of permanent war. He was not inclined to peace, unless it was for tactical reasons.
It is reported on the authority of Abu Huraira that he heard the Messenger of Allah say: I have been commanded to fight against people, till they testify to the fact that there is no god but Allah, and believe in me (that) I am the messenger (from the Lord) and in all that I have brought. And when they do it, their blood and riches are guaranteed protection on my behalf except where it is justified by law, and their affairs rest with Allah.
Muslim has classified this tradition/Hadith under the chapter Iman, that is “faith”. According to Muslim, fighting was an article of faith for Muhammad: thus a clear link between Islam and violence is established.
Jesus called for his followers to love their enemies. There are no violent acts attributed to him, other than chasing some salesmen from the Temple. When Jesus felt threatened, he simply left whereever he was at the time. He didn’t muster an army, but instead avoided any form of violence.
This proves that the message that Muhammad brought as the Prophet of Islam and the message of “Prophet” Jesus, are completely opposed on this essential point.
For a Christian, it is out of the question to see in the Quran a continuation of the Gospels. And yet Muslims still insist that Islam is the continuation of Christianity and Judaism, even though this is not supported by any evidence. It is the same hopeless cry for recognition heard from Muhammad 1400 years ago.
STUDY OF ISLAM
General notes regarding the Quran