Believing in “Prophet Mohammad” is a “Must” in order to enter Heaven

[F]

Dear Members,

Peace be upon you,

Brother Hamza has replied to my post “Arab are not descendants of Abraham / Sacrificed son was Isaac, not Ishmael”
http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=2134.0

I replied to him that I’ll discuss with you and all members another article that was posted by Brother Joseph regarding “all non-Muslims “including People of the Book, Jews and Christians” are not automatically disbelievers (Kafir)”.

After you read this post, please advice me and explain to me the reasons of why Allah mentioned these verses in Quran if it is not mandatory for people to follow them.

•   Allah said in two verses that He has shown people every single way of evil and good actions (i.e. His orders in details), and Allah gave us the option to choose which way to follow. Of course Allah knows what every one of us would choose.
 
1.   (76:3) Lo! We have shown him the way, whether he be grateful or disbelieving.
2.   (90:10) And shown him the two ways (good and evil)?

•   The believers say “we hear Allah’s orders and obey (follow) His orders. Therefore, those who want to be among the believers must worship Allah the way He wants, not the way we want. Therefore, the believers
1.   Must believe in all the Prophets of Allah including Mohammad, and
2.   Must believe in all the Books of Allah including Quran.
3.   Please see also verse (4:152)

(2:285) The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them     have believed    in Allah    and His angels     and His books    and His messengers,      [saying], "We make    no distinction between      any of His messengers. " And they say,          "We hear and we obey.            [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination."

•   To be considered righteous in the sight of Allah, you also must believe in all the Prophets of Allah, including Mohammad, (and to strive sincerely to follow Quran).

(2:177) but righteous is          he who believeth           in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the Scripture           and the prophets

•   Regarding Prophet Mohammad, Allah doesn’t want from people only to believe in him and follow him, but also to honor him. At the end of the verse, Allah said: those will be the winners of heaven.

(7:157) Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel, … So they         who have believed in him,      honored him,             supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him -                it is those who will be the successful.

•   Then Allah made it clear and said that the believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Prophet Mohammad. Please see also verses (47:2), (57:19)

(49:15) The believers are    only    the ones who have believed in Allah       and His Messenger          and then doubt not          but strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allah.          It is those who are the truthful.

•   Allah said about those who believe in Allah      but    disbelieve      in some of His Prophets (including Mohammad)         that they are         the real disbelievers.

(4:150-1) Verily, those who disbelieve in Allah and His Messengers      and wish to make distinction between Allah and His Messengers     (by believing in Allah and disbelieving in His Messengers) saying,     "We believe in some but reject others,"             and wish to adopt a way in between.                 Those are the disbelievers, truly.            And We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment.

•   One may say, how about those who have never heard of Islam (Quran) and have done good deeds; Allah said that He does not do injustice, even as much as an atom’s weight, as in (40:4). Well, Allah also said, If He knows that there is any good in them, He alone will deliver to them the message of Islam (Quran). Please also keep in mind the two verses that I mentioned above that Allah also shown them both ways (evil and good).

(8:23) If Allah had found in them any good.              He would    indeed          have made them listen:            (As it is), if He had made them listen, they would but have turned back and declined (Faith).

•   What will happen to the deeds that they did? Allah said that He will not accept it.

(25:23) And We shall turn unto the work they did and make it scattered motes.

How then “all non-Muslims “including People of the Book, Jews and Christians” are not automatically disbelievers (Kafir)”?

•   One must believe in “Allah” the creator of the all-things as He wants, not as we want. As I explained above Allah wants us to believe that Mohammad is His Prophet, and Quran is His Book and we must strive sincerely to follow Quran as much as we can.

(103:2-3) Verily Man is in loss, Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy.

Thank you for your attention and I look forward to your feedback. All members are very welcome to contribute their knowledge and comment on my article. 

With peace and respect,

Ref:
PEOPLE OF THE BOOK (JEWS & CHRISTIANS)
http://quransmessage.com/articles/people%20of%20the%20book%20FM3.htm
UNDERSTANDING 'KUFR' (DISBELIEF) FROM A QURANIC PERSPECTIVE
http://quransmessage.com/articles/understanding%20kufr%20FM3.htm

[Nura]

Salam F

The problem lies in some discrepancies or differences in understanding of the meaning of some of the Arabic words.

The Quran clearly recognizes a difference between people of the book and people who did not receive revelation among the 7th century Arabs. There is a difference in meaning between the words 'muslim' and 'mumin'. Mumin are people to whom the Quran came as guidance and muslim are anyone who submits to the one true God. The difference in meaning is very apparent in the Arabic Quran. Otherwise, if you do not understand Classical Arabic, please take a look at the very eloquent article discussing this. I will post the link below.

Not everyone receives revelation.This is apparent in the Quran, in the story of Zulkar Nain, when he overlooked the unclothed natives,  understanding that these are a people not tested with revelation. Allah praises Zulkar Nain for his wisdom in the subsequent verse. Not everyone has access to revelation. The belief that revelation is for everyone is errant. Not everybody is tested with revelation. Revelation is for people who come into contact with revelation. In the Quran, God asks , everyone to whom the Quran reaches to consider it. Nowhere in Quran does God say that everyone will be tested with the belief in Quran . Quran was not even revealed when Moses was alive, will Moses or his contemporaneous  followers go to hell for not believing in Quran? No! they never  were being tested with Quran simply because they did not come into contact with the Quran.

We are being tested with Quran, the choice of whether to follow the Quran or not, because we came into contact with it. Even today, there are numerous people who do not come into direct contact with revelation, people in native tribes living in jungles, not everyone lives in a civilization with access to books and internet.


The Bible was revelation for Children of Israel specifically. Jesus said that he came to the children of Israel. The Quran says in multiple places that many prophets were sent as Prophets to Children of Israel. Mumins, people of the Quran, are also asked to believe in the prophets and revelation that came to Children of Israel. But mumins, are not asked to follow people of the book's shariah. Mumins are not asked to follow Sabbath, but we are asked to believe in Moses and the revelation that came to Moses. Why should Jews and Christians abandon their shariah? Why should modern Jews not do Sabbath? Quran never asked them to follow our shariah, our religious laws. Quran asked people of the Book not to be the first to disbelieve in Quran. Believing in Quran and following the Quran's shariah is two very different matter.

Mumins and people of the book are all adherents of the same 'deen'  but with different 'shariah'


Did we ever stop to think that, we are also asked to believe in the revelations that came to Moses, Jesus and other prophets, but why doesn't that translate into mumins, people who believe in Quran to also keep Sabbath?We do not keep Sabbath because the Quran asks us to believe in all revelations and prophets but we were not asked to follow the shariah of other prophets. Jews and Christians were not asked to follow the shariah in the Quran. The Quran asks them to follow their own shariah.

No where in Quran are we asked to follow the sharia ( religious laws and rulings) revealed in the Bible. We are asked to believe in the revelations that were present 'between the hands' of 7th century people of the book. Modern biblical scholars have an idea about what the people of the books were following at the prophet's time.

Asking to believe in a revelation does not automatically equate to asking to follow the shariah of that revelation. Mumins are also asked to believe in all revelation, can u please tell me why than we never keep Sabbath? Yes, the Quran mentions that the other revelations underwent some alterations but that does not mean the revelations were changed beyond salvation or recognition. This is a belief with no Quranic warrant. Moreover, the Quran talks about the requirement of followers of Moses to keep Sabbath. We believe  in Moses, we believe in revelation that came to him, but why doesn't any follower of the Quran keep Sabbath? Don't you think if Jews and Christians should follow our shariah, we should also keep Sabbath? After all, how are we then believing in revelation that came to Moses when we are not keeping Sabbath?

Belief in a particular  Prophet or revelation does not equate to following its shariah. This applies to the people of the book because their revelations, prophets are recognized by Allah. The Quran sanctions their revelations and calls the prophets of people of the book as prophets. This belief that Quran and its sharia replaces other books and previous shariah has no Quranic warrant. No where the Quran claims it has come to replace Bible, it says it has come to guard it. There is a huge difference.

Now, adherents of other religions, who are not followers of the prophets and revelations mentioned in Quran, Hindus, Buddhists etc, for them, the revelation that they are asked to consider and follow is the Quran. If, they come into contact with the Quran, they are asked to ponder and consider, and if convinced of its veracity, then asked to follow the shariah in Quran.

Relevant articles and posts that cover your questions and may aid you to better understand our position, it is a long list because your questions are multilayered, please have patience and read these:

1) http://www.quransmessage.com/articles/muslim%20mumin%20FM3.htm
2) http://www.quransmessage.com/articles/term%20muslim%20hijacked%20FM3.htm
3) http://www.quransmessage.com/articles/between%20hands%20or%20before%20it%20FM3.htm
4) http://www.quransmessage.com/articles/ahmad%20FM3.htm
5) http://www.quransmessage.com/articles/jesus%20ministry%20FM3.htm
6) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=1527.msg7072#msg7072
7) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=425.0
8 ) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=426.0
9) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=271.0
10) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=1390.0
11) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=1192.0
12) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=431.0
13) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=318.0
14) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=123.0
15) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=167.0
16) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=146.0
17) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=1247.0
18) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=579.0
19) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=1264.0
20) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=95.0
21) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=887.msg3448#msg3448
22) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=849.msg3262#msg3262

[F]

Dear Sister Nura,

Peace be upon you,

You said “Quran was not even revealed when Moses was alive, will Moses or his contemporaneous  followers go to hell for not believing in Quran? No! they never  were being tested with Quran simply because they did not come into contact with the Quran.”

The Jews and Christians will be judged by the Torah and Bible that was sent to Moses and Jesus. When people corrupted the Torah and Bible, Allah sent His last Prophet Mohammad to all people with Quran, and Allah promised to protect Quran till the Day of Judgement. Therefore, from this point, all people must obey Prophet Mohammad and follow him (i.e. Quran that Allah sent to him).

(34:28) And We    have not      sent you           but    to    all    the    men      as a bearer of good news and as a warner,           but most men do not know.

Please  note that       “to all men”           means to people after Mohammad, not to people before Mohammad because they are already dead and they will be judged according to what was sent to them. Therefore, All people from Mohammad’s time till Day of Judgement will be judged according to Quran. Allah sent to every nation a Prophet: 

(35:24) Lo! We have     sent thee    with    the Truth,                 a bearer of glad tidings and a warner;          and there is not a nation         but a warner hath               passed among them.

Allah said that He appointed rites and ceremonies for every people which they must follow. And from Mohammad’s time till the Day of Judgement the rites and ceremonies that Allah appointed is Quran.

(22:67) To every People have        We appointed rites and ceremonies           which they must follow

On the day of Judgement, Muslims who “followed Quran” will be witnesses over non-Muslims that Allah has sent Quran for them, and Prophet Mohammad will be witness over all of us (Muslims & non-Muslims).

(2:143) And thus we have made you a just community            that you will be witnesses      over the people        and the Messenger              will be a witness over you.

Allah knows all things including what we conceal in our hearts. The reason that Allah did not deliver for non-Muslims Quran is because they are arrogates. As I mentioned in my previous post that if Allah knows any good in them, He would alone deliver for them Quran. Allah also said that no matter what He does for them, they will not follow Quran.

 (7:146) I will    turn away      from My signs           those who are arrogant         upon the earth without right;        and if they should see every sign, they will not believe in it.       And if they see the way of consciousness, they will not adopt it as a way;               but if they see the way of error,            they will adopt it as a way. That is because they have denied Our signs and they were heedless of them.

(15:14-15) Even if       We opened out           to them a gate from heaven,         and they were to continue (all day)      ascending therein,      They would only say:
"Our eyes       have been           intoxicated:          Nay,            we have been             bewitched by sorcery."

Please advice me if I made any error. May Allah forgive all of us and grant us heaven.

With great respect,

[Nura]

Salam F

Your responses to me will be in black font and my responses back to you will be in blue.

The Jews and Christians will be judged by the Torah and Bible that was sent to Moses and Jesus. When people corrupted the Torah and Bible, Allah sent His last Prophet Mohammad to all people with Quran, and Allah promised to protect Quran till the Day of Judgement. Therefore, from this point, all people must obey Prophet Mohammad and follow him (i.e. Quran that Allah sent to him).

Where in the Quran does Allah give us this reason behind the revelation of the Quran, that previous Bible, Torah was corrupted, so Quran is revealed to replace them? Provide a verse from the Quran that says Quran replaces Bible and Torah.

The Quran contains shariah for people who are not Children of Israel. The Torah and Bible contains shariah for Jews and Christians.
Please read all the links:
1) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=887.msg3448#msg3448
2) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=95.0
3) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=849.msg3262#msg3262

Where exactly does the Quran say that the Bible and Torah suffered complete corruption? There is no verse that says this. I have given links in my previous post which explains this in detail. I do not want to make any assumption but did you read all the link I asked you to? The links answer this question in detail. With respect, if you do not read the links I post and and contemplate them, I will not respond to you again. I do not wish to do your homework for you. Nevertheless, here is the link again, read it:

Bible did not suffer complete corruption:

1) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=1264.0
2) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=579.0
3)http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=146.0
4)http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=167.0


(34:28) And We  have not  sent you   but  to  all  the  men  as a bearer of good news and as a warner, but most men do not know.

Please  note that  “to all men”  means to people after Mohammad, not to people before Mohammad because they are already dead and they will be judged according to what was sent to them. Therefore, All people from Mohammad’s time till Day of Judgement will be judged according to Quran.

Please provide an explicit verse where God says all people, including Children of Israel will be judged according to Quran.
The Quran does not replace the Torah's shariah.
1) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=1247.0

Again, the term 'alameen' is translated as 'all men' in this verse. Did you read the article I asked you to read? It explains in details what it means, this term does not simply mean 'all men'
1) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=887.msg3450#msg3450
2) http://quransmessage.com/articles/alameen%20FM3.htm


Allah sent to every nation a Prophet: 

(35:24) Lo! We have sent thee with the Truth,  a bearer of glad tidings and a warner; and there is not a nation  but a warner hath passed among them.

Allah said that He appointed rites and ceremonies for every people which they must follow. And from Mohammad’s time till the Day of Judgement the rites and ceremonies that Allah appointed is Quran.

Which verse exactly says this, that Children of Israel have to follow shariah of Muhammad and the Quran after revelation of Quran till end of time? Provide that verse, do not assume things, give me the Arabic verse.

How are you then believing the Torah, when you do not keep Sabbath? you are asked to believe in Moses and Torah why are you not keeping Sabbath?

You are basically saying that the Jews and Christians have to follow Quran's shariah and if they don't , they do not believe in Quran. They have to follow Quran's shariah to believe in Quran but you do not have to follow Torah's shariah to believe in Torah?

What proof from the Quran do you have to back up this claim?

Yes, God has revealed his shariah, but his shariah is not only found in the Quran. God recognises the Shariah  He revealed in Bible and Torah. This verse proves the exact opposite, it is advocating plurality in Allah's shariah. The 'Mumins', believers in Quran, are supposed to follow shariah in Quran and Jews and Christian are supposed to follow shariah in Torah and Bible.

It seems you have not read the article I asked you to read regarding differences in the terms 'Muslims' and 'Mumin'. Please read:
1) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=1390.0
2) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=271.0

(22:67) To every People have We appointed rites and ceremonies which they must follow

Yes, 'Mumins' will follow Quran's shariah and 'people of the book' will follow Torah's shariah. This is what 22:67 is saying.
1) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=426.0

On the day of Judgement, Muslims who “followed Quran” will be witnesses over non-Muslims that Allah has sent Quran for them, and Prophet Mohammad will be witness over all of us (Muslims & non-Muslims).

(2:143) And thus we have made you a just community  that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you.

This is a context specific verse. It is talking to the people who were contemporaneous to Muhammad. Muhammad saw these people, so he will be the witness for the people he came in contact with.Muhammad will be a prophet for 'Mumins' of all time, but Muhammad is not a witness for people he never met, just like the way when Jesus will be asked about the Christians living after his time and he will say to God, he doesn't know what Christians did after he left. Muhammad will say the same about us. Muhammad was asked to warn his people the 7th century Arabs) , and his people were asked to spread the message of Quran. When Muhammad's people spread the message, they became witnesses for those people. In today's world, this means anyone who gives the message of the Quran to a person, he will be a witness over that person. My Quran teacher and my family will be my witness that yes I received the Quran. I will be then judged accordingly whether I followed or not. I can never say I did not receive the Quran, my teacher, my parents, my sibling and Allah is my witness that I did receive the Quran.

Muhammad will not be a witness for all people. The Arabic of the verse you quoted does not  say that he will be a witness for all people after him. He will be a witness for the people he met only.

Allah knows all things including what we conceal in our hearts.

I concur wholeheartedly to this statement

The reason that Allah did not deliver for non-Muslims Quran is because they are arrogates.

Provide a verse which says explicitly that Allah does not give access to Quran to some people because they are arrogant, and He will still judge these people on the Quran.
 
As I mentioned in my previous post that if Allah knows any good in them, He would alone deliver for them Quran.

Which verse says that only good people will have access to the Quran? Do not assume and say things about Allah without proof. Are you saying that the people of Quraish who received the Quran all were good people? They received the Quran and still disbelieved. Did Allah not know that these people will disbelieve? Then according to your logic it does not make any sense


Allah also said that no matter what He does for them, they will not follow Quran.

Provide verse. There are context specific verses, which talk about specific groups of disbelievers who existed during the prophet's time.


(7:146) I will  turn away from My signs those who are arrogant  upon the earth without right; and if they should see every sign, they will not believe in it.  And if they see the way of consciousness, they will not adopt it as a way;  but if they see the way of error, they will adopt it as a way. That is because they have denied Our signs and they were heedless of them.

(15:14-15) Even if We opened out to them a gate from heaven, and they were to continue (all day) ascending therein, They would only say: "Our eye have been  intoxicated:  Nay,  we have been bewitched by sorcery."

This is talking about people, who are convinced and know the truth, but knowingly chose to disbelieve still. This does not include all people. Read:

1) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=123.0
2) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=1192.0
3) http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=425.0

Dear F,  with all due respect, please bear in mind that, I take my time and read and research carefully before posting responses in this forum. It is very disheartening when responses are dismissed without reading them and due time is not taken to think them over. It takes a lot of time from my schedule to research and find out relevant answers, I will not give a response in the future , if ample proof over contemplation done over my responses is not given by you. It seems that you simply dismissed my previous response and did not bother to read the links I provided. Everything you said as a response to me is explained in detail in the links I provided. I will not entertain such disrespect on your part for my time and effort in the future.

[Hamzeh]

Asalamu Alykum

Dear F

I cannot go over every single verse you quoted and give my understanding of them. But I do kindly suggest that you view these verses with the context and to whom these verses are being addressed to. This in my humble opinion will give the reader a more better understanding Insha'Allah. Please also view the verses from the lenses or eyes of the Arabs whom these verses were first being revealed to.

You stated :

On the day of Judgement, Muslims who “followed Quran” will be witnesses over non-Muslims that Allah has sent Quran for them, and Prophet Mohammad will be witness over all of us (Muslims & non-Muslims).

(2:143) And thus we have made you a just community            that you will be witnesses      over the people        and the Messenger              will be a witness over you.

If for one moment one just takes in consideration that the verses of the Quran reveal to us, that for every nation there is a messenger (16:36) and that every messenger speaks to its people in their own language (14:4) then one realizes that it is God himself who will spread the message if he deemed it necessary and when He wills. This is up to the Lord.

After the prophet Muhammad(pbuh) there have been many nations that have developed with different languages and different beliefs. We do not know which nations have been sent people to make things clear to them in their own languages but it can be argued that the message is reaching more and more places as time goes by or when God wills it to be. 

We also know from 6:119 and 2:143 that prophet Muhammad was sent to his people to reveal the message and he will be witness over them only. He will not be a witness over people whom he did not witness and see as can be seen from the following verses no messenger knows the results of what happened after their death (5:109).  Only God can be witness to this. Please also realize prophet Jesus(pbuh) also did not know what happened to the communities of his after his death (5:117)

16:36 And verily We have raised in every nation a messenger, (proclaiming): Serve Allah and shun false gods. Then some of them (there were) whom Allah guided, and some of them (there were) upon whom error had just hold. Do but travel in the land and see the nature of the consequence for the deniers!

14:4 We sent not a messenger except (to teach) in the language of his (own) people, in order to make (things) clear to them. Now Allah leaves straying those whom He pleases and guides whom He pleases: and He is Exalted in power, full of Wisdom.

6:119 Say: "What thing is most weighty in evidence?" Say: "Allah is witness between me and you; This Qur'an hath been revealed to me by inspiration, that I may warn you and all whom it reaches.

16:89 And [mention] the Day when We will resurrect among every nation a witness over them from themselves. And We will bring you, [O Muhammad], as a witness over your nation. And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good tidings for the Muslims.

5:109 “One day God will gather the messengers together, and ask: "What was the response you received (from men to your teaching)?" They will say: "We have no knowledge: it is You Who knows in full all that is hidden."

5:117  I said not to them except what You commanded me - to worship Allah , my Lord and your Lord. And I was a witness over them as long as I was among them; but when You took me up, You were the Observer over them, and You are, over all things, Witness.

Therefor I can agree that if one is presented with any kind of truth including the Quran and it has been made manifest and clear to them by God’s will then any one or nation to reject them maybe termed as disbelievers. This in my humble opinion can also be sent again to Muslim communities who abandoned the true beliefs or has become a nation under the name of Islam but is not following the truth within it. So it also goes true for them as well. 

At the end it is God who guides people.

I also agree with sister Nura that Muslims and Mu’mins are not the same.

People who follow the truth in what was revealed to them which is the belief in ONE GOD and the last day and who do righteous deeds are classified as submitters(Muslims). This may also include Jews and Christians communities 2:62

2:62 Those who believe (in the Qur'an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians,- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

The ones who believe in ONE GOD and His Angels and His books and His messengers and make no distinctions between any of them and believe in the final day of Judgment and do righteous deeds they are classified as Mu’mins.( 2:285)

There seems to be a distinction between the two. If you look at verse 49:14 there seems to be true faith that enters the hearts by God’s will for those who are Mu’mins. They are certain and not necessarily submit to the ways.

49:114 The wandering Arabs say: We believe. Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Ye believe not, but rather say "We submit," for the faith hath not yet entered into your hearts. Yet, if ye obey Allah and His messenger, He will not withhold from you aught of (the reward of) your deeds. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

Please also see a related article that may give some insight Insha'Allah about what messengers may do and how they differ from prophets.

Peace and Blessings Insha'Allah

END OF PROPHETHOOD - CONTINUATION OF MESSENGERS?
http://quransmessage.com/articles/end%20of%20prophethood%20FM3.htm

[Nura]

Salam F

I made a mistake, I confused 34:28 with another verse, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

34:28
And not We have sent you except to all mankind (as) a giver of glad tidings and (as) a warner. But most [the] people (do) not know.

In this verse ' kaffatan lilannasi' is translated as all men, not ' Alameen'

This verse  states that Muhammad has come as a messenger and warner for all people. Yes, the Quran asks all people to believe that Muhammad was a prophet. This includes people of the book. But this verse does not ask the people of the book to follow Muhammad's shariah present in Quran. Believing in Quran does not automatically equate to the requirement for Jews and Christian to abandon Bible's shariah and adopt Quran's shariah.

We are also asked to believe in Moses and the Torah. But we are not asked to follow the shariah in Torah. Torah's shariah is to be followed by Children of Israel or people of the book only. People who are not the Children of Israel or people of the book , are asked to follow the Quran's shariah. I hope this clarifies.

Really sorry for this. I was thinking of another verse and was reading relevant articles with similar verses and I mixed up the verse numbers.

[Zack]

Hello Nura, Hamzeh, F,

I am really impressed with the responses to this question. A few brief additional points to consider (I am overlapping a bit with some responses above)....

We should read the Qur'an as if we were the original listeners. Otherwise we read it through the lens of 1500 years of "baggage" and conflict, warping our interpretation. That is no different to the classical Islamic period, say 900AD, interpreting through their context. Therefore we read as if:

a) islam was a way of life, not a religious group distinct from the the People of the Book.
b) There was no concept of the Bible being in error, but an understanding that the Biblical truth was being twisted as it was being conveyed orally in Arabic.
c) The Qur'an wasn't a book being carried around by the masses, it was a rhythmical recitation to enhance memorisation.
d) the contents of the recitation was for Arabs, (because it is in Arabic), as they did not have The Book in their language.
e)Many of those who recited were warriors from various previously warring clans, who naturally required ethical instruction to unite them under a simple law. History tells us that from the time of Muhammad, the united Arab armies (who had this recitation) lived in established Arab satellite towns, and did not disturb the laws of the People of the Book who lived in the cities submitted politically to the Arab Dynasty.
f) The instructions concerning the authority therefore was in 2 realms: 1) Spiritually and Politically (as a Spiritual Messenger) for the Arab Armies.and 2) A Political authority for the conquered cities.

Reading the Qur'an through a 21st century lens creates a very poor starting point for correct interpretation.

Wasalam
Zack

[F]

Dear All,

Salam-o Alaikom / Peace be upon you,

Thank you kindly for taking the time to read my posts and for your responses. Please note that I read everything in your posts.

•   (2:146) Those unto whom          We gave the Scripture           recognise (this revelation)         as they recognise         their sons.               But lo! a party of them knowingly               conceal the truth.

Allah said that the people of the book (Christians and Jews) know Islam as they know their sons. Please spend some time and search for the reasons of why Jewish Rabbis and Christian Priests are converting to Islam. It’s because Prophet Mohammad is described in their books in great details. With all the alterations they caused to the Torah and Bible, Allah saved the verses that talk about Prophet Mohammad so they have no excuse. Please review (7:157) in my original post in this article.

•   (55:1-2) The Most Merciful, It is He Who has taught the Qur'an.

Please note that Allah doesn’t need anyone to teach Quran. He alone does this. Please spend some time and search for the reasons of why many people from of all walks of life (i.e. enemies of Islam, Hollywood actors/actresses, very racist people in Europe/America/Africa/China/India, and so on) are converting to Islam while some of them never met a Muslim nor knew anything about Islam other than “terrorism”. All what is happened to them, they read few pages from Quran by an accident to see why those people are terrorists, and then they discovered that Quran is the truth and immediately believed in Islam. Although, these people were hypocrites, but Allah knows that they are good and that’s the reason Allah let them read few pages from Quran by an accident. Please review (8:23) in my original post in this article.
 
•   (2:6) Indeed,       those who disbelieve -           it is all the same for them             whether you warn them           or do not warn them -            they will not believe.

•   (2:7) Allah has set a seal upon their hearts and upon their hearing, and over their vision is a veil.                 And for them            is a great punishment.

As we all know, there are non-Muslims who have PhD in Quran and they don’t believe in it. And there are many Colleges/Universities around the globe that teach Quran to non-Muslim students and they don’t believe in it and the non-Muslim students continue to disbelieve in it.

•   (43:76) And We did not wrong them, but it was they who were the wrongdoers.

Please let me know what you think. Thanks again for your time.

With great respect,

[Duster]

Please let me know what you think. Thanks again for your time.
With great respect,

Shalom / peace F. I THINK you are not ready to have a real meaningful debate>>>>I THINK you are not ready to really study the Quran for yourself ...rather you use anecdotal subject observations to make your points ........All I see you do is not deal with the tremendous evidence that is given to you ... in other words ---you use subjective worldview observations to make really big statements ..... this is not dealing with the issue from the Quran ... ALSO I THINK you are only here to put your views here ... you are not really here to learn, listen or to see if someone else has a better argument>>>> ALSO I THINK you may be wasting people's time on this forum as your arguments are really coming across as a disappointment to me at least ...... THAT IS what I think ....! But Allah knows best .....

[Zack]

Allah said that the people of the book (Christians and Jews) know Islam as they know their sons. Please spend some time and search for the reasons of why Jewish Rabbis and Christian Priests are converting to Islam. It’s because Prophet Mohammad is described in their books in great details. With all the alterations they caused to the Torah and Bible, Allah saved the verses that talk about Prophet Mohammad so they have no excuse.

Please spend some time and search for the reasons of why many people from of all walks of life (i.e. enemies of Islam, Hollywood actors/actresses, very racist people in Europe/America/Africa/China/India, and so on) are converting to Islam while some of them never met a Muslim nor knew anything about Islam other than “terrorism”.

With this sort of approach and mentality our spiritual life becomes like becoming members of a soccer club. What difference is shifting from Christianity to Islam compared shifting teams from Man United to Liverpool! Our spirituality is brought down to going down to an office and changing our religious status.... then we are on the straight path.

We need to get away from this thinking.... and think in terms of islam as a way of life...... your religious identity being irrelevant. Celebrating the changing of religions is celebrating sectarianism......Certainly this is the opposite of islam!! Surely we have learnt the essence of islam enough on this website to move beyond this thinking!

I will leave things here.

Wasalam
Zack

[Hamzeh]

Asalamu Alykum


Alhamdulila. Thank you brother Duster for feeling the efforts of ours. I also feel your efforts and sincerity thank you. I understand what you mean although I hope its not true and I know you hope so too.

Dear F. Again you have not considered any of the verses you have quoted with the context it surrounds. You may realize Insha'Allah that the context maybe pickup by reading the Quran at least through passages and not through single verses.

you stated

•   (2:146) Those unto whom          We gave the Scripture           recognise (this revelation)         as they recognise         their sons.               But lo! a party of them knowingly               conceal the truth.

Allah said that the people of the book (Christians and Jews) know Islam as they know their sons. Please spend some time and search for the reasons of why Jewish Rabbis and Christian Priests are converting to Islam. It’s because Prophet Mohammad is described in their books in great details. With all the alterations they caused to the Torah and Bible, Allah saved the verses that talk about Prophet Mohammad so they have no excuse. Please review (7:157) in my original post in this article.

To understand verse 2:146 you will have to put yourself in the position of those who received the Scripture. The reason they recognize the Quran as they recognize their sons is because they have a Scripture from God and they have already know His voice. When they hear the Quran the recognize that God has spoken again.

Rabbis and Christians maybe very well adopting the Quranic way of life for many reasons. This is indeed a great thing. Also it maybe they are the ones who maybe able to understand the Quran and its context better than others as they are familiar with the previous Scriptures although I still believe that one may come to full comfort with the Quran alone.

Verse 7:157 does tell us that the "gentile prophet" is written down in their books the Torah and Gospel. It does not state that the prophets name is mentioned "Muhammad". This is very important to note and needs to be fully considered. I can spend time pondering about why the words " Gentile prophet" and not Muhammad was mentioned but that is another topic.

If I recall, somewhere in the Torah, there is a verse that speaks about recognizing a prophet when he is sent to them after prophet Moses. This is a general definition of a prophet of God in my humble opinion, and they were always encouraged to help them and believe in them. They had many prophets after Moses and they were not looking for specifically only one prophet named Muhammad to appear. They knew how to recognize them in my humble opinion because never a prophet of God will come only with truth.

If we take our minds back to when the Quran was being revealed, one can see how those from the People of Book who were uncertain about what the truth was and had many misconceptions running around through there nations about the Torah and Gospel as the Quran confirms that the some of People of the Book were not on the right path and there has been additions and concealment to the Scriptures. But when prophet Muhammad came with the Quran those who followed him were relieved from the burdens and the fetters they were on before. For example the "fats of the animals" that was unlawful for them because of their transgressions was "now" removed from them and can eat them again when they have believed in the Quran. This also might apply for the Sabbath that was ordained for them and everything else. Once they encounter the Quran and believe in its testimony those burdens and fetters are no longer applicable to them.

If you note verse 5:5 you will realize that the food of the believers of the Quran is now lawful for the Jews including the fat of the animals.


Verse 2:6-7 applies to all disbelievers. You need to understand the term "Kuffar". Even the idolators(mushrikeen) were not termed disbelievers until they disbelieved and/or denied the Truth that came to them which is Prophet Muhammad with the Quran.

Those verses should actually make everyone be very cautious of not denying truth when it reaches them because once God has sealed the hearts, hearing, and vision none can remove them only the Almighty God. This includes those from the People of the Book or from the People who received the Quran or anyone else. Once the God has done this to them they will become like the walking dead. Nothing can make them believe again, not even if an Angel speaks to them, not even if they see the dead come back to life.

May Allah(swt) always be pleased with us, and send His Grace and Mercy upon us Insha'Allah.

Peace

[F]

Peace be upon you,

While I was searching the internet, I discovered the site of Dr. Laurence Brown who converted to Islam few years ago. I was impressed with one of his articles “A third question naturally arose: “If our Creator made us to serve and worship Him, how do we do that?”  and decided to share it with you.

The article is from: http://leveltruth.com/?p=72

The Big Questions, Part III—The Need for Revelation
In the previous two parts of this series, we answered the two “big questions.” Who made us? God. Why are we here? To serve and worship Him. A third question naturally arose: “If our Creator made us to serve and worship Him, how do we do that?” In the previous article I suggested that the only way we can serve our Creator is through obeying His mandates, as conveyed through revelation.
But many people would question my assertion: Why does mankind need revelation? Isn’t it enough just to be good? Isn’t it enough for each of us to worship God in our own way?
Regarding the need for revelation, I would make the following points: In the first article of this series I pointed out that life is full of injustices, but our Creator is fair and just and He establishes justice not in this life, but in the afterlife. However, justice cannot be established without four things—a court (i.e., the Day of Judgment); a judge (i.e., the Creator); witnesses (i.e., men and women, angels, elements of creation); and a book of laws upon which to judge (i.e., revelation). Now, how can our Creator establish justice if He did not hold humankind to certain laws during their livetimes? It’s not possible. In that scenario, instead of justice, God would be dealing out injustice, for He would be punishing people for transgressions they had no way of knowing were crimes.
Why else do we need revelation? To begin with, without guidance mankind cannot even agree on social and economic issues, politics, laws, etc. So how can we ever agree on God? Secondly, nobody writes the user manual better than the one who made the product. God is the Creator, we are creation, and nobody knows the overall scheme of creation better than the Creator. Are employees allowed to design their own job descriptions, duties and compensation packages as they see fit? Are we citizens allowed to write our own laws? No? Well then, why should we be allowed to write our own religions? If history has taught us anything, it is the tragedies that result when mankind follows its caprice. How many who have claimed to banner of free thought have designed religions that committed themselves and their followers to nightmares on Earth and damnation in the hereafter?

So why isn’t it enough just to be good? And why isn’t it enough for each of us to worship God in our own way? To begin with, peoples’ definitions of “good” differ. For some it is high morals and clean living, for others it is madness and mayhem. Similarly, concepts of how to serve and worship our Creator differ as well. More importantly and to the point, nobody can walk into a store or a restaurant and pay with a different currency than the merchant accepts. So it is with religion. If people want God to accept their servitude and worship, they have to pay in the currency God demands. And that currency is obedience to His revelation.
Imagine raising children in a home in which you have established “house rules.” Then, one day, one of your children tells you he or she has changed the rules, and is going to do things differently. How would you respond? More than likely, with the words, “You can take your new rules and go to Hell!” Well, think about it. We are
God’s creation, living in His universe under His rules, and “go to Hell” is very likely what God will say to any who presume to override His laws with their own.
Sincerity becomes an issue at this point. We should recognize that all pleasure is a gift from our Creator, and deserving of thanks. If given a gift, who uses the gift before giving thanks? And yet, many of us enjoy God’s gifts for a lifetime and never give thanks. Or give it late. The English poet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, spoke of the irony of the distressed human appeal in The Cry of the Human:
And lips say “God be pitiful,” Who ne’er said, “God be praised.”
Should we not show good manners and thank our Creator for His gifts now, and subsequently for the rest of our lives? Don’t we owe Him that?
You answered “Yes.” You must have. Nobody will have read this far without being in agreement, but here’s the problem: Many of you answered “Yes,” knowing full well that your heart and mind does not wholly agree with the religions of your exposure. You agree we were created by a Creator. You struggle to understand Him. And you yearn to serve and worship Him in the manner He prescribes. But you don’t know how, and you don’t know where to look for the answers. And that, unfortunately, is not a subject that can be answered in an article. Unfortunately, that has to be addressed in a book, or maybe even in a series of books.
The good news is that I have written these books. I invite you to start with The Eighth Scroll. If you’ve liked what I’ve written here, you’ll love what I’ve written there.