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Offline Reader Questions

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Jacob Wrestles with God and a Question About Biblical Rituals
« on: August 31, 2012, 12:41:16 AM »
Salam Joseph
 
Just finished watching a Readers Digest DVD about great people of the Bible covering Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.
 
Could not follow the incident of God (or His angel?) coming down to wrestle with Jacob where Jacob prevails and this incident was of such a great importance that they names him Israel.
 
Second thing is what are altars and what are burnt offerings? This practice was not passed on to the Muslims.
 
A short comment when ever you get the time Brother.
 
Regards,

Offline Joseph Islam

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Re: Jacob Wrestles with God and a Question About Biblical Rituals
« Reply #1 on: August 31, 2012, 12:44:07 AM »
Salamun Alaikum.

With regards the Biblical incident of Prophet Jacob and the name Israel, please see my perspectives here:

The Children of Israel - Who are they?
http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=271.0

Whenever questioning / studying Biblical rituals / rites, it is always useful to remember the following two verses.

022:034
"And to every nation We appointed acts of devotion (mansakan) that they may mention the name of Allah on what He has given them of the cattle quadrupeds; so your god is One God, therefore to Him should you submit, and give good news to the humble"

022:067
"To every nation We appointed acts of devotion (mansakan) which they observe, therefore they should not dispute with you about the matter and call to your Lord; most surely you are on a right way"

Arabic: mansak - rites, rituals, ways of worship, acts of worship

Arguably, from a Quran’s perspective, why such rituals have not passed to Muslims would be mute from the above two verses where there is no expectation that they should.

I hope that helps, God willing.
Joseph.
'During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act' 
George Orwell