Extracts From Correspondence Between a Muslim and a Christian

Supplement 3

How could it be possible for those dis- ciples (with such faith and character as you have mentioned yourself) to reach such a high rank?

(2) The difference which they had about many important and fundamental matter - like the question whether the Law of Moses was to be followed - is an irrefutable proof that they did not receive any revelation, and were not filled with the Holy Ghost.

Because it was impossible for the both parties of that dispute (following or not following the Law of Moses) to be right and guided by the Holy Ghost.

It must be admitted that at least one party was wrong and in error. And it shows that they were not the recipient of divine revelation. Divine revelation is all Truth and has no con- tradiction or discrepancy.

(3) The mistakes made by them prove that they were not free from errors, and did not eceive divine guidance. For example-.-

Paul reviled the high priest Ananias. Then:- "And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest'!

Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people" (Acts, 23:4-5).

(4) Contradictions, baseless assertions and wrong narrations of the New Testament are a clear proof that its writers were not guided by divine revelation or the Holy Ghost. Obviously, contradictory statements and baseless talks do not come from God.

CHRISTIAN: Do you know the Qur'an? Has not your prophet Muhammad told you to honour Torah (Tawrat) and Gospel (Injil) and to believe in them as they were word of God?

If the Gospel is full of baseless statements, then why Muhammad did not tell you so?

What defects have you seen in the teachings of Jesus and in the sayings mentioned in the Gospels?

MUSLIM: I have not seen any sentence in the Qur'an telling us to honour the present Torah and Gospel. On the contrary, the fol- lowing verses show that God had revealed a `Book,' Gospel by name, to Jesus Christ himself:-

"Say ye: We believe in God and the revelation given to us and to Abraham, Ishmael, Issac, Jacob, and the tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus . . . " (Qur an, 2:136).

"It is He who sent down to thee in truth the Book, confirming what went before it; and He sent down Torah and Gospel before it" (Quran, 3:3).

"And God will teach him (Jesus) the Book and wisdom and Torah and Gospel" (Qur'an, 3:48).

As mentioned above, these verses of the Qur'an show that Gospel was a Book revealed to Jesus Christ.

Now where is that Book? Obviously the manipulating hands did 'not keep it intact. What is now presented to us as `Gospel' is not the Gospel revealed to Jesus. Even you say that these books were written not by Jesus, but by his disciples.

Moreover, the New Testament describes the birth, arrest and "death" of Christ; it also contains the letters, most of which were written by Paul to various addresses.

(But not a single line is from the writing of Jesus.) The New Testament is nothing more than a book of biography (or history), containing the news of various events, beginning with words like `it came to pass,' `Jesus said' or `did' this or that.

It is not related in any way with the `book' which was revealed by God to Jesus. It is but a book of history written by the followers of Christ in the first century of Christian era.

Also, the Qur'an with its brilliant and irrefutable logic criticizes the beliefs of the Jews and Christians, concerning, among other things, the Christians' belief of divinity of Jesus Christ and his being son of God. For example, see the following verses:-

"Verily, they do blaspheme who say: `God is Christ the son of Mary.' But said Christ: `O Children of Israel'. Worship God, My Lord and your Lord.' . . . They do blaspheme who say `God is one of three' For there is no God except one God. . . . And Christ son of Mary was no more,than an apostle; many were the apostles that passed away before him . . . " (Qur an, 5: 72, 73, 75).

"And behold, God will say: `O Jesus son of Mary! Didst thou say unto men, `Worship me and my mother as gods instead of God?' He will say: `Glory to Thee! Never could I say what I had no right (to say) ... Never said I to them aught except what Thou didst command me to say that, `Worship . God, My Lord and Your Lord . ... " (Quran, 5:116-117).

"Verily, the similitude of Jesus before God is as that of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him `Be' and he was." (Qur'an,. 3:59).

How could the Qur'an, which contains such refutations of the beliefs of Christianity, tell the Muslims to respect the present Torah and Gospel?

In view of the above, your objection, that why Muhammad (p.b.u.h.a.h.p.) did not tell'us to remain aloof from Gospel and Christianity, is off the mark.

Also, you have asked: "What defects have you seen in the sayings of Gospel?" In reply I have to remind you of the contradictions and baseless assertions of the Gospels, some of which may be mentioned, if necessary.