The Bible and Christianity (an Islamic View)

Islamic Teachings

One day, a western youngster in a hippy outfit came to our house with a native youngster of our hometown Karbala. I asked the Karbalai youngster how he happened to bring that Westerner here, he said that he had requested him to take him to a religious scholar for he wanted to ask certain questions about Islam. Therefore, he brought him to me.

I welcomed him and enquired about his name, country and the reason of his visit to Iraq, and especially to Karbala. I also enquired about his level of education and profession. In response he said he was an American. He was a graduate from an American university where he had studied contemporary religions, and he had come to Iraq as a tourist. He added that he liked Islam as he found it more rational than all other religions, but he said, he had some questions concerning Islam, which if cleared to his entire satisfaction, would enable him to abandon Christianity and embrace Islam.

I asked him, “Why do you want to abandon Christianity?” He said, “Most youngsters in America especially those who are well educated and highly informed, do not have firm faith in Christianity in the true sense of the word, because they find irrational religious traditions, while they see some of the senior religious figures lack commendable virtues and notable characteristics. (He was very frank in his expression about them.”

I said, “If so then why the youngsters do not discard Christianity?” He said, “Firstly, most of them have discarded Christianity, and secondly, those who still show their attachment to it are doing so mainly for two reasons. Some are bound to follow their elders and fathers, and some do so from fear of spread of communism and disbelief. They believe that as soon as they abandon Christianity, communism will creep in. In their opinion, Christianity is the only barrier against the expansion of communist influence over the people of their country. In their opinion, the aims and objects of the communism are to root out every thing; from their government to their economy, freedom and system of inheritance.” I said, “Why don’t they take shelter in Islam?” He said, “Because the Islam that is presented to them is distorted. Moreover, there is no such preacher of Islam in America who may introduce the true Islam in such an impressive way that American youngsters may be attracted to it.”

I said, “Do you acknowledge the beauty of Islam?” “Yes, but it is distorted in my view”, “What sort of distortion?” He replied, “This is the very purpose I have come to you.” “Have you asked other Muslim scholar?” “Yes, but I did not receive a satisfactory answer.”

Then he narrated how he happened to meet that Karbalai youngster who guided him to my house. The young American knew some Arabic; hence there was no need for an interpreter, except in some instances of the discussion when we sought the help of one of our English-speaking friends. Our discussion started on the question of the proof of the existence of God.

I said, “The proof of His existence is recognized from His signs, because there is no effect without a cause.” I pointed out to him, “As you know the United States has some three hundred thousand space experts and has allocated hundreds of millions of dollars for making artificial satellites. Can you prove that those American satellites have their makers but that the moon - the natural satellite - which is millions of times bigger than an artificial satellite has no Creator?” Being satisfied with this explanation, he then said, “Why don’t we see God?” I said, “Do you think that every existing thing is visible?” He said, “I believe in only tangible things.” I said, “No, this is not the case. You believe in the tangible as well as rational things.” When he said how, I said, “Do you believe in the existence of mind, soul, gravitational force and such like?” He said, “Yes.” I said, “Have you seen the mind, the soul, or the gravitational force?” His reply was negative. Then I said, “Therefore, you too believe in those things which your senses do not perceive, and what you actually perceive is their effect.” He said, “Good reply.”

The American youngster brought up another topic by asking, “How do you believe in his prophethood when Muhammad was not a prophet?” I said, “On what ground do you say he was not a prophet?” He said, “It is clear that he established his religion with the sword, whereas God is merciful and does not resort to such measures.” I said, “Firstly, just for the sake of argument, if we were to assume that claim is true, I would like to ask you, do you believe in the prophethood of Moses (upon whom be peace).” He replied in affirmative. Then I related to him the story of Moses mentioned in the Bible, Deuteronomy 13:15-16, Numbers 31:7-35, when he resorted to measures worse than the sword. He was (supposedly) ordered by God to set the cities he conquered on fire, killing not only the men, but also the children and the animals.

He admitted the fact and said, “That is why I came to you to make it clear and to find another religion for myself because our Bible has got many such ridiculous stories.

I continued, “but in fact Islam was not established by the sword.” Then I went on to ask him, “Have you studied the battles fought by the Prophet of Islam? Do you know that all of them were defensive ones and not even a single one was ever offensive?” He said, “It is for the first time I hear this.”

I said, “You have to consult authentic history references to see the records of these facts and to satisfy yourself of the truth of my claim.” At this stage I gave him a copy of my book “In the Shadow of Islam” and advised him to study it especially the chapter dealing with the battles of the prophet Muhammad (S).

The Christian youth started studying the book, and one of our Englishspeaking friends started helping him in the process. Meanwhile, I took the opportunity of this short period of time to meet those who were waiting to see me.

Having finished reading the relevant chapter of the book, he was profoundly surprised as to how the distorted history of Islam has been presented to them. Then he accepted that Muhammad did not rise up with the sword, “How could you prove that he was a Prophet?” I said, “How do you Christians prove that Jesus Christ (upon whom be peace) was a prophet?” He said, “Actually, I have no proof in support of the prophethood of Jesus as I myself believe in Christianity through family tradition.”

I suggested that we should establish the criteria for the recognition and truthfulness of the prophets, so as to distinguish between a true and a false prophet. With a strange curiosity he said, “This point has itself been one of my basic questions.”

I said, “How do you find out that a person is a doctor and another is an engineer?” He said, “Either through a certificate or degree issued by a medical centre or a university, or through one’s own experience. For example, if I see that a person has cured a disease with some medicine, I will call him a doctor. Similarly, if a person draws up a good plan of a building meeting the engineering requirements then he can be called an engineer.”

Then I said, “In the case of a prophet, the same formula applies too. Though the testimony of God,, you will know he is a messenger from Him.” He said, “How is that?” I said; “A miracle is an evidence of God which He bestows upon he whom He sends.” He said, “How can the miracle be taken as an evidence from God?” I said, “Breaching the (natural) laws is beyond the control of everybody except God the Almighty. So, when Allah delegates this power (of performing miracles) to any person, it proves that that person is a messenger from God.” He said, “It’s an excellent logical reply. I put the same question to a number of Christian and Islamic scholars but none of them could ever satisfy me. Anyhow, now we have reached a stage where you have to prove that Muhammad was provided with a miracle.”

I said, “The miracle of Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s blessings be upon him and his Progeny) is already crystal clear to me and I have also seen it with my own eyes.” He asked surprisingly, “Have you yourself seen the miracle of Muhammad?” I replied in affirmative. He asked, “Which is that miracle?” I said while pointing to Qur’an, “This Qur’an is the miracle of Muhammad.” He said, “How can the Qur’an be the miracle of Muhammad?” I said, “Muhammad challenged the people of the world to bring even a small chapter like that of the Holy Qur’an but none of them could do so over the last fourteen centuries.” He said, “How can this statement be authentic that Muhammad challenged the people of the whole world but none could meet it?”

Then I quoted a verse of the Qur’an that says, {If you are in doubt about what We have sent down to Our Servant (Muhammad) then produce a chapter like it and call your witnesses other than Allah, if you are truthful.}37 and said to him, “Here is the solid proof of that literary challenge. Nobody on earth could produce even a small chapter like that of the Holy Qur’an. Had there been so, it would have been recorded in history. In the course of your studies of religions, have you ever come across any claim that someone had produced a work that comes anywhere near the Qur’an?” When he replied in negative, I said, “That is to say mankind is unable to do so.”

He turned the question around, “If Islam is right, why are Muslims so backward?” I said, “For the reason that Muslims do not act upon Islam.” He said, “Being Muslims, how do they not act upon Islam?” I said, “Are the majority of Americans Christians or not?” He said, “Yes, they are.” I 37 The Holy Qur’an, the Heifer (2): 23

asked, “Do they act upon Christianity properly?” He said, “No.” I said, “Similarly, Muslims also do not act upon Islam, hence they are backward. At the beginning of Islam, they used to follow Islam and as such they achieved progress and prosperity.” He said, “How do you then invite me to a religion, the followers of which are so backward?” I said, “If you are in a highway, but see other road users are deviating to left or right, will you follow the road or leave it for the reason of those deviants?” He said, “I would certainly adopt the straight way and not care for its non-disciplined deviants.” I said, “I also invite you to Islam not its deviants.” Then he said, “Allah says in the Chapter of Victory, 48:1-2, “Lo! We have given you (O Muhammad) a victory that Allah may forgive you of your sin which is past and that which is to come.” It is possible that a sinful person may become a prophet?”

I answered, “The Holy Prophet was “sinful” in the eyes of Meccan infidels. They used say Muhammad has ridiculed our beliefs and insulted our gods. With the help and will of Allah when Mecca peacefully surrendered to Muhammad and he won over the infidels his “sins” or “crimes” against the infidels were “dropped” or forgiven, thanks to Allah Almighty who prepared the ground for this. Furthermore, after the fall of Mecca the prophet Muhammad went on to demolish more than three hundred “god” idols which were “sacred” to the infidels of Mecca.”

Needless to say, the ‘sin’ as defined by the infidels and referred to in the verse is not regarded as sin in the eyes of God Almighty, but the Almighty is stating that not only He has given His Messenger, prophet Muhammad, a victory, but in fact through this victory He has brought about the circumstances in which even the ‘sins’ he is attributed to by the infidels are null and void.

The American Christian then said, “I met some persons in America who claimed to be followers of the Qadyani religion. They called on me to embrace their religion claiming that their religion succeeded Islam, which was brought by a certain Ghulam Ahmad Qadyani who claimed to be a prophet. Do you believe in that religion?” I replied in negative, and when he asked for the reason, I said, “Firstly because the Prophet of Islam said, “no prophet would come after me.”38 Accordingly, whosoever claims to be a prophet after him, is an impostor and, his claim of prophethood is false. Since we proved that Muhammad is a true prophet, and we believe 38 al-Kafi, vol. 8, p 26, hadith #4

that true prophets do not lie, therefore the Qadyani is an impostor as the prophet Muhammad said that there would be no prophet after me.

Secondly, Ghulam Ahmad Qadyani has merely claimed the prophethood but had not shown any miracle. If prophethood is treated acceptable without any miracle then thousands of prophets can appear in the world. So you and others too can claim to be prophets on any fine morning. Do you think that by mere claim of prophethood one can become a prophet?” He smiled and said, “No!” Then he added, “But Qadyanis are very much active and progressive in the propagation of their religion.” I said, “Do the activity and progress in the propagation of a religion prove its truth? If so, then the fascists, communists and other followers of various ideologies will have to be treated as right.”

Then he turned to another question; “There is a verse in the Qur’an which says that every good and bad thing is from Allah. He continued, if a bad thing is also from God because it says, {All is from Allah}39 then why should people be punished for their evil?” I said, “What is meant here by ‘bad’ things are those things which are beyond mankind’s control, for example, sudden death, a disease not caused by mankind, famine, flood, destructive typhoon and similar other calamities. That is why Allah says in another verse, {whatever of good befalls on you it is from Allah, and whatever of ill befalls on you it is from yourself.}40

He said, “We used to study in the university that Muslims believe in the destiny and providence which, according to the interpretation of our professor, means that God has decreed everything that comes to pass on one’s life, and therefore, Muslims do not make any efforts, hence they are backward. Is it so?” I said, “No, it has no reality. Destiny (Qadha’) means the Decree, that is the Decree of Allah. For Allah decrees on things for the betterment and in the best interest of human beings. Similarly, Providence (Qadar) means the appropriate measure, which Allah, the origin of creation, provides for it as per His Wisdom in the same manner as an architect who draws up a plan for a building according to the exact techniques of his professional knowledge. In this connection, Allah the Almighty has devised a system that is in the control of, and feasible for human beings, but He has imposed no compulsion. Man is free in his actions and performances. If something of good has been done, it has been done at man’s own and if something bad has been done, it has also been 39 The Holy Qur’an, Women (4): 78

40 The Holy Qur’an, Women (4): 79

done at his own. Anything beyond the control and power of human beings, that is also designed by God, and human beings shall not be held responsible and punishable for any of those events.” “Regarding your professor’s inference that Muslims' backwardness was due to their inaction because of their belief in the destiny and providence, you should have asked him that if this hypothesis is true, then why did the early Muslims performed and progressed so well at the rise of Islam?”

At this stage, the American youngster expressed his satisfaction about Islam and requested me to show him how to become a Muslim. I thanked Allah and taught him to declare the Unity of God, the Prophethood of Muhammad and the successorship of Ali. He said that he had memorized both declarations before but was ignorant of the successorship and leadership (Imamate) of Ali ibn Abi-Talib and the infallible Imams (peace be upon them). Therefore, I explained to him the right of divine leadership (Imamate) of the Twelve Infallible Imams, and thus he completely embraced Islam.