Christians, Jews. and Muslims - Islam
ISLAM 37
An Overview to understand Islam and the Quran 37
Understanding Jihad 38
Muhammad’s Initial Efforts
Attempts at Persuasion: Persecution, Killing, and Displacement
A closer look at what’s in the Quran 40
Top 7 Destructive Sins (Al-Mubiqat) from Hadith 41
Additional Major Sins Often Ranked Highly from Hadith 42
Some selections from the Hadith 42
Comparing and contrasting the nature of Muhammad to Jesus 47
ISLAM
An Overview to understand Islam and the Quran
Islam. The Quran. Accepting of the Old Testament, even accepting of Jesus Christ. But unaccepting of the resurrection of the body. Revealed to an illiterate manager of a trade route waystation. The Quran is rather short, its composition is more like the Old Testament in emphasizing battles and victories inspired by Allah. Most issues with Islam is that the imams, being Holy persons, can add to the teachings of the Quran and add many of the positions in Fatwas and other religious customs and practices. They emphasize war and victory more than the salvation and love of God and love of neighbor like yourself.
(Note: This is saying the ADDITIONS to the Quran emphasize war and victory, not the Quran itself. Although it does discuss war. Here is a better description of how the Quran addresses war:
- War is described in the context of Self-Defense: Battles are framed within the context of self-defense, permitted only after years of persecution. Verses such as 22:39–40 grant permission to fight because the Muslims were wronged and forced out of their homes.
- The Quran provides the context and justification for these military actions, emphasizing that they were taken to ensure survival and uphold the truth rather than for aggression.
- Rules of Engagement: The Quran instructs fighting only those who fight you, prohibiting transgression of limits (2:190).
- Theological Lessons: Battles are often presented as tests of faith, distinguishing between true believers and those with weak faith (hypocrites).
- Contrary to several commands of God to eliminate all living things when conquering a land, the Quran does not command the killing of every man, woman, and child. In fact, the Quran explicitly prohibits the killing of innocent people and emphasizes the sanctity of life.
- Quran 5:32 states that if anyone kills an innocent person, "it would be as if he slew the whole people; and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people".
In all honesty, the OT and the Quran are similar in thought - God, or Allah for the Muslim world, provides protection, strength, but ALSO JUDGMENT upon their people.
(Note: The 5 pillars of Islam - Faith (witness), Prayer, Charity, Fasting, and the Pilgrimage - are in the Koran but are not well defined. The 5 pillars are defined and detailed in the Hadith.
The Hadith is the collected tradition of the prophet Muhammud based on his sayings and actions. The Quran is believed to be the literal word of Allah, written by scribes of Muhammud as it was revealed to him by the Angel Gabriel. Versions with minor variations have been written. The Hadith was written by Caliphs who spoke of Muhammud’s teachings and actions. (Such as the apostles’ writings? Like PAUL?)
From Jesus and His Times: Islam and Judaism have a similar means of evolving as a religion. The Quran is expounded by the imams who can interpret and even add to the book over time as did the priests with the Torah with “oral law” that was eventually written down as the “MISHNAH.”
Jesus in the Quran:
1.Jesus, Mary, and the angel Gabriel are all prominent characters in the Quran (as are Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and a bunch of other Bible characters).
2. Muslims believe that Jesus (called “Isa” in Arabic) was a prophet of God and was born to a virgin (Mary). They also believe he will return to Earth before the Day of Judgment to restore justice and defeat al-Masih ad-Dajjal, or “the false messiah” — also known as the Antichrist. All of this may sound pretty familiar to many Christians. (The fact that Muslims know that “al-Masih ad-Dajjal” is the Arabic name for the Antichrist).
3. Mary (called “Maryam” in Arabic) has an entire chapter in the Qur’an named for her — the only chapter in the Qur’an named for a female figure. In fact, Mary is the only woman to be mentioned by name in the entire Qur’an. As noted in the Study Quran, “other female figures are identified only by their relation to others, such as the wife of Adam and the mother of Moses, or by their title, such as the Queen of Sheba.” Mary is mentioned more times in the Qur’an than in the entire New Testament of the Bible.
4.Just as they do with all the other prophets, including Mohammed, devout Muslims recite “peace be upon him” after every time they refer to Jesus by name.
5.Muslims believe that Jesus performed miracles: The Qur’an discusses several of Jesus’s miracles, including giving sight to the blind, healing lepers, raising the dead, and breathing life into clay birds.
6.The story of Jesus’s birth as told in the Qur’an is also the story of his first miracle, when he spoke as an infant in the cradle and declared himself to be a prophet of God.
Understanding Jihad
Muhammad’s Initial Efforts
In the beginning Muhammad reached out to the Jews. He asked to be accepted as a prophet. Judaism rejected that effort. And they ended up sending him packing. As a result, Muhammud became more and more military in his actions. (Defensive actions were part of the Quran. Later military ventures of Muhammud were not included in the Quran.)
Muhammud went from peace seeker to aggression, from coexistence to elimination of the Jews in his area of Medina. That area expanded.
It sounds so similar to the Zionist agenda of taking over the promised land of Israel and the displacement of the Palestinians. Resistors were killed.
Eventually Muhammud led an invasion of Mecca to take over the kaaba. The kaaba was a building that had ties to Abraham and Ishmael from the Quran. It was being used as a house of idols. Muhammud returned it to montheistism under Allah.
Below is a more detailed look at how this displacement occured.
Attempts at Persuasion: Persecution, Killing, and Displacement
In the first period of his stay in Medina, Muhammad made great efforts to persuade the Jews to recognize him as a prophet and join his camp. To that end he was prepared to order his believers to pray in the direction of Jerusalem and to adopt Yom Kippur as a fast day. But his efforts were totally rebuffed. The Jews (with just a few exceptions) adhered to the rule that prophecy had already been annulled at the beginning of Second Temple days, and at most agreed that Muhammad may have been sent to spread a monotheistic message to the Arabs only. The traditions and the verses of the Koran show that the response to the Jews’ obduracy was a dramatic intensification of the polemics against them, centering on the accusation that they had distorted their own books, which, the Muslims claim, presage Muhammad’s revelation. This polemical escalation led to a staged process of removing the Jews, some of whom were deported and others killed. This process was reinforced by a gradual yet rapid joining of Muhammad’s ranks by non-Jewish residents of Medina. The Jews’ status deteriorated and they could no longer rely on the old defense pacts with the Arab tribes, whose leaders explained to them that “hearts have changed.”
Already in 624, about two years after the Hegira, Muhammad laid siege to the strongholds of the Jewish tribe Qaynuqa and deported them to Syria. They left all their weapons and all their property behind them. About a year later the members of Nadir were also deported after Muhammad’s forces had cut down their date orchards, the source of their livelihood. Their homes and property were also confiscated by the Muslim community. The most dramatic events occurred in 627, when the men of the Qurayza tribe were massacred and the women and children were sold into slavery. The tradition tries to obscure Muhammad’s responsibility for the killing of hundreds of Jews by accusing them of violating agreements, but this charge lacks any solid historical basis. The anti-Jewish campaign concluded with the conquest of the Khaybar oasis north of Medina in 628, the deportation of some of its residents, and the turning of others into tenant farmers. The slogan heard until today (at least in Hamas processions) is “Khaybar, Khaybar, ya Yahud, jish Muhammad sa Ya’ud!” (Khaybar, Khaybar, o Jews! The army of Muhammad will return!). It has become a symbol of the Jews’ subjugation in Arabia only six years after the Hegira.
Two other phenomena are worth noting. First, alongside the physical struggle against the Jews, Muhammad removed Jewish elements from his new religion: the direction of prayer reverted to Mecca instead of Jerusalem; the month of Ramadan replaced Yom Kippur as the time of fasting; and other steps were taken to emphasize Islam’s more independent and elevated status. Second, interestingly, there are no signs of significant cooperation among the Jewish tribes in resisting Muhammad. For now it is hard to find the reason for this.
A closer look at what’s in the Quran
Quran 2:62 states that believers (Muslims), Jews, Christians, and Sabians—whoever truly believes in Allah and the Last Day and does good—will receive their reward from their Lord, with no fear or grief. It emphasizes that salvation is based on sincere faith and righteousness rather than mere communal affiliation.
So the Quran is saying eternal reward is extended to Jews and Christians because they believe in Allah (although under a different name - Yahweh or God).
Generous. However it probably only applies to any Jew or Christian that existed BEFORE the revelation to the Prophet Muhammad.
So Jews and Christians today, unless you are Muslim, you are doomed.
Quran 3:64-68 addresses the relationship all 3 religions have with Father Abraham. All 3 stem from Abraham. Jews and Christians need to quit arguing about who is superior, who is the “chosen,” we have common ground. Of course in verse 68 we get an answer - Closest Followers: The people most worthy of, or closest to, Abraham are those who followed him in his time, along with the Prophet Muhammad and those who believe in him (the Muslims)
Quran 5:69 states that believers (Muslims), Jews, Sabians, and Christians who truly believe in Allah and the Last Day and do good deeds will have no fear nor grief. This verse emphasizes that righteousness and faith are the criteria for salvation across different communities.
Is it ok to refer to Allah as Yahweh or God? Any flexibility here? Probably not. This again probably only applies to pre-Muhammad revelation of the Quran.
And there are stipulations: Key Requirements: 1) True belief in Allah, 2) Belief in the Last Day, 3) Righteous actions/good deeds.
Now we get down to business. Jews, Christians, you had your chance. Here is reality:
Quran 9:30 The Jews say: "Ezra ('Uzayr) is Allah's son," and the Christians say: "The Messiah is the son of Allah." These are merely verbal assertions in imitation of the sayings of those unbelievers who preceded them. May Allah ruin them. How do they turn away from the Truth?
Quran 9:31 ) They take their rabbis and their monks for their lords apart from Allah, and also the Messiah, son of Mary, whereas they were commanded to worship none but the One True God. There is no god but He. Exalted be He above those whom they associate with Him in His Divinity.
The Quran chastises the Jews in their failings - the Golden calf, the killing of prophets, the 2 destructions of the temple. But the Torah and the OT do pretty much the same. Nothing new here. Jews have documented their failures and the reasons for them - turning from God. Of course it is easier to self-criticize than have someone else point out your failures.
Two final verses, both from Quran (Surah) 9:
Quran 9:5 the verse of the sword. Then, when the sacred months are drawn away, slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them, and lie in wait for them at every place of ambush.
Pretty straightforward…
Quran (Surah) 9:29. Fight those who believe not in God and the Last Day and do not forbid what God and His Messenger have forbidden – such men as practice not the religion of truth, being of those who have been given the Book — until they pay the tribute out of hand and have been humbled.
This latter verse, though it cannot be understood today as a tolerant one, became from an early stage of the huge Arab conquests the main pillar and justification for the legal and practical status of Jews and Christians who lived for many centuries under Muslim rule. Essentially they could enjoy life, work, and religion, with some restrictions, in return for paying the collective poll tax. (Take Spain, for example. Muslim rule in Spain, known as Al-Andalus, lasted for nearly 800 years, from 711 to 1492, significantly shaping European culture, science, and agriculture. Initiated by Tariq ibn Ziyad's forces, it created a largely tolerant, prosperous society that flourished under the Umayyad Caliphate of Córdoba before ending with the fall of Granada.)
Top 7 Destructive Sins (Al-Mubiqat) from Hadith
- Shirk: Associating partners with Allah (the greatest sin). Similar to the 2nd Commandment - no idols. No polytheism. There is one God - Allah. Is comparing or linking the “Christian God” or the Jewish “Yahweh” a sin against Allah?
- Witchcraft/Sorcery: Practicing magic.
- Murder: Taking a life without legal justification. Who decides when it is “legally justified?”
- Riba: Consuming interest/usury.
- Consuming Orphan Property: Misappropriating funds under care.
- Fleeing the Battlefield: Desertion during battle.
- Slandering Chaste Women: Accusing pious women of adultery.
Additional Major Sins Often Ranked Highly
- Disobedience to parents.
- False testimony/Perjury.
- Adultery/Fornication.
- Suicide.
- Drinking alcohol.
- Neglecting obligatory prayers.
- Bribery.
- Cutting off family ties.
- Oppression of people.
- Theft.
- Lying about the Prophet Muhammad.
- Giving false witness.
- Ghamus oath (false oath to take someone's property).
Some selections from the Hadith… (realize there is no context for many of these selections)
Sex slavery:
Sahih Muslim 1438a:
0 Abu Sa'id, did you hear Allah's Messenger mentioning al-'azl? He said: Yes, and added: We went out with Allah's Messenger on the expedition to the Bi'l-Mustaliq and took captive some excellent Arab women; and we desired them, for we were suffering from the absence of our wives, (but at the same time) we also desired ransom for them. So we decided to have sexual intercourse with them but by observing 'azl (Withdrawing the male sexual organ before emission of semen to avoid-conception). But we said: We are doing an act whereas Allah's Messenger is amongst us; why not ask him? So we asked Allah's Messenger , and he said: It does not matter if you do not do it, for every soul that is to be born up to the Day of Resurrection will be born.
Sunan Abi Dawud 2155:
“The Apostle of Allaah sent a military expedition to Awtas on the occasion of the battle of Hunain. They met their enemy and fought with them. They defeated them and took them captives. Some of the Companions of Apostle of Allaah were reluctant to have relations with the female captives because of their pagan husbands. So, Allaah the exalted sent down the Qur’anic verse “And all married women (are forbidden) unto you save those (captives) whom your right hand posses.” This is to say that they are lawful for them when they complete their waiting period.
Fight the Jews/Christians:
Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2236:
"You shall fight the Jews. You will gain such control over them, that a rock will say: 'O Muslim! This Jew is behind me so kill him!'"
Sahih Muslim 2922:
The last hour would not come unless the Muslims will fight against the Jews and the Muslims would kill them until the Jews would hide themselves behind a stone or a tree and a stone or a tree would say: Muslim, or the servant of Allah, there is a Jew behind me; come and kill him; but the tree Gharqad would not say, for it is the tree of the Jews.
Sahih Muslim 1767a:
...heard the Messenger of Allah say: I will expel the Jews and Christians from the Arabian Peninsula and will not leave any but Muslim.
Sahih al-Bukhari 2926:
Allah's Messenger said, "The Hour will not be established until you fight with the Jews, and the stone behind which a Jew will be hiding will say. "O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, so kill him."
Note: from Wikipedia Interpretation: Scholars generally place this event at the very end of time during a period of massive cosmic and social upheaval, not as a general instruction for interfaith relations in the present day.
It is important to note that this is a, "end times" prophecy, not a prescription for contemporary behavior
(Right. Like there aren’t some who don’t think TODAY is the end times…)
Sunan an-Nasa'i 3378:
"The Messenger of Allah married me when I was six, and consummated the marriage with me when I was nine, and I used to play with dolls."
Sahih al-Bukhari 6130:
I used to play with the dolls in the presence of the Prophet, and my girl friends also used to play with me. When Allah's Messenger used to enter (my dwelling place) they used to hide themselves, but the Prophet would call them to join and play with me.
(The playing with the dolls and similar images is forbidden, but it was allowed for `Aisha at that time, as she was a little girl, not yet reached the age of puberty.) (Fath-ul-Bari page 143, Vol.13)
The widowing and grape of Saffiyah:
Sunan Abi Dawud 2995:
Anas bin Malik said “We came to Khaibar. We bestowed the conquest of fortress (on us), the beauty of Safiyyah daughter of Huyayy was mentioned to him (the Prophet). Her husband was killed (in the battle) and she was a bride. The Apostle of Allaah chose her for himself. He came out with her till we reached Sadd Al Sahba’ where she was purified. So he cohabited with her.
Sunan Abi Dawud 2997:
Anas said “A beautiful slave girl fell to Dihyah”. The Apostle of Allaah purchased her for seven slaves. He then gave her to Umm Sulaim for decorating her and preparing her for marriage. The narrator Hammad said, I think he said “Safiyyah daughter of Huyayy should pass her waiting period in her (Umm Sulaims’) house.”
Sahih Ibn Habban (11/607):
Abdullah Ibn Umar narrates that Safiyyah said: "Rasool Allah was among the most hated person for me, while he killed my husband, father and brother. Then he used to make excuses that my father used to incite the Arabs against him. He kept on apologizing for so long till I was no more angry.
Ibn Ishaq – Biography of Muhammad:
"Kinana, the husband of Safiya, had been guardian of the tribe's treasures, and he was brought before the apostle, who asked where they were hidden. But Kinana refused to disclose the place. Then a Jew came who said, 'I have seen Kinana walk around acertain ruin every morning.' The apostle asked Kinana, 'Art thou prepared to die if we find thou knewest where the treasure was?' And he replied, 'Yes.' So the apostle ordered the ruin to be dug up, and some of the treasure was found. After that Kinana was asked again about the remainder, but he still refused to tell. The apostle of Allah handed him over to al-Zubayr, saying, 'Torture him until he tells what he knows', and al-Zubayr kindled a fire on his chest so that he almost expired; then the apostle gave him to Muhammad b. Maslama, who struck off his head."
Massacre of the Banu-Qurayza:
Sahih Muslim 1768a:
The people of Quraiza surrendered accepting the decision of Sa'd b. Mu'adh about them. Accordingly, the Messenger of Allah sent for Sa'd who came to him riding a donkey. When he approached the mosque, the Messenger of Allah said to the Ansar: Stand up to receive your chieftain. Then he said (to Sa'd): These people have surrendered accepting your decision. He (Sa'd) said: You will kill their fighters and capture their women and children. (Hearing this), the Prophet said: You have adjudged by the command of God.
Sunan Ibn Majah 2541:
“I heard 'Atiyyah Al-Quradhi say: 'We were presented to the Messenger of Allah on the Day of Quraidhah. Those whose pubic hair had grown were killed, and those whose pubic hair had not yet grown were let go. I was one of those whose pubic hair had not yet grown, so I was let go.”
Slave trading:
Sunan an-Nasa'i 4621:
"A slave came and gave his pledge to the Messenger of Allah to emigrate, and the Prophet did not realize that he was a slave. Then his master came looking for him. The Prophet said; 'Sell him to me.' So he bought him for two black slaves, then he did not accept until he had asked; 'Is he a slave?'''
Sahih al-Bukhari 987, 988:
Aisha further said, "Once the Prophet was screening me and I was watching the display of black slaves in the Mosque and (Umar) scolded them. The Prophet said, 'Leave them. O Bani Arfida! (carry on), you are safe (protected)'."
Killing of children:
Sahih Muslim 1745b:
Messenger of Allah, we kill the children of the polytheists during the night raids. He said: They are from them.
Sunan Ibn Majah 2839:
“Sa’b bin Jaththamah said: ‘The Prophet was asked about the polytheists who are attacked at night, and their women and children are killed.’ He said: ‘They are from among them.’”
Apostasy law:
Sunan an-Nasa'i 4064:
Ibn 'Abbas said: "The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: 'Whoever changes his religion, kill him.'"
Hell is full of women because theyre dumb
Sahih al-Bukhari 304:
Once Allah's Messenger went out to the Musalla (to offer the prayer) of `Id-al-Adha or Al-Fitr prayer. Then he passed by the women and said, "O women! Give alms, as I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-fire were you (women)." They asked, "Why is it so, O Allah's Messenger?" He replied, "You curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. A cautious sensible man could be led astray by some of you." The women asked, "O Allah's Messenger! What is deficient in our intelligence and religion?" He said, "Is not the evidence of two women equal to the witness of one man?" They replied in the affirmative. He said, "This is the deficiency in her intelligence. Isn't it true that a woman can neither pray nor fast during her menses?" The women replied in the affirmative. He said, "This is the deficiency in her religion."
Muhammad says Allah created some children only for hell:
Sahih Muslim 2662c:
'A'isha, the mother of the believers, said that Allah's Messenger was called to lead the funeral prayer of a child of the Ansar. I said: Allah's Messenger, there is happiness for this child who is a bird from the birds of Paradise for it committed no sin nor has he reached the age when one can commit sin. He said: 'A'isha, per adventure, it may be otherwise, because God created for Paradise those who are fit for it while they were yet in their father's loins and created for Hell those who are to go to Hell. He created them for Hell while they were yet in their father's loins.
Do not greet the Christians / Jews:
Sahih Muslim 2167a:
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger as saying: "Do not greet the Jews and the Christians before they greet you and when you meet any one of them on the roads force him to go to the narrowest part of it."
Jizya system justifies invading foreign land:
Sahih al-Bukhari 3167:
While we were in the Mosque, the Prophet came out and said, "Let us go to the Jews" We went out till we reached Bait-ul-Midras. He said to them, "If you embrace Islam, you will be safe. You should know that the earth belongs to Allah and His Apostle, and I want to expel you from this land. So, if anyone amongst you owns some property, he is permitted to sell it, otherwise you should know that the Earth belongs to Allah and His Apostle.
Sahih Muslim 1731a,b:
Fight in the name of Allah and in the way of Allah. Invite them to (accept) Islam; if they respond to you, accept it from them and desist from fighting against them. Then invite them to migrate from their lands to the land of the Muhajireen and inform them that, if they do so, they shall have all the privileges and obligations of the Muhajireen. If they refuse to migrate, tell them that they will have the status of Bedouin Muslims and will be subjected to the Commands of Allah like other Muslims, but they will not get any share from the spoils of war or Fai' except when they actually fight with the Muslims (against the disbelievers). If they refuse to accept Islam, demand from them the Jizya. If they agree to pay, accept it from them and hold off your hands. If they refuse to pay the tax, seek Allah's help and fight them.
Comparing and contrasting the nature of Muhammad to Jesus in regard to violence and peacefulness.
(From: The Prophet Muhammud by Andrew Holt Ph.D.)
One might contrast, for example, the traditional narratives of the life of Jesus of Nazareth with those of the Prophet Muhammad. If we accept the Gospels as reliable historical sources, Jesus was a non-violent man better known for his command to “turn the other cheek,” rather than commit acts of violence even when seemingly justified. He rebuked the apostle Peter, for example, for daring to cut off the ear of a soldier who had come to arrest him. Moreover, so far as we know, Jesus never called for (much less participated in) a holy war against either the Romans, who forcibly occupied Jewish lands, or the Jews, who sometimes violently rejected his message.
This is not to say that Jesus never would have sanctioned violence under any circumstances. Indeed, the reason Peter was likely carrying a sword in the first place was because (as the Gospel of Luke states) Jesus commanded his followers carry at least two of them (Luke 22:38). In other words, as this verse suggests, Jesus and his followers were armed as they made their travels during his ministry. Jesus may have objected to Peter intervening with his arrest, but that does not necessarily mean Jesus opposed Christians using force to defend others. (My opinion is this is not true. Jesus was being sarcastic when saying we can fight the battle with physical swords. Our sword is the word of God.) Christ, according to the Christian narrative, had to be crucified for the salvation of mankind. Peter was unthinkingly trying to prevent that. Other verses suggest Jesus could be prone to fits of anger. He famously, for example, violently over-turns the moneychangers table as he thought they were desecrating the Temple (Matt. 21:12), but so far as we know he did not harm anyone or shed blood during this incident.
Muhammud was, on the other hand, more like David. Dedicated to violence as evidenced by his 86 military campaigns.
I recently began rereading David Cook’s excellent work, Understanding Jihad, published by the University of California Press in 2005. Cook is Associate Professor in the Department of Religion at Rice University and author of five scholarly books on Islam. I first read it nearly a decade ago and had forgotten how engaging it is as he traces the historical development of jihad in the Islamic world. I was quickly reminded when, coming only to page six, I read the following: “It was in this context that jihad arose, and the campaigns to gain adherents and control territory constituted the focus of the community’s activity during the last nine years of the Prophet’s life. Muhammad is recorded as having participated in at least twenty-seven campaigns and deputized some fifty-nine others- an average of no fewer than nine campaigns annually.” The Prophet Muhammad participated in or sanctioned eighty-six military campaigns. The number is striking. Particularly when one considers that Professor Cook is referring to the founder of one of the world’s great religions (with 1.6 billion current followers).