UI – Part 293 – Allah is God, Only if….

The Quran and Allah

The Quran is reported to be a compilation of verses memorized by Companions of Muhammad.  The verses were received by Muhammad when visiting caves as a respite from daily life, to rest, reflect and meditate.  On 3 occasions during his stay the angel Gabriel appeared and relayed messages to him from God, the Muslim god referred to as Allah.  Not all verses are recorded. Hundreds of those who were human vessels for these verses died in battle (The Battle of Yamama) after Muhammad died.  Their recall was never tapped and the verses they retained never included. The Quran is a fascinating document, difficult to read, with parts missing and thus incomplete.

The timing, chronology, of the verses Muhammad received is important to understand.  There are verses from his period in Mecca.  Later he received verses when he lived in Yatrib (today’s Medina).  The verses from each area reflect Muhammad’s attitude.  More peaceful were the words from Mecca and more militant and war oriented are the words from later revelations – those in Medina.  It is a fact that words received later in Muhammad’s life that differ from the earlier abrogate, or supersede, the earlier. Thus the more militant nature of the scriptural encouragement for the followers of Islam takes precedence over a claim to be a religion of peace.  Even if the religion of peace applied to only Muslims it seems an oxymoron as so many tribes or factions each referring to themselves as Muslim fight each other constantly.

Reflecting on the originator of the words passed on by Muhammad we must consider Allah. That raises also the question is Allah God?   Or another, if Allah is God, were liberties taken with God, using His name incorrectly, when relaying verses to his followers (those of Muhammad)? Would that not be blasphemy.  If it is assumed to be true that God spoke to Gabriel who then spoke to Muhammad, can it not be considered that in translation Muhammad may have peppered these revelations with personal objectives, even personal objections, to the directives given and by executive order rephrased things for his purposes.

Why do I ask such questions?  The answer is simply to understand Islam and God.  But also to understand Christianity and God.

God Changing His Mind

I have a difficult time with the concept that God would change his mind.  The Bible existed for thousands of years before Muhammad.  The New Testament existed for hundreds of years before Muhammad, reflecting on the forecasts made by the Biblical Prophets of the coming of Jesus Christ and the life of our Savior.  Let us assume Allah and God (the Christian God) are the same.  Why then would there be a need for change?  Or a correction needed to the Word of God?  Is God prone to errors of judgment?  No.  That is not possible.  If the Word of God is the Word of Allah then why would Allah change His words?  For there to be changes it must come from the created (humans) and not the Creator (God or Allah).

The Quran Sura 3.47 says Allah “creates what He pleases. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, Be, and it is.”  I can accept that.  That allows for the virgin birth, God’s choice of Mary to be the mother of Jesus, which is noted in the Quran.  But it also allows for God to appear on earth in human form, to provide the example for mankind to follow to be saved, to speak the Truth, to not deceive, and to have a relationship with us all through the Word of God. It also allows God in his own way to forgive the sins of mankind using Jesus as the substitution sacrifice. The Quran mentions none of this.  It denies Christ’s crucifixion and divinity. So why is there the exception, or absence, or disregard of prophetic events, even distorting such events, by Muhammad, a self-proclaimed man of God and self-proclaimed prophet?  Also why is there a different tone from early revelations to later revelations?

The Quran describes Allah as the best of deceivers. (Sura 8:30).  Would that not make you believe Allah can fool you or me?  Why would God want to fool anyone?  Isn’t the purpose of Scripture, as the Word of God, intended to be rightly guided (by the Supreme Being), telling Truth and providing comfort to those who believe. In the Bible God does not lie, He is changeless (no abrogation either), “In hope of eternal life, which God that cannot lie, promised before the world began.” (Titus 1:2 KJV)

Temptation

Temptations abound.  We are bombarded daily with all manner of temptation.  From sweets to be avoided, having another alcoholic beverage or any alcohol at all, from succumbing to the beauties and enticements of the opposite sex, or using deception to gain an upper hand at work or in a transaction, lying, and finding certain material items, a car, a piece of art, a special phone a must have, or even coveting that of a neighbor’s possession, and also the inducement to do drugs, take a toke, chew ghat, or sniff that white powder.  God provides, however, a way out.  In the Bible it is a loving approach, “When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it” (1 Corinthians 10:13, NLT).  In the Quran you will be rewarded for resisting with credits to the column of ‘good deeds.’  You are repeatedly warned therein that any violation, by giving in, will result in ‘severe chastisement.’  Punishment is a threat; little guidance is offered.

In the Bible the example of Jesus shows, demonstrates, the trial we face when tempted.  Jesus was tempted and resisted.  But in the Quran Muhammad, a mortal, was tempted and went beyond the bounds suggested for others in his own life.  His multiple wives (11), when the Quran imposes a limit of 4, is his example. There are many others.  Is this the nature of a guide God would make available to mankind?  Would God suggest that authorities, those of the hierarchy, do not need to adhere to the standards of the Scripture?

Persecution

Think about what the Bible says about Christians being persecuted.  Compare that to what the Quran says.

The Bible says Christians will be persecuted.  It happened in the past and happens today. Christians are not to be discouraged, having Christ in their lives. “If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you.” (John 15-18 AKJV). “Yes, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12 AKJV).  Christians are to persevere in the face of persecution.  It is expected and we will and must suffer through it, continuing to live a life by Christ’s example.

Muslims will not tolerate persecution.  In fact they react violently to it.  They are to ‘fight’ those who resist their ideology.  Persecute, even question the ideology and in the Middle East, especially, you may be subject to beheading.  “Fight those who believe not in Allah…until they pay the tax in acknowledgement of superiority and they are in a state of subjection.” (Sura 9:29)  “…cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve.  So smite (cut-off) above the necks and smite every finger-tip of them.” (Sura 8:12)  “This is because they opposed Allah and His Messenger.  And whoever opposes Allah and His Messenger – then surely Allah is Severe in requiting.” (Sura 8:13)

Prophethood

Muhammad is not alone is proclaiming himself to be a prophet.  Others did so.  Mani who created a following called Manichaeism. Joseph Smith and his followers, the Mormons. What about Jeanne Dixon or Nostradamus? The Zoroastrians?  There are many others. When researching the term ‘Prophet’ Wikipedia provides the following, “In religion, a prophet is an individual who is claimed to have been contacted by the supernatural or the divine, and to speak for them, serving as an intermediary with humanity, delivering this newfound knowledge from the supernatural entity to other people.”  From a ‘claim’ to reality is a big step.  God, however, took that step in the form of Jesus.

Christ – Proof

There is so much evidence for Jesus that for those that want more than just believing, having faith, there is proof.  There are multiple eyewitnesses, historical evidence, testimony, contemporary documentation, and more. Josh MacDowell wrote, “If Jesus is Lord and God, then this fact does not cease to be true simply because someone chooses not to believe it.”  Jesus was God-incarnate, on earth so we would know Him and know a relationship with Him was possible.  The example provided from Baptism to His death and Resurrection gives us joy and hope for a life Eternal. He guides us to the Gates of the Celestial City.  Followers will be persecuted, will suffer and be faced with exhausting trials. It is perseverance through the events of life, the temptations of Satan, the false teaching, and the corrupting influences than make us stronger and more welcomed into His House.

God, if Allah, as in the Quran

God, if Allah, would not Deceive, not mislead, not change and not write a Book that later required corrections.  It is probable that Satan’s hand was guiding Muhammad, once a man of God, corrupted by his own charismatic gifts that were twisted into self aggrandizement, his personal quest becoming greater than God’s, but using God, God’s name, as his justification.  If he asked forgiveness for this failure, this sinful parasite that filled his mind, it would be granted, but then he would need to change.  Jesus died for the sins of Muhammad also.  But denial closes the door to Salvation. In effect Muhammad said, “No thank you.  I prefer My Way to Your Way.  You’ll see!”

Satan took Muhammad into the desert and tempted him, he acquiesced. Jesus did not. That is the example God wants us to know and follow.

Allah and God may be the same, but the Quran has altered that view and made the one they call Allah a false teacher. This is blasphemy.  How could you conclude otherwise when the Quran denies the divinity of Christ?

Thanks Be to God.

Grace and Peace.