Ask a Muslim

[Larry1700]

arab,

I was writing a reply, then my window disappeared, so I don’t know if I’ll be duplicating my reply or not. If so, I’m sorry.

Anyway…
Thanks very much for posting here. You are very kind for doing so.

I have lots of questions about Muslims and their faith (I also have lots of questions about Christians and our faith). Unfortunately, there’s not enough time to get answers about either topic.

One of the main things I’d like to know is, where does one go to get the “official teachings” of the Qu’ran? For Christians, there are an estimated 22,000 different Christian denominations (Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, etc.), and even within some of them there are different interpretaitons.

As a former Baptist, it was vital for me to be able to prove to myself that I’m in the one established by Jesus – the Catholic Church. It was important that my faith could be supported by the Bible. The Bible proves that the teachings of the Pope and Magisterium must be followed (Jesus told the Apostles “He who rejects you, rejects me.”)

So, I hear one Muslim saying one thing, and another saying something else, and it reminds me of the different Biblical interperations thousands of Christian denominations. How do we know who is providing the valid interpretation/teaching of the Qu’ran?

I’d like to read the Qu’ran, but I’ve wondered if it’s a useless exercise, if nobody is authorized to provide the interpretation. Again, with the Bible, Jesus passed his authority to Peter and the Apostles, and they passed it down through the generations. (I don’t know how much you know about the Catholic faith, but there’s a qualification placed on what is required to be believed. For example, Pope Benedict is infallible when speaking ex cathedra on faith and morals, but he’s not infallible when picking who will win the Super Bowl.)

Anyway, I now know that when I read the Bible and don’t understand something, I can go to the Catechism, papal docuements, etc., for more information. Without that, it would appear to me that reading some parts of the Bible would also be a useless exercise. However, with the helps provided by the Catholic Church, the entire Bible is beautifully tied together and elucidated.

Again, thank you very, very much for posting here.

 

[Booklover]

First of all even though I believe he is to killed for treason not all scholars agree on this for ur information.

What ever happened to "free will"and “freedom of religion”? BOTH are non-existent in Islam.

 

[arab]

I can expect that I will be prohibited from doing my duty as Jesus ordered; to spread the gospel of Jesus, the son of God, second person of the Trinity to all the nations.

You dont have to spread it to Muslims because Muslims already believe in the Gospel. So instead go preach to someone who doesnt believe in Jesus Christ in the first place.

Grace and Peace Arab,

Grace and peace and blessings to you my friend

Could you tell me why Muslims don’t like the teaching of the Trinity?

First, Muslims believe in Jesus Christ peace be upon him.
Muslims believe that he was born miraculously, no male intervention. Muslims believe that he was one of the most rightouse people and that he was sent by God. Muslims believe that he gave life to the dead by Gods permission. We believe in all of that. So far we are walking side by side. When you say he is God or that there is a trinity we say stop. We believe that God is far more exalted above having any partners or equals. We say this is impossible.

The Quran says:

**O People of the Book (Christians)! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of God aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) a messenger of God, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in God and His messengers. Say not “Trinity” : desist: it will be better for you: for God is one God: Glory be to Him: (far exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. And enough is God as a Disposer of affairs. **(004.171 )

**They do blaspheme who say: God is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god except One God. If they desist not from their word (of blasphemy), verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them. **(005.073)

This is why. We say worship the creator not His creation. We believe it is disrespectful to believe God has any partners. If God had any partners such as a trinity that would have been what was preached by His messengers since the begening! Noah would have said your God is one but in a trinity. Moses would have said you God is one but in a trinity. It would have been made clear to everyone since the begening. So Muslims say you are following something which is disrespectful to God.

If you don’t accept the theory of original sin, how do Muslims account for the existance of evil? I have heard that Muslims believe that all souls (even Satan) will eventually enter Heaven. Is this true? Is this a belief that flows from a lack of belief in original sin?

I would like to know how you personally feel about Pope Benedict’s visit to Turkey and his prayers in a Mosque.

My dear friend, Muslims dont believe in the original sin meaning that Muslims dont believe that sin is inherited. We believe that Adam and Eve sinned yes. But we also believe they paid for what they did by being sent down ehre to earth and that God forgave them and that was that. Evil exists not because sin is inherited but because satan decieves people. God gave us a brain to think with and He also sent us messengers to show us right from wrong. It is up to you if you follow them, you do good, you will enter heaven God willing, you do bad, either God will forgive you or youll go to hell.
Did I clear it up?
As for the pope, I think he knew very well that his remarks will cause anger in the Muslim word. So since he knew this why on earth would he care to visit turkey? I think this is hypocrisy. They said that this is because he wants to strengthen the dialogue between Christians and Muslims. Ok, so why didnt he accept when Muslim scholar challenged him to a debate? I dont care if he visited Turkey and I dont care what he did their to be honest. So it makes no difference to me because I dont beieve he represents all Catholics and even if he did what do u want me to do about it? If he was sincere than im cool with it. If he wasnt, God will judge him. But I cant believe hes sincere since weeks before his visit he said something which he knew would anger muslims, get my point lol.

 

[arab]

arab,

So, I hear one Muslim saying one thing, and another saying something else, and it reminds me of the different Biblical interperations thousands of Christian denominations. How do we know who is providing the valid interpretation/teaching of the Qu’ran?

Brother, the official teachings of the Quran are in the Quran. It is simple to understand and doesnt speak in codes or anything like that. Some verses require interpretation and these verses are mainly laws and they have been interpreted by either Mohammed himself peace be upon him and we have his interpretation written down also or by Mohammeds companions who were scholars to the highest degrees also. So you dont have to worry about this. Read the Quran yourself and see I think you have a wrong idea of what it is. I think what you meant by one Muslim saying something and another saying another wasnt differing on the Quran. It was on the hadith. Muslims have two sources of legislature The Quran which they consider the literall word of God verbally revealed to Mohammed and the hadith which were sayings of Mohammed written down.
So we have the interpretation and everything and it was written by scholars to highest degree.
Did I answer your question clearly or…?

 

[Sagefrakrobatik]

Just as Christians are instructed to preach the gospel Muslims are instructed to invite non believers to islam. There is a Hadith (saying from the Prophet) that invites the emperor of Rome to convert to Islam. Why are chrisitans not allowed to openly spread their faith in Islamic countries? and why are Christian converts persecuted and to a more severe instance executed for their affirmations? Well, i think it could be more political than religious? When is the last time you heard a Muslim who converted to Hinduism or Judaism being executed? Besides if Islam teaches that Christianity is a valid method to reach and obtain God than why can a Muslim become a Christian?

These arent the questions i choose to direct towards Arab. The questions i have are more direct and call for less philosophic interpolations. I Just want to know if you converted to Islam? and where did you come from? As the dialogue grows so will the depth of my inquiry
.

 

[chrisb]

Grace and peace and blessings to you my friend

First, Muslims believe in Jesus Christ peace be upon him.
Muslims believe that he was born miraculously, no male intervention. Muslims believe that he was one of the most rightouse people and that he was sent by God. Muslims believe that he gave life to the dead by Gods permission. We believe in all of that. So far we are walking side by side. When you say he is God or that there is a trinity we say stop. We believe that God is far more exalted above having any partners or equals. We say this is impossible.

The Quran says:

**O People of the Book (Christians)! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of God aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) a messenger of God, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in God and His messengers. Say not “Trinity” : desist: it will be better for you: for God is one God: Glory be to Him: (far exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. And enough is God as a Disposer of affairs. **(004.171 )

**They do blaspheme who say: God is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god except One God. If they desist not from their word (of blasphemy), verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them. **(005.073)

This is why. We say worship the creator not His creation. We believe it is disrespectful to believe God has any partners. If God had any partners such as a trinity that would have been what was preached by His messengers since the begening! Noah would have said your God is one but in a trinity. Moses would have said you God is one but in a trinity. It would have been made clear to everyone since the begening. So Muslims say you are following something which is disrespectful to God.

Grace and Peace arab,

Okay that looks pretty convincing. I see why you have an issue with the doctrine of the Trinity.

But tell me why did Christians do this? What do Muslims say the reason is why Christians did this?

Thank you.

Peace

 

[Publisher]

I am not a Catholic…but I urge respect for Arab. He came here of his own free will…we may not agree with him or like his answers…kindness and compassion will get us much further along than attacking him for answering truthfully…he’s answering the questions posed to him…he didn’t make the answers up nor did he “soften” them…he’s answering truthfully…please let’s not become “ugly Christians”.

 

[Chris_LaRock]

I was conversing with a Muslim once, and I noted that he seemed offended when I refered to the Bible. He was offended by the word ‘Bible’, insisting that I call it ‘the book’. Could you shed some light on this? Is this typical in Islam?

Why do you think Islam teaches the cutting off of hands when someone is caught stealing? It seems to me that the punishment should fit the crime. The Bible says this:

Pro 6:30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
Pro 6:31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.

Cutting off hands may detour theft, but wouldn’t it make more sense to make the thief to restore what he has taken?

 

[Larry1700]

When you say he is God or that there is a trinity we say stop. We believe that God is far more exalted above having any partners or equals. We say this is impossible.

Arab,

This is the amazing beauty of what He did. Throughout history many men and women have sacrificed their lives for someone else. It is the ultimate action of one person’s love for another…

Jesus gave up his position as Lord of the universe (albeit for a short time), lowered Himself to man’s position, subjected Himself to all the typical problems and suffering faced by man (and far more persecution). Then He CHOSE to suffer through further persecution, scourging and the crucifixion in order to be the ultimate atonement for our sins. What greater way could God show His love for us?

As far as being possible, well He is God.

 

[Jerusha]

Bears repeating:

but I urge respect for Arab. He came here of his own free will…we may not agree with him or like his answers…kindness and compassion will get us much further along than attacking him for answering truthfully…he’s answering the questions posed to him…he didn’t make the answers up nor did he “soften” them…he’s answering truthfully…please let’s not become “ugly Christians”.

And I AM Catholic

 

[exoflare]

As for the pope, I think he knew very well that his remarks will cause anger in the Muslim word. So since he knew this why on earth would he care to visit turkey? I think this is hypocrisy.

You, like most Muslims, don’t seem to know what the Pope even said. He didn’t even make any comments about Islam, a Byzantine emperor from centuries ago who he happened to quote in his speech did. People started taking the quote out of context later on as if they were the Pope’s own remarks and of course Muslims all over the world threw a hissy-fit about it without even bothering to verify these things for themselves. Their imams tell them at mosque about how they “heard” the Pope said some bad things about Islam, and so hey it must be true! Riots and destruction everywhere!

And now somehow it’s the Pope’s fault that Muslims are this easily fooled? Not to mention that they lashed out about it in such a juvenile way… Anyone who got angry from the Pope’s speech was either misinformed or extremely oversensitive.

 

[cestusdei]

arab, I have one. Why is it okay for Christians to be persecuted in Muslim lands while Muslims demand equal rights in Christian nations?

 

[Publisher]

Bears repeating:

And I AM Catholic

Yes it does!!!

 

[arab]

Why are chrisitans not allowed to openly spread their faith in Islamic countries?

Because as I said Islam is a continuation of Christianity and Judaism. Why would these people preach something to a relegion which is a continuation of theirs? Christians should preach to ppl who dont believe in Jesus not Muslims. This is the truth and the whole truth and nothing but the truth in its purest forms. You wont believe what Im saying until uve investigated Islam urself, now ull think im biased, but im not. Think of it, what is a Christian going to preach to a Muslim that the Muslim doesnt already believe in ? Jesus’s death and the Muslim wont accept that. The only way a christian missionary is to try to convert a muslim is by attacking Islam, period.

 

[arab]

arab, I have one. Why is it okay for Christians to be persecuted in Muslim lands while Muslims demand equal rights in Christian nations?

The persecution of cchristians if such a thing exists is against islam. maybe some persecute them out of culture not out of Islam.

 

[Chris_LaRock]

The Jesus of Islam isn’t the Biblical Christ.

1Co 16:22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Accursed, may the Lord come.

 

[arab]

arab, I have one. Why is it okay for Christians to be persecuted in Muslim lands while Muslims demand equal rights in Christian nations?

persecution of christians has nothing to do with islam its cultural, they arent following islam.

You, like most Muslims, don’t seem to know what the Pope even said. He didn’t even make any comments about Islam, a Byzantine emperor from centuries ago who he happened to quote in his speech did. People started taking the quote out of context later on as if they were the Pope’s own remarks and of course Muslims all over the world threw a hissy-fit about it without even bothering to verify these things for themselves. Their imams tell them at mosque about how they “heard” the Pope said some bad things about Islam, and so hey it must be true! Riots and destruction everywhere!

And now somehow it’s the Pope’s fault that Muslims are this easily fooled? Not to mention that they lashed out about it in such a juvenile way… Anyone who got angry from the Pope’s speech was either misinformed or extremely oversensitive.

r u kidding me or are u kidding urself? When u quote someone and read out what that someone said generally u agree with him!

Then He CHOSE to suffer through further persecution, scourging and the crucifixion in order to be the ultimate atonement for our sins.

My dear friend why ae u kidding urself? Jesus CHOSE the crusifixion? Is that why he cried and begged God and sai elai elai lama sabachtani?! Is that why he told his disciples go get a sword to protect me? This is not the behavior of one who is gladely chosing to be killed.

I was conversing with a Muslim once, and I noted that he seemed offended when I refered to the Bible. He was offended by the word ‘Bible’, insisting that I call it ‘the book’. Could you shed some light on this? Is this typical in Islam?

Why do you think Islam teaches the cutting off of hands when someone is caught stealing? It seems to me that the punishment should fit the crime. The Bible says this:

Pro 6:30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
Pro 6:31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.

Cutting off hands may detour theft, but wouldn’t it make more sense to make the thief to restore what he has taken

?

As for the first part lol i have no idea

As for the second, Islam agrees with Christianity! If he steals to satisfy his hunger he isnt punished in Islam. If he steals for another reason we rid him of that which he steals with.

I see why you have an issue with the doctrine of the Trinity.

But tell me why did Christians do this? What do Muslims say the reason is why Christians did this?

According to Christians themselves, they got together decided to vote over what God is, is He a trinity or absolutel one? And they voted and the result was: trinity! We Muslims say that common sence what on earth is going on here? When ppl get toether to VOTE over what God is, we say this is obviouse misguidence. According to the Bible Jesus who is supposedly God was tempted by Satan. Yet Christians refuse to agnlowledge the fact that those who voted on the trinity were tempted by Satan. Are they better than Jesus? If so then worship them instead of Jesus. Im only speaking rationally here. The Muslims say that look, if a trinity existed, that would have been what was preached by the messengers and prophets! Noah would have said your God is One, in a trinity. Abraham would have said your God is one, in a trinity. It would have been made clear. Up till Jesus no mention of a trinity by any prophet. Suddenly, not even at the time of Jesus, Jesus never uttered the word trinity in his life, God becomes a trinity. We say if this was the truth about God this would have been what everyone believed in since Adam! Abraham would have preached the trinity. Moses would have preached the trinity and so on. So we say to Christians come back and repent and worship God alone.

 

[arab]

You are right. The biblical Jesus is different than the Quranic Jesus. The Quran Jesus was good to his mother, the virgin Mary peace be upon her as he said:

He said (Jesus) : "I am indeed a servant of Allah: He hath given me revelation and made me a prophet;
"And He hath made me blessed wheresoever I be, and hath enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I live;
“(He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable” (019.030)

Whereas the biblical Jesus says to his mother:

Woman, **WHAT HAVE I TO DO WITH THEE **? mine hour is not yet come.

“Who is my mother” (Matthew 12:47-49)

(can you imagine if a son tells his mother that what her reaction would be? A heart attack would be the least)

 

[Charlie_Zeaiter]

Hi arab,

I’d like to ask a question about Mary; Do you believe she appeared to three children in Fatima, 1917?

 

[Chris_LaRock]

Let’s quote it IN context, shall we?

"…and the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ Jesus said, ‘woman, what do you want from me? My hour has not come yet.’ " (John 2 - new jerusalem bible)

The old English of King James gives the false impression that Jesus was disrespecting his mother. The next part you didn’t quote in it’s entirety:

“Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Mat 12:47-50 King James)