Why do Muslims Accept Muhammad as prophet?

[geometer]

Good point. But one quibble (just for the sake of the argument): isn’t the Koran regarded as a text of high literary standards in the original Arabic? I’m not sure whether even Mormons claim that for their scriptures, much less non-Mormons.

There are many musilim scholars who have said that the Koran is very poorly written. Some of it they say can not be understood in the original language.

 

[GeorgeSword]

I’m not sure if anyone mentioned it yet, but on the matter of prostration, the Ethiopian Orthodox prostrate themselves in their daily prayers as well.

 

[Byzantine_Wolf]

Good point. But one quibble (just for the sake of the argument): isn’t the Koran regarded as a text of high literary standards in the original Arabic?

That depends on who you talk to, as geometer pointed out.

Of course, there are many attempts by some Muslim apologists to supplicate the “Koran is a miracle” argument, such as saying it was beautifully written (the subjective opinion of a literary style is not a sign of divinity), or that it is scientifically correct (never mind that most of the “science” it speaks of was already known in Mohammad’s time), or that it is well organized (again, literary style does not denote divinity or miracles).

 

[MrZetterlund]

In order for Christians to really understand why Muslims accept the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his teachings, I would suggest that Christians should try praying in the manner that the Lord Himself wants His servants to worship Him i.e. the way how the Biblical Prophets (peace be upon them all) themselves prayed to their Lord.

Genesis 17:3 "And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,"

Genesis 17:17 "Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?"

Exodus 34:8 "And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped."

Numbers 16:20-22 "And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?"

Joshua 5:14 "And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my Lord unto his servant?"

Ezekiel 9:8 "And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem?"

2 Chronicles 20:18 "And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD."

Ezekiel 11:13 "And it came to pass, when I prophesied, that Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then fell I down upon my face, and cried with a loud voice, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou make a full end of the remnant of Israel?"

Matthew 17:6 "And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid."

Matthew 26:39 "And he (Jesus) went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc49/hamba2han/Sajda.jpg?t=1230666024

I would suggest that they try praying to seek guidance from their Lord in this manner for a spell in the privacy of their homes, preferably in the direction of Jerusalem if they like and I would also suggest that they do this immediately after they have taken their bath.

I feel that the main reason why Christians find it so hard to understand Muslim beliefs is because they are reluctant to prostrate to the Lord and therefore I am confident that after praying in this manner, Christians would then be able to understand, God willing, why Muslims readilly accept the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as the Messenger of God and why we thank the Lord every single day of our lives that He has sent him to us as a mercy for all of humankind.

“We have sent you (O Muhammad) not, but as a mercy for the Alameen (mankind, jinn, and all that exists).” … [al-Qur’an, surat Al-Anbiya’, (Verse 107)]

You do realize that in the majority of these quotes God is present or some dramatic situation is at foot? If you want to pray with your face on the ground that’s fine. I find it a little difficult trying to recall what I wanted to say in such a position.

 

[Byzantine_Wolf]

Then he wonders why his posts get deleted by the admins

I actually remember, when I first joined this forum way back when, seeing that exact same post hamba made for another thread. People were laughing at it back then. Now, several months later, he’s apparently still making it and people are still laughing at it.

 

[jakasaki]

Then he wonders why his posts get deleted by the admins

I actually remember, when I first joined this forum way back when, seeing that exact same post hamba made for another thread. People were laughing at it back then. Now, several months later, he’s apparently still making it and people are still laughing at it.

If I remember, Hadi, one of our muslim members actually to Hamda not to do that.

 

[hamba2han]

Hamba,

I will willingly take the bait, because in my case it is true. Every single day in my prayers, I indeed DO prostrate myself before God, my creator and the ultimate power of the universe. I lay prostrate, head to the ground, in appreciation of how great God is and how small I am. Yet, nothing has been revealed to me regarding Islam or it’s prophet. Please explain further? Thank you.

Peace and blessings,
Frank

I am not saying that merely prostrating will lead someone to Islam since people of other faiths do indeed prostrate to various objects that they may worship.

What I am saying however, is that someone who regularly prostratres to his Lord will be much better able to understand why Muslims believe that the act of prostrating to the Lord brings them a great deal closer to Him and since the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was following and teaching the way of worship of earlier Prophets (peace be upon them all), then it only reinforces their conviction that they are indeed following the True Path to Salvation.

People who are reluctant to prostrate to the Lord will find it difficult to understand this and they therefore need to honestly evaluate what is causing their reluctance to regularly prostrate to their Creator and Sustainer.

If their reasons for not wanting to prostrate regularly involve even an atom’s weight of pride within their hearts, then it surely cannot be the correct way to worship the Lord.

 

[Nine_Two]

I am not saying that merely prostrating will lead someone to Islam since people of other faiths do indeed prostrate to various objects that they may worship.

Actually you did.

What I am saying however, is that someone who regularly prostratres to his Lord will be much better able to understand why Muslims believe that the act of prostrating to the Lord brings them a great deal closer to Him and since the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was following and teaching the way of worship of earlier Prophets (peace be upon them all), then it only reinforces their conviction that they are indeed following the True Path to Salvation.

The arguement you made was not that prostration gets you closer to god, your argument was that prostration makes one accept Mohammed as a prophet. Are you going back on that silly argument now?

People who are reluctant to prostrate to the Lord will find it difficult to understand this and they therefore need to honestly evaluate what is causing their reluctance to regularly prostrate to their Creator and Sustainer.

A great many of the posters in this thread have talked about their own prostrating, it in no way makes them see Mohammed as a prophet. It also isn’t necessarily the “correct way to pray”, it is “a way to pray”, “a pious way to pray” but not “the way to pray.”

If their reasons for not wanting to prostrate regularly involve even an atom’s weight of pride within their hearts, then it surely cannot be the correct way to worship the Lord.

Again, not what the thread was about, and not what you originally said. Not prostrating has nothing to do with pride. Although you are certainly making a case for prostration as a gesture of pride.

 

[staffsgt7]

Of course he had a miracle. The Koran is his miracle, as is claimed by many Muslim apologists.

The problem is by that same logic, the Book of Mormon is a miracle. I had this discussion with a Muslim on the forum before. He demanded evidence, to which I quoted sources from the Church of Latter Day Saints website by apostles and leaders of Mormonism attesting that the Book of Mormon is considered a miracle.

A book you yourself pen (or in Mohammad’s case, dictate) is not a miracle. Again, by this standard, any such book is a miracle.

If Mohammed had lived today he would be on a long list of cult leaders. If he had lived in the USA he would have charges filed against him for his abuse of women and children as slaves, and as his sexual objects. His killings and assasinations, and collection of extortion money, would have earned him a title such as ‘Godfather’ as the Mafia labels their thugs.

 

[staffsgt7]

I am not saying that merely prostrating will lead someone to Islam since people of other faiths do indeed prostrate to various objects that they may worship.

What I am saying however, is that someone who regularly prostratres to his Lord will be much better able to understand why Muslims believe that the act of prostrating to the Lord brings them a great deal closer to Him and since the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was following and teaching the way of worship of earlier Prophets (peace be upon them all), then it only reinforces their conviction that they are indeed following the True Path to Salvation.

People who are reluctant to prostrate to the Lord will find it difficult to understand this and they therefore need to honestly evaluate what is causing their reluctance to regularly prostrate to their Creator and Sustainer.

If their reasons for not wanting to prostrate regularly involve even an atom’s weight of pride within their hearts, then it surely cannot be the correct way to worship the Lord.

Good for you. Now stop thinking everyone else needs to do what Muslims do. We are always asked to understand why Muslims do this or that. When are they going to show one ounce of understanding for what other people do or not do? A matter of closeness is in your mind not with your behinds sticking up in the air.

you are assuming what people understand and do not understand. If you find you are closer by your behavior - good for you. I do find it ironic that your closeness can all be undone if a woman walks in front of you, or if someone passes gas. That closeness is really just a show to everyone. Because if you were that close you wouldn’t be worried about a woman, a donkey or some gas passing you by.

 

[hamba2han]

I have asked this question earlier and I think it is worth asking it again:

If Christians really WANT to prostrate regularly to the Lord, then what is stopping them from doing so?

And saying that some obscure “eastern sect” of Christians do prostrate does not at all answer this question which is directed at every individual Christian.

Why do YOU yourself not want to prostrate regularly to the Lord?

 

[staffsgt7]

Actually you did.

The arguement you made was not that prostration gets you closer to god, your argument was that prostration makes one accept Mohammed as a prophet. Are you going back on that silly argument now?
A great many of the posters in this thread have talked about their own prostrating, it in no way makes them see Mohammed as a prophet. It also isn’t necessarily the “correct way to pray”, it is “a way to pray”, “a pious way to pray” but not “the way to pray.”

Again, not what the thread was about, and not what you originally said. Not prostrating has nothing to do with pride. Although you are certainly making a case for prostration as a gesture of pride.

Thanks, you reminded me of his original statement and he did say that.

 

[staffsgt7]

I have asked this question earlier and I think it is worth asking it again:

If Christians really WANT to prostrate regularly to the Lord, then what is stopping them from doing so?

And saying that some obscure “eastern sect” of Christians do prostrate does not at all answer this question which is directed at every individual Christian.

Why do YOU yourself not want to prostrate regularly to the Lord?

Why are you telling someone of another religion what they should or should not do? Why do you think that you have the corner on how people should pray?

People have been saying they do such a thing but you want the show of it and it is just not required to do so.

You are not answering why Muslims accept Muhammed as a prophet, you are only going on about how people are supposd to pray in order for hamba2han to be satisfied.

 

[ralphinal]

I have asked this question earlier and I think it is worth asking it again:

If Christians really WANT to prostrate regularly to the Lord, then what is stopping them from doing so?

And saying that some obscure “eastern sect” of Christians do prostrate does not at all answer this question which is directed at every individual Christian.

Why do YOU yourself not want to prostrate regularly to the Lord?

Because I worship God in Spirit and Truth, as taught to us by Jesus Christ. Spirit and Truth does not depend on a body position, nor on what anyone else says or does.

That said, nothing stops me from doing it at all. There is just no need

 

[Nine_Two]

I have asked this question earlier and I think it is worth asking it again:

If Christians really WANT to prostrate regularly to the Lord, then what is stopping them from doing so?

And saying that some obscure “eastern sect” of Christians do prostrate does not at all answer this question which is directed at every individual Christian.

Why do YOU yourself not want to prostrate regularly to the Lord?

Some obscure Eastern sect? My “sect” is the second largest grouping of Christians, the first largest also practices prostration to a certain extent, together these two “sects” represent more than half of all Christians. If that is your definition of obscure, then Islam is an obscure religion, and we need pay no heed to it.

We do prostrate to god, nothing is stoping us. Why haven’t we magically realized Mohammed is a prophet?

 

[hamba2han]

Why are you telling someone of another religion what they should or should not do? Why do you think that you have the corner on how people should pray?

People have been saying they do such a thing but you want the show of it and it is just not required to do so.

You are not answering why Muslims accept Muhammed as a prophet, you are only going on about how people are supposd to pray in order for hamba2han to be satisfied.

A significant reason why Muslims readily accept Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is that he taught us how to pray the way the Lord wants His creations to worship Him.

I don’t think that there is a single Christian who can name the historical figure who taught them to pray by kneeling and clasping their hands together, not to mention naming the first person to cross himself while praying.

Since Jesus (pbuh) did not not pray in this manner, then how do Christians know that God approves of the way how they pray?

 

[jakasaki]

A significant reason why Muslims readily accept Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is that he taught us how to pray the way the Lord wants His creations to worship Him.

I don’t think that there is a single Christian who can name the historical figure who taught them to pray by kneeling and clasping their hands together, not to mention naming the first person to cross himself while praying.

Since Jesus (pbuh) did not not pray in this manner, then how do Christians know that God approves of the way how they pray?

You know nothing Hamba: Matthew Chapter 6

**"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

"This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,**

 

[ralphinal]

A significant reason why Muslims readily accept Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is that he taught us how to pray the way the Lord wants His creations to worship Him.

I don’t think that there is a single Christian who can name the historical figure who taught them to pray by kneeling and clasping their hands together, not to mention naming the first person to cross himself while praying.

Since Jesus (pbuh) did not not pray in this manner, then how do Christians know that God approves of the way how they pray?

I thought that Muhammed’s biggest proof of being a prophet was the Qur’an. Hamba, are you saying that the Qur’an is not as important as how he prayed?

 

[Jay53]

A significant reason why Muslims readily accept Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is that he taught us how to pray the way the Lord wants His creations to worship Him.

I don’t think that there is a single Christian who can name the historical figure who taught them to pray by kneeling and clasping their hands together, not to mention naming the first person to cross himself while praying.

Since Jesus (pbuh) did not not pray in this manner, then how do Christians know that God approves of the way how they pray?

Jesus also told us to baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19)? Do Muslims do this? Why not?

Jesus also taught us to pray:

Matthew 6:5-15 5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9"This, then, is how you should pray:
" ‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.[a]’ 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Jesus was not prostrated when He taught us this, nor did He make any mention of physical positions needed for prayer.

 

[hamba2han]

I thought that Muhammed’s biggest proof of being a prophet was the Qur’an. Hamba, are you saying that the Qur’an is not as important as how he prayed?

The Qur’an is of course the ultimate proof of his prophet-hood… but this does not mean that there are no other reasons why Muslims readily accept the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as our leader.