There
are many discussions about whether or not Islam is a peaceful religion. Many Muslims claim that the extremists and
radical governments do not represent true Islam. They claim that the Quran has been taken out
of context to justify violence. With all
of the discussions of violence in Islam; I’d like to discuss the peace that can
be found in Islam. In this post, I’d
like to show that if Islam were carried out to its logical conclusion, then a
true follower of Islam would be a peaceful, loving person.
In
the summer of 2013, I went to an apologetics conference where they had a 3-part
session on Islam. Since I didn’t really
know anything about Islam, and it is a religion that gets a lot of attention, I
figured I should learn something about it.
I learned a lot in those sessions and have investigated what was said in
more depth. What has surprised me the
most is that the Quran claims that the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel are the words
of Allah! Here is what the Quran
claims. The verse references are below.
·
Allah has
revealed the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel, and no one can change his words (2:40-41,
2:53, 3:3, 3:84, 4:163, 6:114-115, 17:55).
·
The Gospel is a
guiding light and those who do not follow the Torah and Gospel have no
guidance. Those who follow the Gospel
should Judge the revelation given to Muhammad (5:46-47, 68).
·
If Muhammad has
doubts about Allah’s revelation, he should ask those who read the Torah and
Gospel to confirm what has been revealed (10:94).
·
Muslims should
not quarrel with Christians, unless they are doing something wrong, and are to
tell Christians they believe the Torah and Gospel has been revealed by Allah
(29:46).
·
Those who deny
the Torah and Gospel will know it is true when they get to hell (40:70-72).
Muslims
claim the Quran is the literal dictation of Allah, but it’s clear that the
Quran claims the Torah and Gospel are also from Allah. If I were an obedient Muslim I would have to read
and follow the words of Allah, the Gospel.
An obedient Muslim would read and follow the teachings of Jesus:
Luke 6:27-31, 35-36 – “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to
those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat
you. Whoever hits you on the cheek,
offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold
your shirt from him either. Give to
everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand
it back. Treat others the same way you
want them to treat you....love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting
nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the
Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just
as your Father is merciful.”
If
the Quran says the Gospel is from Allah, why don’t Muslims read and embrace the
Gospel? Muslims face a major dilemma
that I hope to cover in a future post.
Here
are the Quran quotes from above taken from Quran Explorer.
2:40-41
– “O Children of Israel! Remember My favour wherewith I favoured you, and
fulfil your (part of the) covenant, I shall fulfil My (part of the) covenant,
and fear Me. And believe in that which I reveal, confirming that which ye
possess already (of the Scripture), and be not first to disbelieve therein, and
part not with My revelations for a trifling price, and keep your duty unto Me.”
2:53
– “And when We gave unto Moses the Scripture and the criterion (of right and
wrong), that ye might be led aright.”
3:3
- “He hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture with truth, confirming
that which was (revealed) before it, even as He revealed the Torah and the
Gospel.”
3:84
- “Say (O Muhammad): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and
that which was revealed unto Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the
tribes, and that which was vouchsafed unto Moses and Jesus and the prophets
from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we
have surrendered.”
4:163
- “Lo! We inspire thee as We inspired Noah and the prophets after him, as We
inspired Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and Jesus and
Job and Jonah and Aaron and Solomon, and as We imparted unto David the Psalms;”
6:114-115
– “Shall I seek other than Allah for
judge, when He it is Who hath revealed unto you (this) Scripture, fully
explained? Those unto whom We gave the Scripture (aforetime) know that it is
revealed from thy Lord in truth. So be not thou (O Muhammad) of the waverers.
Perfected is the Word of thy Lord in truth and justice. There is naught that
can change His words. He is the Hearer, the Knower.”
17:55
– “And thy Lord is best aware of all who are in the heavens and the earth. And
we preferred some of the prophets above others, and unto David We gave the
Psalms.”
5:46-47
– “And We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow in their footsteps, confirming
that which was (revealed) before him in the Torah, and We bestowed on him the
Gospel wherein is guidance and a light, confirming that which was (revealed)
before it in the Torah - a guidance and an admonition unto those who ward off
(evil). Let the People of the Gospel judge by that which Allah hath revealed
therein. Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed: such are
evil-livers.”
5:68
– “Say O People of the Scripture! Ye have naught (of guidance) till ye observe
the Torah and the Gospel and that which was revealed unto you from your Lord.
That which is revealed unto thee (Muhammad) from thy Lord is certain to
increase the contumacy and disbelief of many of them. But grieve not for the
disbelieving folk.”
10:94
– “And if thou (Muhammad) art in doubt concerning that which We reveal unto
thee, then question those who read the Scripture (that was) before thee. Verily
the Truth from thy Lord hath come unto thee. So be not thou of the waverers.
29:46
– “And argue not with the People of the Scripture unless it be in (a way) that
is better, save with such of them as do wrong; and say: We believe in that
which hath been revealed unto us and revealed unto you; our God and your God is
One, and unto Him we surrender.”
40:70-72
– “Those who deny the Scripture and that wherewith We send Our messengers. But
they will come to know, when carcans are about their necks and chains. They are
dragged through boiling waters; then they are thrust into the Fire.
