Open Question & Answer Session
(Duration – 45 minutes)
Chairman: JazakAllah Dr. Zakir Naik. We now InshaAllah begin question and answer session.
Questioner: Assalamu Alaikum Br. Zakir. Is it any similarity between minimum requirement that Islam and Christianity places on a person to achieve salvation, to attain salvation, minimum requirement.
Chairman: May we have your name and profession?
Questioner: I am Mohammad Fariduddin, I am studying physiotherapy collage.. I am physiotherapy student.
Dr. Zakir: The brother asked a question that what is the minimum requirement in Islam and Christianity for a person to attain salvation. If you read the Quran, the Quran give you the answer that for any human being to enter Jannah is given in Surah Al Asr ch. 103 verse no. 1 to 3 which says
“Wal Asr
Inna al-insana lafee khusr
Illa allatheena amanoo wa amiloo alssalihati watawasaw bialhaqqi watawasaw bialssabr”
That “by the token of Time, Man is verily in a state of loss except those who have faith, those who have righteous deeds, those who exhort people to truth, do Da’wah, those who exhort people to patience and perseverance”
For any human being to enter Jannah, to enter paradise minimum 4 requirements are there. Faith, Righteous deeds, exhorting people to truth, and exhorting people to patience and perseverance. If any one of these 4 criteria is missing under normal circumstances that person will not go to Jannah. If Allah wants to forgive, that’s a different question. Under normal circumstances all 4 are required for a person to go to Jannah. These are the minimum 4 requirements.
And the sin which Allah will never forgive as I mentioned in my talk, Surah Nisa ch 4 verse 48 and Surah Nisa ch 4 verse 116 is Shirk.
Regarding Christianity what the Church teaches… I’ll first talk about the Church then I will talk about the Bible. What the church teaches is that if you believe that Jesus (pbuh) he died for your sins, if he died for your sins if you believe that then you attain salvation. If you believe that Jesus (pbuh) was sacrificed and he died on the cross for your sin you attain salvation. You can even prove from the Bible that Jesus Christ (pbuh) he was not crucified, you can give a talk on that. And there are cassettes available you can refer to my cassettes, talks on how to prove that Jesus (pbuh) was not crucified not from the Quran, from the Bible. Quran says that we believe. Even the Bible if you read it correctly doesn’t agree that Jesus (pbuh) was crucified but the Church teaches that if you agree that Jesus Christ (pbuh), he died for your sins, you shall attain salvation.
If you read what Jesus (pbuh) said, he said exactly the opposite. If you read the Gospel of Matthew ch. no. 19 verse no. 16 to 18 one of the person comes and asks Jesus (pbuh) that
“What good things shall I do that I shall attain eternal life?” Eternal life means going to paradise. One of the persons asks Jesus Christ (pbuh)
“O good master what shall I do that I shall attain eternal life?” So Jesus (pbuh) says that “Why thou callest me good? There is only one good that is the Father in Heaven” “Why thou callest me good. There is only one good that is the Father in Heaven. And if you want to enter eternal life, keep the commandments.”
He didn’t say that if you want eternal life believe that I am God, he didn’t say that if you want to have eternal life you believe that I died on the cross for your sins. He said if you want to have eternal life, obey the commandments, keep the commandments that means if you want to enter paradise according to the Bible you have to keep the commandments all that I said: not to have pork, not to have alcohol, not to gamble, you should offer Salaah, you should do Sujood all the talk that I gave. So even if you mean a Christian is a person who follows the teachings of Christ (pbuh) that’s mentioned then we, Alhumdulillah, though we are Muslims, we are more Christian than the Christian themselves. Because Jesus (pbuh) he himself was a Muslim. Hope that answers the question.
Chairman: May we have the next question from the ladies section?
Questioner: I am Kayri Nisa Sayyed from my home, Bangalore, homemaker. Jesus taught a message of love and Peace Where as Muhammad allowed his followers to fight for the cause of religion therefore don’t you think that there is a big difference between these 2 religions?
Dr. Zakir: The sister has asked a question that Jesus (pbuh) taught that you should love the people etc. spread message of Peace and Muhammad (saws) even taught that when required you should fight etc. Isn’t there difference between the religions?
Sister if you know its mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew ch. no. 5 it says that
“Jesus (pbuh) said it has been said of the old times an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.”
It was a Law of Moses (pbuh) at that time; he brought a law an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. If someone takes your eye, you can take the eye back. There was no time for justice that was old time. Who has time? There was no court etc. if you take my eye, I take your eye. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. You take my tooth, I take away a tooth. Direct, short cut everything. There is no time, you know, having a court of law etc. but suppose a small boy, you know, he is playing with a catty, you know, and if he harms your eye. Today in this age by mistake if someone hurts you, you will not go and take his eye, it was by mistake. So Jesus Christ (pbuh), another spiritual leader, another messenger of Allah (swt) because the people took the law literally. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. He brought a remedy
Its mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew ch 5 that “Its said of the old times an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth but I say onto you that whosoever slaps you on one cheek, offer him the other. Whosoever ask you for your coat, give him your cloak. Whosoever ask you to walk one mile, walk twain.”
If any one slaps you on one cheek, offer the other. See people took the law literally, they went to the other extreme so Jesus Christ (pbuh) for a remedy he went to the other extreme that whosoever slaps you on one cheek, offer the other. It was good at that time but I am asking will any Christian follow that today? See you slap him once, okay to show to the public he may, he may offer the other cheek. But I am asking you that you go to any father, any priest you start give him a hard slap. May be in front of public he may allow you once, keep on slapping; he will never offer his cheek again. Because today is not that age that whosoever slaps you on right cheek, offer the other Haan by mistake if someone slaps you its fine you may forgive him. But if someone willfully slaps you and if you say okay if that’s the case offering the other cheek every morning I will come to your door step, I will give you one slap. May be once or twice the father may agree with you but he won’t agree everyday that you go on slapping and he offers the next cheek, he won’t.
So Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), he is another messenger of Allah (swt) what he brought the law that you should judge the situation.
Quran says in Surah Nisa Ch. 4 verse 171
“La taghloo fee deenikum”
“Do not commit excesses in your religion.”
It’s the middle path, Islam is a middle way. That if suppose someone hurts you by mistake, you can forgive him, if someone willfully hits you and you can hit back… the Islamic law says that if someone oppresses you and if you fight back even the person who is oppressed is at fault.
If someone does something wrong on you and you can correct that person and you don’t correct even you are at fault. The person who is being oppressed, if he can fight back and teach the oppressor a lesson and if he does not do that even he is a sinner.
Suppose for example if someone creates something injustice you can see a person is robbing, you can see a person who is molesting a woman
Our beloved Prophet said if you see any evil stop it with your hand that’s the best. If you can’t do it with your hand physically, stop it with your mouth. Tell him don’t do it. If you can’t do that at least curse in your heart. That’s the lowest level of a believer. At least curse in your heart.
So Islam is a religion which is a middle path. Our Prophet Muhammad (saws) taught us that if there are evil people who want to fight you, don’t get sacred, fight them back. If you don’t fight them back, they will harass the poor people of this world. If Allah has given you the strength to fight back, if someone is doing injustice, its compulsory you should fight the injustice. It’s a requirement. So therefore today’s law is best is fight injustice so that peace will prevail because today the society has become very bad. There is so much of crime etc. if you follow the law of Jesus (pbuh) today that if a person slaps you on one check, offer the other. If he asks for your coat, give him your cloak. It will be difficult for you to live. The world is bad. So here depending upon the situation, the law of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) which he got from Allah (swt) is the best. Analyze the situation and then give the judgment. Hope that answers the question.
Questioner: I am a reverent, Solomon Allagoty from Karnataka Theology collage. See the today’s topic was ‘Similarities between Christianity and Islam’ but what I understood was the differences between Christianity and Islam. I think that was the main emphasis. That’s what I understood when he spoke about difference between Jesus and Muhammad. That Jesus came only for the Jews and Muhammad came for the people of all the world. I don’t think that is true. That is not the teaching of the Bible. And he said that Jesus is not God. And he took the convenient statement from the Gospel that Jesus said that “My Father is Greater that I” But what about the statement made by Jesus that “I am the way, the truth and the life. My father and I are one. And those who have seen me, have seen the father.” See there are statements and there… there is in the Bible clearly stated that Jesus is God and that is what we believe and that is what the whole world believes.
Chairman: ….You can ask after he answers this question
Questioner: And and…second… and my
Dr. Zakir: You are most welcome brother. You can ask as many questions as you want, it’s my pleasure. The brother’s asked a question first he said that the topic was ‘Similarities between Islam and Christianity’ and I spoke more on differences than similarities. Brother if you analyze I was quoting the Bible Ch. no. verse no., ch. no. verse no. I am quoting from the Bible. What I did that there are various similarities between Islam and Christianity but I laid emphasis on those similarities which are mentioned in the Bible and Quran which the Christians don’t follow. I was not speaking about whether the followers of Christian whether those people who claim to be Christian whether they are following your Bible or not. In that case it may be a difference between Muslims and Christians. The topic is not ‘Similarities between Muslims and Christians’ the topic is ‘Similarities between Islam and Christianity’ there is a world of difference between Christian and Christianity. And a world of a difference between Muslim and Islam.
So brother just to remind you the topic is not ‘Similarities between Muslims and Christians’ ‘Similarities between Islam and Christianity’. Christianity is based on the Bible. So I was talking about the similarities between the Quran and the Bible that Quran and Bible both say don’t have pork but Christians have, Muslims don’t have.
Quran and Bible both say don’t have alcohol Muslims don’t have, the Christians have.
Islam and Bible say you should be circumcised, Muslims are circumcised, you aren’t circumcised.
So I was talking about the similarities between Bible and the Quran, Bible and the Quran saying that Jesus says that you should worship one God but till you all believe in trinity. Jesus says don’t worship me, yet you all worship him etc. etc. etc. so again if you see the cassette, its available brother I never spoke on a single differences quoting the Bible says this, the Quran is against that, no I quoted the similar points, similar points. When I quoted the argument giving examples of Christian missionaries who try to prove their point that Deuteronomy 18:18 is a Prophesy of Jesus (pbuh) in that argument I quoted the differences between Moses and Jesus (pbuh).
You understood brother. But if you analyze I was talking about the Similarity between the Bible and Quran which is the basis of Islam and Christianity.
Now coming to the question the brothers said that I made a statement and I do agree with it and I stick it. There is not a single unequivocal statement in the complete Bible where Jesus (pbuh) himself says he is God or where he says worship me.
The brother made 3 statements that Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh unto me but my Father. “He that has seen me, has seen my Father” and “I and my Father are one” He has made 3 statements without references; I’ll give references of all 3 statements.
The first 2 statements is from Gospel of John ch. no. 14 verse no. 6 and 9, you can check it up, the Bible is here. I am speaking from my memory, I am speaking from the memory, its from the Bible you are a reverent or you are a …ah.. person in theological college. If I am pulling a fast one, I have got the Bible. you know people think that Zakir is just pulling verses, Ch. no. verses, the reference is here. The brother quoted a verse, I am giving the reference. But brother always you should check the context. You can’t quote a verse out of context…
Questioner: You..you are speaking out of the context.
Dr. Zakir: I will give you the context, you gave the quotation, I will give you the context brother… from my memory, you can check it up if I am telling a wrong thing.
For context go to verse no. 1. Gospel of John ch. no. 14 verse no. 1 onwards to 10 you’ll get the context. Jesus (pbuh) says “In my Father’s house there are various mansions, many mansions are there. If it was not so I would not have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And you know where I goeth.” So Thomas says that “We don’t know where thou goeth” We don’t know the way, where thou goeth. So he says I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes unto my father but by me and I agree with that statement. Jesus Christ (pbuh) was the way, the life, the truth no man came unto God All Mighty by Jesus (pbuh) during his time. Every messenger during his time was the way and the truth to All Mighty God. At the time of Moses, Moses (pbuh) was the way, the truth and that life no man came unto God All Mighty but through Moses (pbuh) At the time of Jesus (pbuh) he was the way, the truth and that life. and the time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) he was the way, the truth and the life.
So every Prophet at his time, he was the way, the truth and I agree with that statement. It meant that if you follow me, you are following All Mighty God. He was the way, again if you see, it goes further he says that but we have not seen God. So then Jesus (pbuh) says that “he that has seen me, has seen the God.” means he that has seen me, means you follow my commandments, you are following the commandments of All Mighty God. He that has seen me has seen God. If you see the context, the first statement gives the context that in my Father’s house there are many mansions, he doesn’t say that in my house there are many mansions. In the context he is talking about All Mighty God. I’st clearly mentions if you read the context you’ll come to know that in context he was referring that if you follow me, I am the way, the truth. If you follow my teachings, you are following teachings of All Mighty God. Similarly all the teachings of Prophets, whatever you follow if you follow their teachings, you are indirectly following the teachings of God which I have got no objection in accepting these statements.
Regarding the third statement which the brother made is I and my Father are one. It’s a statement from Gospel of John ch. no. 10 verse no. 30, Brother you can check it up, its Gospel of John ch. no. 10 verse no. 30 “I and my Father are one” now again, I will give you the context. After context you tell me that yet do you believe that Jesus (pbuh) is All Mighty God or not. If you read the context,
for context go to verse no. 23 Gospel of John ch. 10 verse 23 you go, it says that Jesus entered the temple in Solomon’s porch… Jesus entered the temple in Solomon’s porch.
Verse no. 24 says that all the Jews surrounded him and they said “How long that thou makes us doubt if thou are the Christ tell us plainly.” I am quoting verbatim from King James Version of the Bible.
Verse no. 25 says “I told you but ye believe not. The work that I do in my Father’s name, the bear witness of me.” The work that I do in my Father’s name, the bear witness of me – Verse no. 25.
Verse no. 26 – I told you but ye believe not because ye are not my sheep.
Verse no. 27 says that my sheep, they hear me, I know them and they follow me.
Verse no. 28 that I give them eternal life, they shall not perish, no man can pluck them out of my hand.
Verse no. 29 – My Father which giveth to me is greater than all. No man can pluck them out of my Father’s hand. Verse no. 28 says No man can pluck them out of my hand. Verse 29 says no man can pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
Verse no. 30 says I and my Father are one.
So if you read the context verse 28 says no one can pluck them out of my hand, the followers of Jesus (pbuh) no one can take them away from Jesus (pbuh). Verse no. 29 says no one can pluck them out of my Father’s hand. Verse no. 30 says “I and my Father are one.”
In context you come to know in purpose Jesus and All Mighty God, they were one.
My father is a medical doctor, actually. And even I am a medical doctor if I say, I and my father are one. Does it mean that we are one person. No when I say I and my father are one, it means my father is a doctor, I am a doctor in profession we are medical doctors. It doesn’t mean one as a person. In purpose, it’s very clear. But still if you say brother this one means one as a person, I say okay.
If you read further in the Gospel of John ch. no 17 verse no. 21 it says that “My Father is thou in me. And I in ye.” He tells the 12 disciples. The same ‘one’ is used. “We all are one”
if you read further Gospel of John ch. 17 verse 21 says “My Father art in me and I art in you” in the disciples, he says and the same… We all art one.
If you say one in purpose you know you have to believe in 14 gods, All Mighty God, Jesus Christ and 12 disciples and if you go to the original manuscripts brother, word used one is the same. The word that is used in Gospel of John ch 10 verse no. 30 which brother quoted “I and my Father are one” is the same used in Gospel of John ch. no. 17 verse no. 21 same ‘one’. My Father is in me, I in you, we all are one. Verse 23 says that I am in you, we are one. Again same ‘one’. Same word in context means All Mighty God, Jesus Christ and the apostles, they taught the same truth, the same message. In giving the message they were one. But if you say they were actually one then you should change trinity into another concept meaning 14 gods. God All Mighty Jesus Christ and the 12 disciples. See you read the context, you get. But even if you don’t agree with the context, if you don’t agree that in context it doesn’t mean one in purpose then you also have to agree that the 12 disciples were also god.
Then further you read verse no. 31 Gospel of John ch. no. 10 verse no. 31 After Jesus says “I and my Father are one” the Jews picked up stones to stone him. You know they knew. The Jews wanted to kill him because good riddance. Aah see. The Christians say he claim divinity because for redemption. Christians say he claimed divinity for redemption. Jews said that he claimed divinity for good riddance. Okay good we want to kill him so we want an excuse to kill him.
Verse no. 32 gives the answer, Jesus Christ (pbuh) says many of good works have I shown you of my Father. Which of the good works do you stone me for? Verse 32, you can check it up. verse 32 – Which of the good works do you stone me for? Then verse no. 33 says the Jews answered “We don’t stone you for good works. We stone you because you being a man, you blasphemeth, you claim divinity.
So Jesus Christ (pbuh) in verse no. 34, 35 says in the Gospel of John ch. no. 10 that “Is it not mentioned in your scriptures that ye are gods?” and to a person to who the word of god has come if you call that person god the scriptures is not broken. So a person to whom the word of God has come if you call him god the scripture is not broken.
And if you have cross reference of Psalms ch. 82 verse no. 6 it says there that ye are gods. So if you read the context brother Jesus (pbuh) never claimed divinity. What he said in purpose, All Mighty God and himself in giving the message, they were the same. Hope that answers the question.
Yes brother if you have any, any points to give forth you can give brother.
Questioner: No I think you are using the Bible according to your convenience because…
Dr. Zakir: Okay if I am wrong brother.. Brother if I am wrong you are most welcome to correct me.
Questioner: Somebody asked about that question about salvation and you gave the instance that young brother…
Dr. Zakir: Brother we will come to that first let’s talk about divinity, we will come to salvation afterwards… I am here, I will not go away.
Questioner: Because that was related to that.
Dr. Zakir: Yes we’ll come to that also. Brother we’ll come to Matthew Ch. 19 afterwards first do you agree that Jesus (pbuh) here did not claim divinity? If you say he claimed divinity you’ll have to believe in 14 gods. You say I understand Bible wrong… I am open for correction. I am … human beings can make mistake, I can make a mistake. Here is the Bible. You tell me Dr. Zakir Naik you are understanding Bible wrong, its not like that , its like that. I am open for correction. But only by saying I am wrong laying an allegation. Islam believes you should always be given with proof. I told you are wrong giving proof quoting ch. no. verse no. giving the context. You have to prove me wrong; brother your context was wrong because of XYZ reasons. Here’s the Bible brother, you can read from the Bible and prove me wrong… I am ready.. I am open for correction. Don’t… don’t just say me “O you are getting it wrong” see when we say a person is wrong. If I say 2 + 2 = 4 “You’re wrong!” I have to give reasons why it is wrong. So brother I have given you my context, if you think my understanding of the Bible is wrong you as being a theologian, you are a theologian I agree… I am not theologian… I am a student of theology only. You being a theologian you have to tell me Br. Zakir your context is wrong, its not this, its that. Show me I am giving you cross references. Then we will come to the next part of salvation brother. So do you have any arguments for Gospel of John Ch. 10 verse no. 30?
Questioner: No. you ..you….
Dr. Zakir: No, okay fine we go to the next topic.
Questioner: Actually I don’t agree with you. It’s misinterpretation.
Dr. Zakir: No…What you don’t agree?
Questioner: I don’t agree with your interpretation. Ya.
Dr. Zakir: Okay you have got no reason for not agreeing.
Questioner: ya
Dr. Zakir: Okay fine. Next question brother.
Questioner: The next question was that…
Chairman: …into the mike.
Questioner: that the person who…
Dr. Zakir: into the mike.. into the mike brother…
Questioner: That person who came to Jesus and asked about eternal life. Jesus said you keep the commandments. Is it not. That where you stopped but that story did not stop there…
Dr. Zakir: Yes I will continue if you want.
Questioner: And immediately that man said… I have been keeping the commandments all this my life..
Dr. Zakir: That’s right.
Questioner: And Jesus said then you sell all that you have and then you come and follow me. What does that mean? If you want to have eternal life, you sell all that you have and you follow me.
Dr. Zakir: that’s right, I agree with that. The brother is giving a con…
Questioner: Ya that is where it ends but you stop half way to prove your point. That’s not right.
Dr. Zakir: Now the Brother has given the context and I know the context also. I will give you by verse no. Matthew ch. no. 19 verse no. 16 which I quoted saying that a man comes to Jesus (pbuh) and says that O good master, what good things shall I do that I shall receive eternal life. Next verse, verse no. 17 Jesus says that “Why thou callest me good? For there’s only one good that is the Father in Heaven” if you want to enter eternal life, keep the commandments.” I stopped there, it was sufficient not that if you read the context, the meaning changes. The meaning doesn’t change, the meaning remains the same. If the meaning remains the same…
Questioner: No, no, no…
Dr. Zakir: …the context need not be… I.. I will tell you.. the context need not be given. Verse no. 18, 19, 20 reads that the man said, I have kept the commandments so now he wants to may be after Jannah, how you have Jannate Firdous, so he says now what to do. How to do more of that. I have kept the commandments. So Jesus said that sell your clothes, sell your belongings, sell your wealth, it’s mentioned in the Bible, sell your wealth, everything…
Questioner: Je.. Jesus said you lack one thing there and that one thing is that you must give all that you have, give to the poor and then you follow me.
Dr. Zakir: I am quoting from the Bible, it says you give up your belongings and wealth and follow me. So then he thought, it will be too difficult for him.. follow me means what? Even Prophet said follow me. Quran says “Attiullah Attiurrasool” “Obey Allah and obey the messenger” does it mean that Prophet Muhammad (saws) is claiming divinity? No! Every person should follow his messenger. That doesn’t mean he claimed divinity. Moses said follow me. Prophet Muhammad said follow me, peace be upon them all. Allah says follow the Prophet. “Attiullah Attiurrasool” “Obey Allah and obey the messenger” several places in the Glorious Quran.
So if you are following the Prophet, that doesn’t mean, he is claiming divinity, it means you have to follow the message which he got from All Mighty God. He didn’t say “worship me” he said “follow me”. He didn’t say believe that “I was crucified on the cross.” He said “Follow me” means follow the commandments. Same, obey the commandments and follow me is one and the same, there’s no difference. So if you read the context, you’ll come to know that Jesus (pbuh) said you follow me. What teachings I bring from All Mighty God and you shall enter paradise. It is not that you have to believe me, I am god and you’ll enter paradise. Hope that answers the question.
Questioner: Thank you.
Chairman: Do we have any Christian brothers and Sisters who are interested in asking questions, we would like to give preference to those in the audience who are Christians….I believe there is a question from the ladies section…may we have the question
Questioner: I am Shidhe Thomas working for an Airline. Can you explain the concept of original sin?
Dr. Zakir: The sister asked a question can you explain the concept of original sin.
Sister where Islam is concerned there is no concept of original sin. In Islam we believe that every child is born sinless.
And the Quran clearly states that no bearer of burden can bear the burden of others. “No bearer of burden can bear the burden of others” Quran says in several places.
Regarding the concept of original sin taught by the church, I can tell you that, taught by the church and what the Bible says also I will tell you. I am a student of comparative religion which compares both the teachings. Now what the church teaches that Eve, may Allah be pleased with her, that she tempted Adam for eating the apple and we find the story in the Book of Genesis ch. no. 3 that she tempted Adam to eat the forbidden fruit. And because of that humankind in born in sin. In Quran the story of Adam and Eve, peace be upon them is mentioned but there is not a single verse in the Quran which puts the blame only on Eve. In fact if you read Surah Araf ch. no. 7 verse no. 19 to 27 it says that Adam and Eve, peace be upon them, they are addressed a dozen of times. It says both of them disobeyed All Mighty God. Both of them repented and both of them were forgiven. Both, the blame is put equally on both. There is not a single verse in the Quran which singles out Eve, peace be upon her, but there is one verse in the Quran which speaks only about Adam (a.s.) in Surah Taha Ch 20 verse no. 121 it says that Adam (pbuh) disobeyed Allah (swt).
But if you read the complete Quran the blame is put equally on both Adam and Eve. But in the Bible the blame is put only on Eve, may Allah be pleased with her. Saying that she tempted Adam to eat the forbidden fruit.
If you go to Geneses ch. 3 verse no. 16 it says that All Mighty God says that “You woman, you shall multiply in conception and bear labor pains” means pregnancy is a punishment in the Bible because Eve disobeyed Allah (swt). In the Quran if you compare sister Quran says in Surah Nisa ch. 4 verse no. 1 “Respect the womb that bore you” In Surah Luqman ch. 31 verse no. 14 and Surah Aqhaf ch. 46 verse no. 15 it says that
“We have enjoined on the human beings to be kind to their parents. In travail upon travail did your mother bore you and in pain did she give you birth”
Pregnancy uplifts the woman, it does not degrade her like the Bible. Coming to your original sin. So what they say that since Eve tempted Adam to eat the forbidden fruit therefore humankind is born in Sin. Every child is born in Sin. I am asking a question, did Eve ask me before eating the apple? If I told her okay eat then I am… then I am very well responsible. Did Adam as me, peace be upon the m both, that can I eat the forbidden fruit? When they didn’t ask me how can I be held responsible, its illogical. How can I be held responsible? If they ask me and I have given them permission then you can hold me responsible. So surely you cannot hold me responsible. But the Christian church teaches that because she disobeyed God, Adam and Eve disobeyed God mainly due to Eve whole humankind is born in sin and because of that, what they say, that God All Mighty, he gave his begotten son as a sacrifice and they quote Gospel of John ch. no. 3 verse no. 16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. Whosoever believeth in him shall not die but have an everlasting life.” again this is a commentary I can give if you want to know of this verse.
This ‘begotten’ is not there in the original manuscript according to the 32 scholars of the highest eminence, Christian scholars. They say that the word begotten is not there in the original manuscript. So if you analyze what the Church teaches that every human being is born in sin and they quote that “the sole that sineth shall die” and it’s a quotation of the Bible and I do agree with it. It is Ezekiel ch.18 verse no. 20, the sole that sineth shall die. They end the verse where the verse doesn’t end. If you read the Bible sister, the sole that sineth shall die is mentioned there in the Bible in Ezekiel ch. 18 verse 20 but it continues and says “The sole that sineth shall die, the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him, the father shall not bear the inequity of the son neither the son shall bear the inequity of the father.” The Bible says that “The soul that sineth shall die, the father shall not bear the inequity of the son neither the son shall bear the inequity of the father. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him but if the wicked turns and returns to the true path he shall not die.”
That is what the complete verse says. So even according to the Bible sister sin is not inherited. What the Church teaches the sin is inherited is against the teachings of the Bible. So if you want to know what Christianity teaches, you have to go according to the Bible. Just because the Muslims say something that woman are bad, you should ill-treat the woman that doesn’t mean Islam ill-treats the woman. To know how Islam treats the woman refer to the Quran and the Sahih Hadith.
Therefore sister even if you read the Bible there is no concept of original sin. Because the Bible clearly states the son shall not bear the inequity of the father neither the father shall bear the inequity of the son. Inequity means sins. If the son cannot bear the sins of the father, how can we be born in sin sister? In Islam every child is born as a Masoom, as sinless irrespective whether he is born in a Christian family, a Hindu family or a Muslim family, he is born as a Muslim. Our beloved Prophet said every child is born in Dinul Fitra, in the innate religion, he is born pure. Hope that answers the question sister.
Chairman: Any Christian sister in the ladies section who wish to ask a question? Or do we have brothers over here Christians or even other non-Muslims who wish to ask questions pertaining to the topic of similarities between Islam and Christianity?
Questioner: I am Sadananda, Again principal of theological collage here. I very much appreciate your knowledge in both the scriptures and I would request our Christians as well as Muslims brothers and sisters to go deeper still deeper into the subject not just quoting from the scriptures.. ah… it may sound very, you see, wonderful but at the same time study a text, go deeper into that and have some dialogue not arguing my point you see I mean not ..not only that perhaps it may help us. Ah.. regarding of course divinity of Jesus.. there are other you see quotations also from the Bible sometimes we you see when it supports our point we may say that it’s a late… it’s a later interpretation for example what.. What do you think about the prologue in John’s gospel for example the word became flesh, word became a human being… Where we, where we have the concept of you see incarnation of Jesus. The word was God, the logos’ the concept of logos’ you know I am just… you see just to ask you to enlighten these things.
Dr. Zakir: The Brother’s asked giving another quotation and he rightly agrees that only quoting is not important going into depth is important. Only quoting “I and my Father are one” is not important seeing the context is important so that I come to know whether Jesus actually claimed divinity. And the Brother has given one more quotation that one more place there are various places brother gave 3 quotation, I gave the context and it was cleared brother gave one more very good quotation from the Bible, he is quoting Gospel of John the reference is verse no. 1, ch. no. 1 verse no. 1 Gospel of John. The word was God..”
Questioner: Ch 1 verse… verse12…verse 1 is…
Dr. Zakir: That’s right. So you said both things. In the beginning was the word, word was god. So you gave 2 quotations word became flesh, and word was god both you gave. So I am going from verse no. 1 and then coming to verse no. 12 because first comes verse no. 1 and then verse no. 12 and I do agree Gospel of John ch. no. 1 verse no. 1 I am quoting,
“In the beginning was the word, the word was with god, in the beginning was the word, the word was with god and the word was god.”
In the beginning was the word, the word was with god and the word was god. It’s a very good quotation. If you read from the Bible, if you don’t understand you should go in-depth as the brother said, I do agree with you. The in-depth, the original manuscript is which brother? Greek, New Testament. Though Jesus Christ (pbuh) spoke Hebrew but the original manuscripts are in Greek. Not written by Jesus (pbuh) himself. Its in Greek, if you go to the Greek you’ll understand in the beginning was the word, the word was with god and the word was god. The first time the word ‘God’ appears if you say that the word was god just as a lay man that word was God that means Word is God. So now wherever ‘word’ comes you exchange it with God. In the beginning was word becomes “In the beginning was God” correct? The Word was with God becomes The God was with God. It doesn’t make sense. God was with God. In the beginning was word becomes “In the beginning was God” God was with God and God was God. It doesn’t make sense.
So if I agree ‘word’ here means actually God and if you exchange the word and instead of the place of ‘word’ put the word ’God’ there it will read ‘In the beginning was God, God was with God and God was God.’ does it make sense? No. So how you go? If it’s difficult to understand go indepth as the brother said. If you read in the original Greek the word used first time “In the beginning was word and the word was with God. Word was with God. The first ‘God’ used is ‘Hotheos’, ‘Hotheos’ meaning The God with capital ‘G’ Hotheos. The second time and the word was god is ‘Tontheos’. Tontheos if you ask any Greek scholar, Tontheos means a god with a small ‘g’, small ‘g’ meaning a godly person. First is Hotheos second is Tontheos. So if you read in the beginning was the word, the word was with God All Mighty, capital ‘G’ and the word was god, small ‘g’ but if you read in the Bible both the places there is capital ‘G’. Whose.. whose done the mistake? Not All Mighty God, the translators. First word in Greek is Hotheos, second word is Tontheos so why the capital ‘G’ on both the places? Who are you trying to deceive? I am sorry to use these words but this is …. If you go to the original manuscripts brother the first word is Hotheos, second word is Tontheos.
So it says, in the beginning was the word, the word was with GOD, All Mighty God and the word was god means a messenger. We agree. Quran says that Jesus was a word from Allah (swt), was a messenger from Allah (swt), Every messenger was a word from God. We have got no objection at all. So if you analyze I have got no objection in Jesus was a god with a small ‘g’. And further if you read in the Old Testament it says if you read that Moses was sent as a god to the pharaoh. Do do you mean he was claiming divinity? He was sent as a god means he was sent as a messenger. But the original manuscript out there what they translated correctly as ‘a god’.
So if you read the context brother you’ll understand brother that verse if I agree it’s correct it says that Jesus (pbuh) was a god and word became flesh. Yes the messenger came out here as flesh. Which? The messenger in flesh and blood. And Jesus (pbuh) says very clearly, if you go in the Gospel of Luke when he goes to the upper ..when he goes to the upper room ch. 24 verse no. 36 where he says “Shalomo walekum” Peace be on you. in Hebrew says “Shalomo walekum” there he says and the people were shocked that they thought that Jesus Christ was crucified and they believed not for joy so he said that handle me and see, handle my hand and feet and see for a sprit has no flesh and bones like I have. That means he had flesh, I agree. Handle my hand and feet and check, a sprit has no flesh and bone indicating that he was not a sprit. He was flesh! He was not crucified, he was alive. And he said do you have anything to eat and they gave him honeycomb and he ate. To prove what? That he was not God, he was not crucified, he is yet alive so I agree with you brother if you read the context and if there is a confusion, difference of opinion go to the original text and in the original you come to know what is the truth. I hope that answers the question brother.
Questioner: Because in the same context that the Thomas says whom you quote you see I mean my Lord and my God. You see ..i mean... we can go on discussing about these things, I have studied both Hebrew and Greek in depth.. I am asking from that context also.. I mean I am just giving you…
Dr. Zakir: Brother has given another quotation. See brother you can give 100 quotations what my point is the first quotation you gave, do you agree it is right or wrong. See brother gave 3 quotations; I gave answers to all 3. You gave 2 quotations, I gave reply. Are you satisfied? You know Greek brother. Do you agree that the first time the word ‘God’ is used is Hotheos? Do you agree? If you know Greek what is the meaning of Hotheos in Greek. See people don’t know Greek. Hotheios means?
Dr. Zakir: I am right naa, okay so at least let the people know that Brother Zakir is not pulling a fast one. Agree then go to next quotation. See there are thousands of verses in the Bible we can discuss each and every but before going to the new one at least agree what Brother Zakir said in the first verse whether you agree or not? If you don’t agree, okay I don’t agree with Brother Zakir because Hotheios does not mean God. He is telling wrong, I know Greek, tell me and I will change my statement.
Just by going to a new quotation, I will give an explanation for that also brother but first before going to new quotation as you said let there be a dialogue. We have not come here to fight, if I am wrong, I will change. We have come here to discuss.. Quran says “Ta’alaw ila kalimatin sawa-in baynana wa baynakum” that come to common terms as between us and you. If I am wrong, I will change, if you are wrong, you should change. We should come on a common platform as the Qari recited at the first in the beginning of the talk in Surah Maidah ch. 5 verse no. 82 that in strongest in enemy to the Muslims, to the believers are those who are pagans, idol worshippers, and Jews but the nearest are those people who say they are Christians. We love you brothers. But if there is a difference of opinion, you come and you discuss the problem.
Brother made another statement, another quotation. The first 2 I gave the clarification and I do agree Thomas said ‘My God’ He did say, I do agree. “My God, my Lord” If you read the statement like for example if the person comes and tells me like “Brother Zakir” he says “ you are late, you have to end the programme” “O my God, it’s 12 O Clock” does it mean, I am calling him God? If you read the context, its important, read the context because again Jesus Christ (pbuh) said he said don’t call me good, where the question of calling me God comes?
So if someone calls him ‘My God’ he didn’t agree. He didn’t say okay yes I am God. If I tell him ‘My God, it is late’ that doesn’t mean I am calling him God. He understands. That I am praising that O my God, it’s so late. So whenever he says My God, its not referring Jesus Christ (pbuh), you are my God. he didn’t say that. And when I made the statement Jesus himself did not make any unequivocal statement. This is a statement of Thomas. Yet it doesn’t fulfill the criteria challenged which put forward.
My challenge was thee is not a single unequivocal statement in the complete Bible where Jesus (pbuh) himself says where ‘he is God’ or Where he says ‘worship me’. The brother, 3 statements he gave, all were of Jesus. “I and my Father are one” is of Jesus. He that has seen me has seen my Father. No man comes unto my Father but by me” is from Jesus, Jesus, Jesus (pbuh) your statement id of Thomas. Yet I gave you the context which is not of Jesus (pbuh) it is just an exclamation. Hope that answers the question.
Chairman: Any sisters would like to ask the question.. and I think we’ll take just about one more question from a Christian and then we have to wind up...We have another Programme… Do you have any question sister?
Questioner: I’m Sonia, student of Sindolocious. You said that Jesus had only come for Israel and Muhammad for the entire mankind. We Christians and Muslims also believe in second coming of Jesus. In that case how can you claim that Muhammad is the last Prophet?
Dr. Zakir: The sister has asked a question that I said that Jesus (pbuh) was only meant for that time, Prophet Muhammad (saws) for whole of humanity then how come he will come again. If he comes again Muhammad (saws) is not the last Prophet. I do agree with that Jesus Christ (pbuh) is going to come in the second coming there are no less than 70 Ahadith, sister. 70 places in the Hadith its mentioned about Jesus Christ (pbuh)’s coming and even its mentioned in the Bible that in the second coming Jesus Christ (pbuh) will be there coming.
But the Quran also says in Surah Ahzab Ch. 33 verse no. 40
“Ma kana muhammadun aba ahadin min rijalikum walakin rasoola Allahi wakhataman Nabi’een”
That “Muhammad is not the father of any of you sons but is the messenger of Allah and is the seal of the Prophets.”
Now both are correct, how can both be correct? Because Jesus (pbuh) he will be coming again. Why is e going to come again? He is the only prophet which has been raised up alive. There is no other Prophet of Allah (swt) which has been raised up alive. Quran says in Surah Nisa ch. no. 4 verse no. 158 that Jesus Christ (pbuh) was raised up alive. Verse 157 says “Wama qataloohu wama salaboohu walakin shubbiha lahum” Neither did they kill him; neither did they crucify him it was only made to appear so. And all those who differ, they are full of doubts. “Illa ittibaa az’zan” Only conjures do they follow “Wama qataloohu yaqeena” For a surety they killed him not.
Verse no. 158 says that Allah (swt) raised him up unto himself. We agree he was raised up alive. Even the Bible speaks about Jesus Christ (pbuh) being raised. Even the Hadith says even the Bible says he is going to comer again.
But what we believe that the reason that Allah (swt) raised him up alive because he was the only Prophet of All Mighty God whose followers think that he claimed divinity. There is no other Prophet Adam, Noah, Moses, Abraham, Isaac, Ishaq, Solomon, may peace be upon them all, none of the followers ever claimed that he claimed divinity, the messenger. Only messenger whose followers yet till today claimed that he claimed divinity was Prophet Jesus (pbuh).
As the Quran says in Surah Maidah ch no. 5 verse no. 116 which says that O my Lord, O my God you be witness, I never told them to worship me but I said “A’budAllaha” Worship Allah “rabbee warabbakum” Whose my Lord and your Lord. So Jesus (pbuh) will be coming to testify to the followers, to his so called followers who allege that he claimed divinity that he never claimed divinity. And when he’ll come, he’ll not come as a Prophet. Prophetship has ended; he will come not to give any new teaching. Jesus Christ (pbuh) will not give us any new teaching because Quran says in Surah Maidah ch. 5 verse no. 3 that on this day have I completed My favour onto you. Allah (swt) says On this day have I completed My favour onto you and have chosen for you Islam. After this revelation, no other new teaching, no other new teaching. No other person will receive any revelation. So Jesus Christ (pbuh) in his second coming will come as a follower of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). As Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)… even before he was a Muslim and even afterwards he’ll be a Muslim. He will not come to give us a new message. And the same message… if you read the Gospel; Gospel says that people will come, in the second coming, “O master, O master! Did we not do wonders and miracles in your name?” In the second coming, you know the miracle, miracle, people do miracle… they’ll say Master, Master Did we not do wonders and miracles in your name? So Jesus (pbuh) will say “I don’t even know you, ye men of inequity depart from here’ I am not saying that. Gospel is saying that, Jesus in his second coming will say that ye men of inequity, I don’t even know you. ye sinful people, I don’t even know you. …Depart from here. Who will he tell? The Muslims? Will he tell the Hindus? He will tell the Christians who say that we did wonders and miracles in your name. The Bible says that. But Jesus Christ (pbuh) in his second coming that you depart from here, ye men of inequity, I don’t even know you. so in his second coming sister he will come to testify to the followers that I never claimed divinity but I said “A’budAllaha” Worship Allah “Rabbee warabbakum” whose your Lord and my Lord.
Wa Aakhiru Da’waana Anil Hamdu Lillaahi Rabbil Alameen!
Organizer: On behalf of the reception committee and all the people of Mangalore, I thank Dr. Zakir Naik as well as ah… all other members who has come all the way from Bombay to enlighten us on this topics of Christianity and Islam. I also thank Naushad Noorani who is Brother in law of Doctor, who also has been always with him to support this. Who also came here all the way for us enlightening, interesting topics. I also thank all the organizers who has taken enormous pain and given lot of, I mean work in their activities so that many could take availability of this facility for their understanding. I also thank the auditorium and the secretary and all other people who was given a chance to be present here for this presentation.
Finally I thank the sisters and brothers both reverent sisters, reverent fathers and brothers and sisters otherwise also all of you who have responded to this invitation and made this meeting a very grand success. Thank you one and all, May All Mighty God bless all of us.
Wa Aakhiru Da’waana Anil Hamdu Lillaahi Rabbil Alameen! Assalamu Alaikum.