Lecture
(Duration – 1 hour)
Chairman: Dear brothers and sisters, I welcome you one and all for this lecture and I also welcome Dr. CP Abhiur Rehman, he’s the director of Unity Health complex to be the chair person of this function. Dear brothers and sisters the present world is experiencing a lot of conflicts and clashes in the name of religions. Hearts are been broken in the name of religion which was supposed to bring us together. At this juncture… ah… good beginning to close the gap would be by speaking about the similarities rather than the differences.
Dr. Zakir Naik does exactly that by speaking on the topic the similarities between Islam and Christianity. Dr. Zakir Naik as you must be knowing, he is a renowned scholar of the comparative religion. A doctor by profession. He left his profession to spread the true message of Islam among the non-believers and less aware Muslims. He has traveled around the world offering lectures on various topics of relevance and has just returned from a hectic tour of Qatar. In the last one year he has traveled extensively and delivered over 100 public talks in countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, KS, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, USA and UK. He is the President of the Islamic Research Foundation. He will deliver a lecture on the topic the similarities between Islam and Christianity. I welcome Dr. Zakir Naik.
Dr. Zakir: Alhamdulillah, was salaatu was salaam wa ala rasoolillah wa ala aalihi wa ashaabihi wa ajma’een, amma baad.
A’uzu billahi minash shaytan nir-rajeem, Bismillah hirrahman nirraheem
Laqad kafara allatheena qaloo inna Allaha huwa almaseehu ibnu maryama waqala almaseehu ya banee isra-eela oAAbudoo Allaha rabbee warabbakum innahu man yushrik biAllahi faqad harrama Allahu AAalayhi aljannata wama/wahu alnnaru wama lilththalimeena min ansarin
Bismillah hirrahman nirraheem
Rabbish rahli Şadri Wa Yassir Li 'Amri Wa Ahlul `Uqdatan Min Lisani Yafqahu Qawli
Dr. C P Abhiur Rehman, my respected elders and my dear brothers and sisters I welcome all of you with the Islamic greetings ‘As-Salaamu Alaikum, Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barkatahu’ ‘May Peace, Mercy and Blessing of Allah (swt), of Almighty God be on all of you.
This was the same greeting which was used by Jesus (pbuh) which is mentioned in Gospel of Luke ch. no. 24 verse no. 36 where he says in Hebrew ‘Shalom alaykum’ which in English also means peace be on you. The topic of this mornings talk is similarities between Islam and Christianity.
Islam comes from the root word Salam which means peace, it also means submitting your will to Allah (swt), to All Mighty God. In short Islam means peace acquired by submitting your will to All Mighty God, and anyone who submits his will to All Mighty God, to Allah (swt) he is called as a Muslim.
Many people have a misconception that Islam is a new religion which came into existence 1400 years ago and Prophet (pbuh) he was the founder of the religion of Islam. In fact Islam is there since time immemorial, since man set foot on this earth. And Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is not the founder of the religion of Islam but he is the last and final messenger of Allah (swt).
The Glorious Quran says in Surah Fatir ch. 35 verse no. 24
“Wa-in min ommatin illa khala feeha natheer”
“There is not a nation or a tribe to whom we have not sent a Warner or a guide.”
The Quran says in Surah Rad ch. no. 13 verse no. 7
“Walikulli qawmin had”
“And to every nation have We sent a guide.”
The glorious Quran says that to every nation, to every people All Mighty God, Allah (swt) has sent a messenger and a guide.
At the same time the glorious Quran says in Surah Nisa ch. 4verse no. 164 as well as in Surah Gaafir ch. no. 41 verse no. 78 that
“We narrate to you the story of some of the Prophets of the others we don’t.”
That means the mentioning of some of the Prophets has been made in the glorious Quran of the others there is no mention.
By name there are 25 messengers mentioned in the Glorious Quran like Adam, Nuh, Moses, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses Jesus, Muhammad, peace be upon them all. By name 25 are mentioned.
And Islam is the only non-christian faith which makes it an article of faith to believe in Jesus (pbuh). No Muslim is a Muslim if he does no believe in Jesus (pbuh).
We believe that he was one of the mightiest Messengers of Allah (swt), of All Mighty God.
We believe that he was born miraculously, without any male intervention, which many modern day Christians today do not believe.
We believe that he gave life to the dead with God’s permission.
We believe that he healed those born blind and lepers with God’s permission.
Islam is the only non-christian faith which makes it an article of faith to believe in Jesus (pbuh). As I mentioned 25 Prophets have been mentioned by name in the glorious Quran. But our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saws) said that there were hundred and twenty four thousand Prophets sent on the face of the earth. One twenty four thousand Prophets sent on the earth. By name only 25 are mentioned in the glorious Quran.
But all the messengers that came before the last and final messenger Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) they were only sent for their people. And the complete message which they got was meant for a particular time period. All the messengers that came before Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) they were only meant for their people and the complete message was meant for a particular time period.
For example, the glorious Quran says in Surah Ale Imran ch. 3 verse no. 49 that
“we appoint Jesus (pbuh) as a messenger to the Bani Israel.”
Jesus (pbuh) came as a messenger only to the Children of Israel.
And the same message is given in the Bible in the Gospel of Matthew ch. no. 10 verse no. 5 to 6 where it says that Jesus (pbuh) tells to his 12 disciples that
“Go ye not into the way of the gentiles. Who are the gentiles? The non-Jews, the Hindus, the Muslims. Jesus (pbuh) tells the disciples that go ye not into the way of the gentiles into the city of Samaritans ye shall enter not. But rather go the lost ship of Israel.”
Jesus (pbuh) told his disciples that only go to the children of Israel. Jesus (pbuh) himself further says in the Gospel of Matthew ch. no. 15 verse no. 24 where he says
“I have not been sent but to the lost ship of the house of Israel.”
Jesus (pbuh) came as a messenger only for the Jews, only for the Children of Israel. Not for the whole of humanity.
The Quran says in Surah Ahzab ch. 33 verse no. 40
“Ma kana muhammadun aba ahadin min rijalikum walakin rasoola Allahi wakhatama alnnabiyyeena wakana Allahu bikulli shay-in AAaleeman”
That “Muhammad (pbuh) is not the father of any of you sons but is a messenger of Allah and is the seal of the Prophets. Allah is all knowing, full of knowledge.”
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the last and final Messenger and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was not sent only for the Muslims or only for the Arabs. The Quran says in Surah Al Anbiya ch. 21 verse no. 107, it says
“Wama arsalnaka illa rahmatan lilAAalameen”
That “We have sent thee not but as a mercy to all the creatures, as a mercy to all the worlds, as a mercy to whole of humanity.”
The Quran says in Surah Saba ch. 34 verse no. 28
“Wama arsalnaka illa kaffatan lilnnasi basheeran”
That “We have sent thee as a universal messenger giving glad tidings and warning them against sin. But most of humanity yet do not know.”
So Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was the last and final messenger and he was not sent only for the Muslims or the Arabs, he was sent for the whole of humanity. And the Prophecy of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is mentioned in various world religious scriptures including the Christian scriptures.
If you read in the Book of Deuteronomy ch. no. 18 verse no. 18 it says that
“I shall raise thee up a Prophet from among thy brethren like unto thee and I shall put my words into his mouth and he shall speak all that I command him.”
This is a Prophecy of a coming of a prophet which if you ask the Christians, many will say that this prophesy actually refers to Jesus (pbuh). And when you ask hem that how does it refer to Jesus (pbuh) so they will tell you that the Prophesy says I shall raise thee up a Prophet from among their brethren like unto thee, like unto Moses (pbuh). So if the Prophet is like Moses then it indicates that person is the person mentioned in this Prophesy. And they say that Jesus and Moses, peace be upon them both, they were alike. And the reason they give is that see Moses (pbuh) was a Prophet of God even Jesus (pbuh) was a Prophet of God. Moses (pbuh) was a Jew. Jesus (pbuh) was also a Jew. So they give 2 similarities. And when we ask them that are these 2 similarities sufficient to prove that this prophesy indicates only to Jesus (pbuh) and they will agree with it. If these 2 are the only criteria for fulfillment of that Prophesy then all the Prophets mentioned in the Bible that came after Moses (pbuh) like Solomon, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Joel, John, Hoziya all of them were Prophets of All Mighty God and all of them were Jewish. So all these Prophets mentioned after Moses (pbuh) in the Bible fulfill these Prophesies.
In fact if you analyze this prophesy of Deuteronomy ch. no. 18 verse no. 18 befits no one but last and final messenger Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Because if you analyze Moses and Muhammad, peace be upon them both, they both had a natural birth. They had a father as well as a mother. Jesus (pbuh) according to the glorious Quran in
Surah Ale Imran Ch. no. 3 verse 43 to 47, he was born miraculously without any male intervention.
And the same message is given in the Gospel of Matthew ch. no. 1 verse no. 18 as well as Gospel of Luke ch. no. 1 verse no. 35 that Jesus (pbuh) was born miraculously. He had no worldly father.
So if you analyze Moses (pbuh) was like Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and unlike Jesus (pbuh).
Both Moses and Muhammad, peace be upon them, they were married and they had children. According to the Bible Jesus (pbuh) he was not married neither did he have any children.
Both Moses and Muhammad, peace be upon them, they had natural deaths. Jesus (pbuh) he did not have a natural death.
According to the glorious Quran, the Quran says in Surah Nisa ch. 4 verse no. 157 and 58, it says Jesus (pbuh) was raised up alive, he did not die.
And according to the Church the Bible says that Jesus (pbuh) he was crucified on the cross. In both the ways he did not have a natural death. So Moses (pbuh) was unlike Jesus (pbuh).
Moses and Muhammad, peace be upon them both, they were both accepted by the people, the people accepted them. The Gospel of John ch. no. 1 verse no. 11 says that when Jesus went his own did not receive him. Means Jesus’ own people did not receive him. Moses and Muhammad, peace be upon them both, besides being Prophets of All Mighty God they were even kings. Kings means they could give a punishment, a capital punishment of death to whoever they wanted, whoever committed a crime. Besides being Prophets of God, they were also head of States or kings of that world at that particular time.
But Jesus (pbuh) says, its mentioned in the Gospel of John ch. no. 18 verse no. 36 “My kingdom is not of this world”
that means Jesus (pbuh) was not a worldly king. So if you analyze Moses and Muhammad, peace be upon them both, they were alike not Moses and Jesus, peace be upon them, they were not alike. So this Prophesy befits no one better than the last and final messenger Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
Further the prophesy reads I shall raise thee up a Prophet from among thy brethren. Brethren mean relatives. And we know that Jews and the Arabs we are relatives of each other. And further Prophesy says that I shall put my words into his mouth and we know that whatever revelation our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saws) received, he verbatim repeated that as though words were put in his mouth. So this complete prophesy exactly befits Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
There is a further prophesy mentioned in the Book of Isaiah ch. no. 12 verse no. 29 that
“The Book shall be given to a person who is not learned and when he will be asked pray, read this he will say “I am not learned”.
And we know when the first revelation that was reveled to beloved Prophet Muhammad (saws) that’s from Surah Iqra, Surah Alaq ch. 96 verse no. 1 “Iqra” When archangel Gabriel commanded ‘read’ The Prophet said ‘Ma na Biqari’ I am not learned. Exactly verbatim what has been prophesied in the Old Testament, in the book of Isaiah, ch 29 verse no. 12.
It’s further mentioned in the Song of Solomon ch. no. 5 verse no. 16 it says
"Hikko Mamittakim we kullo Muhammadim Zehdoodeh wa Zehraee Bayna Jerusalem."
It’s a Hebrew quotation which says that his mouth is most sweet, he is altogether lovely. If you analyze "Hikko Mamittakim we kullo Muhammadim” in Hebrew language, in the Semitic languages ‘im’ is a word for respect, plural of respect ‘im’ like ‘Alohim’ Its for respect plural of respect. Similarly the word in Mohammad added with ‘im’ (pbuh) ‘Mohammadim’. So actually even his name is mentioned in the original manuscript but in translation they have translated his mouth his most sweet he’s altogether lovely. Mohammadim they have translated as altogether lovely. He is my beloved; he is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. So by name even the name of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is there in the original manuscripts of the Bible.
There may be some Christians who may say we don’t believe in the Old Testament, we give more importance to the New Testament. Alhamdulillah, by the grace of Allah (swt) even the New Testament prophesies the advent of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
If you read its mentioned in the Gospel of John ch. no. 14 verse no. 16 Jesus (pbuh) says that
“I shall ask my father to send you another comforter.”
Further it’s mentioned in Gospel of John ch. no. 15 verse no. 34
“when my Father sends a comforter, he shall glorify me.”
It’s further mentioned in the Gospel of John ch. no. 16 verse no. 7
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is expedient for you that I go away, for if I go not away, the comforter shall not come. But if I depart shall I send him.”
Now the word used for comforter in the present Bible that you find is ‘paraclitos’ it is actually a corrupted form of ‘Perecletos’. Perecletos actually means one who praises, one who is praiseworthy. Praise worthy in Arabic is Mohammad. And one who praises in is Arabic is Ahmad. Alhamdulillah both of it were names of the last and final messenger Muhammad (pbuh)
As the Quran says in Surah Saff ch. 61 verse no. 6 that Jesus (pbuh), the son of Mary, was sent as a messenger to Bani Israel and he said I have come to confirm the law that came before me and giving glad tidings of a messenger to come after me whose name shall be Ahmed (pbuh) so the Quran says that he will prophesized by name in the law and the gospel.
So the original word is Perecletos which means a praiseworthy or one who praises. The corrupted form is Paraclitos which they have translated as comforter. Even the actual meaning of Paraclitos is not comforter; it is one who is kind. But irrespective whether it is Paraclitos or Perecletos whether its praiseworthy or one who praises or kind or comforter Alhamdulillah all these meanings they apply very well to the last and final messenger Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
There may be some Christians who may say that see this prophesy actually is indicating to the holy sprit. It’s not referring to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). But if we analyze the Prophesy says that it is expedient for you that I go away for if I go not away, the comforter shall not come. For if I depart shall I send him. The criteria for the comforter to come is that Jesus (pbuh) should depart. And we know that the holy sprit was there before Jesus (pbuh). He was even there when Elizabeth gave birth. He was there when Jesus (pbuh) was being baptized. So surely this comforter which the bible speaks about doesn’t refer to the holy sprit because holy sprit was already there when Jesus (pbuh) was present.
And further its mentioned in the Gospel of John ch. no. 16 verse no. 12 to 14 that
“I have yet many things to say unto you but ye cannot bear them now. For he, when the sprit of truth shall come, he shall guide you unto all truth. He shall not speak of himself, all that he hears shall he speak. And he shall testify me, he shall glorify me, he shall show you things to come.”
Again this sprit of truth which the Bible speaks about is about the Prophesy of the last and final messenger Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). So if you read the Bible even the Bible Prophesizes the advent of the last and final messenger Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
There were several revelations sent on the face of the earth. By name we know 4 which are mentioned in the glorious Quran. The Torah, the Zaboor, the Injeel and the Quran.
The Torah is the wahi, the revelation which was given to Moses (pbuh). Zaboor is the wahi, the revelation which was given to David (pbuh).
Injeel is the wahi, the revelation which was given to Jesus (pbuh).
And Quran is the last and final revelation which was given to the last and final messenger Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Otherwise there were several revelations that came on the face of the earth. By name only 4 are mentioned in the Quran. But all the revelations that came before the last and final revelation, the glorious Quran, they were meant only for a particular group of people and their complete message was meant only for a particular time period. But the last and final revelation, the glorious Quran was not revealed only for the Muslims or for the Arabs.
The Quran says in Surah Ibrahim ch. no. 14 verse no. 52 it says that
“Here is a message for the humankind let them take warning there from. Let them know there is only one God. Let the men of understanding take heed.”
So the last and final revelation Quran was reveled for the whole of humankind.
The message is repeated in Surah Al Baqarah ch. no. 2 verse no. 185 that
“Ramdhan was the month in which the Quran was reveled as a guidance to the whole of humankind and a criteria to judge right from wrong.”
The Quran says in Surah Al Zumar ch. 39 verse no. 41 that
“We have reveled to thee i.e. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), the Book to instruct humankind”
it doesn’t say only to instruct the Muslims or the Arabs but to instruct the whole of humankind. So the last and final revelation, the Glorious Quran was reveled for the whole of humankind.
Therefore all the revelations that came before the Quran since they were only meant for a particular time period, Allah (swt) did not think it fit to maintain it in its original pure form. The only religious scripture that we have today which has maintained its original form is the glorious Quran. As William More who is one of the strongest critics of Islam, he said there is no religious scripture which has maintained its pure form as pure as the glorious Quran for 12 centuries. This he mentioned 200 years before.
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saws) said, its mentioned in Sahih Bukhari Vol. no. 1 Hadith no. 7 he said that Islam is based on 5 pillars.
First is ‘La ila ha ill Allah, Muhammadur rasoolullah’ that there is no God but Allah and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the messenger of Allah.
Second is Salaah, third is Zakaat, fourth is Hajj and fifth is Saum.
The first is that there is no God worthy of worship except Allah and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the messenger of Allah (swt).
It is the concept of Allah (swt) and the Quran says in Surah Baqarah ch. no. 2 verse no. 177
“Its not righteousness that you turn your face to the east or west but it is righteousness that you believe in Allah, you believe in the hereafter, life after death, you believe in His books, you believe in the angels and you believe in His messengers” as well as the destiny.
The Glorious Quran says in Surah Ale Imran ch. no. 3 verse no. 64 it says
“Qul Ya 'Ahlal-Kitaab”,
“Say O people of the Book”
“Ta`alaw 'Ilá Kalimatin Sawa'in Baynana Wa Baynakum”
“Come to common terms as between us and you”
Which is the first term?
“Allah Na`buda 'Illallah”
“That we worship none but Allah”
“Wa La Nushrika Bihi Shay'an”
“That we associate no partners with him”
“Wa La Yattakhidha Ba`duna Ba`dan 'Arbaban Min Dunillahi”
“That we erect not among ourselves Lords and Patrons other than Allah.”
“Fa'in Tawallaw”
“If then they turn back”
“Faqulush hadu”
“Say ye bear witness”
“Bi'anna Muslimun”
“That we are Muslims bowing our will to Allah (swt), to Almighty God.”
This verse of the glorious Quran shows you a way how to speak with the Ahle Kitaab, with the Jews and Christians. It says ““Ta`alaw 'Ilá Kalimatin Sawa'in Baynana Wa Baynakum” that come to common terms as between us and you. Which is the first term? “Allah Na`buda 'Illallah” That we worship none but Allah.
The concept of All Mighty God in Islam, the best definition is given in Surah Ikhlas ch. no. 112 verse no. 1 to 4 which says
Qul huwa Allahu ahad
Say “He is Allah, one and only”
Allahu alssamad
Allah, the Absolute and Eternal
Lam yalid walam yoolad
He begets not; nor is He begotten
Walam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad
There is nothing like Him
This is a 4 line definition of All Mighty God given in the Glorious Quran.
Qul huwa Allahu ahad
Say “He is Allah, one and only”
Allahu alssamad
Allah, the Absolute and Eternal
Lam yalid walam yoolad
He begets not; nor is He begotten
Walam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad
There is nothing like Him
This is a four line definition. If any candidate claiming to be God fits in this 4 line definition, we Muslims have got no objection in accepting that person as All Mighty God.
And the Glorious Quran says in Surah Nisa ch. no. 4 verse no. 48 that
“Allah (swt) forgiveth not that you join partners with Him. And anyone who joins partners with Allah (swt) he has committed a heinous sin. Allah will forgiveth any other sin if He wishes but joining partners with Allah, Allah will never forgive.”
The Quran repeats the message in Surah Nisa ch. no. 4 verse no. 116 that
“Allah forgiveth not the sin of joining partners with Him. Anything else if Allah pleases, He may forgive. But joining of partners, He will never forgive.”
That means Shirk i.e. associating partners with Allah (swt) is the greatest sin in Islam.
And a similar message is given in the Book of Exodus, in the Bible, ch. no. 20 verse no. 3 and 5 that
“thou shall have no other God besides Me, All Mighty God is speaking, thou shall have no other God besides Me, thou shall not make unto thee any graven image of the likeness of anything in the heaven above, in the earth beneath and in the water under the earth. Thou shall not bow down to them nor serve them for I thy God, Thy Lord is a jealous God”
Similar message is repeated in the Book of Deuteronomy ch. no. 5 verse no. 7 to 9 that “Thou shall have none other God besides Me. Thou shall make no graven image of anything, of any likeness of things up in the heavens above, in the earth beneath and in the water beneath the earth. Thou shall not bow down to them nor serve them for I thy God, thy Lord is a jealous God.”
That means making images of All Mighty God, doing idol worship is strictly prohibited in the Bible.
And I started my talk by quoting a verse from the Glorious Quran from Surah Maidah ch. no. 5 verse no. 72 which says
“Laqad kafara allatheena qaloo inna Allaha huwa almaseehu ibnu maryama
“That they are doing Kufr, they are blaspheming those who say that Jesus (pbuh), the son of Mary, he is Allah.”
They are blaspheming those who say that Jesus, son of Mary, claimed divinity, said he is Allah.
“Wa Qaalal Masih”,
“But said Christ”
“Ya Bani 'Isra'il”,
“O children of Israel!”
“U`budullaah,
“Worship Allah”
“Rabbi Wa Rabbakum”,
“Whose My Lord and your Lord”
“Innahu Mayushrik Billaah”,
“Anyone who associates partners with Allah”
“Faqad Harramallaahu `Alayhil Jannah”
“Allah will make Jannah forbidden for them” Allah will make paradise forbidden for them.
“Wa Ma'wahun Naaru Wa Ma Lilzzalimina Min 'Ansar”
“And the Fire shall be his dwelling place and he shall have no helpers”
But there are certain Christians who say that Jesus (pbuh), he claimed divinity, he said that he is All Mighty God.
In fact if you read the Bible there is no unequivocal statement, not a single unequivocal statement in the complete Bible where Jesus (pbuh) himself says that he is God or where he says worship me.
I would like to repeat that if you read the Bible there is no unequivocal statement, not a single in the complete Bible where Jesus (pbuh) himself says that he says he is God or where he says worship me. If any Christian can show me any verse anywhere from the Bible where Jesus Christ (pbuh) himself says that he is God or where he says worship me I am ready to accept Christianity immediately.
I am not speaking on the behalf of other Muslims, since I am a student of comparative religion I have read the Bible, I am ready to put my head on the guillotine. In fact if you read the Bible Jesus (pbuh) himself said it’s mentioned in the
Gospel of John Ch no 14 verse no. 28 Jesus (pbuh) says
"My Father is greater than I."
In the Gospel of John Ch no. 10 verse no. 29
"My Father is greater than all."
In the Gospel of Mathew ch. No. 12 verse no. 28
“I with the Spirit of God cast out devils"
Gospel of Luke ch. No. 11 verse no. 20
"I cast out devil with the finger of God"
Gospel of John Ch. No. 5 verse no. 30
"I can of my own self do nothing. As I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; for I seek not my own will, but the will of my Father”
He said I can of my own self do nothing he never claimed divinity. As the Glorious Quran says that anyone who associates partners with Allah, Jesus (pbuh) said, anyone who associates partners with Allah paradise will be forbidden for him.
The Glorious Quran says in Surah Isra ch. 17 verse no. 110
“Quli od’oo Allaha awi od’oo alrrahmana ayyan ma tad’oo falahu al-asmao alhusna”
Say “Call upon Him by Allah or by Rehmaan but whichever name you call upon Him, to Him belongs the most beautiful names.”
You can call Allah (swt) by any name but it should be a beautiful name, it should not conjure up a mental picture.
And there are no less than 99 attributes given to Allah (swt) in the Glorious Quran like Rehmaan, Raheem, Al-Hakim; Most Merciful, Most Gracious, Most Wise. No less than 99 different attributes are given in the glorious Quran.
And this message is further repeated in Surah Araf ch. no. 7 verse no. 180, Surah Taha ch. no. 20 verse no. 8 and Surah Al Hashr ch 50 verse no. 24 that to Allah (swt) belongs the most beautiful names.
But why do we Muslims we prefer calling Allah (swt) by the Arabic name Allah instead of the English word God. The reason is that Allah is a pure word. The English word ‘God’ you can play mischief with that word God. If you add a ‘s’ to God, it becomes gods plural of god. There is nothing like plural Allah in Islam.
“Qul huwa Allahu ahad” Say He is Allah, one and only,
If you add ‘dess’ to god, it becomes goddess, a female god. there is nothing like male Allah or female Allah in Islam. Allah (swt) has got no gender.
If you add a ‘father’ to god, it becomes godfather, he is my godfather, he is my guardian. There is nothing like Allah-father or Allah- abbaa in Islam. Allah is a unique word.
If you add a mother to god it becomes godmother. There is nothing like Allah-mother or Allah-Ammi in Islam.
If you prefix a ‘tin’ before god it becomes tin-god meaning a fake god. There is nothing like tin-Allah in Islam. That’s the reason we Muslims, we prefer calling Allah (swt) by the Arabic word Allah instead of the English word God.
But when you are speaking to non-muslims and people may not understand what is ‘Allah’. And if you use the English word God I have got no objection but the appropriate word for Allah is Allah itself. God is not the appropriate translation.
And the same word Allah (swt) is mentioned in many religious scriptures including the Bible. And if you know in the Old Testament, the word used for God is Elohim. Elah is for God; ‘him’ is for plural of respect. Elohim. And if you read the Bible commentary by Reverend Scoffield, he writes Elah as E-L-A-H or alternatively as A-L-A-H, Alah, Alah. So even Reverend Scoffield, he agrees that only the pronunciation… they pronounce as Alah we pronounce as Allah. The pronunciation’s different but it’s the same, one and the same.
And further Jesus Christ (pbuh) when he was put on the cross, according to the Bible, in the Gospel of Matthew ch. 27 verse 46 its also mentioned in the Gospel of Mark ch. no. 15 verse no. 34 that
Jesus (pbuh) was put on the cross he cried out “Elahi, Elahii, Lama Sabachthani”
its there in every translation of the Bible whether you read the English translation or Hindi translation or Malayalam translation or Kannad translation this Hebrew phrase “Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachtani” its there and then it is said so as to say “O God, O God why has thou forsaken me?” “Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani” “O God, O God why has thou forsaken me?”
I am asking you the Hebrew statement which Jesus (pbuh) said “Eli, Elahii, Lama Sabachthani” Does it sound similar to “O God, O God why has thou forsaken me?” Does it sound similar? Does “Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani” sound similar to Joha, Joha why has thou forsaken me? Does “Elahi, Elahii, Lama Sabachthani” sounds similar to “Jesus, Jesus (pbuh) why has thou forsaken me?” now if you translate into Arabic it will read “Allah, Allah Lamata taractani” “Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani” in Hebrew, in Arabic read “Allah, Allah Lamata taracthani” Arabic and Hebrew are sister languages and you realize it sounds similar. So even Jesus (pbuh) when he was put on the cross according to the Bible he cried out Allah. Therefore we Muslims because Allah is a pure word we prefer calling Him by the word Allah instead of the English word God. And that was the same word used by Jesus (pbuh).
The second pillar is Salaah. And in English people usually translate Salaah as prayer. Prayer does not denote the complete meaning of the Arabic word Salaah. Because to pray means to ask for help, to beseech. How do you pray in a court of law, you beseech, you ask for help. In our Salaah besides asking for help from Allah (swt), we are also praising Him and at the same time we receive guidance from him. Prayer does not denote the complete meaning of Salaah. To pray means only to ask for help. In our Salaah besides asking for help we praise Him and we also receive guidance from Him. If you ask me to explain I would say that Salaah is a sought of programming, a sought of conditioning but if someone asks “where are you going?” and if I say I am going for programming it will sound odd.
Therefore I have got no objection if someone uses the word prayer, English word prayer for explaining Salaah. But just let me make a point clear to you that prayer does not denote the complete meaning of the Arabic word Salaah. Why do I say that Salaah is a sought of programming? Because we are being guided in our Salaah for example after the Imam, after he reads Surah Fathia he may recite
Surah Maidah ch. no. 5 verse no. 90 of the glorious Quran which says
“Ya Ayyuhal lazeena Amanoo”
“O you have believe”
“Inna Mal Khamru Wal Maysiru”
“Most certainly intoxicants and gambling”
“Wal-ansabu Wal-azlamu”
“Dedications of stones, divination of arrows”
“Rijsun Min Amalish Shaytan”
“These are satan’s handiwork”
“Fajtaniboohu la’allakum Tuflihoon”
“Abstain from the handiwork that you may prosper”
Here we are been guided by Allah (swt), by All Mighty God that intoxicants, Gambling, idol worshipping fortune telling these are Satan’s handiwork. Abstain from this handiwork that you may prosper. We are being programmed in our Salaah. We are being guided in our Salaah, we are being conditioned. T
he Imam may recite Surah Al Baqarah ch. 2 verse 188 which says that
“Spend not your wealth on vanities and do not spend your wealth as a bait to judges in order that you may eat up somebody else’s property.”
The Quran says that bribing is not allowed in Islam. You are being programmed, you are being conditioned that bribing is wrong.
The Quran says in Surah Ankaboot Ch 29 verse 45
“Otlu ma oohiya ilayka mina alkitabi waaqimi alssalata inna alssalata tanha AAani alfahsha-i waalmunkar”
That “Recite of that which We have reveled to thee, of the Book and establish regular prayers for verily prayer restrain you from shameful and unjust deeds.”
The Quran says that prayer restrains you from shameful and unjust deeds.
And every Muslim is suppose to offer Salaah minimum 5 times a day. How for a healthy body, you have to have 3 meals a day similarly for a spiritual soul you should offer Salaah minimum 5 times a day.
The glorious Quran says in Surah Taha ch. no. 20 verse no. 11 and 12 that
“When he approached the fire, he heard a voice O Moses Verily I am thy Lord. Put off thy shoes for thou art in the sacred valley of Tuwa”
All Mighty God commanded Moses to remove his shoes because he was in the sacred place.
A similar message is given in the Bible in the old testament in the Book of Exodus ch. no. 3 verse no. 5 it says that
“Draw not nigh hither, put off thy shoes from thy feet for the place where thou standeth is holy ground.”
The same message is repeated in the Book of Acts ch. no. 7 verse no. 33 All Mighty God tells Moses
“draw not nigh hither put off thy shoes from thy feet for the place where thou standeth is holy ground.”
It was a commandment given by Allah (swt) to Prophet Moses (pbuh) that in holy ground, in sacred place while offering worship, remove your shoes. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) he gave us permission for both. You should pray without your footwear but if you are praying with your footwear you should see that the footwear is clean.
And the Prophet said its mentioned in Abu Dawood Vol no. 1 in the Book of Salaah ch. no. 240 Hadith no. 652 the Prophet said that
“Do the opposite of what the Jews do because they always prayed without shoes and sadals.”
Its mentioned in Abu Dawood Vol no. 1 in the Book of Salaah ch 240 Hadith no. 653 that
“Shoeb Ibn Amar on the authority of his father said that his grandfather said that I have seen the Prophet pray both barefooted and with sandals.”
That means a Muslim can pray without shoes and if he prays with shoes the Prophet said you should clean the sole because we are hygienic people, we want to keep the place of worship clean.
The glorious Quran says in Surah Maidah ch. no. 5 verse no. 6 that
“Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo” O you who believe when you appear for prayers, when you prepare yourself for prayers, wash your face and your hands up to the elbow, rub your head with water and wash your feet upto the ankle. Doing ablution, wudu, before we offer Salaah is compulsory for the Muslims.
And a similar message is given if you read the Bible, its mentioned in the Book of Exodus ch. no. 40 verse no. 31 and 32 that
“Moses and Aaron along with their son they washed their hands and feet there at. And when they entered the temple of congregation they washed before they appeared in front of their Lord.”
It’s mentioned in Acts Ch no. 21 verse no. 26 that
“Paul along with some men the next day washed and appeared in front of the Lord.”
Doing ablution is a requirement.
Because we Muslims, we are hygienic people, we want to be clean and besides that it’s a mental preparation, it’s a mental preparation. How you have prelims before the finals. It’s a mental preparation before you appear in front of your Lord. If Christian is a person who follows the teachings of Jesus (pbuh), if Christian is a person who follows the teachings of Jesus (pbuh) then we Muslims, we are more Christian than the Christian themselves because we follow more of the Bible. While offering Salaah as the Bible says, we do ablution.
Further our beloved Prophet said its mentioned in Sahih Bukhari Vol no. 1 in the Book of Adhan ch 75 Hadith no. 692 that
“Hazrat Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, he said that when the companions offered Salaah our shoulders touched the shoulders of the companions. Our feet touched with the feet of the companions.”
And the beloved Prophet further said its mentioned in Abu Dawood Vol . no. 1 in the Book of Salaah ch . no. 245 hadith no. 666 the
“Prophet said before offering Salaah that straightens your rows, stand shoulder to shoulder do not leave any gap, closen the gap and do not leave any opening for the devil. “
The Prophet wasn’t referring to the Devil which you see in the comic strip with two horns and a tail. The Prophet was referring to the Devil of racism, of caste, of color that irrespective whether you are rich or poor, whether you are king or popper when you stand for Salaah, stand shoulder to shoulder. Irrespective whether you are black or white, brown or yellow when you stand for Salaah stand shoulder to shoulder.
.
This is the teaching if our beloved Prophet and the best part of Salaah is the Sujood, is the prostration. And today the physiologists they tell us that our mind is not directly our control, our body is directly under our control. If I want to lift my hand, I can lift my hand, if I want to bring it down, I can bring it down. If I want to take a step forward, I can take a step forward. If I want to take it backwards, I can take it backwards. Body is directly under my control but the mind keeps on wandering. It’s not directly under my control. The physiologists say in order to humble the mind; you have to humble the body. And there is no better way than putting the highest part of the body that’s the forehead on the lowest part of the ground and then say glory be to Allah, the Most Highest, glory be to Allah, the Most Highest.
And the same method has been prescribed even in the Bible in the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament.
If you read the Book of Genesis ch. no. 17 verse no. 3 it says that
“Abraham fell on his face.”
In the Book of Numbers ch. no. 20 verse no. 6
“Moses and Aaron fell upon their faces.”
In the Book of Joshua ch. no. 5 verse no. 14
“Joshua fell on his face and did worship.”
Its mentioned in the new testament Jesus Christ (pbuh) when he goes in the garden of Gethsemane in the Gospel of Matthew ch. no. 26 verse no. 39 it says that
“Jesus took a few steps forward, fell on his face and prayed to thy Lord.”
I am asking you a question, even an acrobat cannot do better fall on the face and pray to God the way we Muslims do. It’s the same way. How Jesus (pbuh) prayed. So if following the teachings of Jesus Christ (pbuh) makes a person a Christian then we Muslims are more Christian than the Christian themselves.
The Third pillar is Zakaat which is Arabic, it means to purify, to grow and every adult Muslim who is rich, who has a saving of more than the Nisaab level, 85 grams of gold, he should give 2.5% of his saving every lunar year in charity to the poor people. It’s compulsory.
And the people to whom the charity should be given, that’s compulsory charity Zakaat is given in Surah Taubah ch. no. 9 verse no. 60 it can be given to the Fukaara, to the poor, to the Masakeen, to the needy, to the Aamiloon, those who are engaged in collecting of Zakaat to almualla fatul quloobuhum, those whose hearts are coming closer to Islam, to the gharimoon to the debtors, to the Rikaab, to free the slave it can be given to the Ibn Sabeel those who is a wayfarer, to a person who is stranded ion a foreign land or Fee Sabi lillah, in the way of Allah (swt)
If every rich human being gives Zakaat, poverty will be eradicated from this world. There will not be a single human being who will die of hunger.
Similar message is given in the Bible if you read in the first Peters ch. no. 4 verse no. 8 it says that
”Give charity for charity reduces the multitudes of sins Give forgoing charity for with charity you can reduce multitudes of sins.”
And the glorious Quran says in Al Hashr ch. 59 verse no. 7 it gives the reason for Zakaat that to prevent the wealth from circulating amongst the rich.
The Quran says in Surah says in Surah Taubah ch. no. 9 verse no. 34 that
“There are people who bury gold and silver and do not spend it in the way of Allah (swt), announce to them a grievous penalty that fire will be produced from their wealth from the hellfire and with it they will be branded on the day of judgment on the forehead, on the back and on the flangs. And it will be said to them this is the wealth you buried, have a taste of the wealth you buried. Hoarding of wealth is prohibited in the Glorious Quran.”
The fourth pillar is Hajj, is the pilgrimage that every adult Muslim who has the economic and physical means to perform Hajj should at least perform Hajj once in his lifetime that’s a visit to the holy city of Makkah during Hajj and with it Mina as well as Arafat etc. and its the biggest annual gathering about 2 and a half people gather from various parts of the world from America, from UK, from Singapore, from Malaysia, from India, from Pakistan, from various parts of the world they gather and the men, they wear two pieces of unsown cloth preferably white. You cannot identify the person standing next to you whether he is king or a popper. It is the best example of universal brotherhood.
The glorious Quran says in Surah Hujuraat ch 49 verse no. 13
“Ya ayyuhannasu inna khalaqnakum min zakarin wa onsa waja’alnakum shu’ooban waqaba-ila lita’arafoo inna akramakum inda Allahi atqakum inna Allaha’aleemun khabeer.”
“O humankind, We have created you from a single pair of male and female and have divided you into nations and tribes so that you shall recognize each other not that you shall despise each other. And the most honored in the sight of Allah (swt) is the person who has Taqwa”
The criteria for judgment in the sight of Allah (swt), its not sex, its not wealth, its not caste, its not colour, its Taqwa, its God consciousness, its piety, its righteousness.
The fifth pillar is Saum that’s fasting in the month of Ramadhaan that every adult Muslim should abstain from having food, drink and sex from sunrise to sunset, the complete lunar month of Ramadhaan, in every lunar year.
And the Quran says in Surah Baqarah ch. no. 2 verse no. 183 that
“Fasting has been prescribed to you as it was prescribed to people who came before you so that you may learn self restraint.”
Fasting has been prescribed to control your desires, self restraint and today the psychologists; they tell us that if you can control your hunger, you can control almost all your desires.
A similar message is given in the Gospel of Matthew ch. no. 17 verse no. 21 and the Gospel of Mark ch. no. 9 verse no. 29 that people have been commanded to fast.
And in the month of Ramadhaan, fasting helps you to improve your bad deeds. The things that you normally do during the course of life through out the year you try and avoid doing the wrong things and that may remain part of your life. The good things that you don’t do during the year, during Ramadhaan you want to do, that may become a part of your life if you can abstain from smoking from sunrise to sunset, you can abstain smoking from cradle to the grave.
If you love your neighbors, you are doing Ibadah as Jesus (pbuh) says love your neighbors and Quran says in Surah Ma’un ch. 107 verse no. 1 to 7
“Araayta allathee yukaththibu bialddeen
Fathalika allathee yadu’u alyateem
Wala yahuddu ala ta’ami almiskeen
Fawaylun lilmusalleen
Allatheena hum an salatihim sahoon
Allatheena hum yuraoon
Wayamna’oona alma’oon”
That
“Seesth thou not one who denies the judgment to come who treats the orphans with harshness and encourages not the feeding of the indigent. Woe to those who are neglectful of their prayers and who only pray to be seen of men and do not even provide neighborly needs”
If you love your neighbors, if you provide neighborly needs, you are doing Ibadah of Allah (swt). If you are honest in your business, you are doing Ibadah.
If you abstain from backbiting as the Quran says in Surah Humaza ch. 104 verse no. 1
“Waylun likulli humazatin lumaza”
“Woe to every kind of scandal monger and backbiter”
If you abstain from scandal mongering and backbiting, you are doing Ibadah.
Besides worshipping Allah (swt) the Quran says that you should respect and love your parents. If you love and respect your parents you are doing Ibadah.
The Quran says in Surah Isra ch. 17 verse 23 to 24 that
“I have ordained for you that you worship none but me that you be kind to your parents and if anyone of them or both of them reach old age do not say a word of contempt, don’t even say ‘uff’ to them, but lower to them the wing of humility and address them with kindness and pray to thy Lord that bless them as they cherished them in childhood.”
The Quran says when your parents reach old age you can’t even say uff to them. So if you love your parents, respect your parents, obedient to your parents, you are doing Ibadah of Allah (swt).
If you marry, you are doing Ibadah.
The Prophet said that anyone who does not marry is not of me. If you love your wife, you are doing Ibadah.
The Glorious Quran says in Surah Nisa ch. 4 verse no. 19 that
“Treat your wife on a footing of equity and kindness even if you dislike her”
Even if you dislike your wife, the Glorious Quran says, you should treat her with equity and kindness.
If you abstain from adultery, you are doing Ibadah
The Quran says in Surah Isra ch 17 verse 32 that
“Come not close to adultery for its an evil opening others roads to evil.”
If you dress up modestly, you are doing Ibadah, you are doing worship of Allah (swt).
Quran first speaks about the Hijaab for the man. It says in Surah Nur ch. 24 verse no. 30 that
“say to the believing man that he should lower his gaze and guard his modesty.”
Whenever a man looks at a woman, any unashamed thought, any brazen thought comes in his mind, he should lower his gaze. That’s the Hijaab for the man.
A similar message is given by Jesus (pbuh) in the Gospel of Matthew ch. No. 5 verse no. 27 and 28 where Jesus (pbuh) said that
“it has been said of the old times that thou shall not commit adultery but I say onto you that whosoever looketh upon a woman, to lust after her, has already committed adultery in his heart”.
Whosoever looketh upon a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery in the heart. So Jesus (pbuh) also prescribed that you should not look at a woman and lust after her.
In the next verse of Surah Nur Ch. 24 verse no. 31 prescribes the Hijaab for the women that
“say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard her modesty and display not her beauty except what appears ordinarily thereof. And to draw her veil over the bosoms except in from of her husband, her father, her son……”
and a list of Mahrams, the close relatives which you can’t marry is given.
And the criteria for Hijaab is basically 6 which is mentioned in Sahih Hadith and the Quran.
The first is the extent which differs between the man and the woman. For the man its from the navel to the knee, for the woman the complete body should be covered the only part that can be seen are the face and hands up to the wrist. If they wish they can even cover this.
The second is the clothes that they wear should not be tight fitting where it reveals the figure,
Third it should not be transparent where you can see through,
Fourth it should not be so glamorous that it attracts the opposite sex. Fifth it should not resemble that of the unbeliever.
And last it should not resemble that of the opposite sex.
And a similar message is given in the Bible if you read the Book of Deuteronomy ch. no. 22 verse no. 5 says
“the woman shall not wear clothes that which pertain it to a man and a man should not wear clothes that which pertain it to a woman.”
Same as the criteria of the Hijaab. You should not wear clothes that of the opposite sex. Bible says the same.
But if you go top the western countries, the men , they wear earrings. If you wear one earring it has certain indication, you know. One earring. That’s not allowed in Islam. It is even against the Bible. why do they do it, I don’t know.
So if you analyze, it’s also mentioned in the First Timothy ch. no. 2 verse no. 9 that
“The women, they should dress up modestly with sobriety and shamefacedness. They should not wear costly array and have braded hair of gold. Neither should they wear pearls and gold, they should be simple.”
And further it says in the first Corinthians, first Corinthians ch. no. 11 verse no. 5 to 6 it says that
“A woman that uncovereth her head she dishonors her head. The woman that is not covered, her head is not covered, she dishonors her head.” And verse no. 6 says that women that does not cover her head, you should shave off her head.”
The Bible says that 1st Corinthian ch. no. 11 verse no. 5 to 6 the woman that does not cover her head you should shave off the head. No where the Quran, the Sahih Hadith says that but Bible says that. If a woman, she shows her hair, its uncovered she should shave off her head.
If Christian is a person who follows the teachings of Jesus (pbuh) then we Muslims are more Christians than the Christian than the Christian themselves.
If you analyze that we Muslims, it’s a Sunnah that we are circumcised. The same message is given in the Bible, if you read the Bible,
Its mentioned in the Bible in the Gospel of John ch. no. 7 verse no. 22 that
“Moses gave you the covenant of circumcision”
In Acts ch. no. 7 verse no. 8 that “circumcision has been given as a covenant to you.”
It’s mentioned in the Gospel of Luke ch. no. 2 verse no. 21 that
“Jesus (pbuh) was circumcised on the 8th day.”
Jesus Christ (pbuh) was circumcised on the 8th day. So if you analyze following the commandments of Allah (swt) you are doing Ibadah, you are doing worship of Allah (swt).
As I mentioned Islam means submitting your will to Allah (swt) and anyone who submits his will to Allah (swt) he is called as a Muslim.
And the Quran says in Surah Ale Imran ch 3 verse no. 52 that Jesus Christ (pbuh) he was a Muslim.
A similar message is given in the Bible in the Gospel of John ch. no. 5 verse no. 30, Jesus (pbuh) said “not my will but the will of my Father” “I can of my own self do nothing as I hear, I judge and the judgment is just for I seek not my will but the will of my father.”
Not my will, All Mighty God’s will if you translate into Arabic it means Islam. And a person who follows Islam is called as a Muslim. So even according to the Bible Jesus (pbuh) was a Muslim.
I would like to end my talk by quotation of the Glorious Quran from Surah Nahl ch. 16 verse 125 which says
“Ud`u 'Ila Sabili Rabbika Bil-Hikmah Wal Maw`izatil Hasanah Wa Jaadilhum Bilati Hiya 'Ahsan”
That is
“Invite All to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching and argue with them and reason with them in the ways that are best and most gracious”.
Wa Aakhiru Da’waana Anil Hamdu Lillaahi Rabbil Alameen……….!
SIMILARITIES BETWEEN ISLAM & CHRISTIANITY
Sahodaya Hall, Mangalore, India 2nd May 1988
By
Dr. Zakir Naik
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.