islam and christianity. agreements and disagreement 029.046 and do not dispute with the followers of...

Islam and Christianity.

Agreements and disagreement• 029.046

And do not dispute with the followers of the Book except by what is best manners, except those of them who act unjustly, and say: We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you, and our Allah and your Allah is One, and to Him do we submit.

Before I start.

• Appreciate the invitation.

• Civil dialog is needed.

• Enormous number of verses.

Allah

• Allah = GOD Almighty ,

• christian Arabs use the same word.

The Muslim Wrold

Islam = Submission to GOD

• Aslam ( verb ) = submit willingly and peacefuly

• Islam ( noun ) = Willing and peaceful submission.

Questions

• What is the ultimate reality?

• How does one defined humanity?

• What happens to humans at death?

• What is one’s basis of morality?

• Was the meaning and purpose of life?

• How do we know anything at all?

How do we know anything at all?

• When we talk about the unseen world beyond matter, GOD, Angels, heaven, hell, Devil, life after death, etc.

• Depending on our brains we cannot comprehend the world beyond matter because we have no tools to probe that world.

How do we know anything at all?

• Material world.• Observation.

• Intellect.

• Analysis of information.

• Experiments.

• Evidence = fact

• Beyond matter.• Those who observed are not

here to tell.• Imagination rather than

intellect.• ? Source of information.

• No equipments available for experimentation.

How do we critically analyze information given to us about the

unseen world?

• Is the source of information reliable, authentic,

and trustworthy?

• Does the content of information make sense?

• Is there any tangible evidence?

Quran builds its case.

• Is the source of information reliable, authentic,

and trustworthy?

• Does the content of information make sense?

• Is there any tangible evidence?

Quran builds its case

• The source of information;

• Mohammad;

–he was named the honest the trustworthy by his people before he received revelation.

– 068.004 And thou (standest) on an exalted standard of character


• No personal gain

– .(say, whatever price I charged you for delivering the message you can keep)

– (or did you Mohammed ask them a price that they found too expensive to pay)

– O, prophet, say to your wives if you’re after this world’s luxury you can get your divorce in an honorable way. But if you want to devote yourselves to Allah, his messenger, and the hereafter, then Allah has prepared for the righteous ones among you a tremendous reward.


• Reliable.

– 053.003 Nor doth he speak of (his own) desire.

– 053.004 It is naught but revelation that is revealed,

Mohammed.

–034.046 Say: "I do admonish you on one point: that ye do stand up before Allah,- (It may be) in pairs, or (it may be) singly,- and reflect (within yourselves): your Companion is not possessed: he is no less than a warner to you, in face of a terrible Penalty."

Mohammed, illiterate.

–No previous education, certainly not capable of producing a book like the quran.

• 029.048 And you did not recite before it any book, nor did you transcribe one with your right hand, for then could those who say untrue things have doubted.


Authenticity of the quran.

early and immediate documentation.

Memorization of the quran by thousands of people.

Universality of the book.

Quran builds its case ,The contentBeautifully amazing literature

– Logical arguments.

– Reality oriented.

– Call for intellectual analysis.

– Consistency of the message.

– No contradictions.

– Regulates life activities both spiritual and worldly

affairs, complete way of life.

Content of the quran.

Encourages people to find the truth using their

intellect.

Condemns inheritance of faith without critical thinking.

• Conducts logical arguments with disbelievers and

• pauses challenges to their ideology.

Islamic faith outline in the quran.• One God.

• Clear distinction between creator and creation.

• Believing in all profits equally, as well as all revelations. One

continual message from Adam to Mohammed.

• Universal,addresses humanity at large.

• Race, gender, and color blind.

• Logical balance between love and feer.

• Very clear understanding of humans mission and life.

• Accountability.

• Reality oriented.


• Tangible evidence;

– Evidence from the creation.

– Abundance of scientific proofs and observations

that were not known to man at the time of

revelation.

– Only a few examples mentioned here, for more in

depth review refer to

– http://cwis.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/

– Scientific data in the quran

http://cwis.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/

Islam and science.

• Quran, Bible, and science. By Dr. Morris Buchai.

• 039.005 He hath created the heavens and the earth with truth. He rotates night over the day in a spherical motion and likewise rotates the day over the nights.

• He constraineth the sun and the moon to give service, each running on for an appointed term. Is not He the Mighty, the Forgiver?

Islam and science.

• 006.125

• Therefore (for) whomsoever Allah intends that

He would guide him aright, He expands his

chest for Islam, and (for) whomsoever He

intends that He should cause him to err, He

makes his chest constricted and narrow as

though he were ascending upwards in the sky;


• Tangible evidence;• 007.143

And when Musa came at Our appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he said: My Lord! show me (Thyself), so that I may look upon Thee. He said: You cannot (bear to) see Me but look at the mountain, if it remains firm in its place, then will you see Me; but when his Lord manifested His glory to the mountain He made it crumble and Musa fell down in a swoon; then when he recovered, he said: Glory be to Thee, I turn to Thee, and I am the first of the believers.

Islamic faith outline.

Encourages people to find the truth using their intellect.

– 047.024

Do they not then reflect on the Quran? or are there locks on the hearts?

Condemns inheritance of faith without critical thinking.

– 043.022 Nay! they say: "We found our fathers following a certain religion, and we do guide ourselves by their footsteps."

– 043.023 Just in the same way, whenever We sent a Warner before thee to any people, the wealthy ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain religion, and we will certainly follow in their footsteps." 043.024 (And the warner) said: What! Even though I bring you better guidance than that ye found your fathers following? They answered: Lo! in what ye bring we are disbelievers.

it’s not logic to make equal the righteous and the wrong doers.

• 047.014

Is the one who is on a clear (Path) from his

Lord, no better than one to whom the evil of his

conduct seems pleasing, and such as follow

their own lusts?

Highly intellectual arguments is a characteristic of quranic dialog.

– 052.035 Were they created of nothing, or were they themselves the creators? 052.036 Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Nay! they have no certainty.

– 052.037 Or have they the treasures of your Lord with them? Or have they been set in absolute authority?

– 052.038 Or have they any gateway (unto heaven) by means of which they overhear (decrees). Then let their listener bring a clear authority.

appreciating the creator through his work

• 056.057 We created you. Will ye then admit the truth? 056.058 Do ye then see?- The (human Seed) that which ye emit?

• 056.059 Is it you that create it or are We the creator?

• 056.060

We have ordained death among you and We are not to be overcome,

• 056.061 That We may transfigure you and make you what ye know not.


• 056.062 And verily ye know the first creation. Why, then, do ye not reflect? 056.063 Have ye seen that which ye cultivate? 056.064 Is it you that cause it to grow, or are We the causing its growth?

• 056.065 Were it Our Will, We could crumble it dry, and ye would be left in wonderment, (Saying), "We are indeed left with debts (for nothing): Nay! we are deprived.


• 056.068 Have you considered the water which you drink?

• 056.069 Do ye bring it down (in rain) from the cloud or do We?

• 056.070 Were it Our Will, We would have made it salty; why do you not then give thanks?

• 056.071 Have you considered the fire which you strike?


• 056.072 Is it ye who grow the tree which feeds the fire, or do We grow it? 056.073 We appointed it a memorial and a comfort for the dwellers in the wilderness.

• 056.074 Then celebrate with praises the name of thy Lord, the Supreme!

• 056.075 I swear by the places of the stars -


• 056.076 And most surely it is a very great oath if you only knew;

• 056.077 That this is indeed a qur'an Most Honourable,

• 056.078 In a book that is protected

• 056.079 Which none shall touch but those who are purified :

• 056.080 A Revelation from the Lord of the Worlds.

appreciating the creator. Quran invites humans to think about the creation

• The revelation of the Book is from Allah the

Exalted in Power, Full of Wisdom

– Verily in the heavens and the earth, are Signs for

those who believe.

– And in the creation of yourselves and the fact that

animals are scattered (through the earth), are Signs

for those of assured Faith

appreciating the creator Quran invites humans to think about

the creation.

– And in the alternation of Night and Day and the provision that Allah sendeth down from the sky and thereby quickeneth the earth after her death, and the ordering of the winds, are portents for a people who have sense. Such are the Signs of Allah, which We rehearse to thee in Truth; then in what exposition will they believe after (rejecting) Allah and His Signs?

Teaching faith takes precedence over rituals.

• Life of the message is 23 years.

• 13 years in Mecca,

– without jurisprudence of Islamic law,

– and with very little rituals.

• 10 years in Medina

Challenge with death

• 056.081 Is it such a Message that ye would hold in light esteem? 056.082 And have ye made it your livelihood that ye should declare it false? 056.083 Then why do ye not (intervene) when (the soul of the dying man) reaches the throat,- 056.084 And ye are at that moment looking 056.085 And We are nearer unto him than ye are, but ye see not -

Challenge with death.

• 056.086 Then why do ye not,- If you are exempt from resurrection (future) account,-

• 056.087 Call back the soul, if ye are true (in the claim of independence)?

Challenges.

• To produce a book like the quran,or even a portion of it.

– 010.038 Or do they say: He has forged it? Say: Then bring a chapter like this and invite whom you can besides Allah, if you are truthful.

Challenges.

• To create anything even a fly.– 022.073

O men! Here is a parable set forth! listen to it! Those on whom, besides Allah, ye call, cannot create (even) a fly, if they all joined together for the purpose! and if the fly should snatch away anything from them, they cannot take it back from the fly. Feeble are those who petition and those whom they petition!

Quran challenges those who attribute

partners to God.

–046.004 Say: "Do ye see what it is ye invoke besides Allah? Show me what it is they have created on earth, or have they a share in the heavens bring me a book (revealed) before this, or any remnant of knowledge (ye may have), if ye are telling the truth!

Believing in all revelation.

• 005.046

And in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary,

confirming the Law that had come before him: We sent

him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and

confirmation of the Law that had come before him: a

guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah.

Believing in all revelation.

• 002.136

Say ye: "We believe in Allah, and the revelation

given to us, and to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac,

Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses

and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from

their Lord: We make no difference between one

and another of them: And we bow to Allah (in

Islam)."

One god.

• Chapter 112:

• Say: He is Allah, the One and Only;

• Allah, the Eternal, Absolute;

• He begetteth not, nor is He begotten;

• And there is none like unto Him.

http://cwis.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/qmtintro.html

Islamic faith outline. Quran emphasizes the proximity of GOD.

• 050.016

We verily created man and We know

what his soul whispereth to him, and We

are nearer to him than his jugular vein.

One god.

• The perception of GOD by Muslims is very distinct. Written• 059.022

He is Allah besides Whom there is no god; the Knower of the unseen and the seen; He is the Beneficent, the Merciful

• 059.023 Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god;- the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of Peace (and Perfection), the Guardian of Faith, the Preserver of Safety, the Exalted in Might, the Irresistible, the Supreme: Glory to Allah! (High is He) above the partners they attribute to Him.

• 059.024 He is Allah, the Creator, the Evolver, the Bestower of Forms (or Colours). To Him belong the Most Beautiful Names: whatever is in the heavens and on earth, doth declare His Praises and Glory: and He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

One god.

• 002.115 To Allah belong the east and the West: Whithersoever ye turn, there is the presence of Allah. For Allah is all-Pervading, all-Knowing. 057.003 He is the First and the Last, the Evident and the Immanent: and He has full knowledge of all things

• 006.059 With Him are the keys of the unseen, the treasures that none knoweth but He. He knoweth whatever there is on the earth and in the sea. Not a leaf doth fall but with His knowledge: there is not a grain in the darkness (or depths) of the earth, nor anything fresh or dry (green or withered), but is (inscribed) in a record clear (to those who can read).

Clear distinction between creator and creation

• Proper understanding of the position of prophets without exaggeration.– 072.020

Say (unto them, O Muhammad): I pray unto Allah only, and ascribe unto Him no partner.

– 072.021 Say: "It is not in my power to cause you harm, or to bring you to right conduct." 072.022 Say: "No one can deliver me from Allah (If I were to disobey Him), nor should I find refuge except in Him,

Clear distinction between creator and creation

• Proper understanding of the position of prophets without exaggeration.– 006.050

Say: "I tell you not that with me are the treasures of Allah, nor do I know what is hidden, nor do I tell you I am an angel. I but follow what is revealed to me." Say: "can the blind be held equal to the seeing?" Will ye then consider not?

Prophets are human beings.

• 021.007 Before thee, also, the messengers We sent were but men, to whom We granted inspiration: If ye realise this not, ask of those who possess the Message. 021.008 Nor did We give them bodies that ate no food, nor were they exempt from death.

Jesus.

• 005.075 Christ the son of Mary was no more than a messenger; many were the messengers that passed away before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They had both to eat their (daily) food. See how Allah doth make His signs clear to them; yet see in what ways they are deluded away from the truth!

Humanity

• Indeed we have favored the children of Adam, and we carried them in the land and in the sea, and provided for them.

• Oh mankind, eat of the good food we have provided for your, and thank your Lord if it is him you worship.

Humanity, Quran addresses mankind.

–. AL-INFITAR (THE CLEAVING) Revealed At: MAKKA

– O man! What has seduced thee from your Lord Most Beneficent?-

– Who created, fashioned, then proportioned you? In whatever Form He wills, does He shapes you.

Humanity.

•. Quran addresses mankind.– It is Allah Who has made for you

the earth as a dwelling place, and the sky as a canopy, and has given you shape- and made your shapes beautiful,- and has provided for you Sustenance, of things pure and good;- such is Allah your Lord. So Glory to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds!

.

,

Prophet Muhammad said about humanity?

– That you all came from Adam, and Adam came

from dust.

– There is no difference between an Arab and and

non-Arab.

– Humans are as equal as the teeth of a comb.

Freedom of faith

– No compulsion in religion.

– And say O, Mohammed, I presents you with the truth from your Lord, so whoever chooses to believe may do so, and whoever chooses to disbelieve is free to do so.

– It is not your position to force people to accept faith.

Freedom of faith

– 076.001 Has there not been over Man a long period of Time, when he was nothing - (not even) mentioned?

– 076.002 Verily We created Man from a drop of mingled sperm, in order to try him: So We gave him (the gifts), of Hearing and Sight.

– 076.003 We showed him the Way: whether he be grateful or ungrateful (rests on his will).

Dialogue with the People of the Book

• 003.064 Say: "O People of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah." If then they turn back, say ye: "Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah's Will).

Great emphasis on human relations

• The rights of fellow man.

• The rights of fellow Muslims.

• The rights of the neighbor.

• The rights of parents.

• The rights of family members.

• The rights of animals, and birds.

• The rights of the orphans.

• The rights of the indigent.


• The rights of children.

• The rights of the dead.

• The rights of the captives.

• The rights of the slaves.

• The health rights.

• The integrity of business interactions.


• The position of women.

• Recognizing women as equal to men.

• Woman working in the home is equal to

everything men do.

No favoritism

• 034.037

It is not your wealth nor your sons, that will bring you

nearer to Us in degree: but only those who believe

and work righteousness - these are the ones for whom

there is a multiplied Reward for their deeds, while

secure they (reside) in the dwellings on high!

justice

• 004.135 O ye who believe! stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.

Be good to everybody

• Any Moslem who plants a seed, will be rewarded for every human, bird, or animal that eats from it.

grace and forgiveness.

• Available all the time.

• Sincerity needed .

• No specific rituals.

• No confession required.

• No intersection required.


• Prophet Mohammed said;

• Observe ALLAH wherever you are, follow your sins with good deeds, they will be forgiven, and treat all people with kindness and good manners.


• Avoid sins, this qualifies you to be the best worshiper,

• Cherish with God has given you, this qualifies you to be the most grateful,

• Be good to your neighbor, this qualifies you to be a believer,

• Love for people what you love for yourself, this qualifies you to be a muslim.

Resurrection. Most ascertained in Islam .

• 064.007

Those who disbelieve assert that they will not

be raised again. Say (unto them, O

Muhammad): Yea, verily, by my Lord! ye will be

raised again and then ye will be informed of

what ye did; and that is easy for Allah.

God is capable of resurrection.

• 036.077 Doth not man see that it is We Who created him from sperm? yet behold! he (stands forth) as an open adversary! 036.078 And he makes comparisons for Us, and forgets his own (origin and) Creation: He says, "Who can give life to (dry) bones and decomposed ones (at that)?" 036.079

Say: He will give life to them Who brought them into existence at first, and He is cognizant of all creation

Resurrection.

– 075.001 I swear by the Day of Resurrection; 075.002 And I do call to witness the self-reproaching spirit075.003 Does man think that We cannot assemble his bones? 075.004

Nay, We are able to put together in perfect order the very tips of his fingers. 075.005 But man wishes to do wrong , unleashed in life without control.

Basis of morality., Chapter 91: ASH-SHAMS (THE SUN) Revealed At: MAKKA

– I swear by the sun and its brilliance,

– And the moon when it follows it

– And the day when it revealeth it By the Night as it conceals it; And the heaven and Him Who built it, And the earth and Him Who extended it,

– By the Soul, and the proportion and order given to it;

And inspired it (with conscience of) what is wrong for it and (what is) right for it.

Truly he succeeds that purifies it, And he will indeed fail who corrupts it.



Accountability, individual responsibility

• And a burdened soul cannot bear the burden of another and if one weighed down by burden should cry for (another to carry) its burden, not aught of it shall be carried, even though he be near of kin. You warn only those who fear their Lord in secret and keep up prayer; and whoever purifies himself, he purifies himself only for (the good of) his own soul; and to Allah is the eventual coming.

Accountability.

• 017.013 And We have made every man's actions to cling to his neck, and We will bring forth to him on the resurrection day a record which he will find wide open:

• 017.014 (It will be said to him:) "Read thine (own) record: Sufficient is thy soul this day to make out an account against thee."

Accountability.Chapter 99: AL-ZALZALA (THE EARTHQUAKE) Revealed At:

MAKKA When the earth is shaken to her (utmost) convulsion,

– And the earth throws up her burdens (from within), And man cries (distressed): 'What is the matter with her?'-

– That day she will relate her chronicles,

For that thy Lord will have given her inspiration.

On that Day will men proceed in companies sorted out, to be shown the deeds that they (had done). Then shall anyone who has done an atom's weight of good, see it! And anyone who has done an atom's weight of evil, shall see it.


Was the meaning and purpose of life?

• 067.001 Blessed is He in Whose hand is the Sovereignty, and,, and He has power over all things,

• 067.002

Who created death and life that He may try you-- which of you is best in deeds; and He is the Mighty, the Forgiving,

• 067.003 Who hath created seven heavens in harmony. Thou canst see no fault in the Beneficent One's creation; So turn thy vision again: seest thou any flaw?


– 051.056 I created the jinn and humankind only that they

might worship Me. 051.057 No Sustenance do I require of them, nor do I require that they should feed Me. 051.058 For Allah is He Who gives (all) Sustenance,- Lord of Power,- Steadfast (for ever).


– 057.020 Know that this world's life is only sport and play and

gaiety and boasting among yourselves, and a vying in

the multiplication of wealth and children, like the rain,

whose causing the vegetation to grow, pleases the

husbandmen, then it withers away so that you will see it

become yellow, then it becomes dried up and broken

down; and in the hereafter is a severe chastisement and

(also) forgiveness from Allah and (His) pleasure; and

whereas the life of the world is but matter of illusion.

• http://www.duke.edu/web/MSA/links.htm

• http://cwis.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/

http://www.duke.edu/web/MSA/links.htm

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