COMPARISON BETWEEN THE BOOK OF JAMES AND THE NOBLE QUR'AN
by Anna Jordan
Forward
Several years ago I was thumbing through the New Testament when I decided to read the book of JAMES in its entirety. I do not recall ever reading it in quite this manner, but rather, in bits and pieces while referencing passages on a particular topic back when I was engaged in Bible study during my school days many years ago.
Since those days, I have gone through many spiritual changes. Born into a Christian family and raised as a Lutheran, Missouri Synod, I often wondered why there were so many religions, so many factions, so many sects, each claiming to be the true religion, and each one claiming God somewhere in the fine print. In my heart I recognized many truths in the religion of my upbringing, but remained confounded by the array of choices for anyone seeking to find God. Because I wanted to know which way was the best way, because I did not believe that a Merciful God would put us here on this earth without a road map, I asked God to show me the way to Him, the best way. The answer was not swift or immediate. It has been an ongoing process for over thirty years. All my youth I had been taught to accept a Trinity. Changing my mind about that was not a matter I could undertake casually or lightly. Since most Christians believe that their salvation hinges on belief in a Triune God, despite the belief that God is One,
this was a very heavy decision for me to make. This was a decision that I believed would affect my position in the Hereafter and had to be made with all due consideration. Ironically, it was made with the use of the same Bible that I had used throughout my Christian upbringing. I was better versed in scripture than many teenagers at the time as I had attended Christian schools exclusively through graduation from high school, and completion of religious courses was part of the requirements for a high school diploma.
I became a Muslim as a young adult, having been introduced to Islam through Muslim friends who were able to provide me with literature. There was no translation of the Quran in English for me to access, although there were probably some copies at large elsewhere. With so many similarities between Christianity and Islam, the issue of a Trinity was the one major obstacle I had to overcome. Finding the answer that I sought in the Bible helped me overcome that obstacle.
I never adopted the hejab, the female dress code which many women choose to wear. I never read anything during my introduction to Islam that even suggested that women should do so. My introduction to Islam was through a westerner's eyes with a Christian foundation as strong as any. As there were no mosques to speak of in America twenty-five years ago, I could only imagine what practicing Islam might mean and the few Muslim friends that I knew looked like contemporary college students and business professionals that could fit in comfortably anywhere in the world.
When the opportunity to travel to a Muslim country presented itself, I rose to the challenge. I was not prepared for Islam as I found it being practiced by an entire nation. For over twenty years I remained skeptical about many practices of the faith, particularly those based on traditions not specifically mentioned in the Quran. Although I tried to remain open-minded, I continued searching for answers. In the meantime I had returned home and was trying to balance a western upbringing with the basic tenets of Islam which I felt somehow had to be compatible.
By now there were mosques in many metropolitan centers and I tried attending one in my area every weekend. At first I enjoyed going and listening to the sermons. However, there were many issues that bothered me. The people who practice Islam have many religious laws and guidelines that they claim are part of the religion. Well, they certainly are a part of "a" religion, but most are not the requirements for practicing true Islam, although most Muslims would strongly disagree with me.
As a Lutheran, I was taught that the Bible was "the" source for all religious guidance, and that if the Bible could not substantiate a practice of the faith, that practice could not be considered a part of the religion.
When I moved on to becoming a Muslim as a young adult, it was on the basis of the Quran being the final message from God to humanity, a completion of God's word to mankind. Moses had been given the Ten Commandments; other Old Testament prophets and messengers subsequently followed to enlighten the believers until Jesus came; the Gospel or New Testament was written, not to replace the Old Testament but to substantiate it and, to give additional good news from God. The Quran was for me the final edition of His word. It was a final testament that supported previous scripture, that confirmed, consummated and superseded all previous scripture; that established precedent and as necessary, abrograted or corrected that which had been altered over time.
So when I saw firsthand the actual practices of Islam and the traditions associated with Islam, I thought about all the reforms that had taken place in the Christian church throughout the ages and saw an immediate parallel. Where did truth stop and fiction begin?
In April of 1994, I finally found the answer. A newly written English translation of the Quran was in my hands at last and I was ready to read! It was superior to all the other translations I had attempted to read. All the cultural trappings that many associate with Islam were absent and all I had to do was ask God to lead the way. Because God has created each and every one of us specifically for the place in time that we occupy, consequently His word has to be applicable to everyone who is fortunate enough to access it, regardless of ones position on the timeline.
Islam is not about Muhammad, although he was chosen to deliver God's word, the final testament, the Quran. Islam is about God and our surrender to His will (2:208), and our acceptance of His message through all the messengers He has sent down to us. The purpose of the Quran is to support previous scripture (2:41,89,91,97,144-146), to clarify that which has been altered or forgotten over the centuries (5:48), to repeat to us exactly what is required for our salvation (5:69), and to clearly distinguish between the way to Heaven and the way to Hell (39:23)!
The majority of Muslims today will tell you that you cannot follow Islam by following only the Quran. They will tell you that it is also essential for your salvation to follow the traditions and practices of Muhammad. These practices and traditions were not recorded during the prophet's lifetime, but began appearing two centuries after his death. The integrity of these writings relied solely on the memory of people who were relying on the accuracy of information handed down to them from previous generations (a.k.a. hearsay). There is abundant evidence available to anyone who cares to examine the history of Islam that many splits occurred among the faithful as they disputed. Today we can see the remains of these disputes, most notably in the differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims, although there are other, smaller sects as well (3:105, 6:159). However, examining the many differences would carry us beyond the scope of this particular writing. Interestingly enough, they are united in one way, that bei
ng that salvation is dependent on following the traditions and acts of the prophet.
They believe that the Quran is above the mental grasp of all but the most dedicated religious scholars, since it contains prophetic information that many could not understand and were unwilling to accept on faith that God would explain in due course (55:1-2). (As an example, try to explain the book of Revelations. Most Christians accept its contents on faith alone.) Consequently, the majority of Muslims feel the need to rely on the sayings and the acts of the prophet in conjunction with the Quran (is this not a partnership?) in order to practice their religion.
These Muslims fly in the face of God's Word by openly defying the very commands that He has given in the Quran. The Quran states that God has no partners with Him (6:163), that the Quran is complete and fully detailed (6:38,114-115), that the word of God as revealed by all His prophets and messengers (2:136) is all anyone needs for salvation. But if one subscribes to the belief that the Quran is not complete or is beyond the scope of their understanding, and turns to what Muhammad did or did not do outside the scope of the Quran for guidance, then that person is looking for guidance from a source other than God (6:114-115). God consistently commanded the believers to obey the message His prophets and messengers were given during their lifetime within the scope of the revealed Word and to make no distinction between His messengers (2:285).
Muhammad's contemporaries accused him of copying the Quran from other sources (25:5) as a result of his contacts with Christians and Jews. Additionally, numbers as separate symbols were not in use during his lifetime, so letters of the alphabet were used to represent numbers, just as Roman numerals were used. Since the prophet was a successful merchant prior to being called by God to serve Him, he necessarily had to know how to read and write in order to make a living.
As a Christian or Jew reading this, one may say the foregoing information is irrelevant. There are many people of both faiths who do not consider Islam or Muhammad to be from God. However, there is too much evidence to the contrary within the Quran that disputes such claims. For anyone who is willing to be open-minded, we have much in common and much to share. For anyone who is a traditional Muslim reading this, consider this issue carefully before jumping to conclusions. We all claim belief in One God, but we differ over our approach to God. Why do we insist on arguing over our customs, our prophets and messengers, when we all claim that God is the One who created us and God is the One who will eventually judge us all and that only by worshiping God alone we can be saved?
Islam is not at all what you see on the television, or in the newspapers. The current political ideologies of some Islamic nations is not Islam. The misguided souls who bring misery and suffering to others around them in the name of Islam do not have the foggiest notion of true Islam. Many commit the most horrendous atrocities in the name of God, and it is no wonder that they continue to suffer collectively. The same is true for people of other religious persuasions who fail to heed God's commandments, and choose instead to follow the popular opinion of those around them.
"True" Muslims do not attack unless attacked. "True" Muslims do not chant death wishes to an entire nation or issue death warrants over a novel. A Muslim is, by translation, a Submitter. A believer is one who has submitted to God's will and has attained the position of having no doubts whatsoever about God and strives in His cause. God tells us that as believers we should tread the earth gently, ignore the insults of disbelievers, forgive those who wrong us, disassociate ourselves from those who try to harm us because of our beliefs, and when we speak to anyone, even disbelievers, we should speak in the best possible manner. If as believers we are forced to defend ourselves, then we should call on God for help and for victory. If the enemy withdraws, or asks for forgiveness, believers are not allowed to continue with aggression. (See selections from the Quran which follows in the next section.)
Islam means submission to God and Abraham is the founder of Islam. As both James and the Quran state, Abraham was a friend of God.
There is a small but steady movement by a group of people known simply as Submitters to educate and enlighten anyone who is willing to learn more about true Islam. They come from all walks of life, and live both here and in other countries around the world. Many face persecution from within their families, as well as from the societies in which they live, because they oppose the traditional religious stance which is accepted by the majority that governs. As Americans, we are blessed in that we have the constitutional right to worship as we choose. It is the aim of all Submitters to seek universal unity and understanding with all believers, no matter by what name they may go, and to share God's message with any who care to listen.
To make progress and move forward into the future, we must set aside that which separates us and seek out those ideas and beliefs that we have in common. Examples of some wonderful attempts to make progress include the Promise Keepers, and the people who participated in the Million Man March. Yes, there are legitimate concerns about the man who initiated the march, but he too will be judged by God and held accountable in due course. The fact that so many people were touched in a positive way and joined together in spite of their differences cannot be ignored. Remember what Jesus said in the Bible, that he who is without sin cast the first stone.
When I read the book of JAMES in its entirety, I was struck by the message he was sending to the recipients of his letter! The Quran states that God has sent the same message down through many messengers and prophets, some known to us and some not known. For almost every verse written by James, a passage from the Quran would come to mind that conveyed the same message. Based on my belief in what the Quran says, James being a disciple of Jesus knew God's message to us; he had been a follower of Jesus and according to the Quran, had born witness that he was a supporter of God and His messenger, Jesus, and was himself a submitter. This was further proof to me of the truth of the Quran's claim that all scripture has been sent by God.
With the comparison that follows, I hope to highlight the common ground which all Jews, Christians, and Muslims should be sharing. God willing, anyone who calls himself or herself Godfearing will identify with the following material. This effort is for anyone who considers himself a believer, but may go by another name.
As our world grows "smaller", it is imperative that we find every righteous means to unite and resolve our differences and recognize the common ground that we share. Instead of focusing on what separates us, we need to reach out to one another to solve the problems that inevitably will come back to haunt all of us. We live in a global neighborhood. Our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers may be in Bosnia, Israel, Lebanon or Palestine; maybe they are keeping the peace, maybe they are struggling to escape persecution. Our neighbors in Mexico are crossing our borders trying to find a better life on our side of the fence. In Brazil for example, there are people still fighting slavery; in an attempt to get out of poverty, they are loaned money to get started in "promising" jobs, then hired to work and underpaid so that they actually owe more money to their employers than they earn. Look no further than our own interior - many Native Americans are still struggling to find themselves
on reservations that seem to offer little or no opportunity. Look at the ghettoes of the inner cities where many people of black heritage are struggling against a system that clearly excludes many of them despite the gains that have been made since the Civil Rights movement.
People in Africa are struggling against civil wars, famine, political and religious oppression. Northern Ireland is a travesty - is it a political war or a holy war? Both sides claim God on their side, so what is the argument? Just mention the Middle East - again everybody claims God on their side but everyone is suffering. If everyone believes in God, why are they fighting? We cannot call ourselves believers when we turn our backs on the pain and suffering next door, or worse, if we are guilty of inflicting that pain on our neighbor. We cannot continue to give God lip service only and ignore the realities of why we are really here. If we truly believe in God, then we have to recognize the message He gave us through all the messengers and prophets He sent to us. First and foremost, we have to worship God and God alone. Then we have to ask God to guide us, and as James says, be prepared to follow the guidance.
GOD WILLING, WE WILL ATTEMPT TO BUILD BRIDGES, AND CONTINUE TO TEAR DOWN WALLS. PERHAPS IF WE LISTEN MORE, AND TALK LESS, WE CAN MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE TO PREPARE FOR THE NEXT WORLD, WHICH IS ULTIMATELY, WHAT THIS LIFE IS ALL ABOUT.
Peace to all and God's blessings.
Anna Elizabeth Jordan
Dickinson, Texas
selections from QURAN.........
2:41 You shall believe in what I have revealed herein, confirming what you have; do not be the first to reject it. Do not trade away My revelations for a cheap price, and observe Me.
2:89 When this scripture came to them from God, and even though it agrees with, and confirms what they have, and even though they used to prophesy its advent when they talked with the disbelievers, when their own prophecy came to pass, they disbelieved therein. God's condemnation thus afflicts the disbelievers.
2:91 When they are told, "You shall believe in these revelations of God," they say, "We believe only in what was sent down to us." Thus, they disbelieve in subsequent revelations, even if it is the truth from their Lord, and even though it confirms what they have! Say, "Why then did you kill God's prophets, if you were believers?"
2:97 Say, "Anyone who opposes Gabriel should know that he has brought down this (Quran) into your heart, in accordance with God's will, confirming previous scriptures, and providing guidance and good news for the believers."
2:130 Who would forsake the religion of Abraham, except one who fools his own soul? We have chosen him in this world, and in the Hereafter he will be with the righteous.
2:131 When his Lord said to Him, "Submit," he said, "I submit to the Lord of the universe."
2:132 Moreover, Abraham exhorted his children to do the same, and so did Jacob: "O my children, God has pointed out the religion for you; do not die except as submitters."
2:133 Had you witnessed Jacob on his death bed; he said to his children, "What will you worship after I die?" They said, "We will worship your god; the god of your fathers Abraham, Ismail, and Isaac; the one god. To Him we are submitters."
2:136 Say, "We believe in God, and in what was sent down to us, and in what was sent down to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Patriarchs; and in what was given to Moses and Jesus, and all the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them. To Him alone we are submitters."
2:137 If they believe as you do, then they are guided. But if they turn away, then they are in opposition. God will spare you their opposition; He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.
2:138 Such is God's system, and whose system is better than God's? "Him alone we worship."
2:143 We thus made you an impartial community, that you may serve as witnesses among the people, and the messenger serves as a witness among you. We changed the direction of your original Qiblah (direction of prayer towards the Sacred Mosque in Mecca to Jerusalem) only to distinguish those among you who readily follow the messenger from those who would turn back on their heels. It was a difficult test, but not for those who are guided by God. God never puts your worship to waste. God is Compassionate towards the people, Most Merciful.
2:144 We have seen you turning your face about the sky (searching for the right direction). We now assign a Qiblah (from Jerusalem back to Mecca) that is pleasing to you. Henceforth, you shall turn your face towards the Sacred Masjid. Wherever you may be, all of you shall turn your faces towards it. Those who received the previous scripture know that this is the truth from their Lord. God is never unaware of anything they do.
2:145 Even if you show the followers of the scripture every kind of miracle, they will not follow your Qiblah. Nor shall you follow their Qiblah. They do not even follow each others' Qiblah. If you acquiesce to their wishes, after the knowledge that has come to you, you will belong with the transgressors.
2:146 Those who received the scripture recognize the truth herein, as they recognize their own children. Yet, some of them conceal the truth, knowingly.
3:48 "He will teach him (Jesus) the scripture, wisdom, the Torah, and the Gospel."
3:50 "I confirm previous scripture - the Torah - and I revoke certain prohibitions imposed upon you. I come to you with sufficient proof from your Lord. Therefore, you shall observe God, and obey me.
3:51 "God is my Lord and your Lord; you shall worship Him alone. This is the right path."
3:52 When Jesus sensed their disbelief, he said, "Who are my supporters towards God?' The disciples said, "We are God's supporters; we believe in God, and bear witness that we are submitters.
3:53 "Our Lord, we have believed in what You have sent down, and we have followed the messenger; count us among the witnesses."
3:105 Do not be like those who became divided and disputed, despite the clear proofs that were given to them. For these have incurred a terrible retribution.
4:74 Those who readily fight in the cause of God are those who forsake this world in favor of the Hereafter. Whoever fights in the cause of God, then gets killed, or attains victory, we will surely grant him a great recompense.
4:75 Why should you not fight in the cause of God when weak men, women, and children are imploring; "Our Lord, deliver us from this community whose people are oppressive, and be You our Lord and Master."
4:76 Those who believe are fighting for the cause of God, while those who disbelieve are fighting for the cause of tyranny. Therefore, you shall fight the devil's allies; the devil's power is nil.
5:44 We have sent down the Torah, containing guidance and light. Ruling in accordance with it were the Jewish prophets, as well as the rabbis and the priests, as dictated to them in God's scripture, and as witnessed by them. Therefore, do not reverence human beings; you shall reverence Me instead. And do not trade away My revelations for a cheap price. Those who do not rule in accordance with God's revelations are the disbelievers.
5:48 Then we revealed to you this scripture, truthfully, confirming previous scriptures, and superseding them. You shall rule among them in accordance with God's revelations, and do not follow their wishes if they differ from the truth that came to you. For each of you, we have decreed laws and different rites. Had God willed, He could have made you one congregation. But He thus puts you to the test through the revelations He has given each of you. You shall compete in righteousness. To God is your final destiny - all of you - then He will inform you of everything you had disputed.
5:69 Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the converts, and the Christians; any of them who (1) believe in God and (2) believe in the Last Day, and (3) lead a righteous life, have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.
6:34 Messengers before you have been rejected, and they steadfastly persevered in the face of rejection. They were persecuted until our victory came to them. Such is God's system that will never change. The history of My messengers thus sets the precedents for you.
6:48 We do not send the messengers except as deliverers of good news, as well as warners. Those who believe and reform have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.
6:49 As for those who reject our revelations, they incur the retribution for their wickedness.
6:114 Shall I seek other than God as a source of law, when He has revealed to you this book fully detailed? Those who received the scripture recognize that it has been revealed from your Lord, truthfully. You shall not harbor any doubt.
6:115 The word of your Lord is complete, in truth and justice. Nothing shall abrogate His words. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.
6:159 Those who divide themselves into sects do not belong with you. Their judgment rests with God, then He will inform them of everything they had done.
6:161 Say, "My Lord has guided me in a straight path - the perfect religion of Abraham, monotheism. He never was an idol worshiper."
6:163 "He has no partner. This is what I am commanded to believe, and I am the first to submit."
10:87 We inspired Moses and his brother. "Maintain your homes in Egypt for the time being, turn your homes into synagogues, and maintain the Contact Prayers (Salat). Give good news to the believers."
14:4 We did not send any messenger except (to preach) in the tongue of his people, in order to clarify things for them. God then sends astray whomever He wills, and guides whomever He wills. He is the Almighty, the Most Wise.
14:5 Thus, we sent Moses with our miracles, saying, "Lead your people out of darkness into the light, and remind them of the days of God." These are lessons for every steadfast, appreciative person.
14:7 Your Lord has decreed: "The more you thank Me, the more I give you." But if you turn unappreciative, then My retribution is severe.
14:8 Moses said, "If you disbelieve, along with all the people on earth, God is in no need, Praiseworthy."
14:10 Their messengers said, "Do you have doubts about God; the Initiator of the heavens and the earth? He invites you only to forgive your sins, and to give you another chance to redeem yourselves." They said, "You are no more than humans like us, who want to repel us from the way our parents used to worship. Show us some profound authority."
14:11 Their messengers said to them, "We are no more than humans like you, but God blesses whomever He chooses from among His servants. We could not possibly show you any kind of authorization, except in accordance with God's will. In God the believers shall trust.
14:12 "Why should we not trust in God, when He has guided us in our paths? We will steadfastly persevere in the face of your persecution. In God all the trusters shall trust."
19:58 These are some of the prophets whom God blessed. They were chosen from among the descendants of Adam, and the descendants of those whom we carried with Noah, and the descendants of Abraham and Israel, and from among those whom we guided and selected. When the revelations of the Most Gracious are recited to them, they fall prostrate, weeping.
19:59 After them, He substituted generations who lost the Contact Prayers (Salat), and pursued their lusts. They will suffer the consequences.
With reference to the Contact Prayers, note the following Bible passage from Acts 10:30,31,35:
Cornelius replied, "Four days ago I was praying as usual at this time of the afternoon, when suddenly a man was standing before me clothed in a radiant robe!
He told me, 'Cornelius, your prayers are heard and your charities have been noticed by God!
In every nation He has those who worship Him and do good deeds and are acceptable to Him.
In another translation of the Bible, THE NEW TESTAMENT IN MODERN ENGLISH, translated by J. B. Phillips, the Macmillan Company, New York, 1962, note the same passages, Acts 10:30,31,35:
Then Cornelius replied, "Three days ago, about this time, I was observing the afternoon hour of prayer in my house, when suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your charitable gifts have been remembered before God.
"In solemn truth I can see now that God is no respecter of persons, but that in every nation the man who reverences him and does what is right is acceptable to Him!
25:63 The worshipers of the Most Gracious are those who tread the earth gently, and when the ignorant speak to them, they only utter peace.
25:64 In the privacy of the night, they meditate on their Lord, and fall prostrate.
25:65 And they say, "Our Lord, spare us the agony of Hell; its retribution is horrendous."
25:66 "It is the worst abode; the worst destiny."
25:67 When they give, they are neither extravagant nor stingy; they give in moderation.
25:68 They never implore beside God any other god, nor do they kill anyone - for God has made life sacred - except in the course of justice. Nor do they commit adultery. Those who commit these offenses will have to pay.
25:69 Retribution is doubled for them on the Day of Resurrection, and they abide therein humiliated.
25:70 Exempted are those who repent, believe, and lead a righteous life. God transforms their sins into credits. God is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
25:71 Those who repent and lead a righteous life, God redeems them; a complete redemption.
25:72 They do not bear false witness. When they encounter vain talk, they ignore it.
25:73 When reminded of their Lord's revelations, they never react to them as if they were deaf and blind.
25:74 And they say, "Our Lord, let our spouses and children be a source of joy for us, and keep us in the forefront of the righteous."
25:75 These are the ones who attain Paradise in return for their steadfastness; they are received therein with joyous greetings and peace.
25:76 Eternally they abide therein; what a beautiful destiny; what a beautiful abode.
25:77 Say, "You attain value at my Lord only through your worship. But if you disbelieve, you incur the inevitable consequences."
35:29 Surely, those who recite the book of God, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and from our provisions to them they spend - secretly and publicly - are engaged in an investment that never loses.
39:23 God has revealed herein the best Hadith; a book that is consistent, and points out both ways (to Heaven and Hell). The skins of those who reverence their Lord cringe therefrom, then their skins and their hearts soften up for God's message. Such is God's guidance; He bestows it upon whomever He wills. As for those sent astray by God, nothing can guide them.
46:2 The revelation of this scripture is from God, the Almighty, Most Wise.
46:9 Say, "I am not different from other messengers. I have no idea what will happen to me or to you. I only follow what is revealed to me. I am no more than a profound warner."
46:12 Before this, the book of Moses provided guidance and mercy. This too is a scripture that confirms, in Arabic, to warn those who transgressed, and to give good news to the righteous.
46:13 Surely, those who say, "Our Lord is God," then lead a righteous life, will have no fear, nor will they grieve.
46:14 They have deserved Paradise, where they abide forever; a reward for their works.
55:1 The Most Gracious.
55:2 Teacher of the Quran.
55:3 Creator of the human beings.
The Contact Prayer (Salat) - also the first chapter or book in the Quran.
1:1 In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
1:2 Praise be to God, Lord of the Universe.
1:3 Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
1:4 Master of the Day of Judgment.
1:5 You alone we worship. You alone we ask for help.
1:6 Guide us in the right path;
1:7 the path of those whom You blessed; not of those who have deserved wrath, nor of the strayers.
The following translation of JAMES was taken from a book titled THE GREATEST IS LOVE, a Paraphrased New Testament. It is an illustrated edition of The Living New Testament, copyright 1967 by Tyndale Foundation, Wheaton, IL 60187, paraphrased by Ken Taylor, additional text and title published by The World Home Bible League, South Holland, IL 60473, copyright 1971.
The references in italics were taken from QURAN, The Final Testament, Authorized English Version, Translated from the Original (Arabic) by Rashad Khalifa, Ph.D. (Revised Edition), published by Universal Unity, P.O. Box 15067, Fremont, CA 94539, 1992.
Additional biblical references were taken from The HOLY BIBLE, published by Thomas Nelson & Sons, New York, 1901.
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JAMES
1. From: James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. To: Jewish Christians scattered everywhere. Greetings!
Q. 5:111 "Recall that I inspired the disciples: 'You shall believe in Me and
My messenger*. They said, 'We have believed, and bear witness that we are submitters.' "
Luke 10:16 Then he* said to the disciples, "Those who welcome you are welcoming me. And those who reject you are rejecting me. And those who reject me are rejecting God who sent me."
Q. 4:159 Everyone among the people of the scripture was required to believe in him* before his death. On the Day of Resurrection, he will be a witness against them.
On the basis of the preceding verse Jesus will be present, but after the Hour has been declared, and only as a witness, not as a judge.
* All references so marked refer to Jesus.
2. Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy.
Q. 2:155-157 We will surely test you through some fear, hunger, and loss of money, lives, and crops. Give good news to the steadfast.
When an affliction befalls them, they say, "We belong to God, and to Him we are returning."
Those have deserved blessings from their Lord and mercy. These are the guided ones.
3. For when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow.
Q. 16:127,128 You shall resort to patience - and your patience is attainable only with God's help. Do not grieve over them, and do not be annoyed by their schemes.
God is with those who lead a righteous life, and those who are charitable.
4. So let it grow, and don't try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.
Q. 42:43 Resorting to patience and forgiveness reflects a true strength of character.
Q. 68:2-4 You have attained a great blessing from your Lord; you are not crazy.
You have attained a recompense that is well deserved.
You are blessed with a great moral character.
5. If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask Him, and He will gladly tell you, for He is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask Him; He will not resent it.
Q. 2:186 When My servants ask you about Me, I am always near. I answer their prayers when they pray to Me. The people shall respond to Me and believe in Me, in order to be guided.
Q. 4:26-28 God wills to explain things for you, and to guide you through past precedents, and to redeem you. God is Omniscient, Most Wise.
God wishes to redeem you, while those who pursue their lusts wish that you deviate a great deviation.
God wishes to lighten your burden, for the human being is created weak.
6. But when you ask Him, be sure that you really expect Him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind;
Q. 9:124,125 When a sura* was revealed, some of them would say, "Did this sura strengthen the faith of anyone among you?" Indeed, it did strengthen the faith of those who believed, and they rejoice in any revelation.
As for those who harbored doubts in their hearts, it actually added unholiness to their unholiness, and they died as disbelievers.
Q. 11:47 (Noah) said, "My Lord, I seek refuge in You, lest I implore You again for something I do not know. Unless You forgive me, and have mercy on me, I will be with the losers."
Q. 49:15 (Believers) are those who believe in God and His messenger, then attain the status of having no doubt whatsoever, and strive with their money and their lives in the cause of God. These are the truthful ones.
* A sura is a chapter or book of the Quran.
7,8. And every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn first this way, and then that. If you don't ask with faith, don't expect the Lord to give you any solid answer.
Q. 17:11 The human being often prays for something that may hurt him, thinking that he is praying for something good. The human being is impatient.
9. A Christian who doesn't amount to much in this world should be glad, for he is great in the Lord's sight.
Q. 22:15 If anyone thinks that God cannot support him in this life and in the Hereafter, let him turn completely to (his Creator) in heaven, and sever (his dependence on anyone else). He will then see that this plan eliminates anything that bothers him.
10,11. But a rich man should be glad that his riches mean nothing to the Lord, for he will soon be gone, like a flower that has lost its beauty and fades away, withered - killed by the scorching summer sun. So it is with rich men. They will soon die and leave behind all their busy activities.
Q. 18: 45,46 Cite for them the example of this life as water that we send down from the sky to produce plants of the earth, then they turn into hay that is blown away by the wind. God is able to do all things.
Money and children are the joys of this life, but the righteous works provide an eternal recompense from your Lord, and a far better hope.
12. Happy is the man who doesn't give in and do wrong when he is tempted, for afterwards he will get as his reward the crown of life that God has promised those who love Him.
Q. 2:103 If they believe and lead a righteous life, the reward from God is far better, if they only knew.
Q. 3:145 No one dies except by God's leave, at a predetermined time. Whoever seeks the vanities of this world, we give him therefrom, and whoever seeks the rewards of the Hereafter, we bless him therein. We reward those who are appreciative.
13. And remember, when someone wants to do wrong it is never God who is tempting him, for God never wants to do wrong and never tempts anyone else to do it.
Q. 10:44 God never wrongs the people; it is the people who wrong their own souls.
Q. 16:90 God advocates justice, charity, and regarding the relatives. And He forbids evil, vice, and transgression. He enlightens you, that you may take heed.
Q. 89:15-20 When the human being is tested by his Lord, through blessings and joy, he says, "My Lord is generous towards me."
But if He tests him through reduction in provisions, he says, "My Lord is humiliating me."
Wrong! It is you who brought it on yourselves by not regarding the orphan.
And not advocating charity towards the poor.
And consuming the inheritance of helpless orphans.
And loving the money too much.
14. Temptation is the pull of man's own evil thoughts and wishes.
Q. 30:10 The consequences for those who committed evil had to be evil. That is because they rejected God's revelations and ridiculed them.
Q. 7:27-29 O children of Adam, do not let the devil dupe you as he did when he caused the eviction of your parents from Paradise, and the removal of their garments* to expose their bodies....
....Say, "God never advocates sin. Are you saying about God what you do not know?"
Say, "My Lord advocates justice, and to stand devoted to Him alone at every place of worship. You shall devote your worship absolutely to Him alone. Just as He initiated you, you will ultimately go back to Him."
* Garments refers to the righteousness that covered them. Sin exposed their bodies to them.
15. These evil thoughts lead to evil actions and afterwards to the death penalty from God.
Q. 27:90 As for those who bring evil works, they will be forced into Hell. Do you not get requited for what you did?
16. So don't be misled, dear brothers.
Q. 2:268 The devil promises you poverty and commands you to commit evil, while God promises you forgiveness from Him and grace. God is Bounteous, Omniscient.
17. But whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God, the Creator of all light, and He shines forever without change or shadow.
Q. 4:79 Anything good that happens to you is from God, and anything bad that happens to you is from you. We have sent you as a messenger to the people, and God suffices as a witness.
18. And it was a happy day for Him when He gave us our new lives, through the truth of His Word, and we became, as it were, the first children in His new family.
Q. 49:10 The believers are members of one family; you shall keep the peace within your family and reverence God, that you may attain mercy.
19. Dear brothers, don't ever forget that it is best to listen much, speak little, and not become angry;
Q. 3:133,134 You should eagerly race towards forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise whose width encompasses the heavens and the earth; it awaits the righteous,
who give to charity during the good times, as well as the bad times. They are suppressors of anger, and pardoners of the people. God loves the charitable.
Q. 9:15 He will also remove the rage from the believers' hearts. God redeems whomever He wills. God is Omniscient, Most Wise.
Q. 42:37 They* avoid gross sins and vice, and when angered they forgive.
* The believers.
20. For anger doesn't make us good, as God demands that we must be.
21. So get rid of all that is wrong in your life, both inside and outside, and humbly be glad for the wonderful message we have received, for it is able to save our souls as it takes hold of our hearts.
Q. 2:256,257 There shall be no compulsion in religion: the right way is now distinct from the wrong way. Anyone who denounces the devil and believes in God has grasped the strongest bond; one that never breaks. God is Hearer, Omniscient.
God is Lord of those who believe; He leads them out of darkness into the light. As for those who disbelieve, their lords are their idols; they lead them out of light into darkness these will be the dwellers of Hell; they abide in it forever.
22. And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. So don't fool yourselves.
Q. 2:285 The messenger has believed in what was sent down to him from his Lord, and so did the believers. They believe in God, His angels, His scripture, and His messengers: "We make no distinction among any of His messengers." They say, "We hear, and we obey. Forgive us, our Lord. To You is the ultimate destiny."
Q. 3:32 Proclaim: "You shall obey God and the messenger." If they turn away, God does not love the disbelievers."
23. For if a person just listens and doesn't obey, he is like a man looking at his face in a mirror;
24. As soon as he walks away, he can't see himself anymore or remember what he looks like.
Q. 47:25 Surely, those who slide back, after the guidance has been manifested to them, the devil has enticed them and led them on.
25. But if anyone keeps looking steadily into God's law for free men, he will not only remember it but he will do what it says, and God will greatly bless him in everything he does.
Q. 10:57 O people, enlightenment has come to you herein from your Lord, and healing for anything that troubles your hearts, and guidance, and mercy for the believers.
Q. 47:35,36 Therefore, you shall not waver and surrender in pursuit of peace, for you are guaranteed victory, and God is with you. He will never waste your efforts.
This worldly life is no more than play and vanity. But if you believe and lead a righteous life, He will reward you, without asking you for any money.
26. Anyone who says he is a Christian but doesn't control his sharp tongue is just fooling himself, and his religion isn't worth much.
Q 49:12 O you who believe, you shall avoid any suspicion, for even a little bit of suspicion is sinful. You shall not spy on one another, nor shall you backbite one another; this is as abominable as eating the flesh of your dead brother. You certainly abhor this. You shall observe God. God is Redeemer, Most Merciful.
27. The Christian who is pure and without fault, from God the Father's point of view, is the one who takes care of orphans and widows, and whose soul remains true to the Lord - not soiled and dirtied by its contact with the world.
Q. 2:177 Righteousness is not turning your faces towards the east or the west. Righteous are those who believe in God, the Last Day, the angels, the scripture, and the prophets; and they give the money, cheerfully, to the relatives, the orphans, the needy, the traveling alien, the beggars, and to free the slaves; and they observe the Contact Prayers and give the obligatory charity; and they keep their word whenever they make a promise; and they steadfastly perservere in the face of persecution, hardship, and war. These are the truthful; these are the righteous.
Q. 2:215 They ask you about giving, say: "The charity you give shall go to the parents, the relatives, the orphans, the poor, and the traveling alien." Any good you do, God is fully aware thereof.
Q. 6:153 This is My path - a straight one. You shall follow it, and do not follow any other paths, lest they divert you from His path. These are His commandments to you, that you may be saved.
Q. 6:162 Say: "My Contact Prayers, my worship practices, my life and my death, are all devoted absolutely to God alone, the Lord of the universe.
CHAPTER 2
1. Dear brothers, how can you claim that you belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, if you show favoritism to rich people and look down on poor people?
2. If a man comes into your church dressed in expensive clothes and with valuable gold rings on his fingers, and at the same moment another man comes in who is poor and dressed in threadbare clothes,
3. And you make a lot of fuss over the rich man and give him the best seat in the house and say to the poor man, "You can stand over there if you like, or else sit on the floor" - well,
4. This kind of action casts a question mark across your faith - are you really a Christian at all? - and shows that you are guided by wrong motives.
Q. 80:1-17 He (Muhammad) frowned and turned away.
When the blind man came to him.
How do you know? He may purify himself.
Or he may take heed, and benefit from the message.
As for the rich man.
You gave him your attention.
Even though you could not guarantee his salvation.
The one who came to you eagerly.
And is really reverent.
You ignored him.
Indeed, this is a reminder.
Whoever wills shall take heed.
In honorable scriptures.
Exalted and pure.
(Written) by the hands of messengers.
Who are honorable and righteous.
Woe to the human being; he is so unappreciative!
5. Listen to me, dear brothers: God has chosen poor people to be rich in faith, and the kingdom of heaven is theirs, for that is the gift God has promised to all those who love Him.
Q. 93:1-11 By the forenoon.
By the night as it falls.
Your Lord never abandoned you, nor did He forget.
The Hereafter is far better for you than this first (life).
And your Lord will give you enough; you will be pleased.
Did He not find you orphaned and He gave you a home?
He found you astray , and guided you.
He found you poor, and made you rich.
Therefore, you shall not forsake the orphan.
Nor shall you reprimand the beggar.
You shall proclaim the blessing your Lord has bestowed upon you.
6. And yet, of the two strangers, you have despised the poor man. Don't you realize that it is usually the rich men who pick on you and drag you into court?
Q. 92:8-11 But he who is stingy, though he is rich.
And disbelieves in the scripture.
We will direct him towards misery.
His money cannot help him when he falls.
We provide the guidance.
We control the Hereafter, as well as this life.
7. And all too often they are the ones who laugh at Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear.
Q. 3:48 "He will teach him (Jesus) the scripture, wisdom, the Torah, and the Gospel."
Q. 3:50-53 "I confirm previous scripture - the Torah - and I revoke certain prohibitions imposed upon you. I come to you with sufficient proof from your Lord. Therefore, you shall observe God, and obey me.
"God is my Lord and your Lord; you shall worship Him alone. This is the right path."
When Jesus sensed their disbelief, he said, "Who are my supporters towards God?" The disciples said, "We are God's supporters; we believe in God, and bear witness that we are submitters.
"Our Lord, we have believed in what You have sent down, and we have followed the messenger; count us among the witnesses."
Q. 2:212 This worldly life is adorned in the eyes of the disbelievers, and they ridicule those who believe. However, the righteous will be far above them on the Day of Resurrection. God blesses whomever He wills, without limits.
8. Yes indeed, it is good when you truly obey our Lord's command, "You must love and help your neighbors just as much as you love and take care of yourself."
Q. 92:17-21 Avoiding it (the hellfire) will be the righteous.
Who gives from his money to charity.
Seeking nothing in return.
Seeking only his Lord, the Most High.
He will certainly attain salvation.
9. But you are breaking this law of our Lord's when you favor the rich and fawn over them; it is sin.
10. And the person who keeps every law of God, but makes one little slip, is just as guilty as the person who has broken every law there is.
Q. 2:84,85 We made a covenant with you, that you shall not shed your blood, nor shall you evict each other from your homes. You agreed and bore witness.
Yet, here you are killing each other, and evicting some of you from their homes, banding against them sinfully and maliciously. Even when they surrendered, you demanded ransom from them. Evicting them was prohibited for you in the first place. Do you believe in part of the scripture and disbelieve in part? What should be the retribution for those among you who do this, except humiliation in this life, and a far worse retribution on the Day of Resurrection? God is never unaware of anything you do.
11. For the God who said you must not marry a woman who already has a husband, also said you must not murder, so even though you have not broken the marriage laws by committing adultery, but have murdered someone, you have entirely broken God's laws and stand utterly guilty before Him.
Q. 5:32-34 Because of this, we decreed for the Children of Israel that anyone who murders any person who had not committed a murder or horrendous crimes, it shall be as if he murdered all the people. And anyone who spares a life, it shall be as if he spared the lives of all the people. our messengers went to them with clear proofs and revelations, but most of them, after all this, are still transgressing.
The just retribution for those who fight God and His messenger, and commit horrendous crimes, is to be killed, or crucified, or to have their hands and feet cut off on alternate sides, or to be banished from the land. This is to humiliate them in this life, then they suffer a far worse retribution in the Hereafter.
Exempted are those who repent before you overcome them. You should know that God is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
12. You will be judged on whether or not you are doing what Christ wants you to. So watch what you do and what you think;
Q 43:63 When Jesus went with the proofs, he said, "I bring to you wisdom, and to clarify some of the matters in which you dispute. You shall reverence God and obey me.
13. For there will be no mercy to those who have shown no mercy. But if you have been merciful, then God's mercy toward you will win out over His judgment against you.
Q 57:27-29 Subsequent to them, we sent our messengers. We sent Jesus the son of Mary, and we gave him the Injeel (Gospel
O you who believe, you shall reverence God and believe in His messenger. He will then grant you double the reward from His mercy, endow you with light to guide you, and forgive you. God is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
Thus, the followers of previous scripture should know that they have not monopolized God's mercy and grace, and that all grace is in God's hand. He bestows it upon whomever He wills. God is Possessor of Infinite Grace.
14. Dear brothers, what's the use of saying that you have faith and are Christians, if you aren't proving it by helping others? Will that kind of faith save anyone?
Q. 2:204-206 Among the people, one may impress you with his utterances concerning this life, and may even call upon God to witness his innermost thoughts, while he is a most ardent opponent.
As soon as he leaves, he roams the earth corruptingly, destroying properties and lives. God does not love corruption.
When he is told, "observe God," he becomes arrogantly indignant. Consequently, his only destiny is Hell; what a miserable abode.
15. If you have a friend who is in need of food and clothing,
16. And you say to him, "Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat hearty," and then don't give him clothes or food, what good does that do?
Q. 2:267,268 O you who believe, you shall give to charity from the good things you earn, and from what we have produced for you from the earth. Do not pick out the bad therein to give away, when you yourselves do not accept it unless your eyes are closed. You should know that God is Rich, Praiseworthy.
The devil promises you poverty and commands you to commit evil, while God promises you forgiveness from him and grace. God is Bounteous, Omniscient.
17. So you see, it isn't enough just to have faith. You must also do good to prove that you have it. Faith that doesn't show itself by good works is no faith at all - it is dead and useless.
Q. 2:207 Then there are those who dedicate their lives to serving God; God is compassionate towards such worshipers.
18. But someone may well argue, "You say the way to God is by faith alone, plus nothing; well, I say that good works are important too, for without good works you can't prove whether you have faith or not; but anyone can see that I have faith by the way I act."
Q. 18:103-108 Say, "Shall I tell you who the worst losers are?"
"They are the ones whose works in this life are totally astray, but they think that they are doing good."
Such are the ones who disbelieved in the revelations of their Lord and in meeting Him. Therefore, their works are in vain; on the Day of Resurrection, they have no weight.
Their just requital is Hell, in return for their disbelief, and for mocking My revelations and My messengers.
As for those who believe and lead a righteous life they have deserved a blissful Paradise as their abode.
Forever they abide therein; they will never want any other substitute.
19. Are there still some among you who hold that "only believing" is enough? Believing in one God? Well, remember that the devils believe this too - so strongly that they tremble in terror!
Q. 14:22 And the devil will say, after the judgment had been issued, "God has promised you the truthful promise, and I promised you, but I broke my promise. I had no power over you; I simply invited you, and you accepted my invitation. Therefore, do not blame me, and blame only yourselves. My complaining cannot help you, nor can your complaining help me. I have disbelieved in your idolizing me. The transgressors have incurred a painful retribution."
Q. 59:16 They are like the devil: he says to the human being, "Disbelieve," then as soon as he disbelieves, he says, "I disown you. I fear God, Lord of the universe."
20. Dear foolish man! When will you ever learn that "believing" is useless without doing what God wants you to? Faith that does not result in good deeds is not real faith.
Q. 27:46 He said, "O my people, why do you hasten to commit evil instead of good works? If only you implore God for forgiveness, you may attain mercy."
Q. 27:89 Those who bring good works (in their records) will receive far better rewards, and they will be perfectly secure from the horrors of that day.
21. Don't you remember that even our father Abraham was declared good because of what he did, when he was willing to obey God, even if it meant offering his son Isaac to die on the altar?
At this point it must be stated that the Quran disagrees with the Bible as to whom Abraham was supposed to sacrifice, and also to the circumstances that led Abraham to believe he was obeying God: the Quran states that it was Ismail who Abraham attempted to sacrifice, as Isaac was not yet born. Satan was allowed to tempt Abraham in a dream, which Abraham mistakenly interpreted as being inspired by God. Furthermore, God never tempts anyone to commit a sin, and murdering ones son is a sin. God expressly forbids the killing of our children. God never violates His own law. The Quran states:
Q. 7:28 ....God never advocates sin. Are you saying about God what you do not know?"
Q. 37:102-108 When he grew enough to work with him, he said, "My son, I see in a dream that I am sacrificing you. What do you think?" He said, "O my father, do what you are commanded to do. You will find me, God willing, patient."
They both submitted, and he put his forehead down (to sacrifice him).
We called him: "O Abraham."
"You have believed the dream." We thus reward the righteous.
That was an exacting test indeed.
We ransomed (Ismail) by substituting an animal sacrifice.
And we preserved his history for subsequent generations.
Q. 17:31 You shall not kill your children due to fear of poverty. We provide for them, as well as for you. Killing them is a gross offense.
Q. 17:33 You shall not kill any person - for God has made life sacred - except in the course of justice. If one is killed unjustly, then we give his heir authority to enforce justice. Thus, he shall not exceed the limits in avenging the murder, he will be helped.
As already stated in James 1:13, "....When someone wants to do wrong it is never God who is tempting him, for God never wants to do wrong and never tempts anyone else to do it." We can only speculate why the Old Testament version claims that God ordered Abraham to sacrifice his son, contrary to the fact that God never advocates evil. Also, James 3:17 points out that God's wisdom is full of mercy and good deeds, and killing ones child, or anyone else, except in the course of justice, is evil, and thus must be inspired by the devil. Certainly good and evil are not equal. Therefore, in light of the evidence, one must decide whether it was God's command or the devil's that Abraham attempted to follow.
22. You see, he was trusting God so much that he was willing to do whatever God told him to; his faith was made complete by what he did, by his actions, his good deeds.
Q. 4:75 We showed Abraham the marvels of the heavens and the earth, and blessed him with certainty.
Q. 4:79-87 "I have devoted myself absolutely to the One who initiated the heavens and the earth; I will never be an idol worshiper."
His people argued with him. He said, "Do you argue with me about God, after He has guided me? I have no fear of the idols you set up. Nothing can happen to me, unless my Lord wills it. My Lord's knowledge encompasses all things. Would you not take heed?"
"Why should I fear your idols? It is you who should be afraid, since you worship instead of God idols that are utterly powerless to help you. Which side is more deserving of security, if you know?"
Those who believe, and do not pollute their belief with idol worship, have deserved the perfect security, and they are truly guided.
Such was our argument, with which we supported Abraham against his people. We exalt whomever we will to higher ranks. Your Lord is Most Wise, Omniscient.
And we granted him Isaac and Jacob, and we guided both of them. Similarly, we guided Noah before that, and from his descendants (we guided) David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron. We thus reward the righteous.
Also, Zachariah, John, Jesus, and Elias; all were righteous.
And Ismail, Elisha, Jonah, and Lot; each of these we distinguished over all the people.
From among their ancestors, their descendants, and their siblings, we chose many, and we guided them in a straight path.
23. And so it happened just as the Scriptures say, that Abraham trusted God, and the Lord declared him good in God's sight, and he was even called "the friend of God."
Q. 4:125 Whose is better guided in his religion than one who submits totally to God, leads a righteous life, according to the creed of Abraham: monotheism? God has chosen Abraham as a beloved friend.
24. So you see, a man is saved by what he does, as well as by what he believes.
Q. 2:207 Then there are those who dedicate their lives to serving God; God is compassionate towards such worshipers.
Q. 3:142 Do you expect to enter Paradise without God distinguishing those among you who strive, and without distinguishing those who are steadfast?
25. Rahab, the prostitute, is another example of this. She was saved because of what she did when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road.
Q. 4:48 God does not forgive idolatry, but He forgives lesser offenses for whomever He wills. Anyone who sets up idols beside God, has forged a horrendous offense.
26. Just as the body is dead when there is no spirit in it, so faith is dead if it is not the kind that results in good deeds.
CHAPTER 3
1,2. Dear brothers, don't be too eager to tell others their faults, for we all make many mistakes; and when we teachers, who should know better, do wrong, our punishment will be greater than it would be for others. If anyone can control his tongue, it proves that he has perfect control over himself in every other way.
Q. 34:32,33 The leaders will say to those who followed them, "Are we the ones who diverted you from the guidance after it came to you? No: it is you who were wicked."
The followers will say to their leaders, "It was you who schemed night and day, then commanded us to be unappreciative of God, and to set up idols to rank with Him." They will be ridden with remorse, when they see the retribution, for we will place shackles around the necks of those who disbelieved. Are they not justly requited for what they did?
3. We can make a large horse turn around and go wherever we want by means of a small bit in his mouth.
4. And a tiny rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot wants it to go, even though the winds are strong.
5. So also the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A great forest can be set on fire by one tiny spark.
Q. 3:78-80 Among them are those who twist their tongues to imitate the scripture, that you may think it is from the scripture, when it is not from the scripture, and they claim that it is from God, when it is not from God. Thus, they utter lies and attribute them to God, knowingly.
Never would a human being whom God blessed with the scripture and prophethood say to the people, "Idolize me beside God." Instead, (he would say), "Devote yourselves absolutely to your Lord alone," according to the scripture you preach and the teachings you learn.
Nor would he command you to idolize the angels and the prophets as lords. Would he exhort you to disbelieve after becoming submitters?
A careful review of the New Testament where Jesus refers to himself shows that Jesus consistently referred to himself as the Son of Man.
6. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness and poisons every part of the body. And the tongue is set on fire by hell itself, and can turn our whole lives into a blazing flame of destruction and disaster.
Q. 16:116 You shall not utter lies with your own tongues stating: "This is lawful and this is unlawful," to fabricate lies and attribute them to God. Surely, those who fabricate lies and attribute them to God will never succeed.
Q. 24:11-17 A gang among you produced a big lie....When you heard it, the believing men and the believing women should have had better thoughts about themselves, and should have said, "This is obviously a big lie."
Only if they produced four witnesses (You may believe them). If they fail to produce the witnesses, then they are, according to God, liars.
If it were not for God's grace towards you, and His mercy in this world and in the Hereafter, you would have suffered a great retribution because of this incident.
You fabricated it with your own tongues, and the rest of you repeated it with your mouths without proof. You thought it was simple, when it was, according to God, gross.
When you heard it, you should have said, "We will not repeat this. Glory be to You. This is a gross falsehood."
God admonishes you that you shall never do it again, if you are believers.
7. Men have trained, or can train, every kind of animal or bird that lives and every kind of reptile and fish,
Q. 5:4 ...."Lawful for you are all good things, including what trained dogs and falcons catch for you." You train them according to God's teachings. You may eat what they catch for you, and mention God's name thereupon. You shall observe God. God is most efficient in reckoning.
8. But no human being can tame the tongue. It is always ready to pour out its deadly poison.
Q. 24:24 The day will come when their own tongues, hands, and feet will bear witness to everything they had done.
9. Sometimes it praises our heavenly Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against men who are made like God.
Q. 2:224,225 Do not subject God's name to your casual swearing, that you may appear righteous, pious, or to attain credibility among the people. God is Hearer, Knower.
God does not hold you responsible for the mere utterance of oaths; He holds you responsible for your innermost intentions. God is Forgiver, Clement.
Q. 4:148,149 God does not like the utterance of bad language, unless one is treated with gross injustice. God is Hearer, Knower.
If you work righteousness - either declared or concealed - or pardon a transgression, God is Pardoner, Omnipotent.
10. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Dear brothers, surely this is not right!
11. Does a spring of water bubble out first with fresh water and then with bitter water?
Q. 25:53 He is the One who merges the two seas; one is fresh and palatable, while the other is salty and undrinkable. And He separated them with a formidable, inviolable barrier (evaporation).
12. Can you pick olives from a fig tree, or figs from a grape vine? No, and you can't draw fresh water from a salty pool.
Q. 6:99 He is the One who sends down from the sky water, whereby we produce all kinds of plants. We produce from the green material multitudes of complex grains, palm trees with hanging clusters, and gardens of grapes, olives and pomegranate; fruits that are similar, yet dissimilar. Note their fruits as they grow and ripen. These are signs for people who believe.
Q. 35:12 The two seas are not the same; one is fresh and delicious, while the other is salty and undrinkable....
13. If you are wise, live a life of steady goodness, so that only good deeds will pour forth. And it you don't brag about them, then you will be truly wise!
Q. 2:271 If you declare your charities, they are still good. But if you keep them anonymous, and give them to the poor, it is better for you, and remits more of your sins. God is fully Cognizant of everything you do.
Q. 13:22 They steadfastly persevere in seeking their Lord, observe the Contact Prayers, spend from our provisions to them secretly and publicly, and counter evil with good. These have deserved the best abode.
14. And by all means don't brag about being wise and good if you are bitter and jealous and selfish; that is the worst sort of lie.
Q. 2:109 Many followers of the scripture would rather see you revert to disbelief, now that you have believed. This is due to jealousy on their part, after the truth has become evident to them. You shall pardon them, and leave them
alone, until God issues His judgment. God is Omnipotent.
15. For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, inspired by the devil.
Q. 15:45-48 As for the righteous, they will enjoy gardens and springs.
Enter therein, peaceful and secure.
We remove all jealousy from their hearts. Like one family, they will be on adjacent furnishings.
Never will they suffer any fatigue therein; never will they be evicted therefrom.
16. For wherever there is jealousy or selfish ambition, there will be disorder and every other kind of evil.
Q. 2:251 They defeated them by God's leave, and David killed Goliath. God gave him kingship and wisdom, and taught him as He willed. If it were not for God's support of some people against others, there would be chaos on earth. But God showers His grace upon the people.
Q. 8:73 Those who disbelieved are allies of one another. Unless you keep these commandments, there will be chaos on earth, and terrible corruption.
Q. 23:71 Indeed, if the truth conformed to their wishes, there would be chaos in the heavens and the earth; everything in them would be corrupted. We have given them their proof, but they are disregarding their proof.
17. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness. Then it is peace-loving and courteous. It allows discussion and is willing to yield to others; it is full of mercy and good deeds. It is wholehearted and straightforward and sincere.
Q. 16:125-127 You shall invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and kind enlightenment, and debate with them in the best possible manner. Your Lord knows best who has strayed from His path, and He knows best who are the guided ones.
And if you punish, you shall inflict an equivalent punishment. But if you resort to patience (instead of revenge), it would be better for the patient ones.
You shall resort to patience - and your patience is attainable only with God's help. Do not grieve over them, and do not be annoyed by their schemes.
God is with those who lead a righteous life, and those who are charitable.
18. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.
Q. 3:133,134 You should eagerly race towards forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise whose width encompasses the heavens and the earth; it awaits the righteous,
who give to charity during the good times, as well as the bad times. They are suppressors of anger, and pardoners of the people. God loves the charitable.
CHAPTER 4
1. What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Isn't it because there is a whole army of evil desires within you?
Q. 2:190-193 You may fight in the cause of God against those who attack you, but do not aggress. God does not love the aggressors. You may kill those who wage war against you, and you may evict them whence they evicted you. Oppression is worse than murder. Do not fight them at the Sacred Masjid, unless they attack you therein. If they attack you, you may kill them. This is the just retribution for those disbelievers.
If they refrain, then God is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
You may also fight them to eliminate oppression, and to worship God freely. If they refrain, you shall not aggress; aggression is permitted only against the aggressors.
2. You want what you don't have, so you kill to get it. You long for what others have, and can't afford it, so you start a fight to take it away from them. And yet the reason you don't have what you want is that you don't ask God for it.
Q. 9:69 Some of those before you were stronger than you, and possessed more money and children. They became preoccupied with their material possessions. Similarly, you have become preoccupied with your material possessions, just like those before you have become preoccupied. You have become totally heedless, just as they were heedless. Such are the people who nullify their works, both in this world and in the Hereafter; they are the losers.
3. And even when you do ask you don't get it because your whole aim is wrong - you want only what will give you pleasure.
Q. 9:85 Do not be impressed by their money or their children; God causes these to be sources of misery for them in this world, and their souls depart as disbelievers.
4. You are like an unfaithful wife who loves her husband's enemies. Don't you realize that making friends with God's enemies - the evil pleasures of this world - makes you an enemy of God? I say it again, that if your aim is to enjoy the evil pleasure of the unsaved world, you cannot also be a friend of God.
Q. 100:6-11 The human being is unappreciative of his Lord.
He bears witness to this fact.
He loves material things excessively.
Does he not realize that the day will come when the graves are opened?
And all secrets are brought out.
They will find out, on that day, that their Lord has been fully Cognizant of them.
Q 60:1,2 O you who believe, you shall not befriend My enemies and your enemies, extending love and friendship to them, even though they have disbelieved in the truth that has come to you. They persecute the messenger, and you, just because you believe in God, your Lord. If you mobilize to struggle in My cause, seeking My blessings, how can you secretly love them? I am fully aware of everything you conceal, and everything you declare. Those among you who do this have indeed strayed off the right path.
Whenever they encounter you, they treat you as enemies, and hurt you with their hands and tongues. They want you to disbelieve.
Q. 60:8,9 God does not enjoin you from befriending those who do not fight you because of religion, and do not evict you from your homes. You may befriend them and be equitable towards them. God loves the equitable.
God enjoins you only from befriending those who fight you because of religion, evict you from your homes, and band together with others to banish you. You shall not befriend them. Those who befriend them are the transgressors.
5. Or what do you think the Scripture means when it says that the Holy Spirit, whom God has placed within us, watches over us with tender jealousy?
Q. 16:102 Say, "The Holy Spirit has brought it down from your Lord, truthfully, to assure those who believe, and to provide a beacon and good news for the submitters."
6. But He gives us more and more strength to stand aginst all such evil longings. As the Scripture says, God gives strength to the humble, but sets Himself against the proud and haughty.
Q. 2:58 Recall that we said, "Enter this town, where you will find as many provisions as you like. Just enter the gate humbly, and treat the people nicely. We will then forgive your sins, and increase the reward for the pious."
Q. 5:54 O you who believe, if you revert from your religion, then God will substitute in your place people whom He loves and who love Him. They will be kind with the believers, stern with the disbelievers, and will strive in the cause of God without fear of any blame. Such is God's blessing; He Bestows it upon whomever He wills. God is Bounteous, Omniscient.
Q. 31:18,19 "You shall not treat the people with arrogance, nor shall you roam the earth proudly. God does not like the arrogant showoffs.
Walk humbly and lower your voice - the ugliest voice is the donkey's voice."
Q. 3:188 Those who boast about their works, and wish to be praised for something they have not really done, should not think that they can evade the retribution. They have incurred a painful retribution.
Q. 7:146 I will divert from My revelations those who are arrogant on earth, without justification. Consequently, when they see every kind of proof they will not believe. And when they see the path of guidance they will not adopt it as their path, but when they see the path of straying they will adopt it as their path. This is the consequence of their rejecting our proofs, and being totally heedless thereof.*
Q. 17:37,38 You shall not walk proudly on earth - you cannot bore through the earth, nor can you be as tall as the mountains.
All bad behavior is condemned by your Lord.
* God has given everyone freedom of choice. Once we make that choice, God guides us accordingly.
7. So give yourselves humbly to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Q. 2:168,169 O people, eat from the earth's products all that is lawful and good, and do not follow the steps of Satan; he is your most ardent enemy.
He only commands you to commit evil and vice, and to say about God what you do not know.
Q. 16:98-100 When you read the Quran, you shall seek refuge in God from Satan the rejected.
He has no power over those who believe and trust in their Lord.
His power is limited to those who choose him as their master; those who choose him as their god.
8. And when you draw close to God, God will draw close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and let your hearts be filled with God alone to make them pure and true to Him.
Q. 2:112 Indeed, those who submit themselves absolutely to God alone, while leading a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord; they have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.
Q. 3:150 God alone is your Lord and Master, and He is the best supporter.
Q. 7:29 Say, "My Lord advocates justice, and to stand devoted to Him alone at every place of worship. You shall devote your worship absolutely to Him alone. Just as He initiated you, you will ultimately go back to Him."
Q. 22:31 You shall maintain your devotion absolutely to God alone. Anyone who sets up any idol beside God is like one who fell from the sky, then gets snatched up by vultures, or blown away by the wind into a deep ravine.
Q. 39:3 Absolutely, the religion shall be devoted to God alone. Those who set up idols beside Him say, "We idolize them only to bring us closer to God; for they are in a better position!" God will judge them regarding their disputes....
Q. 39:45 When God ALONE is mentioned, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter shrink with aversion. But when others are mentioned beside Him, they become satisfied.
Q. 39:66 Therefore, you shall worship God alone, and be appreciative.
9. Let there be tears for the wrong things you have done. Let there be sorrow and sincere grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy.
Q. 9:81,82 The sedentary rejoiced in their staying behind the messenger of God, and hated to strive with their money and their lives in the cause of God. They said, "Let us not mobilize in this heat!" Say, "The fire of Hell is much hotter," if they could only comprehend.
Let them laugh a little, and cry a lot. This is the requital for the sins they have earned.
Q. 53:53-62 The evil communities (of Sodom and Gomorah) were the lowliest.
Consequently, they utterly vanished.
Which of your Lord's marvels can you deny?
This is a warning like the older ones.
The inevitable is imminent.
None beside God can relieve it.
Are you questioning this matter?
Are you laughing, instead of crying?
Are you insisting on your ways?
You shall fall prostrate before God, and worship.
10. Then when you realize your worthlessness before the Lord, He will lift you up, encourage and help you.
Q. 3:160 If God supports you, none can defeat you. And if He abandons you, who else can support you? In God the believers shall trust.
Compare this with the Bible passage:
Romans 8:31. If God is for you, who can be against you?
11. Don't criticize and speak evil about each other, dear brothers. If you do, you will be fighting against God's law of loving one another, declaring it wrong. But your job is not to decide whether this law is right or wrong, but to obey it.
Q. 24:51 The only utterance of the believers, whenever invited to God and His messenger to judge in their affairs, is to say, "We hear and we obey." These are the winners.
Q. 49:11 O you who believe, no people shall ridicule other people, for they may be better than they. Nor shall any women ridicule other women, for they may be better than they. Nor shall you mock one another, or make fun of your names. Evil indeed is the reversion to wickedness after attaining faith. Anyone who does not repent after this, these are the transgressors.
12. Only He who made the law can rightly judge among us. He alone decides to save us or destroy. So what right do you have to judge or criticize others?
Q. 2:210 Are they waiting until God Himself comes to them in dense clouds, together with the angels? When this happens, the whole matter will be terminated, and to God everything will be returned.
Q. 22:17 Those who believe, those who are Jewish, the converts, the Christian, the Zoroastrians, and the idol worshipers, God is the One who will judge among them on the Day of Resurrection. God witnesses all things.
13. Look here, you people who say, "Today or tomorrow we are going to such and such a town, stay there a year, and open up a profitable business."
14. How do you know what is going to happen tomorrow? For the length of your lives is as uncertain as the morning fog - now you see it; soon it is gone.
Q. 18:23,24 You shall not say that you will do anything in the future,
without saying, "God willing." If you forget to do this, you must immediately remember your Lord and say, "May my Lord guide me to do better next time."
15. What you ought to say is, "If the Lord wants us to, we shall live and do this or that."
Q. 18:32-44 Cite for them the example of two men: we gave one of them two gardens of grapes, surrounded by date palms, and placed other crops between them.
Both gardens produced their crops on time, and generously, for we caused a river to run through them.
Once, after harvesting, he boastfully told his friend: "I am far more prosperous than you, and I command more respect from the people."
When he entered his garden, he wronged his soul by saying, "I do not think that this will ever end.
Moreover, I think this is it; I do not think that the Hour (the Hereafter) will ever come to pass. Even if I am returned to my Lord, I will (be clever enough to) possess an even better one over there."
His friend said to him, as he debated with him, "Have you disbelieved in the One who created you from dust, then from a tiny drop, then perfected you into a man?"
"As for me, God is my Lord, and I will never set up any other god besides my Lord."
"When you entered your garden, you should have said, 'This is what God has given me (Ma Sha Allah). No one possesses power except God (La Quwwata Ella Bellah).' You may see that I possess less money and less children than you."
"My Lord may grant me better than your garden. He may send a violent storm from the sky that wipes out your garden, leaving it completely barren."
"Or, its water may sink deeper, out of your reach."
Indeed, his crops were wiped out, and he ended up sorrowful, lamenting what he had spent on it in vain, as his property lay barren. He finally said, "I wish I never set up my property as a god beside my Lord."
No force on earth could have helped him aginst God, nor was it possible for him to receive any help.
That is because the only true Lord and master is God; He provides the best recompense, and with Him is the best destiny.
Q. 68:17-33 We have tested them like we tested the owners of the garden who swore that they will harvest it in the morning.
They were so absolutely sure.
A passing (storm) from your Lord passed by it while they were asleep.
By morning, it was barren.
They called on each other in the morning.
"Let us harvest the crop."
On their way, they confided to each other.
That from then on, none of them would be poor.
They were so absolutely sure of their harvest.
But when they saw it, they said, "We were so wrong!"
"Now, we have nothing!"
The righteous among them said, "If only you had glorified (God)!"
They said, "Glory be to our Lord. We have transgressed."
They started to blame each other.
They said, "Woe to us. We sinned."
"May our Lord grant us a better one. We repent to our Lord."
Such was the requittal. But the retribution of the Hereafter is far worse, if they only knew.
16. Otherwise you will be bragging about your own plans, and such self-confidence never pleases God.
17. Remember, too, that knowing what is right to do and then not doing it is sin.
Q. 47:25 Surely, those who slide back, after the guidance has been manifested to them, the devil has enticed them and led them on.
CHAPTER 5
1. Look here, you rich men, now is the time to cry and groan with anguished grief because of all the terrible trouble ahead of you.
2. Your wealth is even now rotting away, and your fine clothes are becoming mere moth-eaten rags.
Q. 3:116-117Those who disbelieved can never be helped by their money or their children against God. They have incurred Hell, wherein they abide forever.
The example of their accomplishments in this life is like a violent wind that hits the harvest of people who have wronged their souls, and wipes it out. God never wronged them; it is they who wronged themselves.
3. The value of your gold and silver is dropping fast, yet it will stand as evidence against you, and eat your flesh like fire. That is what you have stored up for yourselves, to receive on that coming day of judgment.
Q. 9:34-35O you who believe, many religious leaders and preachers take the people's money illicitly, and repel from the path of God. Those who hoard the gold and silver, and do not spend them in the cause of God, promise them a painful retribution.
The day will come when their gold and silver will be heated in the fire of Hell, then used to burn their foreheads, their sides, and their backs: "This is what you hoarded for yourselves, so taste what you have hoarded."
4. For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. Their cries have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.
Q. 4:161 And for practicing usury, which was forbidden, and for consuming the people's money illicitly. We have prepared for the disbelievers among them painful retribution.
Q. 7:85 ....You shall give full weight and full measure when you trade. Do not cheat the people out of their rights. Do not corrupt the earth after it has been set straight. This is better for you, if you are believers.
5. You have spent your years here on earth having fun, satisfying your every whim, and now your fat hearts are ready for the slaughter.
Q. 3:14 Adorned for the people are the worldly pleasures, such as the women, having children, piles upon piles of gold and silver, trained horses,livestock, and crops. These are the materials of this world. A far better abode is reserved at God.
Q. 5:90-93 O you who believe, intoxicants, and gambling, and the altars of idols, and the games of chance are abominations of the devil; you shall avoid them, that you may succeed.
The devil wants to provoke animosity and hatred among you through intoxicants and gambling, and to distract you from remembering God, and from observing the Contact Prayers (Salat). Will you then refrain?
You shall obey God, and you shall obey the messenger, and beware. If you turn away, then know that the sole duty of our messenger is to deliver the message efficiently.
Those who believe and lead a righteous life bear no guilt by eating any food, so long as they observe the commandments, believe and lead a righteous life, then maintain their piety and faith, and continue to observe piety and righteousness. God loves the righteous.
Q. 5:3 Prohibited for you are animals that die of themselves, blood, the meat of pigs, and animals dedicated to other than God. (Animals that die of themselves include those) strangled, struck with an object, fallen from a height, gored, attacked by a wild animal - unless you save your animal before it dies and animals sacrificed on altars. Also prohibited is dividing the meat through a game of chance; this is an abomination.....If one is forced by famine (to eat prohibited food), without being deliberately sinful, then God is Forgiver, Merciful.
6. You have condemned and killed good men who had no power to defend themselves against you.
Q. 3:21,22 Those who have rejected God's revelations, and killed the prophets unjustly, and killed those who advocated justice among the people, promise them a painful retribution.
Their works have been nullified, both in this life and in the Hereafter, and they will have no helpers.
7. Now as for you, dear brothers who are waiting for the Lord's return, be patient, like a farmer who waits until the autumn for his precious harvest to ripen.
Q. 3:15 Say, "Let me inform you of a much better deal: for those who lead a righteous life, reserved at their Lord, are gardens with flowing streams, and pure spouses, and joy in God's blessings." God is Seer of His worshipers.
8. Yes, be patient. And take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.
Q. 3:9,30 "Our Lord, You will surely gather the people on a day that is inevitable. God never breaks a promise."
The day will come when each soul will find all the good works it had done brought forth. As for the evil works, it will wish that they were far, far removed. God alerts you that you shall reverence Him alone. God is Compassionate towards the people.
9. Don't grumble about each other, brothers. Are you yourselves above criticism? For see! the great Judge is coming. He is almost here (let Him do whatever criticizing must be done).
10. For examples of patience in suffering, look at the Lord's prophets.
Q. 4:163-165 We have inspired you, as we inspired Noah and the prophets after him. And we inspired Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, the Patriarchs, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon. And we gave David the Psalms.
Messengers we have told you about, and messengers we never told you about. And God spoke to Moses directly.
Messengers to deliver good news, as well as warnings. Thus, the people will have no excuse when they face God, after all these messengers have come to them. God is Almighty, Most Wise.
11. We know how happy they are now because they stayed true to Him then, even though they suffered greatly for it. Job is an example of a man who continued to trust the Lord in sorrow; from his experiences we can see how the Lord's plan finally ended in good, for He is full of tenderness and mercy.
Q. 21:83,84 And Job implored his Lord: "Adversity has befallen me, and, of all the merciful ones, You are the Most Merciful."
We responded to him, relieved his adversity, and restored his family for him, even twice as much. That was a mercy from us, and a reminder for the worshipers.
Q. 38:41-44 Remember our servant Job: he called upon his Lord, "The devil has afflicted me with hardship and pain."
"Strike the ground with your foot. A spring will give you healing and a drink."
We restored his family for him; twice as many. Such is our mercy; a reminder for those who possess intelligence.
"Now, you shall travel the land and preach the message, to fulfill your pledge." We found him steadfast. What a good servant! He was a submitter.
12. But most of all, dear brothers, do not swear either by heaven or earth or anything else; just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and receive God's curse.
Q. 16:91,94,95 You shall fulfill your covenant with God when you make such a covenant. You shall not violate the oaths after swearing (by God) to carry them out, for you have made God a guarantor for you. God knows everything you do.
Do not abuse the oaths among you, lest you slide back after having a strong foothold, then you incur misery. Such is the consequence of repelling from the path of God (by setting a bad example); you incur a terrible retribution.
Do not sell your oaths before God short. What God possesses is far better for you, if you only knew.
13. Is anyone among you suffering? He should keep on praying about it. And those who have reason to be thankful should continually be singing praises to the Lord.
Q. 2:155-157 We will surely test you through some fear, hunger, and loss of money, lives, and crops. Give good news to the steadfast.
When an affliction befalls them, they say, "We belong to God, and to Him we are returning."
These have deserved blessings from their Lord and mercy. These are the guided ones.
14. Is anyone sick? He should call for the elders of the church and they should pray over him and pour a little oil over him, calling on the Lord to heal him.
15. And their prayer, if offered in faith, will heal him, for the Lord will make him well; and if his sickness was caused by some sin, the Lord will forgive him.
Q. 10:57 O people, enlightenment has come to you herein from your Lord, and healing for anything that troubles your hearts, and guidance, and mercy for the believers.
Q. 17:82 We send down in the Quran healing and mercy for the believers. At the same time, it only increases the wickedness of the transgressors.
Q. 26:77-80 (Abraham said)...."I am devoted only to the Lord of the universe.
"The One who created me, and guided me.
"The One who feeds me and waters me.
"And when I get sick, He heals me."
16. Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous man has great power and wonderful results.
Q. 4:64 We did not send any messenger except to be obeyed in accordance with God's will. Had they, when they wronged their souls, come to you and prayed to God for forgiveness, and the messenger prayed for their forgiveness, they would have found God Redeemer, Most Merciful.
17. Elijah was as completely human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for the next three and one-half years!
18. Then he prayed again, this time that it would rain, and down it poured and the grass turned green and the gardens began to grow again.
Q. 6:86 And Ismail, Elisha, Jonah, and Lot; each of these we distinguished over all the people.
19. Dear brothers, if anyone has slipped away from God and no longer trusts the Lord, and someone helps him understand the Truth again,
20. That person who brings him back to God will have saved a wandering soul from death, bringing about the forgiveness of his many sins.
Q. 4:85 Whoever mediates a good deed receives a share of the credit thereof, and whoever mediates an evil work, incurs a share thereof. God controls all things.
Sincerely,
James
AFTERWORD
It is my sincere prayer and hope that God accepts my intentions in the foregoing work favorably, and I ask His guidance in its distribution. I want all readers to know that this effort was made in an attempt to communicate what we have in common, so that we can live in peace and go forward in a manner that is God pleasing. The Day of Judgment is drawing nearer with each passing day, and we should all be striving to attain the best possible position in preparation for that Day!
Change does not come about overnight. A lifetime of teachings and indoctrination is not casually overturned or reversed. New ideas, or old ideas long forgotten, need time to be thought about, reviewed, discussed, scrutinized, before one is able to accept them. Not everyone is willing to put the time or effort into change. Study is required, not mere reading or casual observation. One thing I have learned from studying both the Bible and the Quran, is that each individual must decide for oneself what is the best path to follow. Our individual beliefs are as different as our fingerprints, even when we unite under one roof as members of a congregation under a common name, be it Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, or any other organized religion. No two people identify with God in exactly the same way, and for that reason it is crucial that we do not sit in judgment of one another. God Alone has the sole authority to judge among us.
With our ever expanding knowledge of science and the universe, we know that everything is governed by laws. Certainly no human among us established any of these laws nor did any human before us initiate these laws. Even people who claim there is no God have to acknowledge that a power greater than they had to initiate the Creation and set the laws in motion. However you choose to reconcile yourself to this knowledge, our lives on this earth will be greatly enhanced if we recognize the common denominator that governs us all.
I would also like to share additional information that was not covered in the body of this work.
In the English speaking world, where the trinity doctrine is prevalent, some people are intrigued by God's usage of the plural tense in the Quran. The overwhelming message of the Quran, where there is absolutely no compromise is that "GOD IS ONE".
Whenever the first person plural form is used by the Almighty, it invariably indicates participation of other entities, such as the angels. For example, the revelation of this Quran involved participation of the angel Gabriel and the prophet Muhammad. Hence the use of the plural form...
Whenever the worship of God is mentioned, the singular tense is used.
The Quran also prophesied the coming of a last messenger to purify the existing scriptures and unify all the believers.
Q. 3:81 God took a covenant from the prophets, saying, "I will give you the scripture and wisdom. Afterwards, a messenger will come to confirm all existing scriptures. You shall believe in him and support him." He said, "Do you agree with this, and pledge to fulfill this covenant?" They said, "We agree." He said, "You have thus borne witness, and I bear witness along with you."
All prophets and messengers have been met with resistance and denial by their respective contemporaries. Abraham was rejected by his people including his own father because he invited them to worship God alone and not the stone idols. Lot invited the people of Sodom and Gomorah to reject their practice of homosexuality which was contrary to God's divine plan for human beings. God spared Lot by removing him and then destroying both communities. (Please note: Lot acted with compassion towards the people whose lifestyle was different. The Quran states that Lot even offered his daughters in marriage to them if they would change their ways, such was his concern for setting a good example (11:78). Nowhere does God command us to persecute homosexuals, neither does he ask us to condone it. It is not our place to force others to conform to our standards. All judgment rests with God. The evidence is clear.) The people laughed at Noah as he built the ark until the rains came. Pharoah laughed at Moses and per
secuted the Children of Israel until the sea swallowed him and his troops. Jesus body was crucified because he invited all to worship only God. Muhammad was forced to flee Mecca with the believers of his day and seek refuge in Medina because the idol worshipers did not accept the truth of God's word and sought to engage him in battle to destroy the believers. He only invited the people to believe in God alone, to worship God alone, to set aside the idols they reverenced in place of God alone. His mission was to purify the scripture and free it from the distortions that had accumulated over the centuries. He was not a professional religionist. He did not ask the people to send him money or to support him in any material way. His material support came from God, and he invited anyone who would listen to see the truth of God's word.
Many people have trouble believing that another messenger could have been sent by God, and yet we have no trouble believing in the stories of Abraham, Moses, Noah, David, Solomon, and Jesus. But we can clearly see from the above that contemporaries of every messenger had difficulty accepting these messengers.
Q. 21:1-12 Fast approaching is the reckoning for the people, but they are oblivious, averse.
When a proof comes to them from their Lord, that is new, they listen to heedlessly.
Their minds are heedless. And the transgressors confer secretly:
"Is he not just a human being like you? Would you accept the magic that is presented to you?"
He said, "My Lord knows every thought in the heaven and the earth. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient."
They even said, "Hallucinations," "He made it up," and, "He is a poet. Let him show us a miracle like those of the previous messengers."
We never annihilated a believing community in the past. Are these people believers?
We did not send before you except men whom we inspired. Ask those who know the scripture, if you do not know.
We did not give them bodies that did not eat, nor were they immortal.
We fulfilled our promise to them; we saved them together with whomever we willed, and annihilated the transgressors.
We have sent down to you a scripture containing your message. Do you not understand?
Many a community we terminated because of their transgression, and we substituted other people in their place.
When our requital came to pass, they started to run.
Q. 21:16-18 We did not create the heavens and the earth, and everything between them just for amusement.
If we needed amusement, we could have initiated it without any of this, if that is what we wanted to do.
Instead, it is our plan to support the truth against falsehood, in order to defeat it. Woe to you for the utterances you utter.
Q. 21:25,27,29 We did not send any messenger before you except with the inspiration: "There is no god except Me; you shall worship Me alone."
They never speak on their own, and they strictly follow His commands.
If any of them claims to be a god beside Him, we requite him with Hell; we thus requite the wicked.
I used to wonder when I was a child listening to my teachers talk about the struggles of the biblical messengers how I would have reacted to them if I had been one of their contemporaries. Would I have listened intently at the feet of Jesus as Mary did, believing everything he said? (Luke 10:39-41) Would I have obeyed Moses when he ascended the mountain to receive God's word or would I have engaged in the corrupt behavior that the Children of Israel pursued while waiting for his return? Or would I have blindly followed Pharoah who claimed that he was the only authority to be obeyed? Would I, too, have laughed at Noah as he went about building the ark? So why should I laugh now when I am invited to follow God and God alone. Is this not the same God who wishes to redeem me a complete redemption? Does it matter that this is the 21st century and the messenger wore a suit and tie? If he brought proof that God sent him, shouldn't I listen? Before I can reject what he has said, I should examine it carefully
, and most importantly, consult God for my answer. If one asks God for guidance, He will never lead anyone astray.
All I can ask is that you do no less. May God guide you as you decide. As for me, my choice is clear.
Peace,
A.E.J.
For further information and reading materials available please contact either of the following addresses:
Masjid Tucson
P. O. Box 43476
Tucson, AZ 85733-3476
A Comparison of JAMES and the QURAN
The Servant Of God, Jesus Christ James 1:1
Many Christians have discarded many of Epistles and Gospels, such as The Gospel of St. Barnabas and also the Dead Sea Scrolls. Some have called the Qumran community "Wackos!" yet at first when these Gospels and works were found they were praised as authentic. By Allah! in their own works and epistles the truth is slowly shining..forth! How many espitles and gospels do they have left to deem bogus?
"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32
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Quran's STUNNING Divine Miracles: [1] Allah Almighty also promised in several Divine Prophecies that He will show the Glorious Quran's Miracles to mankind: 1- The root letters for "message" and all of its derivatives occur 513 times throughout the Glorious Quran. Yet, all Praise and Glory are due to Allah Almighty Alone, the Prophets' and Messengers' actual names (Muhammad, Moses, Noah, Abraham, Lot etc....) were also all mentioned 513 times in the Glorious Quran. The detailed breakdown of all of this is thoroughly listed here. This Miracle is covered in 100s (hundreds) of Noble Verses.2- Allah Almighty said that Prophet Noah lived for 950 years. Yet, all Praise and Glory are due to Allah Almighty Alone, the entire Noble Surah (chapter Noah) is exactly written in 950 Letters. You can thoroughly see the accurate count in the scanned images.Coincidence? See 1,000s of examples [1]. Quran's Stunning Numerical & Scientific Miracles. |