Response to Sam Shamoun on the topic “Does Allah Act Alone Or Does He Have Partners That Assist Him?”

By Ahmed Eldin

In that response, I will expose Shamouns stupidity and his lack of understanding.

First, you can find his desperate article here:

http://www../Quran/Contra/allah_alone_confusion.html

He wrote:

The Quran is confused on whether Allah acts by himself, without any help from his creatures. In certain places Allah is said to function all by himself whereas other texts speak of Allah acting with the aid or mediation of his creatures.

Here are some examples of what we mean.

Is Allah Alone a witness against mankind?

Yes:

The day when God shall gather the Messengers, and say, 'What answer were you given?' They shall say, 'We have no knowledge; Thou art the Knower of the things unseen. S. 5:109

And when God said, 'O Jesus son of Mary, didst thou say unto men, "Take me and my mother as gods, apart from God"?' He said, 'To Thee be glory! It is not mine to say what I have no right to. If I indeed said it, Thou knowest it, knowing what is within my soul, and I know not what is within Thy soul; Thou knowest the things unseen I only said to them what Thou didst command me: "Serve God, my Lord and your Lord." And I was a witness over them, while I remained among them; but when Thou didst take me to Thyself, Thou wast Thyself the watcher over them; Thou Thyself art witness of everything. S. 5:116-117

Notice that Jesus and the rest of the messengers, which would include Muhammad, claim ignorance regarding the response of the people to their message and to the actions of their communities after they had left the scene.

No:

Thus We appointed you a midmost nation that you might be witnesses to the people, and that the Messenger might be a witness to you; and We did not appoint the direction thou wast facing, except that We might know who followed the Messenger from him who turned on his heels -- though it were a grave thing save for those whom God has guided; but God would never leave your faith to waste - truly, God is All-gentle with the people, All-compassionate. S. 2:143

Here is how the Muslim expositors interpreted this text:

Thus, in the same way that We guided you to it, We appointed you, O community of Muhammad (s), a midmost community, excellent and upright, that you might be witnesses to the people, on the Day of Resurrection, that their messengers delivered [the Message] to them; and that the Messenger might be a witness to you, that he delivered [the Message] to you, … (Tafsir al-Jalalayn; source)

Muhammad and his community will be witnesses, which requires that they have knowledge of what the nations have done; otherwise how can they act as witnesses for or against the people?

This isn’t the only text which speaks of Muhammad being a witness over people:

How then shall it be, when We bring forward from every nation a witness, and bring thee to witness against those? S. 4:41

Muhammad isn’t the only messenger who will be a witness on the day of resurrection:

There is not one of the People of the Book but will assuredly believe in him (Jesus) before his death, and on the Resurrection Day he will be a witness against them. S. 4:159

Recall in the previous section the text where Jesus was asked about what people taught in his name and how he pleaded ignorance. Yet here it says that he will be a witness against both Jews and Christians.

My response:

See now how the only confused person here is Shamoun.

Shamoun posted the verse 5:109 and 5:116-117 by saying that these verses speak that Allah alone is a witness against mankind. Then he post the verses 2:143, 4:41, and 4:159 and claims that these verses speak that Allah is not alone a witness against mankind but along with others, therefore he dream about a contradiction.

The funniest thing is that Shamoun refutes his own self, below we will find out how. The verses 5:116-117 speak about how Allah will ask Jesus if he ever claimed divinity. Jesus on the other side will say that he was a witness, over them implying that they never said such a thing against him when he was among them. Therefore, Jesus was a witness over his message that he proclaimed. In the same time, he did not know what people after him invented about him (his divinity). So in the Day of Judgment Jesus will be a witness over his message not about the deeds of his people. This is very clear from the verse 5:116-117 and I don’t know the reason why Shamoun missed that point. We read:

005:116] And behold! God will say: "O Jesus the son of Mary! Didst thou say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of God'?" He will say: "Glory to Thee! never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, thou wouldst indeed have known it. Thou knowest what is in my heart, Thou I know not what is in Thine. For Thou knowest in full all that is hidden.

[005:117] "Never said I to them aught except what Thou didst command me to say, to wit, 'worship God, my Lord and your Lord'; and I was a witness over them whilst I dwelt amongst them; when Thou didst take me up Thou wast the Watcher over them, and Thou art a witness to all things.

Concerning Soura 5:109 we read:

[005:109] One day will God gather the apostles together, and ask: "What was the response ye received (from men to your teaching)?" They will say: "We have no knowledge: it is Thou Who knowest in full all that is hidden."

This question of God imply about what was the reaction of the people to the message of the Prophets, if they believed or not or innovated things like the people of Jesus. And the Apostoles normally responed is that they do not know. They only know about the message that they proclaim and they are witness for it as Jesus said.

Shamoun then post 2:143 as a contradictory verse to the above verses. We read:

[002:143] Thus, have We made of you an Ummat justly balanced, that ye might be witnesses over the nations, and the Apostle a witness over yourselves; and We appointed the Qibla to which thou wast used, only to test those who followed the Apostle from those who would turn on their heels (From the Faith). Indeed it was (A change) momentous, except to those guided by God. And never would God Make your faith of no effect. For God is to all people Most surely full of kindness, Most Merciful.

He is a witness of his message, not the witness of the innovated things of his people. Moreover, the Muslim expositors refute Shamoun but he didn’t noticed when he quoted him:

Thus, in the same way that We guided you to it, We appointed you, O community of Muhammad (s), a midmost community, excellent and upright, that you might be witnesses to the people, on the Day of Resurrection, that their messengers delivered [the Message] to them; and that the Messenger might be a witness to you, that he delivered [the Message] to you, … (Tafsir al-Jalalayn; source)

Therefore cannot be much clear that the apostles will be witnesses ONLY for their messages and NOT for the deeds of their people. This also apply to the verse 4:41 and 4:159

Besisde that Prophet Muhammad make it more clearly in his saying:

Book 040, Hadith Number 6847.(Sahih Muslim)

------------------------------Chapter : Pertaining to the destruction of the world and assembling on the day of Resurrection.This hadith has been narrated through other chains of transmitters on the authority of Ibn Abbas, (and) the words are: While Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) stood up to deliver a sermon, he said: O people, Allah would make you assemble barefooted, naked and uncircumcised (and then recited the words of the Qur'an): "As We created you for the first time, We shall repeat it. (It is) a promise (binding) upon us. Lo! We are to perform it, and the first person who would be clothed on the Day of Resurrection would be (Hadrat) Ibrahim (peace be upon him)" and, behold! some persons of my Ummah would be brought and taken to the left and I would say: My Lord, they are my companions, and it would be said: You do not know what they did after you, and I would say just as the pious servant (Hadrat 'Isa) said:,I was a witness regarding them as I remained among them and Thou art a witness over everything, so if Thou chastisest them, they are Thy servants and if Thou forgivest them, Thou art Mighty, Wise" (v. 117-118). And it would be said to him: They constantly turned to their heels since you left them. This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Waki' and Mu'adh (and the words are): "What new things they fabricated."

The above saying actually silences Shamoun ignorance.

He wrote:

Is Allah the only and sufficient Protector or Guardian?

Yes:

God knows well your enemies; God suffices as a protector (waliyyan), God suffices as a helper (naseeran). S. 4:45

As for the believers, who do deeds of righteousness, He will pay them in full their wages, and He will give them more, of His bounty; and as for them who disdain, and wax proud, them He will chastise with a painful chastisement, and they shall not find for them, apart from God, a friend (waliyyan) or helper (naseeran). S. 4:123

O Messenger, deliver that which has been sent down to thee from thy Lord; for if thou dost not, thou wilt not have delivered His Message. God will protect thee from men. God guides not the people of the unbelievers. S. 5:67

Say: Who is he who can preserve you from Allah if He intendeth harm for you, or intendeth mercy for you. They will not find that they have any friend (waliyyan) or helper (naseeran) other than Allah. S. 33:17 Pickthall

Both for the believers and the unbelievers Allah suffices as a helper and protecting friend, since there is no one else.

No:

How is it with you, that you do not fight in the way of God, and for the men, women, and children who, being abased, say, 'Our Lord, bring us forth from this city whose people are evildoers, and appoint to us a protector (waliyyan) from Thee, and appoint to us from Thee a helper (naseeran)'? S. 4:75

It seems that Allah didn’t suffice as a helper or protector since these people are crying out that Allah send them some other persons to help and protect them!

O believers, whosoever of you turns from his religion, God will assuredly bring a people He loves, and who love Him, humble towards the believers, disdainful towards the unbelievers, men who struggle in the path of God, not fearing the reproach of any reproacher. That is God's bounty; He gives it unto whom He will; and God is All-embracing, All-knowing. Your friend (waliyukumu) is only God, and His Messenger, and the believers who perform the prayer and pay the alms, and bow them down. Whoso makes God his friend, and His Messenger, and the believers -- the party of God, they are the victors. S. 5:54-56

If ye twain turn unto Allah repentant, (ye have cause to do so) for your hearts desired (the ban); and if ye aid one another against him (Muhammad) then lo! Allah, even He, is his Protecting Friend, and Gabriel and the righteous among the believers; and furthermore the angels are his helpers. S. 66:4 Pickthall

In the previous section we were told that Allah is Muhammad’s protector. Yet in this last passage we find several persons protecting Muhammad implying that Allah’s protection wasn’t sufficient!

My response:

In the verse 4:75 Shamoun forget to notice that the protector that mention this verse is coming from Allah. Therefore Allah is the source of Protection. We read:

And why should ye not fight in the cause of God and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)?- Men, women, and children, whose cry is: "Our Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from thee one who will protect; and raise for us from thee one who will help!" [004:075]

In the verse 5:54-56 clearly states that the only friend is God and the messenger and the believers, simply because if you rely on the protection of the Prophet is like you ve been protected by God because God protects the Messenger and the believers. Again, the source of protection is God. We read:

[005:054] O ye who believe! if any from among you turn back from his Faith, soon will God produce a people whom He will love as they will love Him,- lowly with the believers, mighty against the rejecters, fighting in the way of God, and never afraid of the reproaches of such as find fault. That is the grace of God, which He will bestow on whom He pleaseth. And God encompasseth all, and He knoweth all things.

[005:055] Your (real) friends are (no less than) God, His Apostle, and the (fellowship of) believers,- those who establish regular prayers and regular charity, and they bow down humbly (in worship).

[005:056] As to those who turn (for friendship) to God, His Apostle, and the (fellowship of) believers,- it is the fellowship of God that must certainly triumph

The same apply to the verse 66:4

He wrote:

Is Grace or Bounty in the hands of Allah only?

Yes:

That the People of the Book may know that they have no power whatever over the Grace of God, that (His) Grace is (entirely) in His Hand, to bestow it on whomsoever He wills. For God is the Lord of Grace abounding. S. 57:29 Y. Ali

No:

O were they well-pleased with what God and His Messenger have brought them, saying, 'Enough for us is God; God will bring us of His bounty, and His Messenger; to God we humbly turn.' S. 9:59

They swear by Allah that they did not speak, and certainly they did speak, the word of unbelief, and disbelieved after their Islam, and they had determined upon what they have not been able to effect, and they did not find fault except because Allah and His Apostle enriched them out of His grace; therefore if they repent, it will be good for them; and if they turn back, Allah will chastise them with a painful chastisement in this world and the hereafter, and they shall not have in the land any guardian or a helper. S. 9:74 Shakir

In the above passages Muhammad is made a conduit of blessing and riches alongside Allah, making him a coequal bestower of divine grace and bounties!

My response:

Again the source of Bounty and Grace is from Allah. God gave to Prophet Muhammad Grace and Bounty and with his turn he gives it to the believers by his message of Islam . Therefore God is the one that bestows bounty and grace. Soura 9:74 says:

They swear by God that they said nothing (evil), but indeed they uttered blasphemy, and they did it after accepting Islam; and they meditated a plot which they were unable to carry out: this revenge of theirs was (their) only return for the bounty with which God and His Apostle had enriched them! If they repent, it will be best for them; but if they turn back (to their evil ways), God will punish them with a grievous penalty in this life and in the Hereafter: They shall have none on earth to protect or help them. [009:074]

He wrote:

Is Allah alone the Forgiver of Sins?

Yes:

upon those rest prayers (salawatun) and mercy from their Lord, and those -- they are the truly guided. S. 2:157

who, when they commit an indecency or wrong themselves, remember God, and pray forgiveness for their sins -- and who shall forgive sins but God? -- and do not persevere in the things they did and that wittingly. S. 3:135

Say: 'What think you? If God's chastisement comes upon you, or the Hour comes upon you, will you call upon any other than God if you speak truly?' S. 6:40

Allah prays for and forgives those who turn to him, showing that believers need no one else since he is sufficient for them. That is why they are to call on him alone.

No:

We sent not ever any Messenger, but that he should he obeyed, by the leave of God. If; when they wronged themselves, they had come to thee, and prayed forgiveness of God, and the Messenger had prayed forgiveness for them, they would have found God turns, All-compassionate. S. 4:64

It was by some mercy of God that thou wast gentle to them; hadst thou been harsh and hard of heart, they would have scattered from about thee. So pardon them, and pray forgiveness for them, and take counsel with them in the affair; and when thou art resolved, put thy trust in God; surely God loves those who put their trust. S. 3:159

Take of their wealth a freewill offering, to purify them and to cleanse them thereby, and pray for them; thy prayers are a comfort for them; God is All-hearing, All-knowing. S. 9:103

My response:

Subhana Allah. Either Sam Shamoun is blind or he pretends to be. For his own quotations, answer himself. First, we must realize that the Arabic word “salawatun” does not mean “pray” like people pray to Allah. Below is the meaning of the word “salawatun” that God make:

“The Meaning of Salah

Allah's Salah means that He praises His servant before the angels, as Al-Bukhari recorded from Abu Al-`Aliyah. This was recorded by Abu Ja`far Ar-Razi from Ar-Rabi` bin Anas from Anas. Others said: "Allah's Salah means mercy.'' It may be said that there is no contradiction between these two views. And Allah knows best. Salah from the angels means their supplication and seeking forgiveness for people, as Allah says:

Those who bear the Throne and those around it glorify the praises of their Lord, and believe in Him, and ask forgiveness for those who believe (saying): "Our Lord! You comprehend all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who repent and follow Your way, and save them from the torment of the blazing Fire! Our Lord! And make them enter the `Adn Garden which you have promised them -- and to the righteous among their fathers, their wives, and their offspring! Verily, You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. And save them from the sins.'') (40:7-9) t

(that He may bring you out from darkness into light. ) means, by means of His mercy towards you, His praise of you and the supplication of His angels for you, He brings you forth from the darkness of ignorance and misguidance into the light of guidance and certain faith.”

Source: https://www.answering-christianity.com/muslim1/allahs_salat.htm

Having said that let, us see the verses that Shamoun posted and claims that are contradictory.

Verse 4:64 clearly state that prophet Muhammad prayed to God to forgive the sins, the verse never say that Prophet forgive sins. We read :

[004:064] We sent not an apostle, but to be obeyed, in accordance with the will of God. If they had only, when they were unjust to themselves, come unto thee and asked God's forgiveness, and the Apostle had asked forgiveness for them, they

would have found God indeed Oft-returning, Most Merciful.

Soura 3:159 states that prophet Muhammad must pass their faults and seek the forgiveness from God for them. Again, he did not forgive them by his own.

[003:159] It is part of the Mercy of God that thou dost deal gently with them Wert thou severe or harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about thee: so pass over (Their faults), and ask for (God's) forgiveness for them; and consult them in affairs (of moment). Then, when thou hast Taken a decision put thy trust in God. For God loves those who put their trust (in Him). (Yusuf Ali)

It amazes me that Shamoun expose himself throught the Noble Quran.

The same apply to the verse 9:103

Rebuttals and Exposing the lies of the Answering Islam team.

Contradictions and History of Corruption in the Bible.

Back to brother Ahmed Eldin's section.

Send your comments.

Back to Main Page.