Muslims claim: (which of these do you agree with?) Looking for baseline
Shared moral and ethical teachings (Christian morality is grounded in Christ, not just law.)
Both religions share Abrahamic roots and address belief in the same prophets
Belief in the same one god (Their version negates the triune nature of God)
Islam is a religion of peace (Through Justice, War and Submission – conditional to the obedience of their god)
Qur’an is a preserved scripture
Respect for Jesus (Deny his deity)
Salvation through submission (They say submission is works. Christianity teaches salvation is grace through faith in Jesus, not of works. Obedience flowing from salvation, not into it.
Call to recognize Muhammad as the final prophet
Why should Christians know about Islam?
Protection from deception
There are currently worldview differences that challenge Christians values and even limit Christian rights to free will.
Help recognize errors and avoid being misled
Confidence and clarity
Ignorance can lead to fear or intimidation by Muslims or Islamic ideas
Knowing Islam will help Christians to engage with Muslims without confusion and help them stand firm in their own faith. Cutting through the smoke and mirrors
Strategic engagement
It equips them to combat ideology, not individuals — separating truth from misapplied belief.
Will help in evangelism, dialogue, and society. Knowledge allows Christians to address falsehoods intelligently.
Practical outcomes
You avoid being caught off guard by Islamic claims in conversation, media, or academia.
You can teach and defend Christianity clearly. Respecting the person, but not cowering to their ideology.
Understanding Islam helps Christians engage respectfully, evangelize accurately, and discern theological differences.
***You better, because believe this. Muslims are learning all about the ways to dismantle your Christianity. Dawah(outreach) taught in Mosques and Masjids
What does Islam get wrong about Christianity?
“Did you say to the people, ‘Take me and my mother as gods besides Allah’?” (Qur’an 5:116)
Christians do not believe that Mary is God. Qur’an gets this wrong.
“Do not say ‘Three’” (4:171)
“They have disbelieved who say Allah is the third of three” (5:73)
Christians do not believe in three Gods. Qur’an gets this wrong.
“How could He have a son when He has no consort?” (6:101)
“Allah has not taken a son” (23:91)
Although Qur’an says that Jesus had no birth father, they suggest that Allah had to have physical relations to have a son. This is not Christian doctrine. Irony here is that Muslims believe Jesus had an immaculate conception.
“They did not kill him, nor crucify him” *in reference to Jesus* (4:157)
The impression given in Qur’an is that Jesus dying was not ordained, because if Jesus was crucified, it would have invalidated Jesus as a prophet. It also says that he was raised directly up to God. Muslims say that Prophets are protected often (not all however)
Then in the footsteps of the prophets, We sent Jesus, son of Mary, confirming the Torah revealed before him. And We gave him the Gospel containing guidance and light and confirming what was revealed in the Torah—a guide and a lesson to the God-fearing. Qur’an 5:46
Qur’an indicated that Jesus was given a book, rather than being the reason the book(s) of the Gospel were written.
There are some among them who distort the Book with their tongues to make you think this ˹distortion˺ is from the Book—but it is not what the Book says. They say, “It is from Allah”—but it is not from Allah. And ˹so˺ they attribute lies to Allah knowingly. Qur’an 3:78
Claims Christian are giving different interpretations of the Bible, but not identifying what text, when and by whom
What’s happening here is where the Qur’an is refuting beliefs that Christians don’t even hold in the first place. Also known as a straw-man fallacy.
The Qur’an:
Defines salvation through obedience, law, and moral accounting
Rejects substitution, assurance, and covenantal grace
Therefore critiques Christianity as if it teaches irresponsibility
The Qur’an often critiques Christians as if they believe:
Faith excuses obedience
Grace = moral license
Forgiveness without accountability
But Christian doctrine actually teaches:
Salvation is by grace apart from works (Romans 3:28; Ephesians 2:8–9)
Works are evidence, not currency (James 2 understood covenantally)
Obedience flows from regeneration, not fear of good deeds outweighing bad deeds
Biblical issues/contradictions/inconsistencies:
Jesus isn’t God:
The father is greater than I – John 14:28
Why do you call me good? There is none good but God. – Mark 10:18
Not my will but as you will (the father) – Matthew 26:39
The Son can do nothing by Himself, but only what He sees the Father doing. – John 5:19
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. – Luke 23:34 – Jesus praying to the father…. God praying to God
I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God. – John 20:17 – Two gods???
Some responses:
| Scripture | What it says | Why it matters |
| John 1:1 | “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” | The Word (Logos) refers to Jesus. Explicitly says Jesus is God. |
| John 10:30 | “I and the Father are one.” | Jesus claims unity with God, not merely in purpose but essence. |
| Colossians 2:9 | “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form.” | Affirms full deity in human flesh, countering the claim he is only human. |
| Hebrews 1:8 | “But of the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.’” | God the Father calls the Son God. |
| Philippians 2:6–7 | “Who, being in very nature God… made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant.” | Jesus pre-existed as God but humbled himself in incarnation. |
| John 20:28 | “Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” | Explicit worship of Jesus as God by a disciple. |
How does Islam differ from Christianity?
Qur’an denies that Jesus died. “They did not kill him, nor crucify him” (4:157)
Qur’an says that there can be no substitution and no atonement for sin:
Qur’an 6:164 – “No bearer of burdens shall bear the burden of another.”
Qur’an 53:38–39 – “That no soul bears the burden of another, and that man shall have nothing but what he strives for.”
However – Sinners can in fact carry other people’s burdens
Qur’an 16:25 – “So they will bear their own burdens in full on the Day of Resurrection, and also some of the burdens of those whom they misled without knowledge. Unquestionably evil is what they bear.”
Qur’an 29:12–13
“Those who disbelieve say to those who believe: ‘Follow our way, and we will bear your sins.’ But they will not bear anything of their sins. Indeed, they are liars.And they will surely carry their own burdens and burdens along with their burdens, and they will surely be questioned on the Day of Resurrection about what they used to fabricate.”
Summary:
| Chronology | Passage | Period | Teaching |
| 1 | 53:38–39 | Early Meccan | No burden-sharing |
| 2 | 6:164 | Late Meccan | No burden-sharing |
| 3 | 16:25 | Late Meccan | Added burdens for misleaders |
| 4 | 29:12–13 | Medinan | Explicit cumulative burdens |
Christian Theology:
Isaiah 53:5 –“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities…”
2 Corinthians 5:21 –“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Galatians 3:13 – “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”
Irony: Qur’an says No bearer of burdens(sin) shall bear the burden(sin) of another.
Jesus was without sin….
Muslims don’t believe in atonement, they believe they get into heaven either for their works, or “Inshallah” (God willing) through his divine choice.
Qur’an 16:32
“Enter Paradise for what you used to do.”
Qur’an 46:14
“They are the companions of Paradise, abiding therein as a reward for what they used to do.”
Qur’an 32:17
“A reward for what they used to do.”
Even faithful are not sure if they will enter heaven:
Qur’an 23:60–61
“And those who give what they give while their hearts are fearful because they will return to their Lord—it is those who hasten to good deeds.”
Qur’an 3:102
“Fear Allah as He should be feared, and do not die except as Muslims.”
Mercy not Covenental or Guaranteed:
Qur’an 3:129 – “He forgives whom He wills and punishes whom He wills.”
Qur’an 7:156 – “My mercy encompasses all things, but I will decree it for those who fear Me…”
Qur’an 9:111 – “Allah has indeed purchased from the believers their lives and wealth in exchange for Paradise. They fight in the cause of Allah and kill or are killed. This is a true promise binding on Him in the Torah, the Gospel, and the Quran. And whose promise is truer than Allah’s? So rejoice in the exchange you have made with Him. That is ˹truly˺ the ultimate triumph..”
Is there anything about this Surah that looks unusual???
Additional Hadith
Sahih al‑Bukhari 3123 – “Allah guarantees the one who fights in His cause… that He will admit him into Paradise if he is killed.”
Sahih al‑Bukhari 2810 – “Whoever fights so that the word of Allah is supreme is in the cause of Allah.”
Sahih Muslim 1909 – “He who is killed fighting for the cause of Allah is a martyr.”
How did Islam come to be?
Narrated by ‘Aisha
(the mother of the faithful believers) The commencement of the Divine Inspiration to Allah’s Apostle was in the form of good dreams which came true like bright day light, and then the love of seclusion was bestowed upon him. He used to go in seclusion in the cave of Hira where he used to worship (Allah alone) continuously for many days before his desire to see his family. He used to take with him the journey food for the stay and then come back to (his wife) Khadija to take his food like-wise again till suddenly the Truth descended upon him while he was in the cave of Hira. The angel came to him and asked him to read. The Prophet replied, “I do not know how to read. The Prophet added, “The angel caught me (forcefully) and pressed me so hard that I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read and I replied, ‘I do not know how to read.’ Thereupon he caught me again and pressed me a second time till I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read but again I replied, ‘I do not know how to read (or what shall I read)?’ Thereupon he caught me for the third time and pressed me, and then released me and said, ‘Read in the name of your Lord, who has created (all that exists) has created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous.” (96.1, 96.2, 96.3) Then Allah’s Apostle returned with the Inspiration and with his heart beating severely. Then he went to Khadija bint Khuwailid and said, “Cover me! Cover me!” They covered him till his fear was over and after that he told her everything that had happened and said, “I fear that something may happen to me.” Khadija replied, “Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your Kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones.” Khadija then accompanied him to her cousin Waraqa bin Naufal bin Asad bin ‘Abdul ‘Uzza, who, during the PreIslamic Period became a Christian and used to write the writing with Hebrew letters. He would write from the Gospel in Hebrew as much as Allah wished him to write. He was an old man and had lost his eyesight. Khadija said to Waraqa, “Listen to the story of your nephew, O my cousin!” Waraqa asked, “O my nephew! What have you seen?” Allah’s Apostle described whatever he had seen. Waraqa said, “This is the same one who keeps the secrets (angel Gabriel) whom Allah had sent to Moses. I wish I were young and could live up to the time when your people would turn you out.” Allah’s Apostle asked, “Will they drive me out?” Waraqa replied in the affirmative and said, “Anyone (man) who came with something similar to what you have brought was treated with hostility; and if I should remain alive till the day when you will be turned out then I would support you strongly.” But after a few days Waraqa died and the Divine Inspiration was also paused for a while. Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah Al-Ansari while talking about the period of pause in revelation reporting the speech of the Prophet “While I was walking, all of a sudden I heard a voice from the sky. I looked up and saw the same angel who had visited me at the cave of Hira’ sitting on a chair between the sky and the earth. I got afraid of him and came back home and said, ‘Wrap me (in blankets).’ And then Allah revealed the following Holy Verses (of Quran): ‘O you (i.e. Muhammad)! wrapped up in garments!’ Arise and warn (the people against Allah’s Punishment),… up to ‘and desert the idols.’ (74.1-5) After this the revelation started coming strongly, frequently and regularly.”
Early years of his revelation included doubt, fear and consultation with others: Qur’an 74 – “O you who covers himself [with a garment], Arise and warn, And your Lord glorify / And your clothing purify / And uncleanliness avoid.” Shows he was seeking comfort from overwhelming fear, but telling him to arise and read the test to tell others.
Now, immediately, in context, this is read as Muhammad being terrified and fearing that something terrible had happened to him. Some say possession by an evil Jinn. But today, Muslims say that can’t be the case, because prophets were always protected from being deceived.
Pre-islamic Arabs believed Jinn inhabited caves and solitary places. Encounters with these beings caused fear, physical pressure, trembling and confusion which Muhammad experienced.
Wasn’t until the 9th century AD that Islam started to suggest that prophets were protected from major sins and deception.
Protection for prophets was not taught doctrinally until much later in Sunni and Shia camps – nearly 500-600 years after Muhammad by al-Ghazali (11th c.) and al-Shahrastani (12th c.)
What did the Qur’an say about Muhammad if he were to lie and give false sayings about Allah?
Qur’an 69:44 – And if Muhammad had made up about Us some [false] sayings, We would have seized him by the right hand; Then We would have cut from him the aorta (لَقَطَعْنَا مِنْهُ الْوَتِينَ, la-qata’anaa min-hu al-wateena).
How did Muhammad die?
“A Jewess brought a poisoned (cooked) sheep for the Muhammad who ate from it. She was brought to the Muhammad and was asked, “Shall we kill her?” He said, “No.” Anas added: “I continued to see the effect of the poison on the palate of the mouth of Allah’s Messenger. – Sahih Bukhari 2617
Anas reported that a Jewess came to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) with poisoned mutton and he took of that what had been brought to him (Allah’s Messenger). (When the effect of this poison were felt by him) – Sahih Muslim 5430
A Jewess brought a poisoned (cooked) sheep for the Muhammad (ﷺ) who ate from it. – Bukhari 3169
A Jewess brought a poisoned sheep to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and he ate of it. – Sahih – Abu Dawuud 4508
A Jewess presented a poisoned sheep to the Muhammad (ﷺ), but the Muhammad (ﷺ) did not interfere with he. Abu Dawud said: The Jewess who poisoned the Muhammad (ﷺ) was sister of Marhab. – Sahih – Abu Dawuud 4509
When Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) fell ill, and his illness took a serious turn I took hold of his hand to that I should do with it what he ward to do with that – Sahih Muslim 5432
He then said about the pain of which he died: I continued to feel pain from the morsel which I had eaten at Khaybar. This is the time when it has cut off my aorta. – Sahih – Abu Dawuud 4512
“The Messenger of God said during the illness from which he died—the mother of Bishr b. al-Bara had come to visit him—”Umm Bishr, at this very moment I feel my aorta being severed because of the food I ate with your son at Khaybar.” – At-Tabari – Pg 124
Then Muhammad (ﷺ) in his ailment in which he died, used to say, “O `Aisha! I still feel the pain caused by the food I ate at Khaibar, and at this time, I feel as if my aorta is being cut from that poison.” Sahih Bukhari – 4428
I do not think about the illness of my son except the poisoned sheep of which he had eaten with you at Khaybar. The Muhammad (ﷺ) said: And I do not think about my illness except that. This is the time when it cut off my aorta. – Sahih – Abu Dawuud 4513
Many Muslims will protest that it was the poison from the sheep that was fed to him by a Jewish woman in Khaibar after his and his companions murdered many Jews, including the very woman who fed Muhammad and some of his companions. They it couldn’t be, because it was nearly 3 years after he ate the poison that he actually died. You judge:
Sahih Bukhari 4, 53,394 – A Jewess brought a poisoned (cooked) sheep for the Muhammad (ﷺ) who ate from it.
Sahih Bukhari 4.394 – Muhammad asked, “Have you poisoned this sheep?” They said, “Yes.” He asked, “What made you do so?” They said, “We wanted to know if you were a liar in which case we would get rid of you, and if you are a Muhammad then the poison would not harm you.“
Sahih Muslim 1,4,840 – Abu Bakr led them in prayer due to the illness of the Messenger of Allah of which he died.
Sahih Bukhari 1,4,197 – When the ailment of the Muhammad became aggravated and his disease became severe, he asked his wives to permit him to be nursed in my house.
Sahih Bukhari 7, 70, 549 – I never saw anybody suffering so much from sickness as Allah’s Apostle.
Sunan Abu Dawud 4513 – The Muhammad (ﷺ) said: And I do not think about my illness except that. This is the time when it cut off my aorta.
Sahih Bukhari 4428 – The Muhammad (ﷺ) in his ailment in which he died, used to say, “O `Aisha! I still feel the pain caused by the food I ate at Khaibar, and at this time, I feel as if my aorta is being cut from that poison.”
Summary of events by Ibn Sad:
Bishr did not rise from his seat but his colour changed to that of taylsān (a green cloth). For a year the pain did not permit him to change his sides but with the help of others and then he expired. According to another version, he died before leaving his seat. He (Ibn Saʿd) said: A piece of it was dropped before a dog who ate it and died (instantaneously) without being able to move its foreleg.
The Apostle of Allāh sent for Zaynab Bint al-Hārith and said to her: “What induced you to do what you have done?” She replied: “You have done to my people what you have done. You have killed my father, my uncle and my husband, so I said to myself: If you are a Prophet, the foreleg will inform you; and others have said: If you are a king we will get rid of you.” The Jewess returned as she had come.
He (Ibn Saʿd) said: The Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless him, handed her over to the heirs of Bishr Ibn al-Bara who put her to death. This is the approved version with us.
The Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless him, got himself cupped in the back of the neck because of what he had eaten. Abu Hind cupped him with a horn and a knife. The Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless him, ordered his Companions and they got themselves cupped in the middle of their heads.
The Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless him, lived after this three years, till in consequence of his pain he passed away. During his illness he used to say: “I did not cease to find the effect of the (poisoned) morsel I took at Khaybar and I suffered several times (from its effect) but now I feel the hour has come of the cutting of my jugular vein, which is a vein in the back.”
The Apostle of Allāh, may Allāh bless him, died a martyr. May Allāh’s blessings, His mercy, and His pleasure be on him.
Kitab Al Tabaqat Al Kabir Ibn Sad, Volume 2
What were some of Muhammad’s last words before he died:
Deathbed statement (reported by ʿAishah and Ibn ʿAbbas):
When Muhammad was on his deathbed, he would cover his face with a khamīṣa (cloth).
When his fever worsened, he would uncover his face and say: “May Allah curse the Jews and the Christians, for they took the graves of their Muhammads as places of worship.”
This was said as a warning to Muslims not to imitate the Jews and Christians.
Source:
Sunan al-Nasāʾī 703 / Vol. 1, Book 8, Hadith 704 (Sahih)
Repeated narration (ʿAishah & Ibn ʿAbbas):
In his final moments, Muhammad repeatedly removed the cloth from his face and said: “May Allah curse the Jews and the Christians for they built places of worship at the graves of their Muhammads.”
The purpose was to warn Muslims against grave-worship.
Sources (Sahih):
Sahih al-Bukhari 435, 436 Vol. 1, Book 8, Hadith 427
Book of Funerals (Al-Janaʾiz), Hadith 414
ʿUrwa → ʿAishah narration:
Muhammad said during his fatal illness: “Allah cursed the Jews and the Christians because they took the graves of their Muhammads as places for praying.”
ʿAishah added that his grave was kept from being made prominent out of fear it would be taken as a place of worship.
Sources (Sahih):
Sahih al-Bukhari 1330 Vol. 2, Book 23, Hadith 414
Further ʿAishah narration:
Muhammad stated: “Allah cursed the Jews and the Christians, for they built places of worship at the graves of their Muhammads.”
The concern was that his own grave might later be worshiped.
Sources (Sahih):
Sahih al-Bukhari 1390 Vol. 2, Book 23, Hadith 472
Book of Merits of the Sunnah, Hadith 660
Expedition / illness narration:
As his illness worsened, he said: “May Allah curse the Jews and Christians because they took the graves of their Muhammads as places of worship.”
This was an explicit warning against imitation.
Sources (Sahih):
Sahih al-Bukhari 5815, 5816 Vol. 7, Book 72, Hadith 706
Book of Expeditions, Hadith 727
Abu Hurairah narration:
Muhammad said: “May Allah curse the Jews and Christians who took the graves of their Muhammads as masjids.”
Sources (Sahih):
Sunan an-Nasāʾī 2049 Vol. 3, Book 21, Hadith 2049
Muslim collections (multiple narrations):
Muhammad said during the illness from which he did not recover: “Allah cursed the Jews and the Christians for taking the graves of their Muhammads as mosques.”
His grave was not left in an open place out of fear it would become a mosque.
Sources (Sahih):
Sahih Muslim 529 (Book of Prayers, Hadith 1079)
Sahih Muslim 530b (Hadith 1081)
Sahih Muslim 531 (Hadith 1082)
What does Muhammad mean, by wanting to curse the Jews and Christians for making graves places of worship?
By the 4th century AD, the church of the Holy Sepulchre was built reportedly over Jesus’ tomb.
Churches had been built over martyrs.
Muhammad objected to building a place of prayer at a grave because it was a slippery slope to idolatry. (is he wrong?)
Where was Muhammad buried?
Muhammad was buried in Aisha’s house, his youngest wife.
The Green Dome (Arabic: القبة الخضراء, romanized: al-Qubbah al-Khaḍrā’) is a green-coloured dome built above the house and the tomb of the Islamic Muhammad Muhammad and early Muslim Caliphs, Abu Bakr and Umar. The dome is located in the south-east corner of Al-Masjid al-Nabawi (Mosque of the Muhammad) in Medina.
Here’s the honest comparison:
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was built about 300 years after Jesus died over the empty tomb of Jesus(c. 335 CE).
So Christians did not immediately build a church over Jesus’ tomb; it was centuries later. (Irony is that Jesus is not in that tomb)
By contrast, Muhammad’s grave was buried immediately in Aisha’s house, and the mosque expansions incorporating it happened centuries later, similar in timing to the Christian example.
The key point: both cases involve later construction over a grave/tomb, not immediate post-burial worship sites.
End result: Muhammad called Allah to curse the Jews and Christians?
This wasn’t uncommon for Muhammad either:
Anas b. Malik reported that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) invoked curse in the morning (prayer) for thirty days upon those who killed the Companions (of the Holy Muhammad) at Bi’r Ma’una. He cursed (the tribes) of Ri’l, Dhakwan, Lihyan, and Usayya, who had disobeyed Allah and His Messenger (Peace be upon him). Anas said: Allah the Exalted and Great revealed (a verse) regarding those who were killed at Bi’r Ma’una, and we recited it, till it was abrogated later on (and the verse was like this):, convey to it our people the tidings that we have met our Lord, and He was pleased with us and we were pleased with Him”.
Muslim 677 a
Muslim Vol. 2, Book 4, Hadith 1433
Sahih
What is required to become a Muslim?
Shahada (Declaration of Faith) – Say sincerely:
“There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger.”
Belief in Allah – Accept that Allah is the one true God.
Belief in Muhammad – Accept him as Allah’s final Muhammad.
Repentance and obedience – Commit to turning from sin and following Allah’s guidance.
Or – if Born to Muslim parents
What is required to become a Christian?
Acknowledge sin – Admit you need God.
Believe in Jesus – He died and rose for your sins.
Repent – Turn from sin.
Confess Jesus as Lord – Say it and mean it.
Receive Him by faith – Invite Him into your life.
Qur’an – no one could write a prettier verse – more holy…
Qur’an’s Challenge of Inimitability (I‘jāz)
Verse
Text / Key Instruction
Meaning / Notes
2:23–24
“And if you are in doubt about what We have sent down upon Our servant [Muhammad], then produce a surah like it and call your witnesses besides Allah, if you are truthful. But if you do not—and you will never—then fear the Fire whose fuel is men and stones, prepared for the disbelievers.”
Dares anyone to produce a chapter (surah) matching its style, eloquence, and meaning. Explicitly asserts no one can replicate it.
10:38
“Or do they say, ‘He invented it’? Say, ‘Then produce a surah like it and call upon whomever you can besides Allah, if you are truthful.’”
Reiterates the challenge of imitation.
11:13
“Or do they say, ‘He invented it’? Say: ‘Bring ten surahs like it that have been invented and call upon whomever you can besides Allah, if you are truthful.’”
Challenges ten surahs, emphasizing unmatched style.
17:88
“Say: ‘If mankind and the jinn were together to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce the like of it, even if they were to each other helpers.’”
Universal claim: No human or supernatural power can match it.
✅ Summary
Core idea: Qur’an claims literary and rhetorical inability to be imitated.
Repeated challenge: Surah-level composition impossible for humans or jinn.
Purpose: Demonstrates divine origin through style, depth, and meaning.
Babylonian Talmud Sanhedrin 37a
MISHNA III.: How were the witnesses awestruck in criminal cases? They were brought in and warned: Perhaps your testimony is based only on a supposition, or on hearsay, or on that of another witness, or you have had it from a trustworthy man; or perhaps you are not aware that finally we will investigate the matter by examination and cross-examination. You may also be aware of the fact that there is no similarity between civil and criminal cases. In civil cases one may repay the money damage and he is atoned; but in criminal cases the blood of the person executed, and of his descendants to the end of all generations, clings to the originator of his execution. So do we find in the case of Cain, who slew his brother. It reads [Gen. iv. 10]: “The voice of the ‘bloods’ of thy brother are crying unto me from the ground.” It does not read “blood,” but “bloods,” which means his blood and the blood of his descendants. [According to others it reads “bloods” in the plural, because his blood was scattered all over the trees and stones.] Therefore the man was created singly, to teach that he who destroys one soul of a human being, the Scripture considers him as if he should destroy a whole world, and him who saves one soul of Israel, the Scripture considers him as if he should save a whole world. And also because of peace among creatures, so that one should not say: My grandfather was greater than yours; and also that the heretic shall not say: There are many creators in heaven; and also to proclaim the glory of the Holy One, blessed be He. For a human being stamps many coins with one stamp, and all of them are alike; but the King of the kings of kings, the Holy One, blessed be He, has stamped every man with the stamp of Adam the First, and nevertheless not one of them is like the other
Surah 5: 27. And relate to them the true story of Adam’s two sons: when they offered an offering, and it was accepted from one of them, but it was not accepted from the other. He Said, “I will kill you.” He Said, “God accepts only from the righteous.”
28. “If you extend your hand to kill me, I will not extend my hand to kill you; for I fear God, Lord of the Worlds.”
29. “I would rather you bear my sin and your sin, and you become among the inmates of the Fire. Such is the reward for the evildoers.”
30. Then His soul prompted him to kill his brother, so he killed him, and became one of the losers.
31. Then God sent a raven digging the ground, to show him how to cover his brother’s corpse. He said, “Woe to me! I was unable to be like this raven, and bury my brother’s corpse.” So he became full of regrets.
32. Because of that We ordained for the Children of Israel: that whoever kills a person—unless it is for murder or corruption on earth—it is as if he killed the whole of mankind; and whoever saves it, it is as if he saved the whole of mankind. Our messengers came to them with clarifications, but even after that, many of them continue to commit excesses in the land.
Islamic Claims vs. Christian Claims (Core Contradictions)
| Islamic Claim | Christian Claim |
| Qur’an is perfectly preserved | Bible is authoritative and reliable |
| Bible (Torah & Gospel) is corrupted | Bible is not corrupted |
| Jesus is a Prophet only | Jesus is God incarnate |
| God is absolutely one (tawḥīd) | God is one being revealed as Trinity |
| “Do not say three” (Qur’an 4:171) | Trinity ≠ three gods |
| Trinity misunderstood as Allah + Mary + Jesus (Qur’an 5:116) | Trinity = Father, Son, Holy Spirit |
| Jesus was not crucified (Qur’an 4:157) | Jesus was crucified |
| Jesus did not die or rise | Jesus died and was resurrected |
| “Father is greater than I” proves Jesus not God | Incarnation includes voluntary submission |
| Jesus denies divinity | Jesus claims divine authority and identity |
Qur’an is the only fully preserved holy scripture
1. Qur’an 15:9 — the clearest claim
“Indeed, We have sent down the Reminder, and indeed, We will surely guard it.”
(Qur’an 15:9)
Arabic: Innā naḥnu nazzalnā adh-dhikra wa innā lahu laḥāfiẓūn
This is the primary verse Muslims cite to argue that the Qur’an is divinely protected from corruption.
The claim is forward-looking (“We will guard it”), not a historical verification.
2. Qur’an 41:41–42 — immunity from corruption
“Indeed, those who disbelieve in the Reminder when it comes to them… Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind it; [it is] a revelation from One Wise and Praiseworthy.”
Interpreted as saying no corruption, alteration, or contradiction can enter the Qur’an.
3. Qur’an 6:115 — perfection of Allah’s words
“The word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and justice. None can change His words.”
Often cited to argue immutability.
Not explicitly about the Qur’an’s text transmission, but used theologically.
4. Qur’an 18:27 — no one can alter Allah’s words
“Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book of your Lord. None can change His words…”
Christians/Jews potentially:
Qur’an 3:75–78 (context for 3:78)
3:75 Among the People of the Book are those who, if entrusted with a great amount, return it to you; and among them are those who, if entrusted with a single coin, do not return it unless you keep demanding it…
3:76 Yes—whoever fulfills his covenant and fears Allah—then indeed, Allah loves the righteous.
3:77 Indeed, those who exchange the covenant of Allah and their oaths for a small price will have no share in the Hereafter…
👉3:78 And indeed, among them is a group who twist their tongues with the Book so that you may think it is from the Book, but it is not from the Book. And they say, “This is from Allah,” but it is not from Allah. And they speak falsehood about Allah knowingly.
Saying there are some who twist the scripture, not the manuscripts themselves, but their interpretation of it.
Qur’an 2:75–79 (context for 2:79)
2:75 Do you hope that they would believe for you while a party of them used to hear the words of Allah and then distort it after they had understood it, while they knew?
2:76 And when they meet those who believe, they say, “We believe”; but when they are alone with one another, they say, “Do you tell them what Allah has revealed to you so they can argue with you about it before your Lord?”
2:77 Do they not know that Allah knows what they conceal and what they declare?
2:78 And among them are unlettered people who do not know the Scripture except wishful thinking, and they only assume.
👉 2:79 So woe to those who write the Book with their own hands and then say, “This is from Allah,” to exchange it for a small price. Woe to them for what their hands have written, and woe to them for what they earn.
Still, only a subset who were writing something down and then saying it has divine authority. Not indicating that the original was corrupted.
Qur’an 5:12–13 (context for 5:13)
5:12 And Allah certainly took a covenant from the Children of Israel… “Indeed, I am with you. If you establish prayer, give charity, believe in My messengers, support them, and loan Allah a good loan, I will surely remove your sins…”
👉 5:13 So for their breaking of the covenant, We cursed them and made their hearts hard. They distort words from their places and have forgotten a portion of what they were reminded of. And you will continue to observe betrayal from them, except a few of them…
Some people forgot, but more to do with covenant breaking. Possible misinterpretation or misapplication.
End Result from Muslims however is that the Qur’an is the clearest of all texts
Qur’an Self-Description as “Clear (Mubīn)”
| Verse | Text (literal sense) | Context / Notes |
| 2:129 | “…and make among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Our verses and teach them the Book and wisdom, and purify them…” (Book & wisdom clear) | Refers to Abraham’s prayer; “Book” understood as clear guidance. |
| 2:185 | “…a clear guidance for the people…” | Speaking of Ramadan fasting and Qur’an; Qur’an as guidance. |
| 3:7 | “…It is He who has sent down to you the Book. Some of its verses are precise (muhkamāt), they are the foundation of the Book, and others are allegorical (mutashābihāt). As for those in whose hearts is deviation, they follow that which is allegorical, seeking discord. But none knows its interpretation except Allah. And those firmly grounded in knowledge say: ‘We believe in it; all is from our Lord.’” | Describes clarity vs. allegory; precise verses = mubīn in sense of foundational clarity. |
| 12:1–2 | “Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the verses of the clear Book (al-kitāb al-mubīn).” | Intro to Joseph story; Qur’an explicitly called “clear Book.” |
| 15:1 | “Alif, Lam, Ra. This is a Book whose verses have been made clear (mubīn), an Arabic Qur’an for a people who know.” | Qur’an self-description as explicit and comprehensible. |
| 15:9 | “…Indeed, We have sent down the Reminder, and indeed, We will surely guard it.” | Implied clarity; context emphasizes protection of the clear text. |
| 26:2 | “A Book that makes clear (mubīn) the message…” | Context: calling people to reflect on Muhammads’ stories; clarity emphasized. |
| 41:3 | “A Book whose verses have been made clear (mubīn)—an Arabic Qur’an for people who understand.” | Qur’an self-description as explicit, accessible, and understandable. |
| 43:3 | “…We have made it an Arabic Qur’an, so that you may understand.” (mubīn implied) | Again emphasizes clarity for comprehension. |
| 54:17,54:22 54:32, 54:40 | “…We have certainly made the Qur’an easy to understand (mubīn) for remembrance…” | Repeatedly emphasizes accessibility and clarity for reflection. |
| 55:1–2 | “The Most Merciful / Taught the Qur’an / Created man / [and] taught him eloquence.” | Context: human ability to comprehend God’s clear message. |
Key observations
Most explicit: 12:2, 15:1, 41:3 — Qur’an literally calls itself “al-kitāb al-mubīn.”
Repeated emphasis: Reassures readers that its guidance is clear and comprehensible.
Accessibility: Many verses pair clarity with Arabic language or ease of understanding (e.g., 41:3, 54:17).
Protection: 15:9 links clarity with divine preservation—clarity is part of being safeguarded.
I WILL GRANT THAT THE QUR’AN IS REALLY CLEAR:
Qur’an 5:44
“Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light. The Muhammads who submitted judged by it for the Jews, as did the rabbis and scholars, by what they were entrusted of Allah’s Book, and they were witnesses to it. So do not fear the people, but fear Me, and do not sell My verses for a small price. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed—then it is those who are the disbelievers.”
Key points
The Torah is described as containing “guidance and light.”
Jewish Muhammads, rabbis, and scholars are said to judge by it.
The text is spoken of as something present and usable, not lost.
Qur’an 5:45
“And We prescribed for them in it: a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and for wounds is legal retribution. But whoever gives it up as charity, it is an expiation for him. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed—then it is those who are the wrongdoers.”
Key points
Refers to specific legal content found “in it” (the Torah).
Assumes continued knowledge of its laws.
Qur’an 5:46
“And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus son of Mary, confirming what was before him of the Torah. And We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light, and confirming what was before it of the Torah, and as guidance and admonition for the God-fearing.”
Key points
Jesus confirms the Torah.
The Gospel is also described as having “guidance and light.”
No suggestion of textual corruption here.
Qur’an 5:47
“So let the People of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed in it. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed—then it is those who are the defiantly disobedient.”
Key points
Christians are explicitly commanded to judge by the Gospel they possess.
This only makes sense if the text is accessible and authoritative.
Additional Hadith – Narrated Abdullah Ibn Umar:
A group of Jews came and invited the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) to Quff. So he visited them in their school.
They said: AbulQasim, one of our men has committed fornication with a woman; so pronounce judgment upon them. They placed a cushion for the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) who sat on it and said: Bring the Torah. It was then brought. He then withdrew the cushion from beneath him and placed the Torah on it saying: I believed in thee and in Him Who revealed thee.
He then said: Bring me one who is learned among you. Then a young man was brought. The transmitter then mentioned the rest of the tradition of stoning similar to the one transmitted by Malik from Nafi'(No. 4431). Grade: Hasan (Al-Albani)
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 4449 In-book reference : Book 40, Hadith 99 English translation : Book 39, Hadith 4434
Qur’an Verses on Consulting Jews and Christians
| Verse | Text / Key Instruction | Context | Implication |
| 3:64 | “Say: ‘People of the Book, come to a word that is just between us and you: that we worship none but Allah and associate nothing with Him, and do not take one another as lords besides Allah.’” | Muslims invited to dialogue with Jews and Christians on shared monotheistic principles. | Encourages consultation, discussion, and common ground. |
| 5:44–47 | 5:44: “And We sent down the Torah… so judge by it… And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed—then it is those who are the disbelievers.” 5:47: “So let the People of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed in it. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed—then it is those who are defiantly disobedient.” | Muslims instructed to acknowledge and refer to the Torah and Gospel as authoritative. | Recognize scriptural authority of the People of the Book in legal or ethical matters. |
| 10:94 | “So if you are in doubt about what We have revealed to you, then ask those who have been reading the Scripture before you.” | Guidance to Muhammad to verify revelations. | Direct consultation of knowledgeable People of the Book for clarification. |
| 16:43 | “And We sent not before you except men to whom We revealed [the message]. So ask the people of the message if you do not know.” | Instruction to seek knowledge from previous messengers. | Encourages consulting scholars and learned people among the People of the Book. |
Summary
Core principle: If there is doubt or need for guidance, ask those who possess knowledge, including Jews and Christians.
Scope: Dialogue, verification, legal judgment, and clarification.
Implication: Qur’an supports intellectual engagement with the People of the Book, not outright rejection.
Muslim tafsir (judgements on these texts)
Early Tafsīr (judgments) Matrix on Scriptural “Corruption” Passages and Later Polemics
| Qur’an Verse | al-Ṭabarī (d. 923) | al-Qurṭubī (d. 1273) | Ibn Kathīr (d. 1373) | Implication for Preservation Doctrine | Later Polemical Shift (Medieval → Modern) |
| 2:79 “Woe to those who write the Book with their own hands…” | Refers to specific individuals who wrote rulings or documents not revealed by God and falsely attributed them to Allah. Includes altered legal rulings or interpretive writings presented as scripture. Quote: “They wrote something other than what Allah revealed…” Does not claim the Torah was rewritten wholesale. | Explicitly distinguishes interpretive vs. textual corruption. Concludes this refers to fabricated additions or false attribution, not textual alteration. Quote: “This does not necessitate that the entire Torah was altered…” | Follows Ṭabarī. Includes false books, legal rulings, and altered descriptions via interpretation. Quote: “They changed it by interpretation (ta’wīl), not by removing the text.” | Condemns fraud and misattribution, while assuming the continued existence of the original scripture. | Increasingly read as direct evidence of textual corruption of the Torah/Gospel. Later polemic often collapses ‘addition’ into ‘replacement’, ignoring early nuance. |
| 3:78 “They twist their tongues with the Book…” | Very explicit: corruption is oral, not textual. Misleading recitation or speech. Quote: “They altered it with their tongues, not the written Book.” | Agrees fully. Distortion is in recitation and explanation, not manuscripts. Quote: “Distortion of meaning, not alteration of letters.” | Same view. Includes misquoting, selective recitation, and inserting commentary. Quote: “Not that they removed it from the Book…” | Explicit rejection of manuscript corruption; affirms textual integrity with interpretive abuse. | Often reinterpreted as proof that the text itself is unreliable. Later apologists blur oral distortion → textual corruption. |
| 5:13 “They distort words from their places and have forgotten a portion…” | “Forgotten” = abandonment, neglect, concealment, not loss of text. Quote: “They abandoned acting upon it.” | Reviews opinions; favors interpretive distortion and withholding rulings. “Forgetting” = failure to teach or obey. Quote: “Not that it vanished, but that it was left.” | Very clear: selective obedience and selective teaching. Quote: “Not that it was erased from the Book.” | Ethical and interpretive failure, not textual erasure; text presumed extant. | Later polemic treats “forgotten a portion” as physical loss or deletion of scripture, contrary to early tafsīr language. |
Ṭabarī, Qurṭubī, and Ibn Kathīr consistently interpret these verses as condemning fabrication, misquotation, interpretive distortion, concealment, or neglect — not wholesale textual corruption of the Torah or Gospel.
Qur’an, Clarity & the Bible — Slide Version
Qur’an calls itself clear (mubīn): 12:2, 15:1, 41:3
Instructs Muslims to ask Jews and Christians if in doubt: 10:94, 16:43
Treats Torah & Gospel as authoritative and accessible: 5:44–47
✅ Implications from Qur’an:
Torah & Gospel exist and are not corrupt
Muslims should verify truth by consulting the Christians and the Jews
Historical context
Early tafsīr (Ṭabarī, Qurtubī, Ibn Kathīr):
Corruption = misinterpretation, selective obedience, oral distortion
Contradictions = human error, not lost text
11th c. Ibn Ḥazm & later polemics:
Claimed Bible was altered to explain differences
Not stated in the Qur’an; arose from debate
Logical tension
Qur’an → ask the Bible → implies it is reliable
Modern claims of corruption → contradict Qur’an’s instructions
Either:
Qur’an instructions ignored/reinterpreted, or
Later polemics layered human argument over Qur’an
Takeaway
Qur’an clarity (mubīn) ≠ guarantee of human interpretation
Bible reliability affirmed in Qur’an
Claims of corruption = extra-Qur’anic development, not Qur’anic teaching
Qur’an vs. Modern Claims About the Bible
| Qur’an Says (According to the Text) | What Many Muslims Today Claim | Logical Tension / Contradiction |
| The Qur’an is clear (mubīn) and guides believers to truth (12:2; 15:1; 41:3). | Muslims rely on the Qur’an as the ultimate authority. | ✅ No contradiction — internal consistency. |
| The Torah and Gospel exist, contain guidance, and are to be consulted if in doubt (5:44–47; 10:94; 16:43). | Some Muslims claim the Torah and Gospel are corrupt or altered. | ❌ Contradiction — Qur’an treats them as intact and reliable sources. |
| Believers are instructed to ask the People of the Book for verification (10:94; 16:43). | Muslims often disregard consultation with Jews and Christians, citing textual corruption. | ❌ Contradiction — Qur’an assumes consulting them is valid and meaningful. |
| Qur’an condemns misinterpretation, selective obedience, or fabrication (2:79; 3:78; 5:13). | Modern polemics often interpret “misinterpretation” as total textual corruption. | ❌ Contradiction — early tafsīr distinguishes human misuse from text being erased or replaced. |
Key takeaway
If the Qur’an is clear and instructs asking the Bible, then logically, the Bible should be considered intact and authoritative.
The modern claim that it is corrupt is not based on the Qur’an itself, but on later polemical interpretation when it was becoming more difficult to push back against the validity of the Bible, starting around Ibn Ḥazm (11th c.).
These are points that could rock anyone’s faith… However, when a Muslim questions their faith, there is fear. So, often they won’t even question what they have heard. Not willing to question their assumptions.
Round peg square hole – Judeo Christian values are the hallmark of the United States:
Sharia is a law unto itself – albeit spiritual law, but that seeps into daily life. Strong social pressure, leadership may issue guidance that is treated as obligatory by Muslims. No legal enforcement, but there is moral and social enforcement which can actually be more than what law says.
Truth of the matter is that most Muslims follow Sharia voluntarily and privately. Those who ignore certain rules may face social friction but not legal punishment.
Headlines:
In Irving, Texas, the girls you’re referring to were Amina Said (18) and Sarah Said (17). They were shot and killed by their father, Yaser Abdel Said, inside his taxicab on January 1, 2008. Their bodies were found in the cab parked near the Omni Mandalay Hotel (now the Omni Las Colinas) Wikipedia+1
Incident:
Their father, Yaser Abdel Said, a taxi driver, shot them to death inside his taxi in Irving after taking them out. The sisters were found later that evening in the cab. Sarah was shot nine times and Amina twice. Wikipedia+1
911 call:
Sarah made a desperate 911 call from the taxi in which she identified her father as her shooter before dying.
Fugitive and capture:
Said fled and remained on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list for about 12 years before being captured in Justin, Texas in August 2020, less than 40 miles away. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth+1
Trial and conviction:
In August 2022, a Dallas County jury found him guilty of capital murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole; prosecutors did not seek the death penalty. ABC News+1
Motive:
Prosecutors said the murders were motivated by his anger over his daughters’ behavior and relationships, with references to cultural and control issues raised during the trial.
People in his community hid him in plain sight for 12 years.
In 2017, he was found in an apartment in Bedford, Texas with his son. He was tipped off and escaped.
They moved to Justin and harbored Said in their home until 2020 when he was found, during a search.
Overly simplistic reason: Honor Killing
Title: The Price of Honor (2014)
Subject: The murders of Amina and Sarah Said in Irving/Lewisville, Texas. IMDb
Content: It covers the sisters’ lives, the events leading up to their deaths, and interviews with people close to them and others commenting on the case.
Audio of the girls being killed on 911 call ~1:25
1:31:23 – Jason Fernandez – Karate Instructor
Jason Hernandez’s role
Jason Hernandez was interviewed for the documentary/storytelling about the case. Based on what you’ve shared and your personal knowledge of talking with him, he appeared on camera discussing the girls and their experiences, with karate statues or martial arts gear visible behind him — likely because he had a personal connection to the sisters (Amina and Sarah trained in martial arts and knew him through that community). TheJournal.ie
Coverage of the case includes references to the girls’ time at a tae kwon do/martial arts studio in Bedford, where one of the sisters trained — and where people like Jason would have known them.
Additional story of Yaser Said from the point of view of a boy that dated Amina from the Tae Kwon Do studio in Bedford, Texas. – https://www.thejournal.ie/said-texas-honour-killing-1696234-Oct2014/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Aasiya Zubair (Brooklyn, New York, 2009) Perpetrator: Her husband, Muzzammil Hassan, founder of Bridges TV. Method: Hassan beheaded Aasiya in their apartment.
Sandeela Kanwal (North Carolina, 2008) — killed by her father for refusing an arranged marriage. Father claimed he was upholding family honor and was convicted of murder
Hina Saleem — San Diego, California, 2006 – killed by father, rebellion against family’s cultural/religious rules
Noor Almaleki — Arizona, 2009 – killed by father – dating outside cultural/religious rules
Amina Iqbal — Dallas, Texas, 2011 – killed by father, dating/cultural dishonor – father’s name redacted in court filings and reports
Fatima Ali – Attempted murder on camera with Father attempting to kill her by strangulation. Jury acquitted him, but charged him with assault and unlawful imprisonment. He was wanting to take her out of country for an arranged marriage.
Coty Beavers(daughter’s husband and Gelereh Bagherzadeh(daughter’s best friend) – 2012 Ali Mahwood-Awad Irsan murdered his daughter’s husband and her best friend after Nesreen Irsan (his daughter) converted to Christianity. (Apostasy) Ali’s wife, Shmou Alrawabdeh, testified at trial that her husband tried to “clean his honor” with the killings. (Irsan has the added charge for scamming the Social Security Administration in federal prison – until he receives the death penalty).
Son Nasim Irsan, son of Ali also plead guilty in honor killing of sister’s husband and her best friend – https://abc7news.com/post/man-pleads-guilty-in-so-called-honor-killings/5501264/ – he will be eligible for parole in 14 years from now
20 year old daughter Noor Almaleki and mother of the daughter’s boyfriend hit by father Faleh Hassan Almaleki, 48 2009 in parking lot in Arizona. Daughter had backed out of an arranged marriage the year prior. She died two weeks after her initial impact and was in critical care before she died.
What do you notice about all of these events????
(Is the United States founded at least loosely on Judeo-Christian values?)
Founders and the Foundation of the United States:
Declaration of Independence (1776) — Verbatim Text
1. Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God
“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them…”
2. All men are created equal / Creator
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
3. Supreme Judge of the world
“…appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions…”
4. Divine Providence
“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
If you want, I can now:
Add Founders’ letters (Adams, Washington, Madison) verbatim
Put this into a one-page handout
Or line it up next to Scripture parallels
Here are founders’ own words, verbatim, from letters, proclamations, and official writings. No paraphrase.
George Washington
Farewell Address (1796)
“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”
Proclamation for a National Day of Thanksgiving (Oct. 3, 1789)
“…it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor…”
John Adams
Letter to the Officers of the First Brigade of the Third Division of the Militia of Massachusetts (Oct. 11, 1798)
“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
Letter to Thomas Jefferson (June 28, 1813)
“The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity…”
Thomas Jefferson
Notes on the State of Virginia (Query XVIII, 1781–82)
“God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God?”
Letter to Samuel Miller (Jan. 23, 1808)
“I consider the government of the United States as interdicted by the Constitution from intermeddling with religious institutions…”
(Note: this limits government power; it does not deny religion’s role.)
James Madison
Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments (1785)
“It is the duty of every man to render to the Creator such homage and such only as he believes to be acceptable to him.”
Federalist No. 51 (1788)
“If men were angels, no government would be necessary.”
Benjamin Franklin
Constitutional Convention Speech (June 28, 1787)
“God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?”
Samuel Adams
The Rights of the Colonists (1772)
“The rights of the colonists as Christians… may be best understood by reading… the law of nature, and the law of revelation.”
Bottom Line (from their own pens)
Rights are from God, not government
Liberty requires religion and morality
Government is limited because man is fallen
Faith is protected, not enforced
Foundational Conflict
U.S. Constitution / Law:
Based on secular, democratic principles.
Guarantees religious freedom, equal protection, and separation of church and state.
No law can impose religion on citizens.
All citizens are equal under the law, regardless of religion.
Sharia Law:
Derived from Quran, Hadith, and Islamic jurisprudence.
Covers religion, personal behavior, family law, finance, and sometimes criminal law.
Can include rules that conflict with U.S. constitutional protections, e.g., gender equality in divorce or inheritance, punishments like corporal or capital penalties, or restrictions on religious freedom for non-Muslims.
Here’s a clear side-by-side comparison of how forgiveness works in Islam vs. Christianity:
| Aspect | Islam | Christianity |
| Basis of forgiveness | Allah’s mercy and your sincere repentance (Tawbah) | God’s grace through Jesus’ sacrifice |
| Requirement | 1. Stop the sin 2. Feel remorse 3. Resolve not to repeat 4. Make amends if others harmed | 1. Repent (turn from sin) 2. Believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord 3. Confess faith |
| Direct effect | Sin is forgiven if repentance is sincere | Sin is forgiven because Jesus paid the penalty; repentance shows your faith |
| Role of deeds | Good deeds help but forgiveness depends on sincere repentance | Good deeds follow faith, but do not earn forgiveness |
| Rights of others | Must restore or seek forgiveness from those harmed | Forgiveness from God is received; reconciliation with others encouraged but separate |
| Ongoing forgiveness | Can repeat sins but must sincerely repent each time | God’s forgiveness is continual through faith; sin is covered by Christ’s sacrifice |
Tawhid (Oneness of God) – There is only one God (Allah), who is indivisible and without partners.
Muhammad is the final Muhammad – Muhammad is the last and greatest Muhammad, receiving the final revelation (Qur’an).
The Qur’an is the literal word of God – It is the final and unaltered revelation given to humanity.
Judgment Day and afterlife – Every person will be judged by Allah and sent to either paradise or hell based on their deeds and faith.
Five Pillars of Islam – Faith (Shahada), prayer (Salah), charity (Zakat), fasting (Sawm), and pilgrimage (Hajj) are essential acts of worship.
Muslims say: Muhammad was the comforter that Jesus spoke of in the Gospels
Muhammad prophesied in NT?? – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUMLGv0fLQo
Zakir Naik – John 14:16 – Shall ask my father to send a comforter to abide with you forever John 15:26 – and when comforter will come – he will testify me John 16:7 It is expedient for you that I go away – comforter to come
John 14:16-17 give you another comforter, Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot see or know him – abides with you and will be in you (is with you in the form of Christ and will be in you) I will ask the father?? Islam Not Jesus’ father – Qur’an 9:3 – Jews claim – Ezra son of God and Christians see Jesus as son of God and Muslims will kill, subjugate Jews/Christians for saying this (He will abide with you forever – (not in person) but his teachings)
Qur’an 19:88-93 – highest relationship is slave to master – highest blasphemy
Islam – Spirit of truth is Gabriel??
Entity to indwell these people – what attributes is needed to be in all of them? Omnipresent (will be in you ALL)
He says that Muhammad is Gabriel and Gabriel is God???
Jesus had to go away for the Comforter to come
Comforter/Spirit was with them (disciples) while Christ was on earth – but not in them (indwell and empower)
John 1:32-33
John 7:38-39
At Jesus baptism – Dove landed on Jesus remained on him – would not be given to anyone else – until Christ was glorified
Comforter was there, but will only indwell you once Jesus goes
Jesus had the holy spirit in him and in him only at the time of his life on earth. Others were given power and authority directly from Jesus Christ. Once Jesus completed his work and sent the holy spirit to them all, they then had direct power of the holy spirit within them and empowering them. That continues until today. (Those believing in him would receive. This is everyone – even today)
Acts – Holy Spirit came upon all of them…
Matthew 12:31-32; Mark 3:28-30 – All sins and blasphemies against him shall be forgiven. What is not to be forgiven is eternal sin – to make someone guilty of eternal sin. Blaspheming the Holy Spirit.
Surah 5 – Christians condemned for saying Allah is Jesus
John 16:7 – Jesus says – it is to your advantage – I will send the spirit of truth (Jesus will send the comforter – is this Muhammad?)
John 14:26 – helper/comforter – HOLY SPIRIT – who the father will send in my name (Jesus)
John 15:26 – when helper comes, who I will send you from the father (with the father) in the name of Jesus who is glorified.
John 1:32-33 – NKJV – And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’
John 7:38-39 – NKJV – He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Qur’an 5:116 – And [beware the Day] when Allah will say, “O Jesus, Son of Mary, did you say to the people, ‘Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah ?'” He will say, “Exalted are You! It was not for me to say that to which I have no right. If I had said it, You would have known it. You know what is within myself, and I do not know what is within Yourself. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen.
Adoption in Islam:
Sahih Muslim 1447 (Book of Adoption / Kitab al-Walad al-Mut‘alliq):
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Muhammad ﷺ adopted Zayd ibn Harithah and called him Zayd ibn Muhammad, but later Allah revealed that adopted children should be called by their biological fathers, not the adoptive father.
Tabari VIII:4: “One day Muhammad went out looking for Zayd. Now there was a covering of haircloth over the doorway, but the wind had lifted the covering so that the doorway was uncovered. Zaynab was in her chamber, undressed, and admiration for her entered the heart of the Muhammad. After that Allah made her unattractive to Zayd.”
It was proposed that he (the Holy Muhammad) be married to the daughter of Hamza, whereupon he said: She is not lawful for me for she is the daughter of my foster-brother, and that is unlawful by reason of fosterage what is unlawful by reason of genealogy. Sahih Muslim 1447a (1449 affirms) Book 17, Hadith 16 Book 8, Hadith 3409
Narrated Abdullah bin Umar:
We used not to call Zaid bin Haritha the freed slave of Allah’s Apostle except Zaid bin Muhammad till the Qur’anic Verse was revealed: “Call them (adopted sons) by (the names of) their fathers. That is more than just in the Sight of Allah.” (33.5) (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 6, Book 60, Number 305)
Surah 33:5 – And He has not made your wives whom you declare unlawful your mothers. And he has not made your adopted sons your [true] sons. That is [merely] your saying by your mouths, but Allah says the truth, and He guides to the [right] way.
Surah 33:37-38 – “And when you said to him to whom Allah had shown favor and to whom you had shown a favor: Keep your wife to yourself and be careful of (your duty to) Allah; and you concealed in your soul what Allah would bring to light, and you feared men, and Allah had a greater right that you should fear Him. But when Zaid had accomplished his want of her, We gave her to you as a wife, so that there should be no difficulty for the believers in respect of the wives of their adopted sons, when they have accomplished their want of them; and Allah’s command shall be performed. There is no harm in the Muhammad doing that which Allah has ordained for him; such has been the course of Allah with respect to those who have gone before; and the command of Allah is a decree that is made absolute.”
| Event | Hijri Year | CE Year |
| Zayd ibn Harithah freed by Muhammad | Before 1 AH | Before 622 CE |
| Zayd ibn Harithah adopted by Muhammad | Before 1 AH | Before 622 CE |
| Zayd married Zaynab bint Jahsh | ~4 AH | ~625 CE |
| Muhammad sees Zaynab naked (Al-Tabari story) | ~5 AH | ~626 CE |
| Revelation: Qur’an forbids treating adopted sons as real sons (Surah 33:4–5) | ~5 AH | ~626 CE |
| Zayd divorces Zaynab | 5 AH | 626 CE |
| Related Qur’anic revelation permitting Muhammad to marry Zaynab (Surah 33:37) | 5 AH | 626 CE |
| Muhammad marries Zaynab | 5 AH | 626 CE |
This now reflects the sequence of events as scholars generally understand it:
Zayd was adopted and married to Zaynab.
Muhammad sees Zaynab naked.
Qur’an forbids treating adopted sons as real sons and Muhammad disavows the adoption.
Zayd divorces Zaynab.
Muhammad marries Zaynab (with Surah 33:37 revelation).
Other intricacies about Muhammad and women relationships with men:
Sahih Muslim 1452a
‘A’isha (Allah be pleased with, her) reported that it had been revealed in the Holy Qur’an that ten clear sucklings make the marriage unlawful, then it was abrogated (and substituted) by five sucklings and Allah’s Apostle (ﷺ) died and it was before that time (found) in the Holy Qur’an (and recited by the Muslims).
Sahih Muslim 1453a (54, 55 – one of the wives didn’t like this and Muhammad got angry)
Messengerof Allah, I see on the face of Abu Hudhaifa (signs of disgust) on entering of Salim (who is an ally) into (our house), whereupon Allah’s Apostle (ﷺ) said: Suckle him. She said: How can I suckle him as he is a grown-up man? Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) smiled and said: I already know that he is a young man ‘Amr has made this addition in his narration that he participated in the Battle of Badr and in the narration of Ibn ‘Umar (the words are): Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) laughed.
https://www.faithfreedom.org/Articles/SKM/zeinab.htm
By Syed Kamran Mirza
Adoption in Islam:
Islam prohibits adopting children. Period. Adoption in the technical sense is not allowed in Muslim Shriah law. This is because Allah does not like this gesture of adopting orphan children. Muhammad Rushed Ridha states, “Allah prohibited adoption in Islam and annulled all the judgements pertaining to adoption. The most important one of which was the prohibition of the wife of the adopted son to the fostering father as though he is the natural father. So Allah commanded his Muhammad to marry Zainab Bint Jahsh in order to abolish pagan custom (Fatawa al-Imam).” Al-sabuni states, “As to Zainab Bint Jahsh, the Messenger of Allah married for no higher wisdom than to abolish the heresy of adoption (A-sabuni).”
I don’t know, how in the world Allah could dislike such noble deeds. I am not sure what percentage of Muslims actually knows this divine law. I do admit that I never knew this and, I was stunned when I first learnt this from a real Mullah. How and why was this noble custom among human being prohibited? We shall learn this history later in this essay.
Is War and or Slavery allowed in Islam or Christianity?
Islam: Yes, classical Islam allows military conquest and allows enslaving people, especially through jihad and warfare, under traditional Islamic law.
Christianity: No, Christianity does not authorize conquest or enslavement as religious commands. When Christians did those things, they were acting outside explicit Christian doctrine, not because of it.
Below is the clear, side-by-side explanation.
Islam
1. Conquest
Yes—explicitly permitted and historically practiced.
Classical Islamic law (fiqh) divides the world into:
Dar al-Islam (land under Islamic rule)
Dar al-Harb (land not under Islamic rule)
Armed jihad was permitted to:
Expand Islamic rule
Subdue hostile non-Muslim territories
Early Islamic empires expanded primarily through military conquest (Arabia, Levant, Persia, North Africa, Iberia, parts of India).
This is not controversial in Islamic historiography.
2. Enslavement
Yes—explicitly allowed.
Enslavement of captives taken in jihad was lawful.
Qur’anic category: “those whom your right hands possess” = slaves.
Permitted outcomes of conquest included:
Killing enemy combatants
Enslaving men, women, and children
Sexual access to female captives (concubinage)
Slavery was regulated, not abolished, and codified in all major Sunni schools of law.
Christianity
1. Conquest
No—never commanded or authorized by Jesus or the New Testament.
Jesus explicitly rejects spreading faith by force:
“My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36)
“Put your sword back in its place” (Matthew 26:52)
The Great Commission is evangelism, not coercion:
“Go and make disciples…” (Matthew 28:19)
No Christian scripture authorizes holy war to convert or subjugate others.
Christian empires later used force, but that power came from the state, not Christian doctrine.
2. Enslavement
No—never commanded or authorized as a religious practice.
The New Testament:
Never commands enslaving others
Declares spiritual equality (Galatians 3:28)
Undermines slavery morally (Philemon, man-stealing condemned)
Christianity does not provide a legal framework for acquiring new slaves.
When Christians owned slaves historically, they did so despite Christian ethics, not because Christianity required or sanctioned it.
| Question | Islam (classical) | Christianity |
| Religious conquest allowed? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Holy war doctrine? | ✅ Yes (jihad) | ❌ No |
| Enslaving war captives allowed? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Sexual slavery permitted? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Slavery codified in religious law? | ✅ Yes (Sharia) | ❌ No |
| Moral trajectory | Legal continuity | Moral abolition |
Bottom line
Islam historically includes religious authorization for conquest and enslavement under Sharia.
Christianity contains no such authorization; its core texts move in the opposite direction.
This does not mean all Muslims support this today—but it is what the classical sources teach.
***
Quran says – all books of God are preserved
(I actually agree with this)
Quran is perfectly preserved: False (not a book of God)
Muslims claim there are so many versions of the Bible – ESV, KJV, NASB, etc.
Greek – Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum – NA28. 90-95% of scholars utilize.
But Arabic versions of the Qur’an – there are also many:
Ḥafṣ ʿan ʿĀṣim → by far the most widespread today (used by 85–90% of Muslims worldwide).
Warsh ʿan Nāfiʿ → common in North and West Africa (e.g., Morocco, Algeria, parts of Nigeria). (10-12%)
Qālūn ʿan Nāfiʿ → used in Libya and parts of Tunisia.
Ad-Dūrī ʿan Abī ʿAmr → found in Sudan and parts of West Africa.
Among many others as well.