Islam: The Light of God

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Entirely too often Muslims are associated with violence, terrorism, and other such stereotypes. And more often than not it is from the evangelical Christian extremists who take no time to study their own religion, let alone Islam. It is common knowledge that the Bible has many times been altered, changed, and had entire sections removed with new sections added.

To start my breakdown of the Bible is the 10 commandments as revealed by Allah swt through prophet Moses PBUH.

1. I am the Lord thy God, Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images.
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
5. Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long.
6. Thou shalt not kill.
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8. Thou shalt not steal.
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house.

From this we can gather that the most important commandment is to worship only God. This seems to be the most commonly broken rule in Christianity due to the incorporation of the trinity. A fundamental belief of the religion is to believe that Jesus PBUH is the son of God (and also God's word incarnated into flesh or God himself as a man depending on denomination), and to believe in the holy spirit, which is the spirit of God (or Jesus PBUH depending on denomination again). The belief in a Trinity is against the foundation of all Abrahamic religions, requiring the worship of only one true, Almighty God.  This idea of a trinity was a foreign concept to Jesus PBUH at the time he was given the gospel. Although it is not entirely certain where the concept came from, there is much evidence that shows these ideas infiltrated Christianity by the Greeks and Romans, who as we all know believed in multiple Gods and came to rule over many of the areas that early Christianity had expanded into. This in itself makes the trinity a pagan ritual, which the Christian leaders of the time felt a need to compromise to in the early days of the religion.

The second commandment is in reference to idol worshipping, which was common among the people of the time. Coincidentally, idol worshipping has become a fundamental part of the Catholic church, as well as widely accepted in Christianity. Catholics go so far as to take the virgin Mary (May Allah be pleased with her) and portray her as the Mother of God and put up pictures of her in the churches, on the rosary, etc. This is a clear violation of the second commandment as well as the first. Churches frequently depict Jesus PBUH In paintings, drawings and the like on crosses. In essence this would only violate the second commandment, however since it is believed that Jesus PBUH is the son of God as well as God incarnate, this is a direct violation of both commandments by portraying graven images of one associated to be with/to be God.

To not take God's name in vain seems to be completely forgotten since common phrases used are exclamations and damnation's in God's name (as well as cursing the name of Jesus PBUH).

The Sabbath is still recognized by Judaism, but rejected by Christians as they hold Sunday as the holy day to worship 3 deities (or more).

Frequently children born into Christian families try their best to dishonour, disrespect, and disgrace their families. I can personally vouch for this since I was born into a Christian/Catholic family.

During the multiple crusades throughout history we have seen the remaining commandments violated in the name of God for the sake of God. The crusaders killed all in their way, raped women, robbed and plundered, lied, and coveted many houses and places of worship, regardless of the opposition's (often times civilians) status, or religion. Many Christians, Jews, Pagans, and Muslims were slaughtered and raped by the crusaders, all for the sake of "God."

The next analysis is of the words of the bible, that Christians regard as the guidebook for life because it is a compilation of the laws of God handed down to prophets and finished with Jesus PBUH.

A passage regarding the consumption of Pork:
And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you.
Leviticus 11:7 kjv

Backed up by this passage:
Those who consecrate and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following one who is among those who eat the flesh of pigs, rats and other unclean things--they will meet their end together with the one they follow," declares the LORD.
Isaiah 66:17

Yet Christians still consume pork. As I was told by a family member this is because the New Testament overrules all of the laws of the Old testament, which begs the question as to how a Christian can follow the Bible, but only adhere to one half of the book. This seems like a logical fallacy. Christians often use the argument that Christianity is a religion of peace and Islam is a religion of violence. According to the Bible Jesus PBUH said:
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Matthew 5:44

This validates that claim, but later in the Bible Jesus PBUH said:
But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.
Luke 19:27

This passage is a direct contradiction to the ideology that Christianity is a religion of peace. These are just two small examples of contradictions in the Bible. The list goes on and on. This is the reason why Muhammadﷺ was given the book of Allah swt through the angel Gabriel, for everytime in history when the people strayed from the way of Allah and his messengers, another would cone to bring the people back. Some messengers came for certain groups of people, but Muhammad came for all of humanity, similar to Moses PBUH.  . This is evident from what God has promised even IN the Bible that after prophet Jesus PBUH there would be another to bring God's decree. Many notable Islamic scholars have found these truths in the Bible, yet they are refused by many Christians. However, some Christians have found these truths and in turn reverted to Islam (Yusuf Estes, Khalid Yasin to name just 2). After some of my own research I came across the work of many scholars who have done the same and expanded beyond what I had done myself.

Below are a few excerpts from Zakir Naik's own theological studies:


"The Qur’an mentions in Surah Al-Araf chapter 7 verse 157:
"Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (scriptures) in the law and the Gospel"

.1.  MUHAMMAD (PBUH) PROPHESIED IN THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY: Almighty God speaks to Moses in Book of Deuteronomy chapter 18 verse 18:"I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and I will put my words in his mouth; and     he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him."

The Christians say that this prophecy refers to Jesus (pbuh) because Jesus (pbuh) was like Moses (pbuh). However, it is Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) who is like Moses (pbuh):i)  Both had a father and a mother, while Jesus (pbuh) was born miraculously without any male intervention.[Mathew 1:18 and Luke 1:35 and also Al-Qur'an 3:42-47]ii)  Both were married and had children. Jesus (pbuh) according to the Bible did not marry nor had children.iii)  Both died natural deaths. Jesus (pbuh) has been raised up alive. (4:157-158) Muhammad (pbuh) is from among the brethren of Moses (pbuh). Arabs are brethren of Jews. Abraham (pbuh) had two sons: Ishmail and Isaac (pbut). The Arabs are the descendants of Ishmail (pbuh) and the Jews are the descendants of Isaac (pbuh).Words in the mouth:Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was unlettered and whatever revelations he received from Almighty God he repeated them verbatim.

Both besides being Prophets were also kings i.e. they could inflict capital punishment. Jesus (pbuh) said,     "My kingdom is not of this world"

Muhammad (pbuh) is prophesied in the book of Isaiah: It is mentioned in the book of Isaiah chapter 29 verse 12:"And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned."When Archangel Gabrail commanded Muhammad (pbuh) by saying Iqra - "Read", he replied, "I am not learned".  4.  prophet Muhammad (pbuh) mentioned by name in the old testament: Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is mentioned by name in the Song of Solomon chapter 5 verse 16:"Hikko Mamittakim we kullo Muhammadim Zehdoodeh wa Zehraee Bayna Jerusalem.""His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughtersof Jerusalem."In the Hebrew language im is added for respect. Similarely im is added after the name of Prophet Muhammad      (pbuh) to make it Muhammadim. In English translation they have even translated the name of Prophet Muhammad     (pbuh) as "altogether lovely", but in the Old Testament in Hebrew, the name of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is yet      present.

NOTE: All quotations of the Bible are taken from the King James Version."

Islam is a religion where only one god is worshipped, with no partners, spirits, parents nor children exist. Islam is a religion of complete devotion to God and belief in all of the holy prophets, the angels, the seen and the unseen. Islam is a religion of peace, love, and brother/sisterhood. Jihad often comes in to arguments to contest this basis, and jihad can be discussed in depth at a later time. Jihad means to strive. This could mean to strive in your religion, to strive within your family or your community, or to strive in defending yourself and loved ones, which is the only case where violence is condoned in Islam. Period.

It appears very evident that Islam is, and always has been the religion of God. From the prophecy of Muhammadﷺ in the Bible to the fact that all of the rules of the religion have contradictions within the religion, there are many evidences to prove this. Islam is a religion of clarity. Islam is a religion of purity. Islam is a way of life designed by Allah swt for the people to live humbly, graciously, righteously, and honesty. Islam is the perfected religion of Adam, with the pieces of the puzzle being handed down to over 124,000 prophets over time including Abraham PBUH, Noah PBUH, Moses PBUH, Isaac and Ishmael PBUT, Lot PBUH, Jonah PBUH, and Jesus PBUH to name a few. May Allah guide everybody to the light of Islam, a religion that truly abides by the law of God decreed so many times throughout history. In sha Allah

سلام عليكم
عبدالرحيم

My Journey to Islam Part 3

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

My journey to Islam continues as I set out to Minneapolis to try and enroll in the Islamic University of Minnesota (http://www.iumn.net/) in order to further my education in Islamic Studies. Unfortunately I did not have nearly enough money to enroll, my federal aid was rejected because they felt my family made too much money, and scholarships were next to impossible to obtain. So my cousin and a friend of mine decided we would just work and try out life living independently. My first destination was to some of the area masjids, so i could become friends with some new Muslim people. After Ramadan ended, I found myself increasingly hanging out with Muslims who were very far astray from the right path to Allah swt. Before long, I started reversing back to some of my former ways. I began smoking weed again, and became more engrossed with living the life that I was rapping about (all things from the past I gave up this I became a Muslim). I went  from praying 5 times a day to only praying Jummah at the Masjid.

It didn't take long for me to lose almost all sense of Imaan. I was engaging in casual and frequent sex, smoking, and began drinking alcohol, something I did not even do before I was a Muslim. The more time passed the more my actions became that of a non believer. In some aspects, I had become worse than I was before finding and accepting Islam. I started to notice a ripple effect in my actions, and my old friends and my roommates were being effected by my actions. Due to the fact I was bringing bad people around, bad things were happening to us. While on a trip to see family out of state, our apartment was broken into. Almost all of our important things were stolen. It seemed like everything was going backwards in my life. I gave up doing bad things to pursue my education and connection with Allah, and after moving to Minneapolis for the sole purpose of learning more of the religion of Islam and striving for the sake of Allah.

While on this self-destructive path, I started to feel the consequence of my actions. First was the home invasion, next came the close encounters with death, a few times getting my car impounded and going to jail, and 2 seperate pregnancy scares. I had fallen so far off of the righteous path to Allah swt that I was oblivious to all of these signs all around me. It wasn't until I had let some so called friends move in with me that I realized how much of an out of control spiral my life was becoming (all over again). With a few more items being stolen from our apartment, we decided we were going to leave it all, go back home and try again. At the time I took no responsibility for my actions, and made excuses. Even after losing my job and almost being evicted from the apartment. We packed up what we could in a few seperate trips to Minneapolis and then let everything go. I had absorbed into myself all 4 pillars of kufr without even realizing it, and I was so blinded by  the drugs and alcohol I didn't bother to take the time to look in the mirror and see what I was doing to myself or those around me.

I found little solace being back at home and continued doing the same things, only with a free roof over my head. This led to me being even more irresponsible than before and getting even more carried away. My initial goal was to get back on track financially. I had put myself into $2000 debt and was virtually broke. This plan was short lived, and I spent most of my money on drugs and alcohol. It just so happens that while I was unpacking a bag I found my old prayer hat, prayer mat, and a khamiis. I instantly had a flashback to when my life was on a positive slope and things still made since and seemed so easy. I put on the prayer clothes and looked in the mirror. For the first time in almost a year I saw the Abdul Raheem I knew. I had a moment of clarity and realized that Allah was the greatest of planners, and while I was devoted to him, my life was great; when I was submissive to the dunya, my life collapsed. Now all I had to do was develop the strength to put down the bottle, the blunt, and the sex, and start living a life for the sake of Allah swt once again.

سلام عليكم
عبدالرحيم