All the New Muslims have realized the benefits of Islam and have said :

"We do not need any one to intercede between us and GOD. There are no partners with GOD. He teaches us that no one else can answer for our sins. No consideration is given in the Islamic Shari'ah, religion, in regards to race, language, country, color, or wealth."

The lexical meaning of Islam is submission, and adherence to the commands of Allah without objection. This is the true essence of Islam. By obeying Allah and observing His commands, the Muslim would be in harmony with the universe in which he lives, for everything in this universe abides by the commands of Allah.
It is an established fact that everything in this universe follows certain rule, and an unalterable law to which it submits; the sun, the moon, the stars, the night, the day, the land, the trees, and the beasts; all submit to a rule which Allah, the Creator, has designated for all these things. Even man himself, when you consider his physical construction, and biological compounds, his need for water and nutrition, heat, air, light, rest, or sleep you would find him submitting to a law under which he has no choice, just like other creatures.

WHAT IS LIFE?

 Man's existence in this world and the creation of this entire universe are not mere accidents or products of a fortuitous nature. This universe, every single atom of it, manifests and leads us to the realization of a Loving, Merciful and All-powerful Creator. Without a Creator, nothing can exist. Every single soul knows that he is existing and that his existence is dependent upon a Creator he knows for sure that he cannot create him self. Therefore it is his duty to know his master, the Creator.

MANKIND

Man is a unique creature. God establishes man as His representative or deputy to govern over all other creatures in this world. He is endowed with the faculty of REASON, which sets him apart from all other animals. Together with this faculty to discriminate and discern, man is given the freedom (free-will) to choose for himself a way of life worthy of his position as God's representative or to fall lower than the lowest of all animals or creations. Man is born pure and sinless and is given the choice to do righteous deeds or indulge in sins.

REVELATIONS

From the beginning of mankind, our Creator sent prophets to convey His REVELATION and to invite human beings to the path of true PEACE and OBEDIENCE to the ONE TRUE GOD.
This is ISLAM. This message is conveyed towards successive generations of man through the different prophets, all inviting mankind to the same path. However all the earlier messages or revelations from God were distorted by people of later generations.
As a result, pure Revelation from our Creator was adulterated and polluted with myths, superstitions, idol worship and irrational philosophical ideologies. The religion of God in a sense was lost in a plethora of religions. Human history is a testament of man's drift between light and darkness, but God out of His Abundant Love for mankind has not forsaken us. Islam is not a new religion. It is, in essence, the same message and guidance which Allah revealed to all His prophets, like Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, David, Moses, Jesus and Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Them). But the message that was revealed to prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is Islam in its comprehensive, complete and final form.
Say ye: "We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: And we bow to Allah (in Islam)."

What does 'Islam' mean?   Islam is not a new religion, but the same truth that God revealed through all His prophets to every people; Islam is both a religion and the complete way of life. Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness. The Arabic word 'Islam' simply means 'submission', and derives from a word meaning 'peace'. In a religious context it means complete submission to the will of God. 'Mohammadanism' is thus a misnomer because it suggests that Muslims worship Muhammad (peace be upon him) rather than God. 'Allah' is the Arabic name for God, which is used by Arab Muslims and Christians alike.

Islam is not Just for Arabs. The Truth of Islam is meant for all people regardless of race, nationality or linguistic background. Taking a look at the Muslim World, from Nigeria to Bosnia and from Malaysia to Afghanistan is enough to prove that Islam is a Universal message for all of mankind --- not to mention the fact that significant numbers of Europeans and Americans of all races and ethnic backgrounds are coming into Islam.

There are so many sects, cults, religions, philosophies, and movements in the world, all of which claim to be the right way or the only true path to Allah (God). How can one determine which one is correct or if, in fact, all are correct? The method by which the answer can be found is to clear away the superficial differences in the teachings of the various claimants to the ultimate truth, and identify the central object of worship to which they call, directly or indirectly. False religions all have in common one basic concept with regards to Allah. They either claim that all men are gods or that specific men were Allah or that nature is Allah or that Allah is a figment of man's imagination.
Thus, it may be stated that the basic message of false religion is that Allah may be worshipped in the form of His creation. False religion invites man to the worship of creation by calling the creation or some aspect of it God. For example, prophet Jesus invited his followers to worship Allah but those who claim to be his followers today call people to worship Jesus, claiming that he was Allah!
Buddha was a reformer who introduced a number of humanistic principles to the religion of India. He did not claim to be God nor did he suggest to his followers that he be an object of worship. Yet, today most Buddhists who are to be found outside of India have taken him to be God and prostrate to idols made in their perception of his likeness.

By using the principle of identifying the object of worship, false religion becomes very obvious and the contrived nature of their origin clear. As God said in the Our'aan:

" That which you worship besides Him are only names you and your forefathers have invented for which Allah has sent down no authority: The command belongs only to Allah:
He has commanded that you only worship Him; that is the right religion, but most men do not understand ".

(Soorah Yoosuf 12:40)

It may be argued that all religions teach good things so why should it matter which one we follow. The reply is that all false religions teach the greatest evil, the worship of creation. Creation-worship is the greatest sin that man can commit because it contradicts the very purpose of his creation. Man was created to worship Allah alone as Allah has explicitly stated in the the Qur’an:

" I have only created Jinns and men, that they may worship me "  (Soorah Zaareeyaat 51:56)

Consequently, the worship of creation, which is the essence of idolatry, is the only unforgivable sin. One who dies in this state of idolatry has sealed his fate in the next life. This is not an opinion, but a revealed fact stated by Allah in his final revelation to man.

The following criteria can best serve as a gauge to find out the authenticity of the last revelation (the Qur’an) as words of God:

1. Rational Teachings: Since our Creator bestowed reason and intellect upon us, it is our duty to use it to distinguish the TRUTH from falsehood. True, undistorted revelation from God must be rational and can be reasoned out by all unbiased minds.
2. Perfection: Since our Creator is all perfect, His revelation must be perfect and accurate, free from mistakes, omissions, interpolations and multiplicity of versions. It should be free from contradictions in its narration.
3. No Myths or Superstitions: True revelation is free from myths or superstitions that degrade the dignity of our Creator or man himself.
4. Scientific: Since our Creator is the Creator of all knowledge, true revelation is scientific and can withstand the challenge of science at all times.
5. Factual Prophecy: Our Creator is the Knower of the past, present and future. Thus His prophecies in His revelation will be fulfilled as prophesied.
6. Inimitable By Man: True revelation is infallible and cannot be imitated by man. God's true revelation is a Living miracle, an open book challenging all mankind to see and prove for themselves its authenticity or veracity.
 

1.We believe in one God Supreme and Eternal, Infinite and Mighty, Merciful and Compassionate, The Creator and The Provider, He begets not, nor was He begotten, and there is none equal or comparable unto Him.

2. We believe in the angels.

3. We believe in all original scriptures.

4. We believe in all Messengers of Allah without any discrimination among them, as every known nation has a Warner or messenger from Allah. They were chosen by Allah to teach humanity and deliver His Divine message. The Qur'an mentions the name of some of them, like Abraham, Moses, David, and Jesus (Peace Be Upon them). And Mohammad (Peace Be Upon him) stands as the last messenger and the crowning glory of the foundation of prophet hood. Allah said in the Qur’an:
Say ye: "We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: And we bow to Allah (in Islam)."  (Albaqarah 2: 136)

5. We believe in the Day of Judgment.

6. We believe in Fate, whether good or bad.
 

1. The Declaration of Faith: To bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Mohammad is His messenger to all humanity until the Day of Judgment. The prophet hood of Muhammad obliges Muslims to follow his exemplary life as a model.

2. Prayers: Daily prayers are offered five times a day as a duty toward Allah. They strengthen and enliven ones belief in Allah and inspire individuals to develop a higher morality. They purify the heart and help one to resist giving into temptation.

3. Fasting the Month of Ramadan: During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food, drink, and all sexual activity from dawn to sunset. In addition, they must strive to abstain from evil intentions and desires. This communal fast seeks to instill within the individual feelings of love, sincerity, devotion, patience, unselfishness, and will-power as well as to develop a sound social conscience.

4. Zakat: An annual payment of 2.5% of ones net savings that has been in ones possession for one year. This is a religious duty and purifies ones money. It must be given to those who are poor and in need.

5. Pilgrimage to Makkah: This must be performed once during one's lifetime, provided that one can afford it financially and withstand it physically.

Besides these pillars, every action done with the awareness that it fulfills the will of Allah is also considered an act of worship

What is the Qur’an about?  The Qur’an, the last revealed Word of God, is the prime source of every Muslim's faith and practice. It deals with all the subjects that concern us as human beings: wisdom, doctrine, worship, and law, but its basic theme is the relationship between God and His creatures. At the same time it provides guidelines for a just society, proper human conduct and an equitable economic system. My dear, here are some sayings of well-known scholars about the Qur'an:

" I have read the Sacred Scriptures of every religion; nowhere have I found what I encountered in Islam: perfection. The Holy Qur'an, compared to any other scripture I have read, is like the Sun compared to that of a match. I firmly believe that anybody who reads the Word of Allah with a mind that is not completely closed to Truth, will become a Muslim."

Saifuddin Dirk Walter Mosig, U.S.A

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Professor Tagata Tagasone,    Formerly Head of the Department of Anatomy and Embryology at the University of Shiang Mai in Thailand. He is now the Dean of the College of the Medicine at the University.    "From my studies and from what I have learned throughout this conference, I believe that everything that has been recorded in the Qur’aan 1400 years ago must be the truth, that can be proved by the scientific means. Since the Prophet Muhammad could neither read nor write, Muhammad must be a messenger who relayed this truth which was revealed to him as an enlightenment by the One Who is an eligible Creator. This Creator must be Allah, or Allah. Therefore, I think this is the time to say ‘Laa ilaaha illallah’, that there is no Allah to worship except Allah, ‘Muhammad Rasool  Allah’, Muhammad is messenger of Allah..."

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Dr. T.V.N. Persaud is a Professor of Anatomy and Head of the Department of Anatomy, and a professor of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He is the author or editor of 25 books, and has published over 181 scientific papers. In 1991, he received the most distinguished award presented in the field of anatomy in Canada. "It seems to me that Muhammad was a very ordinary man. He could not read or write. In fact, he was illiterate.
We are talking about 1400 years ago. You have someone who was illiterate making profound pronouncement and statements and are amazingly accurate about scientific nature. I personally cannot see how this could be mere chance. There are too many accuracy’s and, like Dr. Moore, I have no difficulty in my mind in concerning that this is a divine inspiration or revelation which led him to these statements."

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Joe Leigh Simpson, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the North Western University in Chicago in the United States of America. Professor Simpson said: "It follows, I think, that not only is there no conflict between genetics and religion, but in fact religion can guide science by adding revelation to some traditional scientific approaches. That there exists statements in the Qur’an shown by science to be valid, which supports knowledge in the Qur’an having been derived from Allah." 

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" Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the United States... "   NEW YORK TIMES, Feb 21, 1989, p.1

Simply by saying with pure heart and intention: 'There is no true god deserved to be worshiped but ALLAH , and Mohammad is the Messenger of ALLAH.' By this declaration the believer announces his or her faith in all God's messengers, and the scriptures they brought.
The Shahada can be declared as follows:

" ASH-HADU ANLA ELAHA ILL-ALLAAH WA ASH-HADU ANNA MUHAMMADAN RASUL-ALLAAH "

The English translation is:

"I bear witness that there is no deity (none truly to be worshipped) but, Allah, and I bear witness that Mohammad is the messenger of Allah".

According to the Qur'an, men and women are equal before God; women are not blamed for violating the "forbidden tree," nor is their suffering in pregnancy and childbirth a punishment for that act.
Islam sees a woman, whether single or married, as an individual in her own right, with the right to own and dispose of her property and earnings. A marriage dowry is given by the groom to the bride for her own personal use, and she keeps her own family name rather than taking her husband's.
Both men and women are expected to dress in a way which is modest and dignified; the traditions of female dress found in some Muslim countries are often the expression of local customs.
Man in Islam is fully responsible for the maintenance of his wife, his children and some cases of his needy relatives especially females. This responsibility is neither waved nor reduced because of his wife's wealth, or because of her access to any personal income gained from work, rent, profit or any legal means.
Woman, on the other hand, is far more secure financially and far less burdened with any claims on her possessions. Her possessions before marriage do not transfer to her husband and she even keeps her maiden name. She has no obligation to spend on her family out of her wealth.
The Messenger of God (Peace be upon him) said:

" The most perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best in manner and kindest to his wife."

" The best of you, is the best to his family and I am the best among you to my family."

Summing Up
In Islam, the relationship between men and women is to compliment each other and not to compete against one another. In conclusion; the following rights have been given to the Muslim women, in the Qur'an some 1400 years ago, without any changes (whilst their "Western" sisters have only recently gained some of the rights listed below.)
1. Spiritual equality.
2. Not, responsible for Adam's sin.
3. Right to choose husband.
4. Right to seek divorce.
5. Right to inheritance.
6. Exclusive ownership of personal gains and acquired wealth.
7. Right to education (to any level).
8. Right to seek employment.
9. Right to keep maiden name.

The Question of Hijab: Suppression Or Liberation?
"Why do Muslim women have to cover their heads?" This question is one which is asked by Muslim and non-Muslim alike. For many women it is the truest test of being a Muslim.
The answer to the question is very simple - Muslim women observe HIJAB (covering the head and the body) because Allah has told them to do so.

"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed..." (Qur'an 33:59)

Other secondary reasons include the requirement for modesty in both men and women. Both will then be evaluated for intelligence and skills instead of looks and sexuality. A school girl is quoted as saying, "We want to stop men from treating us like sex objects, as they have always done. We want them to ignore our appearance and to be attentive to our personalities and mind. We want them to take us seriously and treat us as equals and not just chase us around for our bodies and physical looks."

A Muslim woman who covers her head is making a statement about her identity. Anyone who sees her will know that she is a Muslim and has a good moral character. Many Muslim women who cover are filled with dignity and self esteem; they are pleased to be identified as a Muslim woman. As a chaste, modest, pure woman, she does not want her sexuality to enter into interactions with men in the smallest degree. A woman who covers herself is concealing her sexuality but allowing her femininity to be brought out.

From the dawn of civilization, floving dresses and head scarves have always been associated with "Godliness" or "God consciousness". Even the Christians pictorial representation of the earlier prophets and their woman folks bear a familiar likeness to the dress ordained for Muslim men and women. This tradition of modesty is reflected in the Qur'an, wherein Allah says:

O ye Children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover your shame, as well as to be an adornment to you. But the raiment of righteousness, that is the best. Such are among the Signs of God, that they may receive admonition (7:26)

The religion of Islam was revealed for all societies and all times and so accommodates widely differing social requirements. Circumstances may warrant the taking of another wife but the right is granted, according to the Qur'an, only on condition that the husband is scrupulously fair.
Islam delves deeper into the problems of individuals and societies, and provides for legitimate and clean solutions which are far more beneficial than would be the case if they were ignored. There is no doubt that the second wife legally married and treated kindly is better off than a mistress without any legal rights.

Many terrorists groups have used the name Islam to promote their cause and this gave the West a chance to attack Islam and label the Muslims as terrorists. The West on the other hand deliberately ignores labeling terrorists as Christians or Jewish when they are.
Terrorism as an act of violence has been committed by people from all religious and political backgrounds. Christian terrorists ( e.g. Bosnia, Ireland, Nazi) and Jewish terrorists (e.g. Israel, Palestine and Lebanon) for example used their religious beliefs to claim legitimacy for the violence and terrorism they commit. They killed thousands of women and children and innocent young men for no more than terrorizing the innocents.
The enemies of Islam however, have been trying to make the word terrorists and terrorism synonymous to Islam (Submission) in an ongoing effort to slander Islam and the Muslims We have to remember whenever we see any terrorist activities to blame the people and not to blame the religion. Not everyone who calls himself a Muslim is a Muslim  .We believe that time has come for the media to respect Islam, and not to mix between what Islam stands for and what some Muslims do.

In order to preserve Islam, and convey it to people at large, and to remove the obstacles in its way, Allah, the Exalted, has decreed jihad as a legitimate institution or warfare. Jihad also is meant to deliver men from those who enslave them, and from submissiveness to men, such as rulers, and Sheikhs, and to stop them from worshipping graves, trees, stones, and all other idols, and make them submit to Allah alone after having lived in the darkness of ignorance bereft of the light of the truth. In other words, jihad is legitimized to help people shun worshipping anything but God, and replace them the tightness of this world with the ampleness of the world to come. Having reviewed the principles of Islam, we realize that it is incumbent upon us, individually and as a whole, to apply them all.

Islam, with its clear and direct expression of truth, has a great appeal to anyone seeking knowledge. It has a solution for all problems that arise during the course of one's life. It is a guide toward a better and complete life.

Human beings live according to their view of life. The tragedy of secular societies is that they fail to connect the different aspects of life. The secular and the religious, as well as the scientific and the spiritual seem to be in conduct. Islam puts an end to this conflict and brings harmony to man vision of life.

The Brotherhood of Man: A major problem facing mankind today is racism. The developed world can send a man to the moon but cannot stop man from hating and fighting his fellow man. Ever since the days of the Prophet Muhammad fourteen centuries ago, Islam has given a vivid example of how racism can be ended: the annual pilgrimage to Makkah reveals the Islamic miracle of the real brotherhood of all races and nations.

A Muslim marriage is not a ³sacrament², but a simple, legal agreement in which either partner is free to include conditions. Marriage customs thus vary widely from country to country. As a result, divorce is not common, although it is not forbidden as a last resort. According to Islam, no Muslim girl can be forced to marry against her will.

The family, which is the basic unit of civilization, is disintegrating in all western countries. Islam's family system brings the rights of the husband, wife, children, and relatives into a fine equilibrium. It nourishes human unselfishness, generosity, and love in the framework of a well-organized family system

In the Islamic world there are no old people's homes. The strain of caring for one's parents in this most difficult time of their lives is considered an honor and blessing, and an opportunity for great spiritual growth. God asks that we not only pray for our parents, but act with limitless compassion, remembering that when we were helpless children they preferred us to themselves. Mothers are particularly honored: the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught that 'Paradise lies at the feet of mothers'. When they reach old age, Muslim parents are treated mercifully, with the same kindness and selflessness.
In Islam, serving one's parents is a duty second only to prayer, and it is their right to expect it. It is considered despicable to express any irritation when, through no fault of their own, the old become difficult.
The Qur’an says:

" Your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him, and be kind to parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, do not say 'uff' to them or chide them, but speak to them in terms of honor and kindness. Treat them with humility, and say, 'My Lord! Have mercy on them, for they did care for me when I was little ". (17.23-4)

Real happiness and peace can be found in submitting to the commands of the Creator and the Sustainer of this world. God has said in the Qur'an:

{Truly, in remembering God do hearts find rest} (Qur'an, 13:28)

On the other hand, the one who turns away from the Qur'an will have a life of hardship in this world. God has said:

{ But whoever turns away from the Quran,¹ he will have a hard life, and We will raise him up blind on the Day of Judgment } (Qur'an, 20:124)

This may explain why some people commit suicide while they enjoy the material comfort money can buy. For example, look at Cat Stevens (now Yusuf Islam), formerly a famous pop singer who used to earn sometimes more than $150,000 a night. After he converted to Islam, he found true happiness and peace, which he had not found in material success.

If we sin, what should we expect from God? If we subsequently feel guilty and repent after doing something evil, God wants us to expect Him to be forgiving, forgiving, and more forgiving. However, there is one sin that God will not forgive: worshipping anything besides Him (unless the person realizes his or her error and returns to worshipping the One God):

" Verily God does not forgive the ascribing of divinity to anything beside Him, although He forgives any lesser sin to whomever He wills: for he who ascribes divinity to anything beside God has indeed contrived an awesome sin." [4:48]

" Say, `O you servants of Mine who have transgressed against your own selves! Despair not of God's Mercy: behold, God forgives all sins - for verily, He alone is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace " [39:53]

Again, the most common phrase in the Qur'an is " In the Name of God, the Most Merciful, the One who Acts Mercifully ".

The Last Messenger commented on God's forgiveness on many occasions as in the following case:
" God has said, `O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it [i.e. the earth] ". - The Last Messenger

Muslims respect and revere Jesus (peace be upon him).  They consider him one of the greatest of God’s messengers to mankind.  The Qur'an confirms his virgin birth, and a chapter of the Qur'an is entitled ‘Maryam’ (Mary).  The Qur'an describes the birth of Jesus as follows:

{ (Remember) when the angels said, “O Mary, God gives you good news of a word from Him (God), whose name is the Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, revered in this world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near (to God).  He will speak to the people from his cradle and as a man, and he is of the righteous.” She said, “My Lord, how can I have a child when no mortal has touched me?” He said, “So (it will be).  God creates what He wills.  If He decrees a thing, He says to it only, ‘Be!’ and it is.” }           (Qur'an, 3:45-47)

Jesus was born miraculously by the command of God which had brought Adam into being without a father.  God has said:

{ The case of Jesus with God is like the case of Adam.  He created him from     dust, and then He said to him, “Be!” and he came into being }  (Qur'an, 3:59)

During his prophetic mission, Jesus performed many miracles.  God tells us that Jesus said:

{ “I have come to you with a sign from your Lord.  I make for you the shape of a bird out of clay, I breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by God’s permission.  I heal the blind from birth and the leper.  And I bring the dead to life by God’s permission.  And I tell you what you eat and what you store in your houses....” }  (Qur'an, 3:49)

Muslims believe that Jesus was not crucified.  It was the plan of Jesus’ enemies to crucify him, but God saved him and raised him up to Him.  And the likeness of Jesus was put over another man.  Jesus’ enemies took this man and crucified him, thinking that he was Jesus.  God has said:

{ ...They said, “We killed the Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, the messenger of God.” They did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but the likeness of him was put on another man (and they killed that man)... } (Qur'an, 4:157)

Neither Muhammad (Peace be upon him) nor Jesus (Peace be upon him) came to change the basic doctrine of the belief in one God, brought by earlier prophets, but rather to confirm and renew it.

-The Prophet Like unto Moses

God addressed Moses: Deuteronomy 18:18: "I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee [Moses], and will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him."

1. Brethren of Israelites (descendants of Abraham through Isaac) are Ishmaelite (descendants of Abraham through Ishmael). Jesus is here excluded, as he is an Israelite. Otherwise it should be written "a prophet from among yourselves."

2. Who looks like Moses? Jesus or Muhammad (Peace be upon them all)? The table below is self explanatory:

3. "… and will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him." Each surah of the Holy Qur'an starts with the phrase: "In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful."

4. Deuteronomy 18:19: "And it shall come to pass that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him." It should also be noted that those who will not hear or accept the message that he brings will be punished. This corresponds with Surah 3:19: Truly the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam and surah 3:85: And whoever desires a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.

-Art Thou That Prophet?

The Jews sent priests and Levites to John the Baptist to ask who he really was. John 1:20-21: "And he [John the Baptist] confessed and denied not; but confessed, 'I am not the Christ.' And they asked him: 'What then? Art thou Elias? 'And he saith: 'I am not.' 'Art thou that prophet?' And he answered: 'No."'
The crucial question here is: Art thou that prophet? Who was the long awaited prophet who was to come after the advent of Jesus and John the Baptist? Was he not the one like unto Moses (Deuteronomy 18:18) who is Muhammad?

-Comforter

John 14:16: "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever." Other Bibles use "Consoler," "Advocate," "Helper."
Whatever the explanation is of the Comforter, we conclude that Jesus left an unfinished work and that someone was coming to complete his mission. Let us examine, in the light of the Bible, if this Comforter fits the character of Prophet Muhammad:

 1. "Another Comforter": So many Comforters had come, and another one was to come.

2. "That he may abide with you for ever": As there was no need for another one to come after him, and he was the seal of all prophets. The teaching will abide for ever and will remain intact. In fact, the Qur'an and all of the teachings of Prophet Muhammad remain as they were 1400 years ago.

3. "The Spirit of Truth" (John 16: 13). Since childhood, Prophet Muhammad was called al-Amin, i.e., the Honest or Truthful One. This person will also come and "he will guide you into all truth: ..." (John 16:13).

4. "And he will show you things to come" (John 16: 13). Many prophecies of Prophet Muhammad have already come to pass, and the rest will be fulfilled in the future.

5. "He shall glorify me" (John 16:14). Actually, the Qur'an has more reverence for Jesus than do the Bible and Christians themselves.

a) Jesus denies his divinity  

There are numerous accounts in the Bible which deny Jesus’ divinity:

b) A Messenger
There are many verses in the New Testament supporting the messenger ship / prophet hood of Jesus. The following are only a few: In Matthew 21:11, the people of his time are recorded as referring to Jesus as a prophet: “And the crowds said, ‘This is the prophet Jesus of Nazareth of Galilee.’ ” In Mark, 6:4, it is stated that Jesus referred to himself as a prophet: “And Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.’ ” In the following verses, Jesus is referred to as having been sent as a messenger is sent. In Matthew 10:40, Jesus was purported to have said: “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” In John 17:3, Jesus is also quoted as saying: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

c) A Man
For example, in Matthew 19:17, Jesus responded to one who addressed him as “O good master”, saying: “Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is God.” If he rejected being called “good”, and stated that only God is truly good, he clearly implies that he is not God.
In John 14:28, Jesus was saying: “The Father is greater than I.” Hence, he left no room for anyone to intelligently claim that he was God.
Even in some of the writings of Paul, Jesus is referred to as a “man”, distinct and different from God. In 1st Timothy, 2:5, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
In the Gospel according to Mark 13:31-32, Jesus is also reported to have denied having knowledge of when the final hour of this world would be, saying: “..but of that day or hour no man knoweth, neither the angels in the heaven nor the Son but the Father.” One of the attributes of God is omniscience, knowledge of all things. Therefore, his denial of knowledge of the Day of Judgment is also a denial of divinity, for one who does not know the time of the final hour cannot possibly be God.

d) The Miracles

Unfortunately, those who claim divinity for Jesus, usually hold up his miracles as evidence. However, other prophets were recorded to have done the same or similar miracles in the Old Testament; For Example:

In the New Testament it is confirmed that Jesus did not act on his own as in John 5:30, as saying: “I can of mine own self do nothing...” and in Luke 11:20.

1. The Alpha and Omega

In the Book of Revelation 1, verse 8, it is implied that Jesus said the following about himself: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” These are the attributes of God. Consequently, Jesus, according to early Christians, is here claiming divinity. However, the above-mentioned wording is according to the King James Version. In the Revised Standard Version, biblical scholars corrected the translation and wrote: “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” A correction was also made in the New American Bible produced by Catholics. The translation of that verse has been amended to put it in its correct context as follows: “The Lord God says: ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the one who is and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.’ ” With these corrections, it becomes evident that this was a statement of God and not a statement of Prophet Jesus.

2. The Pre-existence of Christ

Another verse commonly used to support the divinity of Jesus is John 8:58: “Jesus said unto them, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.’ ” This verse is taken to imply that Jesus existed prior to his appearance on earth. The conclusion drawn from it is that Jesus must be God, since his existence predates his birth on earth. However, the concept of the pre-existence of the prophets, and of man in general, exists in both the Old Testament, as well as in the Qur‘an. Jeremiah described himself in The Book of Jeremiah 1:4-5 as follows: “Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’ ”
Prophet Solomon is reported in Proverbs 8:23-27, to have said, “Ages ago I was set up at the first, before the beginning of the earth. When there were…; before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world. When he established the heavens, I was there.”
According to Job 38:4 and 21, God addresses Prophet Job in a similar way. Consequently, Prophet Jesus’ statement, “Before Abraham was, I am,” cannot be used as evidence of his divinity. Within the context of John 8:54-58, Jesus is purported to have spoken about God’s knowledge of His prophets, which predates the creation of this world.

3. The Son of God

Another of the evidences used for Jesus’ divinity is the application of the title “Son of God” to Jesus. However, there are numerous places in the Old Testament where this title has been given to others:

-God called Israel (Prophet Jacob) His “son” Exodus 4:22-23, “ .. ‘Thus says the Lord, “Israel is my first-born son"

-God promised to make Prophet David His son in Psalms 89:26-27: “..I will make him my first-born,.”

-Angels are referred to as “sons of God” in The Book of Job 1:6, “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.”

-You can also refer to:

Some claim that what is unique in the case of Jesus, is that he is the only begotten Son of God, while the others are merely “sons of God”. However, God is recorded as saying to Prophet David, in Psalms 2:7, “I will tell the decree of the Lord: He said to me, ‘You are my son, today I have begotten you.’ ”
It should also be noted that nowhere in the Gospels does Jesus actually call himself “Son of God”. Instead, he is recorded to have repeatedly called himself “Son of man” (e.g. Luke 9:22) innumerable times.
The expression “son of God” merely meant “Servant of God”; one who, because of his faithful service, was close and dear to God, as a son is to a father. Consequently, the use of the term “son of God” should only be understood from the Semitic symbolic sense of a “servant of God”, and not in the pagan sense of a literal offspring of God. In the four Gospels, Jesus is recorded as saying: “Blessed are the peace-makers; they will be called sons of God.”

4. One with God

Those who claim that Jesus was God, hold that he was not a separate god, but one and the same God incarnate. They draw support for this belief from different verses in the Bible; fore example, "..I am in the Father and the Father in me?

These phrases would imply Jesus’ divinity. However; Jesus is also recorded as saying to his disciples, in John 14:20, , “In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.” Thus, if Jesus’ statement “I am in the Father and the Father is in me” means that he is God, then so were his disciples. This symbolic statement means oneness of purpose and not oneness of essence. The symbolic interpretation is further emphasized in John 17:20-21.

5. “In the beginning was the Word”

John 1:1&14, “1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God....” However, these statements were not made by Jesus Christ, nor were they attributed to him by the author of the Gospel according to John. Consequently, these verses do not constitute evidence for Jesus’ divinity, especially considering the doubts held by Christian scholars about the Fourth Gospel. The Bible scholars who authored The Five Gospels said: “The two pictures painted by John and the synoptic gospels (i.e., the Gospels of Matthew, Mark & Luke) cannot both be historically accurate. (see my explanations earlier, please).

ملاحظة مهمة: بالنسبة للنص أدناه فهو لتوضيح حال بعض قساوسة الان وافكارهم، فلا تستخدمه وكأنه أحد الأدلة المدحوضة هنا،،

وأما ملخص ترجمة النص أدناه فهي كالتالي: يتكلم النص عن الافكار والرؤى الحديثة لبعض القساوسة وكيف انهم لا يعتقدون بألوهية عيسى عليه السلام، ومرفق مع النص أدناه استفتاء قديم من احدى المجلات الاجنبية يبين ان أكثر من نصف قساوسة لندن لا يعتقدون بأنه يتوجب على المسيحي أن يؤمن بألوهية عيسى، وقد أجرى هذا الاستفتاء برنامج ديني اسبوعي يعرضه "تلفزيون اجازة الاسبوع اللندني"

 Is the Bible God's Words? It is really important to start with this question due to the fact that it is essential to have an authentic base to start our discussion. My friend, let me be frank with you and ask you these questions:

-how many versions of the Bible are available nowadays?

-Who has the authority to make any changes in the Bible; whether deletion or addition?

-Do you know that King James' version 1611 was changed in 1952 with fifty verses changes?

-In 1971 a number of verses where deleted, who did that?

-My friend, let me make it short and ask you what would be the answer to this list of Biblical contradictions?

If you feel you can explain one or two, how are you going to explain the rest; although the following are not all the contradictions in the Bible, I am only mentioning the topics and the verses that contradict with one another:

God good to all, or just a few?

PSA 145:9        JER 13:14 

War or Peace?

EXO 15:3          ROM 15:33 

Who is the father of Joseph? Jacob Or Heli?

MAT 1:16         LUK 3:23 

Who was at the Empty Tomb? 
Was it: Mary Magdalene and the other Mary Or Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome Or Mary Magdalene?

MAT 28:1         MAR 16:1         JOH 20:1 

Which first--beasts or man?

GEN 1:25          GEN 1:26          GEN 2:18          GEN 2:19           

The number of beasts in the ark?

GEN 7:2           GEN 7:8           GEN 7:9 

How many stalls and horsemen?

KI1 4:26            CH2 9:25 

Is it folly to be wise or not?

PRO 4:7           ECC 1:18          1 Cor.1:19: 

Human vs. ghostly impregnation?

ACT 2:30          MAT 1:18         

The sins of the father? 

ISA 14:21         DEU 24:16 

The bat is not a bird and what should be eaten?

LEV 11:13        LEV 11:14        LEV 11:15        LEV 11:16 

LEV 11:17        LEV 11:18        LEV 11:19        DEU 14:11

DEU 14:12        DEU 14:13        DEU 14:14        DEU 14:15

DEU 14:16        DEU 14:17        DEU 14:18        

Insects do NOT have four feet?

LEV 11:21        LEV 11:22        LEV 11:23        

Fowl from waters or ground?

GEN 1:20          GEN 1:21          GEN 2:19 

The shape of the earth

ISA 40:22         MAT 4:8

Earth supported?

JOB 26:7           JOB 38:4 

Order of creation?

Here is the order in the first (Genesis 1) and the order in (Genesis 2).

Note that there are "days", "evenings", and "mornings" before the Sun was created.

How orderly were things created?

How satisfied with creation was He?

Moses' personality

Num.12:3:         Num.31:14, 17, 18 

Righteous live?

Ps.92:12:           Isa.57:1:            Acts 1:18:         Matt. 27:5-7: 

Jesus' last words

Matt.27:46-50    Luke23:46         John19:30

Years of famine (seven years OR three years)?

II SAMUEL 24:13                     I CHRONICLES 21:11

Moved David to anger; (God OR Satan)?

II SAMUEL 24              I CHRONICLES 21

The GENEALOGY OF JESUS?

In two places in the New Testament the genealogy of Jesus son of Mary (PBUH) is mentioned.

Matthew 1:6-16 and Luke 3:23-31. Each gives the ancestors of Joseph the CLAIMED husband

of Mary and Step father of Jesus.

The first one starts from Abraham (verse 2) all the way down to Jesus. The second one starts

from Jesus all the way back to Adam. The only common name to these two lists between David

and Jesus is JOSEPH, How can this be true? and also How can Jesus have a genealogy when all

Muslims and most Christians believe that Jesus had/has no father. 

God can be seen? 

Exod. 24:9-10   Amos 9:1          Gen. 26:2          John 14:9 

Ex. 33:23          Ex. 33:11          Gen. 32:30

God CANNOT be seen?

John 1:18          Ex. 33:20          1 Tim. 6:16 

CRUEL, UNMERCIFUL, DESTRUCTIVE, and FEROCIOUS or KIND, MERCIFUL, and

GOOD:

Jer. 13:14          James 5:11        1 Chron. 16:34              Ps. 145:9

1 John 4:16 

Tempts?

Gen 22:1           James 1:13        

Judas died how?

Matt. 27:5         Acts 1:18 

Ascend to heaven?

2 Kings 2:11      John 3:13

What was Jesus' prediction regarding Peter's denial?

Before the cock crow - Matthew 26:34

Before the cock crow twice - Mark 14:30 

How many times did the cock crow?

MAR 14:72       MAT 26:74       MAT 26:75       LUK 22:60        

LUK 22:61        JOH 13:38         JOH 18:27 

Who killed Saul?

SA1 31:4           SA1 31:5           SA1 31:6           SA2 1:15 

How many beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount

MAT 5:3                       MAT 5:4                       MAT 5:5           MAT 5:6 

MAT 5:7           MAT 5:8           MAT 5:9           MAT 5:10 

MAT 5:11         LUK 6:20          LUK 6:21          LUK 6:22 

LUK 6:23 

Does every man sin?

KI1 8:46            PRO 20:9          ECC 7:20          JO1 1:10

Who bought potter's field

ACT 1:18          ACT 1:19          MAT 27:6         MAT 27:7         MAT 27:8 

Who bears guilt?

GAL 6:2           GAL 6:5

Do you answer a fool?

PRO 26:4          PRO 26:5 

How many children did Michal, the daughter of Saul, have?

SA2 6:23 "... no child"               SA2 21:8 "...the five sons" 

How old was Jehoiachin when he began to reign? 

KI2 24:8 ".. eighteen years...three months.." 

CH2 36:9 "...eight years ... three months and ten days.." 

Marriage?

Proverbs 18:22              1 Corinthians 7 (whole book. See 1,2,27,39,40) 

Where was Jesus three days after his baptism?

MAR 1:12 "...And immediately.." 

JOH 1:35 "...the next day.." 

How many apostles were in office between the resurrection and ascention?

1 Corinthians 15:5 (12)   Matthew 27:3-5 (minus one from 12)

Acts 1:9-26 "Mathias not elected.." until after resurrection)

MAT 28:16 

Whom did they see at the tomb?

MAT 28:2         MAT 28:3         MAT 28:4         MAT 28:5

MAR 16:5         LUK 24:4          JOH 20:12 

Solomon's overseers?

550 in I Kings 9:23                     250 in II Chron 8:10 

When did Baasha die?

26th year of the reign of Asa I Kings 16:6-8

36th year of the reign of Asa I 2 Chron 16:1 

How old was Ahaziah when he began to reign?

22 in 2 Kings 8:26

42 in 2 Chron 22:2

1. Willingness of Jesus Christ to Die for Our Sins:

Peter and the two sons of Zebedee were with Jesus Christ before the elders of the people and the chief priests came to take him to crucify him. Jesus at this point talked to Peter and the two sons of Zebedee as in Matthew 26:38 "Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me." Then Jesus went a little further way from them and prayed to God as in Matthew 26:39 "And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."
It is very clear from the above verse in Matthew 26:39 that Jesus had no intention of dying. In this verse it is shown that Jesus was praying strongly (Matthew mentions that Jesus repeated these prayer three time) to have this death removed from him. Had Jesus Christ been sent to be crucified he would not have hesitated to be killed at all. When I relate this to my Christian friends, they tell me that this hesitation comes from the flesh side of him (in other words he was tempted), and that his soul which is godly does not have this hesitation at all. When we look at Matthew 26:38 we see that Jesus is contradicting this idea by saying, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death." (Matthew 26:38). He himself says that it really his soul that is hesitating and not his body. These are Jesus' own words.

2. God Answered the prayers of Jesus Christ:

After Jesus made the above mentioned prayer he was answered by God according to Hebrews 5:7 "Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared." These words clearly show that when Jesus was praying strongly to God, God would grant him his request. The word "heard in that he feared" (Hebrews 5:7) mean that God granted him what he requested. So the above verse shows that when Jesus asked of God to "let this cup pass from" (Matthew 26:39) him, God respond to his prayer and saved him from death or crucifixion.

3. Three days and three nights in the grave!?

People were asking Jesus Christ if he was going to show them a sign. He replied by saying that the only sign that they should expect is the sign of Jonas. Matthew 12:39-40 "But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.  For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
- Now let us see if this prophecy came to pass:
Jesus was crucified on Friday, this is certainly known among all Christians, and that is the reason for calling that Friday by "Good Friday". Jesus was buried on Friday night. Now let us start counting:

1. Friday night Jesus was buried. This is night number 1.

2. Saturday day Jesus was still in the grave. This is day number 1.

3. Saturday night Jesus was still in the grave. This is night number 2.

Mary Magdalene, very early in the morning before sun rise and after the Sabbath, went to the see Jesus, and he was not there. The following verses relate this event:
Mark 16:1-2 "And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.  And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. Mark 16:5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. Mark 16:6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

The number of days and nights that Jesus had spent in the heart of the earth is 1 day and 2 nights. This clearly challenges what Jesus had prophesied. When I tell this to my Christian brothers, some of them responded by saying that what Jesus wanted to really say was that he will be gone for a while, and not that he will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. This is clearly not the case. Had Jesus meant that, he would have said it, but it is clear that he wanted the people to know that this was a sign (miracle) and that it will be like Joans' sign, and that he will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. These were his own words!!

Why Would Jesus Have to Die on the Cross?
According to the Christian doctrine, Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. The idea here is that every human is born with sins, or that all humans will sin, and therefore it was necessary that someone as pure as Jesus would be the crucified to nullify these sins. The question is; why does anyone have to die for our sins when God, the All-Merciful, could as easily give us forgiveness if we ask for it? Isn't God the one who makes the rules? Why does He have to make someone suffer for our sins or for someone else's sins? Isn't that unjust of Him? According to the Bible the way to redemption could be obtained without the need for sacrifice. The Bible says:
Ezekiel 18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
Ezekiel 18:21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
Clearly the soul that sins shall die. Clearly that no one shall bear the iniquity (sins) of others. So Jesus cannot bear the sins of others either. If one is righteous then it shall be upon him, and if one commits a sin then it shall be upon him, and not on Jesus. Finally, the way to repentance and forgiveness is by turning from all sins, doing what is right, and keeping the commandments.
Also we see the same message given by Solomon. He says in the book of Ecclesiastes 12:13 "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." This is the whole message, and this is the conclusion of messages. It is that one should fear God, and keep the commandments, and nothing else.
Again in 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." This clearly states that to seek forgiveness from God we have to humble ourselves, pray and seek God, and turn away from wickedness.
Finally the Bible says in Samuel 15:22 "And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." This clearly states that obeying God is better that sacrifice whether this sacrifice is of objects, animals, or humans, or any other type. What God likes is for us to heed and obey Him, and if that is what God likes then it is not of Him to come later and change his mind, and change his ways. God says in the Holy Qur'an, "Verily God is All-Knowing, All-Wise" (Ch 9: Vr 28).
 

Genesis 17:1-4
Abraham’s prayer and prostration

Numbers 20:6
Mosses’ prayer

Matthew 26:36-39
Jesus’ prayer

Genesis 21:4
The circumcision

Leviticus 12: 3
The circumcision

Deuteronomy 14:8
Forbidding of eating pigs

Leviticus 11:5
Forbidding of eating pigs

Leviticus 10:8-11
Forbidding of Alcoholic drink

Matthew 5:27
Forbidding of adultery

Psalm 48:6
David talks about Makkah (Baca) as mentioned in the Qur'an 48:24

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