Answers

Five Questions Answered:

Two Islamic Dawwahs, True Message Center, and Center for Peace and True Message Center in Andhra Pradesh, have been going around asking ‘five questions’ to many Christians. We have debated with brothers from these Dawwah earlier. We are yet to hear the answers for the questions we raised to them on the messengerhood of Muhammad sahab though these dear brothers went to check all the references that we gave from Islamic resources itself. However, due to the request of Christians, we are publishing a brief response to all the five questions of these Dawwahs. Next time someone comes with these five questions, please take a printout and give it to them. For a more detailed explanation, contact us. Sakshi Research Team.

Dawwah Question:  (a) Are there any contradictions in the genealogy of Jesus (   Matt. 1:1-17; Luke 3:23b-38) (b) Does Jesus have a genealogy (Hebrews 7:1-15)?

 

Answer for (a): There are enough internal evidences to answer this question:One must note that Luke starts with Adam and Matthew starts with Abraham.

 

That itself provides us with a clue that Matthew is providing the lineage according to promise and Luke according to the biological lineage.  Matthew begins by saying Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

 

Again providing us the clue on what he means by Son- the legal heir. The differences begin from David onwards.There are enough Biblical reasons to think that there should be differences:While Matthew records David’s son Solomon, Luke records David’s son Nathan. Both are David’s children according to (2 Samuel 5:13-14) Solomon got the legal right to the throne. But one of the Solomon’s heirs failed to keep the law and therefore was cursed by God that none of his descendants shall sit on the throne. Jehoiachin (Jer. 22:30). Joseph is from Solomon’s genealogy. But Mary according is from Nathan’s lineage. Jesus is not the biological son of Joseph but the legal son therefore Jesus inherited the throne without the curse.

 

Moreover Jesus being born through Mary is the son of David too. (Please read the article Genealogy of Jesus Christ: Why it Could Have Been Only Joseph and Mary?).

 

Answer: (B) A careful examination of Hebrews chapter 7 would help us understand that the inspired author is mentioning that Jesus does not have the genealogy of a priest. Hebrews 7:13 “the priesthood comes from the genealogy of the tribe of Levi”.  In this sense, Jesus is in the order of Melchizedek who does not have a genealogy of the priesthood.

 

Sakshi Question: We have a doubt about the genealogy of Jesus from Quran: (a): Mary is said to be the sister of Aaron (Sura 19:27-28).) And to make matter more worst is called as the daughter of `Imran (Sura 66:12). And from Ex. 6: 18-20 Amaran or Imran was the father of Moses and Aaron.  And of course, they had a sister named Miriam but unfortunately for Quran she was not the mother of Jesus. Mary the mother of Jesus came 1400 years after it. (B): Surah 3:35-36, Hanna is the mother of Mary? Does it mean that the Quran copied this information from the apocryphal Gospel of James.

 

Dawwah Question: Is the Bible Contradictory About Swearing Oaths?  

 

Answer: There are many examples of and instructions for giving oaths in the Bible, but the critics like to place them against these two NT verses (the latter of which is likely alluding to the former):

 

Matthew 5:34-37 "But I say unto you, swear not at all; neither by heaven . . . nor by the earth . . . . Neither shalt thou swear by thy head . . . . But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."

 

James 5:12 ". . . swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation."

 

Heb. 7:21 "The Lord swore and will not repent."So are these simple "no oath" commands that contradict the rest of the Bible's oaths and instructions for them? And is God violating his own rule? Only if you don't read in context. What is being condemned in the NT verses is not oath-taking per se, but flippant, casual oaths.

 

The words "at all" in Matthew come from holos, which can mean simply, "not at all," but can also mean "commonly." Let's look at ALL of the verses from Matthew:

 

Matt. 5:34-7 But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.Now, who makes a serious, solemn oath on heaven, the earth, a city, or their own head? The NT is condemning people who treat oaths with contempt by making them thoughtlessly.

 

Keener's commentary on Matthew (192ff) explains the historical context of these passages. All ancient societies viewed oath-taking as dangerous, since they essentially called upon a deity to execute vengeance if the oath was not fulfilled. A flippant or false oath was in a real sense a blasphemy, a casual misuse

of the name of God.Somewhat paralleling the words of Jesus, the Essenes seem to have avoided oaths altogether, other than their oath of initiation.

 

The Greek philosopher Pythagoras and others similarly taught, "let one's word carry such conviction that one need not call deities to witness." In the context of Jesus' own day, there existed a "popular abuse" of oath-taking in which surrogate objects were introduced to swear by, so as not to profane the divine name — things like the right hand, Jerusalem, God's throne, and the head. Jesus also addresses this practice in his directive not to swear on such objects, as some thought it easier to break an oath if they swore on something inanimate rather than God! What we therefore have here is an example of Jesus not disagreeing with the OT about oaths, but rather moving beyond the OT into an even more demanding standard that focuses on motivation rather than action (in the same manner as the "adultery in the heart" directive). Those who find contradictions between these verses and others are, as usual, oblivious to the contexts and the purposes behind the passages. (Source: http://www.tektonics.org/lp/oathswear.html)

 

Sakshi Question: Now we have a question regarding the swearing of Allah:  

 

Biblical principal: For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself." Hebrews 6:13

 

"For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute." Hebrews 6:16

 

Principal of Muhammad Sahab:

 

Narrated 'Umar:The Prophet said, "If anybody has to take an oath, he should swear ONLY by Allah." The people of Quraish used to swear by their fathers, but the Prophet said, "Do not swear by your fathers." (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 58, Number 177)

 

Narrated Ibn 'Umar:Allah's Apostle met 'Umar bin Al-Khattab while the latter was going with a group of camel-riders, and he was swearing by his father. The Prophet said, "Lo! Allah forbids you to swear by your fathers, so whoever has to take an oath, he should swear by Allah or keep quiet." (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 78, Number 641)

 

However, Allah swore by different creations-

 

I swear by the Quran full of wisdom S. 36:2I

 

swear by those who draw themselves out in ranks S. 37:1I

 

swear by the Book that makes things clear: S. 43:2I

 

swear by the Book that makes manifest (the truth). S. 44:2Qaf.

 

I swear by the glorious Quran (that Muhammad is the Apostle of Allah) S. 50:1I swear by the wind that scatters far and wide, S. 51:1I

 

swear by the heaven full of ways. S. 51:7I swear by the Mountain, S. 52:1I swear by the star when it goes down. S. 53:1 

 

But nay! I swear by the falling of stars; S. 56:75

 

Noon. I swear by the pen and what the angels write, S. 68:

1But nay! I swear by that which you see, S. 69:38

Nay; I swear by the moon, S. 74:32

 

Nay! I swear by the day of resurrection.

Nay, I swear by the self accusing soul, that the Day of Judgment is a certainty. S. 75:1-2

I swear by the emissary winds, sent one after another (for men's benefit), S. 77:1

 

Then I swear by the angels who bring down the revelation, S. 77:5

 

I swear by the angels who violently pull out the souls of the wicked, S. 79:1

 

But nay! I swear by the stars, S. 81:15

 

But nay! I swear by the sunset redness, S. 84:16

 

I swear by the mansions of the stars, S. 85:1

 

I swear by the heaven and the comer by night; S. 86:1

 

I swear by the rain-giving heavens, S. 86:11

 

I swear by the daybreak, S. 89:1

 

Nay! I swear by this city. S. 90:1I swear by the sun and its brilliance, S. 91:1

 

I swear by the night when it draws a veil, S. 92:1

 

I swear by the fig and the olive, and mount Sinai, And this city made secure, S. 95:1-3

 

I swear by the runners breathing pantingly, S. 100:1

 

I swear by the time, S. 103:1Now, who is greater- Allah or the creation???  

 

Dawwah Question: Why did Jesus Convert Water into Wine (Pure into Impure)?< /strong>

 

Answer: 

 

 First and foremost, we should ask what is the principle regarding the wine according to the Holy Bible. Across the Bible, there is one consistent principle of wine.Bible prohibits addiction (Proverbs 29:30) drunkenness (Ephesians 5:18), overdrinking (Proverbs 23:30), but it also recognizes its benefits if it is judiciously used (Luke 10:34, 1Timothy 5:23). The Holy Bible combines these – ill effects and judicious use in Proverbs 31:5, 6). 

 

In fact, the Holy Bible recognizes the sacramental use of wine in the Old Testament and New Testament(Exodus 29:38-40, Matthew 26:28)Should God provide something which has benefits if properly used, and ill-effects if improperly used? God must provide. It is up to men to judiciously use it. 

 

That is why it was promised as Yehovah’s blessing in Deuteronomy 11:14.Jesus when he solved the scarcity of wine (John 2:1-11) was fulfilling the promise of Yehovah God in Deuteronomy 11:14.

 

Sakshi Question: First Quran does not have a consistent principle. It seems Allah keeps changing his mind.

 

Surah 16:64-69: Wine is a Goodly provision.

 

Surah 4:43:  Wine is fine but do not get drunk and pray.

 

Surah 2:219: Wine is a great sin but profitable too. 

 

Surah 5:90-91: Wine is absolutely bad and is the handiwork of Satan. From wine is a goodly provision, we have reached wine as the handiwork of Satan. Two contradictory positions.

 

According to Tafsir of Al Qurturbi, Sura 5:90 prohibiting wine as Satan’s handiwork came after 15 years of Muhammad sahab’s prophetic career began.

 

So according to Sahih Muslim Book 023, Number 4977, Sahih Muslim Book 023, Number 4971 – 4982.: Aisha reported that wifes of Muhammad sahab used to prepare Nabith and Muhammad sahab used to drink in the morning and evening.

 

(A) Did not the all-knowing Allah know that wine was the handiwork of Satan in these 15 years?

(B) Was Muhammad sahab under the handiwork of Satan for 15 years?

(C)Surah 47:15 and 83:22, 25 says that rivers of wine are there in paradise for believers to drink.

How come Satan’s handiwork entered into Allah’s paradise?

 

Dawwah Question: Is Jesus All-knowing? What about Mark 13:32 and Matthew 24:36 which says, “But that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the son but the Father.” If Jesus does not know something then how can he be God?Jesus is all-knowing in his divinity:

 

Read Mark 2:8, John 16:30-31, John 21:17 and Revelation 2: 18, 23 and we will know for certain that Jesus was all knowing in his divinity.

 

Before we answer about the last hour, we must point out that the people asked Muhammad sahab about the last hour. In Surah 7: 187, 79:42-45 people twice asked Muhammad sahab about (One) the final hour and (two) when it will be the appointed time. Two questions asked twice. Allah only said “I know” which is not an answer. But, there are passages like Surah 3:140-142, where Allah clearly says he does not know who will enter into the garden?

 

Similar verses are Surah 5:94, Surah 11:12, S. 47:31, S. 67:2 S. 72:25-28 etc.  

 

Sakshi Question: Why does Allah not know certain things as mentioned in Surah 3:140-142?  Jesus is both human and divine.

 

Now let us see how in his Humanity Jesus answered it better. If you look at Matthew 24:1-35, there are three parts to the question Part 1) Tell us when shall these things happen? Part 2) what shall be the sign of thy coming? Part 3) and what shall be the sign of the end of the world? Last part of the question- when the Gospel shall be preached to the entire world, then shall the end come. For the second part of question Jesus give six signs, false Christ shall be preached, false prophets shall come etc.

 

Now to the first part of question: when shall all these things happen? Then Jesus answers no one knows the hour. This cannot be applied to the divinity of Jesus. Because Jesus gives four examples and all the examples apply only to human beings. Let us look at them, e.g. 1 in (Matthew 24:37-39) says during the time Noah’s flood, people did not know, e.g. 2 in (Matthew 24:43) says the house owner does not know when the thief comes, e.g. 3 in (Matthew 24; 45-51) says wicked servant does not know when master will come and e.g. 4 in (Matthew 25:1-12) says, virgins does not know when the bride groom comes.Did Jesus answer the question? Yes he answered.

 

Dawwah Question: How is Jesus called as God, Son of God and Messiah? 

 

Answer: This question shows the lack of understanding about the fundamental doctrines of the Holy Bible. Each person in the One Triune God, is known by the name Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Second person of the Trinity, Son also took the form of human nature – Jesus the Messiah.In fact, none of these things are strange only if we understand the books of the prophets. Let us read two passages:

 

From the book of Prophet Daniel 9: 20-

 

While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the LORD my God for his holy hill-while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. He instructed me and said to me, "Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the message and understand the vision: "Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish [transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy. (1)"Know and understand this:

 

From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven 'sevens,' and sixty-two 'sevens.' It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be cut off (2) and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.

 

(1) Messiah is prophesized to be the seal of vision and prophecy. Messiah will make atonement for wickedness. Messiah is said to be the Most Holy (Title that belongs exclusively to God)

 

(2) Messiah is said to be killed which was fulfilled at the exact time according to this prophecy in the crucifixion of Jesus.

 

Interesting Note:  The ‘angel’ that spoke to Muhammad sahab is also known as Gabriel and is supposed to have contradicted the entire message that Prophet Daniel Received. Just because name is same, do not assume that people are same.

 

As brothers, with great love we can only quote what the Holy Bible commands:2 Corinthians 11: 14 and no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 

 

{moscomment}