Sakshi Apologetics Network (SAN) approached Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for an educative debate between Bro. Jerry Thomas and Janab Dr. Zakir Naik. However, citing laughable reasons, IRF evaded the debate invitations leaving SAN with no option except to do public rebuttals for all the allegations of Janab Dr. Zakir Naik. Following is the first part for Dr. Zakir Naik’s talk- Similarities between Islam and Christianity. This is first in the series and God willing, all other videos of Dr. Zakir Naik will be similarly refuted in public and distributed to people to see the banality of Dr. Zakir Naik’s arguments.
Brief Background Note: With this intention, SAN organized a public rebuttal at Hari Hara Kala Bhavan Auditorium on July 31, 2010 – the first in the series of rebuttals planned. However, one Mr. Kazim in Hyderabad registered a police case against SAN citing a hyperlink to Answering Islam website link which was given at www.sakshitimes.org. Yet, it was not even Answering Islam but a hyperlink within the Answering Islam. And then police cancelled SAN’s permission to conduct program at Hari Hara Kala Bhavan citing orders from higher-ups. But the Most High God, Lord Jesus Christ our Savior, opened the nearby Church- the Centenary Baptist Church which can accommodate thousands of people. However, the police authorities tore our banners redirecting the people to Centenary Baptist Church and did not allow our volunteers to redirect people. We heard that many hundereds who came there returned without knowing the place however, despite all this, in a packed house, Janab Dr. Zakir Naik was refuted.
(Interesting Note: Bro. Asifiuddin Muhammad, one of the disciples of Dr. Zakir, with whom Bro. Jerry had an effective debate had given the details of the case!!! We do not want to make any conclusions without enough evidence but it is quite interesting).
Introduction by Bro. Jerry Thomas Greetings in the sweet name of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.
Let me very briefly give you the reasons for what we are doing today. Janab Dr. Zakir Naik is one of the popular Dawah preachers. He conducts a lot of programs on comparative religions especially through his television channel PeaceTV.
He had one or two debates with certain good Christians but not with Christian debaters. These brothers had never debated before in their life. Dr. Zakir repeatedly shows these debates in his channel and project as if Christians can never answer him.
However, world renowned debaters like Bro. Sam Shamoun, Bro. James White, Bro. David Wood, had invited Dr. Zakir Naik for debates but he never accepted those invitations.
Recently, from Sakshi Apologetics Network, brothers from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, personally visited Dr. Zakir Naik’s office at Mumbai and extended a debate invitation. As usual, he cited a few lame excuses and evaded from the debate.
We have no issues if Janab Dr. Zakir Naik does not want to debate. But, then he should not speak on Christian subjects as well. Let him speak about Allah, Hazarat Muhammad and Quran. But let him not question the Holy Trinity, Divinity of Lord Jesus Christ, crucifixion or the Holy Bible.
If he wants to speak on those subjects, then he must be ready to face Christian debaters as well. Unfortunately, Janab Dr. Zakir neither wants to face Christian debaters nor wants to stop speaking on those subjects.
Due to this we are compelled, left with no choice, other than to refute him and show that his arguments does not stand the test of scriptural evidence or logical reasons.
In fact, that was the method of the Apostles and that is the clear commandment of the Holy Bible.
Let me read a few verses to cite what the Holy Bible say about reasoning, public rebuttals such as these, or confounding in a debate?
Acts 9:22 But Saul increased all the more in strength and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that Jesus is the Christ.
Acts 9: 29 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists but they attempted to kill him.
Acts 17: 2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures.
Acts 17: 17 Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshippers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him.
Acts 18:4 and he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.
Acts 18:19 and he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
Acts 18:28 “For he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly showing from the Script
ures that Jesus is Christ.”
Acts 19:8-10 And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God. But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
2 Corinthians 10: 4-5 “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
Philippians 1: 7 “in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel.”
1 Peter 3: 14-15 “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
We will be playing the DVD Zakir Naik and then alternatively refuting his arguments as well. We are not playing his entire DVD but we are dividing the DVD into the following sections.
Section 1: Minutes 6:44-9:33 – Claims and Assumed Similarities
Section 2: Minutes: 9:56- 13: 45- Mission of Lord Jesus Christ- Was it Limited only to the Children of Israel? Section 3: Dr. Zakir Naik (13:45-25:27)- Is Muhammad Mentioned in the Holy BibleSection 4: Dr. Zakir Naik (26:06-42:20): The Holy Trinity and Divinity of Lord Jesus Christ
Dr. Zakir Naik transcript appears in green and Bro. Jerry Thomas notes appear in black.
Section 1: Minutes 6:44-9:33 Claims and Assumed Similarities
Janab Dr. Zakir Naik
(6:44)
Islam begins with the root word “salaam”, which means, peace that is, submitting your will to Allah, to Almighty God. In short, Islam means peace acquired by submitting your will to Almighty God. Anyone who submits to the will of God, Allah, is a Muslim. Many people have the misconception that Islam is a new religion which came into existence few years ago and Prophet Mohammad was the founder of Islam. In fact, Islam was there since time memorial, since man set foot on this earth.
And Prophet Mohammad is not the founder of the religion of Islam. He is the last and final messenger of Allah. The glorious Quran says in Surah 35: 24, “There is not a nation or a tribe on the earth to whom we have not sent a warner or a guide
Surah 13: 07 say “And to every nation have we sent a guide.”
The glorious Quran says to every nation, to every people, Almighty God, Allah has sent a messenger and a guide. At the same time, the glorious Quran says in Surah 4: 164 and in Surah 40: 78 that “We narrate to you the stories of some of the prophets of the others, we don’t. That means the Muslim prophets have been mentioned in the glorious Quran, while others are not.
(8:45)
By name, there are 25 messengers mentioned in the Quran, like Adam, Noah, Moses, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, Jesus and Mohammad.
Islam is the only non Christian faith that makes it an article of faith to believe in Jesus. No Muslim is a Muslim if he doesn’t believe in Jesus.
We believe that He was one of the mightiest messengers of Allah.
We believe that He was born miraculously, without any male intervention, which many modern day Christians do not believe.
We believe that He gave life to the dead with God’s permission.
We believe that He healed those born blind and lame, with God’s permission.
Islam is the only non Christian faith that makes it an article of faith to believe in Jesus. No Muslim is a Muslim if he doesn’t believe in Jesus. (9:54).
Rebuttal to Section 1: Some Observations on the Claims and Assumed Similarities Bro. Jerry Thomas
Islam-Root Word: The argument that Islam comes from the root word Salam which means peace and therefore Islam also means peace achieved through submission to Allah is not a logical argument. Salam, the Root word is not sufficient to establish the meaning of Islam. Let me explain you why.
Truth and Untruth- same root word
Belief and unbelief- same root word Faith and unfaithfulness- Same root word Same root word- but two opposite meanings. If Janab Dr. Zakir Naik wants to argue that Islam means attaining peace through submission to Allah, he must show us from the d
octrines of Islam and not from the root word.
Origin of Islam:
The claim that Islam was from time immemorial and that the Biblical prophets were Muslims is only a claim. There are fundamental and cardinal differences between the religion of the Biblical prophets and the religion of Hazarat Muhammad. For example, Islam teaches us not to call God as our Father. Surah 5: 18 Allah of the Quran rebukes Christian and Jews for saying ‘we are the children of Allah.’
Surah 19:88-93 Allah has no children and all are his slaves. (Surah 50: 29).
Deuteronomy 32:6 Prophet Moses said in the Holy Spirit “Is He not your Father.”
Psalm 89:26– Yahweh said to Prophet David- he will cry to me My Father.
Isaiah 63:16– Prophet Isaiah spoke in the Holy Spirit- “You are our Father.”
Jeremiah 3:19– Yahweh God says “And I said: 'You shall call Me, "My Father."
In Injil:
Matthew 6: 9– You shall pray like this “Our Father who art in heaven.”
Romans 8: 15 “we have not received the spirit of slavery but the Spirit of sonship to call Abba Father.”
Belief in Jesus Christ:
Islam is not the only religion which makes it an article of faith to believe in Jesus Christ. In fact, Bahaism is another religion which makes it an article of faith to believe in Jesus Christ. No Bahai is a Bahai unless he believes in Jesus Christ.
However, the question is which Jesus Christ do they believe in? It is good that they believe in the virgin birth and miracles of Messiah. But is that sufficient?
The Holy Bible clearly warns us about another Jesus Christ.
In 2 Corinthians 11: 4, 13-14, The Holy Bible clearly warns us about another Jesus being preached by a fallen angel and his apostle.
Messiah’s existence is from eternity:
Micah 5: 2- Oh you Epharath Bethlehem, out of you shall come the ruler of Israel whose origins are from old and ancient.
Isaiah 9: 6– Unto us a child is born, a Son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulder, His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God everlasting father.
John 6: 38 I have come down from Heaven.
Exodus 3: 8– just as the God of Israel came down from Heaven to deliver them from the hands of Egyptians, Jesus says I have come down from Heaven.
John 6: 61 Son of Man will ascend to where He was before.
John 8: 58 Verily, verily, I say unto you, before Abraham was I am.
John 17: 4 Father, Glorify Me with the glory that I had with you before the World began.
Colossians 1:17 He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
Surah 3:59 Truly, the likeness of Jesus, in God's sight, is as Adam's likeness; He created him of dust, then said He unto him, 'Be,' and he was.
The conclusion- Messiah of the Torah and Injil is God Himself but the messiah of Quran is a mere human being.
“
The Atonement of Messiah
Daniel 9: 25– Messiah shall be cut of but not for Himself.
Isaiah 53: 5– But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed.
John 1:29- John the Baptist said “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
John 3:16- For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
Matthew 26:28 Lord Jesus Christ declared “For this is My blood of the new covenant which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
1 Peter 1:18-19 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
Romans 1: 16- For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.
Surah 4:157-158: &qu
ot;And because of their (the Jews) saying: We slew the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Allah's messenger– they slew him not nor crucified him, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain. But Allah took him up unto Himself. Allah was ever Mighty, Wise." The conclusion- Messiah of the Old Testament and the New Testament is different from the messiah of the Quran. In fact, the Holy Bible clearly warns about false prophets preaching false prophets. Therefore, it is not merely sufficient to say that you believe in messiah but it is important to check if the Messiah you believe in the same messiah is the same one whom the Torah and Injil witness to.
