THE LEGACY OF ABRAHAM-ISLAM
Faith:
The ‘faith’, (Greek pistis, Latin fides,
Hebrew ‘aman,’ Arabic ‘Ayman’) is the inner attitude,
conviction, or trust relating man to a supreme God or ultimate salvation. In
religious traditions stressing divine grace, it is the inner certainty or
attitude of love granted by God himself. Some inner attitude has its part in
all religious traditions, but it is not always of central significance. For
example, words in ancient Egypt
or ancient (Vedic) India
that can be roughly rendered by the general term "religion" do not
allow for "faith" as a translation but rather connote cultic duties
and acts. In Hindu and Buddhist Yoga traditions, the recommended inner
attitudes are, primarily attitudes of trust in the guru, or spiritual
preceptor, and not, or not primarily, in God. Hindu and Buddhist concepts of
devotion (Sanskrit bhakti) and love or compassion (Sanskrit karuna)
are more comparable to the Christian notions of love (Greek agape, Latin
caritas) than to faith. Devotional forms of Mahayana Buddhism and
Vaisnavism show religious expressions not wholly dissimilar to faith in
Christian and Jewish traditions. Notions of religious trust in India, China, and Japan are as a
rule different from the notion of faith in Western religions (Judaism,
Christianity and Islam). The "trust" (Pali saddha, Sanskrit shraddha)
described in the Buddhist Eightfold Path is comparable to the confidence with
which a sick person entrusts himself to a physician. The Chinese hsin
("confidence, trust, sincerity") is considered to be one of the five
principal virtues.
In biblical, a tradition, the faith is basically based on
trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. It admits of many
degrees up to full assurance of faith, in accordance with the evidence on which
it rests: “And “Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is:
which keeps truth for ever:”(Psalms;146:6); “O send out thy light and thy
truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy
tabernacles.” (Psalms;43:3)
[Tabernacle: The portable sanctuary in which the Jews carried the Ark of the
Covenant through the desert]. In other words, "faith" is principally juridical;
it is the faithfulness or truthfulness with which persons adhere to a treaty or
promise and with which God and Israel adhere to the Covenant between them; a
legacy of Abraham: “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for
righteousness.”(Genesis;15:6); “And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with
him, saying, As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be the
father of a multitude of nations.”(Genisis;17:3-4); “And I will establish my
covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee throughout their
generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed
after thee.”(Genisis;17:7);“Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as
justice.”(Romans;4:3). The Jewish creed is monothisitic in
faith: "Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One” (Deuteronomy; 6:4). The
nexus between faith and justice or justification was developed by Paul much
later; after Prophet Jesus Christ (peace be upon him). The biblical traditions
of the Old Testament maintained the demand of God of the covenant
(Exodus;14:312, 19:9, Johua;24, Ishiaha;7:9). The faith is the pledge of
salvation (Isiah;28:16, 30:15, Jermiah;17:5, Pslams;52:8-9). Some scholars
think that Zoroastrianism, as well as Judaism, may have had some importance in
the development of the notion of faith in Western religion. Zoroaster (628-551
B.C) is reported to have spoken of a new, conscious religious choice on the
part of man for truth (asha).
In Christian theology, faith is considered to be, the
divinely inspired human response to God's historical revelation through Jesus
Christ and consequently, is of crucial significance. In the New Testament,
faith is above all, faith in Jesus and his mission as perceived by Paul, stated
in Nicene Creed (325 C.E):
against the original preaching of all previous messengers and Jesus
himself.(Mathew;5:17-20, Deuteronomy;6:4, 5:7-9, 6:13-15 & Mark 12:29-30,
John; 5:30). In short, the Christian Faith is based upon the belief in;
“Trinity, (God, Son and Holy Sprit as One), Jesus as the Son of God, the Lord,
Savior, who died at the cross to redeem the sins of humanity and resurrected on
third day, ascended into heaven and is seated on the right hand of the Father
and the resurrection of the dead”. The faith is interpreted as condition for
salvation (Mathew;9:28,
Mark;4:36-41, Luke;8:25).
Hence in Christianity, the
doctrine of ‘Justification by Grace, through Faith’ was developed. It is the
belief that a person can achieve salvation only through faith and reliance on
God's grace, not through good deeds. The phrase is adapted from a sentence in
the epistles of Paul in the Bible:" For by grace are ye saved through
faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God (Ephesians;2:8 );
“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by
grace ye are saved;)”(Ephesians;2:5). ‘Justification’ is what sets a person
fundamentally in friendship with God, and entitles the person to life with God
in heaven after death. The passage of an individual from
sin to a state of grace has been explained in different ways: Some theologians use the term to refer to the act of God in
extending grace to the sinner, while others use it to define the change in the
condition of a sinner who has received grace. St. Paul used the term to explain how people
moved from sin to grace through the death and resurrection of Jesus and not
through any human effort. St.
Augustine saw it as an act of God that makes sinners
righteous. Whether human beings can contribute to this justification, in
addition to God's grace, was one of the great points of division among
Christians at the time of the Reformation in 16th century lead
by Martin Luther (1483-1546 C.E), the
German theologian. His opposition to the wealth and corruption of the papacy
and his belief that salvation would be granted on the basis of faith alone
rather than by works, was
against the common teaching of the Roman Catholic Church that
people's good works, as well as their faith, helped to save them. Two of the
slogans of Luther were "Grace Alone" and "Faith Alone."
Since the time of Luther, the differences between Protestant and Roman Catholic
teachings on point have become hard to discern which caused excommunication of Luther from the Catholic
Church in 1521 C.E. Luther confirmed the Augsburg Confession in 1530 C.E,
effectively establishing the Lutheran Church. The Protestants as they are
called, also believe in the acceptance of the Bible as the sole source of
revelation and; the universal priesthood of all the believers. The doctrine of
Justification by Grace, through Faith’ is in direct conflict to the Jewish
position that justification is through good works, by perfectly fulfilling law
and not the gracious and gratuitous gift of God only.
In Islam, it is the Faith (Ayman) which sets the
believer apart from others, Allah says:
“O you who have attained faith! Hold
fast unto your belief in God and His Apostle (Muhammad, peace be upon him) and
the Scripture which He hath revealed unto His messenger, and the Scripture
which He revealed aforetime. Whoso disbelieves in God and His angels and His
scriptures and His messengers and the Last Day, he verily hath wandered far
astray.”(Qur’an;4:136).
It is ascertained that faith is by the grace of God for
those who use their reason, God says:”
It is not possible for anyone to believe
except by the permission of Allah, and He throws filth (of disbelief) on those
who do not use their reason. Say: "Look at whatever exists in the heavens
and the earth." Signs and warnings do not benefit those people who do not
believe.”(Qur’an;10:100-101). In Islam, the faith and good deeds both are
required for salvation. Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful says:
“Surely mankind is in loss, except those who attain Faith and do good deeds; exhort
one another to the truth and exhort one another to patience.”(Qur’an;103:2-3)
“Say: "Shall we Tell you of those who lose Most In of their
deeds?-"Those whose efforts have been wasted In This while They thought
that They were acquiring good by their works? "They are those who deny the
Signs of their Lord the fact of their having to meet Him (in the Hereafter):
vain will be their works nor shall We, on the Day of Judgment, give them any
weight. That is their reward, Hell, because They rejected and took My Signs and
My Messengers by way of jest. As to those who believe and work righteous deeds,
have, for their entertainment, the Gardens of Paradise,”(Qur’an;18:103-107).
Not any race, or people, or community, or group, should believe that they have
exclusive possession of Allah's Grace, or that they can influence its grant or
its withholding. Allah's Grace is free, and entirely controlled by Him,
independently of any priests and privileged people. He dispenses it according
to His own wise and holy Will and Plan; and to His Grace there is no limit. It
is up to Him to bestow His Grace upon whom He likes, He says: “…the people of
the Book may know that they do not have the sole right to the grace of Allah,
and that His grace is entirely in His own hands, which He bestows on whomever
He wills: and Allah is the Owner of mighty grace.”(Qur’an;57:29)
“Now those
who believe in Allah and hold fast to Him, Allah will soon cover them with His
mercy and grace and will show them the Right Way to Himself.”(Qur’an;4:175)
“He
punishes whom He wills and shows mercy to whom He pleases, and to Him you shall
be turned back.”(Qur’an;29:21).
Mere oral statement of belief is only the first
stage, the truthfulness of belief is tested, Allah says: “Do the people think
that they will be left alone on saying "We believe," and that they
will not be tested? We did test those who have gone before them. Allah has to
see (for the purpose of reward and punishment) who are the truthful and who are
the liars”.(Qur’an;29:2-3). The Faith (ayman) is achieved through belief
and practices, leading to piety (taqwa), Allah says: “Righteousness is
not whether you turn your face towards East or West; but the righteousness is
to believe in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Books and the Prophets, and to
spend wealth out of love for Him on relatives, orphans, helpless, needy
travelers, those who ask for and on the redemption of captives; and to
establish prayers (Salah), to pay alms (Zakah), to fulfill
promises when made, to be steadfast in distress, in adversity, and at the time
of war. These people are the truthful and these are the pious.(Qur’an;2:177).
The 4th Caliph Ali (599-661 C.E) is attributed to have said; ‘Faith
precedes good actions and good actions point towards faith. They compliment and
reciprocate each other.’ The Qur’an is the final revelation in which Allah
said: "ye are the best community (Ummah)
brought forward to mankind."(Qur’an;3:110). So in order to receive His
Grace, one has to submit to the Will of God to join the best community of the
people of Islam.
Islam – The Perpetual
Way of Life (Din):
Islam is the major world faith, foundation of the great
civilization comprising over one fifth of humanity stretched all over the
globe. Word “Salaam”
and “Shalom”mean
"peace" in Arabic and Hebrew respectively. The Hebrew word "Shalom" (שָׁלוֹם), and
the Arabic "Salaam" ( مالس) literally mean
"peace" and are cognates
of each other, derived from the Semitic
Triconsonantal of Ś-L-M
(realized in Hebrew as Š-L-M and
in Arabic as S-L-M). Hence the
word ‘Islam’,
derived from Arabic root ‘S-L-M,’ meaning 'peace' or ‘submission’. In a
religious context it means; ‘attainment
of peace through complete submission to the will of God or his laws’. Combination
of Arabic.(
), Hebrew (שָׁלוֹם), and
English ‘Peace’
is also being used as “Symbol of Peace”.
Islam is the major world faith, foundation of the great
civilization comprising over one fifth of humanity stretched all over the
globe. Islam is derived from Arabic root ‘s-l-m,’ meaning 'peace' or
‘submission’. In a religious context it means; ‘attainment of peace through complete submission to the will of God or
his laws’. Allah is the exclusive Arabic name for God, which is also used
by Arab Christians. Allah says: Islam
is as old as the humanity. Prophet Adam (peace be upon him), the first
human was also the first prophet of Islam; “Mankind was once just one nation;
later on they became divided through inventing different creeds. If your Lord
had not already given His word (specified time for the life of mankind on
Earth), the matters in which they differ would have certainly been
decided.”(Qur’an;10:19).
Later he sent prophets like Noah, Enoch, Abraham (peace be upon them) and
others to guide the humanity, they preached the ‘total surrender and obedience
to the will of God’ (Islam). All the messengers preached and practiced the same
religion ‘submission to the will of God’ (Islam), which is not new to the
mankind. Hence all the messengers and prophets along with their followers were
Muslims because their faith was based upon ‘total surrender to the will God’
(Islam). Allah says: “The same religion has He established for you as that
which He enjoined on Noah-the which We have sent by inspiration to thee
(Muhammad) and that which We enjoined on Abraham Moses and
Jesus:...”(Qur’an;42:13); “Behold! Abraham said to his father and his people:
"I do indeed clear myself of what ye worship: "(I worship) only Him
Who made me and He will certainly guide me." And he left it as a Word to
endure among those who came after him that they may turn back (to
Allah).”(Qur’an;43:26-28).
It is narrated in Bible at many places that, the messengers
preached and submitted to the will of God; “..Thy will be done, in earth as it
is in heaven."(Matthew;6:10,
Luke;11:2); “Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.”(Genesis;6:22);“Thus Abraham "believed
God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." So you see that it is
men of faith who are the sons of Abraham.”(Glatians;3:6-7); “And the children
of Israel
went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they
”(Exodus;12:28); “And he
took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they
said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.”(Exodus;24:7);
“I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous
judgments.” (Psalms;119:106); “And they were both (Zechariah and his wife)
righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the
Lord blameless.”(Luke;1:6); “Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear
him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and
cleave unto him.”(Deuteronomy;13:4); “But without faith it is impossible to
please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a
rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”(Hebrews;11:6); “Now therefore, if
ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar
treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:”(Exodus;19:5);
“But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your
God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have
commanded you, that it may be well unto you.”(Jeremiah;7:23);“A blessing, if ye obey the commandments
of the LORD your God, which I command you this day:”(Deuteronomy;11:27)
“Let us hear the conclusion
of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole
duty of man.”(Ecclesiastes;12:13).
Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) specified adherence to the Will of God being
the key for the entry to heaven (Mathew;7:21);
he said: “I seek not my own will but the Will of Him who sent me.”(John:5:30). It is further mentioned in
Bible: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power
but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”(Romans;13:1); “Bless the
LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments,
hearkening unto the voice of his word.”(Psalms;103:20); “Then Peter and the
other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”(Acts;5:29); “Therefore now amend your ways
and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will
repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.”(Jeremiah;26:13);
“And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments
which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with
all your heart and with all your soul,”(Deuteronomy;11:13); “As soon as they
hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.”(Psalms;18:44);
“If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the
land:”(Isaiah;1:19); “And thou shall not go aside from any of the words which I
command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other
gods to serve them.”(Deuteronomy;28:14); “And a curse, if ye will not obey the
commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I
command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not
known”(Deuteronomy;11:28). Those who do not submit to will of God will be
subjected to Divine anger and punishment: “And that servant, which knew his
Lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall
be beaten with many stripes.”(Luke;12:47).
Islam, also means ‘peace’; which has been frequently
mentioned in Bible: “If it be possible, so far as it depends upon you, live
peaceably with all.”(Romans;12:18);
“Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind,
live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”(2Corinthians;13:11, Romans;15:33); “LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us:
for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.”(Isaiah;26:12); “Acquaint now
thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.”(Job;22:21);“For to be carnally minded is
death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”(Romans;8:6); “But the
meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of
peace.”(Psalms;37:11); “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called
the children of God.”(Matthew;5:9). The advise of Prophet Jacob (peace be upon
him) to his sons at the time of death to obey and worship One God, is mentioned
in Talmud and Qur’an: “..when death came to Jacob, when he said unto his sons:
What will ye worship after me? They said: We shall worship thy God, the God of
thy fathers, Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac, One God, and unto Him we have
surrendered”(Qur’an;2:133).
Though Judaism and Christianity affirm their roots to
Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) but, it is Islam alone, which can claim to
be really adhering to the legacy of Abraham (peace be upon him). Allah says in
Qur’an:
“..He has chosen you (Muslims) and has not laid upon you any hardship
in the observance of your faith - the faith of your father Abraham. He named
you Muslims before in prior scriptures and in this (The Qur'an), so that His
Apostle may testify against you and you yourselves may testify against rest of
the mankind…”(Qur’an;22:78)
“Jews and Christians say: "Be Jews or
Christians, you shall then be rightly guided." (O Muhammad), say: "By
no means! We follow the faith of Abraham, the upright one; and he joined not
gods with Allah.”(Qur’an;2:135, similarly;3:95 & 6:161); “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)."(Qur’an;2:136)
“And I have followed the
religion of my fathers, Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. It never was for us to
attribute aught as partner to Allah. This is of the bounty of Allah unto us and
unto mankind; but most men give not thanks.”(Qur’an;12:38 & similarly at 16:123); “O people of
the Book! Why do you argue with us about Abraham, as to whether he was a Jew or
a Christian? You know, that the Torah and the Gospel were revealed long after
him? Will you then not, then, use your reason? So far you have been arguing
about things of which you had some knowledge! Must you now argue about that of
which you know nothing at all? Allah knows while you do not. Abraham was
neither a “Jew” nor a “Christian”, but was one who turned away from all that is
false, having surrendered himself unto God, true in faith, and he was not of
those who ascribe divinity to aught beside Him.”(Qur’an;3:65-67). Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him), the last messenger of God, said: “..you (Muslims)
are an heir to the heritage of Abraham”(Sunan Abu Dawood;770).
Islam is not only confined to some beliefs, rituals and
dogmas. Islam is a Din (complete way of life; social system). Din
is the root of Arabic term used for ‘habit’, ‘way’, ‘account’, ‘obedience’,
‘judgment’ and ‘reward’. It implies that living in obedience to God is an obligation
owed to Him, for which people will be taken in to account, judged and
recompensed. Din can generally refer to any path that a human follows
for their lives :(Qur’an;2:256, 16:9) or more specifically to Islam as the
comprehensive way of life chosen by God for humanity’s temporal and eternal
benefit. Din encompasses beliefs, thoughts, character, behavior and
deeds. Thus if these aspects of life are derived from God’s guidance as
originally taught by prophets, they comprise Islam. Islam has its own political,
social, economic, legal (Shari’a) and other philosophies covering every
sphere of spiritual and non-spiritual (secular) aspects of human life, with
methodologies for their practical implementation. However if the way of life in
a society is based upon human innovations in deviation from what the messengers
of God taught, they are only generally considered as the different ways that
groups or individuals have chosen for themselves. Din is also used in
different contexts as; ‘faith’, ‘religious law’, ‘moral law’ or ‘way of life’.
All previous messengers and scriptures were meant for specific people and for
specific period; hence with due reverence to all of them, the Din for
the humanity now is Islam, the legacy of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him),
as preached and practiced by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Allah says:
“And afterward We inspired thee (Muhammad, saying): Follow the religion of
Abraham, as one by nature upright. He was not of the
idolaters.”(Qur’an;16:123); “It is He Who has sent His Apostle with Guidance
and the Religion of Truth that he may proclaim it over all (false) religions
even though the idolaters may detest it”(Qur’an;61:9); “The religion with God
(is) The Surrender (to His will and guidance i.e. Islam). Those who (formerly)
received the Scripture differed only after knowledge came unto them, through
transgression among themselves. They should know that Allah is swift in calling
to account those who deny His revelations.” (Qur’an;3:19). “If anyone is looking for a religion
other than Islam, then let it be known that it will not be accepted from him;
and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers.”(Qur’an;3:85). Therefore
Islam or peaceful submission to God, in beliefs, rituals, character and
sociopolitical and economic interaction is termed as “Way of the Truth” (din
ul haqq) which is accepted by God.
The sincere worship of none but ‘Him’ is
the ‘straight path’ established for the mankind (ad-den al-qayyim).
Islam is the 'primordial religion' (din-al-hanif), it seeks to return
man to his original, true nature in which he is in harmony with creation,
inspired to do good, and confirming the Oneness of God. Allah says: “Therefore,
stand firm in your devotion to the upright faith - the nature made by Allah,
the one on which mankind is created - and the laws of Nature ordained by Allah
cannot be changed. That is the standard of true faith (ad-den al-qayyim),
but most among mankind do not know”.(Qur’an;30:30 similarly 6:161 & 4:125).
Narrated Tamim ad-Dari: The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) observed: “Ad-Din
is a name of sincerity and well-wishing. Upon this we said: For whom? He
replied: for Allah, His Book, His Messenger and for the leaders and the common
Muslims.”(Sahih Muslim Hadith:21).
The Faith of Abraham
and Judaism:
Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) totally surrendered to
the Will of God, a true Muslim by definition (flourished 18th
century B.C). His two sons Ishmael and Isaac are well known in the biblical
history. The monotheistic faith of Prophet Abraham [worship and obedience to
One God] was followed by his decedents i.e. Children of Israel (Jacob, son of
Prophet Isaac, peace be upon him) and the Children of Prophet Ishmael (peace be
upon him).Initially the children of Israel (Jacob) were known as
Hebrews. The word "Hebrew" (in Hebrew, "Ivri") is first
used in the Torah to describe Abraham (Genesis;14:13). The word is apparently derived from the name Eber,
one of Abraham's ancestors. Another tradition mentions that the word comes from
the word "eyver," which means "the other side," referring
to the fact that Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) came from the other side
of the Euphrates, or referring to the fact, Abraham was separated from the
other nations morally and spiritually. The word "Jew" (in Hebrew,
"Yehudi") is derived from the name Judah, which was the name of one of
Jacob's twelve sons. Judah
was the ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel, which was named after him.
Likewise, the word Judaism literally means "Judah-ism," that is, the
religion of the Yehudim. Originally, the term Yehudi referred specifically to
members of the tribe of Judah,
as distinguished from the other tribes of Israel. However, after the death of
King and Prophet Solomon (peace be upon him) , the nation of Israel was
split into two kingdoms: the (Southern) kingdom of Judah
and the (Northern) kingdom
of Israel (I Kings 12; II
Chronicles 10). After that time, the word Yehudi could properly be used to
describe anyone from the kingdom
of Judah, which included
the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Levi, as well as scattered settlements from
other tribes. The most obvious biblical example of this usage is found in
Esther;2:5, where Mordecai is referred to as both a Yehudi and a member of the
tribe of Benjamin. The ten tribes were exiled from the land (II Kings;17), in
the 6th century B.C, once the kingdom
of Israel was conquered
by Assyria (721 B.C) leaving only the tribes
in the kingdom of
Judah remaining to carry
on Abraham's heritage. These people of the kingdom of Judah
were generally known to themselves and to other nations as Yehudim (Jews), and
that name continues to be used ever since for the children of Israel as their religious peculiarities and
traditions were developed. The 19th-century biblical scholars moved the
decisive division back into the period of the Babylonian Exile and restoration
of the Jews to Judah
(6th-5th centuries B.C). They asserted that after the first fall of Jerusalem
(586 BC) the ancient "Israelitic" religion gave way to a new form of
the "Jewish" faith, or Judaism, as formulated by Ezra (5th century
BCE), the scribe and his school (Ishaaq Ibn Bishr reported, on the authority of
Ibn Abbas and others, that Ezra was an Israeli
saint and a wise man). A German historian, Eduard Meyer, in 1896
published Die Entstehung des Judentums ("The Origin of
Judaism"), in which he placed the origins of Judaism in the Persian period
or the days of Ezra and Nehemiah (5th century B.C). and actually attributed to
Persian imperialism for playing an important role in shaping the new emergent
Judaism. Cyrus the Great the king of Persia (559-530 BC), is highly
respected by Jews. He conquered Asia Minor, Babylonia, Syria,
Palestine, and
most of the Iranian plateau. He is known to have ruled his empire with wisdom
and moderation, maintaining good relations with the Jews, whom he freed from
the Babylonian Captivity and allowed the construction of 2nd Temple (520-515 B.C).Some
Muslim commentators presume him to be the Zulqarnain (Two Horned), the
king and conqueror mentioned in Qur’an (Surah
Kahaf Chapter.18), Allah knows the best.
The Jews are obsessed with the covenant of God with their
ancestors Prophet Abraham and Jacob (Israel), (peace be upon them), for
special favors and their status as superior nation being chosen race of God.
Islam in fact does not subscribe to the existence of the concept of a chosen race for all times, which is
well understood from the Qur’an: “Remember that when Abraham was tested by his
Lord with certain commands, he fulfilled them. God said: "Surely, I will
make you the leader of mankind." "What about my offspring?"
Asked Abraham. "My Covenant," said Allah, "will not apply to the
evil doers.”(Qur’an;2:124). Here the claim of the children of Israel as
“Chosen People of God” by only virtue
of their decent has been negated. Even according to Bible, this Covenant is
conditional, with the obedience of God and not applicable to evil doers: “Now
therefore, If ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, Then ye shall
be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is
mine:”(Exodus;19:5); “And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy
God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify
against you this day that ye shall surely perish. As the nations which the LORD
destroyed before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be
obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.”(Deuteronomy;8:19-20).
Prophet
Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) also dispelled the wrong notion of Israelites,
while saying: “And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our
father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up
children unto Abraham.”(Matthew;3:9). Allah says: “Have you not seen the
behavior of those (Jews) who have been given a portion of the Book? When they
are invited to settle their disputes according to the Book of Allah, some of
them turn back and decline. This is because they say: "The fire of Hell
shall not touch us; even if it does, it will be for a few days." In their
religion they are deceived by their own self-invented beliefs. What will they
do when We will gather them together on the Day which is sure to come, when
every soul will be given what it has earned and there shall be no injustice?”
(Qur’an;3:23-25).
The Israelites became unfaithful to covenant engagements (Jeremiah;3:6-8, 31:32; Ezekiel ;16:59), became rebellious against God
(Deuteronomy; 32:15; 9:7; Isaiah;1:2, Exodus;32:9); often displeased God by
their sins (Numbers;25:3; Deutreronomy;32:16; 1Kings;16:2; Isaiah;1:4; 5:24-25).
They were punished by God for; Idolatry (Psalms;78:58-64; Isaiah;65:3-7),
Unbelief (Romans;11:20),
Breaking covenant (Isaiah;24:5; Jeremiah; 11:10), Transgressing the law (Isaiah;1:4; 24:5-6),
Changing the ordinances (Isaiah;24:5) and Killing the prophets (Mathew;23:37-38, 27:25). They were
scattered among the nations (Deuteronomy; 28:64; Ezekiel; 6:8; 36:19), despised
by the nations (Ezekiel;36:3), their country trodden under foot by the Gentiles
(Deuteronomy;28:49-52; Luke;21:24).
Their house was desolated (Mathew;24:38) and were deprived of civil and
religious privileges (Hosea;3:4). The divine punishment was in the form of
destruction of the northern kingdom of Israel by Assyrians in 721 B.C; the
ten Israeli tribes were scattered. The southern Kingdom of Judah
thrived until 587-586 BC, when it was overrun by the Babylonians, who destroyed
the 1st Temple
and carried off many of the inhabitants into exile, it was beginning of
‘Diaspora’. When the Persians conquered Babylonia
in 538 BC, Cyrus the Great allowed the Jews to return to their homeland and the
2nd Temple
was rebuilt during 520-515 B.C. In 331 BC, Greek culture was introduced with
the conquests of Alexander the Great. The Greek and Roman rule continued
intermittently. Romans granted religious freedom to the Jews. Under the
influence of surrounding cultures, gradually the original message of Abraham
was distorted and Judaism emerged.
Refutation of Jesus Christ (pbuh) & Evolution of Christianity:
Finally God sent Prophet Jesus Christ (peace be upon him),
the last messenger of God for the Israelites. Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him)
called them to the way of Lord and with the authority of God, performed
miracles, relaxed some of the restriction imposed upon Jews due to the hardness
of their hearts: “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man
approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by
him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:”(Acts;2:22). Allah says:
“And will make him (Jesus) a messenger unto the children of Israel,
(saying): Lo! I come unto you with a sign from your Lord. Lo! I fashion for you
out of clay the likeness of a bird, and I breathe into it and it is a bird, by
Allah's leave. I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I raise the
dead, by Allah's leave. And I announce unto you what ye eat and what ye store
up in your houses. Lo! herein verily is a portent for you, if ye are believers.
And (I come) confirming that which was before me of the Torah, and to make lawful
some of that which was forbidden unto you. I come unto you with a sign from
your Lord, so keep your duty to Allah and obey me. Lo! Allah is my Lord and
your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path”(Qur’an;3:49). Similarly it is also mentioned in Bible
(Mathew;4:23,9:35, Luke; 4:22, 9:11,
3:8 and Acts:4:16). Once an
adulteress was brought to Prophet Jesus Christ, the son of Mary (peace be upon
him), she was to be stoned to death according to Mosaics Law, Prophet Jesus
Christ (peace be upon him), said: “Let him who is without sin among you be the
first to throw a stone at her.”(John;8:7). His voice rose in the middle of the Temple, relaxing the law
on adultery, for the sinless to judge sin. There was none eligible; Jesus asked
her not to do it again. No mortal can judge sin, only Allah the Most Merciful.
Hence Prophet Jesus Christ, the son of Mary (peace be upon him), relaxed the
Law of stoning to death for adultery.(Jhon;8:1-12).
Jesus Christ (peace be
upon him) was sent for the guidance of Israelites (Matthew; 10:5-7 & 15:24). The Jews rejected Jesus and
arranged to kill him on false charges (Luke 22:63-71, 23:1-56, John;19-42),
though his innocence was also acknowledged by Pilate, the Roman ruler
(John;19:4). Their plot was foiled by God,
he was neither killed nor crucified but
it was made to appear to them as such and God raised him to Himself.
Christianity in the beginning was developed as a sect of Judaism. Much later,
Paul, who never met Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him), declared himself as the
13th disciple. Paul deviated from the mission and teaching of
Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him), who had said: “Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have
come not to abolish them but to fulfill them.”(Mathew;5:17). Paul systematically canceled the Law of
Moses, by declaring: “But now we are
discharged from the law, dead to that which held us captive, so that we serve
not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit.”(Romans;7:6).
The rite of Circumcision was established, as a national ordinance in compliance
with the divine command to Prophet Abraham (Genesis;17:10-11). In the Old Testament a spiritual
idea is also attached to circumcision; it was the symbol of purity
(Isaiah;52:1). Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him), though ninety-nine years of
age, along with Ishmael, who was thirteen years old were circumcised on the
same day (Genesis;17:24-27).
The slaves (Genesis;17:12-13),
sons and grandsons of Abraham were circumcised (Acts;7:8). All foreigners males
had to be circumcised before they could enjoy the privileges of Hebrew
citizenship (Exodus;12:48).
The Jews prided in this covenant of distinction (Judges;14:3;15:18;
1 Samuel;14:6;17:26; 2 Samuel;1:20; Ezekiel;31:18). Circumcision is part of the
Law of Moses (Exodus;4:24-26);
accordingly Jesus was circumcised, on the 8th day of his birth
(Luke;2:21). To facilitate
the free admission of uncircumcised Gentiles into the Christianity; the conference of the disciples at Jerusalem in 50 C.E, decreed
that Gentile Christians did not have to observe the Mosaic law of the Jews,
hence circumcision was abolished, separating early Christianity from Judaism
(Acts 15, Glatians;6:15; Colossians; 3:11).
Although the Christians have abandoned this tradition, Muslims being the true
followers of the legacy of Abraham, strictly adhere to the practice of
circumcision (Sahih Bukhari Hadith;7.777).
Under European influence, more pagan beliefs and rituals
were added in Christianity, thus totally altering the original teachings of
Prophet Jesus Christ, the son of Mary (peace be upon him). Prophet Jesus Christ
(peace be upon him) preached and worshiped one God: “And Jesus answered him,
The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one
Lord: (Mark;12:29).The Christian faith is totally different from the faith of
Prophet Abraham, Jacob, Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them all). Christianity
is based upon the belief in; ‘Trinity’, (God, Son and Holy Spirit as One), Jesus
as the Son of God, the Lord, Savior, who died at the cross to redeem the
Original Sin (disobedience of Adam and Eve, who were seduced by Satan, to eat
the fruit of forbidden tree, thus making
all humanity as born sinners) and resurrected on third day, ascended
into heaven and is seated on the right hand of the Father and the resurrection
of the dead. Thus neither the Children of Israel as a community, in general nor
the Christians adhere to the Covenant by transgressing the bounds. Allah says:
“Remember Allah's favor to you and the Covenant by which He bound you to
Himself when you said: "We hear and we obey." Have fear of God;
surely God knows the secrets of your hearts.”(Qur’an;5:7).
“God accepted a
Covenant from the Children of Israel and appointed twelve chieftains from among
them and said: "I am with you; if you establish Prayers (Salah) pay
Alms (Zakah), believe in My Apostles, support them and give a generous
loan to Allah (spend in charity), I will certainly forgive your sins and surely
I shall bring you into gardens underneath which rivers flow. However, if any
one of you, after this, violates this Covenant, he will indeed go astray from
the Right Way.
Even after that, they broke their Covenant; as a result, We laid on them Our
curse and hardened their hearts. They
tempered with words out of their context and neglected much of what they were
enjoined. You will always find most of them deceitful except for a few of
them. Yet forgive them and overlook their misdeeds. Allah loves those who are
kind to others. Likewise We also made a Covenant with those who call themselves
Christians, but they too have neglected much of what they were enjoined. As a
result, We stirred among them enmity and hatred, which will last till the Day
of Resurrection and soon God will inform them all of what they have done.” (Qur’an;5:12-14).
After their denial of Prophet Jesus Christ (peace be upon him), the divine punishment continued. In 70 C.E
with the suppression of Jewish revolt by Romans; the 2nd temple was
also destroyed, the city became the permanent garrison town of a Roman legion.
Jews were scattered all over the world.
They were hated and ill-treated by Christians in Europe
(but well treated in Muslim Spain and Ottomans). During 2nd World
War, Hitler killed around six million Jews in the holocaust. They have been resettled
through establishment of illegitimate state of Israel at Palestine in 1948 with the support of
Christian world (Britain,
USA
and Europeans).
