ISLAM

Qur'an/Islam/Muhammad/

Bible Scriptures

Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was an illiterate but wise and well-respected man who was born in Makkah in the year 570 C.E., at a time when Christianity was not yet fully established in Europe.

His first years were marked by the deaths of his parents. Since his father died before his birth, his uncle, Abu Talib, from the respected tribe of Quraysh, raised him. As Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) grew up, he became known for his truthfulness, generosity and sincerity, so that he was sought after for his ability to arbitrate in disputes. His reputation and personal qualities also led to his marriage, at the age of twenty-five, to Khadijah, a widow whom he had assisted in business.

Thenceforth, he became an important and trusted citizen of Makkah. Historians describe him as calm and meditative.

Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) never felt fully content to be part of a society whose values he considered to be devoid of true religious significance. It became his habit to retreat from time to time to the cave of Hira', to meditate near the summit of Jabal al-Nur, the "Mountain of Light", near Makkah.

At the age of 40, while engaged in one such meditative retreat, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) received his first revelation from God through the Angel Gabriel. This revelation, which continued for twenty-three years, is known as the Qur'an, the faithful recording of the entire revelation of God. The first revelation read:

"Recite: In the name of your Lord Who created man from a clot (of blood). Recite: Your Lord is Most Noble, Who taught by the pen, taught man what he did not know."

[Holy Quran 96:1-5]

It was this reality that he gradually and steadily came to learn and believe, until he fully realized that it is the truth.

His first convert was Khadijah, whose support and companionship provided necessary reassurance and strength. He also won the support of some of his relatives and friends. Three basic themes of the early message were the majesty of the one, unique God, the futility of idol worship, the threat of judgment, and the necessity of faith, compassion and morality in human affairs. All these themes represented an attack on the crass materialism and idolatry prevalent in Makkah at the time.

So when he began to proclaim the message to others the Makkans rejected him. He and his small group of followers suffered bitter persecution, which grew so fierce that in the year 622 C.E., God gave them the command to emigrate. This event, the Hijrah (migration), in which they left Makkah for the city of Madinah, some 260 miles to the north, marked the beginning of a new era and thus the beginning of the Muslim calendar. During his suffering, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) drew comfort from the knowledge revealed to him about other prophets, such as Abraham, Joseph, and Moses, each of whom had also been persecuted and tested.

After several years and some significant battles, the Prophet and his followers were able to return to Makkah, where they forgave their enemies and established Islam definitively. By the time the Prophet died, at the age of 63, the greater part of Arabia had accepted Islam, and within a century of his death, Islam had spread as far west as Spain and as far east as China. It was clear that the message was not limited to Arabs; it was for the whole of humanity.

The Prophet's sayings (Hadith), are revelation. The number of sayings collected by his followers and scholars is close to 10,000 in total. Some typical examples of his sayings are as follows:

"To pursue knowledge is obligatory on every believing (man and woman)."[Ibn Majah]

"Removing a harmful thing from the road is charity." [Bukhari, Muslim] "Those who do not show tenderness and love cannot expect to have tenderness shown to them."[Bukhari]

"Adore Allah (God) as though you see Him; even if you do not see Him, He nonetheless sees you."[Bukhari, Muslim]

Comparing Jesus & Muhammad

"The Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you."[Bible - John 14:26]

Jesus, the son of Mary, said, "A messenger will come after me, named Ahmad."[Holy Quran 61:6]

The chief priests and Levites asked John the Baptist, "If you are not the Christ (Messiah), and not Elijah - are you THAT Prophet?"

[Bible - John 1:20]

When the chief priests and Levites asked John the Baptist who he was, they asked him in a very strange way. First they questioned him as to whether or not he was the anticipated "Messiah" [Christ in Koine Greek]. He was not the "Messiah" that had hoped for. Next they asked if he was the prophet Elijah and again he tells them, "No." Now comes the really strange part. Finally, they asked him if he is "That Prophet?"

Are you Christ? - [No]

Are you Elijah? - [No]

Are you THAT Prophet?- [No]

What did they mean by "That Prophet?" We of course, know who the "Christ" is. After all, Christians should know that "Christ" is merely a shortened form of the Koine Greek word "christos," intended to mean the Hebrew word "Messiah."

The Jews of two thousand years ago were definitely looking for the Messiah, who it was foretold in their books, would come and lead them to victory over their oppressors and thus gain for them mastery over this world. They were much oppressed under Roman domination and even their own Jewish kings were seen as nothing more than puppets or agents for the disbelievers. Certainly, they would have been most happy to see someone come on the scene who would defeat their Roman masters and slave drivers.

Then the priests and Levites asked John the Baptist if he might be the prophet Elijah, returning back after hundreds of years being away. There was the notion amongst them that Elijah would come back. But again, John the Baptist is denying he is Elijah.

Then, who is he? They wonder at this man living out in the desert and forsaking wealth and luxury and fasting, avoiding the material attractions of life.

Again, they ask John the Baptist who he is. "Are you THAT Prophet?" And one more time he denies being "THAT Prophet," but then he does tell them about someone who will come after him soon, whom he claims he is not worthy to even unlace his shoes.

However, this does not answer the question, "Who were they expecting besides the Messiah?" Could it be they were looking for someone like Muhammad? (Could be)

Who is THAT Prophet? -

Keep reading and learn who "That Prophet" is and what other proofs can be discovered within the Holy texts to support this idea.

For centuries Muslims have believed Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, was "THAT Prophet" mentioned in these words of the Gospel of John. The Quran states one of the important features of Jesus' mission was to give the "bashir"

or 'glad tidings' of the coming of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. During his short missionary career that lasted not more than three years, and which was overshadowed by the hostile attitude of his own people, Jesus gave them the good news of Ahmad'

(one of the forms of "Muhammad") the last messenger of God, who would perfect the divine teaching both in theory and in practice. The Quran mentions that, Jesus says:

"O Children of Israel! I am the messenger of Allah {Almighty God} (sent) to you, confirming the Law (Torah or Old Testament) before me, and giving glad tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad."[Holy Quran 61:6]

The Quran gives the name as Ahmad, one of several ways to say Muhammad's name. Just as we have in English the name Joseph, and often use a shorter form such as "Joe" or the familiar form, "Joey," and other names like "Jonathan" which becomes "John"; "Jack" or "Johnny", so in the same way we find Arabic has similar forms for a name. Muhammad, Ahmad and Hamad are a few of the names originating from the root word, "hamd" (meaning 'praise) in Arabic, and can be understood as "The one who praises (God)"; "the praised one"; "praising"; etc.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali in his translation of the meanings of the Quran to English, he states, "Ahmad or Muhammad, the Praised One is a translation of the Koine Greek word Periclytos. In the present gospel of John 14:16, 15:26 and 16:7, the Greek word Paracletos is translated in the NIV as Comforter. Paracletos can mean an Advocate, or "one called to the help of another", "a kind friend." Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was known from birth as one who brought comfort and reconciliation to family, friends and strangers alike, especially in bringing together the ties of kinship and brotherly love.

Another nick name of the prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, mentioned in the Bible (or at least what is left of it in the English language) is "The Spirit of Truth." As-Saddiq means exactly that and it is was another name given to Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, by those who knew his proclivity for honesty and integrity.

The New Testament Gospel according to John, Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, promises them the Paracletos will come four times (John 14:16; 14:26; 15:26; 16:7). Naturally, Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, did not return in their lifetime nor did any other prophet for that matter, so later thinkers came up with the notion that it was not Jesus "in person" but rather, Jesus coming back in "spirit form.

" This led some Christians to assert, this was to be the Holy Spirit, who would descend upon the disciples on the Day of the Pentecost (Acts 2), to witness Christ and lead them into the whole truth and to be with the believers forever, and they would not die (John 3:16), but have everlasting life.

Also, some added verses later (see footnotes to Revised Standard Version of the Bible) to the very last chapter of Mark (16), wherein, they have the Spirit coming upon them in such a way they imagined themselves going to be able to speak with new languages; pick up snakes, lay hands on the sick to cure them and even drink poison and nothing would hurt them. [Luke 23:17-18]

Another point is, the Paracletos, comforter or the Spirit of truth, was going to dwell with us from now on. Certainly anyone could see Muhammad's influence and his message of worshipping only One God without any partners has prevailed long after his earthly life.

Qur'an Chapter 61 Verse 6: "And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said, 'O Children of Israel! I am the messenger of God (sent) to you, confirming the Law (which came) before me and giving glad tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmed.' But when he came to them with clear signs, they said, 'This is evident sorcery!'

" Isaiah chapter 29 verse 12: "And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned."

We know from history about Prophet Muhammad's biography weather written by Muslim or non-Muslim. When Archangel Gabriel commanded Muhammad (pbuh) by saying Iqra - "Read", he replied, "I am not learned".

Quran 11:113] And incline not to those who do wrong, or the Fire will seize you; and you have no protectors other than Allah (God), nor shall you be helped.

Quran 3:54- "And they planned and Allah also planned. And Allah is the best of planners!"

Was the Noble Quran sent for Arabs only? Or was it sent to Mankind?

The Noble Quran was sent to both the Arabs and to Mankind.  There are Verses in the Noble Quran where Allah Almighty explicitly talks to the Arabs and for the Arabs, and there are Noble Verses in the Noble Quran where Allah Almighty talks to Mankind and for Mankind.

What did Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him say?

Before I present the Noble Verses that prove the Noble Quran was sent to all of Mankind and not just to the Arabs, I would like to present the following Saying (Hadith) from our beloved Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him:

The following in this section was sent to me by brother Waseem Sakka; may Allah Almighty always be pleased with him:

Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah: "The Prophet said, 'I have been given five things which were not given to any one else before me.

1. Allah made me victorious by awe, (by His frightening my enemies) for a distance of one month's journey. 

2. The earth has been made for me (and for my followers) a place for praying and a thing to perform Tayammum, therefore anyone of my followers can pray wherever the time of a prayer is due. 

3. The booty has been made Halal (lawful) for me yet it was not lawful for anyone else before me. 

4. I have been given the right of intercession (on the Day of Resurrection). 

5. Every Prophet used to be sent to his nation only but I have been sent to all mankind.'  (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Rubbing hands and feet with dust (Tayammum), Volume 1, Book 7, Number 331)"

Let's compare the Saying of our beloved Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him to what our beloved Prophet of GOD Almighty to the People of Israel, Jesus peace be upon him said:

"These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: 'Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.'  (From the NIV Bible, Matthew 10:5-6)"

"He (Jesus) answered, 'I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.'  (From the NIV Bible, Matthew 15:24)" 

Jesus peace be upon him was only sent to the Jews.  Muhammad peace be upon him was sent to all mankind, as a mercy and to close off all Divine Revelations.  

Noble Verses for Mankind:

"O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other.  Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.  And Allah has full knowledge and is well-acquainted.  (The Noble Quran, 49:13)"

"Those who reject Faith, and die rejecting,- on them is God's curse,and the curse of angels, and of all mankind;  (The Noble Quran, 2:161)"

"It is He Who has Created you [humans]; and of you [humans] are some that are unbelievers, and some that are believers: And Allah sees well all that ye do.  He has created the heavens and the earth in just portions, and has given you [humans] shape, and made your shapes beautiful: and to Him is the final Goal.  He knows what is in the heavens and on earth; and He knows what ye conceal and what ye reveal: Allah Knows well the (secrets) of (all) hearts.  (The Noble Quran, 64:2-4)" 

"Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the earth; in the alternation of the night and the day; in the sailing of the ships through the ocean for the profit of mankind; in the rain which God Sends down from the skies, and the life which He gives therewith to an earth that is dead; in the beasts of all kinds that He scatters through the earth; in the change of the winds, and the clouds which they Trail like their slaves between the sky and the earth;- (Here) indeed are Signs for a people that are wise.  (The Noble Quran, 2:164)"

"Mankind was one single nation, and God sent Messengers with glad tidings and warnings; and with them He sent the Book in truth, to judge between people in matters wherein they differed; but the People of the Book, after the clear Signs came to them, did not differ among themselves, except through selfish contumacy. God by His Grace Guided the believers to the Truth, concerning that wherein they differed. For God guided whom He will to a path that is straight.  (The Noble Quran, 2:213)"

"Do not marry unbelieving women (idolaters), until they believe: A slave woman who believes is better than an unbelieving woman, even though she allures you. Nor marry (your girls) to unbelievers until they believe: A man slave who believes is better than an unbeliever, even though he allures you. Unbelievers do (but) beckon you to the Fire. But God beckons by His Grace to the Garden (of bliss) and forgiveness, and makes His Signs clear to mankind: That they may celebrate His praise.  (The Noble Quran, 2:221)"

"If God were to punish men according to what they deserve. He would not leave on the back of the (earth) a single living creature: but He gives them respite for a stated Term: when their Term expires, verily God has in His sight all His Servants.  (The Noble Quran, 35:45)"

"O mankind! verily there hath come to you a convincing proof from your Lord: For We have sent unto you a light (that is) manifest.   (The Noble Quran, 4:174)"

"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!  (The Noble Quran, 7:26)"

"O ye Children of Adam! Let not Satan seduce you, in the same manner as He got your parents out of the Garden, stripping them of their raiment, to expose their shame: for he and his tribe watch you from a position where ye cannot see them: We made the evil ones friends (only) to those without faith.  (The Noble Quran, 7:27)"

"O Children of Adam! wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer: eat and drink: But waste not by excess, for God loveth not the wasters.  (The Noble Quran, 7:31)"

"O ye Children of Adam! whenever there come to you apostles from amongst you, rehearsing My signs unto you,- those who are righteous and mend (their lives),- on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.  (The Noble Quran, 7:35)"

"Did I not enjoin on you, O ye Children of Adam, that ye should not worship Satan; for that he was to you an enemy avowed?  (The Noble Quran, 36:60)"

There are many other Noble Verses that show how Allah Almighty talks to Mankind and about Mankind in the Noble Quran.

Noble Verses for Arabs:

"We know indeed that they say, 'It is a man that teaches him.'  The tougue of him they wickedly point to is notably foreign, while this is Arabic, pure and clear.  (The Noble Quran, 16:103)"

"Thus have We sent by inspiration to thee an Arabic Qur'an: that thou mayest warn the Mother of Cities and all around her,- and warn (them) of the Day of Assembly, of which there is no doubt: (when) some will be in the Garden, and some in the Blazing Fire.  (The Noble Quran, 42:7)"

"And this is a Book which We have sent down, bringing blessings, and confirming (the revelations) which came before it: that thou mayest warn the mother of cities [Mecca] and all around her. Those who believe in the Hereafter believe in this (Book), and they are constant in guarding their prayers.  (The Noble Quran, 6:92)"

The reason why Allah Almighty mentioned that the Noble Quran is an "Arabic Quran", is because some of the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) and Pagans charged Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him for using "non-Arabic" words in the Noble Quran.  The reason they thought that is because Allah Almighty used very old Arabic language and literature in His Noble Revelations.  So as a response to this false charge, Allah Almighty told them that the Noble Quran is 100% revealed in Arabic.

A paragraph from the commentary of Sheikh (Minister) Abdullah Yusuf Ali; may Allah Almighty rest his soul and make Paradise his ultimate destiny: "The wicked attribute to Prophets of Allah just such motives and springs of action as they themselves would be guilty of in such circumstances.  The Pagans and those who were hostile to the revelation of Allah in Islam could not and can not understand how such wonderful words could flow from the tongue of the Prophet.  They must postulate some human teacher. 

Unfortunately for their postulate, any possible human teacher they could think of would be poor in Arabic speech if he had all the knowledge that the Qur'an reveals of previous revelations.  Apart from that, even that some eloquent Arab could not, and can not, produce anything of the eloquence, width, and depth of Quranic teaching, as is evident from every verse of the Book."

Also, another reason why Allah Almighty sent down the Noble Quran in Arabic is that Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him was an Arab and lived among Arabs.  The Noble Revelations had to be sent down in a human language.  The Arabic language was chosen because of the Arabic speaking pagans needed help to be brought from darkness into light.  It was not revealed to make the Noble Quran only for Arabs. 

As for the Noble Quran warning the People of Mecca, it was obviously because Muhammad peace be upon him was born in Mecca, and his mission as Allah Almighty's Messenger started there.  So obviously, his first warning would be for Mecca.  Notice that the Noble Verse clearly says "...the moth of cities and ALL AROUND HER..." which means that Mecca was obviously not the only city that Islam needed to spread to.  But Mecca was the starting point.

As we clearly see from the Noble Verses above and below in this article, the Noble Quran was sent for ALL MANKIND, and not just for the Arabs.

"We have made it a Qur'an in Arabic, that ye may be able to understand (and learn wisdom).  (The Noble Quran, 43:3)"  

This Noble Verse clearly proves my point above.  It proves that the Arabic Noble Quran was revealed in Arabic to help the Arabs "learn wisdom" and to be brought from the darkness of idol worshiping into the light of Islam.

Allah Almighty revealed His Noble Revelations to all nations other than the Arabs so they too would get the same Message of Islam:

"And the Unbelievers say: "Why is not a sign sent down to him from his Lord?" But thou art truly a warner, and to every people a guide.   (The Noble Quran, 13:7)"

"We sent not an apostle except (to teach) in the language of his (own) people, in order to make (things) clear to them. Now God leaves straying those whom He pleases and guides whom He pleases: and He is Exalted in power, full of Wisdom.   (The Noble Quran, 14:4)"

"It is He Who has sent amongst the Unlettered an apostle from among themselves, to rehearse to them His Signs, to sanctify them, and to instruct them in Scripture and Wisdom,- although they had been, before, in manifest error;-  (The Noble Quran, 62:2)"

There are other Noble Verses that prove that Allah Almighty's Revelations came upon many tribes and nations other than the Arabs.  The Message of Allah Almighty is very simple: Believing in One Almighty GOD.  Non of Allah Almighty's Revelations taught Idol worshiping or Trinity.

Idol worshiping and Trinity and all other methods of using GOD's creations as mediators between man and GOD are against the principles of GOD Almighty's teachings about His Oneness.

Since the Noble Quran was Allah Almighty's Revelation, and since it talks to all of Mankind, and since it teaches the Oneness of GOD Almighty, then it is quite clear that the Noble Quran is for all places, all times, and all of Mankind.

The Noble Quran is for all Mankind:

"Verily this Qur'an doth guide to that which is most right (or stable), and giveth the Glad Tidings to the Believers who work deeds of righteousness, that they shall have a magnificent reward;  (The Noble Quran, 17:9)"  The believers in this Noble Verse could be from any nationality.

"We send down (stage by stage) in the Qur'an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe: to the unjust it causes nothing but loss after loss.  (The Noble Quran, 17:82)"  The Noble Quran in this Verse is a heal to those who believe.  It is not limited to Arabs only.

"Say: "If the whole of mankind and Jinns were to gather together to produce the like of this Qur'an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they backed up each other with help and support.  (The Noble Quran, 17:88)"  Why would Allah Almighty challenge Mankind to produce a Quran like it if the Noble Quran wasn't meant to be for all of Mankind and all of the Jinns too.  Jinns have Prophets too; see Noble Verse 6:130.

"And We have explained to man, in this Qur'an, every kind of similitude: yet the greater part of men refuse (to receive it) except with ingratitude!   (The Noble Quran, 17:89)"   Allah Almighty in this Noble Verse is referring to man or mankind.  Not mention of just Arabic people.

"We have explained in detail in this Qur'an, for the benefit of mankind, every kind of similitude: but man is, in most things, contentious.  (The Noble Quran, 18:54)"

"Verily in this (Qur'an) is a Message for people who would (truly) worship God.  (The Noble Quran, 21:106)"  Here Allah Almighty is sending a Message to all of mankind.

"Verily this Qur'an doth explain to the Children of Israel most of the matters in which they disagree.  (The Noble Quran, 27:76)"  Here we see the People of Israel are welcomed to praise the Noble Quran and use it to resolve their disagreements.

"And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said: 'O Children of Israel! I am the apostle of God (sent) to you, confirming the Law (which came) before me, and giving Glad Tidings of an Apostle to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad.' But when he came to them with Clear Signs, they said, 'this is evident sorcery!'  (The Noble Quran, 61:6)"  In this Noble Verse we see Prophet Jesus peace be upon him giving glad tidings for Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) coming. 

If the Noble Quran is irrelevant for the People of Israel, then what purpose did this Noble Verse (61:6) serve?  And why is the Noble Verse above (27:76) inviting the People of Israel to resolve their difference through the Noble Quran, by embracing the Noble Quran?  It is quite clear that the Noble Quran is for all People.

"Blessed is He who sent down the criterion [the Noble Quran] to His servant, that it may be an admonition to all creatures [Mankind];-   (The Noble Quran, 25:1)"

"We sent thee not, but as a Mercy for all creatures.   (The Noble Quran, 21:107)"

"This is no less than a Message to (all) the Worlds.   (The Noble Quran, 38:87)"

"And no reward dost thou ask of them for this: it is no less than a message for all creatures.  (The Noble Quran, 12:104)"

"Those were the (prophets) who received God's guidance: Copy the guidance they received; Say: 'No reward for this do I ask of you: This is no less than a message for the nations.'  (The Noble Quran, 6:90)"

"Verily this is no less than a Message to (all) the Worlds:  (The Noble Quran, 81:27)"

"Ye [Muslims] are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in God. If only the People of the Book [Jews and Christians] had faith, it were best for them: among them are some who have faith, but most of them are perverted transgressors. (The Noble Quran 3:110)" 

Here we clearly see Allah Almighty is praising the "Muslims" and not the "Arabs" for being the "best of the peoples evolved for mankind".  The Muslims are not just Arabs.  Muslims are those who follow the Revelations of Allah Almighty in the Noble Quran.  And since this Noble Verse came to all Muslims of all races (since Arabs alone are not the best of all peoples), then it is quite clear that the Noble Quran came for all Mankind and not just the Arabs alone.

"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!  (The Noble Quran, 7:26)"

"O ye Children of Adam! Let not Satan seduce you, in the same manner as He got your parents out of the Garden, stripping them of their raiment, to expose their shame: for he and his tribe watch you from a position where ye cannot see them: We made the evil ones friends (only) to those without faith.  (The Noble Quran, 7:27)"

"O Children of Adam! wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer: eat and drink: But waste not by excess, for God loveth not the wasters.  (The Noble Quran, 7:31)" 

"O ye Children of Adam! whenever there come to you apostles from amongst you, rehearsing My signs unto you,- those who are righteous and mend (their lives),- on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.  (The Noble Quran, 7:35)"

"Did I not enjoin on you, O ye Children of Adam, that ye should not worship Satan; for that he was to you an enemy avowed?  (The Noble Quran, 36:60)"

Here we see Allah Almighty talking to all Muslims since Adam was the first human being and we are all his sons.

Questions to those who think that Noble Quran was only revealed for Arabs:

If the Noble Quran is indeed only for Arabs and not for Mankind, then why did Allah Almighty talk to Mankind in the Noble Verses under the "Noble Verses for Mankind" section above?

If the Noble Quran is only for Arabs as the Torah (The Law of GOD to the Jews) for instance is strictly for the Jews (as we see GOD Almighty only conversing strictly with the Jews and not with any other nation or tribe), then why did He the Almighty talk with Mankind in the Noble Quran?  What purpose did it serve if Mankind would never have to hear the Message?

Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, taught many important principles and morals, and even set forth rules for combat setting the precedent and still exceeding the rules of war set forth by the Geneva Convention.

Consider the following: All innocent life was sacred and as such none could be harmed, except those who were engaged against them in active combat.

Saving one life was as if one had saved the entire world, while taking an innocent life was as if one had taken the lives of the entire world.

There was to be no genocide of any tribes even up until some had committed genocide against some Muslims. He offered mutual protection and forgiveness to the all even after certain ones broke their covenants with him many times.

He did not allow them to be attacked until it was clearly proven they were traitors during time of war and tried to bring down the prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and the Muslims at any cost.

Retaliation was only to those Jews who had turned traitor and not others. Slaves were common in those days for all nations and tribes. It was Islam that encouraged freeing of the slaves and the great reward from Allah for those who did so.

Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, gave the example of this by freeing slaves and encouraging all of his followers to do the same. Examples include his own servant (who was actually considered like a son to him) Zaid ibn Al Haritha and Bilal the slave who was bought by Abu Bakr only for the purpose of freeing him.

While there were many attempts of assassination made on Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, (most famous was the night that Ali took his place in bed while he and Abu Bakr escaped to Madinah), he did not allow his companions to slaughter any of those who had been involved in these attempts.

Proof for this is when they entered Makkah triumphantly and his first words were to command his followers not to harm such and such tribes and so and so families. This was one of the most famous of his acts of forgiveness and humbleness.

Military combat was forbidden for the first thirteen years of prophet hood. The desert Arabs did not need anyone to tell them how to fight or do combat. They were experts in this area and held feuds amongst tribes that lasted for decades.

It was not until the proper method of warfare was instituted by Allah in the Quran, with proper rights and limitations according His Commandments, that any retaliation or combat was sanctioned.

Orders from Allah made it clear who was to be attacked, how and when and to what extent fighting could take place. Destruction of infrastructures is absolutely forbidden except when it is ordained by Allah in certain instances and then only according to His Commands.

Cursing and invoking evil actually came to the prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, from his enemies, while he would be praying for their guidance.

Classic example is that of his journey to At-Taif where the leaders would not even hear him out nor offer so much as the normal courtesy called for and instead they set the children of the street against him, throwing rocks and stones at him until his body was bleeding so much, blood filled his sandals.

He was offered revenge by the angel Gabriel, if he would give the command, Allah would cause the surrounding mountains to fall down upon them destroying them all.

Instead of cursing them or asking for their destruction, he prayed for them to be guided to worship their Lord alone, without any partners. Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, claimed every person who is born is born in a state of ISLAM (submission to God on His Terms in Peace), as a Muslim (MU-Islam means; "one who does ISLAM" i.e.; submits to God's Will and obeys His Commandments).

He further stated, God has created each person in the image that is His according to His plan, and their spirit is His. Then as they grow older they begin to distort their faith according to the influence of the prevailing society and their own prejudices.

Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, taught his followers to believe in the God of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, Solomon and Jesus, peace be upon them all, and to believe in them as true prophets, messengers and servants of Almighty Allah.

He insisted on ranking all the prophets up at the highest level without any distinction between them, and ordered his followers to say the words, "peace and blessings be upon him" after mentioning their names. He also taught the Torah (Old Testament), Zabur (Psalms) and Enjil (Gospel or New Testament) were originally from the very same source as the Quran, from Allah to the angel Gabriel.

He asked the Jews to judge according to their own Book, and they tried to cover up some of it to hide the correct judgment, knowing he, peace and blessings be upon him, could not read. He prophesied, predicted and foretold of events to come and they happened just as he had said they would.

He mentioned so many things that people of his time could not have known, yet we have seen the evidences manifest over and over throughout the centuries in science, medicine, biology, embryology, psychology, metrology, geology and many other disciplines and even space travel and wireless communications, all of which we take for granted today.

He even predicted something from the past that would come true in the future, and it has.. The Quran states pharaoh was drowned in the Red Sea while chasing after Moses and Allah said He would preserve Pharaoh as a sign for the future.

Dr. Maurice Bucaille in his book, "Bible, Quran and Science" makes it clear this has happened and the very person of Pharaoh has been discovered in Egypt and is now on display for all to see.

This event took place thousands of years before Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and it came true in the last few decades, many centuries after his death. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, or his followers never at any time claimed that he was a son of God or the God-incarnate or a man with divinity – but he always was and is even today considered as only a Messenger chosen by God.

He insisted people praise Almighty God, alone and not to celebrate him or his companions in any way. While most people do not hesitate to raise to divinity and even make 'gods' out of other individuals whose lives and missions have been lost in legend. Historically speaking, none of these legends achieved even a fraction of what Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, accomplished.

Uniting mankind together for the purpose of worshipping the One God of Adam and all the other prophets, peace be upon them all, was his main motivating cause and his striving was for the sole purpose having everyone to understand and follow the codes of moral excellence set forth by Allah in His Revelations.

Today after a lapse of fourteen centuries, the life and teachings of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, have survived without the slightest loss, alteration or interpolation.

They offer the same undying hope for treating mankind's many ills, which they did when he was alive. This is not a claim of Muhammad’s, peace and blessings be upon him, followers, but the inescapable conclusion forced upon by a critical and unbiased history. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, claimed to be a servant, messenger and prophet of the Almighty God; the same God of Adam, Abraham, Moses, David and Solomon and of Jesus, the Christ, son of Mary (peace be upon them all).

He claimed he was receiving revelation from Almighty God (Allah) through the Arch Angel Gabriel, calling it the Recitation (Quran). He ordered people to believe in God as One, without partners, and to follow the Commandments of Almighty God to the best of their abilities.

He forbade himself and his followers from evil practices and filthy habits, showing them the proper ways to eat, drink, use the toilet and proper behavior in all relationships. This he claimed was all from Allah.

Teachings & Guidance for Women

THE VEIL

One of the major issues today for women is that the head covering, or Hijab, is being stereotyped as an oppression, as only part of the Islamic faith, and is the target of many discussions and/or debates from Christians, and other nonmsulims.  In many countries, Muslim women are facing these basic stereotypes, but first we should start out with a few basic questions:

*  Men don't wear a head covering by obligation, but they are told to wear loose fitting clothes to not show their shape / physical features.  The Quran gives them guidance for modesty, prevention and protection from sin also:

"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty......And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms...." (Quran 24:30,31).

*  The Quran is quite clear that the veil is essential for modesty, but why is modesty important? The Quran is still clear:

"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their bodies (when abroad) so that they should be known and not molested" (Quran 33:59).

*  This is the whole point, modesty is prescribed to protect women from molestation or simply, modesty is protection. Thus, the only purpose of the veil in Islam is protection, not oppression. The Islamic philosophy is that it is always better to be safe than sorry. In fact, the Quran is so concerned with protecting woman's bodies and woman's reputation that a man who dares to falsely accuse a woman of unchaste will be severely punished:

"And those who launch a charge against chaste women, and produce not four witnesses (to support their allegations)- Flog them with eighty stripes; and reject their evidence ever after: for such men are wicked transgressors" (Quran 24:4)

Head Covering In ISLAM vs. CHRISTIANITY vs. JUDAISM

SO WHY DO WE ONLY SEE THE HEAD COVERING PRIMARILY IN ISLAM?

What do the teachings state in Christianity?

"Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonours his head.

And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonours her head - it is just as though her head were shaved. If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or shaved off, she should cover her head.

A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head" (I Corinthians 11:3-10).

St. Paul's rationale for veiling women is that the veil represents a sign of the authority of the man, who is the image and glory of God, over the woman who was created from and for man.

St. Tertullian in his famous treatise 'On The Veiling Of Virgins' wrote, "Young women, you wear your veils out on the streets, so you should wear them in the church, you wear them when you are among strangers, then wear them among your brothers..." Among the Canon laws of the Catholic church today, there is a law that requires women to cover their heads in church. 

Some Christian denominations, such as the Amish and the Mennonites for example, keep their women veiled to the present day. The reason for the veil, as offered by their Church leaders, is that "The head covering is a symbol of woman's subjection to the man and to God", which is the same logic introduced by St. Paul in the New Testament.

Let's look at these KEY scriptures from the Holy Bible:

1 Corinthians 11:5 But every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonoreth her head; for it is one and the same thing as if she were shaven.

Deuteronomy 21:12 Bring her into your home and have her shave her head, trim her nails

Isaiah 47:2 Take millstones and grind flour; take off your veil. Lift up your skirts, bare your legs, and wade through the streams.

Luke 2:36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,

Acts 21:9 He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.1 Corinthians 11:4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.

1 Corinthians 11:6 If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head.1 Corinthians

14:34 women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says.

How about in Judaism?

*  According to the book, The Jewish woman in Rabbinic literature, by Rabbi Dr. Menachem M. Brayer (Professor of Biblical Literature at Yeshiva University), the custom of Jewish women was to go out in public with a head covering, sometimes, covering the whole face except for one eye. 

Ancient Rabbis say, " It is not like the daughters of Israel to walk out with heads uncovered" and "Cursed be the man who lets the hair of his wife be seen....a woman who exposes her hair for self-adornment brings poverty."  Rabbinic law forbids the recitation of blessings or prayers in the presence of a bareheaded married woman since uncovering the woman's hair is considered "nudity".

Dr. Brayer also mentions that  "during the Tannaitic period the Jewish woman's failure to cover her head was considered an affront to her modesty. When her head was uncovered she might be fined four hundred zuzim for this offense." Dr. Brayer also explains that veil of the Jewish woman was not always considered a sign of modesty.

Sometimes, the veil symbolized a state of distinction and luxury rather than modesty. The veil personified the dignity and superiority of noble women. It also represented a woman's inaccessibility as a sanctified possession of her husband.

The veil signified a woman's self-respect and social status. Women of lower classes would often wear the veil to give the impression of a higher standing.

The fact that the veil was the sign of nobility was the reason why prostitutes were not permitted to cover their hair in the old Jewish society. However, prostitutes often wore a special headscarf in order to look respectable. 

Jewish women in Europe continued to wear veils until the nineteenth century when their lives became more intermingled with the surrounding secular culture. The external pressures of the European life in the nineteenth century forced many of them to go out bare-headed.

Some Jewish women found it more convenient to replace their traditional veil with a wig as another form of hair covering. Today, most pious Jewish women do not cover their hair except in the synagogue.  Some of them, such as the Hasidic sects, still use the wig.

From all the above evidence, it is obvious that Islam did not invent the head cover. However, Islam did endorse it.

THE ISLAMIC VEIL:

*  Unlike the veil in the Jewish tradition, is NOT a sign of luxury and distinction of some noble married women.

* Is ONLY a sign of modesty with the purpose of protecting women, all women.

*   TOP 10 REASONS women gave for wearing their Hijab   **

1.]  It is stated by Allah in the Quran

2.]  Modesty

3.]  Preventing sin between man & woman

4.]  Protection from molestation, harassment, and sexual based situations

4.]  Identify as a woman of God

5.]  No lustful, sexist judgments based on physical appearance / beauty (i.e. promotion = sex appeal)

6.]  Liberation from society ideologies of woman (i.e. body used as a tool to sell products)

7.]  To be seen for : morals, personality and character by men & woman

8.]  Gain an identity that is their own

9.]  Too be taken seriously

10.]  It is a Muslimah's behavior, manners, speech and appearance in public.