Author: Abdul Hamid Gorgeij
The Method of Christians in Spreading Doubts About Islam (Part One)
Abstract:
Divine religions throughout history have been distorted and deviated by opportunists, leading to schisms within them, and Christianity has not been exempt from this intrusion. Christianity (Nazarenism) is among the religions that, since ancient times, have raised doubts and arguments to demonstrate their superiority over other religions, especially Islam, and have engaged in disputes and confrontations with this divine religion.
One of the ways to undermine religion is to create doubts and disseminate distortions through various media, including satellite channels and, more recently, the Internet. Western politicians have concluded that the best way to weaken beliefs that interfere with their rule over Islamic nations is to undermine faith by spreading doubts on all matters related to religion.
Introduction:
The precious essence of religion has always been exposed to dangers that could threaten its integrity or even its very survival. Recognizing these dangers and purifying religious thought from them is the duty of religious scholars and practitioners. In the contemporary era, the enemies of religious faith spread dozens of anti-religious doubts worldwide every day, contaminating the intellectual space of humanity.
Throughout history, civilizations that emerged took different stances toward God’s prophets: some bowed in reverence and accepted the messages wholeheartedly, while others beat the drum of opposition and hostility, struck at the bearers of revelation, and threatened the messengers with death, stoning, and torture. Among these peoples were the Christians, who have a dark history filled with envy, malice, and stubbornness. Therefore, much of the Qur’anic narrative addresses the history of this people.
The Method of Christians in Spreading Doubts About Islam:
First of all, it is useful to mention the general characteristics of the method Christians have adopted to spread doubts, as their understanding of Islam is mixed with many impurities, and they harbor resentment toward Islam, which has revealed the truth through clear arguments and guidance. The most prominent method Christians use in critiquing Islam is lying, distortion, and sophistry.
Lying and Manipulating Texts:
Christians have resorted to falsehood in their critique of Islam. For example, Wahib Khalil, in his book The Impossibility of the Distortion of the Holy Bible, while discussing the miracles of Jesus mentioned in the Qur’an, says:
“Some commentators have tried to downplay the power of Jesus Christ, saying that Jesus performed these acts with God’s permission. Thus, we see Islam attests that this power belongs only to God.” [1]
However, any Muslim or anyone familiar with the Qur’an knows that the Qur’an itself attributes Jesus’ miracles to God’s permission and power, and the commentators played no role in this.
Another false claim is found in the book Al-Haqq, which states: “When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) passed away, Muslims expected him to rise like Jesus, but since he did not, they turned away from Islam.” [2]
It is clear that the Qur’an explicitly states that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) shares the common human fate of death and even affirms his death. Neither the Qur’an nor the Prophet (peace be upon him) indicated resurrection after death. The only account is that Caliph Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), when confronted with the sudden calamity of the Prophet’s death, uttered words he soon repented for. The apostasy that occurred during the Prophet’s lifetime began with Aswad Ansi and became widespread after the Prophet’s passing, but it was not due to what this Christian claimed.
Another falsehood comes from the statement of the priest Sharush, a “Palestinian Arab,” in a debate with Sheikh Ahmad Deedat (may Allah have mercy on him), in front of a large non-Arab audience unfamiliar with Arabic. He denied the Qur’an’s Arabic language, claiming Muhammad used many non-Arabic words and phrases, raising questions about whether God’s language was insufficient. The priest argued that Muhammad claimed revelation in Arabic, and naturally, a Qur’an revealed in Arabic would not contain non-Arabic words.
Another false claim is that non-Arab Muslims feel compelled to memorize at least forty surahs from the Qur’an in Arabic, which is used in discussions, whereas no scholar has made this obligatory.
Yet another lie from Christians is the claim in Al-Haqq that: “Muhammad did not know whether it was Ishmael or Isaac who was sacrificed! Therefore, he said, ‘I am the son of two sacrifices,’ referring to Ishmael and Isaac.” [3]
Ibn al-Khatib refutes this by citing verses from Surah As-Saffat, which narrate the story of Ishmael’s intended sacrifice, followed by the story of Isaac and God’s glad tidings to Abraham regarding Isaac. However, if the narration is accepted for its meaning, there is no doubt that the Prophet (peace be upon him) meant by “two sacrifices” his father Abdullah and Ishmael. The story of his father’s deliverance from being sacrificed is detailed in historical records. [4]
Continues…
Next Part
References:
[1] Wahib Khalil, The Impossibility of the Distortion of the Holy Bible, p. 87.
[2] Hadi Madrasi, Al-Haqq, p. 191.
[3] Hadi Madrasi, Al-Haqq, p. 157.
[4] Muhammad Hadi al-Yousufi al-Gharawi, Encyclopedia of Islamic History, Vol. 1, p. 352.
