selam,
i have a Discussion with a cristhian and he asked me:
How can Koranen mix together the mother of Jesus with Moses sister who lived about 2000 years before?
Who was it that led the people of Israel to the construction of the Golden Calf?
Qur'an asserts something about "Ezra" who is this in accordance to the Jews, according to the Qur'an?
can some one answer this question : )
Salaam Aleykom, These verses are commonly quoted by Christian missionaries and no matter how many time one explains them to them they will still try to confuse those who are not aware. The Quran does not confuse Harun(as) as the literal brother of Mary(ra). If the Christian who likes to quote this verse would read the Quran as a whole instead of listening to his pastor, he would realize that the Quran is not confused at all. Let's look at the verse along with a few which clearly refute this false accusation:
"It was We who revealed the law (to Moses): therein was guidance and light. By its standard have been judged the Jews, by the prophets who bowed (as in Islam) to Allah's will, by the rabbis and the doctors of law: for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah's book, and they were witnesses thereto: therefore fear not men, but fear me, and sell not my signs for a miserable price. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) Unbelievers." (5-44)
"We ordained therein for them: "Life for life, eye for eye, nose or nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal." But if any one remits the retaliation by way of charity, it is an act of atonement for himself. And if any fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (No better than) wrong-doers." (5-45)
"And in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law that had come before him: a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah." (5-46)
As you can see from the above three verses I quoted from surah Al Maida, The Taurat was revealed to Moses(as) and in the Foot steps of the previous prophets Allah sent Jesus(as). How could the Quran than get confused and call Mary the sister of Harun when Jesus came much after? The answer is simple and there is no confusion. Mary was from the tribe of Levi and Harun was a Levite as well. Sister of Harun is simply a figure of speech in this case and it becomes obvious as one reads the Quran with care as a whole and not just look for trouble and take things out of context.
As for the second question about the golden calf, there is nothing about no Samaritan and the verse refers to the person as Al Samiri and that is not a Samaritan. The Christian is just lost and listening to them Coptic and other anti-Islamic sites. Tell him/her to not be shy but go to the source to learn Islam. I wouldn't go to a Nazi to learn about Judaism, so why go to a Christian in order to learn about Islam?
The third question about Ezra(Uzair) there were Jews in Southern Arabia at the time of Rasulullah (saaws) who made such claims and this verse is simply refering to them. It is not talking about all Jews but only those who make such claims.
I hope the answers clarify the questions and tell the person to be open minded.