Assalamu Alaikum brother Jibran,
In post #35, you quoted my statement from post #1 "And I say let's turn the tables on Christians who attack us in such a way." Then you wrote the following:
Attacking their religion will only generate more hatred towards ours. Remember, there's such thing as a muslim convert/revert too, and we must take that into consideration when dealing with non-muslims. We have to be exemplary people as muslims. By displaying the same behavior as the haters will only make us stoop to their level. Our ethics, morality, and values will outshine their negative propaganda towards muslims inshallah.. and will draw in future muslims at the same time.
Thank you for your concern. However, I respectfully disagree with you.
Firstly, a Muslim has the duty to spread and propagate the religion of Islam. This also includes showing how other religions [in varying degrees] contain false doctrines and precepts. This does not make us Muslims "stoop to their level" because Muslims should
not:
a) quote Biblical verses out of context
b) attack Biblical verses that contain elements also found in Islam
I have tried -to the best of my ability- to avoid point (a). As to point (b), please read my post #23 on this thread.
Secondly, there are many callers to Islam who actively used Biblical passages to show Christians that their beliefs are not based upon sound principles and evidence, such as Ahmed Deedat [may Allah have mercy on him].
And thirdly [and most important of all], Allah the Almighty has attacked blasphemous beliefs found in Judaism and Christianity. You have the following verses of the Qur'an:
Surely, they have disbelieved who say: "Allâh is the Messiah [‘Îsâ (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary)." But the Messiah [‘Îsâ (Jesus)] said: "O Children of Israel! Worship Allâh, my Lord and your Lord." Verily, whosoever sets up partners (in worship) with Allâh, then Allâh has forbidden Paradise to him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers) there are no helpers. Surely, disbelievers are those who said: "Allâh is the third of the three (in a Trinity)." But there is no Ilâh (god) (none who has the right to be worshipped) but One Ilâh (God -Allâh). And if they cease not from what they say, verily, a painful torment will befall on the disbelievers among them. Will they not turn with repentance to Allâh and ask His Forgiveness? For Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. The Messiah [‘Îsâ (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary), was no more than a Messenger; many were the Messengers that passed away before him. His mother [Maryam (Mary)] was a Siddîqah [i.e. she believed in the Words of Allâh and His Books. They both used to eat food (as any other human being, while Allâh does not eat). Look how We make the Ayât (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) clear to them; yet look how they are deluded away (from the truth).
[Translation of the meanings of the Qur'an 5:72-75]
The vast majority of Christians will find the above verses offensive. Does that mean that we Muslims should stop telling them that their worshiping of Jesus [peace be upon him] is associating a partner with God Almighty and therefore it is disbelief in God Almighty?
You also have the following verses of the Qur'an:
Indeed, Allâh has heard the statement of those (Jews) who say: "Truly, Allâh is poor and we are rich!" We shall record what they have said and their killing of the Prophets unjustly, and We shall say: "Taste you the torment of the burning (Fire)."
[Translation of the meanings of the Qur'an 3:181]
The Jews say: "Allâh’s Hand is tied up (i.e. He does not give and spend of His Bounty)." Be their hands tied up and be they accursed for what they uttered. Nay, both His Hands are widely outstretched. He spends (of His Bounty) as He wills. Verily, the Revelation that has come to you from your Lord (Allâh) increases in most of them (their) obstinate rebellion and disbelief. We have put enmity and hatred amongst them till the Day of Resurrection. Every time they kindled the fire of war, Allâh extinguished it; and they (ever) strive to make mischief on the earth. And Allâh does not like the Mufsidûn (mischief-makers).
[Translation of the meanings of the Qur'an 5:64]
In the above two passages of the Qur'an, Allah attacks two blasphemous beliefs that Jews had uttered. Therefore, we Muslims could also attack any blasphemous belief that is found in the Bible.
For example, take a look at the following verses of the Bible:
And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
Genesis 6:5-7 (King James Version)
And:
It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
Exodus 31:17 (King James Version)
Don't you find, brother Jibran, that these Biblical verses contain blasphemies against Allah the Almighty? And therefore, don't we Muslims have the right and duty to highlight them and respond to them?
If you want to read a post of mine dealing with the above two Biblical verses, please click on the following link:
http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showpost.php?p=153168&postcount=124
The Dutch member of Parliament has released a film against Islam. It is filled with references that
he sees as damning evidence against the Qur'an. And yet, what about the Biblical verses I quoted in my posts on this thread? Why did he attack Islam and yet say nothing about absolute bloodbaths mentioned and praised in the Bible?
Once many Westerners and other non Muslims ponder on this question, they'll see what a complete hypocrite he is. And that is why I started this thread so that any Muslim could have an easy time finding such Biblical verses.
Again, brother Jibran, I thank you for the advice. I just respectfully disagree with you for the reasons I have stated above.
Best regards,
Bluegazer
Wassalamu Alaikum
