Articles

The Qur’an avoids the subject of the Passover

The Qur’an features Moses’ confrontations with Pharaoh 27 times in the first 89 of its 114 chapters. However, not even once in the exodus saga accounted in the Quran is there any mention of the Passover. Readers of both the Bible and the Qur’an soon find out that although there are passages in the Qur’an that refer to the laws of Moses (directly as well as indirectly), the subject of sacrificial law, the offerings, and their purpose has been avoided. The Qur’an completely ignored the tenth sign God gave Moses, stating that God “had certainly given Moses nine evident signs” and then, tongue in cheek and in the same breath, tells the reader to go and “ask the Children of Israel” (Sura 17:101).

Does Jeremiah 8:8 imply that the Bible is corrupted?

Does Jeremiah 8:8 imply that the Bible is corrupted?

Even though the Qur'an states there is “guidance and light” in the Torah (Sura 5:43), many Muslims often quote Jeramiah 8:8 as proof that the Torah has been “corrupted.” The text says: “How can you say, ‘We are wise, for we have the law of the LORD,’ when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely?” (Jeremiah 8:8)

It is important to look at the context. The above verses are part of Jeremiah's "Temple Address" in Jeremiah 7:1-10:25. The first important clue is that God through the prophet Jeremiah states in verse 7: "My people do not KNOW the requirements of the LORD.” He does NOT say that they do not HAVE them. Then in verse 8, he takes up the false security of those scribes who claim that they have the law, although they do not obey it and distort it with their false interpretations. The next verse gives us the context of how legitimate these scribes were: "The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what kind of wisdom do they have?” (Jeremiah 8:9)

Peace on earth and good will between men

It’s that time of year, once again, when we hear people saying, “Peace on earth and good will between men.” This constant refrain in songs and conversations is uttered by many from all quarters at this time of year. However, what's interesting is that many people don't know that this quotation is actually a passage from the Bible. And even many Christians, sad to say, don't know what it really means.

Peace or Deception?

On Feb. 4, 2019, an interreligious meeting took place in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The Pope signed a covenant with Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, head of Egypt’s al-Azhar University, declaring that ‘diversity of religions’ is ‘willed by God.’ The Muslim Sheikh is considered by some as the head of the Sunni Muslims which is a majority or 85% of Muslims. To betray and take advantage of others, indeed many of the Muslims feel at home. Why and how? Well, the Qur’an speaks with both sides of its mouth. Yes, on one hand when Muhammad was not powerful enough, he would only use the peaceful Qur’anic passages claiming to have had been revealed to him by God, that whoever believed in God and the Day of Judgment were OK (Sura 2:62). He went to the extent to declare that God had given every group of people a law to live by and if he had willed, he would have made all one Ummah (Sura 5:48). Ummah means to make people all one community.

The Role of Women in Islam

The Qur'an teaches that men and women were created from a single soul (Sura 4:1) and that God will reward both men and women (Sura 16:97; 33:35; 43:70). However, Muhammad the prophet of Islam said, "Amongst the inmates in Paradise the women would be in the minority." (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 6600). Elsewhere he is mentioned to have said, "Had it not been for women, God would have truly, truly been worshipped" (Kanz-el-'Ummal, Vol. 21, H. 825). About ritual prayer Muhammad said, "Prayer is annulled by a dog, a donkey and a woman (if they pass in front of a praying person" (Sahih Bukhari, vol. 2, 135). So why is there such a contradiction?