Christian Missionary: How to Scrutinize Their Claims?
By: Shahid Bin Waheed
This treatise will help Muslims and seekers of truth to deal with the Christian missionaries and scrutinize their absurd oral and/or written claims, which are always presented with deception and misrepresentation of truth to prey on naive and/or ignorant individuals.
Facts to be remembered!
• • Missionary’s argument is always vague and ambiguous by nature requiring carefully diplomatic and deceptive modes of reasoning.
• • The Missionary is ignorant of true nature of Prophethood and thus, maintains his/her silence on this issue.
• • The Christian Missionary also does not understand the true nature of the message of Isa Ibn Maryam (AS).
• • Christian missionary will always misrepresent and/or distort the truth.
• • Christian missionary will always use the English translations of Glorious Qur’aan.
• • Christian missionary will always and frequently use the different translators for same point and/or issue. It is based on which translator’s choice of words benefits the missionary.
• • Christian missionary will always use the translation of the meaning of Glorious Qur’aan as literal word of Allaah (God).
• • Christian missionary will almost always misquote his sources and/or reference; or least present out of context.
• • Christian missionary if needed will outright LIE and change the context, even may not hesitate to fabricate something to gain advantage and mislead the people.
• • Christian missionary will invent issues and/or fabricate new meanings out of thin air.
Examples!
Following are the few examples (out of missionary pattern) that will enable the readers to notice the combination of obfuscation and ignorance of Christian missionary.
Examples taken from: “The Jewish Messiah And The Prophet of Islam” authored by Christian missionary “Sam Shamoun” of web site “****************”
Sam Shamoun said:
The typical objection to this title of Christ points out that the Quran calls Jesus, "a word from God" (Kalimat-Minhu) and not the Word of God. Those raising this objection, routinely cite S. 3:39 and 45 to confirm their argument.
Yet, in S. 4:171 we are told:
"O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the Son of Mary was a messenger of Allah, and His Word (Kalimatuhu), which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him (Ruhun-Minhu): so believe in Allah and His messengers. Say not 'three': desist."
This verse, while stating that Jesus is but a messenger of God, emphatically states that He is the Word of God since the phrase Kalimatuhu refers to God's very own personal word. This passage also affirms that Jesus is a Spirit from God, which we will expound upon later.
The above is a classical example of ignorance and/or confusing the issue. Let me explain it in detail, since the above rhetoric is a common tactics of Christian missionary.
A careful study of Glorious Qur’aan tells us that the word كلمة {Kalemah}(meaning: Word) has been used with various meanings at various places, which are:
(1) Word, (2) Decree or Sentence, (3) Knowledge, His (Allaah’s) will, (4) As an agreement, (5) Formula
In Ayaat 18:5 & 23:100 it is used as “Word.”
In Ayaat 6:115; 7:137; 9:40; 9:74; 10:19; 10:33; 10:96; 11:110; 11:119; 20:129; 37:171; 39:19; 39:71; 40:6; 42:14; 42:21; 43:28 & 48:26, it is used as Decree or Sentence.
In Ayaat 3:39, 3:45 & 4:171 it is used as Order, Knowledge, His will
Surah Al-i-'Imran 39
فَنَادَتْهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّي فِي الْمِحْرَابِ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكَ بِيَحْيَى مُصَدِّقًا بِكَلِمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَسَيِّدًا وَحَصُورًا وَنَبِيًّا مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ (39)
Then the angels called him, while he was standing in prayer in Al-Mihrâb (a praying place or a private room), (saying): "Allâh gives you glad tidings of Yahya, confirming (believing in) the word from Allâh (i.e. the creation of ‘Îsâ عليه السلام, the Word from Allâh ("Be!" - and he was!)), noble, keeping away from sexual relations with women, a Prophet, from among the righteous."
Surah Al-i-'Imran 45
إِذْ قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ يَا مَرْيَمُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكِ بِكَلِمَةٍ مِنْهُ اسْمُهُ الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ وَجِيهًا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ وَمِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ (45)
(Remember) when the angels said: "O Maryam! Verily, Allâh gives you the glad tidings of a Word ("Be!" - and he was! i.e. ‘Îsâ the son of Maryam) from Him, his name will be the Messiah ‘Îsâ, the son of Maryam, held in honor in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allâh."
Surah An-Nisaa 171
يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لَا تَغْلُوا فِي دِينِكُمْ وَلَا تَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ إِلَّا الْحَقَّ إِنَّمَا الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُ أَلْقَاهَا إِلَى مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌ مِنْهُ فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَلَا تَقُولُوا ثَلَاثَةٌ انْتَهُوا خَيْرًا لَكُمْ إِنَّمَا اللَّهُ إِلَهٌ وَاحِدٌ سُبْحَانَهُ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ وَلَدٌ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَكَفَى بِاللَّهِ وَكِيلًا (171)
O people of the Scripture (Christians)! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, nor say of Allâh aught but the truth. The Messiah ‘Îsâ, son of Maryam, was (no more than) a Messenger of Allâh and His Word, ("Be!" - and he was) which He bestowed on Maryam and a spirit (Rûh) {1} created by Him; so believe in Allâh and His Messengers. Say not: "Three (trinity)!" Cease! (it is) better for you. For Allâh is (the only) One Ilâh (God), glory be to Him (Far Exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allâh is All-Sufficient as a Disposer of affairs. {2}
{1} (V.4: 171) Rûh-ullâh: According to the early religious scholars from among the Companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and their students and the Mujtahidûn, there is a rule to distinguish between the two nouns in the genitive construction: a) When one of the two nouns is Allâh, and the other is a person or a thing, e.g. Allâh’s House (Bait-ullâh); Allâh’s Messenger (Rasul-ullâh): Allâh’s slave (‘Abdullâh): Allâh’s spirit (Rûh-ullâh), the rule for the above words is that the second noun, e.g., house, messenger, slave, spirit is created by Allâh and is honorable in His Sight, and similarly, Allâh’s spirit may be understood as the spirit of Allâh, in fact it is a soul created by Allâh, i.e. ‘Îsâ. And it was His Word: "Be!" -and he was. (i.e. ‘Îsâ was created like Adam). b) But when one of the two is Allâh and the second is neither a person nor a thing, then it is not a created thing but is a quality of Allâh e.g. Allâh’s Knowledge (‘Ilm-ullâh); Allâh’s Life (Hayât-ullâh); Allâh’s Statement (Kalâm-ullâh); Allâh’s Self (Dhat-ullâh).
{2} (V.4: 171) Narrated ‘Ubadah رضي الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "If anyone testifies that lâ ilâha illallâh (none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh Alone) Who has no partners, and that Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم is His slave and His Messenger, and that ‘Îsâ عليه السلام is Allâh’s slave and His Messenger and His Word ("Be!" - and he was) which He bestowed on Maryam and a spirit (Rûh) created by Him, and that Paradise is the truth, and Hell is the truth - Allâh will admit him into Paradise with the deeds which he had done even if those deeds were few." (Junadah, the sub narrator said; "Ubâdah added: ‘Such a person can enter Paradise through any of its eight gates he likes.’ ") (Sahih Al Bukhâri, Vol. 4, Hadîth No. 644).
As we see that how Sam Shamoun has distorted the facts and twisted the English translation of Glorious Qur’aan in a Biblical concept, especially the last part of his statement cited above i.e. {“This verse, while stating that Jesus is but a messenger of God, emphatically states that He is the Word of God since the phrase Kalimatuhu refers to God's very own personal word. This passage also affirms that Jesus is a Spirit from God, which we will expound upon later.”}. There is no such thing as falsely claimed by Sam Shamoun. But he does that on each and every issues and/or point. In fact, in the above Ayaat as proved {3:39, 45 & 4:171} Isa Ibn Maryam is Allaah’s Order and His Will, and nothing more.
In Ayaah 3:64 it is used as Agreement.
In Ayaat 14:24 & 14:26, it is used as Formula.
Thus, Christian missionary always twist and/or fabricate their own version of narratives. What a Muslim should do:
• • Refuse to accept Bible and/or any account or part of the Bible unless it is verified and/or reconciled by the Glorious Qur’aan.
• • Verify each and every source and/or reference cited by the Christian missionary.
• • Do not accept the English translation and/or translation (of Glorious Qur’aan) in any language as literal word of Allaah and/or deciding factor. Because it is not word of Allaah.
• • Familiarize yourself with the vocabulary of Glorious Qur’aan.
• • Check for the same word (in question) used at other places in Glorious Qur’aan and in what context?
• • Ignore lengthy articles or material authored by Christian missionary, it is just to stupefy you with off target references to lure your for debate on insignificant issues. They do it to put couple of feather in their hats besides obtaining financial gain.
• • Keep this in mind that they are well financed and well trained. Their specialty is in deception and spin doctrine.
• • Stick to the theme and/or issue while disregarding their rhetoric; and focusing on presenting Islaamic point of view.
• • Always keep this in mind that Islaam has by default abrogated all religions and scriptures.
Surah Al-Maidah 48
وَأَنْزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقًا لِمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَمُهَيْمِنًا عَلَيْهِ فَاحْكُمْ بَيْنَهُمْ بِمَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءَهُمْ عَمَّا جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ لِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنَا مِنْكُمْ شِرْعَةً وَمِنْهَاجًا وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلَكِنْ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِي مَا آتَاكُمْ فَاسْتَبِقُوا الْخَيْرَاتِ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا فَيُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ (48)
And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) the Book (this Qur’ân) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and Muhaymin (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old Scriptures) {1} . So judge among them by what Allâh has revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging away from the truth that has come to you. To each among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way. If Allâh had willed, He would have made you one nation, but that (He) may test you in what He has given you; so compete in good deeds. The return of you (all) is to Allâh; then He will inform you about that in which you used to differ.
{1} (V.5: 48) Muhaimin: that which testifies the truth that is therein and falsifies the falsehood that is added therein.
Surah Al-i-'Imran 85
وَمَنْ يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ الْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا فَلَنْ يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ (85)
And whoever seeks a religion other than Islâm, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers {1} .
{1} (V.3: 85). a) It is obligatory to have Belief in the Messengership of the Prophet (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم). Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: Allâh’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "By Him (Allâh) in Whose Hand Muhammad’s soul is, there is none from amongst the Jews and the Christians (of these present nations) who hears about me and then dies without believing in the Message with which I have been sent (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism), but he will be from the dwellers of the (Hell) Fire." (Sahih Muslim, the Book of Faith, Vol.1, Hadith No.240). (See also (V.3: 116)) b) The asking of (angel) Jibrael (Gabriel) from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم about Belief, Islâm, Ihsân (perfection) and the knowledge of the Hour (Doomsday), and their explanation given to him by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. Then the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said (to his companions): "Jibrael (Gabriel) عليه السلام came to teach you your religion." So the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم regarded all that as a religion. And all that which the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم explained to the delegation of ‘Abdûl-Qais was a part of faith. (See Sahih Al-Bukhâri, Vol.1, Hadîth No.50 and 87) And the Statement of Allâhعز وجل: "And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him." (3:85). Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: One day while the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was sitting in the company of some people, (The angel) Jibrael (Gabriel) عليه السلام came and asked, "What is Faith?" Allâh’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم replied, "Faith is to believe in Allâh, His angels, (the) meeting with Him, His messengers, and to believe in Resurrection."* Then he further asked, "What is Islâm?" Allâh’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم replied, "To worship Allâh Alone and none else, to perform As-Salât (Iqamât-as-Salât), to give the Zakât and to observe Saum (fasts) during the month of Ramadan, “Again the principles of Islâm mentioned here are 4, but in other narrations, they are 5 - 5th is the pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah for the one who can afford it one in a lifetime.
In addition to the above:
• • Do not blindly trust any Muslim and/or any Muslim web site. Verify their work as well from authentic sources.
• • Stay away from ignorant and secular Muslims, they are more dangerous than Christian missionary. Beside that no one can ague with ignorance?
• • Many Islaamic web sites at Internet are result of emotionalism with right motive and wrong approach.
• • Some Muslim web sites are for self-glorification and are useless.
• • Reject non-Muslim sources outright, because a religion is judged by its scripture.
• • Always use Bible while dealing the Judeo-Christian issues.
• • Strictly demand explicit verses and/or statement with complete and conclusive thoughts.
• • Reject implicit verses outright.
• • Length of an article is irrelevant, it is rather the issue presented with relevant facts. Many use copy and paste to show their non-existing scholarship most of the time.
• • Avoid believing and following new converts to Islaam.
• • Keep this in mind that everyone who has translated the Glorious Qur’aan is NOT a scholar.
• • Strictly use only translations of Muhsin Khan and Hilali, Moulana Daryabadi, or of Saheeh International.
• • Using Abdullah Yusuf Ali, be careful, and don’t use if you don’t have sufficient knowledge of Deen of Islaam.
• • Reject Muhammad Asad’s translation.
• • Reject all other translations done by non-Muslims.
• • Don’t respond to Christian missionary and/or anyone if you don’t know the answers or you are not sure about one.
• • Always ask those who have knowledge.
