Questions From A Christian
By Mufti Taqi Usmani

Additional comments made by IPCI by Rafeek Hassen (Director IPCI, Islamic Propagation Center International) and
reviewed by Mufti Ebrahim Desai
POSTED: 18 SAFAR 1424, 20 APRIL 2003
The University of Birmingham Islamic Society received the following email from a Christian:


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Hello, I am a Christian who is considering converting to Islam. I have a number of questions which I would like answered --- they are from a Christian perspective i.e. mainly dealing with Jesus and his position in the two faiths. I would very much appreciate your wisdom and help on these issues. Please find time to reply... Thank you.
Questions & Answers:


A.) (Mufti Taqi Usmani) 'Allah's love' may have two different meanings: One that He likes the well being of every person. And second, that He likes him in all respects and will admit him into the Paradise. In the first meaning He loves everyone in the world because He likes the well being of all people, both here and in the Hereafter. Because of this love He gives sustenance to every one, regardless of his religion and his deeds, and it is because of this kind of love that He has sent a large number of messengers and revealed the divine books, so that every one may know the truth and after following His instructions becomes entitled to the reward in the Hereafter. But the second kind of love is applicable only to those people who believe in His Oneness and in all messengers sent and all books revealed by Him, and then act accordingly.



A.) (IPCI) Allah is the Creator of All, and as such is the Provider of All. He is also Merciful to all of His Creation. Even the atheist and polytheists benefit from the rain, the vegetation, the air etc. This, Allah out of His Lordship and Mercy provides to all, 'good and bad people', believers or disbelievers, without discrimination. However when we talk of love of Allah towards His Creation especially human beings, Allah is more loving to those who do good deeds :
"And spend of your substance in the cause of Allah and make not your own hands contribute to your destruction but do good; for Allah loves those who do good." [Al-Baqarah 2:195]
Inherently, everyone is 'good' and has the capacity to do good, it's the evil actions that are disliked by Allah, the same person can become liked by Allah by changing and doing good deeds. In the Qur'an Chapter 2 Verse 21, Allah addresses all of humankind:
"O humankind! Adore your Guardian-Lord who created you and those who came before you that ye may have the chance to learn righteousness (do good deeds)" [Al-Baqarah 2:21]



A.) (Mufti Taqi Usmani) Yes, the Holy prophet Muhammad knew well the concept of Trinity because it is mentioned in the Holy Qur'an in specific words, and it is because of this knowledge that he had refuted the doctrines of Christianity.
A.) (IPCI) "And behold! Allah will say "O Jesus the son of Mary! didst thou say unto men `worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of Allah"? He will say: "Glory to Thee! Never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing You would indeed have known it. You know what is in my heart though I know not what is in Yours. For You know in full all that is hidden" [Al-Maidah 5:116]


Though the Protestant world does not deify Mary (alayhas salam, or peace be upon her), some of the the early Churches did, and so does the Catholic World till today as it confers divinity on her. The above verse of the Qur'an negates this deification of Mary by some sectors of Christianity. Hence Prophet Muhammad, was responding to this wrong belief of some Christians who were present during his time and who still exist today. Trinity was neither preached nor practiced by Jesus, alayhis salam; he preached the oneness of God. It is impossible to take three things that create 3 different mental pictures and to make them one.
Mark|12:28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? [Mark 12: 28]
Mark|12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
Mark|12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.