Muslim Congress - 12/22/07

SALAAM - REFORM - INTERFAITH - VERSES - CHRISTIANITY
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Five items in this issue, your opinions are your own. This item will also be posted at http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/ under the title Muslim Congress - 12/22/07. Your name may appear in the Google search with this posting in a few days with your quote. The previous one is posted as: http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2007/12/wmc-yahoogroups122107.html


1. Naseer Tahir :: Hijab - Salaam - Greetings

Moderator - Naseer, I am glad you shared your thoughts. Indeed, I have heard similar stories where an Ahmadiyya Muslims were put through difficult times for saying Salaam Alaikum. We have to work to get rid of this small mind set. The followers of Islam were addressed precisely for this reason by God; we have made nations and tribes out of a couple, so that you can figure out how to co-exist in peace and may be this ought to be a binding factor for Muslims of all hues, be it Ahmadiyya, Bohra, Druze, Ismaili, Shia, Sunni, Kurds and others to accept the differences and come together as Muslims, this is the first step towards Unity - to accept others way is legitimate to them as ours is to us - to you is your way, as mine is to me. Indeed, if we do the first thing God asks “Iqra” – Read for the purpose of understanding and finding the truth, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge.

2. Mohgul :: 1) Reform Islam or? 2) Silence of Moderates!

Moderator – No book of God or God’s wisdom distilled in words; be it Torah, Bible, Qur’aan, Bhagvad Gita or other Great books are based on exclusive societies. The references made about exclusive society were exclusively used for exclusive situations and not for universal example. Qur’aan is the word of God, and it has remained in tact for 1400 years and it will continue to remain, those who want to remove the verses, they are doing to appease others and not God. There is no doubt that none of the 16 some translations satisfactorily communicate the word of God, but we have to sort it out in the light of living for the sake of others and for the good of humankind and the environment.

3. Ahumanb & Zafar Iqbal: Jews and Muslims Set Up Big Interfaith Effort

Moderator – it is a good item to read, we have a long ways to go. First of all as Muslims, let’s not define what Judaism, Christianity or Hinduism ought to be, let them define the way they understand and let’s share how we understand our own faith. That would be the basis. I had asked Dallas Central Mosque to prepare the volunteers on open house to understand the sensitivities of our guests and not jump at them that “Your people have change the bible, we don’t believe Jesus is the son of God”…That is sheer ignorance and I am glad Brother Suleman worked it up and the open house went with warmth and cordial relations.

4. Man Singh - Misunderstood Verses of Qur'aan

Moderator - You wrote "In Surah 48, ayah 29, it says, Muhammad is Allah's apostle. Those who follow him are ruthless to the unbelievers but merciful to one another? Through them Allah seeks to enrage the unbelievers."

Compare what you were given to believe to what is in the Qur'aan, to ensure it is not off; I have included a dozen translations of the same verse. Asad is the closest to the word in Qur'aan, others are close, Hilali/Khan is off, he injects his own words, he probably is one of those guys who was paid to err, to raise the passions of Muslims against others, just as the Europeans had paid their men to mis-translate Qur'aan to get their men to go on crusades. The time has come for us to really read what the truth is. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) wise words in his last sermon were – I am leaving this book to you for you to read and understand, and you will have no intermediary to interpret the book for you, learn it on your own. He meant for us to take the responsibility.


5. Ahumanb - Truth about Christianity

Moderator- Our research ought to be based on finding the truth about others and get excited when we find. Our approach should not be to find faults, as every faith and science can be subjected to faults. Islam is about peace, reducing conflicts and enhancing good will. I have posted this as a sample. With all the due respect to one of the greatest scholars of our time, Dr. Ahmed Deedat, he was very knowledgeable about Christianity, a Christian scholar in his own regard. However, his proclivities were to shine the light on Islam by taking the light away from others. He and Dr. Zakir Naik use other texts to prove we are right, but ironically they did not give full value to the other scriptures. That amounts to arrogance. However, it is enlightening to read their perspectives.

It is the toughest question for a religious conservative to give full value to other faiths. The time has come to realize that giving full value to other faiths does not amount to diminishing ours. Respect multiplies, so does dis-respect. Which one do we want is a choice we need to demur?

Mike Ghouse
World Muslim Congress

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From: Naseer Tahir
Date: Sat Dec 22, 2007 7:43 am
Subject: Re: MuslimAgenda :: Hijab - Salaam - Haneef - leadership - interfaith - Greetings


Assalamo Alaikum,
This is breath of fresh air to read following article, may Allah put some sense in government of Pakistan also, where it is a CRIME if an Ahmadi says "Assalamo Alaikum" to any one, This CRIME is punishable by 3 year in prison, and a large number of Ahmadies have been thrown in Jail just for saying "Assalamo Alaikum".
Following website has some incidence recorded.


http://www.thepersecution.org/


Waslam
Naseer Tahir

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From: Mohgul
Date: Sat Dec 22, 2007 12:47 pm
Subject: Re: MuslimAgenda :: 1) Reform Islam or? 2) Silence of Moderates!

Dear brother Mike,

Allah S.W.T. has said that He will protect the Qur'an.

So why do we have to remove certain verses from the Qur'an to appease some people?

What we have to do is that when they bring up some quotes from the Qur'an we have to examine the context in which it was revealed. We have to then present it to them, that "this is why such and such verse was revealed" and explain to them it is not relevant to the present time.

I am sure you know more about the Bible than I do, and the "God" of the Bible is as "violent" as the "God" of the Qur'an. That also applies to the time when Jews and Christians were very ignorant. That does not mean today's Christians and Jews should be violent!

Islam is a religion of peace, so are Christianity and Judaism. There is no difference between the God of Muslims and Jews. He is the One and Only God.

However, Islam has been tarnished by the actions of some Jahaliyas, who have interpreted the Qur'an to suit their own agendas, against non-Muslims and Muslims alike.

As we have heard in this forum many times, the American media is not very kind to us. Now, it is up to us to be the Ambassadors of Islam without tempering with our Holy Book.

We do not need to play with Allah's word to appease some people who chose to remain ignorant about Islam.

Mohgul


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Ahumanb & Zafar Iqbal : Jews and Muslims Set Up Big Interfaith Effort

By Michelle Boorstein

Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, December 16, 2007; Page A09

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/15/AR2007121501363.html

Two major Jewish and Muslim organizations unveiled an interfaith dialogue curriculum yesterday and are urging their hundreds of thousands of members to use it. Both sides say it is the broadest Jewish-Muslim interfaith effort in the continent's history.

Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, North America's largest Jewish movement, announced the partnership with the Islamic Society of North America at his group's biennial convention in San Diego.

"As a once-persecuted minority in countries where anti-Semitism is still a force, we understand the plight of Muslims in North America today," Yoffie said yesterday. "We live in a world in which religion is manipulated to justify the most horrific acts, a world in which -- make no mistake -- Islamic extremists constitute a profound threat. For some, this is a reason to flee from dialogue, but in fact the opposite is true. When we are killing each other in the name of God, sensible religious people have an obligation to do something about it."

This summer Yoffie became the first major Jewish leader to address ISNA, the continent's largest Muslim organization with 30,000 attendants coming to its annual convention. ISNA President Ingrid Mattson will address the 980-congregation Jewish group today, the first leader of a major Muslim group to do so.

The manual and video are built around five sessions that touch on topics including the place of Jerusalem in Jewish and Muslim tradition and history. The toughest potential sticking points will probably be related to Israel and to stereotypes both groups carry about the other, Mark Pelavin, director of interreligious affairs for the Jewish group, said in an interview. "Jews want to know how Muslims feel about terrorism in the name of Islam, and Muslims want to know how Jews feel about Palestinian suffering."

Eleven synagogue-mosque pairs have already been set up as pilot programs, including two in the D.C. area: the Islamic Society of Southern Prince George's County of Temple Hills and Temple Solel in Bowie is one, and the All Dulles Area Muslim Society in Sterling and the Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation in Reston is the other.

Yoffie also announced that the two groups created an adult curriculum on Islam and pressed every synagogue to consider offering it.

"There exists in our community a profound ignorance about Islam, along with a real desire to learn about what moves and motivates Muslims today. We must respond to this desire with serious programs of education," he said.

Both groups already have dialogue programs with various other faith groups, but on a much smaller scale.

"Every honest Jew who knows the history of his people cannot but feel a deep sense of gratitude to Islam, which has protected the Jews for fifty generations, while the Christian world persecuted the Jews and tried many times 'by the sword' to get them to abandon their faith." -- Uri Avnery, a Jewish Journalist


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Man Singh - Misunderstood Verses of Qur'aan

Man Singh,

You wrote "In Surah 48, ayah 29, it says, Muhammad is Allah's apostle. Those who follow him are ruthless to the unbelievers but merciful to one another? Through them Allah seeks to enrage the unbelievers."

Compare what you were given to believe to what is in the Qur'aan, to ensure it is not off, I have included a dozen translations of the same verse. Asad is the closest to the word in Qur'aan, others are close, Hilali/Khan is off, he injects his own words, he probably is one of those guys who was paid to err, to raise the passions of Muslims against others, just as the Europeans had paid their men to mis-translate Qur'aan. The time has come for even Muslims to really read what is the truth, and it comes with a system of governance where freedom inspires people to explore. A year ago, we had 12 published translations, now we have hit the number 18, that I know of. This is a good thing, and will bring about a better understanding of the book.

Man Singh "Here I m listing around Ayahs of Qur’aan clearly propagating hate and violence against non Muslims. Can you deny Mullahs dun teach even Qur’aan in Mosques?

For example, in Surah 9, ayah 5, the book says, when the sacred months are over, slay the idolaters wherever you find them. Arrest them, besiege them and lie in ambush everywhere for them. "



Here is the full version:

9:5 And so, when the sacred months are over [6] , slay those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God wherever you may come upon them, [7] and take them captive, and besiege them, and lie in wait for them at every conceivable place [8] ! Yet if they repent, and take to prayer, and render the purifying dues, let them go their way: for, behold, God is much forgiving, a dispenser of grace. [9]

Note 6 :According to a pre-Islamic custom prevalent in Arabia , the months of Muharram, Rajab, Dhu 'l-Qa'dah and Dhu 'l-Hiijah were considered "sacred" in the sense that all tribal warfare had to cease during those months. It was with a view to preserving these periods of truce and thus to promoting peace among the frequently warring tribes that the Qur'an did not revoke, but rather confirmed, this ancient custom. See also 2:194 and 217.(Quran Ref: 9:5 )

Note 7 : (Quran Ref: 9:5 )

Read in conjunction with the two preceding verses, as well as with 2:190-194, the above verse relates to warfare already in progress with people who have become guilty of a breach of treaty obligations and of aggression.(Quran Ref: 9:5 )

Note 8: I.e., "do everything that may be necessary and advisable in denotes "any place from which it is possible to perceive The term marsad enemy and to observe his the movements" (Manar X, 199). warfare".(Quran Ref: 9:5 )

N0TE 9: As I have pointed out on more than one occasion, every verse of the Qur’an must be read and interpreted against the background of the Qur'an as a whole. The above verse, which speaks of a possible conversion to Islam on the part of "those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God" with whom the believers are at war, must, therefore, be considered in conjunction with several fundamental Qur'anic ordinances. One of them, "There shall be no coercion in matters of faith" (2:256), lays down categorically that any attempt at a forcible conversion of unbelievers is prohibited - which precludes the possibility of the Muslims' demanding or expecting that a defeated enemy should embrace Islam as the price of immunity. Secondly, the Qur'an ordains, "Fight in God's cause against those who wage war against you; but do not commit aggression, for, verily, God does not love aggressors" (2:190); and, "if they do not let you be, and do not offer you peace, and do not stay their hands, seize them and slay them whenever you come upon them: and it is against these that We have clearly empowered you [to make war]" (4:91). Thus, war is permissible only in self-defence (see surah 2, notes 167 and 168), with the further proviso that "if they desist-behold, God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace" (2:192), and "if they desist, then all hostility shall cease" (2:193). Now the enemy's conversion to Islam - expressed in the words, "if they repent, and take to prayer [lit., "establish prayer"] and render the purifying dues (zakah)"-is no more than one, and by no means the only, way of their "desisting from hostility"; and the reference to it in verses 5 and 11 of this surah certainly does not imply an alternative of "conversion or death", as some unfriendly critics of Islam choose to assume. Verses 4 and 6 give a further elucidation of the attitude which the believers are enjoined to adopt towards such of the unbelievers as are not hostile to them. (In this connection, see also 60:8-9).(Quran Ref: 9:5 )

http://www.islamicity.com/quranSearch


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In Surah 48, ayah 29, it says, Muhammad is Allah’s apostle. Those who follow him are ruthless to the unbelievers but merciful to one another? Through them Allah seeks to enrage the unbelievers.

Man Singh, compare what you were given to believe to what is in the Qur’aan, to ensure it is not off, I have included a dozen translations of the same verse.

48:29 MUHAMMAD is God’s Apostle; and those who are [truly] with him are firm and unyielding [43] towards all deniers of the truth, [yet] full of mercy towards one another. [44] Thou canst see them bowing down, pros­trating themselves [in prayer], seeking favour with God and [His] goodly acceptance: their marks are on their faces, traced by prostration. [45] This is their parable in the Torah as well as their parable in the Gospel: [46] [they are] like a seed that brings forth its shoot, and then He strengthens it, so that it grows stout, and [in the end] stands firm upon its stem, delighting the sowers. [Thus will God cause the believers to grow in strength,] so that through them He might confound the deniers of the truth. [47] [But] unto such of them as may [yet] attain to faith and do righteous deeds, God has promised forgiveness and a reward supreme. [48]

Note 43 (Quran Ref: 48:29 ) : This composite gives, I believe, the full meaning of the term ashidda (sing. shadid) in the above context.(Quran Ref: 48:29 )

Note 44 (Quran Ref: 48:29 ): Lit., "among themselves". Cf. 5:54 - "humble towards the believers, proud towards all who deny the truth".(Quran Ref: 48:29 )

Note 45 (Quran Ref: 48:29 ): The infinitive noun sujud ("prostration") stands here for the innermost consummation of faith, while its "trace" signifies the spiritual reflection of that faith in the believer’s manner of life and even in his outward aspect. Since the "face" is the most expressive part of man’s personality, it is often used in the Qur’an in the sense of one’s "whole being".(Quran Ref: 48:29 )

Note 46 (Quran Ref: 48:29 ): Regarding the significance of the term Injil ("Gospel") as used in the Qur’an, see the surah 3 note 4.(Quran Ref: 48:29 )

Note 47 (Quran Ref: 48:29 ): Lit., "infuse with wrath".(Quran Ref: 48:29 )

Note 48 (Quran Ref: 48:29 ): Whereas most of the classical commentators understand the above sentence as alluding to believers in general, Razi relates the pronoun minhum ("of them" or "among them") explicitly to the deniers of the truth spoken of in the preceding sentence - i.e., to those of them who might yet attain to faith and thus achieve God’s forgiveness: a promise which was fulfilled within a few years after the revelation of this verse, inasmuch as most of the Arabian enemies of the Prophet embraced Islam, and many of them became its torchbearers. But in a wider sense, this divine promise remains open until Resurrection Day (Tabari), relating to everybody, at all times and in all cultural environments, who might yet attain to the truth and live up to it.(Quran Ref: 48:29 )

Other translations:

al-Fath 048:029

‏48:29 محمد رسول الله والذين معه اشداء على الكفار رحماء بينهم تراهم ركعا سجدا يبتغون فضلا من الله ورضوانا سيماهم في وجوههم من اثر السجود ذلك مثلهم في التوراة ومثلهم في الانجيل كزرع اخرج شطأه فازره فاستغلظ فاستوى على سوقه يعجب الزراع ليغيظ بهم الكفار وعد الله الذين امنوا وعملوا الصالحات منهم مغفرة واجرا عظيما

Transliteration

Muhammadun rasoolu Allahi waallatheena maAAahu ashiddao AAala alkuffari ruhamao baynahum tarahum rukkaAAan sujjadan yabtaghoona fadlan mina Allahi waridwanan seemahum fee wujoohihim min athari alssujoodi thalika mathaluhum fee alttawrati wamathaluhum fee al-injeeli kazarAAin akhraja shat-ahu faazarahu faistaghlatha faistawa AAala sooqihi yuAAjibu alzzurraAAa liyagheetha bihimu alkuffara waAAada Allahu allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati minhum maghfiratan waajran AAatheeman

Literal

Mohammad (is) God's messenger, and those who with him (are) strong over the disbelievers, merciful between them, you see them bowing, prostrating wishing/desiring grace/favour from God, and an acceptance/approval , their marks/identifications/expressions (are) in their faces/fronts from the prostration's trace/sign , that (is) their example in the Torah, and their example in the Bible/New Testament , as/like a plant/crop, it brought out/emerged its sprout/shoot , so it surrounded and strengthened it, so it hardened/thickened , so it straightened/leveled on its stem, it pleases/marvels the sowers/seeders/planters to anger/enrage with it the disbelievers, God promised those who believed and made/did the correct/righteous deeds from them, forgiveness and a great reward 378

Yusuf Ali

Muhammad is the messenger of Allah; and those who are with him are strong against Unbelievers, (but) compassionate amongst each other. Thou wilt see them bow and prostrate themselves (in prayer), seeking Grace from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure. On their faces are their marks, (being) the traces of their prostration. This is their similitude in the Taurat; and their similitude in the Gospel is: like a seed which sends forth its blade, then makes it strong; it then becomes thick, and it stands on its own stem, (filling) the sowers with wonder and delight. As a result, it fills the Unbelievers with rage at them. Allah has promised those among them who believe and do righteous deeds forgiveness, and a great Reward.

Pickthal

Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. And those with him are hard against the disbelievers and merciful among themselves. Thou (O Muhammad) seest them bowing and falling prostrate (in worship), seeking bounty from Allah and (His) acceptance. The mark of them is on their foreheads from the traces of prostration. Such is their likeness in the Torah and their likeness in the Gospel - like as sown corn that sendeth forth its shoot and strengtheneth it and riseth firm upon its stalk, delighting the sowers - that He may enrage the disbelievers with (the sight of) them. Allah hath promised, unto such of them as believe and do good works, forgiveness and immense reward.

Arberry

Muhammad is the Messenger of God, and those who are with him are hard against the unbelievers, merciful one to another. Thou seest them bowing, prostrating, seeking bounty from God and good pleasure. Their mark is on their faces, the trace of prostration. That is their likeness in the Torah, and their likeness in the Gospel: as a seed that puts forth its shoot, and strengthens it, and it grows stout and rises straight upon its stalk, pleasing the sowers, that through them He may enrage the unbelievers. God has promised those of them who believe and do deeds of righteousness forgiveness and a mighty wage.

Shakir

Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and those with him are firm of heart against the unbelievers, compassionate among themselves; you will see them bowing down, prostrating themselves, seeking grace from Allah and pleasure; their marks are in their faces because of the effect of prostration; that is their description in the Taurat and their description in the Injeel; like as seed-produce that puts forth its sprout, then strengthens it, so it becomes stout and stands firmly on its stem, delighting the sowers that He may enrage the unbelievers on account of them; Allah has promised those among them who believe and do good, forgiveness and a great reward.

Sarwar

Muhammad is the Messenger of God and those with him are stern to the disbelievers yet kind among themselves. You can see them bowing and prostrating before God, seeking His favors and pleasure. Their faces (foreheads) are marked due to the effect of their frequent prostrations. That is their description in the Torah and in the Gospel they are mentioned as the seed which shoots out its stalk then becomes stronger, harder and stands firm on its stumps, attracting the farmers. Thus, God has described the believers to enrage the disbelievers. God has promised forgiveness and a great reward to the righteously striving believers.

Khalifa

Muhammad - the messenger of GOD - and those with him are harsh and stern against the disbelievers, but kind and compassionate amongst themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating, as they seek GOD's blessings and approval. Their marks are on their faces, because of prostrating. This is the same example as in the Torah. Their example in the Gospel is like plants that grow taller and stronger, and please the farmers. He thus enrages the disbelievers. GOD promises those among them who believe, and lead a righteous life, forgiveness and a great recompense.

Hilali/Khan

Muhammad (SAW) is the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and falling down prostrate (in prayer), seeking Bounty from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure. The mark of them (i.e. of their Faith) is on their faces (foreheads) from the traces of (their) prostration (during prayers). This is their description in the Taurat (Torah). But their description in the Injeel (Gospel) is like a (sown) seed which sends forth its shoot, then makes it strong, it then becomes thick, and it stands straight on its stem, delighting the sowers that He may enrage the disbelievers with them. Allah has promised those among them who believe (i.e. all those who follow Islamic Monotheism, the religion of Prophet Muhammad SAW till the Day of Resurrection) and do righteous good deeds, forgiveness and a mighty reward (i.e. Paradise).

H/K/Saheeh

Muúammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking bounty from Allah and [His] pleasure. Their mark is on their faces from the trace of prostration. That is their description in the Torah. And their description in the Gospel is as a plant which produces its offshoots and strengthens them so they grow firm and stand upon their stalks, delighting the sowers so that Allah may enrage by them the disbelievers. Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds among them forgiveness and a great reward. 49-Surah Al-îujurat Bismillahir Raúmanir-Raúeem

Malik

Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, and those with him are strong against the unbelievers and compassionate to each other among themselves. When you see them, you will find them making Rakuh (bowing down) and Sajud (prostrate in prayers), and craving for the blessings from Allah and His good pleasure. They have the marks of Sajud (prostration) on their foreheads, the traces of their prostration. This is their similitude in the Torah; and their similitude in the Gospel: they are like the seed which puts forth its sprout, then strengthens it, then becomes thick and stands firmly on its stem, delighting the sowers of the seed, so that through them He may enrage the unbelievers. Yet to those of them who will believe and do good deeds, Allah has promised forgiveness and a great reward.[29]

QXP

Muhammad is Allah's Messenger. And those who are with him are stern towards the rejecters, but full of compassion towards one another. You see them bowing, adoring, as they seek Allah's Bounty and Acceptance. Their signs (of belief) are on their faces, the effects of adoration. Such is their likeness in the Torah and their likeness in the Gospel. Like a seed that brings forth its shoot, and then strengthens it, so that it grows thick, and then stands firm on its own stem, delighting those who have sown it. Consequently, it fills the rejecters with rage at them. But unto those who may yet attain belief and do works that help others, Allah promises forgiveness and Immense Reward.

Maulana Ali

Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and those with him are firm of heart against the disbelievers, compassionate among themselves. Thou seest them blowing down, prostrating themselves, seeking Allah’s grace and pleasure. Their marks are on their faces in consequence of prostration. That is their description in the Torah -- and their description in the Gospel -- like seed-produce that puts forth its sprout, then strengthens it, so it becomes stout and stands firmly on its stem, delighting the sowers that He may enrage the disbelievers on account of them. Allah has promised such of them as believe and do good, forgiveness and a great reward.

Free Minds

Mohammed is the messenger of God, and those who are with him are severe against the rejecters, but merciful between themselves. You see them kneeling and prostrating, they seek God's blessings and approval. Their distinction is in their faces, as a result of prostrating. Such is their example in the Torah. And their example in the Injeel is like a plant which shoots out and becomes strong and thick and it stands straight on its trunk, pleasing to the farmers. That He may enrage the rejecters with them. God promises those among them who believe and do good works a forgiveness and a great reward.

Qaribullah

Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. Those who are with him are harsh against the unbelievers but merciful to one another. You see them bow and prostrate themselves seeking the bounty and pleasure of Allah. Their mark is on their faces from the trace of prostration. That is their likeness in the Torah and their likeness in the Gospel, as the seed which puts forth its shoot and strengthens it, so that it grows stout and rises straight upon its stalk, delighting the sowers, and through them He enrages the unbelievers. Allah has promised those of them who believe and do good deeds, forgiveness and a great wage.

George Sale

Mohammed is the Apostle of God: And those who are with him are fierce against the unbelievers, but compassionate towards one another. Thou mayest see them bowing down, prostrate, seeking a recompense from God, and his good will. Their signs are in their faces, being marks of frequent prostration. This is their description in the pentateuch, and their description in the gospel: They are as seed which putteth forth its stalk, and strengtheneth it, and swelleth in the ear, and riseth upon its stem; giving delight unto the sower. Such are the Moslems described to be: That the infidels may swell with indignation at them. God hath promised unto such of them as believe, and do good works, pardon and a great reward.

JM Rodwell

Muhammad is the Apostle of God; and his comrades are vehement against the infidels, but full of tenderness among themselves. Thou mayst see them bowing down, prostrating themselves, imploring favours from God, and His acceptance. Their tokens are on their

Asad

MUHAMMAD is God's Apostle; and those who are [truly] with him are firm and unyielding [This composite gives, I believe, the full meaning of the term ashidda (sing. shadid) in the above context.] towards all deniers of the truth, [yet] full of mercy towards one another. [Lit., "among themselves". Cf. 5:54 - "humble towards the believers, proud towards all who deny the truth".] Thou canst see them bowing down, prostrating themselves [in prayer], seeking favour with God and [His] goodly acceptance: their marks are on their faces, traced by prostration. [The infinitive noun sujud ("prostration") stands here for the innermost consummation of faith, while its "trace" signifies the spiritual reflection of that faith in the believer's manner of life and even in his outward aspect. Since the "face" is the most expressive part of man's personality, it is often used in the Quran in the sense of one's "whole being".] This is their parable in the Torah as well as their parable in the Gospel: [The posture of humility in prayer is indicated by prostration: i.e., Moses and Aaron "fell upon their faces", Num. xvi. 22. Regarding the significance of the term Injil ("Gospel") as used in the Quran, see the note on 3:4.] [they are] like a seed that brings forth its shoot, and then He strengthens it, so that it grows stout, and [in the end] stands firm upon its stem, delighting the sowers. [Thus will God cause the believers to grow in strength,] so that through them He might confound the deniers of the truth. [Lit., "infuse with wrath".] [But] unto such of them as may [yet] attain to faith and do righteous deeds, God has promised forgiveness and a reward supreme. [Whereas most of the classical commentators understand the above sentence as alluding to believers in general, Razi relates the pronoun minhum ("of them" or "among them") explicitly to the deniers of the truth spoken of in the preceding sentence - i.e., to those of them who might yet attain to faith and thus achieve God's forgiveness: a promise which was fulfilled within a few years after the revelation of this verse, inasmuch as most of the Arabian enemies of the Prophet embraced Islam, and many of them became its torchbearers. But in a wider sense, this divine promise remains open until Resurrection Day (Tabari), relating to everybody, at all times and in all cultural environments, who might yet attain to the truth and live up to it.]

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From: Ahumanb
Date: Sat Dec 22, 2007 4:08 am
Subject: Truth about Christianity

Truth about Christianity

1. Debate: Was Jesus Really Crucified?

Pt 1: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7645977768965605060&q=was+jesus+really+crucified%3F&total=136&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

Pt 2: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2743274210637656975&q=was+jesus+really+crucified%3F&total=136&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=2


2. Debate: Did Jesus die for the sins of the world?
http://youtube.com/results?search_query=Did+Jesus+die+for+the+sins+of+the+world%3F&search=Search


3. Debate: Is the Bible True Word of God?
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4058605158253427977


4. Debate: Is Bible God's Word?

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9130099160470613217&q=Is+The+Bible+God%27s+Word%3F

5. Debate: Quran or Bible which is God's Word?
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5846830623419914840

6. Debate: Jesus in Christianity and Islam
http://youtube.com/watch?v=NXZZg2dE3_Q

7. Truth about Trinity
http://www.islamicinvitationcentre.com/audio/Ahmad_Dedat/Truth_Trinity/Truth_Trinity.html

8. Debate: Quran or the Bible
http://youtube.com/watch?v=GIXDievehzI

9. Did Jesus Want to Die?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=754ovI0QIxU&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMEZbLPHGlc&mode=related&search=

10. Jesus in Islam

by Yusuf Estes, a former Christian Priest
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-Flh7epISs4

11. The True Jesus, Jesus of the Quran or the Bible?

Parts 1 to 3:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=PlNtB8APAoA
http://youtube.com/watch?v=SEvoxHmzHLA
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xv_5-UgBVlc&mode=related&search=


12. Similarities between Islam and Christianity
Pt-1: http://youtube.com/watch?v=0X06jlhJbQk
Pt-2: http://youtube.com/watch?v=g7WfwVF-YQY&mode=related&search=

13. Bible Compared to Quran
By Yusuf Estes and Dr. Gary Miller
http://www.islamtomorrow.com/articles/Bible_vs_Quran.asp

14. Debate: This House Believe that Jesus was a Muslim
http://youtube.com/watch?v=KK2yBU21qFY


15. Prophet Muhammad in the Bible
By Ahmed Deedat:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ4MtFMwi0A
By ex-Christian: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIoXsBQ-m-I