The Great Challenge to Produce
One Chapter Like the Chapters
of the Holy Qur’an.
God has said in the Qur’an:
And if you are in doubt about whatWehave revealed (the Qur’an) to Our worshiper (Muhammad then produce a chapter like it,
and call your witnesses (supporters and helpers) besides God if you are truthful. And if you do not do it, and you can never do it, then
fear the Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones. It has been prepared for disbelievers. And give good news (O Muhammad) to those who believe and do good deeds, that for them
are gardens (Paradise) in which rivers flow.... (Qur’an, 2:23-25)
Biblical Prophecies on the Advent of Muhammad the Prophet of Islam.
The Biblical prophecies on the advent of the Prophet Muhammad
are evidence of the truth of Islam for people who believe in
the Bible. In Deuteronomy 18, Mosesstated that God told him: “I will
raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account.” (Deuteronomy 18:18-19).
A prophet like Moses:
There were hardly any two prophets who were so much alike
as Moses and Muhammad . Both were given a comprehensive
law and code of life. Both encountered their enemies and were
victorious in miraculous ways. Both were accepted as prophets
and statesmen.
Both migrated following conspiracies to assassinate
them. Analogies between Moses and Jesus overlook not only
the above similarities but other crucial ones as well. These include
the natural birth, the family life, and the death of Moses and
Muhammad but not that of Jesus.
Moreover, Jesus was regarded by his followers as the Son of God and not exclusively as a prophet of God, as Moses and Muhammad _ were and as Muslims believe Jesus was. So, this prophecy refers to Muhammad and not to Jesus, because Muhammad is more like Moses than Jesus.
Also, one notices from the Gospel of John that the Jews were
waiting for the fulfillment of three distinct prophecies:
1) The coming of Christ, 2) The coming of Elijah, 3) The coming of the Prophet. This is obvious from the three questions that were posed
to John the Baptist:
“Now this was John’s testimony, when the
Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he
was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, ‘I am not
the Christ.’ They asked him, ‘Then who are you? Are you
Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered,
‘No.’” (John 1:19-21).
If we look in a Bible with crossreferences,
we will find in the marginal notes where the words “the
Prophet” occur in John 1:21, that these words refer to the prophecy
of Deuteronomy 18:15 and 18:18.1 We conclude from this that
Jesus Christ is not the prophet mentioned in Deuteronomy 18:18.
From the brothers of the Israelites:
Abraham had two sons, Ishmael and Isaac (Genesis 21).
Ishmael became the grandfather of the Arab nation, and Isaac
became the grandfather of the Jewish nation. The prophet spoken
of was not to come from among the Jews themselves, but from among their brothers the Ishmaelites. Muhammad a descendant
of Ishmael, is indeed this prophet. Some Evidence for the Truth of Islam.
Biblical Prophecies on the Advent of Muhammad , the Prophet of Islam.
Also, Isaiah 42:1-13 speaks of the servant of God, His “chosen
one” and “messenger” who will bring down a law. “He will not
falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In
his law the islands will put their hope.” (Isaiah 42:4). Verse 11,
connects that awaited messenger with the descendants of Kedar.
Who is Kedar? According to Genesis 25:13, Kedar was the second
son of Ishmael, the ancestor of the Prophet Muhammad.
God will put His words in the mouth of this prophet:
The words of God (the Holy Qur’an) were truly put into
Muhammad’s mouth. God sent the Angel Gabriel to teach
Muhammad the exact words of God (the Holy Qur’an) and asked
him to dictate them to the people as he heard them.
The words are therefore not his own. They did not come from his own thoughts, but were put into his mouth by the Angel Gabriel. During the life time of Muhammad and under his supervision, these words were then memorized and written by his companions.
Note that God has said in the prophecy of Deuteronomy: “If
anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in
my name, I myself will call him to account.” (Deuteronomy,
18:19). This means that whoever believes in the Bible must believe
in what this prophet says, and this prophet is Muhammad.
The Verses in the Qur’an That Mention
Future Events Which Later Came to Pass.
An example of the events foretold in the Qur’an is the victory
of the Romans over the Persians within three to nine years after the
Romans were defeated by the Persians. God has said in the Qur’an:
The Romans have been defeated in the nearest land (to the Arabian Peninsula), and they, after their defeat, will be victorious within
(three to nine) years.... (Qur’an, 30:2-4).
Miracles Performed by the Prophet Muhammad.
Many miracles were performed by the Prophet Muhammad
by God’s permission. These miracles were witnessed by many
people. For example:
When the unbelievers in Makkah asked the Prophet Muhammad
to show them a miracle, he showed them the splitting
of the moon.
Another miracle was the flowing of water through Muhammad’s
fingers when his companions got thirsty and had no
water except a little in a vessel. They came to him and told
him that they had no water to make ablution nor to drink except
for what was in the vessel. So, Muhammad put his hand in
the vessel, and the water started gushing out between his
fingers. So, they drank and made ablution. They were one
thousand five hundred companions.
The Simple Life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
If we compare the life of Muhammad before his mission as
a prophet and his life after he began his mission as a prophet, we
will conclude that it is beyond reason to think that Muhammad _
was a false prophet, who claimed prophethood to attain material
gains, greatness, glory, or power.
Before his mission as a prophet, Muhammad had no financial
worries. As a successful and reputed merchant, Muhammad
drew a satisfactory and comfortable income. After his mission as
a prophet and because of it, he became worse off materially.
To clarify this more, let us browse the following sayings on his life:
would sight three new moons in two months without lighting
a fire (to cook a meal) in the Prophet’s houses.” Her
nephew asked: “O Aunt, what sustained you?” She said: “The
two black things, dates and water, but the Prophet had some
Ansar neighbors who had milk giving she-camels and they
used to send the Prophet some of its milk.”
Sahl Ibn Sa’ad, one of Muhammad’s companions, said:
“The Prophet of God _did not see bread made from fine flour
from the time God sent him (as a prophet) until he died.”
Aa’isha, Muhammad’s wife, said: “The mattress of the
Prophet on which he slept, was made of leather stuffed with
the fiber of the date-palm tree.”
Amr Ibn Al-Hareth, one of Muhammad’s companions, said
that when the Prophet died, he left neither money nor
anything else except his white riding mule, his arms, and a
piece of land which he left to charity.
A revelation from (God), the Most Gracious,
the Most Merciful; a Book whereof the
verses are explained in detail; a Qur’an in
Arabic, for people who know, giving good
news and warning, yet most of them turn
away, so they do not listen. (Qur’an, 41:2-4)
Salvation from Hellfire.
God has said in the Qur’an:
Those who have disbelieved and died in
disbelief, the earth full of gold would not be
accepted from any of them if one offered it as
a ransom. They will have a painful punishment,
and they will have no helpers. (Qur’an, 3:91).
If you could but see when they are set before
the Fire (Hell) and say: “Would that we might
return (to the world)! Then we would not
reject the verses of our Lord, but we would
be of the believers!” (Qur’an, 6:27).
On the other hand, the one who
turns away from the Qur’an will have a
life of hardship in this world. God has
said:
But whoever turns away from the Qur’an,2
he will have a hard life, and We will raise him
up blind on the Day of Judgment. (Qur’an,
20:124).
Muslims believe in one, unique, incomparable God, Who has
no son nor partner, and that none has the right to be worshipped
but Him alone. He is the true God, and every other deity is false.
He has the most magnificent names and sublime perfect attributes.
No one shares His divinity, nor His attributes. In the Qur’an, God
describes Himself:
Say: “He is God, the One. God, to Whom
the creatures turn for their needs. He begets
not, nor was He begotten, and
there is none like Him.”(Qur’an, 112:1-4).
No one has the right to be invoked, supplicated,
prayed to, or shown any act of worship, but God alone.
God is not Jesus, and Jesus is not God. Even Jesus himself
rejected this.
God has said in the Qur’an:
Indeed, they have disbelieved who have
said: “God is the Messiah (Jesus), son of
Mary.” The Messiah (Jesus) said: “Children of Israel,
worship God, my Lord and your Lord.
Whoever associates partners in worship with
God, then God has forbidden Paradise for
him, and his home is the Fire (Hell). For the
wrongdoers,1 there will be no helpers.” _
(Qur’an, 5:72).
God is not a trinity. God has said in the Qur’an:
Indeed, they disbelieve who say: “God is the
third of three (in a trinity),” when there is no
god but one God. If they desist not from what
they say, truly, a painful punishment will
befall the disbelievers among them. Would
they not rather repent to God and ask His
forgiveness? For God is Oft-Forgiving, Most
Merciful. The Messiah (Jesus), son of Mary,
was no more than a messenger... (Qur’an,
5:73-75).
Muslims believe that God revealed books to His messengers
as proof for mankind and as guidance for them. Among these
books is the Qur’an, which God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad
God has guaranteed the Qur’an’s protection from any
corruption or distortion. God has said:
Indeed,We have sent down the Qur’an, and
surely We will guard it (from corruption).
(Qur’an, 15:9).
Muslims believe in the prophets and messengers of God,
starting with Adam, including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac,
Jacob, Moses, and Jesus (peace be upon them). But God’s final
message to man, a reconfirmation of the eternal message, was
revealed to the Prophet Muhammad . Muslims believe that
Muhammad is the last prophet sent by God, as God has said:
Muhammad is not the father of any one of
your men, but he is the Messenger of God and
the last of the prophets... (Qur’an, 33:40).
Muslims believe in the Day of Judgment (the Day of Resurrection)
when all people will be resurrected for God’s judgment
according to their beliefs and deeds
Examples of the Prophet
Muhammad’s Sayings
The believers, in their love, mercy, and kindness to one
another are like a body: if any part of it is ill, the whole
body shares its sleeplessness and fever.
The most perfect of the believers in faith are the best of
them in morals. And the best among them are those who
are best to their wives.
None of you believes (completely) until he loves for his
brother what he loves for himself.
The merciful are shown mercy by the All-Merciful.
Show mercy to those on earth, and God will show mercy
to you.
Smiling at your brother is charity... }5
{ A good word is charity
But those who die while not believing that “There is no true
god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of
God” or are not Muslim will lose Paradise forever and will be sent
to Hellfire, as God has said:
And whoever seeks a religion other than
Islam, it will not be accepted from him and he
will be one of the losers in the Hereafter. _
(Qur’an, 3:85)
And as He has said:
Those who have disbelieved and died in
disbelief, the earth full of gold would not be
accepted from any of them if it were offered
as a ransom. They will have a painful punishment,
and they will have no helpers. (Qur’an, 3:91)
One may ask, ‘I think Islam is a good religion, but if I were to
convert to Islam, my family, friends, and other people would
persecute me and make fun of me. So if I don’t convert to Islam,
will I enter Paradise and be saved from Hellfire?’
The answer is what God has said in the preceding verse: “And
whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will not be
accepted from him and he will be one of the losers in the
Hereafter.”
This life we live today is a very short life. The unbelievers on
the Day of Judgment will think that the life they lived on earth was
only a day or part of a day, as God has said:
He (God) will say: “How many years did
you stay on the earth?” They will say: “We
stayed a day or part of a day....” _ (Qur’an,
23:112-113)
And He has said:
Did you then think that We had created you
in jest (without any purpose), and that you
would not be returned to Us (in the Hereafter)?
So, God is exalted, the True King. None
has the right to be worshipped but Him... _
(Qur’an, 23:115-116)
The life in the Hereafter is a real life. It is not only spiritual,
but physical as well. We will live there with our souls and bodies.
In comparing this world with the Hereafter, Muhammad _ said:
{ The value of this world compared to that of the Hereafter is
like what your finger brings from the sea when you put it in and
then take it out. }1 That is, the value of this world compared to that
of the Hereafter is like a few drops of water compared to the sea.
Who Is the Prophet Muhammad ?
Muhammad _ was born in Makkah in the year 570. Since his
father died before his birth and his mother died shortly thereafter,
he was raised by his uncle who was from the respected tribe of
Quraysh. He was raised illiterate, unable to read or write, and
remained so till his death. His people, before his mission as a
prophet, were ignorant of science and most of them were illiterate.
As he grew up, he became known to be truthful, honest, trustworthy,
generous, and sincere. He was so trustworthy that they called
him the Trustworthy.1 Muhammad _ was very religious, and he
had long detested the decadence and idolatry of his society.
At the age of forty, Muhammad _ received his first revelation
from God through the Angel Gabriel. The revelations continued
for twenty-three years, and they are collectively known as the Qur’an.
As soon as he began to recite the Qur’an and to preach the truth
which God had revealed to him, he and his small group of followers
suffered persecution from unbelievers. The persecution grew so
fierce that in the year 622 God gave them the command to emigrate.
This emigration from Makkah to the city of Madinah, some 260
miles to the north, marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar.
After several years, Muhammad _and his followers were able
to return to Makkah, where they forgave their enemies. Before
Muhammad _ died, at the age of sixty-three, the greater part of the
Arabian Peninsula had become Muslim, and within a century of
his death, Islam had spread to Spain in the West and as far East as
China. Among the reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of
Islam was the truth and clarity of its doctrine. Islam calls for faith
in only one God, Who is the only one worthy of worship.
The Prophet Muhammad _ was a perfect example of an
honest, just, merciful, compassionate, truthful, and brave human
being. Though he was a man, he was far removed from all evil
characteristics and strove solely for the sake of God and His reward
in the Hereafter. Moreover, in all his actions and dealings, he was
ever mindful and fearful of God.
What Do Muslims Believe about Jesus?
Muslims respect and revere Jesus (peace be upon him). They
consider him one of the greatest of God’s messengers to mankind.
The Qur’an confirms his virgin birth, and a chapter of the Qur’an
is entitled ‘Maryam’ (Mary). The Qur’an describes the birth of
Jesus as follows:
(Remember) when the angels said: “O
Mary, God gives you good news of a word
from Him (God), whose name is the Messiah
Jesus, son of Mary, revered in this world and
the Hereafter, and one of those brought near
(to God). He will speak to the people from his
cradle and as a man, and he is of the righteous.”
She said: “My Lord, how can I have a
child when no mortal has touched me?” He
said: “So (it will be). God creates what He
wills. IfHe decrees a thing, He says to it only,
‘Be!’ and it is.”(Qur’an, 3:45-47).
Jesus was born miraculously by the command of God which
had brought Adam into being without a father. God has said:
The case of Jesus with God is like the case
of Adam. He created him from dust, and then
He said to him, “Be!” and he came into being.
(Qur’an, 3:59).
During his prophetic mission, Jesus performedmany miracles.
God tells us that Jesus said:
“I have come to you with a sign from your
Lord. I make for you the shape of a bird out
of clay, I breathe into it, and it becomes a bird
by God’s permission. I heal the blind from
birth and the leper. And I bring the dead to
life by God’s permission. And I tell you what
you eat and what you store in your
houses....” (Qur’an, 3:49).
Muslims believe that Jesus was not crucified. It was the plan
of Jesus’ enemies to crucify him, but God saved him and raised
him up to Him. And the likeness of Jesus was put over another
man. Jesus’ enemies took this man and crucified him, thinking
that he was Jesus. God has said:
They said: “We killed the Messiah Jesus,
son of Mary, the messenger of God.” They
did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but
the likeness of him was put on another man
(and they killed that man)... (Qur’an, 4:157).
What Does Islam Say about Terrorism?
Islam, a religion of mercy, does not permit terrorism. In the
Qur’an, God has said:
God does not forbid you from showing
kindness and dealing justly with those who
have not fought you about religion and have
not driven you out of your homes. God loves
just dealers. (Qur’an, 60:8).
The Prophet Muhammad used to prohibit soldiers from
killing women and children,2 and he would advise them: { ...Do
not betray, do not be excessive, do not kill a newborn child.
And he also said: Whoever has killed a person having a treaty
with the Muslims shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise.
though its fragrance is found for a span of forty years. }1
Also, the Prophet Muhammad has forbidden punishment
with fire.
He once listed murder as the second of the major sins, and he
even warned that on the Day of Judgment, The first cases to be
adjudicated between people on the Day of Judgment will be
those of bloodshed.
Muslims are even encouraged to be kind to animals and are
forbidden to hurt them. Once the Prophet Muhammad said:
A woman was punished because she imprisoned a cat until it
died. On account of this, she was doomed to Hell. While she
imprisoned it, she did not give the cat food or drink, nor did
she free it to eat the insects of the earth.
He also said that a man gave a very thirsty dog a drink, so God
forgave his sins for this action. The Prophet was asked: “Messenger
of God, are we rewarded for kindness towards animals?”
He said: There is a reward for kindness to every living animal
or human.
Additionally, while taking the life of an animal for food,
Muslims are commanded to do so in a manner that causes the least
amount of fright and suffering possible. The Prophet Muhammad
said: { When you slaughter an animal, do so in the best
way. One should sharpen his knife to reduce the suffering of
the animal. }
Human Rights and Justice in Islam.
Islam provides many human rights for the individual. The
following are some of these human rights that Islam protects.
The life and property of all citizens in an Islamic state are
considered sacred, whether a person is Muslim or not.
Islam also protects honor. So, in Islam, insulting others or making fun of them is not allowed. The Prophet Muhammad said: Truly
your blood, your property, and your honor are inviolable. }1
Racism is not allowed in Islam, for the Qur’an speaks of
human equality in the following terms:
O mankind, We have created you from a
male and a female and have made you into
nations and tribes for you to know one another.
Truly, the noblest of you with God is
the most pious.2 Truly, God is All-Knowing,
All-Aware. (Qur’an, 49:13).
Islam rejects certain individuals or nations being favored
because of their wealth, power, or race. God created human
beings as equals who are to be distinguished from each other only
on the basis of their faith and piety. The Prophet Muhammad said:
O people! Your God is one and your forefather (Adam)
is one. An Arab is not better than a non-Arab and a non-Arab
is not better than an Arab, and a red (i.e. white tinged with
red) person is not better than a black person and a black
person is not better than a red person,1 except in piety.
Islam is a religion of justice. God has said:
Truly God commands you to give back
trusts to those to whom they are due, and
when you judge between people, to judge with
justice.... (Qur’an, 4:58).
And He has said: ...And act justly. Truly, God loves those
who are just. (Qur’an, 49:9).
We should even be just with those who we hate, as God has
said: ...And let not the hatred of others make you
Avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety....
(Qur’an, 5:8).
The Prophet Muhammad said: { People, beware of injustice,
1 for injustice shall be darkness on the Day of Judgment.
And those who have not gotten their rights what they have
a just claim to) in this life will receive them on the Day of
Judgment, as the Prophet said:
On the Day of Judgment,
rights will be given to those to whom they are due (and wrongs
will be redressed)...
What Is the Status of Women in Islam?
Islam sees a woman, whether single or married, as an individual in her own right, with the right to own and dispose of
her property and earnings without any guardianship over her (whether that be her father, husband, or anyone else).
She has the right to buy and sell, give gifts and charity, and may spend her money as she pleases. A marriage dowry is given by the groom to the bride for her own personal use, and she keeps her own family name rather than taking her husband’s.
Islam encourages the husband to treat his wife well, as the
Prophet Muhammad said: The best among you are those who
Are best to their wives.
Mothers in Islam are highly honored. Islam recommends
treating them in the best way."
A man came to the Prophet Muhammad and said: “O Messenger of God! Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship?”
The Prophet _ said: (Your mother. ) The man said: “Then
who?” The Prophet _ said: { Then your mother. } The man
further asked: “Then who?” The Prophet _ said: { Then your
mother. } The man asked again: “Then who?” The Prophet _
said: { Then your father.
How Do Muslims Treat the Elderly?
In the Islamic world, one rarely finds “old people’s homes.”
The strain of caring for one’s parents in this most difficult time of
their lives is considered an honor and a blessing and an opportunity
for great spiritual growth. In Islam, it is not enough that we only
pray for our parents, but we should act with limitless compassion,
remembering that when we were helpless children, they preferred
us to themselves. Mothers are particularly honored. When Muslim
parents reach old age, they are treated mercifully, with kindness
and selflessness.
In Islam, serving one’s parents is a duty second to prayer, and
it is their right to expect it. It is considered despicable to express
any irritation when, through no fault of their own, the old become
difficult.
God has said:
Your Lord has commanded that you worship
none but Him, and that you be kind to
your parents. If one of them or both of them
reach old age with you, do not say to them a
word of disrespect, or scold them, but say a
generous word to them. And act humbly to
them in mercy, and say: “My Lord, have
mercy on them, since they cared for me when
I was small.” (Qur’an, 17:23-24).
The Testimony of Faith:
The testimony of faith is saying with conviction, “La ilaha
illa Allah, Muhammadur rasoolu Allah.” This saying means
“There is no true god but God (Allah),1 and Muhammad is the
Messenger (Prophet) of God.” The first part, “There is no true
god but God,” means that none has the right to be worshipped but
God alone, and that God has neither partner nor son.
Prayer:
Muslims perform five prayers a day. Each prayer does not
take more than a few minutes to perform. Prayer in Islamis a direct
link between the worshipper and God. There are no intermediaries
between God and the worshipper.
In prayer, a person feels inner happiness, peace, and comfort,
and that God is pleased with him or her. The Prophet Muhammad
said: { Bilal, call (the people) to prayer, let us be comforted
by it. }1 Bilal was one of Muhammad’s _companions who
was charged to call the people to prayers.
Giving Zakat (Support of the Needy):
All things belong to God, and wealth is therefore held by
human beings in trust. The original
meaning of the word zakat is both
‘purification’ and ‘growth.’ Giving
zakat means ‘giving a specified percentage
on certain properties to certain
classes of needy people.’ The
percentage which is due on gold, silver,
and cash funds that have reached
the amount of about 85 grams of gold and held in possession for
one lunar year is two and a half percent. Our possessions are
purified by setting aside a small portion for those in need, and, like
the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages
new growth.
A person may also give as much as he or she pleases as
voluntary alms or charity.
Fasting the Month of Ramadan:
Every year in the month of Ramadan,1 Muslims fast from dawn
until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and
sexual relations.
Although the fast is beneficial to health,
it is regarded principally as a method of spiritual
self-purification. By cutting oneself off
from worldly comforts, even for a short time,
a fasting person gains true sympathy with
those who go hungry, as well as growth in his or
her spiritual life.
The Pilgrimage to Makkah:
The annual pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah is an obligation once
in a lifetime for those who are physically and financially able to
perform it. About two million people go to Makkah each year from
every corner of the globe. Although Makkah is always filled with
visitors, the annual Hajj is performed in the twelfth month of the
Islamic calendar. Male pilgrims wear special simple clothes which
strip away distinctions of class and culture so that all stand equal
before God.
For More Information on Islam
If you would like more information on Islam, or if you
have any questions or comments, or for this book in other
languages, please visit the web site of this book at:
www.islam-guide.com
For a printed copy of this book, please visit:
www.islam-guide.com/copies
