Islam and Christianity, A Comparative Study

The book is quite a broad comparison of present day Christianity to Islam. It examines the gist of both on a few dimensions – the history, the scriptures, the doctrines and practises. The author persuasively argues that modern, Euro-centric Christianity contradicts the original message taught by Jesus Christ. Soon after him, religious leaders began preaching new ideas and the church authorities allowed alien faiths and rituals to contaminate the religion in a very significant way.

Preface

Assalaamu 'Alaikum,

Each of us is entitled to choose and adopt the religion that satisfies our own spiritual needs, answers the question we have and directs us to the path we may wish to follow. However no one has the privilege to promote his own faith by running down those adopted by others.

Maulana Muhammad Ali Zenjibari believes instead that when making comparison of faiths, we should heed the words as contained in Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord" and this is what he sets out to do in his book "Islam and Christianity: a Comparative Study".

Born on September 9th, 1960 in Zanzibar, Muhammad Ali, could recite the entire Qur'an in its Arabic rhythm at the age of twelve. Maulana M.A. Zenjibari also had a sound secular education. He was a graduate of the Teachers' Training College and taught from 1981 to 1984 at a few government schools in Zanzibar, Tanzania. He was later awarded a scholarship to study in the Islamic Republic of Iran from 1984 to 1992.

In 1984, after performing the Hajj (Pilgrimage to Makkah) he went on to Qom in Iran. During the next seven year he studied Islamic Law, Comparative Religion, Theology, Quranic Sciences, Logic, Philosophy, Arabic and Persian.

He holds Diploma in Islamic Science (Hujjatiyyah Theological School of Qom) and a Master’s Degree in Islamic Studies from the Qom Islamic Theological Seminaries. Maulana Zenjibari maintains a special interest in the study of comparative religion, in particular Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and Judaism.

In Feb. 1992 he arrived in Guyana as a Muslim Missionary under the agency of the International Islamic Propagation Office. From 1995 to 1998, he served as the Missionary Director of the Institute of Islamic Studies in Guyana. He recently retired from his missionary work in order to devote himself to fulltime research and writing in all fields of religion.

Maulana Zenjibari subscribes to the belief that there is only one race - the human race, and there is only one religion - the religion of the One True God. It is in this context that he has engaged in a comparative study of two of the world's major religions and it is hoped that all those who read his book will understand that his intention is not to offend, but instead to elucidate, educate and hopefully, integrate.

Maulana Muhammad Ali Zenjibari is married and is blessed with a son and two daughters.

Thanks,
Yours sincerely,
Yvonne L Teelucksingh
Trinidad, W.I

Date: 20th Jumada Thani 1419/11th October 1998

Introduction

In the Name of Allah Most Gracious, Most Merciful

All Praise is due to Allah, the Sustainer, the Designer and the Creator of all things. He created mankind out of His Love so that He might be Merciful unto them. We ask Allah to shelter His Final Messenger, Muhammad (S), Son of Abdullah and his entire household with His Divine Blessings and Mercy.

The Bible and the Qur'an are two important spiritual nourishments for the world. It is commonly accepted that the Bible is a sacred Christian scripture and that the Qur'an is the sacred Book of the Muslims. However, to me as a Muslim student of these two books, both are of great significance in my life.

Perhaps upon coming across this comment, a Muslim reader of this book may be tempted to ask, "Do Muslims need to use the Bible to seek the truth about God? The answer ultimately is "No!". This is so because Islamic beliefs are categorically and clearly explained in the Holy Qur'an and these beliefs are well known.

Here we will mention only some for the benefits of non-Muslim readers:

(1) Muslims believe that sins are not inherited.
(2) Muslims believe that the doctrine of "Trinity" is a fabrication and blasphemy.
(3) Muslims believe that Jesus is a Prophet of God unto the Children of Israel and he is highly revered by Muslims. But they neither regard him as God, nor as Son of God.
(4) God does not beget sons or daughters, neither was He begotten.
(5) Christ was neither killed nor crucified. To Muslims, the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus are myths.

In fact, if we were to use the Qur'an to explain the errors in the doctrines of Christianity and the unacceptability of many Christian dogmas, it would be a very simple task. However, since Christians do not accept the Qur’an as the truth from God, we have refrained from using it as evidence.

We are dealing with Christians worldwide who have been conditioned from childhood to accept these creeds - the original sin, the Trinity, the Divinity of Jesus, Son-ship of Jesus, his Crucifixion and his Resurrection - without questioning what they normally read from the Bible. To them the Bible is the only authentic source that can bring you to the absolute Truth.

Today, Muslims have a great task. They will need to depend on the same Bible to free their Christian brethren from the shackles that have bound their thinking and reasoning for the past two thousand years. The Holy Qur'an addresses the Christians in a very respectful manner. It addresses them by the title, "O people of the Book".

Christians inherited the laws of Moses by following Jesus who was an Orthodox and practicing Jew; they also inherited the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To Muslims, the original laws of Moses and the original Gospel of Jesus are sacred Scriptures. Both are regarded as inspired Books of God and it is for this that the Quran as “People of the Book” addresses Christians.

The Holy Qur'an commands Muslims to demand proofs and evidences from the Christians for the ‘fanciful and innovative’ doctrines by saying:

"Produce your proof, if you are truthful” Ch. 2:111

As for that, the Christians will simply say: our Bible is our proof! They have produced the Bible in over a thousand languages and distributed them freely throughout the world. The Bible is also being preached all over the world via radio stations and satellite television channel.

It is therefore, with a feeling of profound love and respect for both Jesus (A.S.) and Muhammad (S), and for the same religion that they preached and practiced that I have embarked on this comparative study between Islam - the religion of both Jesus and Muhammad (S) - and Christianity, the religion that has its roots in Judaism but was actually founded, preached and taught by Paul - who the Christians believe to be a prophet of the Gentiles.

The Message of Jesus and Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Them)

If at times I find myself disagreeing with the Christians, it is not over the religion of Jesus Christ but over that religion which had been altered, with its form and features distorted after the departure of Jesus Christ. For a reader of the New Testament and a seeker of truth, a brief comparison between the teachings of Christ and that of Paul will provide him the proof that the real founder of Christianity is Paul, not Jesus Christ.

Faith in God takes a spot in every human mind and heart. God, the creator, made mankind and all things and bestowed them with this nature of compliance and submission, designed for their own survival in their respective living environments. Man must submit to the highest divine order, which is the source of perfection and a means of suppressing all human flaws.

Man is an imperfect being, but fortunately he is aware this reality of himself. Therefore, he needs to be perfected and it is only by submitting and surrendering his life to Allah that this can be attained. This is why Allah created man and gave him the nature of submission so that he might grow gradually into that desired perfection of his soul. After we have known that it is in the nature of man is to submit and surrender to the highest divine authority, therefore, the true religion of man is within his own nature. Man needs to be perfected and sheltered with mercy, and it is only through this nature of submission and surrender to the Perfect and Merciful Being that man can attain these benefits.

Islam is not a religion as understood in western terminology but it is a way of life and the very nature of man. In fact, it is submission to the Will of God, and all prophets of God from Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (S) came to teach mankind how to explore this natural feature of submission so that he might achieve that mental and spiritual growth which would eventually perfect his soul and, eventually, his wellbeing.

For example, both Muhammad (S) and Jesus declared that their messages were indeed God's messages and that these were not their own or in any way authored by them. Jesus said; “…I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, He gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak..." John. 12:49.

The Holy Qur'an also confirms that the message brought by Muhammad (S) was not his own but was revelation from God, the Almighty. It says:

"Nor does he say (aught) of (his own) desire, it is revelation sent down to him..." (Holy Qur’an, 53:3-4)

Jesus described himself as a man inspired by God, which means he had heard the truth of inspiration from Almighty Allah. Jesus said; " now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God..." John. 8:40.

In other words, Jesus Christ, was a man created by God and was sent to this world as a warner, a prophet, a mediator and the Messiah. Thus, he never claimed to be God or God incarnate as believed by our modern day Christians who claim to be saved by the same Jesus who did not know anything about his Divinity or him being an incarnation of the Almighty God!

In the same way, Muhammad (S) never claimed to be God, but only a prophet and a messenger of God and that, the Holy Qur'an was sent down to him by Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, sometimes directly and sometimes through the medium of the True Spirit or the Holy Spirit.

In Islam, the True or Holy Spirit is identified as the Archangel Gabriel who was in fact, responsible for sending down all revelations to all prophets and righteous servants of Allah throughout the ages. The Holy Qur'an in this regard says:

"Verily this is a revelation from the Lord of the Worlds; with it came down the Spirit of Faith and Truth to thy heart and mind, that thou mayest admonish ... "(Holy Qur’an, 26:192-194)

Searching For Authenticity

The authenticity of any religion, to a large extent, is a function the textual purity of its Scripture - the degree of accuracy of the inspired book brought by its founder and how it was recorded and compiled. If the message, which was revealed by God to a Prophet, has not reached us exactly as it was delivered – instead, misreported and altered - then that religion may be regarded as having digressed from the truth.

If we examine the historical and religious realities visible to our eyes; we will discover that both the Old and the New Testament of the present Bible are clear examples of altered, distorted, corrupted, false and tampered religious texts although many people doubt and deny this.

My dear reader, the search for the truth is the most important mission in your life on earth. This is the only reason for your being and your existence on this planet - so that by learning the truth and abiding by it, you may come to God, your Creator, with the perfect understanding of His Being and the true nature of His religion.

To find the truth is very simple, although at times, it appears difficult for the tainted mind. To enable you to seek and find this truth, you only need to observe the following simple rules:

(1) Be truthful and sincere in your search for the truth itself and nothing else.

(2) Let your mind be prepared to exercise balance in reasoning and to analyze things rationally and without prejudices.

(3) Place your trust always in God, pray to Him to open your heart, as He is the only One that can change your heart to the truth which you are now searching for.

Our problem today is not that we do not read. But it is that we are too proud and unjustifiably sure of ourselves. We are prone to prejudices, and inclined to rationalize untruths. Some people see black and consider it to be white; some cling tightly to the religion of their families for no reason other than that it was their family tradition or legacy; thus the religion becomes another thing they inherit just like a family name, money, houses, or furniture.

The worst thing of all is to see people read with little understanding and without any willingness to truly benefit from the knowledge they gain. Therefore, when you read, please prepare yourself to find the truth and to transform yourself according to what seems to be the truth in accordance with various evidences and arguments.

Perhaps, the truth, which you are searching for, may shock you on your first encounter with it and sometimes it may be too heavy or too unpleasant to accept. But remember that, this cannot change the reality that this is the truth which each of us must accept and believe in. Now, after ten years of research on Christianity and the Bible, I present here a summary of my findings to those who wish to hear the truth with their hearts and minds, and to the genuine seekers of truth.

After having read the Bible carefully, I have found that, it contains many major flaws and convey unacceptable messages:

(1) False and unauthentic texts bearing descriptions which are unbecoming of God and the sanctity and majesty of His Being. For example, it is very odd to see that the Bible viewed God as a Being who does sleep! It says: "Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord"? Psalm. 44:23

It also says; "Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine" Psalm. 78:65.

Again, according to the Bible, "And it reputed the Lord that He made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom 1have created from the face of the earth." Gen. 6:6-7.

Also, the Bible portrays God as a being who abuses Himself saying: "Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous" Jeremiah. l0:19. It is obvious that if the Bible were an inspired Word of God, these false texts and absurdities would have not been found therein.

(2) In the Bible, there are inaccurate texts, falsely describing some Prophets and righteous men of adultery, fornication and worshipping idols! The Bible carries tales of Lot committing adultery with his own daughters after they made him drunk with wine. It also told about Samson sleeping with a prostitute and Solomon having worshipped idols after having been influenced by a woman he loved.

For more of other odd tales, you may read the Holy Bible, with these references:

Gen. 9:21, Gen.19:30, Gen. 38:15, Gen. 35:22, Gen. 49:4, Ex. 15: 20, Ex. 32: 2, Judges.14:19, Judges. 15:5, Judges. 16:1, 1 Sam. 19:23, 2 Sam. 6:20, 2 Sam. 11:1, 2 Sam. 12:10, 2 Sam. 13:1, Hosea. 1:2, 1 Kings. 11:3.

(3) In the Bible, there are sexually explicit and even almost pornography-equivalent stories packed with graphic physical details. In my view, such sexually explicit and pornography-like stories could have unhealthy influence on the sexual conduct of youths.

For such sexually explicit stories in the Bible, the readers may refer to:

(a) Proverbs. 7:7; Songs. 1:13; 3:1.

(b) Surprisingly, the Bible is a book of flirtation according to the following passages: Songs. 4:1; 8:8, Proverbs. 5:18.

(c) The sexually explicit language in the Bible: Ezekiel.15, 16:1, 23:2-16, 26, and 33.

(d) God of the Bible makes people fall in evil and adultery! Amos.7:16, Jeremiah.8:9, 13:22, Isaiah. 3:16, Jeremiah, Nah. 3:, Hosea. 2:2
And now you wonder why things are not getting better!

(e) Astonishingly, the Bible teaches us how we must punish our wives after they have rescued us from our enemies. It says: "When men strive together with one another, and the wife of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets: seizes him the private parts, then you shall cut off her hand, thine eye shall have no pity on her" Deuteronomy. 25:11.

What has this poor woman done? Was it a sin to rescue her husband? It should be remembered that the act of seizing the private parts of her husband’s enemy was her only means of rescuing her husband. How then could it be possible for a Merciful God to command that the hand of this poor woman to be cut off without any sympathy? Can this be God's judgment?

(4) Another thing that I found most irrelevant in the Bible is its narration of odd stories and tales, which are loaded with superstitions. One of these legends told in the Bible is the story of the trees, which called for their regional election; these trees elect their leaders like human beings, as you will see this with your own eyes in the coming pages.

The biblical notion on the reason for women’s labour pain has no logical and religious support and the assumed divine command for the Jews to eat their own feces and their own impurities is abhorrent. The Bible says; "And thou shalt eat it as barley cakes, and thou shalt bake it with dung that cometh out of man, in their sight" Ezekiel. 4:12-13.1

(5) One also reads in the Bible the story of a physically strong demon-possessed man whom no man could arrest and capture. Even when he was chained, he could still break away. The man would not be bound with anything except he broke it. This man, according to the biblical story, was possessed by many evil spirits. He cut himself with stones for years without dying or losing strength. You may read all these superstitious tales in: (a) Mark. 5:1-14 and other weird things in (b) Judges. 9:8-32, (c) Genesis. 3: 16, (d) 2 Kings. 18: 27.

(6) According to the Bible Woman is evil and wicked. Maybe this Biblical statement has played the greatest role in motivating people throughout the world in that shameful practice of mistreating women and enslaving them. "The leaden cover was lifted, there was a woman sitting, and he (the angel) said; this is wickedness " Zechariah. 5:7.

(7) You could marry the women by force, there is no need of their consent as stated in Deut. 25:5, 7.

(8) The Bible command the killing of women, children, stealing women and kidnapping them for the purpose of making them wives; permission also is given by the Bible to capture our fellow men and make them slaves. Read these astonishing claims in Ezekiel. 9:5, Numb. 31:1, Joshua. 6:16·;16:10; Judges. 21:10 and Judges. 21:21.

Conclusion

Despite all these tales, superstitions, unjust instruction and many astonishing forged texts in the Bible (including many contradictions both in the Old and New Testament) there are still many who know nothing about the presence of these strange, absurd and unworthy contents in this Book known as "the Holy Bible". Millions who are the victims of lies and deceit of the Europeans and other Christian missionaries faithfully believe it to be the Book of Almighty God!

Perhaps there are various reasons that have led many Christians not to know much about those flawed texts that exist in the Bible. Some of the reasons could be:

(1) The length of the Bible and the language used therein do no encourage a layman to read all parts of the Bible on a daily basis; It is too long for a layman to make it a habit to read its texts regularly. The Bible has 66 books comprising 732 pages. Some Bibles has 73 books comprising 1,500 pages and are apparently difficult for a layman to read.

(2) The fact that most Christians customarily do not adopt a critical approach in reading the Bible and instead maintain it as a mere religious tradition, is a major factor leading to ignorance about the truth as to the flaws is some of its contents.

(3) The priests and pastors who choose for their parishioners what to read and where to focus their attention on. This had made many Christians conditioned to ‘deliberate ignorance‘ resulting in rather little initiatives to explore the Bible independently.

In conclusion, I suggest to both Muslims and Christians that they study the Bible and the Qur’an and compare their messages and contents in a critical, unbiased and rational manner. They must avoid prejudices and fanaticism, as these are the obstacles between man and truth.

"May Allah, guide us to His Obedience and to truth and righteousness".

Amen.

1. How could God, the Pure Lord and untainted Being command people to eat unclean stuffs? Is this a revelation from God? Does He speak and command all these strange things which are not even worthy of mention?

Chapter 1: Historical Comparison

A Brief History of the Bible and the Qur'an

The Qur'an is the most sacred book of Islam. It was divine inspiration and revelation by God to Muhammad (S) through the medium of the Holy Spirit, the Archangel Gabriel, about fourteen hundred years ago.

The Holy Qur'an consists of 114 Chapters written in classical Arabic language and it was revealed to Muhammad (S) over a period of twenty-three years.

The first Qur'anic revelation came to him when he was forty years old while he was engaged in his daily meditation somewhere in a cave known as "Hiraa", which is about three miles outside the city of Mecca.

Muhammad (S) was in the state between sleep and wakefulness when he saw a vision of the revelation. The Angel who came in the form of man spoke to him while in the state of vision and consciousness as prophesized and foretold by Isaiah the Prophet, saying: "…For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. And the vision of all is become as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, read this, I pray thee, and he saith, I cannot, for it is sealed: And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee, and he saith I am not learned..'' Isaiah. 29: 10-12.

Dear reader, this book as foretold by Isaiah, was delivered to one who was unlearned and he was no other than Muhammad (S), the prophet of Islam. That revealed book according to Isaiah was sealed and the inability of the learned one to read that book was due to its strange origin. Isaiah here is that learned one who could not read the Qur'an as it was in the Arabic language while his own language was Hebrew.

The Unlearned in the prophecy of Isaiah was Muhammad (S) who had not attended any reading or writing course in his entire life; since he was unlettered, he also could not read "the Book", but the Lord taught him how to both read and preach that Book to the whole world.

Although, Muhammad (S) himself was unlettered and illiterate in the sense that he had no formal education, he did not lack intelligence that in world history there had been no one among the Prophets or secular leaders who was as successful in his mission as Muhammad (S).

The Holy Qur'an proclaims the oneness of God, denounces idolatry and lays down the basic tenets to guide mankind in their social, religious, economic and political lives. This book does not contain the utterance of Muhammad (S), as the whole Book is an inspiration from God whom Muslims call "Allah" which simply means, "The Creator".

Since Muslims traditionally hold the Arabic language as sacred, their prayers and other religious rituals are conducted and observed in Arabic. This religious tradition of the Muslims has caused delay in the translation of the Qur'an into various major languages spoken in the world.

Now, however, for the past 400 years, Muslims have translated the Qur'an into various languages. Thus, there have been translations of the Holy Qur'an in most of the major languages of the world, including English, German, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Malay, Portuguese, French and Latin.

The latest information we have is that, apart from the languages already mentioned, translations of the Holy Qur'an in several other languages of the world are soon to be released. This will facilitate Islamic propagation efforts throughout the four corners of the globe.

Authenticity of the Qur'an

Apart from the Holy Qur'an, there is no other book on the face of the earth that has always remained authentic for fourteen centuries, without being distorted or losing its original text and flavor. As Muslims, we can say without fear of contradictions that, there is no doubt about the authenticity of the Holy Qur'an. The Qur'an contains nothing but the revelations received by Prophet Muhammad (S) from the creator of the universe.

These revelations came to him in fragments and from time to time. As soon as he received these revelations, he would communicate them to his companions and whom he requested not only to commit them to memory, but also to write them down. His companions wrote down these revelations, under the close supervision of the Prophet Muhammad (S) himself.

The complete Qur'an was committed to writing and memory and was thus preserved physically and in the hearts of hundreds of the Prophet's followers during the very lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (S). There are many famous followers of Prophet Muhammad (S) who wrote the Qur'an in the lifetime of the Prophet himself, among them Ali Bin Abi Talib (a.s), Zaid Bin Thabit (r.a) and Abdullah Bin Mas'oud (r.a). The companions of Prophet Muhammad (S) wrote the revelations that had come to the Prophet on parchments or pieces of leather.

Zaid Bin Thabit by the order of Abu Bakr (r.a) later collected all of these revelations, which were written on parchments and leather. After comparing them all with what the followers of Prophet Muhammad (S) had learnt by heart, he compiled a copy of the Qur'an in the form of a book. The Qur'an had already been written and existed on different objects such as animal skins, clay jars, the bark of trees, wooden materials etc.

The copy which was compiled by Zaid was called "Mus'haf' (bound leaves). Mus'haf is a copy of the Holy Qur'an in which its genuineness and correctness are absolute; thus there is no doubt or error that can be attributed to this Book by anyone who knows the history and the accuracy of the Holy Qur'an in all its dimensions of life.

During the time of the third Caliph, Othman, the Muslim empire expanded and there was a need to have more copies of the Holy Qur'an, at least in every major city of the Muslim world. In this era, seven copies of the Qur'an - confirmed by those who memorized it and the Scribes - were prepared and sent to different parts of the vast Islamic world. Out of these seven copies one is still in existence in Tashkent, sent out in the first century of Islam nearly 1,400 years ago. Tashkent is a city in the former republic of the Soviet Union.

The Czarist government of Russia had made a facsimile reproduction of the Qur'an and despite the enormous time gap; it was found that this copy was completely identical with other texts in use all over the world.

On the contrary, what we see in Christianity is that out of the 24,000 different manuscripts and versions of the Bible, which the world of Christendom boasts of, no two among them are identical! This is a clear evidence to prove the existence of tampering with and corrupting of the Bible - a book believed by Christians to be inspired by God.

In his article entitled the "Ten Unique Features of Islam" which appeared in Mahjubah Islamic Magazine Vol.16 No: 11, Mir Mahmoud Daawati, under the heading "The Unchanged Qur'an" made the following remarks: "Of all religious books, the Holy Qur'an has remained unaltered, unedited, unchanged. Whether non-Muslim scholars accept the Qur'an as the Word of God or as the work of the Prophet Muhammad (S) is immaterial (in this regard). What is important (here) is that, (all non-Muslims thinkers) are unanimous in the view that its language and its wording have remained in its original form, and this is unique to Islam; as all other declared divine books have been edited, rehashed and revised by their votaries with the passage of time".

The followers of the other respective religions do not deny this fact but they claim that these changes and alterations were made by saintly persons under divine inspiration. In this respect, the Western world has adopted a double standard; on the one hand, it prefers the original works of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle to the interpretations and translations of Muslims and non-Muslims thinkers. On the other hand, when it comes to the Old and the New Testament of the Bible, it accepts all translations and tampering as "divinely inspired".

In addition to this, no scholar, Eastern or Western, Muslim or non-Muslim, has ever cast any doubt on the purity of the text of the Holy Qur'an in the manner that they have come, openly, to cast doubt on the authenticity of the Bible with scientific evidences. Even a hostile critic of Islam and the Holy Qur'an as Sir William Muir says about the Qur'an: "there is probably in the world no other book which has twelve centuries with so pure a text" (Now fourteen centuries).1

Muhammad is a Real Historical Figure

A brief comparison between Prophet Muhammad (S) and Jesus Christ will show that Muhammad (S) was a real historical figure, more so than Jesus Christ as regard to the existence of documented facts. Accounts of the Prophet's life have been recorded in many books and religious documents and there are no contradictions concerning either the genealogy or biography of Prophet Muhammad (S). As for Jesus, even the Gospel Writers have written strange things concerning him with regard to both his historical existence and his biography!

The man whom the Christians call "Jesus Christ'' was born and lived 2,000 years ago in Jerusalem when Israel was under the occupation and colonization by the Roman Empire, at a time when that Empire was at its prime and had many eminent historians and writers who could recording every development within the occupied Israel.

In fact Jesus was born at a time when the Roman Empire was a force to be reckoned with and had full control of information within their territories. Despite such situation, none from among these writers and historians mentioned the birth of a man called Jesus Christ, his mission and life and his crucifixion or his being raised from the dead except one Jewish historian known as Josephus who made only a casual reference. In fact, this is considered to be a historian's addition, which was made many years after the birth and the mission of Christ!

As the birth of Jesus Christ was not recorded by any known historian in his lifetime, some modem western critics doubt the very existence of Jesus and think that Christianity is a revival of the Old Egyptian cult of Isis-Osiris on whom the names of their religious leaders and Prophets are nowhere to be found except in their own religious documents.

Contradictions Surrounding the Personality of Jesus Christ

We Muslims believe that a man whom the Christians call Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary miraculously, by the power of the Almighty God, without any sexual intervention. Thus he has no genealogy as he does not have an earthly human father. One of the greatest errors, which are found in the Bible, is the act of attributing different and contradictory genealogy of male ancestors to Jesus Christ - a man who did not have this human paternal ancestry.

We read in the Gospel according to Matthew 1:18, that Jesus was a son of David through his son Solomon, but in the Gospel according to Luke. 3:23, Jesus is the son of David through his son Nathan. An interesting point is that if both Solomon and Nathan are two sons of David, then how could it be possible for Jesus to be born through two different ancestral lineages?

Another strange and confusing thing is that in both genealogies, Jesus Christ is described as being the son of Joseph! Again, a man who has no father has been assigned Joseph as his father! Also, the genealogy of Jesus Christ given in Matthew 1:18 contains 27 names of his supposed ancestors but the genealogy of the same Jesus Christ given by Luke. 3:23 contains 42 other different names of his supposed ancestors! Another anomaly can be found when we read that the father of Joseph in Mathew. l:l6-18 is Jacob while that in Luke. 3:23 is Heli. Was Joseph the son of Heli or son of Jacob?

The significant mistakes and errors condoned by the Bible writers on the account of the genealogy and biography of Jesus Christ is clear evidence that the Bible is not an inspired Word of God. Had it been a divinely inspired Book, God would have removed all of these human errors and mistakes especially when these errors surround this very important personality of the New Testament. This will simply mean that the biography of Jesus was not even known to the so-called writers of his life account. Therefore, the Western critics of Christianity have all the reason to believe that Jesus was a fabricated personality and that there never existed such a man with that name and identity in Israel.

Apart from Jesus himself, his disciples also were not clearly known and there was much confusion among the Gospel writers concerning their correct names. I wonder where the Holy Spirit was at that moment, which these Gospel writers were not taught or reminded of the correct names of the said twelve Disciples of Christ.

In Matthew.l0:2 and Mark.3: 16, the twelve names of the disciples of Jesus are given as follows: (1) Simon the Canaanite (2) Simon called Peter (3) Andrew (4) James Son of Zebedee (5) John (6) Philip (7) Bartholomew (8) Matthew (9) Thomas (10) James son of Alpheus (11) Labaous called Thaddeus (12) Judas the Escariot.

However in the Gospel according to Luke 6:14, the names of the disciples of Jesus Christ are as follows: (1) Simon called Peter (2) Andrew his brother (3) James the son of Zebedee (4) John his brother (5) Philip (6) Bartholomew (7) Matthew the tax collector. (8) Thomas (9) James the son of Alpheus (10) Simon called Zelotes (11) Judas the brother of James (12) Judas Iscariot. Here we are given names of the disciples different from those given to us by Matthew 10:2 and by Mark 3:16.

Again, we as thinking humans must ask ourselves: "... were these disciples unknown to the Gospel writers or were they unknown to the Holy Ghost...” We cannot reply by saying that these disciples were unknown to the writers of the Gospel, as the Christians believe that these very writers of the Gospels were divinely inspired by God. If that were the fact, how would it be possible that we still see and read conflicting accounts on the same matter addressed in the Bible?

This is Not a Reality

(1) Paul says: "Jesus appeared to the twelve when he arose from the dead" 1 Cor. 15:5; but Matthew says: "Jesus appeared to the eleven after he rose from the dead" Matt. 28:16.

(2) According to John, Jesus said: "though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true " John 8:14, but in the same Gospel he contradicted what he had said earlier by saying: "If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. " John. 5:31.

(3) In another place, Jesus says: "those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition (Judas Iscariot)" John. 17:12, but in another statement Jesus is reported to have said: "that the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, of them which thou gavest me have I lost none" John. 18: 9.

What are these contradictory statements from Jesus? Of course, this could not have been Jesus as he never contradicted himself, but it remains for Christians to tell us now why all these contradictions appear in the book believed to have come from God?

(4) It seems again that Jesus had contradicted himself when he had included Judas Iscariot in that divine blessing saying: "... ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel " Matthew. 19:28. This would mean that Judas Iscariot is one among those twelve disciples who would be given the highest positions by the Almighty God on the Day of Judgment but the same Jesus contradicting his above statement by saying: "The Son of man goes as it is written of him, but woe unto that man (Judas Iscariot) by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It had been good for that man if he had not been born". Matthew 26:24.

(5) John reported Jesus to have said that: "God is with me; The Father has not left me alone" John. 8:29, but Matthew reported him to have said, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me" Matthew. 27:46.

(6) In the Gospel according to John we read that Jesus started his mission of preaching even before John was put in prison. We read, "After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the Land of Judea, and there he tarried with them, and baptized. For John (the Baptist) was not yet cast into the prison "John. 3:22-26.

But in the Gospel according to Matthew, we are told that; ". Now, when Jesus had heard that John was cast in the prison, he departed into Galilee, from that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand". Matthew. 4: 12-17. This would simply mean that Jesus had started his mission of preaching after John the Baptist had already been imprisoned, and this is contrary to what we have just read in the Gospel of John. Why do all these contradictions exist in the book believed to have been inspired by God?

(7) Now, where is the Native place of Jesus Christ? In John 4:3 and John 4:43-45, we are made to understand that Jesus was a native of Judea, and so according to Jesus. "A Prophet is not to be honored in his native place". Thus we can assume here that, Jesus was not honored in Judea, but according to the Gospel of Matthew, (Matthew. 13:54-58) we understand that Jesus was a native of Galilee, and so, he was not honored in Galilee and not in Judea as in the Gospel of John.

(8) In the Gospel according to Luke, (Luke. 24:50-51), we are told that, " Jesus was carried up into heaven at Bethany .” but in the Acts. 1:12, we understand that, the "ascension of Jesus to Heaven took place at Mount Olivet...''

(9) Jesus concealed his plan from his brothers, this concealment lead him to lie, and so broke the commandment "thou shalt not lie". According to the Gospel, he said to his brothers; "Go to the feast yourselves; I am not going up to the feast, and after his brothers were gone, he also went up, not publicly but in private..." John. 7:8-10.2

The History and the Origin of the Bible

(1) The name "Bible" came from the Greek word "Biblia" which means "the books". It is the sacred scripture of the Christian religion, comprising the Old and the New Testaments and Apocrypha. The term Apocrypha means "doubtful" and it refers to more than fourteen non-canonical books of the Old and the New Testament of the Bible that, having been found doubtful, were not canonized in the Bible by the Biblical Scholars.

These non-canonical books of the Old Testament were written in Greek in the first and second century (B.C.). They did not appear in the Hebrew Version of the Bible although they were found in the Septuagint and Vulgate. Some of these Biblical Apocrypha books are Tobit, The Wisdom of Solomon, Susana and Bel and the Uragon. But these Apocrypha were accepted by the Roman Church at the Council of Trend in 1546 as canonical, correct and sacred books.

(2) Although the Apocrypha are regarded by the Catholics as canonical, correct and sacred, in the Anglican Church, the Apocrypha are read only for instructions but not for the establishment of doctrines and dogmas. The term Apocrypha of the New Testament is also applied to the numerous unauthenticated writings of the early Christian era, e.g. the Epistle of Clement, the book of the "Shepherds of Hemas", the Gospel of Barnabas, and the Gospel of Thomas etc.

The Old Testament, nearly all of which was written in Hebrew and was compiled by many human hands between 850-300 BC and during its period of writing, incorporated many oral traditions and religious customs of the Jews and other neighboring nations of earlier date. Until the discovery of the "Dead Sea Scrolls" which is the earliest manuscript in Hebrew dated only from AD. 895, the earliest translation of the Old Testament was the Alexandrine Greek Septuagint (250-100 BC, and St. Jerome's Latin Vulgate of AD 342-420). The latter is the version accepted as authentic by the Roman Catholic Church, and was translated into English in the Rheims-Douay Version of 1582-1610. The first complete English Bible was the one known as "The Coverdale Edition" of 1535.

(3) The Old Testament was divided by the Jews into the Law, the Prophets and the Sacred writings; it was then edited under the influence of the priestly tradition of the 5th century BC, with its emphasis on the Jewish idea that they were “chosen children of God” as in Genesis to Numbers. Many of the books of the Bible were written by different hands in different periods; e.g. there are two contradictory accounts of ‘the creation’ in Genesis and Isaiah indicating that these were authored by at least two or three persons probably of the 8th, 6th and 5th centuries BC, respectively.3

This is what has been said in the Holy Qur'an on the question of writing the books with the hands without any permission from God:

"... Woe unto those who write the book with their own hands and then say, this is from God, so that for that, they might gain a little benefit, and woe unto them for what their hands have written, and woe unto them for what they have unlawful earned ... " (Holy Qur’an, 2:79)

Roughly three quarters of the Bible is commonly known as the "Hebrew Scriptures" and the Bible itself can be divided into three groups; the first group comprises the 17 historical books from Genesis to Esther; the second group is made up of 5 poetic books from Job to the Song of Solomon and the third group is composed of the 17 Prophetic books that range from Isaiah to Malachi.

For about 1,500 years after the advent of Jesus Christ, there was not an English Bible in the world. The first translation of the Bible into English was done in 1525 AD by Tyndale, the second English translation by Coverdale in 1535 AD, the third translation - which was known as "The Great Bible" - was published in the year 1539 AD.

The fourth translation in the year was in 1540 AD. The fifth English translation known as ‘the Geneva Bible’ was translated in the year 1560 AD. The sixth English translation or what was commonly known as "The Bishop's Bible" was translated and published around 1575 AD by Bishop Parker.

When King James of England acceded to the throne in 1603 AD, the authenticity of the Bible was being questioned and many scholars doubted its originality. Hence the King appointed forty scholars to correct errors contained in The Bishop's Bible” version and in 1611 AD they published a new Bible which was named after as "The Authorized King James Version".

" Then woe to those who write the Book with their hands, and then say: 'This is from Allah', to traffic with it for a miserable price! Woes to them for what their hands write, and for the gain they make thereby ... " (Holy Qur’an, 2:79)

According to the Jehovah Witnesses, the same "Authorized King James Version" which had been checked through by forty scholars on the order of King James has about 50,000 errors and according to some Christian sources, the Authorized King James Version has about 20,000 errors. Although it contains all of these errors, this very Bible was viewed and considered authentic for about two hundred and fifty nine years (259 years).

In 1870 AD, the Church appointed a special group of Christian Biblical Scholars of the highest eminence to remove those mistakes and errors that had remained in the Authorized King James Version. These Scholars did their job and as usual, they claimed that they had managed to remove all of those errors, which were in the English Bible.

In 1884, when the Europeans held their historical meeting which was aimed at dividing Africa and Asia among themselves as new colonies which would then give them the raw materials to develop Europe, these Christian scholars were also busy publishing a new version of the Bible suitable to be distributed and propagated in these new Europeans colonies especially those in Africa. This new Version that was published in the year 1884 AD was known as "The Revised Standard Version" of the Bible.

Coincidence

The Europeans began to aggressively raid and invade the African continent in search of slaves in about 1611 AD, the year King James authorized and released his version of the Bible to the world. Here, we have the year 1884 AD, in which an important conference was held in Berlin to determine who was going to colonize Africa and other parts of the world, whereas in the same year the Revised Standard Version of the Bible was ready to be dispatched to the new European colonies! Where else if not Africa!

In another booklet, I shall deal with subject of the European's barbarism and their manipulation of the Bible in achieving their economic, social and political goals in Africa, in particular, and in what is known by them as the ‘third world’ in general.

What about The New Testament?

The remaining 27 books of the New Testament are known as "The Christian Greek Scriptures" for they were originally written in Greek and not in Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus Christ. These 27 books are arranged basically according to their subject matter, and because of this, they are also divided into three parts:

(a) The 5 historical books, which are the 4 Gospels and the book of the Acts.

(b) The 21 letters and Epistles addressed to various nations and communities.

(c) And the book of Revelation.

(1) The New Testament was first written in Greek. It begins with the three synoptic Gospels, which record the acts and sayings of Christ; the earliest of these Gospels was written by Mark from the dictation of St. Peter in AD 60. The Gospels according to Matthew and Luke were written a little later and were based partly on Mark. The fourth Gospel is that of John. Then follows the Acts of the Apostles, which recounts the mission and expansion of the Church through the work of Peter, Barnabas, Paul and Stephen, etc.

(2) There are also various epistles to Churches, mostly written by Paul who claimed to be a Prophet of the Gentiles, and to be inspired by Jesus in his remarkable vision while on his way to Damascus as recounted in the book of Acts. Also in the New Testament, there is the book of Revelation which is believed to be written in accordance with the vision of John, but the earliest copies and texts of all of these books of the New Testament were first written on Greek papyri of the 2nd and 3rd centuries, the codex Vaticanus and codex Sinaiticus of the 4th century and then the Vulgate.

(3) The world has witnessed various attempts by the Church to produce different versions of the Bible in more modern language with the ancient errors and obscurities corrected! Among the versions produced for the sole purpose of correcting those ancient errors that existed in the Bible are; the Version of Moffat which was published in 1913 AD, the Version of Ronald Knox which was published in 1955 AD, the American Revised Version which was published in 1952 AD and the British New English Version of the Bible, published in 1961 AD.

The Nature and Composition of the Gospels

We come across many ‘inspired words’ of Jesus in the Gospels which were composed between 40 and 80 years after his departure, on the basis of some earlier documents, which are now lost! Biblical Scholars have identified these earlier lost documents as:

(I) "Q" (German Quelle = Source) a lost document (originally) in Aramaic language, which reached the writers of the Gospels only in a Greek translation.

(2) Urmarcus = Primitive Mark, which is an earlier draft of Mark's Gospel written on the basis of Peter's discourses about Jesus.

(3) "L" which is a document that contains the collection of reports about Jesus Christ used only by Luke, the disciple of Paul.

We have said earlier that the first Gospel written was that of Mark. It is said to have been written in Rome at least forty years after the so-called crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Gospel as we have it today is considered to be an expanded version of Urmarcus, which is Mark’s writings, and his own understanding of the life of Christ. However, Papias, an influential Christian writer of the early period said that: "The elder John used to say, Mark having become Peter's interpreter, wrote down accurately whatsoever he remembered".4

It was not in the exact order that he related the sayings or deeds of Christ for he neither heard the Lord nor accompanied him, but subsequently attached himself to Peter who used to frame his teachings to meet the needs of his hearer, sand not as making a connected narrative of the Lord's discourses.5

The Gospel according to Matthew was written in Greek at Antioch about 90 CE (Christ Era). The author of this book made use of at least two lost documents -"Q" and "Urmarcus", and no independent scholar regards this Gospel as the work of Matthew, the Apostle of Jesus. Rather, they are of the view that if Matthew had composed anything, it must have been only the same "Q" document mentioned earlier.

It is believed that someone unknown (and not Matthew) had undertaken the liberty to author the present Gospel, which is attributed to Matthew with the help of the original material of this Gospel found in document Q.

In this regard, another Christian Bible scholar, C. J. Cadoux says about the Gospel of Matthew:

"But a close examination of the treatment he gives to his borrowings from Mark shows that he allowed himself great freedom in editing... his material in the interest of what he regarded as the rightful honoring of the great Master.

The same tendency is often visible elsewhere when he is producing "Q" or providing matter peculiar to himself. Anything, therefore, strictly peculiar to "Matthew" can be accepted as historical only with great caution ... ". 6

According to scholastic research, the New Testament in general, and the four famous Gospels in particular are not the inspired words of the Almighty God, the Creator of the heavens and earth. Some of these Gospels were written just for the purpose of achieving the desires of the flesh as some of them were written for the kings and the Roman governors of that time. This fact can be easily verified from the testimony of Luke himself.

Luke, while explaining the reasons for writing his gospel, has astonished the whole world by admitting the fact that he was not inspired by God, as assumed by Christians. But according to Luke himself, he was only persuaded to write his gospel after seeing many people doing so and that he had wanted badly to write this gospel for His Excellency Theophilus and not for the Jews or the Gentiles.

Luke has clearly confessed, saying: "For as much as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eye witnesses, and ministers of the word; it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed" Luke l:l- 4.

Thus, the Gospel according to Luke was put in writing in about 80 AD and this gospel was actually written for His Excellency Theophilus, a Roman Emperor, as we have seen and not for poor Indians, poor Chinese, poor Africans and many others who live in the so-called "third world countries".

However, today it is not strange to see a poor black man from Africa or a poor Asian man crying for divine salvation while putting his trust in the very gospel of Luke, which was written neither for his salvation nor for his prosperity!

Luke - who was a friend and a travel companion of Paul - was not inspired by God when writing his gospel. He instead used and copied from at least three documents believed to have been lost; two of those documents were identical to those used by Matthew in his Gospel while the third document was only peculiar to himself.

As Luke wanted to align his Gospel with the Pauline doctrines, he was more liberal with his sources compared to the author of the Gospel according to Matthew. All of this simply signifies the fact that these writers were not inspired by God. Rather, they copied one another or used those documents, which were lost as has been described earlier.

After all these it is difficult to explain how both the Old and the New Testament were put in writing as the Bible. According to many authentic sources available today it is the works of many writers and scribes who had different human perspectives.7

Fortunately enough, the Bible itself bears ample testimonies on its own corruption and bears witness on its distortion by the pens of the scribes and those authors who wrote it. The Bible, witnessing its own corrupted texts says: "How can you say we are wise and the law of the Lord is with us behold, the false pen of the scribes turned it into a lie." Jeremiah. 8:8.

As for their using of their tongues to forge lies and make them a part of the scripture, the Bible confessed saying: "Behold, I am against the Prophets, saith the Lord, that use their tongues, and say, He saith". Jeremiah.23:31, and this is similar to what the Holy Quran had foretold 1,400 years ago about the habit of the Christian scribes saying:

"There is among them a group who distort the Book with their tongues: (As they read) you would think it is a part of the Book, but it is not a part of the Book, and they say, 'that is from Allah', but it is not from Allah: it is they who tell a lie against Allah, and (well) they know it! (Holy Qur’an, 3:78)

The Scripture Has Been Contaminated

The Bible is not a perfect book; history proves that many people have tampered with the Biblical verses to suit their own desires and this is what has been foreseen by Jeremiah the Prophet many years before the coming of the Christ. We read: "for you have perverted the words of the living God" Jeremiah. 23:36.

This is why 'Muslims believe that both the Old and the New Testaments were temporary and did not last in their purity. Allah, the Almighty God, would ultimately reveal the Final Testament, which will eventually replace the Bible.

This Final Testament is the Holy Qur’an that was revealed nearly 600 years after Paul had proclaimed this reality in his own words, for this reality was not hidden to Jesus Christ and all of his disciples. Paul and John have mentioned this fact in their books saying: "for we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away" 1 Corinth. 13:9.8

The meaning of "which is perfect" here is the same book which was foretold by Prophet Isaiah and also seen through vision by John as explained in the book of Isaiah and in the book of Revelation respectively which say:

"…And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed. And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned…”Isaiah. 29:11-12.

…And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong Angel proclaiming with a loud voice, who is worth to open the Book, and to lose the seals thereof?..." Rev. 5:1-2.*

"... And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: And he had in his hand a little book open: and he sat his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth…" Rev 10:l-2.9

It is not strange that in the Bible there are books found in today's versions of the Bible, which have been declared as Apocrypha. Since Apocrypha means doubtful, we do not know how these doubtful books entered the Holy Bible, which is said to be an inspired Book of God! There are many books that have been declared as Apocrypha by the Protestants and finally expunged from the King James Version of the Bible without the permission of God. These books are: 1. Tobit 2. Judith 3. Esther 4. The Wisdom of Solomon 5. Baruch 6. 1st Maccabees 7, 2nd Maccabees etc.

There are also Apocryphal books in today's English version of the Bible and I wonder how these books could find their way into the Book that its writers (according to Jimmy Swaggart) believe to have gained special support from the Holy Ghost? The following are also the Apocryphal books which Christian scholars are ashamed to declare as authentic or attribute them with the Bible: 1. Sirach 2. The Letter Of Jeremiah 3. The Prayer of Azariah and the song of the three Young men 4. Susana 5. Bell of the Dragon 6. 1st. Esdras 7. 2nd Esdras and 8. The Prayer Of Manasseh.

The term "Apocrypha" refers to the doubtful Catholic seven books that were rejected by the Protestants who removed them from their King James Version of the Bible. Even though this is the reality, the Christians still continue to claim that John. 14:25, predicts the coming of the Holy Spirit after Jesus Christ who will teach them all things.

We see that the Apocryphal books remained in the very Bible for about sixteen hundred years. Yet we see that the same Holy Spirit did not warn the Christians during that long period of time that their Bible contained Apocryphal books.

As the King James Version of the Bible was authorized in 1611 AD, this would simply mean that the Christians have been kept in deception without the intervention of the Holy Spirit for all those long years. Who then, shall we believe now? The Catholics whose Bible contains 73 books or the Protestants whose Bible contains 66 books?

It is written in the Scripture that, ".. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book..." Rev. 22:18-19.10

Testimonies of Christian Scholars

The following testimonies from Great Biblical scholars show that there are serious defects in the Bible and that it is beyond doubt that the Bible that we have today has been tampered with by many human hands and hence is now a distorted form. It is therefore a wrongful to regard the Bible as the Word of God.

Here are several testimonies by some Biblical scholars. We read in the commentary of the Bible by Hom published in 1882 that: "... the facts relating to the composition of the Gospels which have reached us from the ancient historians of the Church, are so uncertain and so slender that no definite conclusion can be drawn from them. Even the best authorities seem to accept as Gospel truth the speculation current in their time, and, out of sheer reference, those who come after accept their authority. The narratives, partly false and partly true, pass from one writer to another and after a time begin to be treated as though they were above criticism...".11

Eusebius wrote that; "... the first Epistle of Peter is genuine. His second Epistle has never been part of the Holy Book, but has been current in reading ..., the Epistle of James and the Epistle of Jude, and the second Epistle of Peter, and the second and third Epistle of John have ALL been held in great doubt. It is not known whether these were composed by the writers of the Gospels or by others with their names ..." 12

The Bible scholars continue to say that; "what is certain is that, by the middle of the fourth century, Latin Biblica, MSS exhibited a most confusing variety of text, caused at least in part by revision from later Greek MSS as well as by modifications of the Latin phraseology. This confusion lasted until all the Old Latin texts were supplanted by the revised Version of Jerome (383-400 AD) which was undertaken at the request of Pope Damascus and ultimately became the Vulgate of the Western Church ...".13

Now, the testimony from Encyclopedia Britannica says: "... Yet, as a matter of fact, every book in the New Testament with the exception of the four great Epistles of St. Paul is at present more or less the subject of controversy, and interpolations are asserted even in these...".14

All of these doubts and controversies and speculations are the result of the Bible being a manmade book. Men, throughout history have written these small books that have been compiled together and are now· known as "The Holy Bible" by its sympathizers worldwide.

The practice of publishing and revising the Bible by adding and omitting other texts from its original texts has cost Christianity too much. This practice had also resulted in the Christian world having several Bibles, which have different contradicting texts. The Holy Qur'an foretold this situation among the people of the Book, Jews and Christians by saying:

"... And woe to those who write the book with their own hands and then say; this is from Allah, to traffic with it for a miserable price, so woe to them for what their hands do write, and woe to them for what they earn thereby ..." (Holy Qur’an, 2:79)

Christian Leaders Can Change the Bible

In Christianity, the leaders of the Church have the authority to change the Bible. This has been happening throughout the history of the Christian World. The changing of the words in the Bible by the Church leaders is clear evidence that proves the corruptions and interpolations in the Bible, the book believed by many to have been inspired by God.

For instance, the Revised Standard Version of the Bible has thrown out the main texts of the last twelve verses of the Gospel according to St. Mark, which deals with the ascension of Jesus Christ. By reading the Revised Standard Version of the Bible published by the Christian leaders in 1952, you will be shocked to see that, Mark 16 ends at verse 8 instead of verse 20 as it was in the Authorized King James Version. Here in the Revised Version, twelve verses have been thrown out of the Bible. But let us ask ourselves this question. Did God permit all these tampering with the Biblical texts?

In the King James Version, we read that, "….though he slay me yet I trust him…" Job. 13:15, but in the Revised Standard Version, we read, "…he will slay me, I have no hope..." Job. 13:15 and in the Good News Bible, it is written, "…I have lost all hope, so what if God kills me…" Job. 13:15.

We have seen how Biblical scholars and Church Leaders have changed the Bible and the texts of the Bible without any permission from God. This itself is one of the greatest defects of the Bible which both the Church and Christians worldwide must be aware of. This is why we Muslims cannot accept the Bible to be the Word of Almighty God.15

1. Ref: "The life of Mohamet", Introduction, by Sir William Muir; page 18.

2. Perhaps, the modern Western critics of the Bible have the right to deny the existence or mission of a man named Jesus since his whole life, according to the Bible, is full of contradictory accounts, with regards to his personality, his mission, his words and statements, biography and his ancestry and geographical position as given in the Bible.

3. Ref: "The new Illustrated Encyclopedia of Knowledge", published by "Spring books", London in 1966, page 68.

4. The above remarks by Papias about the character of Peter on framing his teachings to meet the wants and pleasure of the people and his listeners is a well-established fact of his nature. Jeus detected this nature of Peter and he rebuked Pete’s character by saying: “… Get thee behind me, Satan, thou art an offence unto me, for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men " Matthew. 16 23.

Was Peter a Satan? Was he seeking the favor of men rather than that of his God? If he was such, how could it then be possible for the New Testament which carries some words and thoughts of a person with such qualities, be an inspired book of God?

5. Ref: "The Ante-Nicene Fathers", Edited by Roberts and Donaldson, Vol. I page: 154-155.

6. Ref: "The Life of Jesus" by C. J. Cadoux page: 14- 15, published by Penguin Books.

7. Ref: "The New Illustrated Encyclopedia of Knowledge", Published in 1966 by Spring Books; page 67- 68.

8. The coming of the perfect book here does not mean does not mean the Bible since the Bible was already in existence when Paul forteld about the next coming of a perfect book; the perfect book referred to here is the Holy Quran which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (S) about 600 years after Jesus Christ.

9. The book foretold by John and Paul cannot be the gospel of Jesus Christ as the gospel was already with them at that time. This the book foretold by Isaiah, John and Paul is none other than the Holy Qur’an which was revealed by Allah to Prophet Muhammad (S) peace be upon him and his family members.

As the Bible had been corrupted by many hands, we find that there are many books in it which are not regarded as authentic; this is why it was necessary for God to reveal another book after the Bible to be the final perfect and absolute testament for mankind. This book is the Holy Qur'an which has remain, throughout history unchanged and undistorted by human hands.

There is only one version of the Holy Qur'an. In this regard, the Holy Qur'an is not like the Bible which has many different and conflicting versions; for example, the Catholic version of the Bible has 73 books while the Protestant version of the Bible has only 66 books.

10. If it is blasphemy to take out even a little from the Bible, then who is blaspheming? Those who added seven more books to the Bible from the very beginning, or those who expunged them out of the Bible afterwards?

11. Ref: "Commentary of the Bible" by Hom, Vol. 4, Part 2, Chapter 2.

12. Ref: "History Of the Church" by Eusebius; Vol. 4, Chapter 3 &25.

13. Ref: "Encyclopaedia Biblica", Vol. 4 page, 4993. What is important here is to note the absolute certainty that in the middle of the fourth century, the Latin copy of the Bible was in a most confused state. This confusion was the result of a comparison with the Greek copy and of a change in Latin terminology. These confusions remained until Jerome’s revised version was prepared under the order of the Pope between 383 and 400 AD the version which came to take the place of the old Latin version among the Christians.

14. Ref: "Encyclopaedia Britannica", Vol. 3, 12th Edition, page, 643.

15. The distortion of the biblical text and interpolation carried out by Church leaders is clear evidence which proves that the bible is not the original word of God. Had it been the absolute word of God, the Church leaders would have never thought of revising its texts save to corrupt or take from it.

Chapter 2: Ancient Pagan Influences

Pagan Influences in Christianity

As the Bible was tampered with by many human hands, it was easy for the external influences from paganism and other religions to trickle into Christianity. The present day Christianity headed by the Church, derived some of its teachings and ethics basically from the Old and New Testaments, which are based mainly on Paul’s interpretation, and innovations of various principles from the life and nature of Jesus Christ, and not in accordance with the teachings of Christ himself.

Because of this, the Christian religion up to now is largely based on a Euro-centric perception of God and religion. This Christianity has been greatly influenced by the pre-Christian pagan European festivals and rituals that have nothing to do with the man called "Jesus Christ". A quick search on what is now known as Christianity will reveal that the present day religion of Christianity was founded mainly by Paul and a man known as Apollo, a Jew born in Alexandria.

The religion was then changed, expanded and modified from its Afro-Semitic culture to meet the European political and cultural needs of the Roman converts who adopted Christianity from the preaching of Paul, Timothy and others who disobeyed Jesus Christ after he forbade them from preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles and other pagan nations. The modifications and changes in Christianity started in its early centuries and continued in the reign of King Constantine (272 to 325 AD) and those who came after him, and now the modification and changes in Christianity are done by the Church through the authority of the Pope and the Vatican, the Queen or King of England and other Church authorities appointed by them.

These changes and innovations, which are done by the Church Leaders, were not endorsed or authorized by either God or Jesus Christ, but they are innovations of their own.

Easter Sunday, for instance, is the day of the greatest Christian festivity when Jesus, they say, arose from the dead. On this day, Jesus overcame death and brought a new life to mankind -so goes the belief. Yet this festival and its events had existed thousands of years before the birth of Jesus Christ. So how could it be possible for the celebration to have any relationship with Jesus Christ? And why has this festivity been brought into Christianity?

A Brief History of Easter Festivity

Easter was the goddess of spring and it was in her honor that the festival of Easter was celebrated annually in ancient Egypt, Greece and Persia towards the end of March and the beginning of April. Documented evidences in European history show that the Saxons of the pre-Christian days used to enjoy their Easter eggs and hot cross buns while worshipping the goddess whom they called Eostre, and it is from this name of the pagan goddess, that the inventors of present Christianity derived what is today called the "Easter festival", which in fact, has nothing to do with a man called Jesus.

In reality, keeping this festival in Christianity was an artful method employed by the Romans and Greeks to immortalize their religious and cultural heritage so as not to be swallowed or destroyed by the religion of Jesus Christ.

Therefore, the celebration of the festival with hot cross buns and eggs is not peculiar to modern Christian countries as these celebrations and rituals were observed thousands of years ago by the pagans. This is clear evidence that proves that Christianity is a continuation of that ancient paganism. Now, the very pagans of Europe who converted to Christianity thousands of years ago still continue to worship this goddess of Spring "Eostre" but today in the image of "Jesus Christ" and thus, we see that, there is no doubt that the Easter rituals have nothing to do with the man called Jesus Christ but are instead, the cultural and religious remnants of ancient pagans in Christianity.

According to the world history, the Egyptians and Greeks of olden days did the same; the ancient Egyptians regarded eggs and buns as signs of creation. As Easter falls in spring, which brings life to creation, the ancient Greeks and Egyptians celebrated this bounty with special rituals and brought them to an end by enjoying their eggs and hot cross buns.

The same was happening in the ancient sub-continent of India and ancient Persia (Iran) and up to this time, the festival of Easter is celebrated and known as "Besaakhi" in India while in Iran the same festival and celebration is known as "Nauroz".

According to the "New Illustrated Encyclopedia of Knowledge": "Easter is the Christian festival commemorating the resurrection of Jesus. The western churches celebrate it on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox. The word "Easter" is derived from the name of the goddess of spring, Eostre. Easter can fall on any of 35 days, and the proposal that it should be celebrated on the Sunday after the second Saturday in April each year failed for lack of public support".1

This is another misleading statement. In fact it is another bit of misinformation reported by the above Encyclopedia for if Easter was the goddess of Spring in ancient pagan Europe, then it is clear that this festivity has nothing to do with the Resurrection of Christ! And the fact that it is celebrated by the western churches on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox is a clear indication that this festivity has nothing to do with Jesus Christ. Rather it is a festivity connected at its roots to those pagan rituals of worshipping the moon, the sun and other heavenly bodies.

That the festivity begins on the first Sunday symbolizes the European pagan tradition of worshipping the sun god Apollo on Sunday. And that the festivity is carried on in accordance with the lunar calculation and during the full moon is a clear indication that the festivity has nothing to do with Jesus Christ. Instead, this festivity is for the same Eostre the goddess of spring whose ancient symbol of existence was the moon, as the sun was for her partner Apollo, the sun god.

The fact that the Easter celebration took place thousands of years before the birth of Jesus Christ is a further proof that this festival and its likes are pagan festivals introduced in Christianity from the Gentiles pagan religious denominations during the time of King Constantine of the Roman Empire around 325 A.D. The king himself was a devoted pagan, as was his entire nation.

The fact that the date of "Easter" has to be fixed by the Lunar Calendar and in accordance with the full moon at the Spring Equinox, clearly shows that this festival has more to do with the worship of some luminary object or heavenly bodies than with any event in the life of a man whom they believe to be their Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. This view is more authentic as we do not see any Christian denomination fixing the date of Easter using a solar calendar as they do with other rituals and on other Christian sacred days.

Here, I have another evidence to prove "that the celebrations and festivals observed today by modem day Christians are influenced by the ancient pagans who worshipped multiple deities.

The scholars in Christianity speak the truth when they admit that they are unable to ascertain the date of the birth of Jesus Christ, as Jesus was not born on 25th of December: It is enough that XMas is the abbreviation of what is known as "Christmas" as X in mathematics represents the unknown. Then, X Mas is the Mass or festival of the unknown deity or unknown personality.

Jesus Christ is an unknown personality in the Old Testament; the man that the Christian thinks to be Jesus Christ, according to the Biblical prophecies his name is Emmanuel, and so it is obvious, historically, that his mother had called him "Emmanuel" and not "Jesus". The name Jesus is a product of European's distortion of the pure name and original religion of the Emmanuel, the Messiah.

They changed the original name of the Messiah to "Jesus" so that, the Messiah with his new and imposed name "Jesus" must represent the cultural, political and the religious dimension of the Europeans.

In the coming pages I will prove to you that Emmanuel is the real name of the man whom they call Jesus of Nazareth or Jesus Christ. You will also understand that "Christ" is not the title of that Emmanuel as the word "Christ" cannot be translated as "Messiah". The word "Messiah" means "the newly born god" in ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphic language, which simply means “a righteous being, who is born to serve the Almighty God, the Creator of all things".

As a matter of fact, it is known in history that Apollo, the sun god and the god of King Constantine was born on the 25th of December and so it was a plan of the King to keep the birthday festival of his pagan favourite sun-god to be adopted in Christianity and hence to continue in the name of the Church and in the name of Jesus Christ.

These are facts from history. Paganism found its way again into what I normally call "Euro-centric Christianity" which simply means the Christianity that originated from Europe. The sun-worshippers of these nations celebrated the birth of their deity known a sun-god on 25'h of December of each year, thousands of years before the birth of Emmanuel or that "mythical fabricated" man known by the Christians as "Jesus Christ". Here again, the date of birth of this sun god of these pagans, which was 25th of December, had been replaced wrongfully with the birthdate of Jesus Christ...!

Therefore, when we say that, many of the important rituals of modern day Christianity have been borrowed or copied from ancient pagan rituals it is an established fact based on concrete and strong evidences. The Christians have no biblical proofs to support the legality of these pre-Christian and pagan rituals, which are now found in their religion.

Thus deviation started and pagan rituals found their way into Christianity gradually due to the political and cultural circumstances of those days and from new converts who were former pagans or worshippers of multiple deities.

The Christians have even changed the Sabbath, which their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ could not. A man whom they call Jesus Christ observed the Sabbath and worshipped on that day. However it was on Saturdays and not on Sundays. So did the apostles of Jesus and the early fathers of the Church, but this custom came to its end when King Constantine of the Roman Empire allegedly converted to Christianity.

As the favourite god of King Constantine previously was Apollo, the sun god, the entire nation during his time was forced to worship on Sunday, as it was the only day to pay tribute to the sun god. Only that now it was done in the name of Jesus Christ.

The sun god was worshipped officially, once a week in the pagan Roman Empire. That day was called ‘Sunday’, but now Christians worship Christ on the very day that was constitutionally established for the sake of the sun god in the Ancient Pagan Temple of Apollo.

Apollo in Greek and Roman mythologies was one of the most important and powerful gods, he was the ‘multi-sided’ god of prophecy, purity, spring, music, healing, archery, as well as of shepherds and their flocks.

According to these ancient mythologies, Apollo could punish harshly and he was represented as the Greek ideal of manly youth and beauty. In the last days of ancient mythology, Apollo replaced Helios as the sun god. As the sun god, he was officially worshipped by the Romans on Sunday. Now on Sunday Christians worship Christ thereon instead of Apollo.

Thus Sunday is not God's day, but the day of the sun god and it is not the Church of Jesus Christ, which is adhered to, but the Temple of the sun god. Therefore do not be fooled any more. The light of knowledge has begun to shine in our eyes although it is true that ignorance and credulity will lead to acceptance and reverence of everything in any form.

The Bible says: "…The Sabbath was made for man…" Mark. 2: 27

Paul worshipped on the Sabbath day and not Sunday, "And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures…"Acts. 17:2.

In fact, worshipping on the Sabbath day is a law for the Jews and even for the Gentiles, the Bible says: "…and he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks..."Acts.18: 4.

In the New testament there are no less than 59 references to the Sabbath; the book of Acts alone records about 84 Sabbaths on which the Apostle Paul and his companions held religious gatherings and religious services, yet there is not one word in the entire Bible authorizing Sunday as a day of worship.

It is sad to see that the Christians are still worshipping on Sunday thus imitating the ancient pagans contrary to Jesus and the Apostles.

This is exactly what we have said earlier i.e. that the original Christianity has been changed from its Afro-Semitic religious culture to Euro-centric culture. This had been done to suit the European way and their socio-religious style agreeable to their own desirable aspects of their lives. But our modern day mind in this century of space technology is no longer captive of the fairy tales and absurdities of the medieval days of primitive Europe, which penetrated Christianity during the reign of the Roman Empire about 325 AD.

True Christians ought to obey God and submit to the truth and not to the orders of the Church and Pope. It must be known that, by observing worship on Sundays instead of Saturdays, Christians have deviated from the path of a man they call Jesus Christ and his disciples. The Bible says: "..we ought to obey God rather than men " Acts. 5: 29.

But who among the church leaders cares? They continue to keep prayers on Sundays, the same day on which the Romans who gave them Christianity and Catholicism used to worship their sun god in the pre-Christian era. The Bible rebukes this tradition seriously by saying: "…Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition! but in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men .." Mark. 7:13-14.

Thus, the tradition of worshipping on Sundays has nothing to do with the teachings of Jesus Christ; rather it is an innovation of the Roman and Greek pagans who converted to Christianity and did not wish to abandon their pagan worshipping day of Sunday for Saturday. This was done politically during the reign of King Constantine.

So the act of not worshipping on the Sabbath day by the Christians is a result of the Romans' efforts in changing the Original Christianity with its Afro-Semitic culture to their pagan Euro-centric culture. And this is why they disobey the Biblical commandment, which says: "…He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not the commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him ..."1 John. 2:4.

Ancient European Folklore

Some of these folklores and absurd tales of medieval Europe, which penetrated into Christianity, can be found in the Bible as follows:

"...The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? And the trees said to the fig tree, 'Come thou, and reign over us'. But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees? Then said the trees unto the vine: Come you and reign over us. And the vine said unto them, 'should I leave my vine which cheers God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees'? Then said the trees unto the bramble, Come thou and reign over us. And the bramble said unto the trees, if in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon..." Judges. 9:8-15.

In fact, it is an irrational story. Here above, the trees are calling for their "National Election" to elect their president but it seems that there was no agreement among the trees; but could this be possible? Can the trees talk and communicate with one another concerning the question of leadership and responsibility; all this signifies is that, it is a real fairy tale and ancient tale of the medieval era in Europe and in the world in general.

The Story of the Possessed Man

This is another fairy tale of ancient Europe and Babylon but this time it is concealed under the name of Jesus Christ as follows:

"... And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; And no man could bind him, no, now with chains: because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

But when he saw Jesus a far off, he ran and worshipped him. And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou son of the most High God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For he said unto him, "come out of the man, thou unclean spirit". And he asked him, what is thy name? And he answered, saying, my name is Legion; for we are many. And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought him, saying, send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea (they were about two thousand) and were choked in the sea. And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done…" Mark. 5:1-14.

The above passage of the New Testament is one of many ancient folklore-tales and superstitious beliefs of the ancient pagan world. The following are some clarifications from the above absurd folklores in the New Testament.

First, the Gospel tells us in this story that a possessed man became so violently insane that the strongest chains could not restrain him. But we see that this is untrue and is a form of superstition, as certainly in those days there were people who knew how to make strong chains to hold human beings of that nature.

We also have in the Bible the story of Samson. Samson of course, was even stronger than the possessed person of the New Testament, but according to the scripture, the people had found a very strong material to bind Samson, and in this regard, the Bible says:

"…But the Philistines took him!! and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house..." Judges. 16:21.

Where then were the fetters of brass like those, which had been used to bind, Samson and which could have also been used to restrain this possessed man? How could they use fetters of brass to bind Samson and forget to use the same to this person? It is really an illogical account.

Second, we are told in the Bible that the possessed man was cutting himself with stones for years; but how could it be possible for a man to survive having done that for continuously for years? Then, according to this tale, Christ enters into an agreement with the evil spirits that he should not drive them out of the country; instead he accepted their last request, which was to be sent to the herd of swine.

The story thus portrayed Christ as a guilty of the crime of destroying 2,000 swine that belonged to their owners. Jesus here, as a Jew and a man who was well acquainted with the Jewish laws and traditions could not have allowed those swine to be destroyed as they belonged to someone. In accordance with the Jewish traditions, the owner had to be compensated for the loss.

This itself is evidence that this story was not real but a concocted tale! There is another problem with this story; the evil spirits when they entered this man did not result in him choked in the sea, but the same evil spirits having entered the swine made them all run to the se and choked themselves..! Why are we not witnessing similar characteristics and behavior between the affected man and the affected swine?

It is odd to witness the same man whom the evil spirits have possessed gained enough strength that nothing could bind him, even the chains and fetters of iron and brass. Logically, if the sickness is the same, we must witness the same symptoms and behaviour, but we do not see this in the story.

All of these are clear evidence that there are many superstitions and unacceptable pagan legends, stories and rituals that penetrated into Christianity through the influences of the primitive Gentile nations of Europe such as Greece and Rome around 325 AD. The influences also came from other nations of ancient Mesopotamia, i.e. Babylon and Palestine, also from the eastern ancient nations like Egypt, India and Iran thousands of years before the birth of Christ, as we have mentioned earlier.

This is not sheer coincidence, but has something to do with that corruption, distortion, superstitions and pagan influence that were imposed on Christianity by those European and ancient Eastern Pagans thousands of years ago. And here I have another surprise for you.

Christmas - The Birthday of Various Pagan Gods

Christianity has more to answer to on the subject of Christmas. The 25th day of December historically throws a good deal of light on the subject. Research shows that the 25th of December was not the birthday of a man called Jesus Christ but happened to be the birthday of many pagan gods in various mythologies and ancient cultures. Bacchus (the god of Greece), Osiris (the god of Egypt), Attis (the god of Phrygia) and Quetzacoatl (the god of Phoenicia and Mexico) were all born on the 25"' of December.

As they were born in the month of December, their parents must have had their marriage on the day of 25th of March. Here again we see the same ancient paganism, which identifies the spring season as the season of resurrection and life. Thus gods are created or conceived in March, the spring season, and they are born in December!

This is why in March not only do we see the festival of Easter being celebrated. In ancient days the pagans believed that it was in the same month that the mothers of gods conceived and this concept had infiltrated Christianity as the Christians have a festival known as "Our Lady's Day" in the month of March in their calendar.

Do these facts need further elaboration? Are these facts not eloquent enough to show that this Euro-centric Christianity, which is preached throughout the world, is in fact a modern type of paganism? It is my belief that everyone who has studied the history of ancient Europe, Egypt and Persia will come to the conclusion that the Church which is attributed to Jesus Christ is indeed the Church of Apollo, the sun god of the Roman Empire.

The fact that many important rituals and festivals of modem day Christianity have their origins from ancient paganism proves that this type of Christianity is Euro-centric Christianity and not that Afro-Semitic Christianity preached and practiced by Emmanuel (Jesus) himself. It is also an indication that modern day Western and American churches are continuation of the same ancient paganism but in a modern way which now includes the name of Jesus Christ and instead of Mithra and Apollo as it did in the religion of the Romans.

Holidays are major events in America and Europe. Most of these holidays are regarded as Christian based or motivated. However, there are very few "Christians" who know the origin of these holidays they hold dear. For example, the Christmas holiday that has more to do with the myths of the ancient pagans has today become a major holiday in America and Europe and the rest of the world.

Unfortunately, in the minds of most Christians there is the assumption that "Christmas" commemorates the birth of infant Jesus Christ although it is well known by Christian scholars that the exact date of the said event of the birth of Jesus is not a matter based on any historical record. In fact it is a hidden reality kept in the shadow of confusion, which has made this event of the birth of Jesus appear extremely dubious in nature.

The twenty-fifth day of December is now accepted as the date of Supra birth although such has not been always been the case. The documented historical facts of the Church prove that at first, the Church used to celebrate Christmas on March 25 for over the first three and half centuries.

Why was this date changed? And who had decreed such change? It was Pope Julian II in the year 345 AD who declared that the commemoration and celebration of Christmas should be observed on December 25th. It is of major importance to inquire why, before Pope Julian's decree, the Christian practice was to celebrate the event of Christmas on March 25th?

Actually, March brings the vernal equinox (as we have mentioned earlier) and the most dramatic rituals of the ancient pagan religion were consummated on or about March 21st, the date of the sun's crossing northward over the equatorial meridian.

In this season every allegorical representation of the mystical cycle of soul's involvement in matter and body came here to the final stage and to victory. The sun's ascent out of darkness of winter symbolizes the souls resurrection from the shroud of death in mortal bodies. This was regarded in pagan culture as "the way of picturing spiritual processes during the birth of spirit".

For the pagans, Spring brings new spirit just as Winter brings the death of plants and natural bodies; cold symbolizes death and the beginning of warmth and sunlight in Spring signify the arrival of life and new spirit in all material bodies.

The Romans allowed this ancient pagan concept into Christianity, and hence, it is in this same spring season that the man whom they call Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Just as Easter the goddess of spring picked up her life back in the very spring season, Jesus of Nazareth also conquered death in spring!

The similitude between the gods of the ancient pagans and Jesus of Christianity cast a lot of doubts on the question of the validity of Christianity and the Church; it is because of this mixing of ancient paganism and Christianity that the intellectuals of today have reason to doubt the validity and authenticity of the teachings of this Euro-centric Christianity.

Sir James Frazier, in his book entitled "The Golden Bough" says the following: "The summer solstice and the winter solstice, are the two great turning-points in the sun's apparent course through the sky, and from the standpoint of primitive man nothing might seem more appropriate than· to kindle fires on earth at the two moments when the fire and heat of the great luminaries in heaven begin to wane and wax. Certainly it is that winter solstice which the ancients erroneously attributed to the twenty fifth of December and so they celebrated in antiquity as the birthday of the sun; (during this occasion) festal lights and fire were kindled on this joyful occasion.

Our Christian festival is nothing but a continuation of those solar festivities (of the pagans of Old) under the Christian name; for the ecclesiastical authorities during the third or fourth century saw fit arbitrarily to transfer the nativity of Christ from the sixth of January to the twenty fifth of December; (and this was done) for the purpose of diverting to their lord to worship as the heathen had (worshipped) and paid on that day to the sun-god..." 2

This is how the Europeans distorted the essence of the true religion of Jesus by mixing it with their pagan European culture. Christianity today, as we have said earlier, is a pagan ancient Euro-centric religion, which has little to do with Jesus Christ and his culture and teachings.

More about the Mythologies of December 25th

In ancient Europe and in its pagan mythology, December 25th was originally believed and taken to be the birth date of another sun-God, and January sixth was believed to have been the birth day of the "Son" of God, and so the story and the creed of the pagans were sanctioned and practiced officially in all Christian countries after the approval of the Pope of the time.

December 25th again, was kept as the birthday of "the Son of God", but this time the Son of God is a man called Jesus Christ and not "the son of the sun god" as the new religion now is Christianity and not paganism. Eventually, as you will see here, the Romans continued to adopt their ancient religious culture governed by their political climate even after their alleged conversion to Christianity during the reign of King Constantine in 325 AD until the present time.

Many pagan customs from the ancient rituals of the Temple of Apollo have penetrated Christianity and these ancient unlawful rituals remain in Christianity until this very day. And many of these pagan concepts have been covered and shielded by the mighty name of Emmanuel the Messiah, whom the Europeans call ''Jesus Christ".

It was not until 1840 that the first Christmas tree was brought to England from Germany by Prince Albert soon after his marriage to Queen Victoria. The Bible has condemned these practices of honoring the trees and caves and other luminary objects as they have been borrowed from ancient heathen paganism.

Unfortunately, these trees are now holding the name of Jesus as "Christmas tree" to hide their heathen origin. The Bible condemns this saying: "...Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must seeds be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good..." Jeremiah. 10:2-S.

In fact, honouring these trees is nothing but paganism and you know how we really celebrate Christmas - burning incense, lighting candles and lighting up the houses. However, these days we do not burn our children in the fire. We only allow them to play with it. Some children play with the fire by throwing the fire in the air, but some by shooting and firing at one another in the streets of New York and other cities worldwide due to the Christmas excitement. All of these practices have been borrowed by the Catholic Church from the ancient practices of European heathens and pagans and it is from the Catholic Church that these practices have reached us and spread over the whole world.

The Bible condemns these rituals and regards them as abominations of the heathens when it says:"…For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Ba'alim. Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hin'nom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathens whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel..." 2 Chronicles. 28:2-3.

The Scripture also says: "… And (he) made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out from before the children of Israel. And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree …'' 2 Kings. 16:3-4.

But unfortunately, all of these types of heathen rituals are still taking place in some Churches and in what is so called "Christmas, Halloween, Easter", and other so called Christian religious festivals. It is for the reader to make his own assessment.

Jesus Takes Apollo's Throne

King Constantine historically embraced Christianity only for political reasons. This is why in his reign we can see that he preserved everything of ancient paganism in that newly created Church. He also preserved the Easter festival and the festival of 25th of December which then was called Christmas.

The King also allowed many other pagan rituals to be a part of Christianity but he wisely replaced the seat of his pagan god Apollo. Here, King Constantine gave the seat of Apollo from his temple officially to Jesus Christ. But everything else from old paganism and rituals dedicated to other deities was left intact and regarded valid by Constantine and allowed to continue in the name of Christianity.

It should be borne in mind that before the modern archaeological and historical discoveries which came to prove that the Christian beliefs and festivals were copied from ancient idolatrous nations, this fact was already known among the Muslims as the Holy Qur'an had revealed this 1,400 years ago. The holy Qur'an made this fact clear when it says:

"... O People of the Book! Exceed not in your religion the bounds (of what is proper), trespassing beyond the truth, nor follow the vain desires of people who went wrong in times gone by - who misled many, and strayed (themselves) from the even way" (Holy Qur’an, 5:77)

We gather from the above verse of the Qur'an that Christians, after they had followed the culture of the Europeans, have committed two major errors, which have distorted and destroyed their religion. These two errors are:

(1) Exaggeration in their religion:

The Christians exaggerate in their beliefs, the teachings of the Old Testament are clear and understood. These teachings emphasized the belief of the Oneness of the Creator and that salvation was achieved through obedience and submission to that Creator. Yet the Christians, by forging the concept and the belief in Trinity - One God in three different persons - also elevated the man they call Jesus Christ to the position of the Almighty God. Thus for the majority of the Christians, the man Jesus Christ is God. They also went on to say that, Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came and died on the Cross for the sins of the World.

Their exaggeration did not end there but it continues to flood our minds with strange things when they claim that this Son of God is the only "begotten son of God", and yet that God has no wife. Perhaps, he had simply fallen in love with that beautiful virgin, Mary of the tribe of Levi in Israel. This Son of God died and was buried and after three days he rose from the dead and so he conquered death, the act that to the Christians symbolizes that the man Jesus Christ was God in flesh. All of these exaggerations and deviations of the Christians will be replied to and explained in detail later in this book".

In fact, there are many exaggerations made by Christians but it will take us long to mention all of them. Apart from that, they change the word of God; they change the Bible and revise it in accordance with their desires and whims. As for their changing of words of the scriptures, this crime is still going on and I shall prove this when discussing the authenticity of the Bible in the coming pages, God willing.

This is what is referred to in the verse of the Holy Qur'an above as the exaggeration in the matter of religion, unjustly and wrongly. In fact, these exaggerations have made Christianity drift far away from being the religion founded by God, the Creator through Jesus Christ.

(2) Their imitation of the low desires of the ancient Pagan nations:

This is mentioned by the Holy Qur'an. It is true that the Christians have followed the low desires of the ancient Pagan nations. Today this reality which the Holy Qur'an had revealed has been proved by both Christian and non-Christian scholars of history and religion.

The process of innovating things and attributing them to Jesus Christ has become a routine in Christendom. Father Christmas or Santa Claus was ‘invented’ in 1850 nearly 140 years ago when a man dressed in red and white appeared in the streets of England for the first time. Thus, in going back to the history of Christianity, you will see and realize that the Christians of the early Church had borrowed many beliefs and rituals from paganism mainly from the ancient Pagan nations i.e. Greek, Egypt, Rome, Persia and India exactly as it was pointed out by the Holy Qur'an about 1,400 years ago.

There is no record of the turkeys being eaten in England until 400 years ago, and thus the habit of eating and the excitement of buying turkeys in America and Europe has no historical relation with the Christmas festival. The Christmas cards, which swell the coffers of Post Offices, were first printed and introduced commercially in 1946.

The celebration of Christmas with all of these heathen excitement and pagan rituals has come to the world from the Roman Catholic Church. Although the majority of the new early Christians in Rome were converts from pagans, the Church had no right to allow or to borrow from them all of these abominations and pagan rituals and finally to make them legitimate in the name of Christ.

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, "Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church ... the first evidence of the feast was from ancient Egypt... Pagan customs centering around the January calends gravitated to Christmas" 3

This is what the Holy Qur'an has explained concerning the Christians as they borrowed most of their beliefs from the pagans and heathens. You will learn more about these facts in the coming pages of this book.

Here, briefly, I am presenting to you the nature of the ancient temple in Rome. This temple was the centre of worship for the Romans and the god worshipped there was the sun god, Apollo. It is interesting to see that, modern Christianity have also borrowed their beliefs and rituals from this pagan temple of the sun god, Apollo.

The Temple of the Sun God, Apollo

This temple was the center of worship for the Ancient Romans and in particular His Majesty, King Constantine the Great. This Temple had its altar with its face towards the East; the chancel, the choir, the acolytes, the pages, the monks and the nuns, in short all the paraphernalia of a Catholic Cathedral is the image and remnant of the Temple of Apollo as its founder is the same Ruler of the Pagan Roman Empire.

Thus the Roman Catholic Church is the image and true picture of the ancient Pagan Temple of Rome headed by many ancient Kings of the Romans and finally by Constantine who allegedly converted to Christianity in 325 AD and became a corner stone for the spread of Christianity worldwide and for his pagan influences on Christianity.

The Sign of the Cross - Mithra and Christ

The sign of the Cross is also a legacy of the ancient era worship of the sun god called Mithra. Mithra was the sun god of ancient Persia. The Cross as a symbol is not something peculiar to Jesus' life or in Christianity but is a symbol of immemorial antiquity, far predating the Christian era. Almost in all ancient pagan religions there were different forms of sun worship, surprisingly with the Cross as its symbol.

The seasons of the year, depending on the position of the sun, have been divided into four parts - spring, summer, autumn and winter. If one divides the earth's orbit around the sun into four parts, it will form a Cross. Thus the sun worshippers here took the Cross as their symbol as it was the product of the movement of their sun god.

A brief comparative study between the god of the pagans, Mithra, the sun god of Persia and Jesus Christ, the Son of God or God of the Christians shows that these two different personalities have similar characteristics and close resemblance although they were both worshipped by different people in different ages. Mithra was the sun god as we have mentioned earlier and the Cross was his symbol. And according to the facts available in many historical documents, this sun god Mithra was also born of a Virgin on 25th of December exactly like Jesus Christ!

Mithra had also twelve disciples and finally he was buried in a tomb and rose again; he was called and identified as Saviour or Mediator by his worshippers and was sometimes figured as a Lamb who sacrificed his life for the salvation of mankind. These things are exactly what are being said by those who believe or worship Jesus Christ. Surely this is a strange thing!

Some historical sources from the history of Rome, Persia and England admit that the sacramental feasts which resembles that of Jesus Christ done by the modern day Catholics were held in remembrance of Mithra, the sun god. After the religion of Mithra, the religion of a sun-god was adopted by the Romans, it then spread through the whole of Europe for it was the Romans who brought the concept of Mithraism to England and France and from there it spread throughout Europe.

Today, Archeologists and scientists have found the remains of the religion of Mithra in various places in England and in other parts of the European continent. In Ireland, a figure on a cross has been found, but the effigy wears the Iranian Persian regal crown and not the crown of thorns. This discovery has inspired us to believe that the sun god Mithra was also crucified on the cross but not with a crown of thorns on his head as it was in the case of Jesus Christ. Instead, his crown was a Persian regal crown.

It is an indisputable fact that modern Christianity originated from the ancient paganism of the Persians, Romans and other European countries.

In addition to this resemblance between ancient Mithraic paganism and modern Christianity, we see that the Mithraic religion of Ancient Persia and Rome instituted baptism as an important ritual for new converts. But this ancient baptism in Mithraism was performed by marking the forehead with a cross.

The worshippers also used to partake of a sacrament of a small wafer; it was a small cake, emblematic of the solar disc; these rituals are still a part of the Roman Catholic Church. The use that the cake is a clear proof that those concerned were the sun worshippers and pagans: today, this very small piece of cake or bread symbolizes the body of Jesus Christ in what is called Christianity (i.e. the sacrament).

These special rituals and the process of taking a special cake as symbol of the sun to the worshippers of the solar deity was known as Mizad. The word ‘mizd’ of the ancient Persia today has been transformed to the noun "Mass" in what is today part of Christian ritual.

The Holy Qur'an and Its Historical Facts

The Holy Qur'an has explained to us nearly 1,400 years ago that this Euro-centric Christianity was founded upon ancient paganism and so it is not fit for mankind to adopt it as religion. In elaborating this fact, the Holy Qur'an says:

".. And the Christians call Christ the Son of God. These are words from their mouth (In this) they but imitate what Unbelievers of old used to say, Allah's curse be on them how they deluded away from the truth ... " (Holy Qur’an, 9:30)

And this is what we hear daily - Jesus is the Son of God. This dogma asserts that Jesus is the Son of God in a special and exclusive sense but this dogma is not in conformity with the sayings and teachings of Jesus Christ.

In the Bible, the title "Son of God" has been used to signify "purity, piety, righteousness, and the one who is closer to the Almighty Creator in submissiveness to his will. It has been used in the Bible to address many righteous people and Prophets of God.

Muslims do not believe that the Almighty Allah, the Creator has a son. To the Muslims, this belief is a blasphemy and paganism for it is obvious that the entire humanity belong to Him as his sons and daughters. Thus, the belief that "Jesus is the" only begotten Son of God, (begotten, not created) is paganism in its real sense.

Those who believe that Jesus is the only begotten son of God may believe so because Jesus was born without an earthly human father and at the time his mother was a Virgin. But this still cannot make him the only begotten Son of God as there are many miraculous personalities whose existence and being would then have been more divine than that of Jesus Christ. These personalities are Adam and Melchis'edec.

The Holy Qur'an speaks about the alleged divine sonship of Jesus Christ as follows:

"...Surely the likeness of (the creation) of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam, He, Allah created Adam from the clay and then said to him be, and he was..."(Holy Qur’an, 3:59) 4

Last, we come to the creation of men of God like Melchis'edec who had no beginning, without an end, without father and mother, this type of creation is more miraculous than that of Jesus Christ.

Therefore the absence of a human father - as in the case of Jesus - does not make him to be the Son of God. If that was a criterion than Melchis'edec could be the most qualified to be the only begotten Son of God thousands of years before the coming of Jesus. It is my belief that Jesus Christ had his beginning (the day he was born in Bethlehem) and he had his end (if we were to accept what Christians believe about his death on the Cross).

The Bible speaks about the miraculous personalities who existed thousands of years before the birth of Jesus. It speaks about this Melchis'edec who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and according to the Holy Qur’an, the same Melchis'edec met with Moses by the Mediterranean Sea. He also met with Jesus in the River Jordan and other parts of the blessed land. The same Melchis'edec also met with Prophet Muhammad (S).

The word "Melchis'edec" comes from two Arabic words "Malak" which means "the angel" and the word "Sadik" which means "truthful” and so the word "Melchis'edec" with its English pronunciation would simply mean "The Truthful Angel". The Bible speaks about this miraculous personality as follows:

"…For this Melchis'edec king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him… (he was) King of righteousness, and after that also king of Salem, which is, King if Peace; without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God, abideth a priest continually…Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils…" Hebrews. 7:1-4.

My dear readers, if we think properly after reading this passage of the Bible, we can conclude by saying that, Allah, the Creator of all things can create anything the way He wills and in His own style. He can create something from nothing as He had made the whole entire universe out of nothing. And so the creation of Jesus Christ born by a virgin woman is not a big thing to Allah, even though it is a great miracle for mankind.

That likeness of the creation and the miraculous birth of Christ can be compared to the creation of the angels, Adam, Melchis'edec or to the creation of the universe itself. This universe was created out of nothing. When there was nothing, Allah, the Almighty created something. It is this universe full of things that signifies His Glory and Honour, and this is indeed the greatest miracle of our existence.

1. Ref: "The New Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Knowledge:. page 163.

2. Refer: "The Golden Bough" pp. 721-722.

3. Catholic Encyclopedia, under the heading- Christmas- 1911 Edition.

4. The Holy Qur'an mentioned about three types of creation of human and angelic beings; Adam was created by Allah through the medium of clay. Although his creation was done using the medium of clay, this creation was not a mechanical process to the Almighty Allah. He, Allah had only to say to the clay ''be Adam" and immediately he was, without a father or mother.

This creation would seem to be more miraculous than the creation of Jesus Christ whereby in his creation there was a mother. Then we come to "the creation of the Angels", Allah created these beings without material bodies and without father nor mother. The creation of angels is therefore, more miraculous than that of Jesus Christ.

Chapter 3: Islam Challenges Christianity

Miracles Are Not Proof Of Divinity

They may say again that Christ is God or the "Son of God" because he healed the sick and raised the dead and lived a life that was more miraculous than anyone else. The answer is that this is a normal and ordinary way of many righteous people in the history of the world. According to the Bible and the Holy Qur'an, there were many people who lived miraculous lives and showed many wonders and signs by the power of the Almighty God, the Creator of all things.

Recently, a preacher from "The Church of Christ" was preaching on television about the divinity of Jesus Christ, and then he allegedly said that "the miraculous life of Jesus prove the fact that he was God". This preacher and the likes of him in Christendom believe that the miracles of Christ are proofs of his divinity.

But this cannot be accepted at all as both the Bible and the Qur'an attributed many miracles to the Prophets and righteous men; yet they have never been regarded as God even though some of them had shown greater miracles in their lives. For instance John the Baptist on whom Jesus said: "…among those born of Woman, hath no risen one greater than John the Baptist.." Matthew. 11:11.

Yet we notice that he did not perform any miracle. Yes, he was great but he did not perform any miracle, and thus the miracle is not a measurement or a proof of the greatness or divinity of a person, as assumed by Christians. Now, let us learn about those miracles performed by the Prophets and righteous servants of God.

Ezekiel Raised the Dead

The Christians proudly speak about Jesus and his raising of Lazarus from the dead but according to the same Bible the Prophet Ezekiel raised a huge army which consisted of thousands of people from the dead, while before that they were rotten bones in the valley. Thus he started his mission of raising the dead by saying: "…So I prophesized as He has commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army, then He said unto me, son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel…" Ezekiel. 37:1-12.1

Jesus Christ is no exception in this respect. All miracles performed by him were with the support and the power of the almighty Allah, the creator of all things. The Bible acknowledges this fact saying: "…ye men of Israel, hear these words, Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know…"Acts. 2:22.

And so all who were healed by Jesus, and other miracles and signs shown by him in particular the miracle of Lazarus who was raised back to life by Christ - were done by the power of the Father, the almighty God, the creator of all things.

Thus, Allah supported Jesus with that amazing miracle. The Bible states this fact by saying:

"…and Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, father, I thank thee that thou hast sent me, and I knew that thou hearest me always! But because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. and he that was dead came forth…Jesus said unto them, loose him and let him, go…" John. II: 41- 44.2

Thus, Lazarus was raised back to life by of Jesus not independently but by the power and the Divine support of Almighty Allah. This reality about the miracles of Jesus Christ is exactly what the Holy Qur'an has explained nearly 1,400 years ago by saying:

"... And (Allah) will make him (Jesus) a messenger to the Children of Israel, and (he will say) 1 have come to you with a sign from your Lord. See! 1 fashion for you out of a clay the likeness of a bird, and I breathe into it and suddenly it is a bird by Allah's leave. I heal him who was born blind and the leper, and I raise the dead by Allah's leave..." (Holy Qur’an, 3:48-49)

In Chapter 5 of the Holy Qur'an, Allah, the Almighty reminded Jesus Christ of the bounties which He had bestowed on him saying:

"... When Allah says: O Jesus, son of Mary! Remember My favor to you and to your mother, how I strengthened you with the Holy Spirit so that you speak to mankind while you are in the cradle as in adulthood, ... and how you shaped of clay the likeness of a bird by My permission, and blew upon it and it was a bird by My permission, and you healed him who was born blind and the leper by My permission; ..." (Holy Qur’an, 5:110) 3

Elisha and His Miracle

The Bible reports that, Elisha the Prophet performed miracles in his life; among these miracles was his conversion of "one pot of oil into hundreds of gallons of cooking oil". These gallons of oil, which came as a result of such miracles, enabled a woman to save her sons from being taken as slave by a creditor:

"…And Elisha said unto her, what shall I do for thee? She said, thine handmaid hath not anything in the house, save a pot of oil…Then he (Elisha) said, go borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few….And it came to pass when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, bring me yet a vessels and he said unto her, there is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed… And he (Elisha) said, go sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest…" 2 Kings. 3:6-7.4

Now, it is the turn of Joshua. The Bible narrates that Joshua also performed a great wonder when he stopped the sun from setting and the moon from its rotation and both of these heavenly bodies obeyed the commands of Joshua. If Christians speak about those demons who obeyed Jesus Christ, here we have the sun and the moon obeying the order given to them by Joshua.

"…. Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the Valley of Aj'alon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day…" Joshua. 10:12-13.

Long before I started reading the Qur'an and the Bible, I believed that it was only God that could stop the movement of the sun, moon or any other heavenly bodies, but here we are told that these luminary objects obeyed the commands of Joshua, the Prophet. Of course that had been done by the power of the Almighty God.

The miracle of Joshua to stop the sun and the moon from their natural courses and movement is the greatest miracle and sign but still this man is not considered to be son of God nor is he considered to be God. What happens to the Christian theologians here? Why do they not consider Joshua to be the "son of God" after the performance of such great miracles?

The Miraculous Life of Moses

Both the Bible and the Qur'an speak about the miraculous life of Moses, but regardless of this, we are told that Moses was neither God nor the son of God. The following is the Biblical testimony concerning the miraculous life of Moses:

(1) "…And the Lord did according to the word of Moses; and He removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not one" Exodus. 8:31.

(2) “…And they took (Moses and Aaron) ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses. sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast. And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians …” Exodus. 9:10-11.

(3) "…And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the Lord rained hail upon the Land of Egypt…" Exodus. 9:23.

(4) "…And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the Lord brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts ..." Exodus. 10:13.

(5) "…And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days ..." Exodus. 10:22.

(6) "…And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the Sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided…" Exodus. 14:21.

Elisha Healed Na-a-Man, the Leper

In the continuation of the miraculous life of the men of God, the Bible reveals unto us how Na-a-man, the leper was healed miraculously by Elisha the Prophet, therefore, the healing of the lepers by Jesus Christ was similar to the healing of the lepers by Elisha, the Prophet. Elisha, the Prophet healed Na-a man, the leper who was the captain of the host of the King of Syria.

The Bible in this regard says: "…And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan (river) seven times, and thy flesh shalt come again to thee, and thou shall be clean. Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean…" 2 Kings. 5:10,14.

The same Elisha, the Prophet, using the mantle of Elijah caused the splitting of the water in the Jordanian river and hence he crossed and continued his journey. The Bible says: "…And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said. Where is the Lord, God of Elijah? And when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither; and Elisha went over. And when the sons of the Prophets, which were to view at Jericho, saw him, they said, the spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him...'' 2 Kings. 2:14-15.5

The Miracle of Sha'drach, Me'shach and Abed'nego

According to the Bible, Sha'drach, Me'shach, and Abed'nego were three righteous men during the time of unjust King Neb-u-chad-nez'-zar, King of Babylon. The Bible describes how these three righteous men had escaped death miraculously when they were thrown in the burning furnace with their hands tied with ropes for three days by the order of King Neb-u-chad-nez'zar.

Indeed this is a great miracle, the story has been described as follows: "…And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace ...And the princes, governors, and captains, and the King's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them..." Daniel. 3:20-27.

If we have to examine this great miracle whereby the three righteous men were saved from the fire we could conclude that, Allah, the Creator is always there for the protection of the righteous people. This miracle is great indeed, yet I do not hear any Christian scholar admitting that Shadrach, Me'shach and Abednego are the sons of God after having shown this great sign and wonder; but they are silent with this great miracle of God which had manifested unto these holy men.

The Healing Power of Jesus Christ

The Christians will say that Jesus Christ has the power to heal all kinds of illnesses. I personally, do not have any problem with this concept of healing especially when attributed to Jesus Christ, a man approved by God with miracles and wonders.

What I am trying to explain is that, the healing power of Jesus does not make him God or the Son of God as believed by the Christians who normally say: "Jesus is the Only begotten Son of God, begotten not made". This concept can be easily disproved as we have seen that there are many Prophets and righteous men who have performed great signs and wonders in their lives, including healing of people, etc.

Jesus Christ had never claimed to have done anything on his own but always attributed whatever he had done to his Father who had sent him. Therefore in this regard, he is neither unique nor different from other Prophets and righteous men who performed miracles and wonders. Jesus Christ said about the nature of himself that: "… I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me…" John. 5:30.

The Blessing of Healing to the Jews

Serpents bit many during the time of Moses; Moses then made a snake from brass and as soon as those who were bitten and harmed by the poisonous serpents looked at the copper serpents of Moses, they were healed immediately.

The scripture says: "… And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived..." Numbers. 21:8-9.6

Thus as, the Jews experienced the healing power and its blessing from many righteous servants of God such as Moses, Elisha, Elijah, Aaron, Daniel, Ezekiel, Abraham, Hezekiah and many others long before the advent of Jesus Christ, the healing power of Jesus Christ was not new for them; they knew about the healing of the whole family by Abraham as the scripture says; "…So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife and his maid servants; and they bare children. For the Lord had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife…" Gen. 20:17-18.

The Jews as we have said knew all of these healing events of the past; as it will be monotonous to mention all healing events which took place long before Jesus Christ in this booklet, here finally, is Prophet Hezekiah exercising his healing power as the scripture says: "…And the Lord hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people. And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites, and the priests praised the Lord day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the Lord…" 2 Chronicles. 30:20-21.7

In fact, there is only One God and His real name is Allah. He is the Creator of everything and He alone deserves to be worshipped. Muslims do not worship Jesus Christ. For Muslims, Jesus was a man created by Allah and sent as a Prophet to the Jews and the Israelites.

The Belief in One God

The Holy Qur'an says: "...Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; and there is none like unto Him" (Holy Qur’an, 112: 1-4)

The Bible confirms the fact that Allah neither begets nor was he begotten, who cannot change and that none is like unto Him when it says:

“…that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he; before me, there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me…” Isaiah. 43:10.

“…to whom then, will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto Him...?” Isaiah. 40:18.

“…For I am the Lord, I change not…” Malachi. 3:6.8

It should be borne in mind that linguistically, the phrase "the son of God" used in the Bible so many times in its Aramaic and Hebrew religious culture does not maintain the same meaning if used in the European ancient pagan religious culture; this is because, the Jews in their religious culture accepted and believed only in the One God who is the Creator of the heavens, the earth and all things; and so for them the term "Son of God" will only mean "a righteous servant of God" and no more than that.9

The word son of God here symbolizes the righteousness, piety and closeness to God and thus, all who are righteous servants of God and pious men are entitled to be called "the sons and daughters of the Almighty God...". But as for the European pagan religious culture, they believed in multiple gods and goddess.

For them gods carried different names, these gods were born by mothers and some of them had sons and daughters and eventually died and were buried and sometimes these gods incarnated to each other.

The belief that Christ is a Son of God is just a verbal utterance of the monks and priests but as a matter of fact, it has no evidence or proof from any divinely inspired scripture. The following evidences from the Bible should serve to prove the fact that all righteous men and women and all humanity are considered to be the children of the Most 'High God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth..."

Adam, according to the Bible was a son of God, the Bible says: "…the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God..." Luke. 3:38.

The Bible testifies that both Israel and Ephraim are the two sons of the Almighty God, the Creator of all things, it says: "…For I am a Father to Israel and Ephraim is My first-born.." Jeremiah. 31:9.

Israel was called the "Son of God" and so he was, the Bible says: "And thou shall say unto Pharaoh; Thus saith the Lord, Israel is My son, even My first born" Exodus. 4:22.

In the Psalms, the Bible says that, God declared David as His son by saying: "…I will declare the decree, Thou art My son, this day have I begotten thee…" Psalms. 2:7.

After David was given this title by the Almighty Creator, this title was given also to his son, Solomon, about Solomon's sonship with God, the Bible says: "..He shall build an house for My name: and he shall be My son· and I will be his Father and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel foreve…r" 1Chron. 22:10.

We read also in the Bible: "…You are the son of the Lord your God…" Deut. 14:1.

The Almighty God according to the Bible is the Father of all mankind, "…Father of the Fatherless ... is God..." Psalms. 68:5.

Again, the meaning of the phrase the "son of God" has also been clarified by Jesus as he attributed to the Almighty God, the Creator of all things the fatherhood of all humanity by saying to Mary Magdalene "…Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascended unto my Father and your Father; and to my God and your God .." John. 20:17.

How is it then, after all of these statements in the Bible and that of Jesus Christ himself and their examples given, could the Christians continue to believe that Jesus Christ was the only son or the only begotten son of God? The Bible does not even want us to call to man on earth as our father as we have only one Father and that is the Almighty God, the Creator of all things. Jesus Christ says: "…And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father who is in Heaven…" Matthew. 23:9.

And these words of Jesus Christ which confirm that the Almighty God, the Creator of all things is the Father of all humanity have been supported by "Hosea, the Prophet" in the Old Testament. Hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus Christ, in this regard, the Bible says: "…and in the place where it was said to them, you are not my people, it shall be said to them, Sons of the living God..." Hosea. 1:10.10

The phrase "son of God" in its Aramaic and Hebrew culture is well understood. It is only when this phrase went to pagan Europe that the Europeans did not grasp its meaning as they were primitive pagans worshipping nature and luminary objects instead of worshipping the Creator of that nature and those luminary objects.

But the saying of Jesus Christ here leaves no doubt in our minds that there is no justification for regarding him (Jesus Christ) as the Son of God in an exclusive or unique sense.

To remove misconceptions from the primitive people, Jesus Christ in the New Testament referred to himself as the "Son of Man" ten times more than the "Son of God", this is why we say that, when he referred to himself as a "son of God", there is no doubt that Jesus meant the same son-ship and in the same meaning in which Adam, Israel, Ephraim, David and Solomon have been referred and acknowledged by the Scriptures which existed before him.

The Christians believes that Jesus is God or the Son of God because he claimed such Divinity and Sonship saying: "..I and the Farther are One…" John. 10:30-36, but this is not a proof or valid evidence at all as the same Jesus Christ and in the same Bible is quoted to have said; "…for my Father is Greater than I ..." John. 14:28.

Did Jesus Claim To Be Divine?

The saying of Jesus Christ "…I and the Father are One..." in John. 10:30-36, was as a result of a long misunderstanding between him and the Jews (John Chapter Ten) but this misunderstanding has been clarified by Jesus himself in that very argument he had with the Jews as he explained further by showing clearly that it was only in a metaphorical sense that he called himself the "son of God" and not in the real sense of the word as the Christians allege.

The controversy started when Jesus said "...I and the Father are One.…Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them (saying); Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying: For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man makest thyself God. Jesus answered them (saying) Is it not written in your law, I said ye are Gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?..." John. 10:30-36.11

This signifies that, the Jews in their own language and culture have used the phrase "the son of God" and "God" to those people who have been chosen by God and sent as Prophets; even Satan has been called God of this world. To give a few examples, let us go to the Bible. The scripture called the Satan as god of this world when it says: "….In Whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not…" 2 Corinthians. 4:4.

In the book of Exodus, Moses has been called god and his brother Aaron has been made his Prophet; the scripture says; "…And the Lord said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh; and Aaron thy brother shall be thy Prophet…" Exodus. 7:1.

But here, the Bible simply says that Moses was deputizing for God in the presence of Pharaoh and that Aaron in that task was made a deputy to Moses. That is the language of the Jews - they speak figuratively and metaphorically and thus their words are not to be taken literally.

This is why Jesus Christ in the above statement, debated with the same Jews linguistically, that if they believed they were gods because the word of God came to confirm that, why then was is not lawful for him to say that he was god or the son of God?

By this, Jesus did not claim to be God nor did he claim to be the son of God as it is interpreted in Christianity. If we search in the Bible, we shall see that Jesus called himself "son of man’ 83 times, but at the same time he refer himself as "son of God” only 13 times.

This is why we believe that he only claim to be the Son of God with accordance with the Biblical meaning and not in accordance to the Euro-centric Biblical concept. The true Biblical meaning of the title "Son of God" can be shown in the Bible itself when it says; "…For all who are led by the spirit of God are sons of God" Romans. 8:14. It also says; "And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty…" 2 Corinth. 6:18.

Biblical Evidences Show That Jesus Is Not God

In Islam we sincerely believe that there is only One Creator, Who is Allah, the Creator of all things. No Muslim will even consider that Jesus Christ is God. There are many evidences to prove that Jesus Christ is neither God nor ‘God in human flesh’ or what is known as "God incarnate". Here we shall present to you only eight (8) evidences to prove that Jesus Christ is neither God nor was he a part of divinity:

(1) In very simple language, Jesus Christ rejected the claims of Christians who assigned divinity on him; he also taught the Jews and his disciples that he was sent by the Father, the Creator as a Prophet and not God, Jesus says; "…I can of mine own self do nothing; as I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me…" John. 5:30.

(2) Jesus Christ confessed that he did not know when would be the final hour, the coming hour of the Day of Judgment. Had he been God who had a share of divinity he would have known something about the coming hour, but he simply said; "….But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father…" Mark. 13: 32.

(3) Jesus by his own words identifies only One Good Being which is God, the Creator of this very existence, and when he was called "good" by his disciples, he quickly answered saying: “…Why callest thou me good ? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments..." Math. 19:17.12

(4) Jesus Christ theoretically and practically demonstrated the greatness of God, the Creator of all things by declaring His Divine Greatness. In this regard, Jesus said; "…Father is greater than I…" John. 14:28, and then he said; "…Father which gave them me is greater than all…" John. 10:29.13

It is Interesting enough, to see that the verse, "…For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one…" 1 John. 5:7 which is in the King James Version of the Bible and which supposedly forms a great evidence for the doctrine of Trinity to the Christians, has now been removed from the Bible, and thus, in the Revised Version of the Bible of 1952 and 1971 you cannot read therein the above verse.

Here, I would like to ask, if the Biblical reference in 1 John. 5:7 was right and accurate, then why has it been removed in the Revised Standard Version? And if that quotation was not correct, then, why the Holy Spirit did not inform the Church about it, and why did the Church have to wait about 1,900 years to receive the truth? What kind of justice is this?

(5) The Bible says; "…And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan…" Mark. 1:12-13.It also says;"… And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season…'' Luke. 4:13.14

We also know that the true God cannot be tempted by evil. Thus if Jesus Christ was tempted by Satan which is evil, then he was not God. This fact has been proved by the same Bible when it says; "…God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed …" James. 1:13-14.15

(6) We read from the Bible that Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist; the act of being baptized by John is a clear indication that he was a man with shortcomings; this fact can be easily grasped when we realize that the baptism of John was for the removal of sin and repentance. the Bible agrees with this fact by saying: "...Before the beginning of his ministry, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist…" Matthew. 3:13.

At the same time the Bible confesses that the baptism of John the Baptist "…signified the confession of sins and repentance from sins…" Matthew. 3:6 &11.

(7) The Bible gives full Divine authority to God, the Creator of all things, and on the Day of Judgment everything shall be under His command. In this regard Jesus Christ will also be subject under the full control of the Father, the Originator and the Creator of all things; this has been clearly indicated in the Bible where it says; “…And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the son also himself be subject unto Him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all...” 1 Corinthians.15:28.

The above Biblical verse is a clear indication that Jesus Christ was not God; had Jesus Christ been God, he would have never been subjected to another God's control or command as there is Only One God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth and all things therein.

(8) We read in the Bible that Jesus Christ died and gave up the ghost, thus symbolizing that he died and tasted the pain of death. The Bible states: "... And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost..." Mark. 15:37. "…Christ died...." Romans. 5:6, and also"... He (Jesus) was dead …" John. 19:33.

How could it be possible for God to die and taste the pain of death? The Bible informs us also that the real and true God can never die when it says; "... For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth Eternity, whose name is Holy…" Isaiah. 57: 15. Thus, the Bible also confirms that Jesus is not God as it is an undeniable fact that the true God can never die. This is confirmed by the following statement:

"…Who only hath immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen..." 1 Timothy. 6:16.

With all these evidences that Jesus is not God, it is an undeniable fact that he cannot redeem humanity of its sins. The Crucifixion is nothing but fiction in its real sense.16

Clearing Misconceptions on Jesus’ Claims

Jesus Christ said; "Before Abraham was, I am" John. 8:58. Christian Biblical scholars put more emphasis on this verse to prove the divinity of Jesus as according to them Christ claimed to have been existing before Abraham. But anyone who has a little knowledge of the Bible knows that according to the Bible, this refers to that pre-human spiritual existence of Christ the, which has been also attributed to Jeremiah the Prophet.

The Bible in relation to this spiritual phenomenon is clearly indicating the possibility of the pre-spiritual existence of any human being. The Bible, on this pre-spiritual existence of Prophet Jeremiah, States: “…Then the 'word of the Lord came unto me, saying, before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations…". Jeremiah. 1:"4-5.

The above Biblical verse is a clear indication that Prophet Jeremiah had his pre-human spiritual existence as was the case with Jesus when he claimed by saying, "before Abraham was I am", and this has nothing to do with Christ's divinity. It simply analyzes that reality of pre-human existence of Christ, which is a reality with many others within this creation.

Jesus said; ''…anyone who has seen me has seen the Father…" John.14:9. We simply answer by saying that, this statement does not in any way make Jesus Christ equal to God or God himself. If that was the fact, it would be impossible for the same Jesus to contradict himself by saying, "…Father is greater than I…" John. 14:28. Had Jesus been the Father, then his above statement would make no sense as it speaks about the superiority of the Father over him which makes them two different personalities.

When Jesus said, "…I do nothing of myself…” (as in John. 5:30), he simply denied every one of the right of being equal with God, the Creator and the Father of all. And when he prayed saying, "…Father if it is possible, let this cup pass from me, yet not as I will but as thou wilt…" Matthew. 26:39, he was simply asking for help from someone else who was the Father; and thus, he was not the Father.

Jesus Christ was not God, and it cannot be possible to assume that he is God the Father by depending on his statement, which says, "anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" literally. This statement has its inner figurative sense and meaning especially when we go deeper into its context in the whole 14th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John.

In this entire chapter, Jesus is trying to convince the Jews that God is with him and that all that he was doing was indeed Gods works, and as God was being manifested in his entire life, he (Jesus) was actually an instrument used by God to reach them for their absolute guidance and salvation; and so, Jesus in that context rebuked them saying, "I have been with you so long and yet you say show us the Father?" As if he was telling them, don't you see how I do all of these miracles and wonders, and don't you know that God says, "…For there shall no man see me, and live?...” Exod. 33:20.

As Jesus wanted to prove his point which was to testify the existence of God's divine support in his mission, and the Divine manifestation of God on him, he is saying to the Jews, "look at my life and my work for they testify God's intervention in my life and mission, and thus anyone who has seen me has seen the Father for I represent none save the Father".17

Misconceptions on Thomas’ Statement

The Christians claim that even the doubting Thomas, the famous disciple of Jesus Christ had recognized Jesus as God when he remarked saying, "…My Lord and my God…" John. 20:28.

Here, the Bible scholars did not really understand the situation in which Thomas was made to utter these words. In fact, Thomas did not mean to call Jesus "Lord and God" as he knew that Jesus had never taught them or claimed anywhere that he was a divine. And in order for us to understand the significance of Thomas's statement, we must go back to reading the whole 20th Chapter of the Gospel according to John and then we can draw our conclusions.

After I read the 20th Chapter of the Gospel of John and understood clearly its context, here are my final remarks:

(i) In the Biblical and Qur'anic language, people have been addressed as "Lords and Gods" but this address did not made them divine or equal to God the Father. Here is Sarah, Abraham's wife, she obeyed her husband and always addressed him with the title "My Lord", 1 Peter. 3:6, and yet he was not God. Also, the Bible had addressed and called the Jews as Gods, when it says, "…God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; He judgeth among the gods..." Psalm. 82:1. And so if Thomas had addressed Jesus with these both titles, it does not mean that he was making Jesus equal with God, but this was a respectable manner of addressing someone like Jesus as Abraham was addressed by his wife or as God the Creator had addressed the Jews.

(ii) After reading the whole Chapter of this Gospel I found also that Thomas was in great excitement by seeing his master alive after he assumed him to have been dead and buried for three days and three nights. So Thomas was expressing his astonishment by saying, "My Lord, and My God" in an exclamation mode and not in a mode of identifying Christ as the real God and the Creator..!18

The question of God coming in human form was first introduced in Christianity by Paul. This man was so clever in his ministry that he used his natural, crafty, intelligent and a deceitful manner to establish the concept of God in flesh. In fact, it was easy for him to convert the pagans into his new ministry as he claimed many beliefs similar to the ancient concepts of God incarnation and that of God in flesh. Paul confessed about his deviant ministry and his usage of deceitful intelligence in his ministry saying; "…But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile..." 2 Corinthians. 12:16.

It is true that the ministry of Paul was sheltered by false craftiness and beguiling methods and his ministry had neither any authority from God nor from Jesus. Here is his own confession; “…I say again, let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little. That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting...” 2 Corinthians. 11:16-17.

Thus, today when you see many rituals in Christianity which have nothing to do with God and nothing to do with Jesus Christ, this should not surprise you as the whole foundation of this religion is based on human craft, guile, and human boasting which came from the same human confidence of boasting as Paul confessed. I shall give you a little about those crafty and false rituals, which penetrated Christianity foolishly, as Paul himself admitted.

Pagan Festival of Easter in Christianity

Easter was the goddess of the spring season in Roman and Greek ancient mythology; this myth of the Easter festivity is another pagan influence on Christianity.

The new converts from Greece and Rome brought their own pagan rituals and introduced them in their newly adopted religion, and so the Festival of Easter became a part of the Christian religion since that time. We have seen in the previous pages that the season of spring brings life and "resurrection" of plants from the deadly winter, which causes plants and vegetation to wither or die. Thus, the ancient sun worshippers and other pagans believed that spring was the season of resurrection and a new beginning of life.

The reawakening of the earth in Spring at the vernal equinox on March 21st - when the sun enters the sign Aries - heralds the regeneration of vegetation and the life of nature and this is why even now the festival which carries the symbol of "New life, resurrection and new beginning" still takes place in Persia and India.

As the festival of the goddess of spring "Easter" was very common thousands of years ago in Europe, Egypt and Persia, this practice and festival took its new form two thousand years ago; Jesus Christ replaced the throne of the goddess of Spring "Easter", therefore, Jesus Christ must die and rise from the dead in the same season, and so goes the story which now has become an important dogma throughout Europe, America and wherever Christianity is claimed to be a religion.19

Indeed, the Holy Qur'an spoke the truth when it says; "... the Christians imitate what the unbelievers of old used to say...." (Holy Qur’an, 9:30)

The Life and Mission of Jesus Christ

The question of the status, life and mission of Jesus Christ is a serious matter that has caused great division between Christians and Muslims. Muslims worldwide maintain their belief that Jesus Christ was no more than a messenger of Allah sent only to the Jews; Jesus did not die on the Cross, but Allah the Creator of all things saved him from the cup of death and raised Jesus to Himself. The Muslims also believe that salvation of mankind does not depend on the blood of Jesus Christ, but it depends solely on the individual's righteousness and the Grace and the Mercy of Allah, the Creator of all things.

On the other hand, Christians worldwide believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross as God or the Son of God and was buried for three days; then he rose from the dead in the spring season as it was believed by the ancient pagans of their god, Mithra, who rose from the dead on the third day in the same spring season as you have already learned this fact in previous pages.
As for their claim about the divinity of Jesus, we have already proved that Jesus is neither God nor is he the Son of God as it is believed in Euro-centric concept of Christianity. If that was the fact, and he was a perfect human being - born of woman as he claimed - there would be no need for crucifixion and his death on the cross. This myth has nothing to offer to mankind - contrary to what is believed by the Christians, the followers of Paul and his ancient Roman mythologies.

Nevertheless, I shall try my level best here to use both the Biblical and Quranic sources at my disposal to prove that the man whom they call Jesus Christ had never been crucified by the Jews but Allah raised him up to Himself. The Muslims have many evidences both from the Holy Qur'an and from the Bible to prove that Jesus never died on the Cross.

The Holy Qur'an clearly and categorically explains this by saying:

"... That they said (in boast), 'we killed the Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah'-But they killed him not, neither did they crucify, him but confusion overtook them: (in that very day), and those who differ therein they are in clear doubt, for of a surety, they killed him not - Nay, but Allah raised him up unto Himself And Allah is Exalted in Power the Wise". (Holy Qur’an, 4:157)

We learn from the above verse of the Holy Qur’an the following important points:

(1) Jesus was a prophet and messenger of Allah who was sent to the children of Israel. Jesus was neither killed nor crucified by the Jews or the Romans.

(2) The day on which they planned to crucify Jesus Christ was filled with frightening events, e.g. there was an eclipse of the sun, earthquake and many others. As a result, people in Israel were left in confusion; they did not know whether Jesus was crucified or not, as during all of these frightening events people could not recall what was happening and so there was confusion also in the minds of those who had attempted to kill Jesus Christ.

(3) People during the lifetime of Jesus Christ did differ and have doubts on the matter of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

(4) Allah, the Creator of all things raised up Jesus to Himself to save him from the agony of death on the cross.

Hereunder is a broad explanation of the five points given above which have been categorically outlined by the Holy Qur'an. The following explanations will be supported by more convincing evidences to our readers:

Jesus Was a Prophet of God

Muslims believe that Jesus, son of Mary was no more than a prophet and great messenger of Allah, the Creator of heavens and earth. He was born in Bethlehem in the time of King Herod of the Roman Empire. His mission as a prophet started when he was a baby in the cradle.

According to the Holy Qur'an, there were many miracles in the life of Jesus Christ. Some of these miracles are as follows:

(1) The birth by a virgin, i.e. without human intervention of sex. Virgin Mary was the mother of Jesus Christ. She conceived Jesus by the power of Allah, the Almighty, the Creator of all things and in fact, hers was an "immaculate conception".

(2) According to the Holy Qur'an, Jesus Christ spoke to the Jews while in his cradle, a young baby. He spoke to them and gave them a serious and informative message from the Creator, Allah, to Whom be the Glory. While he was still a young boy playing with others, he fashioned clay as birds and then blew on them and lo! They became flying live birds in the air.

(3) Jesus, according to the Holy Qur'an healed the blind, healed the lepers and raised the dead. Jesus, also through prayer, brought down food from heaven for the Jews and his disciples.

(4) The last miracle of Jesus Christ to be mentioned here was his escape from death on the Cross as he was raised up to heaven by Allah.

The Holy Qur'an confirms the above miracles of Jesus Christ when it described the birth of Jesus. At the same time, the Jews were arguing with Mary about the status of her child, as Mary was unmarried. The Jews thought that she had had unlawful sex and thus she deserved to be stoned to death, and so they were debating with her concerning her pregnancy and the birth of her baby without a father.

The Holy Qur'an narrated the whole story to us as follows:

“At length she brought the babe to her people, carrying him (in her arms). They said: 'O Mary! Truly an amazing thing hast thou brought! 0 sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a man of evil, nor thy mother a woman unchaste!' But she pointed to the babe. They said: 'how can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?' He said: 'I am indeed a servant of Allah; He hath given me revelation and made me a prophet; and He hath made me blessed wheresoever I hath be, and enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I live; (He) hath made me kind to my mother and not overbearing or miserable; So Peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die and the Day that shall be raised up to life (again) Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: (it is) a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute"(Holy Qur’an, 19:27-34)

Christ Was Only For the Jews

Christians believe that the mission of Jesus Christ was for the whole world and for both Jews and Gentiles. This belief is wrong as it contradicts the information given in both the Bible and the Holy Qur'an. Both the Holy Qur'an and the Bible say that Jesus was sent as a messenger and a prophet for only the lost sheep of Israel and not for the whole world as assumed by modern day Christians.

The Holy Qur'an says:

"... And Jesus was the prophet to the children of Israel ... " (Holy Qur’an, 3:49)

The Bible also confirms this fact saying;"... But he (Jesus) answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel..." Matthew. 15:24.

It also says; "…These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go ye rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel..." Matthew. 10:5-6.

Gentile nations are all nations of the world other than the Jews, but in Biblical days the Bible used to refer to the people of Greece, Rome, Persia, Babylon, Arabia, India and Egypt etc., as Gentiles. In another place, Jesus himself refers to the Gentiles as dogs and swine.

These dogs and swine do not deserve what is holy or bread; according to Jesus, what is holy and bread, will simply mean or apply to the revelation from God which is of course holy and spiritual food. This is why he said, “…It is not meet to take the children's bread, and cast it to dogs...” Matthew. 15:26.

Jesus here has called his message and revelation as children's bread as it came especially for those children who were the Children of Israel; due to this, he repeated his demand again saying: “…Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trampled them under their feet, and turn again and rend you...” Matthew. 7:6.20

And so Jesus Christ saw them as dogs and swine who did not deserve to be given either what is holy or the children's bread. By "what is holy" and the "children's bread “Jesus Christ refers to his Gospel as a holy divine revelation and it is spiritual food for the children of Israel. By the word "pearls", Jesus Christ was referring to the very valuable property, which is his Gospel.

We have seen how Jesus Christ forbade his disciples from preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles, which were the pagan nations of Greece, Rome, Egypt, India, Phoenicia, Babylon and Persia. In this prohibition, Jesus Christ intellectually and miraculously foretold about that adverse nature of these Gentile nations if they were to be given this holy food, the children's bread and the divine pearl.

The most important statement of Jesus Christ in this regard was "lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you" Matthew. 7:6.

Jesus did not treat the Gentiles in the manner one would expect because they were swine and dogs culturally and character wise. What is holy to them is of no value; the children's bread and the pearls, which symbolize that pure and holy spiritual food, will not be of any benefit to their unclean and uncivilized nature, which is governed by their pagan heritage, barbarism and ancient prejudices.

Thus as they were not ready for this holy message and unable to perceive of its value, Jesus Christ had prohibited his disciples from sharing these holy spiritual gifts with the Gentiles lest they trampled them under their feet due to their ignorance, and then turn again and rend the very true followers of Jesus Christ.

The Words of Christ Came to Pass

While the Christians are today proud to see the spread of Christianity worldwide, they are unaware of the fact that nearly all the laws and divine principles that Jesus Christ preached and taught to the Jews have been trampled under the feet of the Gentiles. The Christians, who are claiming to be the followers of Jesus Christ, are today the followers of the Gentile nations who have changed nearly everything preached by Jesus Christ into their Euro-centric economic, political and socio-cultural dimension which suit their life style.

This is exactly what Jesus had feared and knew would happen. Jesus had foreseen the distortion of his religion and this is why he had banned his disciples from preaching his Gospel to these Euro-gentile nations lest they should trample the divine laws under their feet. But unfortunately it happened. The divine laws established by Moses and strengthened by Jesus no longer have any role to play in Christianity, having been replaced by the Roman and Anglican Church and others which neither recognize the laws nor the struggle of any soul towards spirituality through the observance of the Commandments.

1. All of these miracles performed by the prophets as explained by both the holy Qur'an and the Bible have been done by those righteous men through the power and the divine support of Allah, the creator of the heavens and the earth. Therefore, neither Jesus nor any other Prophet has done anything from his own power. All that they performed were through the support of the almighty Allah.

2. The lifting up of his eyes symbolizes the humbleness of Jesus Christ in his prayers to his creator; then his saying; "Father, thank thee, that thou hast sent me" is a clear statement from him to acknowledge that he was sent by Allah as a messenger to people. His saying: “I knew that thou hearest me always" is the evidence that Jesus used to seek divine support which he got wherever he wished as the Father, the almighty creator was always in his assistance.

3. Note: The holy Qur'an always referred the miraculous life of Jesus Christ to be the result of divine support from God and not an independent supernatural power of Christ himself as many Christians would like to believe.

4. As Ezekiel did not become God or son of God by miracles, here, Elisha cannot be classified as God or the begotten son of God simply because he performed a great miracle of converting a pot of oil into several gallons of oil.

5. Here it does not signify that Eli-sha was a son of God because he healed the leper and caused the waters to split like that in the time of Moses with the Pharaoh. It has to be clearly understood that, all these things were done before him or through his hands and his presence because the creator, Allah was on his side and rendered him his divine support.

6. See how the Jews in Egypt and in Israel were so familiar with the phenomenon of healing as they have been blessed of having lived with many saints, prophets and righteous servants of Allah whom the divine creator had wrought many miracles in their lives.

7. These healing powers were bestowed by almighty God, the creator to many of the righteous people of the past, present and those who are to come. To have the power of performing miracles and wonders does not make you the physical son of God but would simply mean that, you are "the righteous servant of God". This is why I have said that, if the meaning of the phrase "Son of God" means "the righteous servant of God" then the Muslims worldwide will have no objection in accepting it, but if the phrase "Son of God" will mean that Jesus is "the Only begotten Son of God" or what they normally believe that this "begotten not made" then Muslims worldwide will not only reject it but would also consider it to be a blasphemy.

8. The above evidences are proofs that Jesus was neither God nor was he a begotten son of God as assumed or taught by the Christian church. Instead, he was a perfect, righteous and holy man whom Allah chose for his divine mission and sent him to teach and guide the Israelites.

9. Begetting is an animalistic behaviour and Allah is far from that ..! Therefore, it is not right to believe that God has a son literally, as the Jews worshipped their God mainly in spirit who neither begat nor was He begotten and there is none like unto him and neither does anyone resemble him.

10. Note: The phrase or the title "son of God" means nothing more than that "nearness to the creator" in love and in harmony with his commandments. Many times, Emmanuel (Jesus) has explained the real meaning of this phrase "son of God"; according to Jesus Christ, every man who did the will of the Father in Heaven is a son of God, but in fact, it is that devotion in spirit and commitment in life to almighty God and kind and merciful behaviour that make men and women worthy of being called "the sons of God".

This is what Muslims believe and this is what Jesus Christ had explained to us when he said:
"Love your enemies…that you may be the children of your Father which is in Heaven". Matthew. 5:44-45. "Blessed are the Peace-makers; for they shall be called the sons of God". Matthew. 5:9.

11. Note: Here, Jesus Christ intellectually rejected the claim that he was God by explaining his own parable unto them giving them numerous examples as in the book of Psalms which gives them (the Jews) a position of being "gods", the very verse which Jesus narrated unto them says; "I have said, you are gods; and all of you are children of the most high…" psalms. 82:6.

12. Had he been God, he could easily have informed his disciples as Jesus had no fear of his disciples and friends. And here, in a very positive way, Jesus again nullifies the doctrine of trinity as he had done in Mark. 13:32 where he is teaching that there is none good except one and that is God only.

13. Jesus Christ in his words above had not only refuted the concept of "The TRINITY" but he also disapproves it by declaring the greatness of the Father than his own self as he had also declared the greatness the Holy Spirit than of his own self when he said; " And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him, but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven·him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come" Matthew.12 32.

14. This devil affair he ended all his temptation, departed from Jesus for a season! It seems that the devil vowed to continue his temptation on this supposed God forever, how weak was this God and how ignorant are those who still consider him to be their creator and sustainer?

15. The fact that he (Jesus) was a real human being like any other man, tempted by satan with evil, and the fact that the evil cannot attempt to reach God signifies that Jesus was not God. This fact can never be denied by any intelligent being.

16. If Jesus was God, he could have been immortal and eternal as it has been described by the verse in the book of Isaiah and in Timothy. But the fact that he was a human, was subjected to hunger (Matthew. 21:18), pain and weeping (John.ll:35), thirst (John.19:28), slumber, sleep (Matthew. 8:24, Luke. 8:23). And according to the Bible he was also subjected to that supposedly shameful death on the cross, Allah forbids ..!!

17. It is impossible to see God, except to see the same God and his presence through the work of His agent. In that sense Jesus was the agent of God sent for a specific purpose and mission. We see the wind not with our naked eyes but through the signs which manifest the power of wind, i.e. the scattering of papers and the leaves of trees here and there when blown by wind, and through our daily experience of breathing the air which comes from the wind as a source and so we see God through his divine manifestation on all of his creation, and hence, he who has seen Christ as a creation and manifestation of God, eventually, has seen the Father.

18. People, normally when in a state of surprise and astonishment caused by different events mention the name of God. Remember that God is the first and last alternative when someone is faced with any trouble, this is why they all end up saying. O, my Lord and my God!

19. Ref: (a) "Pagan Christs" written by Robertson, pp 338 and (b) "The Golden Bough" written by Sir Frazier; pp 171-172.

20. Note: According to Jesus Christ, the Gentiles were dogs and swine; they were not dogs and swine physically but through their pagan mentality. So that while they are spiritually unclean, their whole life would fall in with their low desires, governed by their impure state of mind and spirit.

Chapter 4: Deviations in Christianity

Religious and Political Mischiefs of Paul

A man known as Paul was the first to claim that he was a prophet for the Gentiles. However, it is my belief that Paul had appointed himself to that office as Jesus Christ had banned his disciples from going to the Gentiles and from entering into the cities of the Samaritans as we have already shown.

The Romans who were the colonizers of Israel during the lifetime of Jesus Christ knew that Jesus Christ was anti-imperialist; he did not wish to see his people colonized and enslaved by the Romans, and so he (Jesus) brought that religion to open the eyes of his fellow Jews and to emancipate their minds so that they might demand their liberation from their oppressors. This is why, he kept insisting that, "…he was only sent to the lost sheep of Israel…" Matthew. 10:5-6.

To liberate and emancipate people is a hard task and this made Jesus Christ most hated in Israel by the Romans and their Jewish agents, the Pharisees and the Scribes. But despite all of that, the order of Christ for preaching the Gospel only to the Jews was obeyed by all of his disciples.

The Bible confirms this fact saying: "….Now, they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only…." Acts.l1:19.

Paul however, was a very crafty and intelligent Jew. He knew that by using religion he would earn and achieve political and social influence in Rome and it was only by preaching contrary to what Christ had done and through persecution of his followers and perhaps killing them he might be able to influence the Romans who viewed Christ as their bitter enemy.

Paul confessed this fact by saying: "...I verily thought with my self, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities...." Acts. 26:9-11.

In his crafty nature and while in the process of creating his new religion contrary to the religion of Christ, Paul used different approach, even hypocritical ones. Here are his own words: "…For though I be free from all men, yet have I made my self-servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law... that .I might gain them that are under the law; to them that are without law, as without law, that I might gain them that are without law..." 1Cor. 9:19-21.

Christians have been moved by Paul's teachings throughout the history of the Church. They consider him to be a prophet appointed by Christ to revive his Church and his ministry but a little research of his biography signifies that even the Jews of his time did not appreciate his lifestyle, thoughts and his religious activities. Here is the testimony of the Jews:

"…for we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ring-leader of the sect of the Nazarenes: Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law..."Acts.24:5-6.

Thus, there is no doubt that according to the testimony of the Jews and those who knew Paul, he was a pestilent, a ringleader of the sect of Nazarenes. The "sect of Nazarenes" here, refers to the pagans who dwelt and lived in Nazareth during Paul's life time, Paul also profaned the temple of the Jews which was founded as a monotheistic religion by inserting his pagan culture and ideas therein; e.g. he said that Jesus was God in flesh. By this he pushed the concept of "God incarnation" taken from his original Nazarene sect of paganism to his new founded religion called Christianity (afterwards) in Antioch. This is the reason why neither the Jews nor the Disciples of Christ accepted Paul's teachings.

But according to the Bible, the disciples debated with Paul for many days, and when Paul realized that he could not convince them of his claims. He departed from them and went to the Gentiles on his own authority, so that the actual reason for him to enter unto the Gentiles with the Gospel was the lack of support from the Disciples of Christ.

In addition to that, the disciples forsook Paul who became angry and then said; "… And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles…" Acts. 18:6.

Paul's unauthorized mission started after his differences with the Jews and the disciples of Jesus Christ due to his false doctrines and beguiling nature, and the first place where Paul had aim to establish his religion was Antioch, the Scripture says; "…Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And 'the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch…" Acts. 11:25-26.

Thus, there is no doubt in saying that Christianity is the religion founded by Paul and not Jesus Christ, and here, I give you more information about the nature of Paul before you read about the differences between the teachings of Christ and Paul.

Hypocrisy and lies are the two qualities of Paul, a man believed by many Christians to be the cornerstone of Christianity after Christ. Here Paul is saying; "…I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city, and I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people…" Acts. 21:39.

But on another occasion he claimed being a Roman; "…and as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman. Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, tell me, art thou the Roman'? He (Paul) said, Yea…"Acts. 22:26-28.

This is the real nature of Paul who assumed his own authority to teach the Gentiles, regardless of the prohibition from Jesus Christ. He went with all whims and fancies supported by his high intelligence and craftiness to beguile the people and started his mission alleging that, Christ came to save both Jews and the Gentiles.

In fact, Paul's teachings contain some religious ethics mixed with ancient paganism and so the Romans accepted these easily as opposed to the teachings of Christ which were based mainly on monotheism, coming with special codes of conduct. In addition to this, the Romans had considered Christ as their dangerous enemy, a traitor and a Jewish nationalist.

There is therefore no excuse for Paul's preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles. Paul himself knew this fact, and he knew that neither God nor Christ had sent him to preach to the Gentiles; this is why he confessed saying: "...I say again, let no man think me a fool: if otherwise, yet as a fool receives me, that I may boast myself a little. That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting..." 2 Cor. 11:16-17.

Paul went and preached to the Gentiles in order to achieve his own goals which is personal glory and he did not speak after the Lord's command as he admitted that himself. So the claim that Paul was sent by Jesus to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles in the alleged vision between the road of Jerusalem and Damascus is nothing but a myth, which has no evidence. We think that, this is also a self-glorification that originated from the desire of his flesh as he himself confessed that by saying: "... Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also…" 2 Cor. 11:18.

Thus, Paul lied by appointed himself as a prophet for the Gentiles, when he said: "...For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office..." Rom. 11:13. Compare this claim of Paul's to the order by Jesus Christ's: "...Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: but go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel..." Matt. 10:5-6.1

And thus, Paul was right to attribute his writings and preaching to himself and not to God or Christ when he said and admit openly saying; "…I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase…" 1Cor. 3:6-7.

Yes, Paul planted which means the establishment of his religion. Then Apollos watered, signifying the assistance, which he got from Apollos, a Jew from Alexandria; but still we have to ask ourselves how and why God gave increase to those teachings that are contrary to that of Jesus Christ?

These words of Paul will simply mean that so long as you want to magnify the work and the glory of God, you are allowed to lie and use all deceitful means. Yet you are not judged as a sinner. Thus, you could plant a seed of any false religion by the help or assistance of any one, and immediately God will bless it and give the increase in its teachings as Paul claimed.. !! Hallelujah ..!! Hallelujah..!! Everybody say Amen ..!!Amen ..!!

A Baseless Claim

After it was discovered that Paul had disobeyed Jesus Christ by going to the Gentiles, and that his teachings were totally against Christ and the principles of original Christianity, the European Biblical scholars defended Paul's act of going to the Gentiles and made it valid by using Jesus' command which says; "...Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost…" Matt. 28:19.

But this command of Jesus' simply meant "to go and teach those twelve nations and tribes of Israel and not the Nations of the world" as this would contradict Christ's next order which says; "…But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come…" Matt. 10:23.

This indicates that Christ expected his disciples to remain in the cities of Israel, travelling from town to town till his second coming as they would never finish preaching his Gospel to the people of Israel until his coming. For this work, Jesus promised them a big reward in the hereafter which will be to judge the same "twelve nations of Israel" (not all the nations of the world) by saying; "…Ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel…" Matt. 19:28. This indicates the restriction of the ministry of Jesus to Israel only.

Comparison between the Teachings of Paul and Those by Jesus Christ

Here I shall briefly prove to you my reader that the teachings of Paul were not only contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ but they also demolish the very foundation of the original religion of Christ.

Paul did not represent Christ when he formulated and established his own religion by writing his books, which were canonized and included in the New Testament by order of the Council of Nicea in 325 AD. This Council was responsible for changing the original Christianity founded by Jesus into that of Eurocentric origin based on European paganism and mythologies.

Here are a few examples:

(1) In teaching his disciples that he was not God, Jesus Christ said the following remarks; “…And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? None is good, save One, that is God...” Luke.l8:19. But Paul declared Christ as Great God when he said; “...Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the Great God and our Savior Jesus Christ..." Titus. 2:13.

In teaching his disciples that he was sent only to guide the Jews and not the Gentiles, Jesus Christ said; “...I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the House of Israel...” Matt. 15:24.

And he ordered his disciples saying; "...Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and unto any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel...” Matt. 10:5-6. But Paul said to the Disciples of Christ; “…Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles...” Acts. 18:5-6.

And then Paul, contrary to Jesus, claimed the office of Prophethood for the Gentiles saying; “…For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as am the Apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office...” Rom.11:13.

In fact, this is a lie as I have proved earlier and in addition to that, Paul himself admitted this fact saying; "…Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto..." Gal. 3:15.

To Jesus Christ, the laws were neither to be broken nor destroyed. He confirmed this fact saying; "…Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the Prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one little shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled…" Matt. 5:17-20.

But Paul allegedly abolished all laws by claiming that, "…Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree..." Gal. 3:13.

After he has regarded all laws as "a curse", he continued to philosophize on the matter of laws by assuming that there is no need of keeping the laws to achieve forgiveness and salvation by assuming that the human sacrifice of Christ is the only thing which can free us from sin and not the mercy of God, abiding with the laws or repentance, for he said, "...And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission…" Heb. 9:22.

This is another lie. Jesus never taught this philosophy. He only taught us that God forgives with His Mercy and He is not in need of any sacrifice to save the sinner; Jesus Christ contradicts Paul in this matter saying; "…But if ye have known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless..." Matt. 12:7.2

In the religion of Jesus, which is Islam, Jesus Christ taught that there is only One God by saying; "...The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord..." Mark. 12:29.

This same Lord appeared to Moses as in Deut. 6:4, the same God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob as in Ex. 4:5, the Eternal God who can neither change nor die and none is like unto Him as it has been explained in 1 Tim. 6:16. This God is the God and the Lord of all, This God, the Creator of all things neither begets nor was He begotten as it has been explained in Isaiah. 43:10, and He does not dwell on or inhabit the earth as was explained in 2 Chro. 6:18.

Contrary to that clear and pure concept of God taught by Jesus Christ, Paul came with a new concept about God, which has been mixed with paganism. He brought a new religion contrary to the religion of Christ portraying Jesus Christ as God, who came to this world in human form by way of that mystical process of incarnation through flesh and blood.

And then, Paul, by philosophizing in the nature of Jesus and by preaching that Jesus is God or the one who is equal with the Creator, recapitulated his new doctrine by saying: "…Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross..." Phil. 2:5-8.

Circumcision, which was a religious tradition of the Jews and Jesus Christ, is now neglected by the Christians under the teachings of Paul. We read from the Bible that; "...And in the eighth day the flesh of his· foreskin shall be circumcise..." Lev. l2:3.

This law was implemented by the parents of Jesus Christ and Jesus himself never condemned it, in this regard we read again that; "…And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus..." Luke. 2:21.

But the self-appointed prophet of the Gentiles, Paul, had made a big blunder on this command by regarding it as nothing saying; "...Is any man called being circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing but the keeping of the commandments of God..." 1Cor. 7:18-19.3

The Bible maintains that there are things which are lawful and others which are unlawful to eat and so Jesus Christ did not allow his disciples to eat each and every thing. Concerning the flesh, both the Bible and the Qur'an maintained the unlawfulness of the flesh of swine as it is explained in the book of Deuteronomy saying; "…And the swine, because it divideth the hoot; yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass…" Dent. 14:8

Jesus - who was superior to Paul - admitted the validity of this instruction when he said: "...Think not that 1 am come to destroy the law or the Prophets ..." Matt. 5: 17-20. But it seems that Paul was unaware of all this, and on his own authority, he permitted Christians to eat and use the flesh of swine by declaring that, all things are clean: “…For one believeth that he may eat all things, another, who is weak, eateth herbs..." Rom. 14:2-3.

Remember that, his saying that all things are clean for those who believe is a trick which aims to destroy and abolish the laws which existed among the Jews since the time of Moses in which his Master Jesus had not dared to abolish. His craftiness and beguiling methods in fighting against the laws are illustrated in his words: "...the law produces wrath, but where there is no law, neither is there any transgression…” Rom. 4:15.

Compare these words of Paul which reject the importance of law with the words of his close disciple Luke when he said, "…It is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one dot of the law to become void..." Luke. 16:17.

Here, Paul is urging the people to believe that they might eat every thing they desire. It is strange enough to realize that to Paul, the belief of God makes you free to eat all things you wish; however, the scripture has identified many things as lawful and others as unlawful for the believers, which means that mankind has to abide with laws and divine principles forever and not for a short period of time.

1. Don't you see this contradiction'? How could Jesus have banned his disciples from preaching his gospel to the Gentiles but permitted Paul, who was not even among his disciples, to do so? Paul knew that this was a lie. He admitted his lie, but to cover his sin of lying, he brought a strange concept which teaches that he goal justifies the means, by saying; "…for if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am j also judged as a sinner?" Rom. 3:7.

2. This statement of Jesus is among the evidences which testify that there was no need for the sacrifice of Christ or his death on the cross for the removal of the sins of the world, as God here confirm his divine mercy and reject the assumed human sacrifice.

3. Here, Paul is unaware that the very state of being uncircumcised is a violation of the Commandments. How then does he support the keeping of the Commandments and at the same time ignore this traditional command of circumcision. So when he said that circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, his very words are not in keeping with the Commandments. But Paul here, was aiming to destroy the religion and traditions of the laws rooted in the Bible by modernizing them craftily to suit the social and political culture of the Romans and other Gentile nations and thus satisfy his own deviant satanic desires.

Chapter 5: What We Have Been Taught

What Paul has actually tried to explain in the earlier statements is nothing but his own philosophy and craftiness. It is my hope that the intellectuals among the Christians of this modern world will one day realize this fact and they will come to the conclusion that these teachings of Paul have nothing to do with Jesus Christ or God but it is as himself said: "…And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you; the less I be loved. But be it so, I did not burden you: Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile…" 2 Cor. 12:15-16.

Thus, these teachings of Paul in "The New Testament" are nothing except a service to the Gentiles whom Jesus Christ did not wish to spread his word to, as we have learnt earlier. But Paul was glad enough to spend all his time for them knowing that the more he loved them, the less love he would earn from the true followers of Christ as he admitted that himself. Then, in his above statement, he admitted that he did not burden the Gentiles. This is true in the sense that he had removed all laws and commandments for them by urging them that Christ had redeemed them from the curse of law as in Gal. 3:13.

But, this was only a crafty play and he did entrap all his followers through this craftiness and guileful method. And now, after we have discussed a lot about the real founder of Christianity, who is Paul, let us leave him and his innovations alone and continue to explain other concepts assumed to be correct and authentic by the Christians worldwide.

Was Jesus Crucified?

Muslims believe that the crucifixion of Jesus was not a predestined plan of God as Christians allege or assume. It is commonly believed in Christianity that God had planned from the beginning to send his "only begotten Son" to die on the Cross as a human sacrifice which would remove the sins of the world. In fact, in Christianity, the death on the Cross is considered an "atonement and the redemptive process in which Christ came to die as a sacrifice for the removal of the sins of the world".

But this concept can neither be correct nor authentic for the following reasons:

(1) Jesus prayed three times to God in order to be saved from the cup of death on the cross, he prayed saying; "…O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt…" Matt. 28:39.

This Biblical verse simply meant that he was not ready for that death; he was unlike Abraham's son who volunteered himself to be sacrificed for the sake of God's Will. But here, Jesus shows not only his unwillingness to die but also his open cowardice of being crucified for the fulfillment of God's alleged plan to redeem mankind. Actually, this act will indicate that there was no predestined plan by God for him to be sacrificed for the alleged "atonement or redemptive process" for the removal of sins.

Had it been God's "predestined plan", Jesus could have neither complained nor made any excuse, but contrary to that we see him (Jesus) express his complains and his hesitation to die by asking the Father to take away from him the cup of death on the Cross..!1

Muslims believe in the prophethood and the messiahship of Jesus Christ; they also believe that the prayers and cries of Christ were answered and granted by God, therefore when he said; "...Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me...'' this very prayer of Christ was granted and he did not die on the cross as it is written “…Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you! For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh shall be opened. 0 what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?..." Matt. 7:7-10.

Thus, when Jesus asked his Father "to take away the cup of death on the cross", he was asking for bread; and he, therefore, was given that bread and not a stone, he asked for a fish and ultimately he was given a fish and not a serpent. This is why we believe that Jesus did not die on the cross as his prayers were heard and he described that himself saying; "…Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me, and I knew that, thou hearest me always…" John. 11:41-42.

We also read from the Bible concerning the prayer of Jesus Christ that; "…the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much…" James. 5:16.

This is why, while Jesus was praying to God that he should be saved from death on the cross, the bible confirm the intercession of mercy from the angels by saying; "...and there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him...," Luke. 22:42-43.

In addition to this, we believe that the prayers of Jesus Christ were heard and granted by almighty God, as it is written in the following biblical reports and prophecies:

(a) "…the Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous…" Pro. 15:29.

(b) "…the fear of the lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short…" Pro. 10:27.

(c) ''…many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all, he keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken…” Psm. 34:19-20.

Jesus Christ was not supposed to die on the cross according to the above prophecy and many others. Paul confirms this fact here by saying; "…who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications, with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared…" Heb. 5:7.

Another piece of evidence which testifies that Jesus Christ was neither killed nor did he die on the cross is the prophecy which was given by Jesus himself. According to the biblical report, Jesus made the prophecy and the only sign which would prove that he was a true messiah. That prophecy is what has been called in the Bible as "the sign of Jonah" and what was the sign of Jonah?

The bible speaks about the sign of Jonah saying; "…now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah; and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights". Jonah. 1:17. "then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish's belly, and said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and He heard me; out of the belly of hell cried, and thou heardest my voice .. and the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land…" Jonah. 2:1-10.2

A Comparison between Jesus and Jonah

The most interesting drama played by Jesus and Christians can be viewed when you are able to analyze between the two important ideas. Jesus claims in the Bible to be like Jonah as he would have the same signs as Jonah; but the Christians say, Jesus was unlike Jonah; as his signs were contrary to those of Jonah.

They say, Jonah was alive in three days and three nights in the belly of the whale but Jesus, they said was dead, and this will make him to be unlike Jonah. Thus, we ask, who is speaking the truth? Jesus or the Christians? We, Muslims, believe that Jesus Christ in his prophecy emphasize that his sign shall be that of Jonah and so he would be the likeness and resemblance of Jonah as he himself had already foretold about it.

Thus when he was asked by the Jews to produce the miracle or the unique sign to prove himself to be the Messiah he immediately foretold about his sign and miracle saying; "...and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the Prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth...” Matt. 12:39-40.3

According to the Book of Jonah, Jonah was alive during the three days and three nights he was in the whale's belly while each one of us would expect him to be dead. Similarly, when we expected Jesus Christ to be dead after his alleged arrest, he must have escaped death miraculously. So he was alive as he had foretold. Both Jonah and Jesus are thus supposed to have similar signs as it is written in Matt. 12:39-40.

From this, we can conclude that Jesus was protected by God, the Creator and was kept somewhere far away from the cross in a very secure place which no man can either go or reach as foretold by the saying: “…The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the Chief Priests sent officers to take him. Then said Jesus unto them, yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come..." John. 7:32-34.

Jesus and His Occultation

The Bible testifies that Jesus was unaware of his being a Lamb of God and so he did not have any idea of his death on the Cross of Calvary, but as he realized the plot of the Jews and the Romans against his life, he began to be conscious enough in such a way that he never used to walk in public, and whenever he sensed any danger or threat to his life he immediately and cleverly avoided, and thus put himself in occultation.

The Bible says:

"…After these things, Jesus walked in Galilee; for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him..." John. 7:1. The Bible also says that: "...Then from that day fourth they took counsel together for to put him to death. Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews..." John. 11:53-54.

"...Therefore they sought again to take him; but he escaped out of their hands..."John. 10:39.

We also read in the Bible how Jesus escaped miraculously again from the hands of the Jews. Describing this incident, the Bible says: "…Then took they up stones to cast at him: But Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by..." John. 8:59.4

The fact is that Jesus by the power of the Almighty Allah, had escaped the death on the cross and he himself had foretold about his escape by informing his enemies that they would never find him or arrest him as the place which he intended to go to was unknown to them and that by the power of the Almighty Allah they would never go or enter that place.

Jesus foretold about that incident saying: "…Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me; and where I am, thither ye cannot come..." John. 7:34.

Remember, that when Jesus spoke these words he has not yet been arrested by the Jews, and so it is not correct at all to believe that someone had arrested him and put him to death. It seems that, Jesus was hidden somewhere and according to his words, he was under divine protection. Therefore, we must believe in his words which say;

"…Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me; and where I am, thither ye cannot come..." John. 7:34.

We can conclude by saying that until the alleged event of Crucifixion and the alleged event of rising from the dead, Jesus was claiming to have not yet ascended to his Father; which simply means he was not yet dead when he said to Mary Magdalene;

"…Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father..." John. 20:17.

According to Jewish beliefs, when a person dies his soul ascends to the Father, the Creator. So when Jesus was speaking to Mary Magdalene that he had not yet ascended to his Father, he was simply informing her that he had not died and that he was alive during all of those three days and nights. Therefore, Jesus was neither killed nor was he crucified.

God's Plans to Save Jesus Christ

This is among the best evidences which prove that Jesus Christ was neither killed nor crucified by the Romans and that the report of his death on the cross was just a baseless claim. If we search carefully in the Biblical accounts on Jesus Christ, we can easily find that there had been four plans by God to save Jesus Christ from being killed or hanged on the cross. Starting from his infant life to his adulthood, these plans can be summarized as follows:

(A) The First Dream of Joseph

This was among the first plans of God to save Jesus Christ from being killed by his enemies. This has been described as follows:

"...the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying. Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod…" Matt. 2:13-14.

The above passage of the Bible reveals to us the first plan of God to protect Jesus Christ from being killed by his enemies. We see the angel of the Lord appearing to Joseph in a dream and inspiring him to take the child and the mother and flee to a secure place in Egypt.

This simply signifies the divine support and protection for Jesus and that God did not have any predestined plan to ‘sacrifice his own Son’ for the removal of the sins of the world as alleged by the Christians.

(B) The Dream of the Wise Men

Before that we see also the wise men being warned by God in the dream about Herod's plan and desire to kill the child Jesus and so they became extra careful. For example, they did not reveal to the Romans about the birth place of Jesus, and as they understood that this was God's plan to save Jesus from being murdered by Herod, the three wise men also escaped to their country through another way unknown to Herod and his armies and also escaped from arrest, as explained in Matt. 2:11-12.

(C) The Second Dream of Joseph

In order for God to manifest His absolute plan of protecting Jesus from death, He appeared to Joseph for the second time in a dream informing him that the time of returning was at hand as the, enemy of Jesus was already dead.

Also, we are told in the Gospel that Jesus was in Egypt until Herod died in Matt. 1:15. This shows the perfect and absolute protection of God to Jesus, for as soon as his enemy (Herod) had died, Jesus returned to Israel but that was only after the complete assurance from God as described in the Bible.

The Bible speaks in this regards thus; "…But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life…" Matt. 2:19-20.

Had God predestined that ‘His Son’ should be sacrificed, He did not have to appear to the wise men and to Joseph (twice) in a dream, warning them about the dangerous circumstances which surrounded them and the Child as for human sacrifice, God does not necessarily need the Cross.

We are told in the Bible that Isaac, the son of Abraham, was to be made a sacrifice had there not been the substitute of a lamb sent by God, instead of him. If the case of Jesus was the same, then he also could have been sacrificed since his early childhood by simply allowing his enemies, i.e. Herod, the Romans and the Jews, to kill him. Instead, God took all those steps and precautions to prevent his death.

This conclusion is necessary as the death on the Cross had never been a commonly known Jewish religious ritual for the removal of sins. Rather the Crucifixion has always been viewed by the Jews and by the inhabitants of Israel as a curse and those who were crucified and faced death under these circumstances were regarded as liars, apostates, and criminals.

It was for this reason that Jesus was not ready to die on the Cross as he dreaded that he would be regarded as liar, apostate or criminal. The death on the cross would have been a victory to his opponents (the Jews and the Romans) who would satisfy their desires of discrediting Christ's divine ministry as it is said in the scripture:

"...For he that is hanged is accursed of God; that thy land be not defiled, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance..." Deut.21:22-23.5

But for what crime was Jesus persecuted by both the Romans and the Jews? Was it for feeding five thousand people? Or was it for healing the sick? Or was it for raising Lazarus from the dead? How could the Jews have chosen Jesus Christ to be crucified instead of another Jesus who was called Barabbas, a well-known criminal throughout Israel.

By now, you must understand why Jesus had prayed to be saved from the death on the cross in fact this death was a curse as crucifixion was an official punishment for criminals and bandits in Israel of 2,000 years ago and death on the cross was also a shame which symbolized a lack of dignity and social credibility. But by the divine grace and power, Jesus was saved and protected from that death as you have learnt earlier.

(D) The Alleged Trial of Jesus Christ

Although the Gospel writers were not eye witnesses of the alleged trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, strangely enough, these writers have many things to say about both his trial and crucifixion. Let us examine the facts and reports given to us by the so-called inspired writers of the New Testament.

After examining the facts about the trial of Jesus, we understand that Pilate did not wish to kill or crucify Jesus as he found the latter not guilty. He knew that it was only because of envy that Jesus had been delivered to him by the high Priest. The New Testament bears ample testimony of this, saying;

"…For he knew that for envy they had delivered him..." Matt. 27:18.

In fact there was not even two witnesses from among the Jews agreed with each other in their testimony against Jesus Christ, "…But neither did their witness agree together…" Mark. 14:59.

This was a key factor which made Pilate believe that Jesus was innocent and thus he became convinced that it was because of envy that they delivered Jesus to him. As a result, no one had the right to sentence Jesus to death as Pilate had the final word concerning the matter of Jesus Christ.

Another Plan to Save Jesus Christ

We have also found another interesting plan of God to save Jesus from the death on the cross. Here again, it was reported that God appeared mysteriously for the purpose of delivering Jesus from the "cup of death" as He reportedly did earlier to Joseph and the wise men through dreams. Now He reportedly appeared even to Pilate's wife.

The wife of Pilate was not in favor of the demand of the Jews to crucify Jesus. Instead, she sent a message to her husband admonishing him and insisting that he should free Jesus. The Bible confirms his saying;"...When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him saying, have thou nothing to do with that just man: For I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him…" Matt. 27:19.

Remember that, God had twice given dreams to Joseph to protect Jesus. He also given dreams to the three wise men for the same purpose of protecting Jesus from being murdered, and here in the above passage of the Bible we see the same thing: God has similarly used dream with Pilate's wife.

This is very important, as Pilate was responsible for Jesus trial and the dream of his wife was clear evidence that God planned to save Jesus from death. Had God wanted him to be killed or murdered, why this dream during the trial?

Why was this dream given to Pilate's wife and not Joseph again? The answer is simple. When God commanded Joseph to flee with the child to Egypt in dream as in Matt. 2:16-19, Jesus was under the care of Joseph, and since Jesus was in the Court of Pilate, God used his wife in a dream so that she might influence her husband to free Jesus, which she did. As a result of this, “…he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying I am innocent of the blood of this just person: See ye to it...” Matt. 27:24.

This indicates that Pilate had freed Jesus believing that he was innocent and so did not deserve to be killed on the cross. Therefore, all reports which contradict this reality can be regarded as doubtful and false.

The dream of Pilate's wife was among several of God's plan to save Jesus Christ from death. Having understood this, Pilate planned to crucify three men on the Friday which was in fact the Jewish preparation for the Sabbath. Pilate declared one of them to be Jesus Christ. He actually performed a drama with the Jews by choosing Friday afternoon to crucify these men, leaving a very short time between the crucifixion and sunset which is the beginning of the Sabbath.

But within this short time, there was an eclipse of the Sun (Mark 15:33) and an earthquake, and the dead rose from their graves and appeared unto many in Jerusalem (Matt. 27:51-52). There is no doubt that these events had occurred through the power of Almighty God to create a state of confusion which would eventually enable Pilate to allow Jesus Christ to escape from Crucifixion since both Pilate and his wife were totally against the death of Jesus Christ.

By God's Grace, Jesus did not die on the cross but was alive, and no one from among these so-called writers of the Gospel had either seen him crucified or seen him rising from the dead, as "…they all forsook him, and fled…" Mark. 14:50.

According to the Bible, the Jews demanded from Pilate that the supposed tomb of Jesus should be guarded to prevent the body from being stolen but this was not done except on the second day. It was not known whether the body was present in the tomb or otherwise, as early in the morning the supposed body of Jesus was not in the tomb. As the guards were not at the tomb's site from the very first night, we must doubt the presence of the body of Jesus therein.

The Jews were only assuming that Jesus might have died; thus, the Angels or the men who were around the tomb revealed the fact to Mary Magdalene and some other women who went to the tomb to seek Jesus but instead they saw an empty tomb. The Angels said to them "...Why seek ye the Living among the dead? ..." Luke. 24:5. For Jesus was not in the tomb as he was alive and had not died as they had assumed.

What had actually taken place on that Friday afternoon was in fact a divine plan to save Jesus from the cup of death. These events - the eclipse of the Sun, the earthquake and the opening of the graves - when they happen do not signify the pleasure of God. Rather they were signs of His anger and the retribution for those who tried to kill the Messiah.

This is clear evidence indicating that on that day, there was a divine plan to save Jesus from the death on the cross was clearly described by the Holy Qur'an when it says: “And their saying: Surely we have killed the Messiah, Isa son of Marium, the messenger of Allah; and they did not kill him nor did they crucify him, but it appeared to them so (like Isa) and most surely those who differ therein are only in a doubt about it; they have no knowledge respecting it, but only follow a conjecture, and they killed him not for sure.” (Holy Qur’an, 4:157)

The Holy Qur'an has stated that Jesus Christ was not killed. It was only made to appear to his enemies that he was killed.

By this and other evidences, we hereby conclude that the story of the Crucifixion is untrue. Rather, Jesus was neither killed nor was he crucified on the Cross at Calvary.

The Nature of Resurrected Bodies

The fifth evidence which can prove to us that Jesus did not die on the Cross was the condition of his body after his alleged resurrection from the dead. The Bible agrees with the fact that the body was buried as a physical body and raised or resurrected as a spiritual body.

If we have to admit (only for the sake of argument) that Jesus died and was buried, then he must have died physically and been buried physically.

The following are two Biblical testimonies:

“…And Jesus answering said unto them, the children of this world marry, and are given in marriage. But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection ...” Luke. 20:27-36.

“…So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body…” 1Cor. 15:42-44.

We learn from Jesus that resurrected bodies are angelic; they cannot die anymore; they are unlike physical bodies which need food, shelter, and sex. In fact, resurrected bodies - according to the Gospel of Luke - are spiritual and so they do not have human physical needs like marriage, sex and food.

And according to the Bible and the teachings of Paul, the body after death is buried while in a physical state but it is resurrected in a spiritual form. Thus, the resurrected bodies are spiritualized as Luke remarked, but, hereunder, we see Jesus Christ as a "physical being" still eating and drinking even after the alleged resurrection from the dead...! Surely, this is strange.

Was The Resurrection Of Jesus Physical Or Spiritual?

Even after the so-called resurrection of Jesus, the Christians do not have any evidence to prove that Jesus was spiritualized. Hence if he was spiritualized, then he rose from the dead. But the fact that he was the same physical Jesus prove that, the Crucifixion was untrue is just a myth.

To prove that he was the same person physically, Jesus said; "...Behold, my hands and my feet, that it is I myself, handle me and see; for s spirit has no flesh and bones, as you see me have. And he showed them his hands and his feet…" Luke. 24:39-40.

Jesus here wanted to prove to his disciples that he did not die, and so he was not a resurrected person and hence he had flesh and bones. When they were still in doubt about what he was saying to them - that he was alive and had not been resurrected - he asked them for food saying; "…And they gave him a piece of broiled fish and of a honey comb, and he took it, and did eat before them…" Luke. 24:41-43.

"...And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and broke, and gave to them..." Luke. 24:30.6

Before meeting with his disciples, Jesus explained to Mary Magdalene that he was not dead and that he was alive by saying to her; “…touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father...” John. 20:17. This is a Jewish expression which meant that, he was still alive on the earth. Had he died at any time, he must have been ascended to his Father, which means, his spirit could have been in the presence of the Father, the Creator of all things; and now remember that important saying; "…If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain...” 1 Cor. 15:14.

From what we have learnt, it is a fact that Jesus was all along alive, not resurrected from the dead.

In fact, the death and the resurrection of Christ are two myths and one of the greatest untruths ever told in the history of mankind, and according to the above statement and words of Paul, "If Christ was not risen from the dead, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith is in vain, thus, the religion which based its doctrines on the fiction of the crucifixion and the myth of the resurrection of Christ, in fact that religious faith is in vain".

Without Original Sin, There Is No Crucifixion

The concept of Crucifixion is based solely on the doctrine of the Original Sin. This doctrine asserts that Adam sinned and so the sins of Adam are inherited by all of his children, thus all human beings are born sinners. They, the Christians rely upon the concept of the Original Sin to construct their belief in the crucifixion and the resurrection of Christ.

However, there is nothing known as Original Sin in the Old Testament, and the so-called doctrine of Atonement was coined and fabricated by Paul without any permission from either God or from Jesus Christ. But surprisingly, we see Paul innovating his concept saying: "…Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission…" Heb. 9:22.

In the book "Catholic Teachings" by Rev. D. Grout, we read the following:

"Scripture teaches us that Adam's sin passed unto all men (our Blessed Lady excepted) for in the words of St. Paul: 'therefore as by the offence of one (Adam) unto all men to condemnation; so also by the justice of one (Christ) unto all men to justification of life. For as by the disobedience of one man (Adam) many were made sinners, so also by the obedience of one (Christ) many shall be made just” Rom. 5:18-19.

These words make it plain that all men have inherited Adam's sin." 7

Despite what the Christians have been saying for years i.e. that men inherited sins from the sin of Adam which they regard to be "the Original Sin", this concept and the doctrine of the Original Sin itself finds no support in the Old Testament or in the words of Jesus Christ himself.

This is a clear indication that the doctrine of the Original Sin is an innovation and fabrication by Paul and his allies. We see from the Bible that there is no Original Sin, contrary to what Christians believe. The Bible, in this regard says the following: "…In those days they shall say no more. The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge. But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge..." Jer. 31:29-30.

It also says: "…The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die…" Ezekiel.18:1-9; 20-21.

Here, the Bible emphasizes that death and punishment are only for the soul which committed iniquity and not for every created soul as for the soul which conduct with righteousness it shall live and remain blessed forever. This is a clear evidence that the concept of Atonement and the Original Sin is neither correct nor authentic.

The passage which says "but if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live ..." signifies the power of the soul to conquer evil and wickedness. The passage also makes plain to us that the original and correct way for forgiveness of sins is only through "repentance" of our sins to Almighty Allah - the Creator of all things - and turning away from wickedness, not through the blood of Christ as taught by Paul and his friends.

Here Jesus seems that he was unaware of the doctrine of the Original sin? The Christians are knocking at our doors daily to teach us that we are born sinners, but the Master contradicts them by saying; "…Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily, I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein…" Mark. 10:14-15.

To Jesus, little children are not only the true manifestation of God but they are also the kingdom of God in which the source of perfection and endless bliss originate; therefore, children are born sinless and the concept of the Original Sin which asserts that men are born sinners has no origin either in the Bible or in the teachings of Christ.

The Qur'an and the Concept of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the fruit which always comes as a result of repentance from our sins and apologizing to Allah for what we have done. The process is always simple. Of even greater significance, Jesus taught us by saying; "...For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you..." then he taught us to ask forgiveness by saying; "...Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors..." Matt. 6:12; 14.

The forgiveness of sinners by punishing and killing someone else on their behalf is not real forgiveness. It is a just a play which has no place in the divine order. There is no free salvation and redemption without real efforts by the sinners themselves.

Jesus is reported to have said: "...but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments…” Matt. 19:17. He also said, "…Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and the Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven…" Matt. 5:20.

This reinforces the Islamic concept that there is no salvation without righteousness, and this righteousness can only be achieved by keeping the commandments as Jesus taught. Beware of the innovation of Paul and his concept of subordinating all laws and divine principles and all the commandments which are the source of human perfection and Salvation, to his mythology of the Cross of Calvary by saying:

"…Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross... Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days..." Col. 2:14; 16.

If one considers the words of Paul in his above statement, one will see clearly his negligence and his ridicule of God's commandments. By his words, Paul dared to declare the laws of God as "ordinances which are against us and contrary to us". This, in simple language, means that the laws are unfit to guide mankind towards salvation as laws bring calamity to people and so we must only depend upon the Cross of Calvary for our forgiveness arid Salvation.

These words of Paul itself are blasphemous but unfortunately, the Christians agree with them without question as they dogmatically think that Paul while uttering these words was inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Let us now study about the concept of "forgiveness" in the Holy Qur'an, which says;

"... Say: O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins for He is oft-forgiving, most merciful. Turn ye to your Lord (in repentance) and bow to His (will), before the Penalty comes on you ... "(Holy Qur’an, 39:53-54)

"If anyone does evil or wrongs his own soul but afterwards seeks Allah’s forgiveness, he will find Allah oftforgiving, most merciful. And if any one earns sin, he earns it against his own soul: for Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom ... "(Holy Qur’an, 4:110-111)

We learn from the above two verses of the Holy Qur'an that, Allah, the Creator of all things is the only source of forgiveness. He forgives all mankind for all types of sins committed, no matter how great those sins are; thus no man is supposed to despair from the Mercy of Allah.

What is required is only his repentance to Almighty God and to turn away from wickedness, and after this step, the divine forgiveness will be granted to that particular person.

In another verse of the Holy Qur'an, it is made clear that whosoever does any evil act or wronged his own soul and then pursued the pardon of God and reforms himself, will find God forgiving, merciful. So you see that the Holy Qur'an does not in any way agree with the doctrine of Atonement and the ritual of a human sacrifice for the removal of sins.

The Doctrine of Original Sin

We have previously proved in this book that there is no original sin and that no one is born a sinner, but the Orthodox Christians and their allies claim that everyone in this world is born sinful. Adam and Eve were expelled from heaven for their sin and all their children ever since that time have inherited their sin and are born in sin and are thus sinful.

They continue to assert that it was for this reason that the Son of God, Jesus, did not enter the womb of Mary through the seed of man (Sperm), but it was an immaculate conception, without male intervention, according to the Christians, that was done in order to prevent Jesus Christ from inheriting the sins of Adam and Eve like the rest of Adam's children ..!

This doctrine has no place in the world of reality. Christians have confused themselves by condemning the entire humanity of sinfulness, except Mary and Jesus Christ. We know that this doctrine is wrong and false. If we are counted as sinners being born of man and woman, then, why was the same concept not applicable to Mary, mother of Christ?

And if Mary had also inherited the original sin from 'her two parents’, then why were these sins not inherited by Jesus Christ? In Christianity, we are deemed to have inherited the sins of our ancestors, Adam and Eve thousands of years ago. But the Church has failed to acknowledge the fact that even Mary, according to their doctrine of inheritance of sin, can in no way be excluded as by the same is applicable to the whole human race.

Mary, the mother of Jesus shall be also along the chain of those who inherited sins from their ancestors, without any exception. But let us take another look at the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis; in eating the forbidden fruit, the sin of Eve was graver than that of Adam as it was she who ate first.

Adam was only seduced afterwards through her dictate; and so it is written; “…And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it· was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit therefore; and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat…” Gen. 3:6.

Paul put all the blame on the woman and admitted to his belief saying; “…Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became transgressor…” 1Tim. 2:14.

Surprisingly enough, according to the Bible, woman is considered to be an evil being and wickedness; as it is written; “…the leaden cover was lifted, there was a woman sitting, and he (the angel) said; this is wickedness…” Zec. 5:7.

In the Book of Job a woman is considered to be unclean and everything which comes out of her womb is also unclean. The Bible says; “…A man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble… Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one...” Job.14:1-4.

Then how is it that Mary is considered to be free from the original sins while the Bible is assigning all blames and uncleanness to all women without exception? And how could Jesus be considered clean and innocent while ‘no one can bring clean thing out of an unclean’?

In another Biblical passage we read, "…What is man, that he should be clean? And he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? Behold, He (God) putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in His sight. How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?..." Job.15:14-16.

Those Christians who have read this passage for years are considered blind-hearted if they did not understand this Biblical expression of the nature of a woman. If anyone who was born of a woman is unclean and is not righteous, then there is no excuse for Jesus being excluded from this phenomenon as he was among those born of a woman. The most interesting part of the above passage is the phrase "…How much more abominable and filthy is man which drinketh iniquity like water …" Job. 15:16. Is Jesus excluded? No. Did he drink water? Yes. The Bible says: "…Now in the morning as he (Jesus) returned into the city, he hungered…" Matt. 21:18. What is this - a hungry man?

If a hungry man does not wish to eat and drink then where has this hunger came from? But Jesus thirsted for water and eventually drank from Jacob's well as it is written: "…Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus said unto her, Give me to drink…Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, how is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria?...” John. 4:6-10.

Finally, we can summarize from all of these evidences by saying that, Jesus used to both eat and also drink water and therefore we cannot repeat other than what the Bible has written that: "…How much more abominable and filthy is man which drinketh iniquity like water…" Job. 15:16.

Can we consider water as iniquity? Water is not iniquity is its literal sense, but it is iniquity in so far as its metaphysical sense is concerned. Water is a liquid which consists of some life-giving substances which - when consumed - generate temporary energy and life but this energy and life are temporary and not eternal. So it may be seen as iniquity as it connects us with only the materialistic side of life. It is in this metaphysical expression, that water may be termed as iniquity and evil as it prolongs material desires and not the spiritual wellbeing of the soul.

The man who eats and drinks water must also experience other aspects of a material life such as sleeping, resting, answering the call of nature, loss of memory, sickness, and death; contrary to a Spiritual Being (Allah) who does not encounter any of these imperfections and limitations. As water and food symbolize the evil which can cause all of these physical imperfections to man, then man in metaphysical expression is considered to be "filthy and abominable" as he is a compound of materials and their components.

John the Baptist was a spiritual man who overcame his physical desires. As he was master of his body metaphysically, he became a spiritual being within his own physical environment and so acquired the spiritual power in such a way that he managed to live without water and food. This attribute of John makes him unique and greater than many other prophets.

Jesus himself confessed this fact saying:"…For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, he hath a devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, behold, a man gluttonous, and a winebibber..." Matt. 11:18-19.

The life routine of drinking and eating in Jesus' life symbolizes his physical existence as a man born of a woman. Due to his nature of being a human he must be governed by the needs of his flesh and blood. Jesus owned nothing of the divinity. as he inherited the humanly limitations which are the result of his natural conducts of consuming what has been termed as iniquity in the Bible (water and food) and which he did consume in his daily life. This is why Jesus having been affected by this symbolic iniquity (water and food), had all these imperfections which may be found in human life.

According to the Bible, Jesus also slept (Luke. 8:23); he groaned in spirit and was troubled (John. 11:33, 38); he became weak (Mark. 14:33); he was tempted by the devil (Luke. 4:13) and he was ignorant of the seasons (Mark. 11:12-13); he (Jesus) was powerless without God (John.S:30), and his wisdom and stature increased as he (Jesus) grew (Luke. 2:52).

All these human qualities and imperfections can be linked to all previous evidences which prove that Jesus was not God and so it is not correct to regard him as God who came to redeem mankind from their ‘original sins’. A man who had all of these flaws cannot be God nor sinless.

And thus to rely on a man (Jesus) who was neither sinless nor a God for your Salvation is like placing all your eggs in a basket.

Finally we learn that Adam and Eve were blessed by God (according to the Bible) but at the same time we hear the Christians preaching about their being cursed as they ate from the forbidden tree. We fail to understand the reason for their being first blessed by God and then cursed afterwards.

But here the Bible says; "And God blessed them" Gen.1:22; 28. The fact that, Adam and Eve were created in the image and the likeness of God signifies their holiness as this image of God is nothing but His righteousness. God is not a physical Being but He "…is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth…" John. 4:24.

Adam was the beginning of human history i.e. the first man and his encounter with many obstacles signifies the love of God upon him in preparing him to gain the power to overcome all future obstacles, opposition, and trials. So the first man, Adam, after he was created in the image of God and His likeness started his life by entering into trials, difficulties and temptations - which in fact was a divine blessing for him to acquire the spiritual foresight in the battle against Satan, the common enemy. He became victorious as he was blessed by his Creator and God as in Gen. 1: 22; 28.

As this man was flawless - perfected by God Himself - there was no room for his failure. Thus, the dogma that Adam did fall by eating the forbidden fruit has no truth in the world of reality. In fact, both failing and passing the test and temptation was a blessing for Adam as he was in the divine seminary to be trained as the first son of God and the first man, founder of civilization; and the first creation of God.

Therefore, the fall of Adam and his success in the Garden symbolize the reality of present life on this planet so that, there should be no one who is without defect and perfect except Allah, the Creator of all things. God created Adam, He gave him the authority over everything in the Garden of Eden. Then God, having given all of these blessings to Adam, left him alone to be tempted by Satan so that the everlasting blessings of God might remain in Adam's life. As the human soul is weak without God, Adam failed spiritually. He disobeyed his Lord but the Lord God did not curse either Adam or Eve.

Instead, the Serpent was the only one to have been cursed by God. Adam and Eve were innocent being the victims of the beguiling evil appearing in the form of a Serpent. "…And the Lord God said unto the Serpent, because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life…" Gen.3:14.

The life of Adam and the serpent in the Garden was a trial and temptation. God, the Almighty created Satan as a test and trial for him. Tests and trials in life are not a curse; they are the remedy and a permanent blessing from God to His beloved ones. The tests, temptations and trials of life cause the soul to grow in confidence and happiness.

While to err is human, men learn through their mistakes; therefore, Adam having been blessed by God, was tempted by Satan in the Garden but even though he fell spiritually, we still see him victorious as God stood by him by cursing his enemy, the Serpent. This was an assurance of that eternal divine bliss upon mankind which came as a result of the temptation of the first man.

This temptation not only symbolized the eternal blessing for him and his children but it was the origin of this eternal and God's continuous intervention in our affairs in supporting every struggle and war waged by our souls against the temptations of Satan.

After we have been blessed with this first blessing of temptation through Adam's life, God the Almighty - being a loving God - blessed us again with His blessing of temptation; but this time through Jesus Christ, known in Biblical expression as the second Adam. Jesus also came out of this temptation victorious against the Satan.

The process of renewing this blessing of temptation - through Jesus Christ in the wilderness - after it had been gifted to the first man in the Garden of Eden, is the greatest manifestation of God's love to this universe as His love not only perfected mankind spiritually, morally and intellectually but also facilitated the continuation of the divine institution of learning and acquiring wisdom through temptations and trials.

We are not saved by the blood of Christ "literally". "The blood" symbolizes all that Christ gave in service to humanity; in fact, Jesus gave us love, righteousness, commandments, power to overcome the Satan and confidence in life. These and other precious gifts by Christ are playing a major role in bringing real salvation.

Therefore, salvation cannot be achieved or earned through the "death and the blood of Christ" as believed by Christians, but through the perfect examples of spiritual and moral deeds and obedience to divine commandments. In that there will be the power to overcome Satan. As a result, this permanent confidence will flourish in someone's life. Remember that had it not been for the Institution of "temptation and trial" in the life of the first man, Adam, and in the life of the second Adam, Jesus, the above-mentioned gifts would never have been achieved by our souls. Indeed, it is through hardships and trials that the soul earns the expected perfection and reaches to the cradle of holiness.

The Holy Qur'an has indeed spoken the truth when it says;

"He who created death and life, which He may try which of you is best in deed, and He is the Exalted in might, oft-forgiving"(Holy Qur’an, 67:3)

Therefore, it is only through trial and temptation that the soul can progress towards perfection and its divine goals.

By being schooled in the very institution of trial and temptation which is governed by divine blessings, mankind can preserve order in their physical and spiritual lives, so that the trials and temptations in Adam's life were a blessing and his fall was not a sin as he was in a divine seminary under the care of the Creator Himself, as explained earlier.

Another Dilemma

Who was Jesus Christ...? Was he the promised Messiah? Was he the Son of Mary?

The Old Testament in its entirety does not mention the name Jesus at all. It would appear that the man Jesus was a myth. If the Christians believe that Jesus was the same promised Messiah of the Jews who was born to Mary the Virgin, then his name was not Jesus! The book of Isaiah which is supposed to contain many prophecies concerning the Messiah who would come, does not mention even once a man known as Jesus Christ.

Instead the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament speaks about the coming of a man called ‘Emmanuel’. This Emmanuel would be born of a Virgin. The Bible in this regard says:

"…Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel…"lsa. 7:14

"…And he shall pass through Judah, he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy Land O Immanue…l" Isaiah. 8:8.

In the New Testament, in the Gospel according to St. Matthew we read:

"…Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring-forth a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel which being interpreted as, God with us…" Matt. 1:23.

Therefore the Bible - as we have seen in the Old Testament and here in the New Testament - supports our claims that the man called "Jesus Christ" whom the Euro-centric Biblical scholars claim to be the said promised Messiah of the Jews and Christians who came to save the world was never born in Israel. The name Jesus is not a Jewish name and it is very doubtful that the Messiah was given this name by his beloved Jewish mother.

The fact that the name of the Messiah is Immanuel and not Jesus Christ proves that the Biblical scholars have indeed distorted the Bible and several prophecies concerning the true Messiah whose real name was "Immanuel", which in Aramaic means the Messiah (Appointed) and he was a man of "Afro-Semitic origin".

As the work and aim of European scholars of the Bible have always been to change the origin and culture of original Christianity from its Afro-Semitic origin to that of Euro-centric, it was also necessary to change the Messiah's name from Immanuel to Jesus so that the Messiah would represent the so called "ancient European cultural and religious heritage" which had to be hidden in Christianity for the purpose of colonizing the rest of the world and thus impose upon them the Euro-centric ways and style of life through their new religion, "Christianity" using the good and righteous name of Jesus Christ.

The Europeans knew that the name Emmanuel if commonly used throughout the world, would inspire and persuade the whole world to focus and direct their attention to the origin, culture, and civilization of that Messiah; and if that happened, then the whole of Europe and other parts of the world would be dominated by the culture, civilization and religious orders which are contrary to the European style of life. This might even make them dependent on the Middle East. This, in turn would make them weak, politically, economically and even culturally and socially.

Their racial prejudice - supported by their pagan primitive culture - forced them to distort both the name and the facts about the Messiah. As a result the entire life and ministry of this Messiah whom they call Jesus is full of unsolved legends and myths. In fact this is a serious error inflicted on Christianity by Euro-centric Bible Scholars and the self-proclaimed religious leaders of modern day Christianity.

This fact was foretold by the Holy Qur'an 1,400years ago as: "... They, the Christians, have made their Monks, their Priests and Jesus Son Of Mary as lords besides Allah ..." (Holy Qur’an,.9:31)

Did Christ Come to Save Sinners?

In Pauline Christianity (Christianity founded by Paul); we are taught that Jesus is God who came to save the sinners through his unique way. According to Paul, the sinners are not saved through their righteous deeds or repentance to God; it is the blood of Jesus which cleanses all their sins in its mysterious phenomenon.

According to Paul, this God (Jesus Christ); became a human being with flesh and blood. The very purpose of his coming to the world was to die on the Cross of Calvary as a human sacrifice whose blood would be shed for the removal of the sins of the world in its peculiar and unique way.

This Jesus who died according to Paul is God himself and the Son of God at the same time. We hereby remind all our readers that we have refuted this mythology with many evidences in the previous pages, but what is important here is to notice that the said hero of salvation, Jesus, is unaware of this Christian dogma and doctrine of Atonement and Salvation through his blood, as he never taught this dogma to any one among his disciples.

The New Testament of the Bible has the following remarks of Jesus Christ:

"…And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And be said unto them, unto you it is given to know the mystery of the Kingdom of God: but unto them that are without all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them…" Mark. 4: 10-12.

It is important here to explain that Jesus did not come to save the sinners in that mysterious way believed by the Christians. Had Jesus Christ come to save the sinners, he could have allowed each and every one to benefit from him being a Saviour, so that his divine obligation might be fulfilled. But his disapproval of some from being served by him is a proof that he did not come to save the whole world from sin.

Also, his denial of some from perceiving what they saw and from understanding what they heard is another piece of evidence that he was not a mysterious saviour. Rather, he came to be a model, and that, finally, Salvation is only through righteousness and piety.

Salvation, therefore, can simply be obtained by following and obeying the Commandments. This is the reason Jesus had cleared the matter of Salvation with the phrase "see and perceive" and the phrase "hear and understand". It is by seeing what is good and hearing what is lawful that one is able to manage, to imitate and internalize righteousness. Salvation can be achieved only through this process as Jesus pointed, saying:

"…For I say unto you, that except your rightness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven…" Matt. 5:20.

Here, and in the above passage Jesus is speaking about the righteousness and piety which can be achieved by observing and keeping of the commandments; before that Jesus warned: "…Whosoever therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of heaven…" Matt. 5: 19.

All of these, prove that Jesus was not a mysterious redeemer of men from sins committed foolishly and negligently. Indeed he came to teach us that Salvation is through repentance; righteousness and piety resulting from observing and abiding by the commandments of God as taught by Moses and all righteous servants of God who observed and kept the commandments throughout their life.

Surprisingly the people of the past were saved without that mysterious salvation of the ‘blood of the Lamb’ as believed by Christians. Here, in the above statement of Jesus, Son of Mary, there is confirmation and endorsement of the Muslim's belief and concept of "Salvation through deeds, obeying the commandments and righteousness" and this is why he added by saying: "…there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the Prophets, in the Kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out…" Luke. 13:28.8

Unfortunately most of our modern day Christians believe that man cannot be rightly guided by God; except through the blood of Jesus Christ. These groups of Christians are here warned by Jesus, that it will be they who will weep and gnash their teeth on seeing Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all the Prophets who used to have faith in God and who believed in the doctrine of "Salvation through deeds and righteousness".

This righteousness comes from the struggling of souls while observing the divine commandments, as a result of which, the soul achieves what is known as spiritual perfection. And this comes only with the correct faith and doctrine. Therefore, on the believers who aspire to the correct and true salvation will be bestowed all divine favors in the Kingdom of heaven. But at the same time, and according to Jesus, the modern day Christians will see themselves thrown out of the Kingdom of God because of their deviation from the correct doctrine, and for their reliance on the wrong doctrine of "Salvation through the doctrine of the Crucifixion of Christ and the blood of Christ", the doctrine founded by a man known as "Paul", not Jesus Christ.

1. It is not God's plan to use a ritual of human sacrifice in order to redeem the sins of the world. This is wrong for because it is written" ... For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice ..." Hosea. 6:6.

Jesus himself knew this fact and thus he commented saying; " ... But that you may know that the son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins 'and then Jesus said,' go and learn what this means, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, for i came not to call the righteous, .but the sinners" Matt. 9:6,13.

2. Despite the fact that Jonah was in the belly of a great fish for three days and three nights, this very person Jonah, remained in the fish's belly "alive" until he was vomited upon the dry land by the same fish in the same state, "alive". Fortunately, the Muslims, the Christians and the Jews are all in agreement that Jonah in his three days and three nights· while in the belly of a fish was absolutely alive and conscious.

3. Jesus in very simple language is saying here that, as Jonah was for three days and three nights alive in the whale's belly, so would the son of man (Jesus) for three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. He would escape the death on the cross as miraculously as Jonah had escaped death in the whale's belly.

4. We learn from the above biblical verses that Jesus had the power to escape and hide from his enemies, and that he did not wish to be crucified by his enemies. This is a clear indication that the Christian doctrine which asserts that Jesus was a sacrifice of God for the removal of sin of the world is not correct. Had this been true, Jesus might not have wasted any time in hiding and escaping from his enemies. He could have made his arrest easier to fulfil God's so-called original plan of his sacrificial death for the atonement of the sins of mankind.

5. Strangely enough, Jesus, according to the gospel was hanged on the tree on Friday and it was feared for him to remain on the tree the night of the Sabbath. Thus, he was taken down in a hurry before the sunset so that the land should not be defiled by his body if it remained hung on the tree at Calvary the whole night of the Sabbath. Calvary is the name of the hill outside Jerusalem where according to the alleged Christian tradition, Christ was crucified. The word "Calvary" is derived from the Latin "Calvaria" which is the translation of the Aramaic word "Golgotha" which means "skull"; this hill was known as "Calvary" or the "Hill of the Skull" because it was habitually used for public executions of the criminals ...".
Ref: The New Illustrated Encyclopedia of Knowledge; p. 92.

6. His taking of broiled fish and the honeycomb was with his two hands, and the breaking of bread and giving it to his disciples was done physically with his hands. This signifies that his physical body was present. It was not that he was present spiritually.

This in itself is a clear evidence to prove that he was still a physical, flesh and blood body. It is an undeniable fact that Jesus did not eat and drink just to show his disciples that he could eat. Nor had he done this out of hunger. His acts were in fact an exact response to what they were doubting, which was his escape from death.

7. Ref: Catholic Teachings, by Rev. D. Grout, p. 140.

8. Note: The above words of Jesus Christ are a warning to those Christians who still think that they will be saved by the blood of Jesus and not through their own deeds, righteousness and abiding by the commandments. Jesus here, assured salvation to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all the prophets who had committed their lives to righteousness and to obeying the commandments and their religious rituals in faith with their lord, the Creator of all things.

Chapter 6: Different Versions of Christianity

Denominations in Christianity

There are so many Churches and denominations in Christianity that many church-goers are becoming confused as to where their true and absolute salvation lies. For example, the Roman Catholic Church claims direct successorship to Peter who was the closest disciple of Christ. By claiming this, they see and believe that other Churches and denominations have moved away from the doctrine of Christ.

Here I shall name a few Christian denominations and Churches and then we shall briefly describe the differences between them so that readers may have clear information about Christianity and its deviation from the man they call "Jesus Christ of Nazareth".

Christians are divided into the following Churches and denominations: ( 1) Roman & Anglo-Catholic Church (2) Pentecostal Church (3) The Church of the Later days Saints (Mormons) (4) Christian Science Church (5) Jehovah Witness Church (6) Church of Christ (7) Seventh Day Adventist Church (8) Lutheran Church (9) The Unification Church.

These nine Churches and denominations are followed by thousands of other small denominations. We are unable to name all of them in this small book. Why all of these denominations? The truth which Jesus Christ came to offer to this world is supposed to be One Truth.

If that is the reality, then we are not supposed to see different Churches or denominations which have different creeds and beliefs to such an extent that every one of these denominations represents its own independent beliefs, as if it is another form of Christianity, separate from the others.

Division in Christianity

From the tiny spark that Jesus Christ lit in Jerusalem, its light has covered the whole region throughout Egypt, Libya and the Mediterranean Sea and on to Greece, Rome, Italy and Spain.

During the first century of Christianity, Christians might have been asking, "Which is the true Church"? As we are witnessing a thousand and one Churches and Denominations, it would appear very difficult for the ordinary man to answer this question.

Yet, despite this and even though each local Church had its own structure and special organizational form, their members were all called Christians. They all considered themselves believers, living, working and passing out of this world as the followers of Christ.

But did they consider themselves to be one and all accepted by God? No! Could they be allowed to go to any Church congregational prayer they like? No! Then, simply they are not one but segregated into sects and denominations as you have seen and will see more in future pages.

The Formation of Roman Catholic Church

Rome was an important center for the economic and political affairs of the world and due to this, the Christian Church in Rome was very strong in the fourth century of Christianity, especially when King Constantine had declared Christianity the official religion of the empire.

In the fifth century when Leo - the Bishop of Rome - commanded all Christians to obey the Bishop of Rome a dispute arose within Christianity especially in the eastern Churches surrounding Constantinople.

After this, there was a major difference between the Christians as the dispute between Eastern Churches and Western Churches intensified and a major break occurred in the year 1054 AD, when the Orthodox Eastern Churches rejected the authority of Pope Leo IX.

This split between the western and eastern Churches led Christians towards political and theological differences and in 1350 AD these Churches were completely different, having separate leadership and separate creeds and beliefs.

Strangely enough, during all of these disputes and differences between the followers of Christ, we did not see the Holy Ghost coming solve this massive problem that had led to the formation of all these denominations and Churches which, in fact were not unfavourable to both the Church and the Christians.

Another factor which contributed to division among the Christians was the contradictions found in the Bible which led some Christians to avoid them. Some others believed or accepted them and finally incorporated them as part of their beliefs. Distortions and changes in the Bible made by the Church Leaders and tampering with the scriptures contributed a lot towards dividing the Christians and the Church of Christ.

Contradictions and Alterations

The Christians are proud that the Bible is their holy book and that from this holy Book comes the divine gift which is Salvation for the whole world through the blood of Jesus Christ. The Bible has been taken and believed, by the Christians worldwide, to be an inspired Book of God.

But the nature of the Bible proves that this book - even though it may contain some truth from Almighty God - also includes many fables and myths which logically and scientifically cannot be attributed to God. Serious contradictions which can be found easily in the Bible prove that this Book is not a perfectly God-inspired Book, instead contains human thoughts and errors.

As the Book could not save itself from those serious errors, it is obvious that this Book cannot offer any Salvation or any total solution for the problems of the world. Eventually, the Book will be only a source of division and catalyst for the formation of dissenting churches and denominations, as we continue to witness.

The Bible cannot give us all the truth or prevent our world from errors or bring peace of mind to the inhabitants of this planet. As the Salvation from the blood of Jesus which the Bible offers for the world is a slogan which came from a Book full of contradictions and errors, how could it then be regarded as the true and absolute solution for the sinners and the distraught?

God is against all types of evil and the true God must desire to stop all evil in the world. And if that God had sent His only Son, Jesus - as we are told by Christianity - then we should expect not to see these evils any more. But witnessing differences, disputes, division, disunity, separation and different creeds and Churches within the followers of the Bible is clear evidence that, the Bible did not bring Salvation for Mankind, but it brought dispute and as a result of this dispute,-many Churches and denominations have been established. Therefore, the Church Leaders who are responsible for alteration of the Scriptures are the only men to pay the price.

As the Western Church became strong, it began to adopt and add ·certain doctrines and beliefs whose origin cannot be found or traced in the Bible. Not everyone can agree with· these innovations and new teachings, after having understood that they were not supported by the Scripture.

Then, Martin Luther emerged in 1517 AD. Even though he did not intend to break away from the Catholic Church, he wanted to be a reformer following what he saw as new and innovative teachings they brought into Christianity. Luther took the Bible as the one and only authority but he was rejected and finally he and his followers were forced out of the Catholic Church.

This was the starting point of another division as three main branches were born, namely; Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Protestant Church. From these, many Churches and denominations came into being. And since then, there is serious and open enmity between these Christian sects and denominations. Not only do they hate each other, they do not even pray in one Church. As a result there are also different Churches belonging to different denominations as is well known.

Is Roman Catholicism The Only True Church?

The Roman Catholic leadership denies the validity of all Churches except its own which they allege by saying that: “…We know that, no other Church but the Catholic Church is the true Church of Christ…”. 1

Catholics are not encouraged to read the Bible much but their Church Leaders encourage them to be nourished by the so-called revealed truths of the Bible and ultimately to avoid any kind of disputes about the essential truths. Another important belief for them is that the Holy Spirit whom the majority of Christians believe to be their deliverer from their problems is ministering his work and directions through the Pope of Vatican.

Roman Catholic teachings are built on the basis that, "Lord made Simon Peter alone the Rock and the key bearer of the Church and appointed him shepherd of the whole flock" as it came in the Gospel saying: “…And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven…” Matt.16: 18;19.

However, I believe that there is clear doubt about these Roman Catholic claims. Peter has never been given a place of special authority by Jesus in the New Testament. The Master, Jesus Christ, had always treated all disciples as equal in authority and responsibility as shown in several verses of the Scripture.

We read in the Bible that: “…then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world, Amen...” Matt. 28:16-20.

Here, Jesus Christ has made all his disciples equal in authority and responsibility without favouring any of his disciples above the others. Also we see that in the so-called Church Council explained in the New Testament, we can observe that among the disciples and soon after the ascension of Jesus, James was the first man who started the work of building the Church of Christ among the Gentiles, not Peter.

That James was favoured with a special authority can be understood when we note that all the disciples held their silence when James spoke about his authority and confirmed it before all of the disciples saying: "…And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me, ... after this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David which is fallen down, and I will build gain the ruins thereof, and I will set it up..."Acts. 15:13; 16.2

We see James claiming his authority before all the disciples including Peter and no one among them had objected to his claims. Also, it is written that, Jesus was the foundation of the Church and not Peter. Peter himself said in 1 Peter. 2:4-8 that, "...Christ is the cornerstone of the Church…''.

And again in Ephesians. 2:20, we see Paul referring to Jesus Christ as a Chief and the cornerstone of the Church and not Peter as claimed by the Catholics as "…For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ…" 1Cor. 3:11.

How could he then be the rock and the foundation of the Church of Christ? Or how could Peter be the rock and the foundation of the Church while Jesus Christ said about him; "…Get thee behind me, Satan, thou art an offence unto me, for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men…" Matt.16:23.

Some Protestant scholars like Martin Luther and Calvin believed and taught the whole world that the word "Rock" used by Christ to Peter was not to be understood literally but metaphorically and thus the "rock" of which Jesus spoke was "Peter's confession of faith" and his devotion to Jesus.

Peter had just confessed about the true nature of Jesus and in responding to that confession, Jesus said "on this rock I will build my Church" and it is in this sense that, all who acknowledge Jesus are the real Church of Christ.

Apart from straying far from Biblical traditions by mixing of pagan customs and their Christian religious rituals, the Catholics acknowledge that their way of worship contains more than what was taught by Jesus Christ. In the Roman Catholic Church, God has little say over the authority of the Church itself.

In fact, it is as if He has been kept away in a very subtle way. There are many differences between the Catholics and the Protestants. We shall mention only a few of those, in the aspect of authority:

(1) The Protestants believe that the Bible is their sole guide and authority for faith and life as in 2 Tim. 3:16, but Catholics believe and consider the sacred Scriptures and the sacred traditions of the Church to be the sole authority for faith and life.

(2) The Protestants are free to read the Bible and interpret its meaning as in John. 5:39, with guidance from the Holy Spirit. But for the Roman Catholics, the interpretation of the Scripture is subject finally to the judgment of the Church which carries the divine mission and ministry of guarding and interpreting the Word of God.

(3) Protestants believe that no human being is infallible and only Christ is head of the Church which is his own body and structure as in Eph. 1:22 or Col. 1:18. But the Roman Catholics assert that when the Pope speaks "ex-cathedra" and from his Chair on matters of faith and morals, he as Vicar of Christ and a ruler of a visible Church on Earth is absolute, and an infallible man in all that he says.

(4) The Protestants in their creed say that God gives eternal life when the believer has faith in Jesus Christ as his Saviour. This has been explained in Rom. 3:24 and Rom. 10:9-10, but the Catholics believe that salvation is secured by faith plus good works as channeled through the Roman Catholic Church only and not by any other Church.

(5) The Protestants are assured of their salvation through Christ's work and the Cross of Calvary and finally by God's promises as it came in John 3:16 and in Acts. 2:21, but the Roman Catholics do not believe that they will ever know if they have accomplished enough to satisfy God and actually attain heaven. In addition to that, Catholics feel fortunate to have the assurance of purgatory where they can receive temporal punishment that purifies them for heaven.

And so, we still have to hang on waiting for the absolute solution. Is this truth with the Catholics or with the Protestants? Or is Jesus Christ going to accept all these denominations which have in fact inflicted a heavy confusion on Christianity? After all, we still are reading in the Bible that;"...God is not the author of confusion…'' 1 Cor.14:33.

The Holy Qur'an regards those serious differences within various denominations of Christianity as the divine chastisement from God after the Christians have rejected the truth of the religion of submission to One God taught and preached by both Jesus and Muhammad (S).

In this regard the Holy Qur'an says: "... And We have put enmity and hatred among them till the day of Resurrection; whenever they kindle afire for war Allah puts it out, and they strive to make mischief in the land and Allah does not love the mischief makers ... " (Holy Qur’an, 5:64)

The Pope's False Propaganda against Islam

All religions have, of course, some propaganda against other religions. The followers of a particular religion will argue and debate with the followers of another religion using common principles available in their religious scriptures simply because they will want to convince them of the authenticity or the correctness of their faith and beliefs.

But to propagate against other religion using accusations and speculations or false propaganda can never be accepted to be the right approach. This must not be tolerated, because forging lies itself is an offence, abomination and immoral in all religions of the world.

Recently, a friend of mine had posted an extract from a book written by the highest authority in the Roman Catholic world, His Holiness John Paul II.

This book contains some accusations and false propaganda against Islam and Prophet Muhammad, may the peace of Allah be on him and his family. Soon after the Pope had written and published his book in Europe, a Muslim who bought a copy at a book store in West Germany, wrote an open letter to His Holiness replying to his accusations and false propaganda against Islam and Muslims as contained in his book.

This Muslim also took the opportunity to educate His Holiness about the Qur'an and about God as viewed by the holy Qur'an.

But for the benefit of both Muslims and Christians in this region I shall here briefly inform you what His Holiness the Pope has recently misled the world by saying; "...the God of the holy Qur'an has been given the most beautiful names in the language of humankind, however, after all is said and done, we understand that, the God of the holy Qur’an is outside this world. He is a God who is just almighty but he is never with us or close to us...".

The above is a blasphemous "statement" made by His Holiness Pope John Paul II in his book. For a man who had never read the Holy Qur'an, the statement of His Holiness could be the only reality and an absolute truth.

But I call all who are in search of truth not to simply believe in the word of any human being without first verifying it. His Holiness knows the fact that the God as taught by the Holy Qur'an has never been far or outside our world. But he is afraid and scared lest his followers should convert to the truth and the light of Islam, which at this moment already attracts the minds of many European and American intellectuals.

And so for that reason and others which best-known to himself, the Pope must speak and write against Islam even by using lies and misleading statements. Here, I will bring to you some verses of the Holy Qur'an which describe God and His Divine Essence and His presence throughout His infinite existence which occupies and embraces all things under His Divine control and closeness.

(I) The Holy Qur'an, contrary to the Pope's propaganda admits to the fact that God is closer to us than even our jugular vein by saying; "...And certainly, We have created man, and We know what his mind suggests to him, and We are nearer to him than his life-vein ... " (Holy Qur’an, 50:16)

(2) The Holy Qur’an describes God to be the source of all existing things and that all phenomena acquire their capacity to exist from God, and thus God is present and manifest in every living thing. The Holy Qur'an, when explaining this fact, says: "Allah knows what every female bears, and that of which the wombs fall short of completion and that of which they increase; and there is a measure with Him of every thing" (Holy Qur’an, 13:8)

(3) To Muslims, God has never been far outside of this world as He is the One and the Only Being who blessed and continues to bless the whole world and all mankind with His divine outer and inner eternal blessings. The Holy Qur'an testifies this reality by saying: "Do you not see that Allah has made what is in the Heavens and what is in the Earth subservient to you, and made complete to you His favors outwardly and inwardly" (Holy Qur’an, 31:20)

(4) The Holy Qur'an teaches that, it is Allah (God) who allows the ships to float on the seas through His divine favors and mercy, and that, it is He who saves people from the dangers of storms in their voyages. This simply means that God - to the Muslims - is always in control of the whole existence and all the phenomena of the world in all circumstances. Nothing in this existence has ever been independent of God. The Holy Qur'an explains this concept saying;

"Do you not see that the ships run on the seas by Allah's favor, that He may shows you His signs? Most surely there are signs in this for every patient endurer, grateful one ... And when a wave like mountains covers them they call upon Allah, being sincere to Him in obedience, but when He brings them safe to the Land, some of them compromise, and none denies Our signs but every perfidious, ungrateful one ... "(Holy Qur’an, 31:31-33)

While I was writing this passage, my wife whispered to me and kidded, saying: "maybe His Holiness has forgotten that it was the God of the Bible who is outside of our world ..." I replied to her saying, "no, he cannot mean that". But then I asked myself a question. "how could a man who always reads the Bible not understand that the God of the Bible is far and outside of our world"·

In fact, God - as explained by the Bible - always dwells in the Heavens and whenever He needs to come to the earth or travel around His own territories, He normally rides upon the Cherub and fly like a Jet. A Cherub is a young beautiful female angel…! This God of the Bible sometimes prepares Himself for these types of trips even by shaving His hairs and beards…! The God of the Bible dwells very far from us and our environment, and so while travelling, His nostrils get infected with cold and heavy blowing wind and so He kindle a fire for Himself to warm His body lest He should be infected by flu..!

Dear readers, do you think that I am kidding with you? No! I am not writing this in jest or trying to mock the Bible. But read yourself the following Biblical testimonies:

(1) "…in my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God: and He did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into His ears. Then the earth shook and trembled: the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because He was wrought. There went a smoke out of His nostrils, and fire out of His mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under His feet. And He rode upon a Cherub, and did fly: and He was seen upon the wings of the wind…" 2 Sam. 22:7-12.3

(2) The following is another interesting picture of God as portrayed by the Bible, I hope the Christians and His Holiness Pope John Paul II will come to agree with the fact that the God as described by the Holy Qur'an is more holy and realistic than the God portrayed by the Bible. The Bible speaks about God as having hair and beard! See this absurdity and read with your own eyes; "…In the same day shall the Lord shave with a razor that is hired, namely by them beyond the river, by the king of Assyria, the head, and the hair of the feet: and it shall also consume the beard...” Isaiah. 7: 20.

This is then the God of the Bible whom His Holiness is proud of and urges the whole world to believe in, because he is a handsome man who shaves the hairs of his head, the hairs of his feet and his beards with a hired razor from the king of Assyria. How poor is this Biblical God who shave with a hired razor ..!

Your Holiness, the God of the Holy Qur'an is too majestic to attribute to Himself all of the above-mentioned flawed qualities presented by the Bible. The Holy Qur'an clearly and categorically explains God as; "...Allah is One and Unique. Allah is the One on whom all depend. He beget not, no was He begotten. And none is Like unto Him..."(Holy Qur’an, 112: 1-4)

By saying this, the Holy Qur'an openly denies the physical presence for God. Thus God does not have any human-like quality as all human qualities are temporal qualities, they are blood and flesh experience. The real God is an Immortal and Eternal Being who was not begotten nor does He beget anything. Begetting sexuality are an attribute for living creatures. He, the Creator of the heavens and the Earth and all things, is far above the temporal qualities and existence of finite creatures.

(3) Another image of God as described by the Bible is that God is sitting upon the throne physically with His hairs resembling pure wool and that his garment as white as snow. This God is always in heavens, far from mankind. The throne of God is like a fiery flame and His wheels as burning fire, and it is only when the day of judgment comes - then on that day - this God will come down. In fact, this is among the greatest absurdity about the nature of God in the Bible in which His Holiness the Pope and the majority of Christian preachers are perhaps unaware of.

The Bible says the following about these features of God: “...I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garments were white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire...” Dan. 7:9.4

What about Jehovah Witnesses?

Jehovah Witnesses are among the Christian denominations which are, in fact, one of the greatest challenges to Christianity.

This is so because they deny and reject some fundamental beliefs of the Christians.

For instance, they reject the deification of Jesus Christ. They deny the person and the role of the Holy Spirit and they also refute the doctrine of "Trinity". And they claim that their teachings are the only real truth about the Bible.

Early in this century5, the Jehovah Witnesses shocked the world when they published a religious article in their Awake Magazine published on September 8, 1957 entitled "50,000 errors in the Bible". This article approved the scientific findings and research done by Christian Biblical scholars of the highest eminence who believed that there were such errors in the Bible.

In fact, these Christian scholars of the Bible acknowledged and admitted that there are many errors in the Bible and these errors (according to the Jehovah Witnesses Awake Magazine) could even extend to 50,000 errors thus it is a time for every intellectual to wake up and consider these scientific findings concerning the Bible.

How then could the Bible be reliable while it contains all of these errors? This is a question which needs to be asked by all who consider the Bible as the Book of Allah, but why do Jehovah Witnesses have to confess and publish these facts?

Perhaps, it was a way of getting more followers into their newly established Christian sect. Actually because of these kinds of beliefs and their examples as mentioned earlier, some Christians do not regard the Jehovah Witnesses as true Christians. But they regard the Church as a cult which has nothing to do with Christianity.

The founder of the Jehovah Witnesses Church, Charles Taze Russell, started his own research on the Bible and brought out his new findings to the public by publishing his first work on his creed in a pamphlet entitled "The object and manner of the Lord's return". In this work, Russell established his cult by claiming that the year in which Jesus was about to return in his second coming was 1874 and then Russell changed this date of Christ's return to 1914 (the year of World War 1).

This return was not to be a physical, but a spiritual one. By saying this, Russell and his Jehovah Witnesses Church have contradicted many Christian denominations.6

The Founder of the Jehovah Witnesses

Charles Taze Russell, the founder of the Jehovah Witnesses Church, was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1852. Russell married Maria Frances Ackley in 1879 and immediately appointed her as secretary treasurer of his Church, or society as it was known as that time.

Maria was also an associate editor of the "Watchtower Magazine" but she complained a lot through the years of how her articles were treated by her husband. This was among other reasons why she left her husband Russell and his new society "the Jehovah Witnesses".

Differences between Maria Frances and her husband Charles Russell escalated and Maria later sued her husband for divorce on the grounds of his conceit, egoism, self-centeredness, domination and mistreatment of women, and improper conduct with other women in the society.

In 1912, Rev. J.J. Ross, originally a Baptist preacher of Hamilton, Ontario, denounced and rejected all beliefs innovated by Charles Russell in a pamphlet circulated in nearly every state in America. It was said that the founder of the Jehovah Witnesses Church was caught lying on the witness stand while in Court. He was asked whether he knew the Greek language, and he answered by saying he did. But when he was asked to read some Greek letters, he admitted that he had not told the truth as he was just kidding as the Americans would say. Ref: "The Four major Cults", by Anthony Hoekema (1963), P. 227, note 12.

It is interesting to notice here that the Founder of the Jehovah Witnesses lied in the Court while on the witness stand despite his claim that his Church and society were the only Christians who would be raised to Heavens by God. His mistreatment of women and, in particular his own wife, gives us the impression that he was not even qualified to lead any religious society - since the Bible which he claims to follow is full of good instructions especially about morals, family values and social ethics. Were all of these divine instructions and guidance absent from his mind? Unfortunately, Charles Russell did not believe that Jesus Christ had died on the Cross for the removal of his sins as believed by other Christians.

The Jehovah Witnesses System of Salvation

The saved ones, according to Witnesses, are divided into two classes - the anointed class and the other sheep. The anointed class consists of only 144,000 Jehovah Witnesses who are "God's chosen people"; they will rule with Christ eternally in heaven. These groups of people sometimes are known as "little flock". The other sheep consist of many other believers who earn eternal life on earth. While the anointed class will be in heaven reigning with Christ eternally, the other sheep will be on the same earth after it has been renewed by God. So they be on the renewed earth after the predicted Armageddon and the Millennium whereby all those who pleased Jehovah will enjoy eternal life on an Eden-like earth.

The "unsaved" people according to the Jehovah Witnesses will face non-existence - being annihilated by God. They will comprise all the wicked dead who died without the chance of resurrection or opportunity to work for salvation during the millennium and all of those who fail Millennial tests.

In fact, none of these ideas and beliefs of the Jehovah Witnesses can be traced to the Bible. They are man-made doctrines and are commandments of men. Nowhere in the Bible is it written that any one will have a second chance before the Day of Judgment. And as the Witnesses do not believe in Hell, they have introduced the belief of annihilation from existence. However, the Bible reminds us; "...And whosoever was not found written in the book of life, was cast into the lake of fire..." Rev. 20:15.

Where are then the Jehovah Witnesses with this truth? Are they really the Jehovah Witnesses'? To us Jehovah is the Absolute truth, and thus those who are His witnesses must witness only the truth and so if they are truly Jehovah Witnesses, how could they then witness falsehood and reject the truth?

What Is The Real Name Of God?

The Jehovah Witnesses are urging everyone they meet to accept that the real and the original name of God is "Jehovah", but we have searched throughout the New Testament and could not find anywhere that the word Jehovah had ever been used by Christ to signify God.

But we see Jesus Christ in his moment of crisis, allegedly while on the Cross, calling to God saying; "E'-li, E'-li, Ia rna sa-bach'tha-ni"? "…That is to say, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?..." Matt. 27:46".

In the above statement, Jesus is calling God for help using the phrase "E'li, E'li" which means "My God. My God" and not Jehovah! Jehovah! Remember that. Had the name Jehovah been the real and original name of God, Jesus would have used it at that moment of need for divine help. Instead, we see him using the word E'li, E'li which in fact is the same ‘Allah’ that the Holy Qur'an is calling on mankind to believe in Him almost 1,415 years ago.

And in the book of Rev. 19:19, we see and hear the angels singing in the heavens with words praising God. These angels have never used the name Jehovah in that important moment of praising His name but they used the word "Alleluyah, Alleluyah", which is an Aramaic and Hebrew term. This term when uttered and pronounced in Arabic - the language of the Holy Qur'an - will be "Ya Allahu, Ya Allahu" which simply means "0, Allah".

So "Alleluyah" means O, Allah. But Christians now think that when you say "Alleluyah" you are saying, "Give Him prays" and this is not true. But where has this word "Jehovah" come from? It came from two Hebrew phrases "Ya" and "Hwe" "Ya" will simply mean "0", and ''Hwe" means "He". So the Jews when they say "Yahwe" or in Arabic "Ya Huwa", they simply mean to call their Creator God in His "pronoun" rather than His real name - which for them is "Elo and "Elohiim". This, in Arabic, would be "Allah and Allahummah" - which is "God and Our God".

Thus as Jesus in that critical moment of prayer had addressed his God as "Father” or as “Eloi", why then should the name of God to Jehovah Witnesses not be "Father” or “Eloi” or “Allah", instead of Jehovah?

Differences between Jehovah Witnesses and other Christians

We have learnt that out of the thousands of denominations in Christianity none of them are alike; in fact each one of them has serious and significant differences with other denominations. Comparison between the Jehovah Witnesses and other Christians are given below:

( 1) The majority of Christians say that God is an Eternal, Personal, Spiritual Being in three Persons - the Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit as it came in Matt. 3:13-17, 28:19 or as it came in 2 Cor. 13:-14. But to Jehovah Witnesses, there is one Solitary Being from all Eternity - Jehovah God; the Creator and Preserver of the Universe and all things, and they deny the doctrine of Trinity.

(2) The majority of Christians believe that scripture teaches that man has an eternal, immortal soul as in Gen. 1:26, Gen .5:1, Job. 32:8, Acts. 7:59 and in 1Cor.11:7, while according to the Jehovah Witnesses, man does not have an immortal soul as they teach and believe that soul is not separate from the body.

(3) The majority of Christians believe that Christ is divine, a part of the Trinity, God Himself as it came in John.1:1, Col.1:15-19, 2:9 and in 1 John. 5:7-S. But in Jehovah Witnesses, Christ was not God but God's first created creature and so they deny Christ's divinity.

(4) The majority of Christians believe that the death of Christ was the complete payment for man's sins as in Rom. 3:24-25, Col. 1:20, 1Peter. 2:24, and in 2 Cor. 5:20. According to the Jehovah Witnesses, Christ's death provides the opportunity for man to work for his own salvation, for them salvation is that perfect human life for eternity on an Eden-like earth.

(5) Most of Christians believe and accept that Christ was bodily resurrected from the grave after he was buried for three days and three nights as it came in the Gospel of John. 2:21, and Luke. 24:36-43. However, according to the Jehovah Witnesses, the same Christ for them was raised a divine spirit, and so their belief goes to deny the bodily resurrection of Christ.

(6) Nearly all Christians of the world believe and anticipate the physical return of Jesus Christ as it came in 1Thess. 4:16-17, Matt. 24:30 and in Rev. 1:7. but for the Jehovah Witnesses, Christ has already returned to this earth and the year of his return was 1914. His return to this world was invisible and now he is ruling the earth and the Universe from heaven.

(7) Almost all Christians worldwide believe that there is an eternal punishment for sins and for the sinners as it came in the Gospel according to Matt. 5:22, Luke.13:24-28 and also in 2 Peter. 2:17, but the Jehovah Witnesses, as usual, have their own version of belief in this regard. They believe that there is no Hell or Eternal punishment but those who do not measure up to Jehovah's standards will be annihilated and destroyed completely from existence.

Now, that you have seen the differences which exist in Christianity, you are better placed to choose the truth from falsehood. Do all of these Churches which oppose one another belong to Jesus and the truth taught by him?

1. Ref: A Catechism of Christian Doctrine, No: 3.

2. James was the first builder of the tabernacle of David. As Jesus came to sit on the throne of David, here we understand that, James at first had built this tabernacle before it was destroyed by the enemies… and here it seems that he was ready to build it again.

3. This is the biblical God; the smoke went out of his nostrils and fire out of his mouth as you have seen. Therefore this God believed in by his holiness has nostrils and a mouth which gives out smoke and fire like a dragon ...! The phrase "he bowed the heavens and came down" and the phrase under his feet" underlines the belief by the Pope and Christian that the Almighty God is only in heaven and he is not by any means with us ...! and the phrase "He rode upon a Cherub" signifies the Christian dogma that God is physical being ..! O your holiness, "….why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye"? Matt. 7:3

4. In the book of 2 Sam 22:7-12, we are told that smoke and fire were coming out from God's mouth and nostrils, but here in Daniel we are told that the throne of this God also is like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire, which simply means that this God is surrounded by flames and fire as if the God of the Bible resembles the dragon or a God in ancient folklores.

5. The 20th century, when the book was first printed.

6. Even though the subject of this booklet is "Islam and Christianity, a Comparative Study", I decided to write briefly about some Christian denominations so that their creed and beliefs might be understood by both ordinary Christians and Muslims, hoping that this effort will assist in the separating the truth from falsehood.

Chapter 7: The Church and its Clever Deception

Inexpensive and Effortless Salvation

Other Christian denominations believe that their only hope is the death of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary, and that whatever they do, Jesus had already redeemed them. Once you believe that Christ died for your sins, you are saved and this will ensure you eternal blessings and eternal enjoyment in the heavens...!

This would actually be a very inexpensive and effortless salvation, which God apparently for centuries never thought of bringing it out to mankind. How could God leave all mankind in sin for ages without bestowing unto them this inexpensive and effortless of salvation until only 2.000 years ago?

In fact, this is the greatest lie ever told in human history. It is a evil idea which found its way into Christianity from pagan Europe two thousand years ago. The true Christians must abide with what the Bible is calling them to and they must forget this kind of lies and deceit. The Bible says that

"...Abraham saith unto him. They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, if they hear not Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead..." Luke. 16:29-31.

By hearing Moses and the Prophets, the Bible is saying that the Christians must abide with laws and the divine principles revealed by God to Moses and other Prophets, for without doing that, there will be no salvation for them.

Yet how could they do that while Paul had brought to them this new Christianity from his own imagination? I am referring to Paul's version of Christianity as Euro-centric Christianity, as it was preached by him to suit the political, economic and social environment of Europe. It actually came to supersede and abrogate the original version of Christianity founded by Jesus Christ who heard it from God, the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth.

For Paul, the laws have nothing to do with Christians as Christ was hanged. He was hanged with the laws together and so when Christ gave up the ghost, that was the end of laws. Thus the laws are what is causing the sins to manifest "…to where no law is, there is no transgression..." Rom. 4: 15.

The Christians will continue to say that “this is why Christ died for us to remove our sins which was manifested by and thus becoming a curse which Christ Jesus came to remove upon us practically by becoming ransom and a lamb for us and so delivered us from the curse of law”. This above explanation can be found in the words of Paul in Gal. 3:13.

But this is a complete lie. Jesus never claimed to be a lamb nor did he claim to have come to abolish the laws as claimed by Paul. But for Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (S), their followers must abide by the laws throughout their lives and not one jot or title of the laws and divine principles can ever be abrogated by any one as Jesus said; "…Think not that 1 am come to destroy the law, or the Prophets, 1 not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily 1 say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one title shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled…" Matt. 5:17-18.

In another passage of the Bible, Jesus says; "...For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven..." Matt. 5:20.

I am now asking the Christians, how could they be better than the scribes and the Pharisees by not keeping the commandments? And if they keep the commandments, then the blood of Jesus is in no way the path to salvation.

This is why Jesus had insisted that salvation comes from keeping the commandments and not his blood and death. He explained this saying; "...He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me, and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and will love him, and 1will manifest myself to him..." John. 14:21 "...If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments..." Matt. 19:17.

The Holy Qur'an also advises the Christians to abide by the Gospel of Jesus and the laws which have been revealed therein by saying;

"And in their footsteps we sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Law which had come before him... Let the People of the Gospel judge by what hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what hath revealed, they are (no better than) those who rebel..." (Holy Qur’an, 5: 49-50) 1

And so, we conclude by saying that Paul did not speak the truth concerning these matters just as he did not speak the truth in other matters which we have mentioned earlier in this book.

Paul was speaking about things freely and invented his own creed and this was his real nature. Today many people who believe that Paul was inspired by God, have been deceived by Paul's own construction and manipulation of events. One should not forget what Paul himself said; "…that which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting…" 2 Corio. 11:17.

In the above statement Paul himself admits that he was never inspired by God and that whatsoever he spoke were merely speeches and boastings by himself which had nothing to do with God.

Let us not also forget that Paul believe that he could lie, provided that within such lies the glory of God will be abounded! For Paul, the end justifies the means! He says; "…For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?..." Rem. 3:7.
In reality what Paul had preached and taught in Rome, Greece and Antioch was not a revelation from God as we have seen from his own testimony and as he wrote in his letters to the Romans and Corinthians in the above Biblical verses. In fact, he preached his thoughts as a man and his teachings and thoughts were merely his own covenant which had nothing to do with divine revelations.

Paul admitted this fact himself, by saying; "…Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto..." Gal. 3:15.2

But Jesus had warned the Christians against following the commandments and the doctrines of men, saying; "…this people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men…" Matt. 15:8-9.

In the above statement, Jesus Christ had foretold about the appearance of certain people whose teachings would be based on their own thoughts and doctrines and would deviate from the teachings of God as set out in the Bible and other revealed books. They would in fact, only pretend closeness to Christ with their mouths and honour him only with their lips while their hearts would be far from him and his teachings.

As the act of worship belongs to God, those people who pretend to be Christians will attribute the act of worship to Jesus instead of God, the Creator. This is why Jesus had to say "…but in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men..."

He said this as he knew that it is in following the doctrines of men and men's commandments that men worship other human beings or other objects (which are not worthy of worship) instead of God. Our acts of worship cannot be attributed to anyone except God the Creator of all things and this is why Jesus considered the acts of those who worshipped him, instead of God, as in vain.

Slavery & Racism in Christianity

The institution of slavery probably had existed long before 4000 B.C. in ancient civilizations of Europe, Egypt, Babylon, Mesopotamia and around Indus Valley in the Indian Sub-Continent.

The factors that led to the appearance of the Institution of slavery were many - economic, political and sometimes social. Religions, throughout the history, unfortunately also have been used to enslave people of different races and colours.

We can easily see slavery in Judaism, Hinduism and in Christianity. In Judaism and Christianity, we can still read the laws which govern the institution of slavery and the ownership of slaves as it follows:

"…If you buy a Hebrew servant; six years he shall serve and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing…". Exodus. 21:2-6.

It is strange! A Hebrew servant or slave is allowed to serve his masters for only six years, but the African slaves were forced and brutally enslaved in America, Europe and the Caribbean for 400 years!!

The Bible also says: "…And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished. Notwithstanding if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished, for he is his money…". Exodus. 21:20-21.

Thus, you have seen from the above Biblical testimonies how the Bible has played the greatest role in encouraging and expanding the human sufferings through "Slavery."

Prophet Muhammad (S) the greatest reformer and the reviver of that pure and monotheistic religion of Moses and Jesus which the pagans call it Christianity. Fourteen centuries ago, Prophet Muhammad (S) already worked hard to liberate and emancipate the slaves.

While the Europeans and Arabs depended upon the institution of slavery for their own social, economic and political development, Islam came as the greatest emancipator of slaves. The Holy Qur'an says:

“And what will explain to thee the path that is steep (ascent), it is freeing the slaves.”(Holy Qur’an, 90:12-13)

But the white Europeans headed by the church did not see it fit to follow Muhammad (S) with his slogan of justice which was to free and emancipate all slaves. The Bible, as we have said earlier, had played the greatest role in reinforcement of slavery for it says: "Servants obey your masters in everything" Colossians. 3:22.

And in another command which encourage and reinforce slavery, the Bible openly declares the lawfulness of the institution of slavery by saying: "…Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ..." Ephesians. 6:5-6.

Prophet Muhammad (S) therefore when he appeared in Arabia saw and witnessed the institution of slavery reinforced and utilized by the European Christians. Thus, Islam has dealt gently with slaves and insists on their freedom and independence. This is why the Muslim army, led by Salahuddin and others, had conquered Jerusalem and Palestine for the purpose of the establishment of justice and freedom for those Jews who had been enslaved by the Romans for centuries.

The Muslim conquest was not for any kind of expansion or the gaining of new territories; all of these conquests aimed for the implementation of justice, independence and freedom among the natives of those lands which were under the imperialism and colonization by the white Christian Europeans.

We read from the "Review of Religions" magazine that:

"There is a historical background to this war dating back to the wars of the Crusades which began about 1095 when Sultan Salahuddin occupied Palestine about 1191. These wars continued for about two hundred years. They were first started by the European nations which attacked the Muslims eight times. Sometimes they won and sometimes they were defeated. Eventually the Muslims prevailed and saved Palestine. This wound has not been forgotten by the West which also suffered repeated defeats from the Ottoman Empire which ruled a large part of Europe. This has always been a sore for them. They came to realize that Islam was a dangerous and formidable foe.

The Crusade wars started in 1095 and originated in France by a Frenchman who proposed that some form of sacrificial offering should be made as a blessing for the campaign so that revenge was directed at the Jews for causing Jesus to be crucified. Many were killed at the outset of the campaign. This then became a tradition before setting out on a crusade during the two hundred years period the wars were fought. Jews were slaughtered. They were also killed as offerings to ward off evil and bad omens. One such instance was the Black death which spread through Europe from 1347 to 1352. Many false stories were spread about the Jews and in order to ward off the plague, many Jews were murdered. It is roughly estimated that Jews were totally effaced from sixty large cities and from one hundred and forty towns. This was the second kind of oppression made by the Christian world against the Jews.

The third and largest scale revenge was taken against them by Nazi Germany. Although experts differ on the number killed, the Jews insist that almost six million died in the holocaust. The Jews also suffered in other ways, all this occurred within a decade. As a result of these persecutions, the Jews demanded that they should be given a homeland. In those days, Jews sought protection from Muslims in Palestine because history proved that during their supremacy Muslims have committed no atrocities against the Jews. During the two periods of Muslim rule in Palestine full protection of life and property was granted to Jews and Christians alike and they were not molested in any way. On the other hand when King Richard of England conquered Palestine, there followed heinous massacres of both Jews and Muslims, including women and children" 3

From the above statement we have seen a contradictory concept of European Christians who believe that their Lord and Saviour was crucified for the redemption of their sins. But the same Europeans during their crusades, it is amazing to see them avenging the blood of Jesus from the Jews.

In fact, all of these crimes have nothing to do with Jesus. They were instead committed in pursuance of political and economic goals, in the name of Christianity.

Where, then, were those peace-loving European Christians when the United States of America bombed Vietnam and dropped thousands of atomic bombs on the innocent Japanese in Hiroshima? These Europeans, led by the Church, continue to remain silent believing that all of these crimes can be justified by the instruction given to them in the Bible as it is said in the book of Number:

"…Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. But all the women children that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves…". Num. 31: 17-18

The Bible and its teachings - which are mainly the commandments of men and not of God - is the source of many calamities. The two most hateful practices in human history - slavery and racism - have their roots in the Bible, believed by many to be an inspired book of God!

We are told in the Bible that the children of Ham were cursed and that as a result of this curse of God, their descendants (who are the colored and black people) are hated by God, and that they will be enslaved by their brothers who are the descendants of Shem and Japheth - the so-called white people of European race.

The Bible says in this regard:

"…And Noah began to be a husbandman, and he planted a vine yard; and he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.

And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without. And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father, and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness.

And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him. And he said, Cursed be Canaan, a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Shem, and Canaan shall be his servant. God shall enlarge Japheth' and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant..." Gen. 9:20-27.

In the above Biblical verses, there are doubtful and amazingly conflicting records about Noah which simply prove the unreliability of the story itself. Noah was a man described by the Bible as a "…just man and perfect in his generations ... who walked with God…" in Gen. 6:9. In the same book of Gen. 9:20-27 he is portrayed as an alcoholic - who being drunk fell unconscious and uncovered in such a way that his nakedness was exposed to his younger son. These alleged qualities and attitudes of Noah clearly contradict what had been said in Gen. 6:9.

What is more astonishing here is to see the same Noah cursing Ham his younger son for his own faults and sins. It should be noted here that there is no law in the Bible that prohibits anyone from seeing the nakedness of any man who exposes himself before others through his own foolishness or drunkenness. Strangely and surprisingly though Ham is cursed by his father, this curse has been destined to include all of his children and descendants ..!

The Bible Has No Solution for Racism

We have learnt from the above passages that some sources and the supports for racism and hatred found the same book which they call "The Holy Bible". Thus Bible has no solution for the problem of racism which is destroying the world.

Strangely enough, Christians are claiming that when the Holy Ghost came 2,000 years ago, he gave them all the truth. But this cannot be true. The Christians throughout two thousand years have engaged themselves in many evils - the genocide of the native Americans and the indigenous people of the Caribbean. They have engaged themselves in the slave trade which had brought about so much human suffering. Worst of all was their imperialism which has justified killing and destruction to people all over the world, in particular in Vietnam, Japan, India and Africa. Had the Holy Ghost given them all the truth, they could not have continued to murder innocent people throughout the world.

Had the Holy Ghost had given them all the Truth; they would have put an end to racism throughout the world, particularly in the United States of America.

When the whole world was calling for an end to the Apartheid regime in South Africa, it was these Christian nations which backed and supported the Apartheid White regime of South Africa that oppressed the innocent black and brown people of South Africa. Are these Christian nations really filled with the Holy Ghost? Or did the Holy Ghost not reveal to them the true solution to racism such that they did not understand the true philosophy of equality among mankind? If that is the case, then their Holy Ghost did not really come with all the Truth ...!

Islam Has the Solution For Racism

But to Muhammad (S), the true Holy Spirit, came with all the truth and he gave the solutions for all problems of the world. As for racism he gave these instructions:

“O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honoured among you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well-acquainted (with all things)” (Holy Qur’an, 49:3)

The Holy Qur'an considered the difference in race, color and languages as the signs of the existence and wisdom of God, not as a cause for discrimination and hatred, it says;

“And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variation in your languages and your colours; verily in that are Signs for those who know…” (Holy Qur’an, 30:22)

The Danger of Euro-Centric Christianity and its False Doctrines

Jesus Christ taught his true religion but then it was changed and distorted by Paul, Europeans (Romans and Greeks), and now by the Americans, the British, and other European nations.

Jesus is not going to accept what is known as Christianity today but he will be very angry on the Day of Judgment, and there will be a big difference between those who followed this Euro-centric Christianity and those who followed the religion of Jesus himself.

The Bible explains this incident as follows:

"…When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last..." Luke. 13:25-30.

Why Did Jesus Have To Reject Them?

Our master Jesus Christ will reject millions of Christians on the Day of Judgment as they have changed his religion and deviated from the true and straight path which he taught. The Christians who follow the teachings of Europeans Doctors of religion have corrupted the original teachings of Jesus by doing the followings:

(1) Despite Jesus having never claimed to be God the Christians have made him God and worshipped him instead of the Creator and Absolute God of the heavens and the earth.

(2) Christians have divided God into three essences and beings, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, and this is a blasphemy as our God is an indivisible Being, an Unchanged and Absolute Being.

(3) Christians have assumed that Jesus died as a human sacrificial for their sins and so they based their religion and salvation on the blood of Jesus which Jesus rejected saying; "…For I say unto you. That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven…" Matt. 5:20.

(4) The Christians, emulating the Europeans and the Americans, have changed and distorted the Bible such that many things which were unlawful during the time of Prophet Jesus Christ are now regarded as lawful by the Christians for example, wine, alcohol and the flesh of swine.

(5) The modern “Church of Paul” has abolished the important law of circumcision (which was an everlasting covenant between God and Abraham and allowed men to remain uncircumcised. This is a total disrespect to the religion of Christ.

One Universal God, One Universal Religion

The Holy Qur'an teaches the unity of religion. It emphasizes that there is only one religion as God is only One and that this religion is the religion of all the Prophets of God. Thus Adam, David, Moses, Abraham, Jesus and Muhammad (pbut) all worshipped in the same manner and believed in the same God.

Hence they all belong to the same religion which is the religion of submission to the will of One God; this religion is called Islam and not Christianity, the holy Qur'an places this emphasis on the unity of religion by saying:

“...The same religion has He Established for you which He enjoined on Noah- which that We have sent by inspiration to thee - and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus; that, ye should remain steadfast in Religion and make no divisions therein ...” (Holy Qur’an, 42:13)

The Bible also confirms this by saying:

"…there is one body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, One faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all, and in you all…" Eph. 4:4-6.

It is my hope therefore, that the Christians will join the original religion of God which Jesus taught throughout his life. This religion is Islam which simply means the religion of "submission to the Will of the One and True God".

In fact, Islam is the only religion which can save humanity from being deceived by all these existing denominations in Christianity. It is also Islam which will give mankind eternal hope and peace of mind and ultimately save them from being enslaved mentally by the teachings of Euro-centric Christianity and being rejected by Jesus Christ on the Day of Judgment.

Islam or Christianity - The Choice Is Yours

In the original religion of Moses and Jesus, we are purified by God through His many beautiful teachings. The Bible - which to some extent confirms the practices and the religion of Moses and Jesus - teaches us not to eat the flesh of swine, not to drink alcohol and intoxicating beverages and not to gamble. It says;

“…these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof and the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be cloven footed, yet he cheweth not the cud, he is unclean to you. Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you…" Lev. 11:4-7.

It also adds; "... Who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who hath contentions? Who hath babbling? Who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of the eyes? They that tarry long at the wine, they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright ..." Pro. 23: 29-31.

As drinking intoxicants and alcoholic beverages diminish thinking capacity and disrupt man’s behaviour, the prophecy on the coming of John the Baptist confirms that the habit of drinking wine and alcoholic beverages is abhorrent in the sight of God. We read in the New Testament of John the Baptist the following:

"…For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb..." Luke. 1:15.

As this is an absolute truth which came from our Divine Being, and the Holy Qur'an - which is the Last Testament - confirms this truth and reality. So do Muslims throughout the world who do not engage in drinking alcohol or gambling the eating of blood or the flesh of swine.

The Holy Qur'an, as God's Word, came to emancipate all humanity from physical, spiritual and mental bondage. Therefore, it teaches us the same pure religion of Moses and Jesus and enjoins us to eat good and pure food and to drink pure non-alcoholic beverages in the following words:

“…Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah…"(Holy Qur’an, 5:3)

It also teaches us by saying;

“…And eat of the lawful and good things that Allah has given you, and be careful of your duty, to Allah in whom you believe…” (Holy Qur’an, 5:88)

It also commands us to avoid impure, intoxicating beverages by saying:

“…Ye who believe, intoxicants and gambling, and (Dedication of) stones. And (divination by) arrows, are an abomination of Satan's handiworks; eschew such (abomination) that ye may prosper…” (Holy Qur’an, 5:90)

But in contrast to these beautiful, Godly teachings of the Bible and the Holy Qur'an, the Church headed by the Anti-Christ and the European Christians had made lawful to their followers all these prohibited foods and beverages. This is contrary to what Jesus Christ had proclaimed. Jesus proclaimed openly saying; "…think not that I am come to destroy the law or the Prophets, I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, till heavens and earth pass, one jot or one little shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled…" Matt. 5:17-18.

After hearing these words of Jesus, where then did these Church Leaders derive their authority from in making all prohibited foods and beverages lawful for them and their followers? If one wants to be enslaved physically, spiritually and mentally, then let him follow the slogan of deception which says "bless and eat", or that says; "…for one believeth that he may eat all things…" Rom. 14:2.

In the above quoted statements of Paul, it would simply mean that when you believe, you may eat all things which you desire to eat without exception and, that there will be no law which can stop you from having what you desire to eat or drink. By this statement, Paul has abrogated all the commandments of the Bible and placed the teachings of Jesus under his feet. It is in fact a strange thing, but the strangest of all, is to see that Christians worldwide agree with this blasphemy.

The Church Leaders, using the face of religion, have for centuries traded and compromised some of their beliefs so that they might suit and meet the needs of the people. By doing this, they care not whether they violate the sanctity of religion. The flesh of swine has become a very important meal especially during the Christmas season, wine and alcohol have become very important beverages within the Christian community such that wine is termed as "the blood of Christ". One should not wonder, then, to see thousands of rum shops in the streets within our communities.

Thus men and women who believe themselves to have sense and intellect while drinking wine, deceive themselves by assuming that they have drunk the blood of their Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. In drinking wine and strong drink the purpose as revealed by what is called "the Holy Bible", is to cool their nerves so that they might forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.

The Bible as we have pointed this earlier acknowledges these nonsenses by giving the following instructions:

"…Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more…" Pro. 31:6-7.

This is the message of a book claimed by its followers to have been inspired by God and yet we are told by the American Sociologists that of every 30,000 people who died from the diseases associated with alcoholism in the United States of America, there is only one person who dies from the diseases associated with dog bites. Yet, the Government gives licenses to the traders of alcohol beverages but the Government strangely gives the verdict to shoot the biting dog..! What is this? We are ready to lose thousands of people from alcoholism but we are not ready to loose even one person from a dog bite.

But our readers need not be surprised. This is the mentality of Euro-centric philosophy which is in reality governed by the ancient culture of the Romans and Greek paganism. Because of these pagan mythologies which have penetrated into what is known as Christianity today, the ordinary bread baked at home can change to become the flesh of Jesus Christ in church mythologies and rituals. It is also most strange that in this concept we see clearly the idea of cannibalism in what is now known as Christianity.

Dear readers, the time has come that you must emancipate yourselves from mental and spiritual slavery. Please make the truth as your philosophy in your lives. Remember that historic saying of Jesus Christ: "…Know ye the truth as it is the truth which shall make you free…" John 8:32.

Therefore, between Islam and Christianity the choice is yours
"Peace be upon you all"
THE END.

1. It is not by any means that Christians are allowed to break the laws contained in the Bible; they only do that as they have deviated from the Bible and follow the teachings of a man called Paul who claimed to have met Christ in that mysterious vision on his way to Damascus. We have some doubts about this Paul's claims as we are not satisfied with the report given in the New Testament concerning this spiritual meeting between Paul and Christ.

2. Here, it is clear that Paul never claimed to have been inspired by God, rather that he taught and preached his thoughts as an ordinary man and his thoughts were only man's covenant and the commandments which came from the doctrines of men. However he urged the people to confirm his thoughts, and after this confirmation, whether truth or false, after that no man had the right to dispute or add anything thereto

3. Ref. "The Review of Religions", Vol. 86, No 6, P. 9-10, June 19.91.

Author(s):

Muhammad Ali Zenjibari [3]

Category:

Comparative Religion [4]

Source URL: https://www.al-islam.org/islam-and-christianity-comparative-study-muhammad-ali-zenjibari

Links
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[2] https://www.al-islam.org/user/register?destination=node/47140%23comment-form
[3] https://www.al-islam.org/person/muhammad-ali-zenjibari
[4] https://www.al-islam.org/library/comparative-religion