Quran and the Big Bang Theory

A comment I made in the forum for a CNN article regarding new discoveries surrounding the Big Bang theory and that it could offer that a God exists!

Are you surprised!

This is indeed a great story and a breakthrough and it is a moment of rejoicing but not for the believers but rather for the Atheists and Agnostics for getting closer to the answer of whether God exists and whether there is a Supreme Being! As for the believers (whether from Judeo-Christian backgrounds or Muslims), the rejoicing happened the moment they learned about God and embraced the message. You see my dear friends, we are created from two parts: a physical body and a soul. Each of those parts requires certain necessities to survive. While the first (physical body) has tangible requirements like food and drink, the later (soul) requires a different type of necessities – namely our connection to our creator (God). The soul that is not connected to the creator is “dead” indeed and to be fair souls of some believers are “ill” and for some they are “healthy” (depending on the level of connection to God).

Now, back to the subject of the recent discovery and that the universe had a beginning. While the old testament and the bible (as in the new testament) refer to the creation of the heavens and earth (as well as the Quran for Muslims), I find it humbling that the Quran went even further to attest to the WAY this creation took place (in other words the Big bang theory is a testament to this verse).

Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined ent-ity, and We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe? (21:30)

The above verse not only has the revelation of how the creation started but also has another scientific evidence (all in one verse) that water is at the essence of every living thing! The Arabic word used in the Quran for the separation of the heaven and the earth is loosely translated to “ruptured”.

This is just an example but I would like to urge you to read this with an open heart and mind. This aforementioned verse is very humbling and if read without some of the preconceived notions we have about Islam and Muslims (which are mostly untrue), you will find how logical and convincing this verse alone to the existence of God who revealed this holy book. For such information to exist in a book that was revealed 1400 years ago is mind boggling and perplexing  at a time where technology didn’t exist to examine the universe and its creation. With this in mind it can only be adequate to conclude that those words are not the words of man but rather the words of the creator. Below I am pasting the following verses to the above which continue in listing some of the creation of God and asking those who disbelief why they disbelief?

And We placed within the earth firmly set mountains, lest it should shift with them, and We made therein [mountain] passes [as] roads that they might be guided. (31) And We made the sky a protected ceiling, but they, from its signs, are turning away. (32)And it is He who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon; all [heavenly bodies] in an orbit are swimming. (33) And We did not grant to any man before you eternity [on earth]; so if you die – would they be eternal? (34) Every soul will taste death. And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us you will be returned. (21:35)

The above verses include more signs for us to ponder about. Starting with the purpose of mountains in the earth (another scientific miracle in the Quran). The roots of which were only discovered recently with recent technologies. Also, the ORBITING of the sun and the moon and the creation of the day and night. Please take the time to read this and read it again. Anyone who is logical and rational would not take these verses lightly!

My dear friends (atheists, agnostics, Christians Jews and some Muslims). I want to share with you another verse from the Quran in which ALLAH talks about the efforts of people in this earth who think they are doing good while indeed their efforts are wasted (in the sight of the creator).

“Say (O Muhammad SAW): “Shall We tell you the greatest losers in respect of (their) deeds?(103) “Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life while they thought that they were acquiring good by their deeds! (104) “They are those who deny the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of their Lord and the Meeting with Him (in the Hereafter). So their works are in vain, and on the Day of Resurrection, We shall not give them any weight. (18:105)” 

May God guide us all to the right path and enable us to be among those whose labor and efforts are not squandered thinking that we are doing well. It behooves all of us after hearing the above to leave the mockery, arrogance and vanity aside and ponder about the aforementioned and heed the admonition.

Why is Islam the way to GO?

Well, I had commented on this numerous times now in this blog. As a Muslim and speaking of Islam. I need not to defy the realities around me just to justify that my faith is right. Islam has come with a core system that supports science and critical thinking. A system that promotes logic and doesn’t undermine one’s intellect. This is in part to address the issue that fellow Christians face when asked about the bible and scientific inaccuracies therein. From an Islamic perspective, the bible is not an accurate record of the word of God. I have looked up couple of versions of the bible and it is mind boggling the discrepancies found from one version to another (I don’t understand how a person can manage to stay focused on course with this in mind). In fact, this is THE one reason why a lot of Christians have doubts about their faith, certain theologies therein, and also can’t carry out a logical debate/discussion about faith, science and the concept of God (please don’t be offended. I just want to give a constructive feedback at the apparent reaction atheists and agnostics have when they engage you in discussions). This of course leads to a lot of people giving up the faith (Christianity) unfortunately. I know a lot of people nowadays that tell me that they were born Christians but don’t really believe in God! The existence of God is the truth and we have that in common among the three major religions in the face of the denial of God.

Now, why is Islam (at least in my view for now) a more comprehensive and presents a logical alternative (even though we believe that Jesus was the truth, Moses was the truth and their message was the truth). The simple idea is that the Torah and the Bible have been fiddled with by humans after the revelation from God. This is obviously not the setting to discuss and elaborate on this. However, the Quran is a book that has no contradictions whatsoever! A book that has 114 chapters in 600 pages that tackles all aspects of life. This book is in fact one of the biggest miracles of prophet Mohammed (Peace and Blessings be upon him) – other prophets had their own miracles as attested by the Quran, Jesus with raising the dead with God’s permission for example, Solomon with ordering and having command of the wind by the permission of God, Moses with his stick and the red sea incident, Noah with the arc that saved him and others from the flood, etc (Peace and Blessings be upon all of those prophets). Those miracles are not comprehensive but rather some examples for some of the prophets.

The Quran was revealed in Arabic at a time where the people of Arabia were very eloquent and poets so the Quran came in their language and challenged their eloquence and challenged them to come up with verses similar to the verses they heard. The challenge is still ongoing for humanity to find any contradictions in this book but it is either there are no takers or (most likely) people are unable to show any flows in this divine book that has been preserved through generations for the past 1400 years ago.

To make this short, and to address a question that you had in regards to carrying out a conversation without referencing the holy book. Indeed, we can have such a discussion but we both have to abide by the same game rules. The same way you “demand” a proof for the existence of God (creator, Supreme Being), I would ask and demand that you furnish proof for the non-existence of the divine ent-ity or an ent-ity that created everything around us (call it God, call it Inventor, call it owner, whatever). Why is it that you feel that you have the right to ask of others to provide a proof when you have no basis or evidence to prove the opposite? By the way, this by no means allot to a weakness on my side for proving the above without referencing the Quran (the matter rather is easier than referencing the divine word).

I will start by presenting you with a quick overview of why I believe that the Quran/Islam is the right way to go. For one, I am fascinated by science and scientific discoveries. An engineer by background and hence my inquisitiveness and curiosity like many in regard to the universe and science is endless. With the context kept clear at the back of our minds (Quran was revealed 1400 years ago), I can’t help it but to attest to its authenticity when the prophecies and proclamations therein become true and/or discovered in the 20 and 21st centuries. I will give you some examples: heard of the big bang? A verse in the Quran tells us that this is the beginning of the creation! Heard of black holes? A detailed description of black holes is mentioned in the Quran! Heard of hyperspace? A description of wormholes (openings to other universes) and the state of humans would be if they were to make it to other universes is mentioned in the Quran! This is of course in addition to more tangible experienced realities around us like the lowest point on this earth as told by the Quran. In addition, things like the condition of oceans in extreme depths (Darkness etc). All of which were impossible to know about 1400 years ago! What do you call this? Coincidence? Luck? Fairy-tales? All I am asking you is to be rational, reasonable and logical without the arrogance of the soul that could be detrimental to us! In other words, If what I said above makes sense, then either say so or take your time to think about this.

Is the above an enough proof that the Quran is the word of God? For some, Yes! For others, it is not! I am not sure why and would really appreciate your feedback as it gets perplexing at times when you see people that profess that they are all about logic and reasoning but when it comes to something they dislike or don’t believe in, they switch off (throw logic out the window). You response should be within reason as well! Try to be convincing in your rational and elaboration to help me and others understand what’s in your mind. One of the biggest issues I have seen with Atheists and Agnostics, they tend to attack Christianity and spend time and effort to show how it has all those flows and that God doesn’t exist but they never offer any alternative. They always ask (like here for example) that Christians and people of other faiths prove that God exists without relying on the text within the holy book but then THEY will rely on the findings of scientists and the writings of scientist (so they do quote actual writings). The difference they claim is that this is SCIENCE! Using that claim (I agree that science goes through a methodology that gives us a certain level of confidence in the findings), wouldn’t it be logical that you believe that the Quran is the word of God when you realize that it has talked about a lot of the scientific discoveries you have today and upon which you base your “belief”. Also, would it be adequate to ask that you prove that the car parked in your garage doesn’t exist? You are thinking that I am crazy! No, point is what is crazy is that you ask that people prove that the creator (inventor, architect) of the CAR exists while you firmly believe that the car exists but have no explanation (plausible and scientific) for how it existed.. Now this I can nonsense let alone talking about logic and rational.

Alright, I better stop now and will follow-up when I hear your responses hopefully.

Quran and Space time, Hyperspace and Wormholes

A blogger on a CNN Article asked that I share an example of how the Quran is continually showing us miracles. I chose this topic that is not widely talked about to share with him/her. I hope this is informative and interesting to you.

Due to your legitimate curiosity, I will share with you something that is not talked about as much nowadays but is worth contemplating upon. Have you heard of Spacetime? Have you heard of Hyperspace (Multiple Universes)? Have you heard of wormholes?

From scientific research (Thanks ALLAH for the advancement we have in humanity nowadays), it is said that Spacetime is CURVED (yes right, spacetime is CURVED). This fact only became known recently after the explorations that humanity learned about in the 20th century.

Also, Hyperspace? It is now scientifically proven that hyperspace is a reality! There are actually mathematical equations that show that universes of up to 11 dimensions do EXIST! We, humans, live in a 4 dimensional universe, 3 in space and time. Wormholes being the openings that could be a shortcut to go from one universe to another!

Now, how is this relevant to the Quran and its continuous miracles? Let me take you with you in a journey called the Quran Journey (all because of your legitimate curiosity)..

Every time the Quran talks about space and travel in space, It uses the word (Arooj). The choice of this word is not random. A single word is a miracle. The word in Arabic is used among Badwins to signify a curved pathway (for someone to go from point A to point B passing through point C, it is said that he is gone through Arooj). For the longest time, Muslims would literally translate the meaning of the Quran when seeing this word as traveled or ascended. It is not until the discoveries in the 20th century that the choice of this word became APPARENT.

He knows what penetrates into the earth and what emerges from it and what descends from the heaven and what <b>ascends</b> therein. And He is the Merciful, the Forgiving. (34:2)

The word used in the above verse is يَعْرُجُ

It is He who created the heavens and earth in six days and then established Himself above the Throne. He knows what penetrates into the earth and what emerges from it and what descends from the heaven and what <b>ascends</b> therein; and He is with you wherever you are. And Allah, of what you do, is Seeing. (57:4)

The word used in the above verse is also يَعْرُجُ

Moving to the second point in regards to hyperspace and wormholes, I would like to share with you one verse in the Quran that tackles but the above concept of curved spacetime and also wormholes. What science discovered is that it would take us huge amount of energies to make a dent into another universe (if we collect all the resources of this world to get through this wormhole today, we wouldn’t be able to). Does that mean that humanity wouldn’t be able to get through? Not at all. Perhaps one day we will be able to get through this (ALLAH Knows best). A scientist once said talking about other universes that if we were to make it to another universe, we will go MAD because that is a dimension beyond our realizations and dimensions. Little did he know that the Quran spoke about this 1400 years ago. Read with me the following!

And [even] if We opened to them a gate from the heaven and they continued therein to <b>ascend</b>, (14) They would say, “Our eyes have only been dazzled. Rather, we are a people affected by magic.” (15:15)

The word used in the above verse is also يَعْرُجُونَ (plural of يَعْرُجُ). Indeed, we would say our eyes are dazzled because we will be in a dimension above our dimension and creation above our realization.. This is the Quran my dear friend. I talked about this to give an idea of what this means through our limited realization. Here is an excerpt from an earlier post.

If you have read my earlier posts, you would understand that our realization of God is limited to our 4 dimensional universe. That is, we only comprehend God with our brains that are limited to this universe. Science tells us that there are universes as many as up to 11 dimensions (mathematically at least). We live in a 4th dimensional universe. Can you imagine what it would be like to be in a 5th dimensional universe? Mad, isn’t it? What is that 5th dimension? We fail to even know that let alone knowing the 11th dimension. Now, since we fail miserably to understand and comprehend these realities, our understanding of the Creator is yet very limited. We don’t encompass ALLAH (God) for he is the Greater of all. However, His Being is veiled from us through his attributes (all-Hearing, All-knowing, etc) but those attributes in themselves are only intellectual realizations for many of us (they get to actual understanding for some) and they are also veiled from us through the actions of God. The actions that we see in our universe..

You might ask, how does the Quran for example link you to God? The answer is, God uses a 4 dimensional language to speak to 4 dimensional  creatures. The revelation came to fit and suit our actual level of comprehension and understanding. Hope this helps! The above explanation could be used to also add Angles as being creatures of higher dimension, a dimension that is not visible to us 🙂

We can observe height, depth and so on (3 dimensions and 1 in time). You can have an idea what a 3 dimensional (2 in space and 1 in time perhaps) creature would be compared to you. A creature that doesn’t experience depth or height. Are you similar to that creature (even though you are not the one who created that creature? Of course not! What do you think of the CREATOR of both creatures (the 4 dimensional and the 3 dimensional now)? Is he in any way the same as those creatures? Of COURSE NOT! If this 3 dimensional creature is brought to our UNIVERSE, what would he SEE? A cross sectional view of everything around. It is safe to say that he WOULD go MAD because he can’t comprehend anything around.. This is one of the miracles of the Quran to tell us about those realities that we became familiar with just 100 years ago (Quran was revealed 1400 years ago).

Above content is REALLY special and not talked about but since you were curious, I didn’t want to share examples that are already available in the internet but opted to share a special example with YOU. Good Luck!

Jesus in the Quran

Posted this in response to a question elsewhere within this forum (CNN) but I thought of sharing it with you all for the following reasons:

1. Informational of what the Quran says about Jesus (Peace and Blessings upon him) – this is important for my fellow Christians.
2. For our Atheist and Agnostic friends who cling on “inaccuracies” in the Bible and the whole concept of trinity (which a lot of Christians struggle with) – After reading those verses, you shouldn’t take the Quran lightly in your endeavor to “save” those believing souls!

Thank you for this question. In a nutshell, The Quran has a unique perspective on Jesus and on resurrection! Muslims believe that Jesus (Peace and Blessings be upon him and his mother, Mary) was a special prophet and that he was not crucified nor was he killed. We believe that he was taken to heaven by God and that he will return one day to this earth. We believe on his return that this planet will be very peaceful and that marks the end of this life (his return is one of the major signs of the nearness of the day of judgement). We believe his return will be upon the spread of the message that the Anti-Christ will carry through. We believe in all the miracles of Jesus (Peace and Blessings be upon him) in addition to more miracles that the Quran mentions. Mohammed (Peace and Blessings be upon him), the Prophet of Islam emphasized that Muslims don’t do what nations before did with their Prophets in making them associates of ALLAH (God). Below are some of the verses of the Quran addressing and explaining Jesus’ status in Islam to ponder about.

Same God, Same Message!
They say, “Be Jews or Christians [so] you will be guided.” Say, “Rather, [we follow] the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth, and he was not of the polytheists.”(135) Say, [O believers], “We have believed in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Descendants and what was given to Moses and Jesus and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him.” (136) So if they believe in the same as you believe in, then they have been [rightly] guided; but if they turn away, they are only in dissension, and Allah will be sufficient for you against them. And He is the Hearing, the Knowing. (137) Quran Chapter 2

Jesus with a higher degree!
Those messengers – some of them We caused to exceed others. Among them were those to whom Allah spoke, and He raised some of them in degree. And We gave Jesus, the Son of Mary, clear proofs, and We supported him with the Pure Spirit. If Allah had willed, those [generations] succeeding them would not have fought each other after the clear proofs had come to them. But they differed, and some of them believed and some of them disbelieved. And if Allah had willed, they would not have fought each other, but Allah does what He intends.(253) Quran Chapter 2

Jesus Raised to Heaven!
[Mention] when Allah said, “O Jesus, indeed I will take you and raise you to Myself and purify you from those who disbelieve and make those who follow you [in submission to Allah alone] superior to those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me is your return, and I will judge between you concerning that in which you used to differ. (55) Quran Chapter 3

Jesus is like Adam!
Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created Him from dust; then He said to him, “Be,” and he was. (59) Quran Chapter 3

Jesus was not Crucified nor Killed!
And [for] their saying, “Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.” And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain. (157) Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise.(158) Quran Chapter 3

Quran and Trinity!
O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, “Three”; desist – it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs. (171) Quran Chapter 4

Jesus’ Message is Guidance!
And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming that which came before him in the Torah; and We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light and confirming that which preceded it of the Torah as guidance and instruction for the righteous. (46) Quran Chapter 5

On Trinity Again and Disbelief 
They have certainly disbelieved who say, “Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary” while the Messiah has said, “O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” Indeed, he who associates others with Allah – Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers.(72) They have certainly disbelieved who say, “Allah is the third of three.” And there is no god except one God. And if they do not desist from what they are saying, there will surely afflict the disbelievers among them a painful punishment. (73) So will they not repent to Allah and seek His forgiveness? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.(74) The Messiah, son of Mary, was not but a messenger; [other] messengers have passed on before him. And his mother was a supporter of truth. They both used to eat food. Look how We make clear to them the signs; then look how they are deluded. (75) Say, “Do you worship besides Allah that which holds for you no [power of] harm or benefit while it is Allah who is the Hearing, the Knowing?” (76) Quran Chapter 5

Jesus Miracles in the Quran
[Be warned of] the Day when Allah will assemble the messengers and say, “What was the response you received?” They will say, “We have no knowledge. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen” (109)[The Day] when Allah will say, “O Jesus, Son of Mary, remember My favor upon you and upon your mother when I supported you with the Pure Spirit and you spoke to the people in the cradle and in maturity; and [remember] when I taught you writing and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel; and when you designed from clay [what was] like the form of a bird with My permission, then you breathed into it, and it became a bird with My permission; and you healed the blind and the leper with My permission; and when you brought forth the dead with My permission; and when I restrained the Children of Israel from [killing] you when you came to them with clear proofs and those who disbelieved among them said, “This is not but obvious magic.” (110) Quran Chapter 5

Jesus Never said he was the Son of God (According to the Quran)
And [beware the Day] when Allah will say, “O Jesus, Son of Mary, did you say to the people, ‘Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah?'” He will say, “Exalted are You! It was not for me to say that to which I have no right. If I had said it, You would have known it. You know what is within myself, and I do not know what is within Yourself. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen. (116) I said not to them except what You commanded me – to worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. And I was a witness over them as long as I was among them; but when You took me up, You were the Observer over them, and You are, over all things, Witness. (117) If You should punish them – indeed they are Your servants; but if You forgive them – indeed it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.(118) Quran Chapter 5

More on what Jesus (Peace and Blessings be Upon him) Said 
[Jesus] said, “Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet. (30) And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakah as long as I remain alive (31) And [made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant. (32) And peace is on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive.” (33) That is Jesus, the son of Mary – the word of truth about which they are in dispute. (34) It is not [befitting] for Allah to take a son; exalted is He! When He decrees an affair, He only says to it, “Be,” and it is. (35)[Jesus said], “And indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path.” (36) Then the factions differed [concerning Jesus] from among them, so woe to those who disbelieved – from the scene of a tremendous Day. (37) How [clearly] they will hear and see the Day they come to Us, but the wrongdoers today are in clear error. (38) Quran Chapter 19 (Mary)

You might be wondering about Mohammed (Peace and Blessings be upon him and all the prophets before him) and how he is viewed in Islam (and the Quran that was revealed through him) as compared to Jesus in terms of his status

Muhammad is not but a messenger. [Other] messengers have passed on before him. So if he was to die or be killed, would you turn back on your heels [to unbelief]? And he who turns back on his heels will never harm Allah at all; but Allah will reward the grateful. (144) Quran Chapter 3

Notice that although the Quran was revealed through Prophet Mohammed (Peace and Blessings be upon him and all the prophets before him), the core message therein remained the same until today. ALLAH (God) is ONE and messengers and Prophets were sent to rely the message to humanity. Nothing special even for Prophet Mohammed (Peace and Blessings be upon him and all the prophets before him). Hope this also helps.

More on this

Remember I told you that the word of God (ALLAH) is the highest of speech (as it ought to be coming from God). Had you read the verses above, you would have noticed the following:

The Messiah, son of Mary, was not but a messenger; [other] messengers have passed on before him. And his mother was a supporter of truth. They both used to eat food. Look how We make clear to them the signs; then look how they are deluded. (5:75)

Please emotions aside, ALLAH used the best of speech to imply that they also used the bathroom! but he told us that by saying that they used to eat food. How could this be God? ALLAH (God) is Exalted from all those analogies and he is ONE without any partners. As you read the verses, make an attempt to understand what they say without anger, emotion and/or prejudgment!

Response to realbuckyball on a Video he Shared and Used to Conclude that Mohammed Didn’t Exist.

Sorry for starting a new thread, for some reason I was unable to post a response to the original post. This is in response to a video posted by buckyball in which he contended that I couldn’t refute ONE of the claims made by Robert Spencer in a video that he posted in the first page of the comments of this article (you can watch the video by going to the first comment page). I took the time to refute ALL of the claims..

So I finally got around hearing the video that you posted by Robert Spencer and his claims that Mohammed didn’t exist. Let me start by saying that from your writing I had wrongly assumed that you were logical, rational, and methodical in what is constituted as a proof or evidence upon which one could firmly believe in the conclusions presented. Throughout your comments and responses, you had referred (and perhaps others) to the Gospel, and the Quran alike as fairy-tales and I can’t resist but to mention that all what Robert Spencer presented in this video was nothing but a fairy-tale that has no basis whatsoever. The difference is that I will go through all the items here and share with you why I believe that they are fairy tales unlike YOU who opted to use this video to support your claim that the Quran is a fairy-tale (a mere opinion of a single person who chose to think that his analysis is the basis of an entire religion – I urge you to read the criticism section of his biography page in Wikipedia) :).. This article is also meant to be educational in nature to every reader on some of the theological aspects of Islam.

Did Mohammed Exist? It is sad that the question is even posed. Yes he did exist and he is the prophet of the second largest religion in the world (universal religion) with 1.8 billion followers in the world today. Mr. Spencer demonstrated time after another in this video that he doesn’t know much about Islam or the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him). His Video could be summarized as follows:

• Mohammed didn’t exist and was created (no historical basis that he existed)

• Islam was created to support a political agenda to expand the empire at the time

• Islam doesn’t teach universal brotherhood, love and peace like other religions do (cited 98:6)

• Quran was not collected until 60 years after the death of the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him)

• The Prophet’s tradition was not collected until 125 years later (first biography of the prophet). Huge material was made up and it was a lie that spread

• Tradition doesn’t talk about what Prophet did with the leap month up until 627 when abolished (Arabs used to add that month to correct for a lunar calendar)

• There are no instances in which non-Muslims enjoyed equal rights under Islamic rule (No Equality)

• Islam contradict constitutional freedom rights

Let me start addressing those points one by one. Please note that I don’t claim to be a scholar or a person of substantial knowledge in the faith so with my modest knowledge, I was shocked to see the preposterous claims laid out in this video.

• Mohammed didn’t exist and was created (no historical basis that he existed)

He did exist. Mr. Spencer talks about history and historical evidence and fails to address a crucial and elemental point of what he makes of the Quran – the one big miracle of Prophet Mohammed (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him). Suffice it to say that this book is a challenge to the entire humanity to find a single contradiction in it throughout its 600 pages. The book that has both scientific evidences and prophecies that no other book had – I am talking about tens of those. If Mohammed (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) didn’t exist, where did this book come from? Please don’t just foolishly and naively say that books can be written because this is not a book (any book); this is a book that humanity is challenged to find a single contradiction in it for the past 1400 years ago but hasn’t been able to!

Now to add to the above, aside from the Quran and “historical records” that a lot of people doubt are accurate (and by the way Mr. Spencer apparently relies on those handpicked, carefully selected records in making his points), what else could be presented to confirm that Mohammed (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) did exist? For one, I and many other in the Muslim world come from the lineage of the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him). It is an honor beyond imagination! However, this lineage is kept throughout time in a clear and manifest record. Each descendent of the prophet (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) has the tree that traces his or her lineage to the prophet (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him). This offspring of the prophet (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) is all over the world today as one could image but all can be validated to the source. In every generation these records and updated and are well kept. It is one thing to argue that history is “written by the powerful” but it is another thing to tell a man that his father “is not” or didn’t exist! Ironic isn’t it?

• Islam was created to support a political agenda to expand the empire at the time

Mere theory and has not basis. Mr. Spencer just illustrated why he thought so which none of it made sense by the way. I’d rather focus on something worthwhile commenting on.

• Islam doesn’t teach universal brotherhood, love and peace like other religions do (cited 98:6)

This is the only time that Mr. Spencer quoted from the Quran (thanks God!). Not sure how he came up with this conclusion. The verse he cited is shown here for reference (verse 6 but I am pasting the whole chapter for you to judge – obviously Mr. Spencer wouldn’t share with you the context the verse was revealed nor the intent of it). As shown below, this is addressing the disbelievers who disbelieved after they ahve received the scripture and the truth from God to worship him alone and after all this clear evidence they were given, they disbelieved. Those Allah says are the worst creature (in comparison to the best creatures in the sight of Allah and those by the way include Muslims, Christians and Jews who are on the monotheistic belief of God). I can go and write pages on Islam and brotherhood, love and peace but I want to address the claims that Mr. Spencer had in his video that folks like you yourself USE to come to the conclusion that Mohammed (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) didn’t exist!

Those who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists were not to be parted [from misbelief] until there came to them clear evidence – (1) A Messenger from Allah, reciting purified scriptures (2) Within which are correct writings. (3) Nor did those who were given the Scripture become divided until after there had come to them clear evidence. (4) And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion. (5) Indeed, they who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists will be in the fire of Hell, abiding eternally therein. Those are the worst of creatures. (6)Indeed, they who have believed and done righteous deeds – those are the best of creatures. (7)

• Quran was not collected until 60 years after the death of the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him)

Mr. Spencer mentioned that the Quran is mentioned in the Islamic books that it was collected during the third Caliph, Othman may Allah be pleased with him some 28 years after the passing of the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him). This is another incorrect and I would have said misconstrued, but the truth is it was deliberately said to create confusion and doubt in the hearts of many. The simple truth is that the Quran was COLLECTED during the Prophet’s time (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him). It was also RECORDED and REVIEWED by the Prophet HIMSELF (You could imagine the importance of preserving the word of God!). It would be naive of an ordinary person to think that what is in his mind and heart would be preserved after his demise, let alone the prophet of God (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him). So the fact is that the Quran was Collected and Recorded during the time of the prophet (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him). Then, what is this story that it was collected during the time of Othman (the third Caliph). As Mr. Spencer mention, the Islamic empire expanded greatly during that time so what happened was naturally newly entrants to Islam learned the Quran and doctrine from people of knowledge and memorizers of the Quran who happened to be there to teach people the affairs of their faith. An effort had not be done by then to accompany every mission with a recorded book (Large number of Muslims at the time memorized the Quran in its entirety). The locals however were learning the Quran but started to record it in their own dialects which alerted the Caliph that this could be an issue in the way of preserving the holy book. Therefore, he ordered all the written texts in the different dialects be collected and burned and instead furnished a single copy that was to be the only one that is distributed throughout the empire. Is it possible that this copy could have been different from the one that the prophet collected? NO. After the death of the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him), the first Caliph, Abu Baker, Collected all the different records in which the Quran was recorded (written on leather and others on bones). He passed it to Omar (2nd Caliph) who in turn passed it to his daughter Hafsa (My ALLAH be pleased with all of them). Othman (3rd Caliph) got this particular copy that was the same memorized by the masses at the time to be recorded and sent out to 4 cities of the Muslim world at the time.. This is the story of the preservation of the Quran.  Also, bear in mind that people memorized this book and some memorizers exist until today that have approval traced back to the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) himself (i.e. approved by a teacher who was approved by his teacher traced back to the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him)). I personally know man (not to mention that are 10s of millions today that have it memorized but not authenticated by a teacher who learned it traced to the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him))… Moving on to the next item!

• The Prophet’s tradition was not collected until 125 years later (first biography of the prophet). Huge material was made up and it was a lie that spread

Again and again, incorrect information. Based on those claims, the naive and the ignorant would truly think that this is the truth about Islam and Prophet Mohammed (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him). The prophet’s tradition (Hadith) was memorized also by the companions of the prophet and those who followed them. The first generation had the tradition memorized not through active memorization but also through practice as they did EVERYTHING that the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) instructed – no wonder they were victorious in their affairs not just through the expansion of the Islamic state but through the purification of their souls and how they transformed to a civilized society at a time where Arabs were truly tribal and barbaric. This tradition began to pass from the first generation to the next and while Mr. Spencer claims that the tradition wasn’t collected until 125 years later, the truth is that it was recorded since the time of the prophet (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him). What was gathered as collections thereafter qualified the tradition or Hadith based on their authenticity. The traditions are narrated through a chain of narrations. This chain of narrations (people who narrated from the prophet) are classified in terms of their trustworthiness and credibility. If in the chain of narration there was a person who had questionable character, then that particular narration is discounted. If there exists a person who is not known to have exhibited any questionable character but rather was not known enough through people who could firmly attest to his worthiness, then that tradition became an OK (good) tradition but is not considered AUTHENTIC. The third category which is the Authentic is the one with a KNOWN chain of narration of trustworthy people who were never known to have lied, joked about the matter of the faith, etc… Mr. Spencer is not aware of these details. The material that he refers to as a lie was nothing but the exercise of collecting the authentic tradition not to differentiate it from “fake” traditions but rather from traditions that came through people who were not FULLY vetted (not through knowing that those were lies – that generation was a different scale of integrity and personal conduct)..

• Tradition doesn’t talk about what Prophet did with the leap month up until 627 when abolished (Arabs used to add that month to correct for a lunar calendar)

Incorrect and Deceiving again! The Hijri calendar that Muslims use actually come from the word Hijrah which means migration and it marked the migration of the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) from Mecca to Madina. There were no leap calendar additions to the lunar calendar thereafter. Prior to that the call to Islam in Mecca was limited and was mostly done in secret. The Islamic State started thereafter. Mr. Spencer says that leap months were added until 627 but there is no record of what the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) did during that month since the acts of worship like fasting the month of Ramadan is tied to the calendar and moves with the calendar. Answer to that is, Calendar started in 622 rather and hence whatever compensation you mention was nullified thereafter not 5 years later.

• There are no instances in which non-Muslims enjoyed equal rights under Islamic rule (No Equality)

I really won’t bother to try to convince you in this regard because the renaissance that the world had seen through the ruling of the Muslims is only apparent to those versed with “History”. Suffice it to say that Jews for one had this to say about their time under the Islamic ruling (check out the Golden Age for Jews in the Middle Ages http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_age_of_Jewish_culture_in_Spain)

• Islam contradict constitutional freedom rights

What does Mr. Spencer and you for that matter rely on to say that Islam contradicts freedom rights? Saudi Arabia? I told you in a prior post, the government there is the biggest scam in the History of Islam so I would not use it as a reference when generalizing about Islam. Could you quote anything from the Quran that validates this claim?

In conclusion, you have contended that I haven’t not addressed the claims of Mr. Spencer and that I CAN’T. I didn’t have to do much here but listen to the video and write this response to show the ignorance of Mr. Spencer and his lack of knowledge about Islam and those who use him as an authority and reference to conclude that Islam is a violent religion and that Mohammed didn’t exist (a joke for those who read my response with an open mind).. I hope you re-read this post with an open mind and heart and learn not to rely on journalists and historians on forming your own opinions. Always validate and dig for the resources and SOURCE used to form an informed opinion. May God guide us all to the straight path and I apologize for the lengthy post!

 

Purpose of Life