(Welcome to Part II, enjoy.)
Point #2 The Quran claims the Bible as its equal
Even though I find this claim absurd, obviously the person that posed this doesnt. Therefore Ill take it seriously and answer it completely.
Quran Confirms past Scripture:
010.037
YUSUFALI: This Qur'an is not such as can be produced by other than Allah; on the contrary it is a confirmation of (revelations) that went before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book - wherein there is no doubt - from the Lord of the worlds.
The Quran is said to be a confirmation of that before it (Which would include the Bible, but certainly isnt limited to it). Notice the level of confirmation is not mentioned. Therefore you cant assume total confirmation, although you can assume some level as it clearly suggests some level.
005.041
YUSUFALI: O Messenger! let not those grieve thee, who race each other into unbelief: (whether it be) among those who say "We believe" with their lips but whose hearts have no faith; or it be among the Jews,- men who will listen to any lie,- will listen even to others who have never so much as come to thee. They change the words from their (right) times and places: they say, "If ye are given this, take it, but if not, beware!" If any one's trial is intended by Allah, thou hast no authority in the least for him against Allah. For such - it is not Allah's will to purify their hearts. For them there is disgrace in this world, and in the Hereafter a heavy punishment.
Does this sound like the Torah the Jews have today has remained unchanged? Now you could be a stubborn skeptic and ask me how I even know it refers to the modern day torah and this is my response:
Lets look at the context.
005.043
YUSUFALI: But why do they come to thee for decision, when they have (their own) law before them?- therein is the (plain) command of Allah; yet even after that, they would turn away. For they are not (really) People of Faith.
Law here is also translated as Torah. This verse also notes that the Jews certainly have Gods Law with them, but notice it never says this is exclusively what they have. And in fact later on will prove that what they hold is not exclusively Gods Law.
Continuing on .
005.044
YUSUFALI: It was We who revealed the law (to Moses): therein was guidance and light. By its standard have been judged the Jews, by the prophets who bowed (as in Islam) to Allah's will, by the rabbis and the doctors of law: for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah's book, and they were witnesses thereto: therefore fear not men, but fear me, and sell not my signs for a miserable price. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) Unbelievers.
Now I mean not to generalize, but commonly we know Jews as greedy peoples (And I realize some Jews may not be, as I do have Jewish friends) BUT it is interesting God is warning them not to profit from His signs. (Signs is also translated as Communications and also revelations). But how could they profit from Gods communications/revelations/signs??? Well, God just said they have been entrusted to protect the Scripture from corruption. Obviously corruption of the Scripture would allow them to access power and abuse this power (Which could be an interpretation of this). Although lets keep going through the context .
005.046
YUSUFALI: And in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law that had come before him: a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah.
Jesus was sent Equipped with the Gospel (Also called the Injeel) which confirmed the Law before it. Now wait, we already are working on showing that the Jews changed their Scriptures, yet retaining what God had said but not exclusively. Therefore Jesus was sent for what purpose? To weed out the stuff the Jews wrote and falsely accredited to God and to reveal the truth in the Torah. Now you should begin to notice Confirmation is merely a way of saying Hey Im sending this Book to show you where your Scripture is right and where it is wrong. If this Book I send now confirms yours then it is truthful. If not, guess what. It isnt from God.(This quote is an imagery quote that might exhibit what God is trying to get across by using the word confirmation.) Moving along ..
005.047
YUSUFALI: Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) those who rebel.
Now the people of the Gospel are to judge by what God has revealed (Meaning they are to use this new Scripture to find out what is true in the Torah, exactly what I stated above). More context .
005.048
YUSUFALI: To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that hath come to thee. To each among you have we prescribed a law and an open way. If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah; it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute;
Here we must make a choice in interpretation (And honestly I dont think the English translations help too much, although this is what I have to work with). The first interpretation would hold that the Scripture being referred to is the Injel, meaning it is guarded and purely the Word of God (And no that doesnt mean the New Testament is purely the Word of God, why? Lets see. Did Jesus write the New Testament? No, his apostles did this task. The New Testament isnt the Injel because the Injel was a Scripture given to Jesus. Even the Christians know the New Testament isnt a Scripture that was given to Jesus; therefore making this assumption isnt sound.) Another interpretation would hold that the subject shifted and this verse is talking about the Quran. If this is the case then God might be saying Hey the Quran is to be used just like I intended the people of the Gospel to use the Injel (Gospel) with regard to the Torah. See where confirmation is and that is what is truthful in the Torah OR both interpretations maybe (Dual interpretation works very nicely actually. Also Id like to remark that the New Testament isnt to be considered a Book of God but rather a history book at best from a muslim point of view.) Moving on .
005.049
YUSUFALI: And this (He commands): Judge thou between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, but beware of them lest they beguile thee from any of that (teaching) which Allah hath sent down to thee. And if they turn away, be assured that for some of their crime it is Allah's purpose to punish them. And truly most men are rebellious.
Again God mentions vain desires, putting emphasis that things mentioned in the scriptures held as true have human motives tied in with Gods Word, making the scripture not purely Gods Word. Move context .
005.057
YUSUFALI: O ye who believe! take not for friends and protectors those who take your religion for a mockery or sport,- whether among those who received the Scripture before you, or among those who reject Faith; but fear ye Allah, if ye have faith (indeed).
Now I ask you, why would the people who received the Scripture before us take Islam for a mockery? If the confirmation is complete and 100% they would mocking their own religion. Obviously this further puts emphasis on the fact that the books they call Scripture have been altered in some fashion, yet still retain Gods Word. Therefore if they are mocking Islam they are doing so using the variant parts of their scripture (Being the portions inspired by vain desires). More context ..
005.059
YUSUFALI: Say: "O people of the Book! Do ye disapprove of us for no other reason than that we believe in Allah, and the revelation that hath come to us and that which came before (us), and (perhaps) that most of you are rebellious and disobedient?"
The people of the Book (i.e. interpreted as Christians and Jews) are asked why they disapprove of Islam. Reasons offered are that we believe in Allah(The One and Only God, which often times the word Allah is attacked by non-muslims in several debates), because of the Quran (Because it disagress with the vain desires found in their scriptures), or the past Scriptures (Which they dont believe in, because they believe they already hold it), and also they are labeled as mostly rebellious and disobedient (Not very good attributes). More context .
005.060
YUSUFALI: Say: "Shall I point out to you something much worse than this, (as judged) by the treatment it received from Allah? those who incurred the curse of Allah and His wrath, those of whom some He transformed into apes and swine, those who worshipped evil;- these are (many times) worse in rank, and far more astray from the even path!"
Who are these people God speaks of that incurred His curse and wrath? Why did they incur it? Maybe because they disobeyed God and altered the scriptures with their vain desires or profited from the communication/revelation/sign
005.062YUSUFALI: Many of them dost thou see, racing each other in sin and rancour, and their eating of things forbidden. Evil indeed are the things that they do.
Eating of the forbidden eh? Maybe Pork?? But none the less the theme of these people being misled continues in this verse.
005.063
YUSUFALI: Why do not the rabbis and the doctors of Law forbid them from their (habit of) uttering sinful words and eating things forbidden? Evil indeed are their works.
Again the Quran makes note of evil works of these people.
005.064
YUSUFALI: The Jews say: "Allah's hand is tied up." Be their hands tied up and be they accursed for the (blasphemy) they utter. Nay, both His hands are widely outstretched: He giveth and spendeth (of His bounty) as He pleaseth. But the revelation that cometh to thee from Allah increaseth in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy.but they (ever) strive to do mischief on earth. And Allah loveth not those who do mischief. Amongst them we have placed enmity and hatred till the Day of Judgment. Every time they kindle the fire of war, Allah doth extinguish it;
This again shows the Jews have altered their Scriptures with vain desires and even when they see the true revelation (Quran) they increase in rebellion and blasphemy.
005.065
YUSUFALI: If only the People of the Book had believed and been righteous, We should indeed have blotted out their iniquities and admitted them to gardens of bliss.
This tells us they had not believed nor acted righteous.
005.066
YUSUFALI: If only they had stood fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that was sent to them from their Lord, they would have enjoyed happiness from every side. There is from among them a party on the right course: but many of them follow a course that is evil.
They didnt stand fast by the Law, Gospel, and all other revelations from their Lord. Meaning they changed it, altered it, or maybe flat out lost it. Yet some are still good people, but many are not.
005.068
YUSUFALI: Say: "O People of the Book! ye have no ground to stand upon unless ye stand fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that has come to you from your Lord." It is the revelation that cometh to thee from thy Lord, that increaseth in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. But sorrow thou not over (these) people without Faith.
This is basically a repetition of 5:66 although this time this is a command to say this.
Also take notes that everywhere here the Jews are mentioned specifically. No where are the Christians mentioned. The Gospel was meant to correct the Jews scripture The Torah. So where do Christians fall in? They are supposedly following the teachings of Jesus (This would be equal to that of the Hadith which relate to Muhammad). They however are not following the Injel which is the Book of God.
005.077
YUSUFALI: Say: "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.
This verse is commanding that the People of the Book not lie about the truth basically. Notice that many have been misled and follow vain desires. This also is noted to have happened in times gone by (The Past). This seems to be hinting that the Scriptures they hold as from God are not all as such, how else are so many misled if the true Scripture is present?
005.078
YUSUFALI: Curses were pronounced on those among the Children of Israel who rejected Faith, by the tongue of David and of Jesus the son of Mary: because they disobeyed and persisted in excesses.
And the very next verse informs us that some among the Children of Israel have rejected faith that was offered by David and Jesus: Disobeyed and did continue to lie (Persisted in excesses). I thought this would be a good time to note that the first Christians were who? Jews that converted, correct? This verse ties into this theme.
(Again due to the length of this point, it continues over into Part III. So please continue reading on before you comment on Point #2 at least. Thanks)
Point #2 The Quran claims the Bible as its equal
Even though I find this claim absurd, obviously the person that posed this doesnt. Therefore Ill take it seriously and answer it completely.
Quran Confirms past Scripture:
010.037
YUSUFALI: This Qur'an is not such as can be produced by other than Allah; on the contrary it is a confirmation of (revelations) that went before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book - wherein there is no doubt - from the Lord of the worlds.
The Quran is said to be a confirmation of that before it (Which would include the Bible, but certainly isnt limited to it). Notice the level of confirmation is not mentioned. Therefore you cant assume total confirmation, although you can assume some level as it clearly suggests some level.
005.041
YUSUFALI: O Messenger! let not those grieve thee, who race each other into unbelief: (whether it be) among those who say "We believe" with their lips but whose hearts have no faith; or it be among the Jews,- men who will listen to any lie,- will listen even to others who have never so much as come to thee. They change the words from their (right) times and places: they say, "If ye are given this, take it, but if not, beware!" If any one's trial is intended by Allah, thou hast no authority in the least for him against Allah. For such - it is not Allah's will to purify their hearts. For them there is disgrace in this world, and in the Hereafter a heavy punishment.
Does this sound like the Torah the Jews have today has remained unchanged? Now you could be a stubborn skeptic and ask me how I even know it refers to the modern day torah and this is my response:
Lets look at the context.
005.043
YUSUFALI: But why do they come to thee for decision, when they have (their own) law before them?- therein is the (plain) command of Allah; yet even after that, they would turn away. For they are not (really) People of Faith.
Law here is also translated as Torah. This verse also notes that the Jews certainly have Gods Law with them, but notice it never says this is exclusively what they have. And in fact later on will prove that what they hold is not exclusively Gods Law.
Continuing on .
005.044
YUSUFALI: It was We who revealed the law (to Moses): therein was guidance and light. By its standard have been judged the Jews, by the prophets who bowed (as in Islam) to Allah's will, by the rabbis and the doctors of law: for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah's book, and they were witnesses thereto: therefore fear not men, but fear me, and sell not my signs for a miserable price. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) Unbelievers.
Now I mean not to generalize, but commonly we know Jews as greedy peoples (And I realize some Jews may not be, as I do have Jewish friends) BUT it is interesting God is warning them not to profit from His signs. (Signs is also translated as Communications and also revelations). But how could they profit from Gods communications/revelations/signs??? Well, God just said they have been entrusted to protect the Scripture from corruption. Obviously corruption of the Scripture would allow them to access power and abuse this power (Which could be an interpretation of this). Although lets keep going through the context .
005.046
YUSUFALI: And in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law that had come before him: a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah.
Jesus was sent Equipped with the Gospel (Also called the Injeel) which confirmed the Law before it. Now wait, we already are working on showing that the Jews changed their Scriptures, yet retaining what God had said but not exclusively. Therefore Jesus was sent for what purpose? To weed out the stuff the Jews wrote and falsely accredited to God and to reveal the truth in the Torah. Now you should begin to notice Confirmation is merely a way of saying Hey Im sending this Book to show you where your Scripture is right and where it is wrong. If this Book I send now confirms yours then it is truthful. If not, guess what. It isnt from God.(This quote is an imagery quote that might exhibit what God is trying to get across by using the word confirmation.) Moving along ..
005.047
YUSUFALI: Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) those who rebel.
Now the people of the Gospel are to judge by what God has revealed (Meaning they are to use this new Scripture to find out what is true in the Torah, exactly what I stated above). More context .
005.048
YUSUFALI: To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that hath come to thee. To each among you have we prescribed a law and an open way. If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah; it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute;
Here we must make a choice in interpretation (And honestly I dont think the English translations help too much, although this is what I have to work with). The first interpretation would hold that the Scripture being referred to is the Injel, meaning it is guarded and purely the Word of God (And no that doesnt mean the New Testament is purely the Word of God, why? Lets see. Did Jesus write the New Testament? No, his apostles did this task. The New Testament isnt the Injel because the Injel was a Scripture given to Jesus. Even the Christians know the New Testament isnt a Scripture that was given to Jesus; therefore making this assumption isnt sound.) Another interpretation would hold that the subject shifted and this verse is talking about the Quran. If this is the case then God might be saying Hey the Quran is to be used just like I intended the people of the Gospel to use the Injel (Gospel) with regard to the Torah. See where confirmation is and that is what is truthful in the Torah OR both interpretations maybe (Dual interpretation works very nicely actually. Also Id like to remark that the New Testament isnt to be considered a Book of God but rather a history book at best from a muslim point of view.) Moving on .
005.049
YUSUFALI: And this (He commands): Judge thou between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, but beware of them lest they beguile thee from any of that (teaching) which Allah hath sent down to thee. And if they turn away, be assured that for some of their crime it is Allah's purpose to punish them. And truly most men are rebellious.
Again God mentions vain desires, putting emphasis that things mentioned in the scriptures held as true have human motives tied in with Gods Word, making the scripture not purely Gods Word. Move context .
005.057
YUSUFALI: O ye who believe! take not for friends and protectors those who take your religion for a mockery or sport,- whether among those who received the Scripture before you, or among those who reject Faith; but fear ye Allah, if ye have faith (indeed).
Now I ask you, why would the people who received the Scripture before us take Islam for a mockery? If the confirmation is complete and 100% they would mocking their own religion. Obviously this further puts emphasis on the fact that the books they call Scripture have been altered in some fashion, yet still retain Gods Word. Therefore if they are mocking Islam they are doing so using the variant parts of their scripture (Being the portions inspired by vain desires). More context ..
005.059
YUSUFALI: Say: "O people of the Book! Do ye disapprove of us for no other reason than that we believe in Allah, and the revelation that hath come to us and that which came before (us), and (perhaps) that most of you are rebellious and disobedient?"
The people of the Book (i.e. interpreted as Christians and Jews) are asked why they disapprove of Islam. Reasons offered are that we believe in Allah(The One and Only God, which often times the word Allah is attacked by non-muslims in several debates), because of the Quran (Because it disagress with the vain desires found in their scriptures), or the past Scriptures (Which they dont believe in, because they believe they already hold it), and also they are labeled as mostly rebellious and disobedient (Not very good attributes). More context .
005.060
YUSUFALI: Say: "Shall I point out to you something much worse than this, (as judged) by the treatment it received from Allah? those who incurred the curse of Allah and His wrath, those of whom some He transformed into apes and swine, those who worshipped evil;- these are (many times) worse in rank, and far more astray from the even path!"
Who are these people God speaks of that incurred His curse and wrath? Why did they incur it? Maybe because they disobeyed God and altered the scriptures with their vain desires or profited from the communication/revelation/sign
005.062YUSUFALI: Many of them dost thou see, racing each other in sin and rancour, and their eating of things forbidden. Evil indeed are the things that they do.
Eating of the forbidden eh? Maybe Pork?? But none the less the theme of these people being misled continues in this verse.
005.063
YUSUFALI: Why do not the rabbis and the doctors of Law forbid them from their (habit of) uttering sinful words and eating things forbidden? Evil indeed are their works.
Again the Quran makes note of evil works of these people.
005.064
YUSUFALI: The Jews say: "Allah's hand is tied up." Be their hands tied up and be they accursed for the (blasphemy) they utter. Nay, both His hands are widely outstretched: He giveth and spendeth (of His bounty) as He pleaseth. But the revelation that cometh to thee from Allah increaseth in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy.but they (ever) strive to do mischief on earth. And Allah loveth not those who do mischief. Amongst them we have placed enmity and hatred till the Day of Judgment. Every time they kindle the fire of war, Allah doth extinguish it;
This again shows the Jews have altered their Scriptures with vain desires and even when they see the true revelation (Quran) they increase in rebellion and blasphemy.
005.065
YUSUFALI: If only the People of the Book had believed and been righteous, We should indeed have blotted out their iniquities and admitted them to gardens of bliss.
This tells us they had not believed nor acted righteous.
005.066
YUSUFALI: If only they had stood fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that was sent to them from their Lord, they would have enjoyed happiness from every side. There is from among them a party on the right course: but many of them follow a course that is evil.
They didnt stand fast by the Law, Gospel, and all other revelations from their Lord. Meaning they changed it, altered it, or maybe flat out lost it. Yet some are still good people, but many are not.
005.068
YUSUFALI: Say: "O People of the Book! ye have no ground to stand upon unless ye stand fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that has come to you from your Lord." It is the revelation that cometh to thee from thy Lord, that increaseth in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. But sorrow thou not over (these) people without Faith.
This is basically a repetition of 5:66 although this time this is a command to say this.
Also take notes that everywhere here the Jews are mentioned specifically. No where are the Christians mentioned. The Gospel was meant to correct the Jews scripture The Torah. So where do Christians fall in? They are supposedly following the teachings of Jesus (This would be equal to that of the Hadith which relate to Muhammad). They however are not following the Injel which is the Book of God.
005.077
YUSUFALI: Say: "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.
This verse is commanding that the People of the Book not lie about the truth basically. Notice that many have been misled and follow vain desires. This also is noted to have happened in times gone by (The Past). This seems to be hinting that the Scriptures they hold as from God are not all as such, how else are so many misled if the true Scripture is present?
005.078
YUSUFALI: Curses were pronounced on those among the Children of Israel who rejected Faith, by the tongue of David and of Jesus the son of Mary: because they disobeyed and persisted in excesses.
And the very next verse informs us that some among the Children of Israel have rejected faith that was offered by David and Jesus: Disobeyed and did continue to lie (Persisted in excesses). I thought this would be a good time to note that the first Christians were who? Jews that converted, correct? This verse ties into this theme.
(Again due to the length of this point, it continues over into Part III. So please continue reading on before you comment on Point #2 at least. Thanks)
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