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Islam - get off this site
Expert: A. Abraham - 11/7/2009
Question
if you dont mind would you get off this site and stop answering muslims questions, it just kills you when you find some one that has reverted to islam the true religion, you should go to your christian site and help all your christian followers and stop interfearing in our religion, you are so shifty, leading people to think you are a muslim by your sir name, and dont tell me its in the muslim religion because i already know that mr Abraham.
Answer
Dear Adele,
Peace to you! Thank you for your message. I forgive you for your rudness. It saddens me to see that you do not like followers of Jesus explaining their faith to Muslims, even though He commanded his followers to do that.
You may have seen that I took your advice and made my description even more clearer in order to avoid any misunderstandings. As to my name, I am sure you realize that it is shared by Jews, Christians and Muslims, even though the latter call it 'Ibrahaim', and I do not. Please grant equal rights to all.
In my last message to you I asked some questions which you did not answer. Are you in agreement with them? In case you are not I copy them again below for your convenience. I shall be looking forward to your reply.
Kind regards,
A. Abraham
You wrote:
'Who told you that we donot have a relationship with him every day of our lives,..'
Muslims and Christians believe in eternal heaven and hell. However, contrary to the Bible the Quran only reveals Allah's will and very little about his character. He is absent from all but the seventh of the Islamic heavens according to traditions of the prophet of Islam’s journey from Makkah to Jerusalem and afterwards to the heavens (http://www.sunnahonline.com/ilm/aqeedah/0039.htm#3). Quranic passages regarding paradise are dominated by descriptions of sensual delights waiting for the faithful. To be sure Muslims are told they would see Allah in heaven. (Surah 9:72-73; 10:26; and especially 75:22-23). The Hadith confirms this, and emphasizes that the sight of Allah is the crowning glory of paradise. (Suhayb ibn Sinan ar-Rumi Sahih Muslim). In the light of Islam’s emphasis on God’s transcendence this came as a great surprise to many Muslims as the following hadith shows:
The people said, “O Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him)! Shall we see our Lord on the Day of Resurrection?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Do you have any difficulty in seeing the full moon on a clear night?” They said, “No, O Allah’s Messenger.” He said, “Do you have any difficulty in seeing the sun when there are no clouds?” They said, “No, O Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him).” He said, “So you will see Him, like that.” (Abu Hurayrah Sahih al- Bukhari)
In contrast the Biblical view of heaven not only promises the believers that they will see God but more so that He will have a personal, ongoing relationship with them:
‘I heard a loud voice shout from the throne: God's home is now with his people. He will live with them, and they will be his own. Yes, God will make his home among his people. He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone forever.’ (Revelation 21:3-4)
The meaning of life in Islam is to obey God (Surah 51:56). In Christianity it is to know Him. (John 17:3) Such a purpose of life is much more appealing, especially in the light of the supreme importance of relationships.
You wrote:
'in your religoin jesus pbuh tells you not to eat swine/ pork i have not meet one that doesnt. plus pls tell me what you do so differently that makes you have a relation ship with your lord that is so different from us.'
Where does Jesus say that? Please give me a reference. What is completely different in our relationship with God is the way we enter it at the start and the way we maintain it. It enables us to be guided by God and to be comforted by Him, knowing that He suffers with us.
The Bible does not teach this personal relationship and salvation by works but by grace through faith:
'For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God-- not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.' (Titus 3:5)
In opposite to Islam where sin is regarded only as a mistake, a moral weakness, the Bible teaches that sin is rebellion against the perfect God. It can not be paid for with good deeds. Complete perfection is an absolute requirement to spend eternity with a completely perfect God. Because of our sinfulness only God himself can satisfy the demands of His absolute justice and holiness. These attributes of His character ask for the punishment of sin. On the other hand, God's love demands forgiveness for the sinner. That is why Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the punishment for our sins on our behalf. God does not cast away all those who believe in Jesus in this way by looking at them as being hidden in Christ whose sacrifice he has accepted.
Salvation by faith in Jesus is believing with the intellect that the Bible is right about our sinful condition, about who Jesus is and about what he did on the cross for us. Passages that speak about judgement according to works have to be read in the light of what true faith means. This is confirmed when their immediate context is considered. (e.g. Joh 5:28-29, compare with verses 23-24, Mat 16:27 with verses 21-26, 25:31-46 with 23:37-39, Jam 2:14-26). As the German reformer Martin Luther used to say 'the faith that saves is never alone.' True faith in Christ shows itself in four ways:
1. Out of thankfulness followers of Jesus do what he tells them: To love God and man. This is the essence and test of true obedience. They desire to follow the moral law set out in the Old Testament and summarized in what is known as ‘the 10 commandments.’ (Exo 20:1-17)
2. Genuine faith in Jesus produces a desire to become more like him, to do what is right and just.
3. Saving faith creates the awareness that this new obedience can only come through faith in Christ. It does not come from focusing on the law, the desperate attempt to meet its demands. Instead it comes from continually fixing one’s eyes on Jesus and his work, by remaining connected to him through being in his presence with one’s thoughts.
4. Lastly, Biblical faith generates a constant abiding in and reliance on Jesus by faith. In this way only the Holy Spirit of God supplies the power for a changed life and lasting fruit. (Rom 8:13, Joh 15:5)
The driving motivation in Islam is the fear of Allah's judgement and subsequently the obedience of his countless laws. Driving motivation in Christianity is the love of God and subsequently the keeping of the two greatest commandments, 'To love God and to love others.' Islam (lit. 'submission, obedience') is a complete way of life. So is Christianity, provided it is being practised!
What do you think about these differences?
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