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Do Muslims

worship the

same God

as Christians?

Monotheism, polytheism & pantheism

Polytheism: belief in a multiplicity or pantheon of gods, varying in power, but who are distinct from the rest of creation.

Pantheism: belief that God is not a distinct personality, but the sum of everything i.e. similar to “the Force” of Star Wars. According to this we are all part of God.

Monotheism: belief in a single Creator God, who is distinct from His creation. The 3 great monotheistic religions are Christianity, Judaism & Islam.

Christianity & Judaism are related in that they both believe in Yahweh as the Creator God. Both faiths accept the Old Testament (Mosaic Covenant) writings, but Christians accept Jesus as the fulfilment of the Messianic prophecies who instituted a New Covenant (Testament) with its associated writings. Judaism still looks for a Messiah in the future.

Is Islam related to Judaism & Christianity?

On surface value, Islam appears to share common roots with Judaism & Christianity.

Islam believes in a single, personal Creator God.

It too is an Abrahamic religion and honours Adam, Noah, Moses, Abraham, Solomon & Jesus as prophets.

Islam also claims to accept the Old & New Testament writings and looks forward to the return of Jesus (Isa) to judge the earth.

Isaac & Ishmael

Isaac & Ishmael were brothers. God promised Abraham to bless Ishmael but made it clear that Isaac was the son of the covenant:

Gen 17:18-21 And Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!” Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year.”

Abraham’s seed reckoned through Isaac

Gen 21:8-13 … on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, and she said to Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.” The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. But God said to him, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring 1 will be reckoned. I will make the son of the maidservant into a nation also, because he is your offspring.”

1 seed

Isaac & Ishmael

Before his birth, Ishmael’s Egyptian mother Hagar was told prophetically by the angel of the LORD that Ishmael's descendant would live in hostility with his brothers. We see this fulfilled today with the hostility between the Arabs (Ishmael’s descendants) and Jews (Isaac’s descendants).

“You ….will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard of your misery. He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.” (Gen 16:11-12)

Gen 25:17-18 Altogether, Ishmael lived a hundred and thirty-seven years … His descendants … lived in hostility toward all their brothers.

Hagar & Sarah

Gal 4:22-31 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise. These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children… Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. But what does the Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

Isaac & Ishmael

In Genesis we learn how Abraham was commanded to sacrifice Isaac, the son of the covenant. While some Muslims claim that Ishmael was the son that Abraham was commanded to sacrifice, actually the Quran is silent about this. As the Arabs are descended from Ishmael, this is simply wishful thinking on their part.

Even Muslims are divided on this. Al-Tabari, considered to be one of the premiere Islamic historians, lists the divergent views held amongst the Muslim umma (community) in regards to this very issue: “The earliest sages of our Prophet's nation disagree about which of Abraham's two sons it was that he was commanded to sacrifice. Some say it was Isaac, while others say it was Ishmael … only the Quran could serve as proof that the account naming Isaac is clearly the more truthful of the two.” 1

1 answering-islam.org/ Shamoun/ sacrifice.htm

Isaac & Ishmael

The Dome of the Rock is built on Mount Moriah on the previous Temple site. This is traditionally the site where Abraham went to sacrifice Isaac.

Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” (Genesis 22:1-2)

By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son. (Hebrews 11:17)

Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? (James 2:21)

Some Muslims on the other hand feel that Ishmael was the one offered up by Abraham. They believe that the Bible supports this by its declaration that Abraham offered his ‘only’ son. Ishmael was Abraham’s only son for over 13 years, which would make it impossible for Isaac to be the child of sacrifice. 1 To support this view, and without any evidence, they then claim that scribes later corrupted the original reading from Ishmael to Isaac.

However Genesis clearly records the event after Isaac’s birth, which renders both of these arguments invalid.

Looking at the context of Heb 11:17-18 clearly shows that it was the son of the promise that is being referred to: “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, ‘It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.’” 1 Ibid

Isaac & Ishmael

Since this idea stems from the Muslim misunderstanding of the phrase “only son”, it becomes necessary to explain what this phrase exactly means in relation to Isaac. A careful reading of the Bible shows that the phrase is used to affirm Isaac’s unique status, a status based on the following: 1

Isaac was the only promised child of Abraham, a fact which the Quran agrees with (cf. Genesis 17:15-21; Surah 11:69-73, 37:112-113, 51:24-30). Ishmael was never a promised child. 1

Isaac was conceived miraculously to a barren mother and a very aged father, with the Quran likewise agreeing (cf. Genesis 17:15-17, 18:9-15, 21:1-7; Galatians 4:28-29; Surah 11:69-73, 51:24-30). Ishmael was conceived normally without the need of any miraculous intervention. 1

The word monogenes (Greek) used of Isaac in Heb 11:17 doesn’t mean “only begotten.” It is derived from two Greek terms, monos (only) and genos (class, kind). It literally means “one of a kind” or “unique”. This is the same term applied to Jesus as being God’s ‘monogenes’ i.e. unique son, or son of the covenant.

1 Ibid

Isaac & Ishmael

Muhammad

Muhammad is regarded by Muslims as the last messenger and prophet of God (Allah). He is considered to be the historical founder of the religion of Islam.

Sources on Muhammad’s life concur that he was born circa 570 AD in the city of Mecca in Arabia. He was orphaned at a young age and was brought up by his uncle, later worked mostly as a merchant, and was married by age 26. At some point, discontented with life in Mecca, he retreated to a cave in the surrounding mountains for meditation and reflection. According to Islamic tradition, it was here at age 40, in the month of Ramadan, where he received his first revelation from God. Three years after this event, Muhammad started preaching these revelations publicly, proclaiming that “God is One”, that complete “surrender” to Him (lit. islām) is man’s religion, and that he was a prophet and messenger of God, in the same vein as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, and other prophets. 1

1 SOURCE: Wikipedia - Muhammad

Muhammad

Muhammad gained few followers early on, and was largely met with hostility from the tribes of Mecca; he was treated harshly and so were his followers. To escape persecution, Muhammad and his followers migrated to Yathrib (Medina) in the year 622. In Medina, Muhammad managed to unite the conflicting tribes, and after 8 years of fighting with the Meccan tribes, his followers, who by then had grown to ten thousand, conquered Mecca. In 632, on returning to Medina from his ‘Farewell pilgrimage’, Muhammad fell ill and died. By the time of his death, most of Arabia had converted to Islam.

The revelations (or Ayats, literally “Signs of God”), which Muhammad had continued receiving till his death, form the verses of the Quran, regarded by Muslims as the “word of God”, around which the religion is based. Besides the Quran, Muhammad’s life (sira) and traditions (hadith) are also upheld by Muslims. 1

1 Ibid

Muhammad arriving at the walls of Medina

Seizures

Muhammad is reported to have mysterious seizures at the moments of inspiration & receiving his messages. He initially had fears that he was possessed by a jinn (demon). 1

Welch, a scholar of Islamic studies, in Encyclopedia of Islam states that the graphic descriptions of Muhammad’s condition at these moments may be regarded as genuine, since they are unlikely to have been invented by later Muslims. 1

Muhammad’s enemies accused him of being possessed, a soothsayer, or a magician since these experiences made an impression similar to those soothsayer figures well known in ancient Arabia. 1

1 Ibid

Seizures

Commenting on the seizures, some modern critics have brought up what they see as evidence of psychological problems. Some specifically categorize his religious revelations as the product of these alleged problems. D.S. Margoliouth claims that there are confirmations that the strange fits that beset Muhammad while he was receiving revelation were a sign of epilepsy, and were even occasionally faked for effect. Sprenger attributes Muhammad’s revelations to epileptic fits or a “paroxysm of cataleptic insanity.” In an essay that discusses views of Muhammad's psychology, Dr. Franz Bul is said to have observed that “hysterical natures find unusual difficulty and often complete inability to distinguish the false from the true”, and to have thought this to be the “the safest way to interpret the strange inconsistencies in the life of the Prophet.” In the same essay Dr. D.B. McDonald is credited with the opinion that “fruitful investigation of the Prophet's life (should) proceed upon the assumption that he was fundamentally a pathological case.” 1

1 StateMaster Encyclopedia – “Criticism of Muhammad” statemaster.com/ encyclopedia/ Criticism-of-Muhammad

Some of the pre-Islamic sources for material in the Quran

According to the Quran, the disbelievers accused Muhammad or the Quran’s author of reproducing the fables of the ancients (Sura 1 68:15 & Sura 83:13). 1

The unbelievers were right about the Quran and Islam presenting rehashed myths and ancient tales as God’s words. Some of the sources of the material in the Quran was indeed borrowed from:

Arabian fables

Jewish apocrypha

Christian heretics

1 Sura - One of the 114 sections into which the Quran is divided. Suras are subdivided into ayat, “verses”. Muslims believe that these suras were given to the last of Allah’s prophets, Muhammad.

2 answering-islam.org/ Shamoun/ she-camel.htm

The story of the she-camel who leapt out of a rock was known long before Muhammad (Suras 7:73-77,85; 91:14; 54:29). 1

Salih was sent as a prophet to the people of Thamud. They did not believe him, but asked him to show them a sign of his prophethood. He produced a pregnant she-camel from a rock that split open. However the people of Thamud subsequently complained that the camel drank most of their water and scared the cattle so they killed it. As punishment God then destroyed them in an earthquake. 2

1 bible.ca/ islam/ islam-koran-fairy-tales-dr-morey.htm 2 Source: knowingallah.com

Salih brings forth the She-Camel from the rock

Borrowing from Arabian fables

The story of an entire village of Jews who were turned into apes because they broke the Sabbath by fishing was a popular legend in Muhammad’s day (Suras 2:65; 7:163-166). 1

They failed a test of their devotion when God tempted them with big fish that would appear in the waters only on their Sabbath day; but never on the other days of the week. 2

The issue was the subject of an Islamic religious edict [fatwah] made known in Germany (April 15, 2002) and spread around the Muslim world via the Internet. The author of the fatwah was the Egyptian Sheikh Attiyyah Saqr, formerly chairman of the Committee for Islamic Religious edicts at Al-Azhar University in Egypt. 3

1 bible.ca/ islam/ islam-koran-fairy-tales-dr-morey.htm 2 ucalgary.ca/ ~elsegal/ Shokel/ 070419_MonkeyBusiness.html 3 terrorisminfo.org.il/ malam_multimedia/ html/ final/ eng/ sib/ 4_04/ as_egypt.htm

Borrowing from Arabian fables

The fatwah is entitled “The reincarnation of the sons of Israel in the bodies of apes and pigs.” The question asked was : “In the holy Quran it is written that Allah reincarnated the souls of some of the Jews in the bodies of apes. Did apes exist before the Jews and are there any relics of [the Jews who became apes] today?” Part of the answer was: “Allah, may He be praised, said: ‘Surely you knew [those] who violated the Sabbath among them and of whom it is said: [those] will forever be apes [Quran, The Cow Sura (2), Verse 65]. The verse warns the Jews living at the time the Quran was heavenly given (and afterwards) lest they reject the Prophet [Muhammad], may the blessing of Allah and peace be upon him… Thus their punishment was that Allah reincarnated their souls in [the form of] apes and pigs and [in this way] humiliated them – that is, made them outcasts, scorned, unwanted…” 1

1 Ibid

Borrowing from Arabian fables

Borrowing from Arabian fables

“Scientific evidence” for the fatwah’s claim that the Jews are the descendents of apes and pigs can be found in a book called “The Bomb”. It was written by Muhammad ‘Issa Daud and published by Madbuli al-Saghir, Cairo, for the International Book Fair held in Cairo in February, 2003. 1

1 Ibid

This anti-Semitic cartoon is based on the Quran verse stating that Allah turned the Jews into apes and pigs. The inscription reads: “Barbaric Israeli acts against the unarmed Palestinian populace.” The ape and the pig weep during an interview and the ape says: “I want to ask [Israeli prime minister] Sharon: how could you be descended from apes and pigs? There is no way we [i.e. the apes] could be so cruel!” (Al-Wafd, 11 April 2001) 1

1 Ibid

Borrowing from Arabian fables

The fable of the pieces of four dead, cut-up birds getting up and flying was well known in Muhammad’s time. 1

Paraphrasing Sura 2:260 Abu Sa’ad al-Babari writes, “One day he begged Allah to show him how He brought the dead back to life. Allah commanded Abraham to take four birds, cut them up and mingle their body parts, divide them into four portions and place them on top of four different hills, then call back the birds in Allah’s name. Abraham did as he was told. Immediately the mingled parts of the birds separated to join their original bodies in different places and the birds flew back to Abraham.” 2

1 bible.ca/ islam/ islam-koran-fairy-tales-dr-morey.htm 2 SOURCE: Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) angelfire.com/ on/ ummiby1/ abraham.html

Borrowing from Arabian fables

Borrowing from Jewish apocrypha

Many of the stories in the Quran come from the Jewish Talmud, the Midrash, and many apocryphal works. This was pointed out by Abraham Geiger in 1833, and further documented by another Jewish scholar, Dr. Abraham Katsh, of New York University, in 1954. 1

1 bible.ca/ islam/ islam-koran-fairy-tales-dr-morey.htm

Abraham Geiger

The story found in Sura 7:171 of God lifting up Mount Sinai and holding it over the heads of the Jews as a threat to squash them if they rejected the law came from the Jewish book Abodah Sarah. 1

The fantastic tale that God made a man “die for a hundred years” with no ill effects on his food, drink, or donkey was a Jewish fable (Sura 2:259). 1

The tale of Abraham being delivered from Nimrod’s fire came from the Midrash Rabbah (Suras 21:51-71; 29:16, 17; 37:97,98). 1

A story of Abraham destroying idols (As-Saffat 37) is found in a Jewish folktale, the Midrash Rabbah. 2

1 Ibid 2 “Isa, the Muslim Jesus” By Dr Mark Durie answering-islam.org/ authors/ durie/ islamic_jesus.html

Borrowing from Jewish apocrypha

The story of the making of the golden calf in the wilderness, in which the image jumped out of the fire fully formed and actually mooed (Suras 7:148; 20:88), came from Pirke Rabbi Eleazer. 1

1 bible.ca/ islam/ islam-koran-fairy-tales-dr-morey.htm

Borrowing from Jewish apocrypha

Borrowing from Christian fables

In what is called the “Rip Van Winkle” story, seven Christian men of Ephesus and their dog, Kratim (aka Al Rakim, Katmir or Ketmir) slept for 309 years in a cave and then woke up perfectly fine (Sura 18:9-26)! This legend is found in Greek and Christian fables as well as Arabian lore. 1

1 Ibid

Borrowing from heretics

One of the most documented and damaging facts about the Quran is that Muhammad used heretical ‘Christian’ Gnostic gospels and their fables for material in the Quran. 1

Encyclopedia Britannica comments about Muhammad: “The gospel was known to him chiefly through apocryphal and heretical sources” (15:648). 1

This has been demonstrated many times by various scholars (Richard Bell, Tisdall and Pfander). 1

Everything the Quran says about the life of Jesus which is not found in the Bible can be traced to fables composed more than a hundred years after Jesus’ death. 2

The story of Jesus being born under a palm tree is also based on a late fable. 2

1 bible.ca/ islam/ islam-koran-fairy-tales-dr-morey.htm 2 answering-islam.org/ authors/ durie/ islamic_jesus.html

Borrowing from heretics

In Suras 3:49 and 100:110, the baby Jesus speaks from the cradle! Later on, the Quran has Jesus making clay birds come alive.1

The miracle of creating birds from clay is found in the pseudepigraphical 2 “Infancy Gospel of Thomas” (2nd – 3rd century) & the apocryphal 3 “Protoevangelium of James” (2nd - 5th century).

The Gospel of John tells us that the first miracle Jesus performed was at the wedding at Cana (John 2:11) i.e. 1st century eye-witness account.

1 Ibid 2 Pseudepigrapha are works whose real author attributed it to a figure of the past. 3 Apocryphal books are ‘Christian’ texts that are not canonical and are not considered to be Holy Spirit inspired.

Solomon & the talking ants

At length, when they came to a valley of ants, one of the ants said: “O ye ants, get into your habitations, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you (under foot) without knowing it.”

So he smiled, amused at her speech; and he said: “O my Lord! so order me that I may be grateful for Thy favours, which Thou has bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may work the righteousness that will please Thee: And admit me, by They Grace to the ranks of Thy Righteous Servants.” - Sura An-Naml [The Ant] (27):18-19

Ants communicate using smells, not modulation of sounds. Solomon could not have heard any talk since ants do not produce any. 1

1 answering-islam.org/ Quran/ Contra/ s001.html

Solomon & the talking ants

Even though basically all communication between ants is through chemical signals, there are, however, a few subspecies of ants which do use some sound communication. But of what kind and complexity is it? 1

The use of vibrational signals is weakly developed in ants in comparison with communication by pheromones… Two forms of sound production have been identified, body rapping against the substratum and stridulation, the latter employing files and scrapers … It has long been known, thanks to the experiments of… that ants are nearly deaf to airborne vibrations but extremely sensitive to vibrations carried through the substratum… No evidence exists to rank the chirps of stridulation as anything more than simple unitary signals. In other words, ants do not ‘talk’ by modulating sound through time… sounds do not appear to vary within species or within the repertory of one worker ant through time… stridulation in ants produces a monotonous series of chirps with limited meaning. 2

1 Ibid 2 Bert Hölldobler and Edward O. Wilson “The Ants” Cambridge, Mass., Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1990

Solomon controls demons & winds

The Quran narrates many fantastic details regarding Solomon, such as his having control over the winds and demons (jinns), speaking the language of animals, insects and birds etc.” 1

Muhammad b. al-Husayn (a Muslim commentator) relates how the devil impersonated Solomon and stole his ring from his favorite wife while Solomon was on the toilet. The devil then judged the people for 40 days. At the end of this story Solomon gets the ring back and summons the devil, who was subsequently brought to him. As punishment, the wind and the demons were made to work for Solomon on that day. 1

1 SOURCE: “Even More Quranic Fables and Islamic Myths” by Sam Shamoun answering-islam.org/ Shamoun

Solomon’s flying carpet

The Muslim tradition says that Solomon use to travel on a carpet which was carried off by the winds! Renowned Sunni Commentator Ibn Kathir said regarding Sura 21:81, “He had a mat made of wood on which he would place all the equipment of his kingship; horses, camels, tents and troops, then he would command the wind to carry it, and he would go underneath it and it would carry him aloft, shading him and protecting him from the heat, until it reached wherever he wanted to go in the land. Then it would come down and deposit his equipment and entourage…” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir - Abridged) 1

1 “Fables and Legends of the Quran: Solomon’s Flying Carpet: by Sam Shamoun answering- islam.org/ Quran/ Sources/ Legends/ flying_carpet.htm

The Stone That Took Off Running

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “(The Prophet) Moses was a shy person and used to cover his body completely because of his extensive shyness. One of the children of Israel hurt him by saying, ‘He covers his body in this way only because of some defect in his skin, either leprosy or scrotal hernia, or he has some other defect.’ Allah wished to clear Moses of what they said about him, so one day while Moses was in seclusion, he took off his clothes and put them on a stone and started taking a bath. When he had finished the bath, he moved towards his clothes so as to take them, but the stone took his clothes and fled; Moses picked up his stick and ran after the stone saying, ‘O stone! Give me my garment!’ Till he reached a group of Bani Israel who saw him naked then, and found him the best of what Allah had created, and Allah cleared him of what they had accused him of. The stone stopped there and Moses took and put his garment on and started hitting the stone with his stick. By Allah, the stone still has some traces of the hitting, three, four or five marks. THIS IS WAS WHAT ALLAH REFERS TO IN HIS SAYING:-- ‘O you who believe! Be you not like those Who annoyed Moses, But Allah proved his innocence of that which they alleged, And he was honorable In Allah’s Sight.’” (33.69) 1

1 “The Stone That Took Off Running” by Sam Shamoun answering-islam.org/ Hadith/ runaway_stone.html

Adam was 90 feet tall

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “Allah created Adam, making him 60 cubits tall.]” Two cubits is a yard, so one cubit is a foot and a half. So for some reason, the Prophet (peace be upon him) thought that Adam was 90 feet tall when he was created. 1

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “The first group of people who will enter Paradise, will be glittering like the full moon and those who will follow them, 2 will glitter like the most brilliant star in the sky. They will not urinate, relieve nature, spit, or have any nasal secretions. Their combs will be of gold, and their sweat will smell like musk. The aloes-wood will be used in their centers. Their wives will be houris. All of them will look alike and will resemble their father Adam (in statute), sixty cubits tall.” 1

1 “Responses to Osama Abdallah: Muhammad and the ‘90 feet tall’ Adam” answering-islam.org/ Responses/ Osama/ 90feet-adam.htm 2 Cartoon illustration from Iran Politics Club http:// iranpoliticsclub.net/ cartoons/ islam-comic/ index.htm

Adam was 90 feet tall

According to J.B.S. Haldane, a British geneticist, the existence of a 90 feet (27½ metres) tall human being is physiologically impossible. 1

No animal body can function at this height. The highest that the heart could pump blood from the feet would be less than 32 feet (9.81 metres); any greater height than this would cause a vacuum lock to develop in the circulation system. In fact the height at which the circulation system breaks down would be considerably less than this due to friction between the blood and the walls of the blood vessels. 1

Dr. George Barnes, professor emeritus of physics at the University of Nevada writes:

There are quite a number of other physical characteristics that can be discussed using scaling. For example, the cross sectional area of the leg bones obviously scales as the square of the characteristic length while the mass of the body supported by the legs scales as the cube. Since the bone has some ultimate tensile strength in N/ m2, there would be some limit to the height of an animal, beyond which it would crumble under its own weight. 2

1 Ibid 2 In his article “Physics and Size in Biological Systems” discussing the problems of the tiny Lilliputians and the gigantic Brobdingnagians in “Gulliver’s Travels”.

A she-monkey stoned for adultery

According to the Hadith 1 traditions: Narrated Amr Bin Maimun: - During the Pre-Islamic period of ignorance I saw a she-monkey surrounded by a number of monkeys. They were stoning it, because it had committed illegal sexual intercourse. I too, stoned it along with them. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 58, Number 188) 2

There is no Islam, no Prophet (swa), in this hadis. A natural question is - how did the sahabi know about the crime? Did he talk to the monkeys? Was he gifted enough with the ability of talking to animals after Hazrat Solaiman (as)? Where was the he-monkey? Did it ran away, because after adultery whenever there is a possibility of punishment, running away with lightning speed is an eternal male culture. Then, what should we understand by adultery of animals, birds, fish, etc.? 2

1 In Islam, the tradition or collection of traditions attributed to the Prophet Muhammad that include his sayings, acts, and approval or disapproval of things. Hadith is revered by Muslims as a major source of religious law and moral guidance. It consists of two parts: the oral law itself and the isnad, or chain of authorities who passed it down to posterity. The various collections of Hadith provide the major source for studying the development of Islam in its first few centuries. 2 “MENJ and the Stoning of the She-Monkey: Responding to MENJ’s Attempt of Monkeying with the Hadith” by Sam Shamoun & Jochen Katz answering-islam.org/ Responses/ Menj/ she-monkey.htm

In one Hadith, Mohammed referred to Blacks as Raisin Heads (Sahih Al Bukhary vol. 1, no. 662 and vol. 9, no. 256).

Narrated Anas bin Malik: Allah’s Apostle said, “You should listen to and obey, your ruler even if he was an Ethiopian (black) slave whose head looks like a raisin.” Sahih Bukhari 9:89:256, See Also Sahih Bukhari 1:11:662, Sahih Bukhari 1:11:664

Blacks are referred to as pug nosed slaves in Sahih Moslem vol. 9 pages 46 and 47.

Some Muslims try and claim that Islam is the natural religion of Africans, but in truth Muhammad owned and sold slaves, including several black slaves. Even today in Saudi Arabia, the heartland of Islam, the common word for ‘Black’ is ‘Abd’, also meaning ‘slave’.

Arab racism

The Bible (Col 3:11) says “Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.”

According to the literal Arabic translation of Sura 3:106, 107, on Judgment Day, only people with white faces will be saved. People with black faces will be damned. 1

While Muslims usually try and view these verses as being metaphorical and without racist connotations, there are some hadiths that link black skin and creation with judgment day.

1 bible.ca/ islam/ islam-koran-fairy-tales-dr-morey.htm

Arab racism

Abu Darda’ reported God’s messenger as saying, “God created Adam when He created him and struck his right shoulder and brought forth his offspring white like small ants. And he struck his left shoulder and brought forth his offspring BLACK as though they were charcoal. Then He said to the party on his right said, ‘To paradise, and I do not care’, and He said to the party in his left shoulder ‘To hell, and I do not care’.” Ahmad transmitted it. (Mishkat Al Masabih, English translation with explanatory notes by Dr. James Robson [Sh. Muhammad Ahsraf Publishers, Booksellers & Exporters, Lahore-Pakistan, Reprint 1990], Volume I, Chapter IV, Book I.- Faith, pp. 31-32) 1

1 Ibid

Arab racism

The Bible says that all nations and languages will be part of the crowd of redeemed:

Rev 7:9-10 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

Arab racism

While the Nation of Islam teaches that white people are devils, Muhammad makes a comparison between a black man and Satan:

... The apostle said, “Whoever wants to see Satan let him take a look at Nabtal b. al-Harith!” He was a sturdy black man with long flowing hair, inflamed eyes, and dark ruddy cheeks… (Sura 9:61) (Ibn Ishaq, Sirat Rasulallah, translated as, The Life of Muhammad by A. Guillaume, page 243)

Arab racism

Ahmad ibn Abi Sulayman, the companion of Sahnun, said, “Anyone who says that the Prophet was black SHOULD BE KILLED.” (Muhammad Messenger of Allah (Ash-Shifa of Qadi ‘Iyad) 1

Another sad aspect of Black Muslims is that many African-Americans are drawn to Islam out of racial pride, thinking that there is some sort of association with Africa. Muslim evangelicals in the black communities and in prisons often play this up in an attempt to persuade the gullible into rejecting Christianity as the “white man’s religion.” 2

1 Qadi “Iyad Musa al-Yahsubi, translated by Aisha Abdarrahman Bewley [Madinah Press, Inverness, Scotland, U.K. 1991; third reprint, paperback], p. 375 2 http:// prorege-forum.com/ forum_entry.php?id=5358 Say it loud, “I’m Black and I’m proud not to be Muslim”

In the First place, Christianity in Africa predates Islam by almost 600 years. Christian missionaries were on the African continent within two decades of the Crucifixion. Secondly, unlike Christianity, Islam had no interest in missionary hospitals or the poor. Arab contact with Black Africa was for one purpose only, plain and simple. That same is as it is now: slavery. The awful truth is that Arabs ravaged Africa for more than 1000 years before Europeans ever got their hands on black slaves. These black Muslim slaves died from over work and lived in squalor. By contrast, the four million slaves brought to America over the course of 200 years managed to leave the most prosperous group of African descendants on the planet. 1

1 Say it loud, “I’m Black and I’m proud not to be Muslim”

As a child, Jesus was sheltered in Africa (Egypt) from Herod. His cross was carried by an African, Simon of Cyrene (in Libya). One of the first converts to Christianity was from Africa (Ethiopian Eunuch). Many of the early Church fathers were from Africa.

Some more errors

Mariam the mother of ‘Isa (Jesus) is called a sister of Aaron, and also the daughter of Aaron’s father ‘Imran (Hebr. Amram). Clearly Muhammad has confused Mary (Miriam in Hebrew) with Miriam of the Exodus. The two lived more than a thousand years apart! 1

In the Bible Haman is the minister of Ahasuerus in Media and Persia (The Book of Esther 3:1-2). Yet the Quran places him over a thousand years earlier, as a minister of Pharoah in Egypt. 1

The Quran has a Samaritan making the golden calf, which was worshipped by the Israelites in the wilderness (Ta Ha 20:85) during the Exodus. In fact it was Aaron (Exodus 34:1-6). The Samaritans did not exist until several centuries later. They were descendants of the northern Israelites centuries after the Exodus. 1

Jesus’ alleged foretelling of Muhammad’s coming (As-Saff 61:6) is based on a garbled reading of John 14:26, a passage which in fact refers to the Holy Spirit (Paraclete). 1

John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

1 answering-islam.org/ authors/ durie/ islamic_jesus.html

The Muslim Jesus – no cross

Isa (Jesus) did not die on a cross & hence no resurrection.

Christians and Jews have corrupted their scriptures. (Âl 'Imran 3:74-77, 113) Although Christians believe ‘Isa died on a cross, and Jews claim they killed him, in reality he was not killed or crucified, and those who said he was crucified lied (An-Nisa’ 4:157). ‘Isa did not die, but ascended to Allah. (An-Nisa’ 4:158) On the day of Resurrection ‘Isa himself will be a witness against Jews and Christians for believing in his death. (An-Nisa’ 4:159) 1

The claim that Jesus was not executed by crucifixion is without any historical support. All the early 1st century sources agree on Jesus’ crucifixion & resurrection.

1 “Isa, the Muslim Jesus” by Dr Mark Durie answering-islam.org/ authors/ durie/ islamic_jesus.html

The Muslim Jesus – no cross

Muhammad claimed he received his revelations from Gabriel.

Paul writes, “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!” (Gal 1:8)

1 Cor 1:18-24 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God… but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

On the resurrection Paul writes: “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” (1 Cor 15:14)

Christians are commanded not to believe that ‘Isa is the son of God: ‘It is far removed from his transcendent majesty that he should have a son’. (An-Nisa’ 4:171; Al-Furqan 25:2) ‘Isa was simply a created human being, and a slave of Allah. (An-Nisa’ 4:172; Âl 'Imran 3:59) Christians are claimed by the Quran to believe in a family of gods — Father God, mother Mary and ‘Isa the son — but ‘Isa rejected this teaching. (Al-Ma’idah 5:116) The doctrine of the Trinity is disbelief and a painful doom awaits those who believe it. (Al-Ma’idah 5:73) 1

The claim that Christians believe in three Gods — Father, son Jesus and mother Mary — is obviously a mistaken notion.

The Bible says of Jesus, “who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 1:4)

In the end times as described by Muhammad, ‘Isa becomes a warrior who will return with his sword and lance. He will destroy the Christian religion and make Islam the only religion in all the world. Finally at the last judgement he will condemn Christians to hell for believing in the crucifixion and the incarnation. 1

1 Ibid

The Muslim Jesus – not God’s Son

The Quran & Bible on treatment of women

Muhammad

Men are superior to women. (Sura 2:228)

Men are managers of the affairs of women because Allah has made the one superior to the other. (Sura 4:34)

Get two men as witnesses or a man and two women. (Sura 2:282)

Your wives are like a field. Plow them as often and anyway you wish. (Sura 2:223)

Husband, discipline your rebellious wives, beat them and deny them sex. (Sura 4:34)

Paul

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

Col 3:19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

Muhammad & Jesus about women

Muhammad

Narrated Usama: The Prophet said, “I stood at the gate of Paradise and saw that the majority of the people who entered it were the poor, while the wealthy were stopped at the gate (for the accounts). But the companions of the Fire were ordered to be taken to the Fire. Then I stood at the gate of the Fire and saw that the majority of those who entered it were women.” Hadith (Bukhari) Volume 7, Book 62, Number 124

Jesus

John 8:3-11 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They … said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” … When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” … Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Women

Since polygamy was practiced in the Old Testament by such patriarchs as Abraham, the mere fact that Muhammad had more than one wife is not sufficient in and of itself to discount his claim to prophethood.

Although in the Quran he would limit his followers to having 4 wives, he himself took more than 4 wives and concubines. 1

Marry women you wish two or three or four. (Sura 4:3)

The question of the number of women with whom Muhammad was sexually involved either as wives, concubines or devotees was made a point of contention by the Jews in Muhammad's day. Ali Dashti comments: “All the commentaries agree that verse 57 of Sura 4 (on-Nesa) was sent down after the Jews criticized Muhammad's appetite for women, alleging that he had nothing to do except to take wives” (Ali Dashti, 23 Years, pp. 120-138). 1

1 bible.ca/ islam/ islam-myths-muhammad-sinless-4-wives.htm

Women

Muslim scholar and statesman Ali Dashti gives the following list of the women in Muhammad’s life: 1

12. Hend

13. Asma (of Saba)

14. Zaynab (of Khozayma)

15. Habla

16. Asma (of Noman)

17. Mary (the Christian)

18. Rayhana

19. Omm Sharik

20. Maymuna

21. Zaynab (a third one)

22. Khawla

1. Khadija

2. Sawda

3. Aesha

4. Omm Salama

5. Halsa

6. Zaynab (of Jahsh)

7. Jowayriyi

8. Omm Habiba

9. Safiya

10. Maymuna (of Hareth)

11. Fatema

1 Ibid

Women

Several observations need to be given about the list.

The first 16 women were wives. Numbers 17 and 18 were slaves or concubines. 1

The last 4 women were neither wives nor slaves but devout Muslim women who ‘gave’ themselves to satisfy Muhammad’s sexual desires. 1

Zaynab of Jahsh was originally Muhammad’s adopted son Zaid’s wife. The fact that Muhammad took her for himself has been problematic to many people, Muslims included. 1

Mary, the Coptic Christian, refused to marry Muhammad because she would not renounce Christianity and embrace Islam. She bravely chose to remain a slave rather than convert. 1

1 Ibid

Women

The hadith collections of Bukhari (d. 870) and Muslim b. al-Hajjaj (d. 875) are in general regarded as the most authentic by Sunni Muslims. Both quote Aisha herself claiming she was 6 or 7 at the time of her marriage and 9 when the marriage was consummated. 2

In other words Aisha was only 9 years old when Muhammad took her to his bed. According to Hadith, she was still playing with her dolls. 1

Muhammad was over 50 years old at the time.

1 Ibid 2 Sahih Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 88 Narrated Urwa: The Prophet wrote the (marriage contract) with Aisha while she was six years old and consummated his marriage with her while she was nine years old and she remained with him for nine years (i.e. till his death).

A carnal heaven

The Quran promises a heaven full of wine and free sex (Suras 2:25; 4:57; 11:23; 47:15). 1

If drunkenness and gross immorality is sinful on earth, how is it right in Paradise? 1

The Quran’s picture of paradise is exactly what a 7th century pagan Arab would have thought wonderful. 1

The carnal concept of a harem of beautiful eternal virgins and all the wine you can drink is in direct conflict with the spirituality and holiness of the Biblical concept of heaven (Revelation 22:12-17). 1

1 “The Cult of the Moon God” biblebelievers.org.au/ islam.htm

Camel urine prescribed as medicine

During the year 628 AD eight men from the clan of Uraynah, came to Medina. They became Muslims. While there they got sick. Muhammad prescribed a medicine for them: he told them to drink camel milk and camel urine. 1

1 “Muhammad and the Muslims from Uraynah answering-islam.org/ Silas/ shepherds.htm

Treatment of infidels

After the men got better, they murdered the shepherd of the camels, stole the camels, and tried to escape. Muhammad sent an armed party of 20 men after them. They were caught and brought back to Medina. There, Muhammad pronounced their judgment: their eyes were branded with hot irons, then plucked out, their hands and feet were cut off, and then, while still alive, they were thrown out on the hot desert to die. 1

Contrast this with Jesus:

Luke 9:51-55 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. And he said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of, for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”

1 Ibid

Muhammad is also criticised for the massacre of Banu Qurayza, a Jewish tribe of Medina. The tribe was accused of having engaged in treasonous agreements with the enemies besieging Medina in the Battle of the Trench in 627. Ibn Ishaq writes that Muhammad approved the beheading of some 600-900 individuals who surrendered unconditionally after a siege that lasted several weeks. (Bukhari 5:59:362) (Yusuf Ali notes that the Quran discusses this battle in verses 33:10-27). 1

Trenches were dug and the men were beheaded, and their decapitated corpses buried in the trenches while Muhammad watched in attendance. Women and children were sold into slavery, a number of them being distributed as gifts among Muhammad’s companions, and Muhammad chose one of the Qurayza women (Rayhana) for himself. The Qurayza’s property and other possessions (including weapons) were also divided up as additional ‘booty’ among the Muslims, to support further jihad campaigns. 2

1 StateMaster Encyclopedia statemaster.com/ encyclopedia/ Criticism-of-Muhammad 2 http:// prophetofdoom.net/ Islam_in_Action_Kim_Sun-Il.Islam

Islam – religion of “Peace”?

There have been several incidents recorded in Islamic histories and Hadith that have served as the basis for criticisms of Muhammad’s alleged cruel and unforgiving behavior in war.

Another controversial story is that of an attack on a Jewish settlement called Khaybar. After its last fort was taken by Muhammad and his men, the chief of the Jews, called Kinana ibn al-Rabi, was asked by Muhammad to reveal the location of some hidden treasure. When he refused, Muhammad ordered a man to torture Kinana, and the man “kindled a fire with flint and steel on his chest until he was nearly dead.” Kinana was then beheaded, and Muhammad took his young wife Safiyya bint Huyayy. 1

1 statemaster.com/ encyclopedia/ Criticism-of-Muhammad

Islam – religion of “Peace”?

In the Jerusalem Post (1 May 2007) - Sheik Ahmad Bahr, acting Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, declared during a Friday sermon at a Sudan mosque that America and Israel will be annihilated and called upon Allah to kill Jews and Americans “to the very Last One”.

Following is an excerpt from the sermon courtesy of MEMRI (Middle East Media Research Institute).

Allah willing, “you will be victorious,” while America and Israel will be annihilated. I guarantee you that the power of belief and faith is greater than the power of America and Israel. They are cowards, who are eager for life, while we are eager for death for the sake of Allah.

Treatment of infidels

Recent Jihad-inspired decapitations of infidels by Muslims have occurred across the globe- Christians in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Nigeria; Hindu priests and “unveiled” Hindu women in Kashmir; Wall Street Journal reporter, and Jew, Daniel Pearl. We should not be surprised that these contemporary paroxysms of Jihad violence are accompanied by ritualized beheadings. Such gruesome acts are in fact sanctioned by core Islamic sacred texts, and classical Muslim jurisprudence. 1

1 http:// prophetofdoom.net/ Islam_in_Action_Kim_Sun-Il.Islam

Treatment of infidels

Islam – religion of ‘Peace’?

Muhammad

Kill the infidels (non-Muslims) wherever you find them. (Sura 9:5)

Fight the people of the Book (Jews and Christians) … (Sura 9:29)

The Hadith itself states: “The Day of Resurrection will not arrive until the Muslims make war against the Jews and kill them, and until a Jew hiding behind a rock and tree, and the rock and tree will say: ‘Oh Muslim, Oh servant of Allah, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him!’” - Sheikh Muhammed Abd al Hadi La’afi

Jesus

Matt 5:44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. (Matthew 5:38-39)

Islam – religion of “Peace”?

Muhammad

Do not befriend Jews and Christians. (Sura 5:51)

Jesus

Matt 9:11-13 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Matt 5:46-47 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

Islam – religion of “Peace”?

Islam

Fight the people of the Book (Jews and Christians) and extort money from them. (Sura 9:29)

Christianity

Lk 3:14 “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”

Heb 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have

When we turn and look at the life of Muhammad we find that he clearly killed and robbed people in the name of Allah according to the Quran. He taught his disciples by example, command, and precept that they could and should kill and rob in Allah's name and force people to submit to Islam. 1

1 “The Cult of the Moon God” biblebelievers.org.au/ islam.htm

Muhammad says ‘War’, Jesus says ‘Peace’

In the 1990’s Sudan in north-east Africa has been suffering a Muslim jihad-war, whereby thousands of Christians and unbelievers have died, many by crucifixion, or have suffered by having their hands and feet on alternate sides cut off. Is it only coincidental that we find in the Quran the sanction for this very practice? 1

“The only reward of those who make war upon Allah and his Messenger and strive after corruption in the land will be that they will be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet on alternate sides cut off...” (Sura 5:33)

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matt 5:9)

1 “An African Asks Some Disturbing Questions of Islam” http:// debate.org.uk/ topics/ trtracts/ t12.htm

Treatment of converts to other religions

If anyone chooses a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted. (Sura 3:85)

Kill whoever changes his religion [from Islam]. (Sura 9:57)

Muslims should not punish a Muslim if he kills a non-Muslim. (Hadith 9:50)

Sharia law

Punishment for crimes according to Islamic (Sharia) Law:

Stealing: Cutting off a hand and foot (Sura 5:38)

Adultery: Whipping one hundred lashes (Sura 24:2)

Drinking: Whipping forty lashes (Hadith 8:770)

Cursing Islam: Cutting off a hand and foot on opposite sides, or crucifixion or death (Sura 5:33)

Muhammad a sinner, Jesus sinless

Nowhere in the Quran is Muhammad said to be sinless. Instead, Allah tells Muhammad that he is no different than any other man. In Sura 18:110, and elsewhere, Muhammad is commanded by Allah: “Say, I am but a man like yourselves.” Those Muslims who claim that Muhammad was sinless have failed to note Sura 40:55, where Allah told Muhammad to repent of his sins! Muhammad Pickthal translates Sura 40:55 as saying: “Ask forgiveness of thy sin.” 1

Hebrews 4:15 says of Jesus, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.”

Muhammad wealthy, Jesus poor

By looting caravans and Jewish settlements Muhammad amassed fabulous wealth for himself, his family, and his tribe. 1

2 Cor 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Matt 8:20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

1 Ali Dashti, 23 Years, p. 86-87; Encyclopedia Britannica, 15:648

Muhammad & Jesus on salvation

Muhammad utilized the Testament of Abraham to teach that a scale or balance will be used on the day of judgment to weigh good and bad deeds in order to determine whether one goes to heaven or hell (Suras 42:17; 101:6-9). 1

Paul writes, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Eph 2:8-9)

Jesus said:

“I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (John 3:3)

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life … Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (John 3:16,18)

1 bible.ca/ islam/ islam-koran-fairy-tales-dr-morey.htm

Muhammad is dead, Jesus is alive

In 632 AD Muhammad fell ill and suffered for several days with head pain and weakness. He succumbed on Monday, June 8, 632 AD, in the city of Medina. He is buried in his tomb adjacent to the Mosque of the Prophet in Medina. 1

Luke 24:1-6 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women … went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!

1 SOURCE: Wikipedia – Muhammad in Medina

Summary

While being monotheistic, Islam’s Jesus is not the same as Christianity’s Jesus. He was not God’s Son, was never resurrected and was just a prophet in the same fashion as Moses and Abraham.

The Bible teaches that Jesus is superior not only to the prophets but also to the angels because he is the “Son of God”:

Heb 1:1-4 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

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