Articles

I was visiting a friend. We were deep in conversation in his drawing room when his ten year old son, Hussain, walked in. After formal greetings and introductions, my friend told me that Hussain was memorizing the Quran.

He asked his son to recite a few verses for me. Obediently, Hussain correctly recited portions of the chapter he had memorized that day. However, My attention centered on the words of the repetitive passage of the Qur’an: Fattaaqullah wa a’tioon, So fear Allah and obey me. (Surah 26:108,110,126 ff)

Does God approve of our Fasting? Do Christians Fast? What is the Biblical perspective of Fasting?  Every year Muslims in the world fast in a particular way in the month of Ramadan. On such occasions they ask their Christian neighbours about their way of fasting. According to Islamic teaching all people of God, Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus fasted. Thus seeing no special fasting celebration among Christians, some friends ask: "Why do Christians not fast as Jesus and Moses did?" (Matthew 4:2; Exodus 24:28)

A few days ago, a Muslim friend and I were about to share our thoughts on sin and forgiveness in Islam and Christianity, but we were interrupted. Later that evening, he sent me the words of a prayer which he treats as the number 1 best prayer to seek forgiveness (See picture). Since it is recommended by the prophet of Islam, he recites it everyday. The translation is as follows: “O Allah, you are my Lord. There is no god but you. You created me and I am your slave. I am abiding by your covenant and promise (to follow) as best as I can.

He was born in Bethlehem in Judaea in the land called Palestine during the Roman occupation in the first century. Some thirty years later, Pilate, the Roman governor, sentenced him to death. He was crucified, died and was buried. However, on the third day, he rose again. His teaching and life influenced the history of the world uniquely. Today there are many opinions about him, but if we want to know the whole truth, it is the New Testament that gives us the most reliable information. He is known as Yashua, Christos and Jesus.

Many Muslims acknowledge that the Tawrat (Torah), the Zabur (Psalms), the Injil (Gospel) and the books of the prophets were given by God. However, some claim that these books which are found in the Bible are now “mansukh” – abrogated or cancelled. They claim that the Qur’an has replaced them all.

Is it so?

Both Muslims and Christians acknowledge that Jesus was sent by God as the promised Messiah. They affirm that Jesus is God’s Word and Spirit - Kalimatuhu wa Ruhun-minhu (Sura 4:171; John 1:1, 18). However, many Muslim friends see Christians as committing shirk by their associating a partner with God, in calling Jesus as the Son of God. In their view, such a belief is blasphemy.

Some Muslims believe that Christians have corrupted the Bible, whereas their book, the Qur'an, upholds the same Bible, treating it as the word of God.

God Caused them to Descend (or revealed them)

In the Qur’an, the following terms are used with reference to parts of the Bible:-

The Bible tells us about the life and the teaching of Jesus. It contains the main record of how he was crucified and died on the cross. It states the story of his burial and resurrection on the third day. It also tells us about his appearances to his followers and his ascension and says that one day he is going to return to this earth as the mighty judge.

Muslims believe that one of the most important features of Jesus' mission was to give the 'glad tidings' of the coming of the Prophet Muhammad. During his short missionary career that lasted not more than three years, and which was overshadowed by the hostile attitude of his own people, Jesus gave them the good news of Ahmad, the last messenger of God, who would perfect the divine teaching both in theory and in practice. According to the Quran, Jesus said:

Every Muslim in the world celebrates the festival of Eid al-adha; with great feeling. This festival is celebrated in memory of the sacrifice that Abraham offered. Muslims believe that God put Abraham to the test by asking him to sacrifice his son and at the right moment God provided a lamb. They claim it was Ishmael and not Isaac as the Bible states (Genesis 22). However, the Qur'an does not state whether that son was Ishmael or Isaac. Among early Muslims there were several who believed it was Isaac and not Ishmael.