The following passage is presented in two English translations of the Quranic (Koranic) text Surah 112. What must be focused on here is the statement about creation contained in this passage:
Oneness – Al-‘Ikhlas
112:001
Abdullah Yousuf Ali] Say: He is Allah, the One and Only;
[Taqi Usmani] Say, :The truth is that Allah is One.
112:002
[Abdullah Yousuf Ali] Allah, the Eternal, Absolute;
[Taqi Usmani]? Allah is Besought of all, needing none.
112:003?
[Abdullah Yousuf Ali] He begetteth not, nor is He begotten;
[Taqi Usmani]? He neither begot anyone, nor was he begotten.
112:004
[Abdullah Yousuf Ali] And there is none like unto Him.
[Taqi Usmani]? And equal to Him has never been any one.1
No matter which translation is given, it is obvious that Allah created nothing. Why? Because 112:3 states emphatically that Allah begot nothing. It does not say that Allah did not beget a son like him, or some other such thing that would clarify the point (although that would be in error too). Rather, it states that Allah “begetteth not” and/or “He neither begot anyone” depending upon which translation you most agree with. There are other translations we could go with which state “has not given birth,” but the vast majority of the Muslim world agrees with “He begets not” which is virtually identical to “begetteth not.”
The problem here is that to create, one must beget in some manner. After all, the definition for “beget” states:
[Abdullah Yousuf Ali] He has created the heavens and the earth in just proportions, and has given you shape, and made your shapes beautiful: and to Him is the final Goal.
[Taqi Usmani] He has created the heavens and the earth rightly, and shaped your figures, and made your figures good, and to Him is the final return.3
Which creates a conundrum in the Quran. You cannot, on the one hand state that your god did not beget anything, and yet on the other say he created anything and everything. Quite plainly, the word “beget” and all its forms and derivatives encompass the act of creating. This much is inescapable, even in Arabic.
However, the reason for this conundrum is quite explainable — Muhammad did not have the wherewithal to catch his mistake, and like most storytellers, accidentally walked over top of what he wrote earlier. Inevitably and invariably, anyone who writes extensively will, at some point, contradict something they stated earlier — unless they are guided by the LORD God in what they write. What Muhammad was attempting to do in Surah 112 was deny that Jesus, who is called Christ, is the Son of God. In his haste to do so, he contradicted the fact that to create, one must beget — it is inevitable and unavoidable.
This sounds much like the Book of Mormon — a bad fiction.
Translation is taken from the program Quran With Tafseer, ver. 1.0↩
Definitions are taken from Dictionary.com for ease of use.↩
Translation is taken from the program Quran With Tafseer, ver. 1.0↩
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. (Psalm 119:165)
Nothing proves the truth about someone like their reaction to something that is stated about them. When someone is peaceful, declaring that they are violent will not provoke them to violence. Moreover, when someone has absolute confidence it what they believe, making statements which are contrary to what they believe does not provoke them either. After all, they know that what they hold to be true is true and cannot be proven (at least to them) otherwise. It is only when one feels threatened that they perceive the need to become hostile to those who hold a contrary view.
Baptists, historically, have held the view that the Scripture speaks for itself and has no problem proving itself, despite any and all claims of man. Moreover, it is only the Baptists that have historically, emphatically declared that every individual has liberty of the conscience to choose what they believe, and cannot be coerced into believing something they do not agree with. It is very much like the child whose mother makes him sit down when he doesn’t want to. As the story goes, he tells her that he is “still standing up on the inside.”
This strikes at the heart of all false and coercive systems. Those who are not secure in what they believe, must have others to agree with them, otherwise they feel quite vulnerable. This unease has consequences for everyone around them. It should be well understood that someone who is experiencing insecurity or internal conflict, is far more apt to lash out at everyone around them in an effort (however misguided) to relieve the stress they have. Since we all know the truth and can differentiate between the truth and a lie, when we choose to believe a lie, it creates internal stress that cannot be relieved unless we relinquish our hold on the lie we have chosen to believe.
In this the Scripture is clear:
And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: . . .(Genesis 3:22)
And again:
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (Romans 1:18-21)
Hence, there can be internal stress and angst over what one knows to be true at the very core of their being, and what they have chosen to actually accept and live by. When the two differ, something has to give, else one is perpetually angry and tends to lash out whenever challenged. After all, if what they believed was indeed true, there would be internal peace and a confidence that cannot be challenged. Why lash out when you know that the challenge to what you believe is demonstrably false and a lie? Hence:
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. (Psalm 119:165)
Which brings us to the point of defending “God,” and those who believe violence is necessary to defend their “God” from all challenges to his “deity” and position of authority.
This is not to say that one ought not argue for their “God,” rather, it is to differentiate between simply arguing for who and what you perceive to be “God” and deciding that those disagreeing with you must be killed. There is, after all, a world of difference between those two positions. Scripturally, there is precedent to answer those who believe they must kill to defend their “God:”
And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built. And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they enquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing. Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove that was by it. And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar.(Judges 6:28-31)
The truth is, Baal was not and is not God. Neither could it be proved that he is God as the failure at Mount Carmel demonstrates so very well:
And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.(I Kings 18:21-29)
However, the LORD God did indeed prove that He is the God:
And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.(I Kings 18:36-38)
Thus, if your “God” is indeed God, then he doesn’t really need your (or another man’s) help in dealing with those who oppose him. Indeed, if he is truly God, then he is the Author of reason, and reason should prevail, as He hath declared:
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18)
For those who sought to kill Gideon, and others like them, the reason they did so was to avoid having the lie about their god exposed. Their god cannot defend himself and reason with you, because he is not. Not only is he not god, but he really does not exist except in the deceived hearts of those who claim him (or her, as the case may be). To allow questioning of their god risks exposure as a fraud. This they cannot allow. Hence, they kill in defense of their god.
Which now brings us to the point of the recent upheavals in the Islamic world over perceived slights to Muhammad and Allah.
Back in 2008, a Dutch politician by the name of Geert Wilders produced a short film documenting verses in the Quran and the result of individuals following the instruction in those verses. The film is called “Fitna” which generally means “causing problems between people,” which the followers of Islam tend to do – and all in the defense of their god and his prophet. The reaction to the film was, and is, telling. Just like the common excuse given over this most recent upheaval (the actual reasons are two: The continuing imprisonment of the Blind Sheik, and a drone strike which killed the No. 2 man in Al Qaeda), which is at best, a B-rated movie about Muhammad’s excesses, the Muslims are offended that Muhammad is insulted and are demanding that everyone who does not believe in Allah and Muhammad be killed.
Now, to be fair, not everyone who carries the label of Muslim, is this way. In actuality, a great many “followers of Islam” are just like the followers of many other religions worldwide, it is a nominal thing that has very little to do with what they actually believe. They are Muslim because their parents were, it is the predominate religion in their area of the world, etc, etc… and they really do not actually agree with everything stated in the Quran. As much as that fact may anger the purists of Islam, it is a cold, hard fact that most of the people in this world “go along to get along.”
However, those individuals are not the definers and drivers of Islam. Rather, it is the “true believers,” the ideologues, the diehards, the fundamentalists that drive the religion, that define it (as it is with any religion). They take the words of their book and put them into action. In them is the internal conflict the greatest and the offenses the most deeply felt. And herein lies the most telling evidence of what Islam actually is.
If Islam is truly a religion of peace, then in its most dedicated followers there will be no desire for reprisal when someone ignorantly portrays it as violent and Muhammad as a deceitful thug. Rather, there should be a shaking of the head and a desire to patiently instruct where that individual has gone wrong. After all, the “Founder” of Christianity taught those who opposed Him, and other than cleansing the Temple (twice), He never raised a hand against anyone. Instead, He looked to God to justify Him, knowing that everything He did was right:
For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me. Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up. (Isaiah 50:7-9)
For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: . . .(I Peter 2:20-23)
Thus bringing out the truth of the statement in the 119th Psalm:
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. (Psalm 119:165)
In contrast to that, Geert Wilders has documented in Fitna the decided tendency of fundamentalist Muslims (being led of the Quran) to resort to threats and violence to demand respect and accomplish their ends.
It does make one wonder about the crowd that gathered outside Joash’s house, demanding Gideon be handed over to be killed for insulting Baal. To paraphrase Joash, perhaps the Muslims ought to let Allah and Muhammad plead for themselves. It would certainly go a long way towards disproving the contention of both Fitna and Innocence of Muslims.
What happened? Well, the gist is that a terrible crime was committed against a fourteen (14) year old girl – and then horribly compounded by the followers of a sick, twisted, demented religious system.
In brief, the fourteen year old was raped by a 40 year old cousin. This was bad enough. However, lest we forget, or are ignorant, in Islam, if a woman is raped – it is automatically her fault – and rape carries the same penalty as adultery – death (or 100 lashes if you are not married). Now, you can argue that 100 lashes does not constitute a death sentence, but let’s see you take the 100 lashes given by a strong man using a cane. If you are not dead when he is done, it will be a miracle.
So, the local religious leader promptly issued a fatwa calling for 100 lashes for the 14 year old (and nothing of note for the 40 year old), which was then carried out by persons in the village. The young girl died after 80 lashes.
Now precisely what did the young girl do wrong? We can ask lots of questions as to why the LORD allowed this. But perhaps we would be better served asking the question as to why such a religious system is allowed to continue unchecked and unhindered? Regardless of where it is in the world, Islam is Islam, meaning that Islam remains the same, no matter where or when we find it.
Hence, understand these things about Islam, as they are indisputable tenets of that religion:
The woman is always to blame.
Women are little better than property.
If you do not agree with Islam, you are a blasphemer subject to be put to death.
Living peacefully with Islam means being converted to Islam.
Pedophilia is okay. Rape is okay. Having a mistress is okay. Having more than one wife is okay… just DO NOT blaspheme Muhammad.
Now, there are those who will rush to the defense of Islam and swear up and down that these things are not true. . .
However. . .
Tell that to those who have been (and are still) being forced to convert to Islam under pain of death.
Tell that to the little girls who are subject to forced circumcision.
Tell that to the women and girls who have died in innumerable “honor” killings.
Tell that to the innumerable Christians, Jews and other “infidels”1 who have been subject to systematic persecution, up to and including being put to death.
Tell that to the “dancing boys” of Afghanistan.
Tell that to the countless girls and women who have been raped by Muslim men who yell “Allah Akbar” while raping them.
And all of this sanctioned by the religious leaders of Islam.
You know, ordinarily we would call all the above criminal behavior, worthy of severe penalty, up to and including death.
Only, when it is done under the cover of Islam, we just shrug our shoulders and go on as if nothing happened.
At what point will we realize that a religion as destructive as Islam cannot be allowed the liberty to exist and flourish? You know, religions which require human sacrifice are illegal in America. Why can we not see that a 14 year old was sacrificed to satisfy a religious tenet?
And we are told that fundamental, Biblical Christianity is a religion of hate and meanness.
Some are truly infidels, and some are perhaps not, but is that a reason to deprive them of life, liberty and property?↩
NOTE: This is one of my few digressions to something not specifically and expressly addressing Scriptural doctrine. However, it is quite needful to call attention to this particular item as it affects everyone, not just Israel and the Jews.
Today (1/11/2009) Arutz Sheva, Israel National News reported on an incident in Duisburg, Germany. The report was partially pulled from The Muqata blog, an Israeli blog that is tracking minute by minute (as circumstances warrant) events of the War in Gaza. One of the readers of that blog sent the following description of events in Duisburg:
Today, 10.000 people demonstrated against Israel here in my hometown Duisburg (Germany) and to express their solidarity with Hamas.
So, my girlfriend and me put two Israel flags out of the windows of our flat in the 3rd floor. During the demonstration which went through our street the police broke into our flat and removed the flag of Israel. The statement of the police was to de-escalate the situation, because many youth demonstrators were on the brink of breaking into our apartment house.
Before this they threw snowballs, knifes and stones against our windows and the complete building. We both were standing on the other side of the street and were shocked by seeing a police officer standing in our bedroom and opening the window to get the flag. The picture illustrate this situation. The police acquiesced in the demands of the mob.
The video below is of the incident in Duisburg:
The problem here is that the German police focused on the wrong thing to get rid of the problem. Instead of controlling the demonstrators and correcting their behavior, the police chose to allow them to become more violent and did not disperse them when they refused to calm down. The police also did not choose to forbid any form of demonstration that was not peaceful. Instead, they chose to violate the property rights of a private citizen, all the while empowering evil and proving that violence does effect change.
Smart move — real smart. I suppose when the Muslims demand the towns and cities in Germany observe Sharia law as applicable to all Germans, that they will cave the first time Muslims are violent. It seems to me that someone else used that tactic in Germany some years ago, and got what he wanted.
I also seem to remember that when all was said and done after using those tactics to gain power, all Germany lay in ruins.
See what you can achieve when you accommodate evil.
However, since I am not so accommodating, here is my message to Muslim demonstrators worldwide:
THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO EXIST
THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO DEFEND THEMSELVES AGAINST HAMAS
Its not coming down or being removed. They are the seed of Jacob, the son of Isaac (which is the son of promise), the son of Abraham.
GET OVER IT
Now, if only the Jews would know and understand that the Saviour was crucified 2000 years ago in Jerusalem and believe the Gospel (a few do, but most not — just like the rest of mankind), it would be a good day indeed. It wouldn’t hurt for all the Muslims to forsake the wickedness of Islam and believe too. It sure would make for a far more peaceful world.
This is not about “won’t read,” but about “can’t read.”
Today, AFP reported the following from the Middle East:
“Nearly one in three people in the Arab world is illiterate, including nearly half of all women in the region, the Tunis-based Arab League Educational Cultural and Scientific Organisation said Monday.”
It is impossible to state how distressing this report is. Why? Because it highlights the real problem with the Arab world – ignorance. Moreover, without the ability to read, one cannot actually sit down with the Scripture and see what it states for themselves. They cannot honestly compare texts such as the Koran and the Bible and see the inconsistencies between the two. Though the Muslim claims that they must believe the Bible, and that they accept the Bible, there are glaring inconsistencies between the two. Only when one can read, can actual comparison be made, and the Scriptural command to “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (I Thessalonians 5:21) be followed.
Instead, those who cannot read are left at the mercy of those who would “teach” them. One of the most precious things the LORD God has given us is the ability to read and understand what we read. He did this for us because our LORD is a LORD of words and desires to communicate the truth to us through His written word. But without the ability to read, this becomes impossible. One is trapped in a prison of ignorance, unable to learn the truth for themselves and become free.
The LORD God has much to say in His word about the fact that He desires that we know for sure who He is and what He has done for us. So much so, that he insured the following passages were carefully set in His word:
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18)
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.(Isaiah 55:8-11)
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (John 8:31-36)
I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.(John 12:46-48)
I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.(Psalm 138:2)
Why does the LORD state these things in His word? Because he wants us to know Him and what He requires of us. Moreover, He wants us to be able to determine the truth for ourselves. The LORD is ever desirous that we are able to read His word, then ask Him for understanding. He will honor the one who asks truly wanting to know and understand.
It is no accident that there is such a parallel between the word of God (the Scripture) and the Word of God (the Lord Jesus Christ). Though the Lord Jesus Christ does not walk among men today, we have His word whereby we can assuredly know Him and all He has done. After all, the LORD God moved Jeremiah to write the following passage to give us the assurance that we can personally know Him through His word:
Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:23-24)
