format_quote Originally Posted by
theplains
Jesus was only sent TO the children of Israel, but his
message is FOR all mankind.
As Muslims we believe that Jesus (peace be upon him) was sent
to the Children of Israel, with his message being
for the children of Israel.
The biblical quote above, is one quote, most likely written by a man who never even met Jesus (peace be upon him).
Compare this to the clear, unambiguous, statements, in the Qur'an by Allah, in His own words, and by the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the hadeeth, written exactly as he said them, with an unbroken chain of narration going directly back to him.
format_quote Originally Posted by
theplains
Even though the Quran/Hadith states that Muhammad was sent FOR the worlds, I hope we can agree that he was not sent TO the worlds.
You can get bogged down in arguments about for or to, it makes no difference. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent amongst a community in Arabia, as a messenger
to and
for all the world.
Every Prophet used to be sent to his nation only but I have been sent to all mankind.
(part of a longer hadeeth)
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 335
In-book reference : Book 7, Hadith 2
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 7, Hadith 331
Every Prophet used to be sent to his nation exclusively but I have been sent to all mankind. (part of a longer hadeeth)
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 438
In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 87
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 8, Hadith 429
I have been sent to all of mankind whereas the Prophets before me were sent to their own people." (part of a longer hadeeth)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 432
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 37
....We have sent thee (Muhammad) as a messenger unto mankind and Allah is sufficient as Witness. (4:179, part)
Say, [O Muhammad], "
O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allah to you all, [from Him] to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death." So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered prophet, who believes in Allah and His words, and follow him that you may be guided. (7:158)
Compare this to what Jesus (peace be upon him) said:
And [mention] when Jesus, the son of Mary, said, "
O children of Israel, indeed I am the messenger of Allah to you confirming what came before me of the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad." But when he came to them with clear evidences, they said, "This is obvious magic." (61:6)
and to what God said about him:
And He will teach him the Scripture and wisdom, and the Torah and the Gospel,
And will make him a messenger unto the Children of Israel... (3:48, 49,part)
format_quote Originally Posted by
theplains
I know that Muslims accept Jesus as a only a prophet of God
We accept him not only as a prophet of God, but one of the greatest messengers of God, and as the Messiah.
format_quote Originally Posted by
theplains
but I don't know
any Muslim who would say his message was only for the children of Israel during his
lifetime and that this spreading of the gospel ceased with Muhammad.
I'm surprised that you know no such Muslim. That is our belief. With the coming of the Qur'an, 100% God's words to mankind, not one word of a human mixed up in it, which clarified what God's message had always been, and pointed out the wrongs that had crept into the previous scriptures, the people of the scriptures were required to follow the Prophet and the scripture revealed to him:
Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel, who enjoins upon them what is right and forbids them what is wrong and makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the evil and relieves them of their burden and the shackles which were upon them. So they who have believed in him, honored him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him - it is those who will be the successful. (7:157)
In the Qur'an there is reference to Mary and her son being a sign for mankind. (19:21 and 21:91). Tafsir ibn Kathir elaborates:
(And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind) This means a proof and a sign for mankind of the power of their Maker and Creator, Who diversified them in their creation. He created their father, Adam, without a male (father) or female (mother). Then, He created Hawwa' (Adam's spouse) from a male (father) without a female (mother). Then, He created the rest of their progeny from male and female, except `Isa. He caused `Isa to be born from a female without a male. Thus, Allah completed the four types of creation (of the human being), which proves the perfection of His power and the magnificence of His authority. There is no god worthy of worship except Him and there is no true Lord other than Him.
http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?opt...2687&Itemid=75
Peace.