An Important question for learned Muslims

[Candle]

Why didn't God protect his previous revelations from corruption?

Most of the regular members probably know by now that I am both interested and sympathetic to Islam, but this is one of a few questions I have concerning its theology. Why did God allow the word of Isa (PBUH) and the Jews become corrupted but save that of Muhammad's from error?

 

[Hanan_x3]

I wonder the same myself. Ive been a Muslim for most of my life, but not becuz ii choose to be, but becuz of my family.
Why would he choose to put 2 religions before the "right" one? This is what causes so much tension between religions, and all the wars that have happened.

(I'm sorry ii didnt answer ur question, ii just had to comment.)

 

[omar ibrahim]

First of all i would like to inform you that my knowledge regarding this subject but i will try to do my best to explain it to you.

Firstly the previous prophets were sent to a particular people in a particular time,which is not the case for the prophet mohammed peace be upon him,and Allah the all

knowing has made it clear in the quran when he said we have not sent you except as a mercy for worlds,and also said in the quran in regard that the quran will be

protected,verily we have reveled the remmemberance and we are preserving it.remmemberance is the quran as its being memorized by millions of moslems.Thats what

i have regarding this,inshAllah the brothers and sisters will help you with more information.

 

[seek-paradise]

Bump to make a professional answerer reply for candle

Candle do you know arabic? It is better to me to answer in arabic than English
I think my bad english language may make a disaster during answering like questions

 

[Candle]

Gah, I apologize, I had not seen the responses until I wandered into this sub-forum just now!

Thank you seek, unfortunately I don't know Arabic. Thanks Omar and Hanan for responding. While I have many questions from within Islam, this is one of the few concerning the nature of Islam.

 

[Ğħαrєєвαħ]

Why didn't God protect his previous revelations from corruption?

Most of the regular members probably know by now that I am both interested and sympathetic to Islam, but this is one of a few questions I have concerning its theology. Why did God allow the word of Isa (PBUH) and the Jews become corrupted but save that of Muhammad's from error?

Aslaamu`Alaaykum Brother
i shall try my best to answer your Q.
You asked why god did not allow isa(pbuh) word to become corrupted but saved that of Muhammad (saw)`s from error!


Firstly the word of Isa(Pbuh) has not been corrupted as its the same message as Adam (as). To worship One Lord and that he (the prophet of that certain time) is the messenger of Allaah!.
As the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the final messeneger and hence he is the messenger of Allaah and the best of creation!
As mentioned in the previous books the Zabur,Injeel, Torah that the word will not be lost,but the books have been altered, so the Qur`aan is the final revelation and has not been changed in any way whatsoever.

The jews rebelled against the truth, they killed the messengers of Allaah when they brought the truth, so is there any reason to why they wont be of the corrupted?

And remember ye said: "O Moses! we cannot endure one kind of food (always); so beseech thy Lord for us to produce for us of what the earth groweth, -its pot-herbs, and cucumbers, Its garlic, lentils, and onions." He said: "Will ye exchange the better for the worse? Go ye down to any town, and ye shall find what ye want!" They were covered with humiliation and misery; they drew on themselves the wrath of Allah. This because they went on rejecting the Signs of Allah and slaying His Messengers without just cause. This because they rebelled and went on transgressing.[Al-Qur`aan, 2:61]

So therefore the word Jesus (pbuh) was never corrupted brother, the Muslims respect Jesus(as) as he is one of the Mighty/important messengers in Islaam.


Its like saying the wrong doers got their punishment as those people transgressed and Indeed Allaah knows best


In the Qur'an, there are many stories about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ (called 'Isa in Arabic). The Qur'an recalls his miraculous birth, his teachings, the miracles he performed by God's permission, and his life as a respected prophet of God. The Qur'an also repeatedly reminds that Jesus was a human prophet sent by God, not part of God Himself. Below are some direct quotations from the Qur'an regarding his life and teachings of Jesus.

He was Righteous:
"Behold! the angels said, 'Oh Mary! God gives you glad tidings of a Word from Him. His name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter, and in (the company of) those nearest to God. He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. He shall be (in the company) of the righteous... And God will teach him the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel'" (3:45-48).

He Was a Prophet
"Christ, the son of Mary, was no more than a messenger; many were the messengers that passed away before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They had both to eat their (daily) food. See how God makes His signs clear to them; yet see in what ways they are deluded away from the truth!" (5:75).
"He [Jesus] said: 'I am indeed a servant of God. He has given me revelation and made me a prophet; He has made me blessed wheresoever I be; and He has enjoined on me prayer and charity as long as I live. He has made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable. So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)!' Such was Jesus the son of Mary. It is a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute. It is not befitting to (the majesty of) God that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! When He determines a matter, He only says to it, 'Be,' and it is" (19:30-35).


He Was a Humble Servant of God
"And behold! God will say [i.e. on the Day of Judgment]: 'Oh Jesus, the son of Mary! Did you say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of God?' He will say: 'Glory to Thee! Never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, You would indeed have known it. You know what is in my heart, though I know not what is in Yours. For You know in full all that is hidden. Never did I say to them anything except what You commanded me to say: 'Worship God, my Lord and your Lord.' And I was a witness over them while I lived among them. When You took me up, You were the Watcher over them, and You are a witness to all things'" (5:116-117).

His Teachings
"When Jesus came with Clear Signs, he said: 'Now I have come to you with Wisdom, and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) on which you dispute. Therefore, fear God and obey me. God, He is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him -- this is a Straight Way.' But sects from among themselves fell into disagreement. So woe to the wrongdoers, from the penalty of a Grievous Day!" (43:63-65)


I hope i made sense and i answered a lil part of your Q and surely someone with more knowledge can answer.

Wa Alaaykum Salaam

 

[Ğħαrєєвαħ]

I wonder the same myself. Ive been a Muslim for most of my life, but not becuz ii choose to be, but becuz of my family.
Why would he choose to put 2 religions before the "right" one? This is what causes so much tension between religions, and all the wars that have happened.

(I'm sorry ii didnt answer ur question, ii just had to comment.)

The thing people do not realise is that there is ONLY 1 religion Islaam, all the prophets followed this religion, they all submitted to the will of their Lord which makes them a Muslim and they all taught that there is only ONE god by peace which is through Islaam.

God makes it clear in the Qur`aan for Islaam is the religion Allaah has chosen for you:

Forbidden to you (for food) are: Al-Maytatah (the dead animals - cattle-beast not slaughtered), blood, the flesh of swine, and the meat of that which has been slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allah, or has been slaughtered for idols, etc., or on which Allah's Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering, and that which has been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by the goring of horns - and that which has been (partly) eaten by a wild animal - unless you are able to slaughter it (before its death) � and that which is sacrificed (slaughtered) on An�Nusub (stone altars). (Forbidden) also is to use arrows seeking luck or decision, (all) that is Fisqun (disobedience of Allah and sin). This day, those who disbelieved have given up all hope of your religion, so fear them not, but fear Me. This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. But as for him who is forced by severe hunger, with no inclination to sin (such can eat these above-mentioned meats), then surely, Allah is Oft�Forgiving, Most Merciful.

The wars around the world have nothing to do with Islaam, Islaam is a way of life and tells us how to deal with wordly situations!

The lifes of the Prophets are meant to be examples for us Humans to ponder upon and implement into our lives as they are perfect!
Hope thats clear

 

[Ramadhan]

I guess we will never know the reason why Allah SWT did not protect the previous scriptures from corruption. It is one of the mysteries that will be revealed during judgement day, i suppose. But FYI, Allah SWT has promised in the Qur'an that He will guard the Qur'an from corruption, while He never made the same promise for the previous scriptures.

from Islamqa:

Corruption of the Tawraat (Torah) and Injeel (Gospel)
What sura in the Quran is related or mentions about the curruption of the Torah and Gospel?



Praise be to Allaah.

Allaah says about the Jews (interpretation of the meaning): “Do you (faithful believers) covet that they will belive in your religion in spite of the fact that a party of them (Jewish rabbis) used to hear the Word of Allaah (the Tawraat), then they used to change it knowingly after they understood it?” [al-Baqarah 2:75]

Qutaadah said: “The phrase ‘then they used to change it knowingly after they understood it’ refers to the Jews, who used to hear the words of Allaah, then they altered it after they had understood what it meant.”

Abu ‘Aaliyah said: “They took what Allaah had revealed in their Book describing Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and changed its meaning.” Ibn Zayd said: “The phrase ‘[they] used to hear the Word of Allaah (the Tawraat), then they used to change it’ refers to the Tawraat which Allaah revealed to them; they changed it, making what it permitted forbidden, and what was forbidden allowed, changing the truth to falsehood and falsehood to truth…” [Tafseer Ibn Katheer]

Allaah also said (interpretation of the meaning): “Among those who are Jews, there are some who displace words from (their) right places and say: ‘We hear your word (O Muhammad) and disobey,’ and ‘Hear and let you (Muhammad) hear nothing.’ And Raa’ina [in Arabic this means, ‘Be careful, listen to us and we listen to you,’ whereas in Hebrew it means ‘an insult.’] with a twist of their tongues and as a mockery of the religion (Islam). And if only they had said, ‘We hear and obey,’ and ‘Do make us understand,’ it would have been better for them, and more proper, but Allaah has cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe not except for a few.” [al-Nisaa’ 4:46]

The phrase “[they] displace words from (their) right places” means that they misinterpret them and understand them in a way that Allaah did not intend, doing this deliberately and inventing lies against Allaah. [Tafseer Ibn Katheer]

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “So because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them, and made their hearts grow hard. They change the words from their (right) places and have abandoned a good part of the Message that was sent to them. And you will not cease to discover deceit in them, except a few of them. But forgive them, and overlook (their misdeeds). Verily, Allaah loves al-Muhsineen (good-doers).” [al-Maa’idah 5:13]

The phrase “because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them” refers to the fact that they broke the Covenant which had been made with them, so Allaah cursed them, i.e., He kept them away from following the True Guidance. “[We] made their hearts grow hard” means that they will not benefit from any preaching because their hearts are so hard. “They change the words from their (right) places” means that they play havoc with the words of Allaah and misinterpret His Book, taking it to mean things that were never meant and attributing to Allaah things that He never said; may Allaah protect us from that.

“[They] have abandoned a good part of the Message that was sent to them” means that they stopped following its teachings because they did not want to follow them. Al-Hasan said: “They did not adhere to their religion or keep their duties towards Allaah, without which no deeds are acceptable to Him; their fitrah (innate nature) was not sound and their deeds were not righteous.” [Tafseer Ibn Katheer]

So it becomes quite clear that the ways in which the Children of Israel tampered with the Tawraat and Injeel include the following:
Changing Omitting Adding things and attributing to Allaah words that He did not say Misinterpreting the words of Allaah.

When Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was sent, the original Tawraat and Injeel had already been altered and distorted. Allaah revealed the Qur’aan to His Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and guaranteed that He Himself would preserve it, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): “Verily We: it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e., the Qur’aan) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption).” [al-Hijr 15:9]

This distinguishing feature was not found in any Book before the Qur’aan. From the time of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) until the present (more than fourteen hundred years) the Qur’aan has stayed the same, and not a single letter of it has been changed, as ancient manuscripts and the hearts of generation after generation of people who have memorized the entire text and earned the title of “haafiz” bear witness. We ask Allaah to guide us to the true and straight path. And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

 

[siam]

Why did God not protect previous scriptures?

The Quran says the responsibility of protecting these scriptures was given to the followers (human beings)---why?--as a test--- because even if corrupted, God was going to send correct Guidance. That is why the responsibility of protecting the Quran is with God---because this is the last guidance

 

[Candle]

Thank you Muslimah and Naidamar. Your posts are informative as always.

While I may never know the precise reason why the Muhammad's (pbuh) dispensation was protected, I am ever impressed that it was protected so well!

 

[syed_z]

Asalaam O alaikum Brother Candle

Brother Naidamar is right... the only reason why Allah (swt) did not protect the previous scriptures from corruption was to Test Mankind, whether they believe when the Next Scriptures are revealed, the news of which Allah (swt) already delivered in their Scriptures.....as MOST of them usually reject, instead failing in their Tests and very few become followers of the New Revealed Scriptures, as it has been with the past Nations, Quran mentions several such Nations....



There is a Quran Verse which says.... Surah An Nahl 16:101

And Now that We replace one message by another - since God is fully aware of what He bestows from on High Step by Step - they (who deny the truth) are wont to say, "Thou but inventest it!" Nay but most of them do not understand!"


..Replace One message by another.... this Allah (Swt) has always done in the History of Mankind, as mankind which evolved from Adam, slowly and gradually as mankind moves ahead towards the Day of Judgment, has developed themselves in regards to their capacity to think, to learn. Basically mankind changes from time to time, and has developed themselves, intellectually and socially throughout it's History from Adam (a.s) uptill present... and since every time, mankind's thoughts and way of life, changed Allah (swt) revealed a different Message for their Time.....


and so similarly, the Culmination point of their development had reached and so Allah (Swt) had already known to Send a Final Revelation which will be for ALL mankind.... and will always be there to Solve all problems of mankind, till the Day of Judgment...

...Nay But most of them Do not understand.....most of them do not understand how IMPORTANT it is for mankind to use this Final Source, as guidance for all their affairs....


Even if we analyze it, we can see that the Only Ideology, which has the Solution to all the Problems of Humanity is Islam, not because i am a Muslim is the reason i say so.... No... but this is the Truth, rather all Laws relating to ALL paths of life, are in the Quran and teachings of Muhammad (saw), i.e Sunnah... and so that is reason why it is called the Shariah (Law) .. and it is also this reason why Allah (Swt) says elsewhere in the Quran...


(5:48) ... Unto Every One of you We appointed a (different) Law and a way of life. And if God had so willed. he would surley have made you all one single community: but (He willed it otherwise) in order to test you by means of what He has vouchsafed unto you.



....If Allah (swt) wanted He could have made us ONE, but he let the previous Scriptures get corrupted.... 1st, so that we can be tested and it is by using our reason when coming across Prophetic guidance is how we come to decide what is the Truth, as Allah (Swt) has put guidance in ALL of us Humans i.e reason and ability to think, and those who reject after understanding will fail and those who use the reason and submit will Succeed....and this way if He Would have made us ONE by forcing our will, then no point of Paradise or Hell, then this life would not be test any more...

2nd... the reason is that every community in the World, has come to the Culmination point intellectually and socially, and it is this reason why we need, a different Law according to our Environment and living ....

 

[جوري]

under any circumstance the messages from the previous books were meant to a specific group of people [(children of Israel (Israel being Jacob) ] Jesus (p) was only sent to the lost sheep of Israel

New International Version (©1984)
He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." New Living Translation (©2007)
Then Jesus said to the woman, "I was sent only to help God's lost sheep--the people of Israel."
English Standard Version (©2001)
He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
But He answered and said, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
International Standard Version (©2008)
But he replied, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the nation of Israel."
GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Jesus responded, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the nation of Israel."
King James Bible
But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
American King James Version
But he answered and said, I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
American Standard Version
But he answered and said, I was not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Bible in Basic English
But he made answer and said, I was sent only to the wandering sheep of the house of Israel.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he answering, said: I was not sent but to the sheep that are lost of the house of Israel.
Darby Bible Translation
But he answering said, I have not been sent save to the lost sheep of Israel's house.
English Revised Version
But he answered and said, I was not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Webster's Bible Translation
But he answered and said, I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Weymouth New Testament
"I have only been sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel," He replied.
World English Bible
But he answered, "I wasn't sent to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
Young's Literal Translation
and he answering said, 'I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.'

http://bible.cc/matthew/15-24.htm

so whether the message is saved or not, God isn't the god of a select group of people if God is to be just, the message should be uncorrupted for all of mankind..

It is a matter of divine wisdom, a matter of timing, a matter of willingness of the people to move on beyond a certain set of 'miracles' a matter of a miracle that will always be consistent with the 'evolution' of mankind throughout the centuries and while pleasing to the soul shouldn't be in defiance of man's common sense..

and Allah swt knows best

 

[Yahya4D]

Why didn't God protect his previous revelations from corruption?

Most of the regular members probably know by now that I am both interested and sympathetic to Islam, but this is one of a few questions I have concerning its theology. Why did God allow the word of Isa (PBUH) and the Jews become corrupted but save that of Muhammad's from error?

There were great answers already provided but this also concludes that Jesus was not God in man. If Jesus was God, things would of been done differently.

God(Self Sustainer) created the world in 6 days(each day is equivalent to a 1000 yrs) but couldnt write a book in 3 decades in a form as Jesus(pbuh)?

Instead Jesus(pbuh) had disciples chosen that read the Torah/Old Testament. They even knew the name spoken to be of God called Yahweh and Jesus never mentioned or went in depth with this name. Instead he chose to call God - The Father.

Our stony insensitivity to the eloquence is commensurate with our ignorance of the style & metaphor of the ancient languages in which it was revealed.

Allah(The Teacher) didnt expect man to right doctrines on top of His word...or did He? Remember that God doesnt tempt man but the devil does and God's characteristic is the BEST OF ALL PLANNERS. Again, this is clearly a test. When Islam is exposed to you, you either accept it without any doubt or reject it. This decision will determine your preparation for the grave interrogation. Its like studying for the last test, you either not study at all and wing it to fail, or study earnestly to find the answers needed to prevail to His kingdom. Islam is the answer key to that test. You think God will just give it to you so all can enter His kingdom, even murderers and rapists? Dont think so, like everything else, it must be earned/found. Its about the INTENTION. Its all about the intention. You can pray as a Muslim in vain because your intention is not there. Intention to purify yourself, intention to do good deeds for the sake of Allah(The Most Wise) and intention to submit your will in full.

I am not going to post Quranic verses but rather provide an avenue of thinking towards this question.

God does not author confusion either but when a book is penned by men, you have a book that has the characteristics of men. If Jesus were to be God in man form, he would of EASILY wrote a book to be the most authentic literature of established meaning of all time.

This created a beacon to a perverted Criterion in so many ways that in due time, to get to heaven, it will be like a horse trying to fit in the eye of the needle and that is the time for judgment day. God wants true servants, not posers, hypocrites nor lack of true intentions towards Him. It is merely a filter to provide accurate and knowledgeable subjects to Paradise.

Dont you think too that those in self indulgence and those that refuse Islam is God's way to time it all for Judgment? To start a ticking bomb in other words. Now its up to humanity to either diffuse the short fuse or let the cursed Earth demise to allow the process come the the appointed time God only knows.

Just sharing thoughts whether it relates or does not relate to the question. Even with Islam that is protected by Allah(Best of Planners), still many refute against the truth. It is sad but part of the process to the appointed time that is a schedule on God's calendar. Pray for refuge brothers and sisters. Pray that we all will be saved from the Hell Fire and make use of the logistical reasons that will bring you to our Most Gracious Ruler. He knows what we know not and to not protect His word before is something beyond our intelligence.

Salam.

Yahya

 

[ayesha.ansari]

Because ALLAH has made Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) an example for all the people.

 

[MEG]

When do Muslims believe that the Torah and New Testament were corrupted? Also, do Muslims believe in the Old and New Covenants?

 

[siam]

The Torah and NT were corrupted over time. However, this is not just a "Muslim" belief...Non-Muslim scholars who have studies the Torah and NT also feel that the Torah and NT we have today, have been changed......for example....see the Q theory for the NT......

 

[YusufNoor]

please forgive me for trying to answering your question as i am not among "the learned."

before the time of Abraham, alayhe Salaam, EVERY nation was sent a warner. each "nation" was "given" a message, they had free will to do what they wanted with that message. thus, they could change it if they wanted to.

Shaytan, being ever fearful of spending eternity alone in hell, strikes the hardest when it looks like evil might be eradicated. Isa ibn Marriam must have been one dynamic Prophet! Shaytan fought to destroy his message in 1 generation!

Islam, as we know it today, was intended for ALL mankind and not just 1 people. THUS the message HAD to be preserved. ANYONE who truly loves Allah, does NOT associate partners with Him and belongs to the Ummah of Musa or Isa ibn Marriam, alayhe Salaam, will understand the Message of the final Prophet and accept Islam.

and while bits of the Shariah are a wee bit different, the CORE Message is the same: Hear oh Israel, the Lord thy God is ONE! not 3 or 3 parts, but ONE!

:wa: