Baptism

[loveofgod]

I am curious about Muslims view of baptism. What does the Koran have to say about it? I noticed that John the baptist is also mentioned and that Muslims believe in him too. How do Muslims do the baptism? Any info much appreciated. thanks.

 

[Iceee]

I am curious about Muslims view of baptism. What does the Koran have to say about it?

It should be noted that the child’s being baptized does not actually make him a Christian, rather he is a Muslim who follows the religion of his Muslim father, and he cannot become a Christian unless he understands Christianity and chooses it for himself. As for his baptism, he has no choice in the matter, and it does not affect the religion which Allaah created in him, which is Islam.
Try by all means to protect this child and prevent him being taught Christian teachings. Remember that you are responsible for him and that the worst neglect and betrayal of this trust would be to leave him disbelieving in Allaah.

We ask Allaah to protect you and your offspring and to divert evil away from them.

Taken from: http://islamqa.info/en/107462

How do Muslims do the baptism?

Question: Is there a baptism in Islam? Was being baptized ever done in Islam?

Answer: In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful Assalamu alaikum,Thank you for your question.

There is no baptism in Islam in the sense that it exists in the Christian tradition.There are, however, practices that welcome the baby into the community of believers, including the calling of the adhan (call to prayer) and iqama (reminder to stand up to pray) in the ear of the newborn and the aqiqa celebration in which the community gathers to celebrate the birth of the infant and pray for him or her.Adults who embrace Islam are required to state the testification of faith (”There is no god but God and Muhammad, peace be upon him, is the messenger of God”) in front of witnesses. Often, they will take a Muslim name, although this is not required.May Allah reward you,Zaynab Ansari

Taken from: http://islamqa.org/hanafi/seekersguidance-hanafi/76145

I noticed that John the baptist is also mentioned and that Muslims believe in him too.

Salaam / Peace Be Upon You

Please visit: http://www.soundvision.com/info/jesus/johnprophetyahya.asp and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist#John_in_the_Qur.27an

 

[sister herb]

I have no glue to this matter. In my country they are real minority (about 2400 - thanks about information to Wiki). I wonder have I ever met any of them; very possible that I haven´t. I have no idea how they even believe... :embarrass

 

[Futuwwa]

There is no such thing in Islam.

 

[MustafaMc]

I am curious about Muslims view of baptism. What does the Koran have to say about it?

The Qur'an does not mention baptism.

I noticed that John the baptist is also mentioned and that Muslims believe in him too.

Yes, in the Qur'an he is known as Yahya, just like Jesus is 'Isa and Moses is Musa.

How do Muslims do the baptism? Any info much appreciated. thanks.

There is no baptism or sprinkling of infants. Upon converting to Islam by stating the testimony of faith, "There is no go except Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah" one takes a full bath or shower known in Arabic as 'ghusl' which is the same that is done by Muslims after sexual relations between man and wife or wet dream. Which is a ritual act of cleansing.

 

[glo]

Upon converting to Islam by stating the testimony of faith, "There is no go except Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah" one takes a full bath or shower known in Arabic as 'ghusl'

I didn't know that was done after saying Shahadah.

Certainly the concept of cleansing and purifying runs through both practices - baptism and Shahadah. :statisfie

I struggle to see child baptism/Christening as anything more that family and friends making a promise to raise the child in the Christian faith - until it is old enough to make a personal declaration of faith.
Different denominations have a different view on this.

 

[loveofgod]

The Qur'an does not mention baptism.

Yes it does. I found this while looking for more information on the subject 2:138. "(Receive) the baptism of Allah and who is better than Allah in baptizing? And Him do we worship."

 

[sister herb]

Surat Al-Baqarah (The Cow) - سورة البقرة
2:138

Sahih International
[And say, "Ours is] the religion of Allah . And who is better than Allah in [ordaining] religion? And we are worshippers of Him."

^o)

 

[Signor]

Yes it does. I found this while looking for more information on the subject 2:138. "(Receive) the baptism of Allah and who is better than Allah in baptizing? And Him do we worship."

EPIC FAIL!!

Translation taken from Anti Muslims site (answering-islam)

http://www.*********************/Quran/Tafsir/002_138.html

For next time,use quran.com

 

[loveofgod]

EPIC FAIL!!

What do you mean epic fail? I have a Koran translated by Abdullah Yusuf Ali. And he also translates it as follows: (Our religion is) the Baptism of Allah: And who can baptize better than Allah? And it is He Whom we worship.

There are many other translations of this verse. Who can say whose translation is better or correct? How can you know?

 

[glo]

I found four translations in English side by side:

002.138
Sibghata Allahi waman ahsanu mina Allahi sibghatan wanahnu lahu AAabidoona
YUSUFALI: (Our religion is) the Baptism of Allah: And who can baptize better than Allah? And it is He Whom we worship.
PICKTHAL: (We take our) colour from Allah, and who is better than Allah at colouring. We are His worshippers.
SHAKIR: (Receive) the baptism of Allah, and who is better than Allah in baptising? and Him do we serve.
KHALIFA: Such is GOD's system, and whose system is better than GOD's? "Him alone we worship."

Another one I read referred to 'being dyed' by Allah.
Certainly looks like this is a kind of blessing performed directly by Allah. (I am reminded by the image of 'being baptised in God's spirit' ...) Nothing to do with a human ritual.
(Of course I don't know and I am speaking as a non-Muslim here. Does anybody more knowledgeable want to comment?)

http://www.universalunity.net/quran4/002.qmt.html

 

[جوري]

The Qur'an does not mention baptism.Yes, in the Qur'an he is known as Yahya, just like Jesus is 'Isa and Moses is Musa. There is no baptism or sprinkling of infants. Upon converting to Islam by stating the testimony of faith, "There is no go except Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah" one takes a full bath or shower known in Arabic as 'ghusl' which is the same that is done by Muslims after sexual relations between man and wife or wet dream. Which is a ritual act of cleansing.

As far as I know when you do accept Islam you've to take a bath, as well before every prayer we make ablution .. I wouldn't call it baptism but certainly cleansing before any religious act is important and also symbolic of purity.

 

[MustafaMc]

What do you mean epic fail? I have a Koran translated by Abdullah Yusuf Ali. And he also translates it as follows: (Our religion is) the Baptism of Allah: And who can baptize better than Allah? And it is He Whom we worship.

There are many other translations of this verse. Who can say whose translation is better or correct? How can you know?

Abdel Haleem: [Our life] takes its color from God and who gives a better color than God? It is Him we worship.

Gracious Qur'an - Ahmad Hammad: Say O believers: It is the hue of God alone that is upon our religion. And who is there better than God to endue the human soul with the true hue of His religion! Thus to Him alone we do solemnly devote all of our worship.

Majestic Qur'an: The coloring of Allah; and whose coloring is better than Allah's alone? He it is that we worship.

Saheeh International: And say ours is the religion of Allah. And who is better than Allah in [ordaining] religion? And we are worshipers of Him.

Pickthall: (We take our) colour from Allah, and who is better than Allah at colouring. We are His worshippers.

In the dictionary of the Qur'an: Sabagha: To dye, colour, baptize, dip, immerse, hue, assume the attribute, mode mature, code of law, religion ... According to the Arabic usage, sometimes when it is intended strongly to induce a person to do a certain thing the verb is omitted, as in 2:138 and only the object is mentioned. Therefore in the translation of that verse, one must add such verb as khudhu - assume, or adapt.

This indicates the word translated as "baptism" does not mean a ritual bath or immersion, but rather taking on a hue, coloring, code of law, or religion. The context of the verse does NOT indicate that Yusuf Ali was wise in choosing to use 'baptism' in this ayat due to the ceremonial connotation it conveys to Christians and the ambiguity in meaning it conveys to others.

 

[Signor]

This piece is interesting to understand Sibghah

"Our Sibghah is the Sibghah of Allah and which Sibghah can be better than Allah's? And we are His worshippers" (Surah Baqarah v. 138)

Have you seen shopkeepers dieing ladies scarves in various colors? The scarf containing original colors comes out with the color of the die. So what is the sibghah (color) of Allah? It is tawheed (Islamic monotheism)! The similitude of a non-Muslim entering Islam is like dieing his multicolored mind and heart with principles of tawheed.

Islamic theology is an integrated whole in which different parts interact with each other. One principle reinforces the other to give an holistic perspective of life. This reinforced version of Islamic philosophy provides a Mumin with the wisdom to understand different things from one perspective (Reality). When someone submits to Allah, one is bound to enter the deen completely. All fabric of his thought must be dyed with the Sibghah of Allah. No thread can be left untouched. He is not supposed to keep a multi-patched outlook to life. Islam should penetrate all aspects of his life; be it personal, family, community, national, international, economic, educational, etc. Influences from other philosophies which contradict reality has no place in his perspective.

 

[MustafaMc]

When someone submits to Allah, one is bound to enter the deen completely. All fabric of his thought must be dyed with the Sibghah of Allah. No thread can be left untouched.

The meaning given by your quote is consistent with most translations of 2:138 into English. What is the source? Although I don't speak Arabic, it is also consistent with what I quoted from the dictionary.

The word baptize from a Christian perspective can also be seen to be consistent with this meaning in that some see the act of baptism as a transforming event with one being immersed under the water as a sinner which is symbolic of his dying to his worldly self and then coming up as a new person with his slate wiped clean to live a new life as a sanctified Christian. The term 'Born Again Christian' comes to mind. They often quote Acts 2:38, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." I was a member of the Church of Christ for a few years and they use this verse to indicate that one's intention in being baptized should be for the remission of his sins and without that intention one's baptism is invalid.

 

[loveofgod]

In the dictionary of the Qur'an: Sabagha: To dye, colour, baptize, dip, immerse, hue, assume the attribute, mode mature, code of law, religion ... According to the Arabic usage, sometimes when it is intended strongly to induce a person to do a certain thing the verb is omitted, as in 2:138 and only the object is mentioned. Therefore in the translation of that verse, one must add such verb as khudhu - assume, or adapt.

This is what I was looking for. I can better understand the meaning of baptism as used by the translators now. Baptism is an act that washes away a person's sins. It's an act of purification. When John the Baptist baptized people God washed away all their sins. Similarly when God baptizes people He washes away their sins and who can better wash away sins better than God? This is what I think it means.

 

[Signor]

The meaning given by your quote is consistent with most translations of 2:138 into English. What is the source? Although I don't speak Arabic, it is also consistent with what I quoted from the dictionary.

I deliberately didn't quoted the source because its only from reflections from a Muslim Brother,you can find it here

Similarly when God baptizes people He washes away their sins and who can better wash away sins better than God?

Islam is based on the concept that all humans are born sinless and they attain sins during their lives, and that all sins can be forgiven except giving worship to other gods but Allah or with Allah/God.

Just for the Interest of Br Mustafa

The root of the word "Sibghah" actually means "Colour, dye, or a colour which is adopted on to something" So when it says in the translation that Sibghah means Religion, it takes on the meaning of the 'religion that when we take it on, it literally changes us as taking on another colour would'. That when people are given or adopt the religion of Islam they are cloaked in that which Allah (Subahanna wa tallah) has given them so that they will appear different and reflect it on others. And just like dye, it won't come off-- When we accept Islam completely it won't come off. Islam becomes our identity and we cannot remove ourselves from it.

Alongside with this beautiful poem

The oceans dried up​

Not one but two,​

But the words of my Lord written were few,​

…​

Each drop of divine ink​

Each letter, each word​

Their unchartered depths few have explored​

…​

“Sibghtullah”​

The Colors of Allah​

Dye yourself in them and attain falah.​

…​

The hues of humility​

The perfect tints of gratitude​

The gait, the speech, the right attitude​

…​

In the style​

Of the Nabi (saws) and the blessed few​

They strive but they smile as if Jannah they view​

…​

Intense in their devotion​

Their obedience glows​

In the darkest of nights spent bowed low​

…​

Not like chameleons​

They change their colors, or discard​

When the going gets tough, or the opposition hard​

…​

Their deen dyed deep​

Not washed away​

By the changing tides of culture, or fashion’s sway​

…​

Awash in divine recitation​

They persist and depend​

On none​

But the One​

…​

At peace in the knowledge​

That blessed they are​

To be drenched in​

‘Sibghatullah’​

The Colors of Allah
​

 

[MustafaMc]

Assalamu alaikum, Brother Signor, I am left absolutely speechless by the poem you quoted. Ma shaa Allah it is indeed beautiful!

 

[loveofgod]

Islam is based on the concept that all humans are born sinless and they attain sins during their lives, and that all sins can be forgiven except giving worship to other gods but Allah or with Allah/God.

Yes but when human beings grow up they become sinners. Someone in this thread mentioned the washing away of sins in Islam when taking a bath. Makes me think that the concept of purification or baptism is also found in Islam.

 

[loveofgod]

At peace in the knowledge
That blessed they are
To be drenched in
‘Sibghatullah’
The Colors of Allah

Drenched in Sibghatullah sounds similar to being immersed in water or getting wet. So the translators weren't wrong in using the words "baptism of God" to describe sibghatullah.