Yes there are similarities. About the prophets. About worship etc. But if we have to ask, why so many Books? Because mankind needed to grow and become more 'mature'. As we learn we can reason things better. I have stated this in some other threads, the essence of the Psalms was to remind people of Allah. To guide people on worship and prayers. The Torah was also about worship and prayer but added a new dimension of to do unto others what you would expect others to do unto you, (hence a guide for human interaction). Once people can accept this, the Bible introduced a 'higher' value to self by giving the option to forgive (to turn the other cheek) which paved the way to end generational feuds, Once these messages were understood, the time was right for the Quran which essentially gave guidelines on how to live in a community. Hence taking care of orphans and marrying up to 4 wives (so as to ensure the community was strong and that no one was left behind to defend themselves).Do you know if the Quran repeats any stories from the Torah or New Testament?
Again, this law is to act as a deterrent. Hanging in my country for drug trafficking is draconian, but heck, if you flout the law knowingly that that IS the punishment, can you complain? Of course, then it is up to the panel sitting to decide on the punishment. It is their call. They can choose to be liberal or not.surely the days of cutting hands off, stoning, lashing, behading, honour killings, should be left to the dark-ages.
The devil will always strive to mislead us. The first weapon he will use against us is our false sense of pride. That we think we know better. That we think we are smarter than the words of Allah. That we think we can change it because we feel it dopes not make any sense or for whatever other reason(s). Then the devil has been successful in pulling the veil over our eyes to say that it is OK to change the laws.Everything must be revised as this existence is not the Ultimate Truth or the path to Allah.
Personally, the way I see this is that pretty much everything we see in this world is an illusion and the illusion of the world (e.g. nice guys finish last) will make people behave unethically to gain an advantage and it will appear to be a justifiable act although the 'reality' is that it is not justifiable. How could we compute being good and getting nothing whilst being 'bad' gains. So should we revise our behavior or laws to allow us now to 'cheat'? To believe in the law, to strive to improve ourselves in context of the law, to be patient with whatever outcome and to strive towards pleasing the Al-Mighty, rather than to give up and find an easier path. That is not the guided way.
If I were to say I want to be a Christian, which denomination should I follow? All of them have been altered to suit those who wrote and rewrote the doctrine(s). At least in Islam, this liberty is NOT given to anyone. Only the interpretations and even that, it is left to the Ulamas. I think I prefer it this way.
Once Islam sees they too have been fooled by the Devil, we will be able to lift the veil that has been put over all of our eyes.
This statement about feeling self righteous has 'pride' woven in its fabric. Allah is the Lord of the Universe/Multiverse, He claimed it to be perfected, and the muslims believe it. We did not conjure up this belief out of nowhere but merely upholding what Allah Himself has said in the Quran. So it is not self righteous as you would have it. It is a fact as commented by Allah Himself.I am not saying the Qur'an is not beautiful, just that it is wrong to be fanatically self righteous that you see it as perfect.
May you also find guidance...
Peace :shade: