Why is there Distrust between Christians, Jews and Muslims?

[Walter]

Hi Everyone:

I am a Christian and I wanted to know why Muslims appear to generally distrust Christians and Jews. I therefore read the Koran and published my findings in three articles in our local newspaper. See the following:

http://researching.wordpress.com/2007/04/11/islam-in-the-balance-part-1/

I have read the Bible about 20 times and the Koran 3 times. The evidence supports Mohammed being a Prophet sent by God - which I have come to believe. I have found that this belief does not conflict with my Christian beliefs. True Muslims must therefore be my brothers and sisters.

I think that I understand where the distrust comes from, and I would welcome your comments, especially if I have inadvertently misunderstood something in the Koran.

Regards,
Grenville

 

[Woodrow]

It is much easier for people with extreme religious differences to tolerate each other, then it is for people with many similarities.

The closer 2 religions are to each other the more prone each is to believe that the other is deliberately ignoring the truth.

Those of us who worship the Monotheistic God(swt) of Abraham(PBUH) and all of the Prophets(PBUT) came from the same tree. If we have very strong belief in our faith and we see others who at one time had the same roots, teaching different, we tend to feel they are corrupting what we love.

 

[Walter]

Hi Woodrow:

I agree with your statements. I also believe the following would help negate much of the distrust.

1. If we would agree that there is one true God, who is the God of Abraham, rather than asserting that there is only one true brand of religion.

2. If Christians also read the Koran, and Muslims also read the Bible, and Jews also read the Koran and the New Testament.

Regards,
Grenville

 

[جوري]

I am afraid I can't partake in the post in the level that you wish otherwise. because there are many variables that play a role.
I personally don't go around distrusting people of the book, or random kind folks that I meet in my every day life--and neither do any of the people I know... I think it is ridiculous actually rather absurd if the world got on the way it does in the cyber world, not to mention terribly frightening!.. most of the time I am surprised at how much hatred exists on the net ( later on I have come to attribute that to anonymity) somehow anonymity creates chaos and hate!...

but as far as politics is concerned there will unfortunately not be this (unity of man) From an Islamic perspective we call Jews and Christians (people of the book)-- it would be difficult to think that one can exist independently from the others... what I mean by that, is that I don't believe these religions to be monolithic like say Zoroastrianism-- rather they are a continuation as far as a Muslim perspective goes... where one stops the other picks up and corrects the previous where error might have occurred. From an Islamic perspective we can't deny other books or other messengers-- I really believe the bulk falls on the shoulders of the other people of the book to accept Muslims, not vice versa...
آمَنَ الرَّسُولُ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِن رَّبِّهِ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ كُلٌّ آمَنَ بِاللّهِ وَمَلآئِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ لاَ نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّن رُّسُلِهِ وَقَالُواْ سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا غُفْرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيْكَ الْمَصِيرُ {285}
[Pickthal 2:285] The messenger believeth in that which hath been revealed unto him from his Lord and (so do) believers. Each one believeth in Allah and His angels and His scriptures and His messengers - We make no distinction between any of His messengers - and they say: We hear, and we obey. (Grant us) Thy forgiveness, our Lord. Unto Thee is the journeying.

I have not read like verses in the bible or the torah..

I'll add these verses from the Quran--

Oneness of God, Unity of Mankind

The Quran
There shall be no coercion in matters of faith. -- 2:256

Say (O Muhammad): "We believe in Allah, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Moses, Jesus, and the Prophets, from their Lord: We make no distinction between one and another among them, and to Allah do we bow our will (in Islam)." -- 3:84

For each we have appointed a divine law and traced out the way. Had Allah willed He could have made you one community. But that He may try you by that which He hath given you He made you as ye are. So vie one with another in good works. Unto Allah ye will all return, and will then inform you of that wherein ye differ. -- 5:48

Do not dispute with the people of the Book [Jews, Christians, Sabeans], unless it be in a way that is better, save with such of them as do wrong; and say: We believe in that which has been revealed unto us, and revealed unto you; our God and your God is One, and unto Him we surrender. -- 29:46

O mankind! We created you from a single soul, male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may come to know one another. Truly, the most honored of you in God's sight is the greatest of you in piety. God is All-Knowing, All-Aware. -- 49:13

 

[Talha777]

The Holy Quran has made an appeal to the People of the Book to return to the original and simple faith in One God and to abandon all the innovations and complications that have nothing to do with worship and serving Almighty Allah:

Say: O people of the book! come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, lords and patrons other than Allah. (Al-Imran 3:64)

So I sincerely believe that if our Christian and Jewish cousins would return to their own core beliefs of the Old Testament and the Ten Commandments, as well as the prophecies mentioned therein, they will find Islam is nothing but the religion that was practiced and believed in by the heroes of the Bible, like Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, Solomon, Daniel, Jonah, and Jesus (alaihumus salaam). Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam) is simply the last in this beautiful chain of Prophets whose function was to simply warn against wickedness, and give glad tidings as well as preach virtuous behavior.

And all praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

 

[Woodrow]

Hi Woodrow:

I agree with your statements. I also believe the following would help negate much of the distrust.

1. If we would agree that there is one true God, who is the God of Abraham, rather than asserting that there is only one true brand of religion.

2. If Christians also read the Koran, and Muslims also read the Bible, and Jews also read the Koran and the New Testament.

Regards,
Grenville

If we all believed what we were taught, we would be able to discuss our differences in peace. But, sadly too many people in each faith have little ability to adequately present truth, so they choose to attack.

To many people there is much personal satisfaction in being able to force another into submission and then think of it in terms they have proven the other person wrong.

It seems very few people understand that it is impossible to prove another person wrong. we can only give reason to show that what we believe is true. No matter what I present to a person of a faith different than mine, they can always come up with a logical reason why that can be an exception and not valid.

If I were to say there is a 10,000 pound purple giraffe sitting on my head. You can not prove there isn't. Further more you would not have to prove it, it would be up to me to prove that there was.

If each of us could understand that the best means of defeating false beliefs is to show the proof for true beliefs, in a kind, loving manner. The truth would spread fast and false beliefs would be replaced with truth. all in the name of love and no need to destroy each other.

 

[Walter]

Why does the Koran teach Muslims to distrust Christans and Jews

I am afraid I can't partake in the post in the level that you wish otherwise. because there are many variables that play a role.
I personally don't go around distrusting people of the book, or random kind folks that I meet in my every day life--and neither do any of the people I know...

Hi PA:

While you may not distrust Christians and Jews, the Koran does encourage the distrust of some Christians and Jews, and with some justification as I explained in the three articles. Did you read them?

Perhaps I should have titled the post "Why does the Koran teach Muslims to distrust Christans and Jews?"

Regards,
Grenville

 

[جوري]

Well I can contrast that to many verses in the bible

1) In Leviticus 25:44-46, the Lord tells the Israelites it's OK to own slaves, provided they are strangers or heathens.

2) In Samuel 15:2-3, the Lord orders Saul to kill all the Amalekite men, women and infants.

3) In Exodus 15:3, the Bible tells us the Lord is a man of war.

4) In Numbers 31, the Lord tells Moses to kill all the Midianites, sparing only the virgins.

5) In Deuteronomy 13:6-16, the Lord instructs Israel to kill anyone who worships a different god or who worships the Lord differently.

6) In Mark 7:9, Jesus is critical of the Jews for not killing their disobedient children as prescribed by Old Testament law.

7) In Luke 19:22-27, Jesus orders killed anyone who refuses to be ruled by him.

8)Luke 12:49-53]
"I came to strike fire on the earth, and how I wish that it were already aflame!"
"Do you think that I have come to bring peace on the earth? No, not peace, but a sword."
"For I have come to create conflict between a man and his father, disagreement between a daughter and her mother, and estrangement between a daughter-in-law and her mother-in-law. A person's enemies will be one's own kin."

So how can I take that? except by way of looking at what the verses mean as a whole of whom and when -- instead of taking it out of context?
peace!

 

[Trumble]

I think a lot of the distrust comes from history (and current affairs, too, sadly) rather than theology. At different times and places, people following each of those religions have persecuted those following each of the others, sometimes in particularly unpleasant and bloody ways. Such things are not easily forgotten.

Apart from that, there is the general distrust of people who are somehow different. It's a 'tribal' thing, really - just that the tribes are rather larger than they used to be.

 

[Abdul Fattah]

Hi Grenville, welcome to the forum
Always nice to see a non-muslim take interest in the Qur'an mashaAllah. And you read it even thrice mashaAllah.

Out of curiosity, if you don't mind me asking that is, how would you describe your current faith, on one hand you said: "I am a Christian" using present tense, and on the other hand you say you believe in the prophethood of Muhammed (peace be upon him) and the authenticity of the Qur'an. I geuss you're still figuring that out for yourself, which is cool, just thought I'd ask.

Anyway to answer your question. I think there are many reasons why there is distrust among followers of different religions.

*First of all, there's the religious aspect. We are warned in the Qur'an that:
Never will the Jews or the Christians be satisfied with thee unless thou follow their form of religion. Say: "The Guidance of Allah,-that is the (only) Guidance." Wert thou to follow their desires after the knowledge which hath reached thee, then wouldst thou find neither Protector nor helper against Allah. (2:120)
I still remember the first time I read that verse, I was at that time still an atheist, and I thought to myself that this was exaggerated and offensive (astagfurAllah). Although many other verses impressed me so much that I reverted to Islam a few days later, that particular verse (among with a few others) still "troubled" me for some time. Most of my family and environment is made up out of Catholics. So I was reluctant to accept that they were as malevolent as described in that verse. But now, two years later I can only admit that the verse is definitely true. Although most of my own family and friends show respect for my religion, and claim to be ok with it, they try to seize every single opportunity to get me to follow their ways. Be this knowingly or unknowingly. Of course know, that there are other verses in the Qur'an who say different things about christians, for example there is this verse saying:

Strongest among men in enmity to the believers wilt thou find the Jews and Pagans; and nearest among them in love to the believers wilt thou find those who say, "We are Christians": because amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant.
And when they listen to the revelation received by the Messenger, thou wilt see their eyes overflowing with tears, for they recognize the truth: they pray: "Our Lord! we believe; write us down among the witnesses. (5:82-83)

If we put this verse next to the previously quoted one, we suddenly create a complete different view. This verse shows that not all "Christians" are alike. and that there are among them people with good characteristics. So it's not like we should consider all people of different religions as enemy's. No, we should be open and friendly to them, and invite them to our religion. And inviting people to your religion can only be done if you acquire their trust so that they listen to you. So it's not like we should avoid them and completely distrust any interaction with them, no the only thing is we should be careful for ourselves that they don't misguide us away from the righteous path.

*Secondly, there's a psychological effect. When you have a difference of opinion with someone, one is quick to judge the other party as being deluded. So we are convinced that we are right and the other is wrong (I know that probably comes out as being arrogant, and this doesn't mean I don't respect other religions, it's just that one doesn't truly believe if they are not completely convinced that their religion is right). Now if you have that viewpoint, where "we" are right and "they" are wrong, then of course whenever "they" say something, "we" are suspicious. Is this certain? Is this something that comes from their misguided path? Is this something I can trust?

*then thirdly there is history. Unfortunately there have been many wars and incidents between Jews, Christians and Muslims. and every incident kind of made the gap between the three different religions wider to bridge. Although this last reason is illogical (just because your grandfathers fought with his grandfathers doesn't mean you can't trust him), I fear that this is the reason that motivates the people to distrust one-another the most. In that case that would also explain why sometimes the level of distrust, and the behavior that goes along with it is for certain individuals uncalled for.

I agree with your statements. I also believe the following would help negate much of the distrust.
1. If we would agree that there is one true God, who is the God of Abraham, rather than asserting that there is only one true brand of religion.

Wouldn't that be difficult for most christians (save for the unitarians) since that goes in against the trinity?

Hope this helps, looking forward to see more of your posts.
May allah subhana wa ta'ala guide us on the straight path.

PS: I didn't answer the poll because "brothers" is ambiguous.
On one hand we are all brothers and sisters as descendants of Adam and Eve (peace be upon them).
But the word brother is also used for the Islamic brother-hood, which obviously is exclusively to Muslims.

 

[MustafaMc]

I am sorry, but I can't make a generalized response to the poll. Posts by some Christians and Jews on this forum reflect a simlitude of brotherhood; whereas, those by others reflect strong animosity.

 

[Walter]

Hi Abdul Fattah:

Thank you for your welcome. I certainly do not mind answering any question. I am a Christian. I also believe that Mohammed was a Prophet of the God of Abraham. I have published my reasoning for coming to this conclusion publicly in a Christian nation and no one has refuted it.

Regarding the acceptance of the God of Abraham rather than the insistence that there is only one true brand of religion. I believe that if enough persons who have read both the Koran and the Bible could discuss contentious issues honestly, much of the trust would dissipate.

I must record my disappointment that persons who are responding to this post are doing so in a manner that clearly indicates that they did not review the articles. One lady even went so far as to accuse me of taking the verses out of context. Where did I do that?

From my reading of the Koran, I identified three principal reasons in the Koran where Muslims are warned not to trust some Christians and Jews.

1. These Christians and Jews refused to accept Mohammed as a prophet of God.
2. These Christians and Jews deliberately falsified their teachings.
3. Christians worshipped Jesus.

I dealt with each of these issues in turn, and it became clear to me that much of the warnings to distrust sections of these groups were entirely justified.

There is therefore no need to pretend that the Koran does not issue these warnings, or to justify them by claiming that the Bible has similar statements, or to be intellectually dishonest by claiming that they were taken out of context. I do hope that you would read the three short articles as requested.

Regards,
Grenville

 

[Hemoo]

well i couldn't hold my self from posting the following :

and please think of it as an advice not a threatening.

As mentioned in the book of Sahih Muslim That Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said :

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) Said: By Him in Whose hand is the life of Muhammad, he who amongst the community of Jews or Christians hears about me, but does not affirm his belief in that with which I have been sent and dies in this state (of disbelief), he shall be but one of the denizens of Hell-Fire.

 

[Clear]

Grenville

I am, like you, a Christian, yet believe that Mohammed (pbuh) possessed some degree of revelation and was, in some degree, inspired of God to improve the people and religious practices of his people.

Still, I'm not at all sure modern Qurans and islamic religion reflects the original Quran or original Islam in much the same way modern that orthodox Judaism and Christianity do not fully and accurately represent their originals.

Can you further define the distrust you are trying to discuss. Are you placing distrust in the context of honesty? For examples:

Do you mean that one religionist feels the other religionis is mis-using, or skewing information?

Do you mean that one religionist feels the other religionist is “lying for God” in saying whatever is necessary (or making up data) to support their religious views?

Do you mean that one religionist doesn’t really believe the second religionist believes what he says claims to believes?

Clear

 

[Philosopher]

we are brothers in humanity, not brothers in faith.

 

[Clear]

Grenville

I forgot to mention that I did read the first two articles and did think they were well done. I suspect that you'll get critical reviews from both the Jewish/Christian camps and from the Muslim camp not so much for discussing their areas of religious agreements, but they will accuse you of "glossing" over what the critics see as important differences between the religions.

Like you, I see so many areas of moral agreements and a few number of very critical and important differences in doctrines.

Clear

 

[Walter]

Hi Clear:

Did you read the third article?

I think that the "critical and important differences" should be discussed. With all three camps claiming an exclusive relationship with the God of Abraham and proclaiming dire consequences for unbelievers, there should be an honest discussion of the differences.

I do believe that there can be unity among the camps if each of the camps would read the other camp's scriptures in a non-critical way. If they attempt a critical review of the other’s books, then we are doomed to remain in the same separate camps until the Lord returns to sort things out. We should at least display some degree of maturity in attempting to sort ourselves out before He returns.

Regards,
Grenville

 

[Clear]

Grenville

I did read the third article and think they all were very well done. From the "flavor" of your articles, I have to wonder if you and I aren't very similar in some ways. I believe that the current Quran and modern Islam probably are not the same as the original Oral utterances of Mohammed (pbuh) and ancient Islam (respectively) in the same way that Modern Christianity and Judaism have evolved differently from their originals.

Also, I am getting the feeling from answers to my questions here that Islam is less "structured" and less "organized" than christianity in that there are few "official" answers to my questions but Muslims seem left to traditions from their leaders rather than having greater clarification directly from the Quran.

That is to say many Islamic concepts may be interpreted so differently so as to allow a very wide range of beliefs on many subjects. The concept of Allah having no "Partners" does not negate other lesser Gods or Angels, or prophets that are "not partners" but servants (which allah has many of).

I enjoyed your articles but am still wondering about the type of "mistrust" you are trying to discuss. If "mistrust" represents mistrusted data each offers, or mistrust of hearts and motives, etc, etc. I do look forward to some clarification as I think the principles regarding mistrust are important and affect how we interact and the degree of understanding we have of one another.

Clear

 

[جوري]

Grenville


Also, I am getting the feeling from answers to my questions here that Islam is less "structured" and less "organized" than Christianity in that there are few "official" answers to my questions but Muslims seem left to traditions from their leaders rather than having greater clarification directly from the Quran.

Perhaps you can elaborate on how we are less structured and organized? in which ways do Muslims differ from Christianity and Judaism (organization wise)

That is to say many Islamic concepts may be interpreted so differently so as to allow a very wide range of beliefs on many subjects. The concept of Allah having no "Partners" does not negate other lesser Gods or Angels, or prophets that are "not partners" but servants (which Allah has many of).

There is only one way to interpret and that is from the Quran and the Sunna of prophet Mohammed PBUH... there is no other man with such an authority ( we seek council on difficult matters from scholars) but they are people who have received religious education-- and cannot interpret out of whim... They have to follow the Guidance of the Quran and the Sunna of the prophet PBUH when passing a ruling!..... Clearly in the Quran it states

هُوَ الَّذِيَ أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ مِنْهُ آيَاتٌ مُّحْكَمَاتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَابِهَاتٌ فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ في قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَابَهَ مِنْهُ ابْتِغَاء الْفِتْنَةِ وَابْتِغَاء تَأْوِيلِهِ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ إِلاَّ اللّهُ وَالرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ يَقُولُونَ آمَنَّا بِهِ كُلٌّ مِّنْ عِندِ رَبِّنَا وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلاَّ أُوْلُواْ الألْبَابِ {7}​

[Pickthal 3:7] He it is Who hath revealed unto thee the Scripture wherein are clear revelations - they are the substance of the Book - and others (which are) allegorical. But those in whose hearts is doubt pursue, forsooth, that which is allegorical seeking (to cause) dissension by seeking to explain it. None knoweth its explanation save Allah. And those who are of sound instruction say: We believe therein; the whole is from our Lord; but only men of understanding really heed.

We seek clarification on that which we differ from Scholars no differently than say a Jew from a Rabbi.. however, we have no body like the church for instance changing a ruling as was done by Pope Benedict XVI Changes Catholic Church's Stance on Unbaptized children being in limbo.. No man has such an authority.. it is a transgression for a man to change the Laws of G-D to pass new ones or interpret them at whim!..
-- so, I must admit I am at a loss at how you'd infer that Islam allows a (wide range of beliefs and (other lesser Gods)?-- Quran stands unchanged from the time of its revelation, and is recited 17 times a day by every practicing Muslim the same exact way as was done by the early Muslims... there is very little room for error...

Peace!

 

[Woodrow]

Grenville

I did read the third article and think they all were very well done. From the "flavor" of your articles, I have to wonder if you and I aren't very similar in some ways. I believe that the current Quran and modern Islam probably are not the same as the original Oral utterances of Mohammed (pbuh) and ancient Islam (respectively) in the same way that Modern Christianity and Judaism have evolved differently from their originals.

Also, I am getting the feeling from answers to my questions here that Islam is less "structured" and less "organized" than christianity in that there are few "official" answers to my questions but Muslims seem left to traditions from their leaders rather than having greater clarification directly from the Quran.

That is to say many Islamic concepts may be interpreted so differently so as to allow a very wide range of beliefs on many subjects. The concept of Allah having no "Partners" does not negate other lesser Gods or Angels, or prophets that are "not partners" but servants (which allah has many of).

I enjoyed your articles but am still wondering about the type of "mistrust" you are trying to discuss. If "mistrust" represents mistrusted data each offers, or mistrust of hearts and motives, etc, etc. I do look forward to some clarification as I think the principles regarding mistrust are important and affect how we interact and the degree of understanding we have of one another.

Clear

Muslims are much more difficult to understand than Christians. As you said:

Also, I am getting the feeling from answers to my questions here that Islam is less "structured" and less "organized" than christianity in that there are few "official" answers to my questions but Muslims seem left to traditions from their leaders rather than having greater clarification directly from the Quran.

We do not have any central earthly authority and no ordained clergy. Our beliefs are really very simple. We are created to worship Allah(swt) The Qur'an is our instruction and guide as to why and how we are to serve him.

Our other books of reference are:

The Sunnah
Ahadith
Tasfir

Roughly the Sunnah is a diary of how Muhammad followed Allah(swt)

The Ahadith are a collection of writings from people who were eye witnesses to Muhammad, they correspond very close to what Christians would call Gospels. we do not believe they are the words of Allah(swt) but are bonafide eyewitness accounts.

The Tasfir are interpretations and opinions made by Scholars.


As Muslims we place all responsibility upon ourselves for following Allah(swt) and worshiping him as He instructed. For this reason you will often hear it said it only takes a few seconds to become a Muslim but it takes a lifetime to be a Muslim. We are constantly seeking ways to serve Allah(swt) better and to do our best to truly understand what he told us in the Qur'an. If we make an error due to our lack of searching, that is our own fault and we are responsible for the consequences of it.

We can not place blame upon others by saying "somebody" told me to do that.

One of the miracles of Islam is that in spite of our lack of organization every Muslim follows the same Pillars of faith and prays in the same manner at the same times. And that is done without any formal instruction. Yes, formal instruction is available and we are encouraged to make use of it in the locations where it is available. But, even without access to formal education we are still Muslim equal to all other Muslims. We will still share the same Pillars, although we may misunderstand some things.