Monday, December 17, 2007

What kind of God would have enemies?

The writer says that the Quran states that whoever is an enemy to others is an enemy of God. He says that this is incorrect as God is not the enemy to anyone. This is the writer’s own opinion which is not backed up by any proof. The problem here is very simple. The writer puts himself in the opposition camp when he makes judgments. For example, if it is mentioned that a thief’s hand should be cut off, people might appreciate this law but those who put themselves in the position of the thief will definitely criticize it. One must put himself in the correct position and then see the clearer, much better and bigger picture. Only then would one be open-minded and open to positive criticism, as the writer wants us to be.
In this same section, the writer criticizes the fact that repentance leads to forgiveness from God. He says that this shows an easy path to the sinners. This just shows the double standards applied by the writer. On one hand he criticizes punishment to sinners and here he even criticizes repentance. The simple answer for this is that God has infinite knowledge and He knows whether our repentance is genuine or not. God knows what is inside our heart when we do not even know what is in our own hearts.
[004:031] If you stay away from the major sins you have been asked to avoid, We will rid you of your minor sins and offenses. We will usher you past the threshold (of paradise) with eminence and honor.
In this section, the writer again criticizes the miracles by God through the Prophets mentioned in the Quran. If there is God who has the power to do as He wills, then miracles are no problem at all.
Each Prophet brought miracles with him. Just claiming Prophethood was simply not enough. People back then were not as advanced as us in terms of man-made technology and their knowledge was also not as vast as that of today. Miracles were a common thing those days. Today is the era of science and technology and one doesn’t need miracles like those to realize the truth. According to University of Chicago, 300-400 people are becoming Muslim every single day in the USA alone. They do not need to see dead being raised to convince themselves. These people are just reading the Quran and getting amazed at its beauty. Back then, people would have questioned some amazing scientific miracles in the Quran and therefore miracles were a common thing back then.
The writer also makes fun of the verse that God will show His mercy to whom He wills. It is very surprising that the accuser makes fun of everything, one wonders as to what he does not make fun of. This verse clearly means that one must not become over confident of oneself because whatever is our future is in the hands of God. This verse protects us from pride and sinfulness. Only people who think understand such messages.
The writer has quoted the following:
"People may not, out of malice, try to turn you away from your religion, for there are among them many a friend of the faithful." (2:101.)
This is very surprising. The verse reads as follows:
Yusuf Ali:
[002:101] And when there came to them an apostle from God, confirming what was with them, a party of the people of the Book threw away the Book of God behind their backs, as if (it had been something) they did not know!
Dr. Munir Munshey (one of www.answering-christianity.com's authors):
[002:101] And now, there has come to them a messenger from Allah who has confirmed that which they already have with them. Yet, some of those who were given the scriptures (earlier) toss the book of Allah behind their backs. (They act) as if they know nothing!
Transliteration:
[002:101] Walamma jaahum rasoolun min AAindi Allahi musaddiqun lima maAAahum nabatha fareequn mina allatheena ootoo alkitaba kitaba Allahi waraa thuhoorihim kaannahum la yaAAlamoona
Arabic (from right to left):

‏2:101 ولما جاءهم رسول من عند الله مصدق لما معهم نبذ فريق من الذين اوتوا الكتاب كتاب الله وراء ظهورهم كانهم لايعلمون
Sher Ali:
[002:101] And now that there has come to them a messenger from ALLAH, fulfilling that which is with them, a party of the people to whom the Book was given have thrown the Book of ALLAH behind their backs, as if they know it not.
Shakir:
[002:101] And when there came to them an Apostle from Allah verifying that which they have, a party of those who were given the Book threw the Book of Allah behind their backs as if they knew nothing.
Pickthall:
[002:101] And when there cometh unto them a messenger from Allah, confirming that which they possess, a party of those who have received the Scripture fling the Scripture of Allah behind their backs as if they knew not,
Sale:
[002:101] And when there came unto them an Apostle from God, confirming that scripture which was with them, some of those to whom the scriptures were given, cast the book of God behind their backs, as if they knew it not:
Muhammad Al-Hilali & Muhsin Khan:
[002:101] And when there came to them a Messenger from Allah (i.e. Muhammad Peace be upon him ) confirming what was with them, a party of those who were given the Scripture threw away the Book of Allah behind their backs as if they did not know!
Palmer:
[002:101] And when there comes to them an apostle confirming what they have, a part of those who have received the Book repudiate God's book, casting it behind their backs as though they did not know.
Arberry:
[002:101] When there has come to them a Messenger from God confirming what was with them, a party of them that were given the Book reject the Book of God behind their backs, as though they knew not,
Khalifa:
[002:101] Now that a messenger from GOD has come to them, and even though he proves and confirms their own scripture, some followers of the scripture (Jews, Christians, and Muslims) disregard GOD's scripture behind their backs, as if they never had any scripture.
Rodwell:
[002:101] And when there came to them an apostle from God, affirming the previous revelations made to them, some of those to whom the Scriptures were given, threw the Book of God behind their backs as if they knew it not:

One wonders at the source of the translation used by the writer! If he had mentioned it, it would have been good for him!

No comments: