Exposing Some More Lies From A Leading Taqiyyist
It is time to once again address some more of Muslim apologist Shabir Ally’s lies and misinformation which he often repeats in his debates and lectures.
In his mini-debate with Christian apologist Michael Licona on Lee Strobel’s now defunct show, Faith Under Fire, concerning the Deity of Christ, Shabir stated that:
“To address the first point, there is nothing recorded in the Gospels showing that Jesus clearly affirmed his own divinity. And second, there is evidence in the Acts of the Apostles, and elsewhere in the New Testament, that the original followers of Jesus did not actually take him to be God.” (Faith Under Fire: Who was Jesus? Divine or Prophet?; *)
Licona responded by pointing to Mark 14:60-64 where Jesus identified himself as the Son of Man that rides the clouds of heaven, something which the OT says that God does, and who sits at God’s right hand. Licona argued that Jesus was claiming to be a co-occupant of God’s throne to which Ally argued that,
“to say that Jesus comes on the clouds of heaven proves that he is God himself that would be to say that God could not do this for one of his creatures.”
When Licona repeated his point that Jesus said he would come on the clouds of heaven, Ally reiterated his assertion:
“Here I am saying that God could do that for any of his creatures and that would not make the creature himself God.”
In saying this, Ally once again demonstrated that he is willing to use deception in order to rebut his opponent and for the purpose of attacking essential Christian theology, especially in respect to the explicit Biblical witness to the Deity of the Lord Jesus.
Yet we will see how Ally’s dishonest debate tactics will come back to expose and discredit him since what he says here pretty much undermines and refutes his beliefs as a Muslim.
What Islamic theology teaches concerning the worship and sovereignty of Allah
According to the Islamic doctrine of unitarianism, or what Muslims typically call tauhid (also spelled tawhid/tawheed), there are three crucial aspects of Allah’s unity which must be maintained, otherwise true monotheism will be comprised. They are:
The Types of At-Tawhid are Three:
First: Tawhid Al-Rububiyyah; which is singling out Allah. Glorious and Exalted is He, with creating, ownership, and control of affairs…
Second: Tawhid Al-Uluhiyyah; which is “singling out Allah, Glorious and Exalted is He, with worship, such that a person not take anyone along with Allah whom he worships, drawing nearer to him as he worships Allah, Exalted is He, and draws nearer to Him.”
Thirdly: Tawhid Al-Asma was-Sifat; which is “singling out Allah, Glorious and Exalted is He, with what He named Himself, and He described Himself in His Book, or upon the tongue of His Messenger. This is done by affirming what He affirmed, and negating what He negated, without Tahrif (distortion), nor Ta’til (denial, and without Takyif (saying ‘how’) nor Tamthil (likening).” (Commentary On The Three Fundamental Principles Of Islam, Commentary by The Virtuous Muhammad bin Salih Al-‘Uthaimin [Darussalam Publishers & Distributors, First Edition: January 2010], pp. 59-60)
And:
Second: The Belief in His Rububiyyah (Lordship):
That is, that He, Alone, is the Lord, without any associate or helper.
Ar-Rabb (the Lord) is the One to Whom the creation belongs, and the sovereignty, and the command. As such, there is no Creator but Him, NO OWNER EXCEPT HIM, and no Command except His. He, Exalted is He, said…
<His is the Creation and the Command> (Al-A’raf 7:54)
And He said…
<Such is Allah your Lord; His is the kingdom. And those, whom you invoke or call upon instead of Him, own not even a Qitmir (the thin membrane over the datestone) > (Fatir 35:13) (Ibid., pp. 134-135; capital emphasis ours)
Ally may take issue with this threefold classification of tauhid and/or the definitions ascribed to its various components on the grounds that it is a later development. If so then we need to make it abundantly clear that Ally would simply be at odds with the express teachings of the Quran, which forms the basis for this later doctrinal formulation.
For instance, the Muslim scripture emphatically testifies that Allah is the only sovereign Lord of all creation and that everything belongs to him:
Say: Unto Whom (belongeth) the earth and whosoever is therein, if ye have knowledge? They will say: Unto Allah. Say: Will ye not then remember? Say: Who is Lord of the seven heavens, and Lord of the Tremendous Throne? They will say: Unto Allah (all that belongeth). Say: Will ye not then keep duty (unto Him)? Say: In Whose hand is the dominion over all things and He protecteth, while against Him there is no protection, if ye have knowledge? They will say: Unto Allah (all that belongeth). Say: How then are ye bewitched? S. 23:84-89 Pickthall
Surely, in disbelief are they who say that Allah is the Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary). Say (O Muhammad): "Who then has the least power against Allah, if He were to destroy the Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary), his mother, and all those who are on the earth together?" And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them. He creates what He wills. And Allah is Able to do all things. S. 5:17 Hilali-Khan
The Quran further teaches that Allah has no son or partner in his dominion or rule over creation:
And they (Jews, Christians and pagans) say: Allah has begotten a son (children or offspring). Glory be to Him (Exalted be He above all that they associate with Him). Nay, to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth, and all surrender with obedience (in worship) to Him. S. 2:116 Hilali-Khan
And say: (All) praise is due to Allah, Who has not taken a son and Who has not a partner in the kingdom, and Who has not a helper to save Him from disgrace; and proclaim His greatness magnifying (Him). S. 17:111 Shakir
Say: "Allah knows best how long they stayed. With Him is (the knowledge of) the unseen of the heavens and the earth. How clearly He sees, and hears (everything)! They have no Wali (Helper, Disposer of affairs, Protector, etc.) other than Him, and He makes none to share in His Decision and His Rule." S. 18:26 Hilali-Khan
The Quran even insists that none of the so-called gods or beings that people invoke in worship own any single thing in creation:
Say: (O Muhammad to those polytheists, pagans, etc.) ‘Call upon those whom you assert (to be associate gods) besides Allah, they possess not even the weight of an atom (or a small ant), either in the heavens or on the earth, nor have they any share in either, nor there is for Him any supporter from among them. Intercession with Him profits not, except for him whom He permits. Until when fear is banished from their (angels') hearts, they (angels) say: “What is it that your Lord has said?" They say: "The truth. And He is the Most High, the Most Great." S. 34:22-23 Hilali-Khan
Nor are they able to give life or cause death:
He, Whose is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and Who did not take to Himself a son, and Who has no associate in the kingdom, and Who created everything, then ordained for it a measure. And they have taken besides Him gods, who do not create anything while they are themselves created, and they control not for themselves any harm or profit, and they control not death nor life, nor raising (the dead) to life. S. 25:2-3 Shakir
The Quran goes so far as to argue that at the last day Allah will not only judge mankind but also prove to everyone that the kingdom belongs to him alone:
Surely Allah's is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth; He brings to life and causes to die; and there is not for you besides Allah any Guardian or Helper. S. 9:116 Shakir
And those who disbelieve shall not cease to be in doubt concerning it until the hour overtakes them suddenly, or there comes on them the chastisement of a destructive day. The kingdom on that day shall be Allah's; He will judge between them; so those who believe and do good will be in gardens of bliss. S. 22:55-56 Shakir
Upon the day that they see the angels, no good tidings that day for the sinners; they shall say, 'A ban forbidden!' We shall advance upon what work they have done, and make it a scattered dust. The inhabitants of Paradise that day, better shall be their lodging, fairer their resting-place. Upon the day that heaven is split asunder with the clouds and the angels are sent down in majesty, the Kingdom that day, the true Kingdom, shall belong to the All-merciful and it shall be a day harsh for the unbelievers. S. 25:22-26 Arberry
Hence, as a committed Muslim Ally must deny that Allah has allowed any creature to share in his sovereign rule over all creation. Ally cannot accept for a moment that Allah will ever permit a mere mortal to be a co-occupant of Allah’s heavenly throne, especially when the Quran says that the throne represents Allah’s exclusive rule over the entire cosmos:
God! There is no god but He, - the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory). S. 2:255 Y. Ali
To, therefore, say that a creature shares in the unique worship and sovereignty of Allah is to ascribe a partner with the Islamic deity, which is to commit the sin of shirk. This is the one specific act which the Quran says Allah will never forgive:
Lo! Allah forgiveth not that a partner should be ascribed unto Him. He forgiveth (all) save that to whom He will. Whoso ascribeth partners to Allah, he hath indeed invented a tremendous sin. S. 4:48 Pickthall – cf. 4:116
The religion of Jesus and his disciples according to Islam
Moreover, since the Quran says that Jesus was a messenger of Allah and that his followers were all Muslims:
When Jesus found Unbelief on their part He said: "Who will be My helpers to (the work of) God?" Said the disciples: "We are God's helpers: We believe in God, and do thou bear witness that we are Muslims. S. 3:52 Y. Ali
Then will God say: "O Jesus the son of Mary! Recount My favour to thee and to thy mother. Behold! I strengthened thee with the holy spirit, so that thou didst speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. Behold! I taught thee the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel and behold! thou makest out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by My leave, and thou breathest into it and it becometh a bird by My leave, and thou healest those born blind, and the lepers, by My leave. And behold! thou bringest forth the dead by My leave. And behold! I did restrain the Children of Israel from (violence to) thee when thou didst show them the clear Signs, and the unbelievers among them said: 'This is nothing but evident magic.' And behold! I inspired the disciples to have faith in Me and Mine Apostle: they said, 'We have faith, and do thou bear witness that we bow to God as Muslims'". S. 5:110-111 Y. Ali
This means that all of them must have been firm believers in the Islamic concept of tauhid. We would therefore not expect to find Jesus or his followers going around proclaiming that Christ shares in Allah’s heavenly rule over the entire creation, or that Allah commands everyone to worship Jesus in the same way that they reverence the Islamic deity. If they did so then that means that Christ and his disciples went around promoting shirk with the approval of Allah.
What The New Testament Says Concerning Christ
However, this is precisely what they did. As Licona mentioned, the historical evidence shows that Jesus identified himself as a Divine figure and co-occupant of God’s heavenly throne:
“The high priest said to him, ‘I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.’ ‘You have said so,’ Jesus replied. ‘But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’” Matthew 26:63-64 – cf. Mark 14:60-64
Here is another account:
“At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. ‘If you are the Messiah,’ they said, ‘tell us.’ Jesus answered, ‘If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.’ They all asked, ‘Are you then the Son of God?’ He replied, ‘You say that I am.’ Then they said, ‘Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.’” Luke 22:66-71
The Lord Jesus was clearly drawing from the book of Daniel (as well as from Psalm 110:1) in describing himself as the Son of Man who comes on the clouds of heaven and sits enthroned at God’s right hand.
What makes this direct allusion to Daniel rather amazing is that the Son of Man whom the prophet saw is clearly a Divine Being that appears as a man:
“As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his SEAT. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His THRONE was flaming with fire, and ITS wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened… In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped (yipelachun) him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
In his vision, Daniel sees thrones being set in place and then sees the Ancient of Days occupying one of them. The Ancient of Days is clearly meant to be God (specifically the Father) who is depicted as being considerably old, and therefore very wise, since wisdom is supposed to come with age.
It is equally certain that the Son of Man occupies the other throne, since the prophet describes him as receiving authority and sovereign power from the Ancient of Days to rule over the nations forever. This means that this particular Son of Man is a co-Ruler with the Ancient of Days.
Daniel further depicts the Son of Man as riding on the clouds of heaven and as receiving worship from all the nations. Interestingly, the Son of Man is being worshiped in the same way that God is or will be!
“Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship (yipelachun) and obey him.” Daniel 7:27
In fact, the worship which the Son of Man receives is supposed to be given to God alone according to the inspired Scriptures! It is the very service and honor which Jesus himself says that only God is to receive. (Cf. Dan. 3:12, 17-18, 28; 6:16, 20, 26; Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:8; Revelation 22:1-3).
The Son of Man does another thing which only God does, namely, ride on the clouds of heaven:
“Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. So the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.” Exodus 40:34-38 – cf. 13:21-22; 14:19-20, 24; Numbers 10:34
“Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him—his name is the LORD… to him who rides across the highest heavens, the ancient heavens, who thunders with mighty voice. Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the heavens.” Psalm 68:4, 33-34
“He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind.” Psalm 104:3
“A prophecy against Egypt: See, the LORD rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt tremble before him, and the hearts of the Egyptians melt with fear.” Isaiah 19:1
“The LORD is slow to anger but great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet.” Nahum 1:3
Amazingly, even the Quran says that it is Allah who comes in the clouds with his angels!
Do they then wait for anything other than that Allah should come to them in the shadows of the clouds and the angels? (Then) the case would be already judged. And to Allah return all matters (for decision).S. 2:210
It is evident that Daniel’s Son of Man is not a creature, but God appearing in human form. It is also clear that he is not the only Person of God since the prophet saw another Divine figure that was distinct from the Son of Man, namely, the Ancient of Days.
Hence, by identifying himself as that same Son of Man whom Daniel saw coming in the clouds of heaven, Jesus was basically claiming to be God (though not the Father since that would have been the figure depicted as the Ancient of Days that Daniel saw in his vision).
In fact, Jesus further stated that he would be arriving with his angels to judge mankind and to determine the eternal destiny of all flesh:
“At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.” Mark 13:26-27
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’… Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’… Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 25:31-34, 41, 46
Jesus explains elsewhere the reason why he has been assigned to judge all flesh:
“For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son JUST AS they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him… Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.” John 5:20-23, 25-29
The reason Jesus is appointed to judge mankind is so that everyone will come to honor him in the same way that they honor the Father in recognition of the fact that he is the Divine Son of Man and unique Son of God whom the Father loves.
Notice, also, that as the Divine Son of Man and unique Son of God, Jesus is able to give life to all creatures in the same way that the Father does! Jesus reiterated this point elsewhere in John:
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:27-30
“Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha answered, ‘I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’ Jesus said to her, “I am THE Resurrection and THE Life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ she replied, ‘I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.’” John 11:23-27
Note how Jesus says that he is the Resurrection and the Life who is capable of giving eternal life to all who trust in him, and asserts that he actually has the power to preserve all of his followers from ever perishing.
As if these claims weren’t sufficient enough to establish his Divine identity, Christ also taught that the Son owns everything which belongs to the Father:
“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Matthew 11:27 – cf. Luke 10:22
“All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” John 16:15
“All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.” John 17:10
This means that the entire dominion of the heavens and earth belongs to Christ, which is precisely what he told his followers after his resurrection:
“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the NAME of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” Matthew 28:16-20
Here, the risen Lord accepts worship, claims to be omnipresent and a co-possessor of the one divine name which is shared by both the Father and the Holy Spirit.
And according to the book of Acts, which Ally himself alluded to, Jesus’ first followers worshiped their risen and exalted Lord by invoking and praying directly to him:
“But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:55-60
And:
“In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, ‘Ananias!’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he answered. The Lord told him, ‘Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.’ ‘Lord,’ Ananias answered, ‘I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to YOUR holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on YOUR name.’ But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is MY chosen instrument to proclaim MY name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for MY name.’ Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, ‘Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on THIS name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?’ Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.” Acts 9:10-22
Jesus' disciples even went around proclaiming that Christ sits enthroned at the Father’s right hand as the sovereign Lord and Judge of all, and that he is also the Author of Life who grants salvation and forgiveness of sins to all who turn to him:
“But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see… When God raised up his Servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.” Acts 3:14-16, 26
“The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: ‘By what power or what name did you do this?’ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: ‘Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is “the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.” Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.’” Acts 4:5-12
“The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.’” Acts 5:30-32
“You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. ALL THE PROPHETS testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Acts 10:36-43
In fact, Jesus’ followers not only testified that everything belongs to Christ, or that every creature must worship him,
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11
“And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.’ Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’ Then I heard EVERY CREATURE in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: ‘To him who sits on the throne AND TO THE LAMB be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’ The four living creatures said, ‘Amen,’ and the elders fell down and worshiped.” Revelation 5:8-14
They even went so far as to proclaim that all things were created by and through him as well!
“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” Colossians 1:15-17
“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven… And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’ In speaking of the angels he says, ‘He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.’ But about the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.’ He [the Father] also says, ‘In the beginning, Lord [the Son], you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.’ To which of the angels did God ever say, ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet’?” Hebrews 1:1-3, 6-12
There is a lot more that could be said about the teachings of the earliest Christians. However, for the sake of brevity this will have to suffice for now.
Shabir’s Dilemma
Now according to Ally, all of this could be (and actually is being) said of a mere human prophet. In other words, Ally wants us to believe that God exalted a finite being to share in his unique rule over the entire cosmos, making him a co-occupant of God’s own throne, and commanded others to worship this creature in the same way that they worship God!
The problem which Ally faces is that his theology as a Muslim will not permit him to accept such a view since it clearly violates the doctrine of tauhid, specifically tauhid al-rububiyyah and tauhid al-uluhiyyah/ibadah.
Yet in saying that God could (and actually did) exalt a creature to share in both his dominion and worship, Ally has not only committed shirk, he has also accused God, Jesus, and the disciples of committing this sin as well!
Ally’s argument basically means that Allah (whom he believes is the same as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ) went against his own directives by exalting a mere human creature to occupy his heavenly throne, and even commanded his subjects to worship this mere mortal, thereby causing everyone to commit the unpardonable sin of shirk!
Ally may try to discard certain statements of Christ by claiming that some of them come from John’s Gospel, which is theologically more developed and less reliable. However, this approach is problematic for at least two reasons.
1. It was Ally who claimed that the New Testament as a whole denies that Jesus is God, not just the earliest Gospels. Ally argued that the evidence from the New Testament shows that the original followers of Jesus did not actually take him to be God. Since he appealed to the entire witness of the New Testament he cannot come back now and question its testimony.
2. As we have seen, the claim that Jesus is the Divine Son of Man who sits on God’s own throne to rule over all creation is not a later development. It is found in the earliest strands of the Gospels, such as Mark.
Ally must therefore come to grips with the fact that the earliest data from the first century, the testimony which originates from the eyewitnesses of Christ themselves, unanimously confirm that Jesus is more than a mere human being. What this early witness tells us is that both Christ and his first followers preached that Jesus is a fully Divine Person who became a human being for the redemption of his people.
We would like to conclude by showing what the Holy Bible says happens to any individual who uses lies and deception to undermine the truth that God has revealed concerning his glorious and majestic Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. According to the Holy Bible, God makes a fool out of anyone who would dare pervert his inspired truth:
“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6
Ally is a great illustration of what God does to anyone who tries to oppose and distort his revealed Word.
Further Reading
Shabir Ally Admits that the Quran Confirms the Gospels!