A Dawagandist Turns Muhammad Into A God Once Again! Pt. 2
We continue from where we previously left off.
Williams contradicts his prophet and scholars
The other problem that Williams faces is that his position flat out contradicts the teachings of his own religious sources. Notice, again, Williams’ response to the Christian blogger:
“Moses and Jesus were sent to the Jews only. Jesus did not abolish the Law even though you yourself live in disregard of it madman (do you eat pork?)”
In the first place, neither the Holy Bible nor the Quran teaches that Moses and Jesus were only sent to the Jews. In the case of Moses, the Muslim Scripture testifies that he was also sent as a messenger to Pharaoh and the Egyptians (cf. Q. 10:75-83; 11:96-99; 14:4-6; 73:15-16).
Moreover, the Holy Bible emphatically proclaims that Christ is the Savior who comes to save all the nations from their sins:
“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” Matthew 10:16-20
“Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. He warned them not to tell others about him. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: ‘Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. In his name THE NATIONS will put their hope.’” Matthew 12:15-21
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached IN THE WHOLE WORLD as a testimony to ALL NATIONS, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14
“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 28:18-20
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as A RANSOM for many.” Mark 10:45
“Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her” Mark 14:9
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take it; this is my body.’ Then he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,’ he said to them.” Mark 14:22-24
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.’… Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: ‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of ALL NATIONS: a light for revelation to THE GENTILES, and the glory of your people Israel.’” Luke 2:10-11, 25-32
“He said to them, ‘This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.’ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, ‘This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name TO ALL NATIONS, beginning at Jerusalem.’” Luke 24:44-47
The Quran itself claims that Allah sent Jesus to be a sign and mercy unto all creation:
He said, ‘Even so thy Lord has said: “Easy is that for Me; and that We may appoint him a sign unto men and a mercy from Us (ayatan lil-nasi wa-rahmatan minna); it is a thing decreed.”’ S. 19:21
And (remember) she who guarded her chastity [Virgin Maryam (Mary)], We breathed into (the sleeves of) her (shirt or garment) [through Our Ruh Jibrael (Gabriel)] and We made her and her son ['Iesa (Jesus)] a sign for Al-'Alamin (the mankind and jinns). S. 21:91 Hilali-Khan
And according to Muslim scholars and commentators like Ibn Kathir, Jesus’ disciples were commissioned to spread Christ’s message to both Jews and Greeks:
Allah the Exalted orders His faithful servants to be Allah's supporters at all times, in all their statements and actions, sacrificing their selves and wealth. Allah orders them to accept His and His Messenger's call, just as the disciples said to Prophet `Isa when he said…
(Who are my helpers (in the cause) of Allah) meaning, `who will support me in conveying the Message of Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored?' …
(The Hawariyyun said:) in reference to the followers of `Isa…
(We are Allah's helpers) meaning, `we will support you with regards to the Message you have been sent with and will help you convey it.' Whereby, `Isa sent the disciples to the various areas of Ash-Sham to call THE GREEKS and the Israelites to Islam…” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Q. 61:14; bold and capital emphasis ours)
Moreover, the Quran expressly teaches that both the Law of Moses and the Gospel were given for the guidance of mankind, not just the Israelites:
It is he who sent down to you the Book in truth, confirming that which is between his hands (musaddiqan lima bayna yadayhi); and He sent down the Law and the Gospel before this, a guidance to mankind (hudan lil-nasi), and he sent down the criterion. Then those who reject faith in the verses of Allah will suffer the severest penalty, and Allah is All-Mighty, Avenger. S. 3:3-4 – cf. Q. 6:91, 2843
And lest Williams wishes to contest the fact that the Arabic terms alamin and nas conclusively establish that the revelation of Moses and Jesus were meant to be a guidance for all of humanity, notice how these words are used to describe the mission of Muhammad:
“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for mankind (hudan lil-nasi) and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)…” S. 2:185 Hilali-Khan
And We have sent you (O Muhammad) not but as a mercy for the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists). S. 21:107 Hilali-Khan
These texts employ the same vocabulary in respect to Muhammad’s mission and revelation. Therefore, since the Quran uses the same language to depict the missions of Moses and Jesus, this proves that Muhammad thought that both Moses and Jesus were sent to guide all mankind by passing on to them the revelation which they had received from God.
For more on this issue we recommend the following rebuttals:
Islam Testifies that Jesus is the Messiah for the Whole World
Is Muhammad the Only Universal Messenger?
The other major problem that Williams’ faces has to do with his assertion that Jesus didn’t abolish the Mosaic Law, since this claim is in direct opposition to Muhammad’s own statements concerning the mission of Christ.
Muhammad claimed that Jesus not only came to confirm that the Torah which he had access to was(is) the uncorrupt revelation from God (more on this point later), he was also given the authority to cancel out or abrogate some of its prohibitions:
“I have come to you testifying to [the veracity of] the Law which is between my hands and to make lawful to you part of what was (before) forbidden to you…” S. 3:50
Again, lest Williams accuse us of distorting the meaning of this verse, we will simply cite the views of some his own renowned scholars to see what they had to say about this particular text.
The following quotations are taken from Mahmoud M Ayoub’s book, The Quran and Its Interpreters: The House of Imran, Volume II, published by State University of New York Press, Albany, NY 1992.
“Tabari reports on the authority of Wahb bin Munabbih that ‘Jesus was a follower of the law of Moses. He observed the Sabbath and faced Jerusalem in prayer. He said to the Children of Israel, “I have not come to call you to disobey even one word of the Torah. I have come only to make lawful for you some of the things which were before unlawful and to relieve you of some of the hardships [which the Torah imposed on you].”’ Qatadah, according to Tabari, is said to have declared: ‘The [Law] with which Jesus came was much more lenient than that which Moses brought. The Law of Moses made unlawful for them to eat the flesh of camel, the fat covering the stomach of an animal, and some birds and fish’…
“Ibn Kathir interprets the phrase ‘and will make lawful for you some of the things which were before unlawful’ as indicating that Jesus did indeed abrogate some of the precepts of the Torah. Nevertheless, he reports that some scholars have argued that Jesus did not abrogate anything, but only made lawful for the Children of Israel some of the things concerning which they had disagreed. Ibn Kathir, however, prefers the first view…
“Razi then raises the following question: ‘It may be argued that latter statement contradicts the one before it. This is because it CLEARLY INDICATES that he came to make lawful some of the things which were unlawful IN THE TORAH. This would mean that his legislation was contrary to that of the Torah, which would contradict his saying, “I shall confirm the Torah which was before me.”’ Razi, however, holds that ‘there is actually no contradiction between the two statements because confirming the Torah can only signify the belief that all that is in it is true and right. If, moreover, the second purpose [of Jesus' apostleship] is not mentioned in the Torah, his making lawful some of the things which are unlawful in it would not contradict his having confirmed the Torah. Furthermore, since the Torah contains prophesies concerning the coming of Jesus, then neither his coming nor HIS LAW would be contrary to the Torah.’
“Razi then reports the different views concerning what Jesus made lawful for the Children of Israel. He mentions that Wahb b. Munabbih interpreted this statement as first referring to the rabbis ‘who had invented some false laws which they ascribed to Moses. But when Jesus came, he abolished these laws, and thus matters reverted to what they were during the time of Moses.’ Razi also attributed to Wahb the view that ‘God had made some things unlawful for the Jews as a punishment for the transgressions which they had committed, as God says, “because of the wrongdoing which the Jews committed, We made unlawful some of the good things which were before lawful for them” (Q. 4:160). This prohibition remained until Jesus came and lifted these restrictions from them.’ Razi gives by way of example what Jesus altered in the laws of the Torah, his substituting Sunday for the Sabbath as a day of rest… Qummi briefly comments that the things which Jesus made lawful for the Children of Israel included work on the Sabbath, and eating such fats and birds which were before unlawful …” (Ayoub, pp. 149-150; bold and capital emphasis ours)
“… Qutb says: ‘The Torah was, like the Gospel, the scripture of Jesus, that is, the foundation of the religion which he came. The Gospel is intended to complete and revive the spirit of the Torah and the spirit of faith which was obscured in the hearts of the Children of Israel. The Torah is the foundation of the religion of Christ and contains the law (shari’ah) on which the social order is based. The Gospel makes only slight modifications in the Torah, but it is a breath and renewal of the spirit of religion. It acts as a source of discipline for human conscience by bringing it into direct contact with God… By Saying, “I shall confirm the Torah that was sent before me” Jesus discloses the nature of true Christianity.’ Qutb argues that the Torah was essential to the message of Jesus, but his message introduced certain minor modifications to it. Jesus made lawful some of the things which God had made unlawful as punishment of the Children of Israel for their sins. ‘Then God wished to show mercy towards them through Christ.’” (pp. 152-153; bold emphasis ours)
“… He [Razi] then presents another possible reason: ‘The Jews knew that Jesus was the messiah who was announced in the Torah, and that he was to ABROGATE their religion…’” (p. 160; bold and capital emphasis ours)
Commenting on Q. 3:183, which mentions the Jews demanding that Muhammad present a sacrifice to be consumed by fire from heaven, Ayoub writes:
“Qurtubi reports the account and adds: ‘It is reported that this [divine charge] was in the Torah but that it concluded with the words ‘until Christ and Muhammad shall come to you, but when they come, believe in them without a sacrifice.’ It also reported, Qurtubi continues, that ‘offering sacrifices was mandatory UNTIL IT WAS ABROGATED BY JESUS SON OF MARY. Before that a prophet would slaughter the sacrificial animal and pray to God. Then a white smokeless fire with a hissing sound would descend and devour the sacrifice. Hence, this was a false claim by the Jews, for [the truth is that] either it was an exception which they concealed [from the Prophet] OR A CASE OF ABROGATION WHICH THEY STUBBORNLY DENIED…’” (p. 395; capital emphasis ours)
There is more. The following is taken from the English translation of a commentary attributed to Ibn Abbas:
(And (I come) confirming) and I have come confirming Allah’s divine Oneness in the Religion (that which was before me of the Torah) and all other Scriptures, (and to make lawful) to give you legal dispensation regarding (some of that which was forbidden unto you) such as the meat of camels, the fat of bovines and sheep, the Sabbath, and other things. (I come unto you with a sign) with a token (from your Lord, so keep your duty to Allah) so fear Allah in that which He has commanded you with and repent to Him (and obey me) and follow my command and Religion; (Tanwir Miqbas min Tafsir Ibn Abbas, Q. 3:50; bold emphasis ours)
Finally, here is the exposition of Tafsir al-Jalalayn:
Likewise, I have come to you, confirming that which was before me of the Torah, and to make lawful for you some of that which was forbidden to you, in it. Thus he made lawful for them fish and birds which had no spikes; it is also said that he made it all lawful for them, so that ba’d, ‘some’, means, kull, ‘all’). I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, He has repeated it for emphasis and to expand upon it: so fear God, and obey me, in what I command you of affirming God’s Oneness and being obedient to Him. (Bold emphasis ours)
Williams has now put himself in a dilemma since if his claim is correct that Jesus did not come to abolish the Law and was sent only to the Israelites, then Muhammad was grossly mistaken. However, if Muhammad was correct then Williams is at odds with the teachings of his own prophet since Jesus did not come to uphold every single aspect or command of the Torah, nor was he sent only to the Jews.
This means that Williams is either being deceptive since he knows that such arguments contradict the express teachings of his own religious tradition. Or he is ignorant of what Islam truly teaches concerning such matters, and therefore needs to stop discussing these issues since he is unqualified to do so.
Williams confirms the preservation and authority of the Hebrew Bible
The third problem with Williams’ statements to the Christian blogger madmanna is that his exhortation presupposes the authenticity and preservation of the Law of Moses. Here is what he said once again:
“Moses and Jesus were sent to the Jews only. Jesus did not abolish the Law even though you yourself live in disregard of it madman (do you eat pork?)”
It is rather ironic that Williams doesn’t see that his claim that Jesus did not abolish the Law, but actually taught his followers to obey it, basically implies that Christ and his followers had access to the original, uncorrupt Law which God had given to Moses. Otherwise, to deny this fact basically means that Williams is advocating the view that Christ was actually confirming a document or legislation that had been corrupted, one that no longer remained in its unadulterated pristine form.
Interestingly, the Quran itself testifies that Jesus came to confirm the reliability of the Torah which was in his possession:
“I have come to you testifying to [the veracity of] the Law which is between my hands (wamusaddiqan lima bayna yadayya min al-tawrati)…” S. 3:50
And We sent after (following) on their tracks with Jesus, Mary's son confirming for what (is) between his hands from the Torah/Old Testament (musaddiqan lima bayna yadayhi mina al-tawrati), and We gave him the New Testament/Bible in it (is) guidance and light, and confirming to what (is) between his hands from the Torah/Old Testament (musaddiqan lima bayna yadayhi mina al-tawrati), and guidance and a sermon/advice/warning to the fearing and obeying. And the New Testament's/Bible's people should judge/rule with what God descended in it, and who does not judge/rule with what God descended, so those, they are the debauchers. S. 5:46-47 Muhammad Ahmed – Samira
And here is a part of Mahmoud Ayoub’s exposition of Q. 3:50, which was cited above, where Ayoub presents ar-Razi’s explanation of this text:
“… Razi, however, holds that ‘there is actually no contradiction between the two statements because confirming the Torah CAN ONLY SIGNIFY the belief that ALL THAT IS IN IT IS TRUE AND RIGHT…”
Hence, the Quran unambiguously testifies that Jesus confirmed the Hebrew Scriptures which he had access to.
Jesus wasn’t the only One sent to confirm the Torah, since the Muslim scripture says that both Mary, the blessed mother of the Lord Jesus, and Muhammad did so as well:
And Marium, the daughter of Imran, who guarded her chastity, so We breathed into her of Our inspiration and she accepted the truth of the words of her Lord AND HIS BOOKS (wasaddaqat bikalimati rabbiha wakutubihi), and she was of, the obedient ones. S. 66:12 Shakir
Here is another translation of this verse:
“… and she put her trust in the Words of her Lord and His Books…” Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah
And:
“And We descended to you The Book with the truth, confirming to what (is) between his hands from The Book, and guarding/protecting on it…” S. 5:48 Muhammad Ahmed – Samira
Notice how the following versions render this particular text:
“To you We revealed the Book with the Truth, confirming previous Scripture and witnessing to their veracity…” S. 5:48 (The Qur’an – A New Translation, by Tarif Khalidi [Viking Penguin, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., First American Edition 2008], p. 89; bold emphasis ours)
“… confirming the earlier revelations, and preserving them (from change and corruption)…” (Al-Quran - A Contemporary Translation, by Ahmed Ali [Princeton University Press, New Jersey, fifth ed. 1994], p. 104; bold emphasis ours)
Now this places Williams in somewhat of a jam. Since the manuscript evidence conclusively proves that the Scriptures which the Lord Jesus, his blessed mother, and Muhammad bore witness to are the same as we have today, this means that Williams must accept the fact that the OT books which both the Jews and Christians currently possess are the uncorrupt revelations which God sent down for the guidance of mankind. There is simply no way around this.
With that said it is time now to move on to the final part of our rebuttal.