TROUBLING QUESTIONS FOR MUSLIMS
Muslims claim that Allah is the true God, Islam is the true religion, the Qur’an is the true Word of God, and Muhammad is a true prophet. Are their claims true? In order to ascertain if these claims are true or not, we will have to put Islam on the witness stand. We will have to cross-examine Islam. Cross-examination produces critical evidence in trials. The main purpose of cross-examination is to elicit the credibility of the testifying witness. In this case, it is to determine the credibility of Islam. We will now cross-examine Islam.
To begin, it is important to understand that thinking is driven not by the answers but by questions. Questions are tools that open the doors to learning. It is a sign of intelligence, and it is behind every idea, invention, and research. Should questions be muted, then it signals the tragic end of wisdom, understanding and insight of the seeker of Truth. And, of course, an end to knowledge itself. Every declarative statement of truth is an answer to a question.
Tragically, Islam discourages the asking of questions. Allah and Muhammad discourage Muslims from asking questions. From infancy Muslims are groomed to abstain from questioning the tenents of Islam. Thus, Muslims grow up learning not to question their religion. Questioning Islam is viewed the same as the sin of apostasy. To prevent someone from asking questions is to take away the basic rights of that individual. Asking questions is an inherent part of human nature. By quelling questions, Islam is destroying the reasoning power of humans.
Surah 5:101: “O ye who believe! Ask not questions about things which if made plain to you, may cause you trouble.” (Yusuf Ali)
Surah 5:102: “Some people before you did ask such questions, and on that account lost their faith.” (Yusuf Ali)
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 3, Number 92:
Narrated Abu Musa: The Prophet was asked about things which he did not like, but when the questioners insisted, the Prophet got angry.
Questions for Muslims
- Why did Allah and Muhammad discourage people from asking questions?
- What is Islam trying to hide?
- Is blind faith the way to Islam?
- Why did Muhammad become angry at those who asked him questions?
- Why were people warned by Allah not to ask questions?
- How is that in Islam, questioning can lead to losing one’s faith?
- Does not this prove that even the right answers can lead to losing one’s faith in Islam?
Only an information control cult would discourage its members to raise questions. Is it rational to accept a religion as true without ever investigating or questioning it? Surely not! This article will introduce a series of topics related to the teachings of Islam. And each topic will then be followed by a series of thought provoking questions. These questions are designed to help us determine if that particular teaching of Islam is based on logic and reason. Is it based on truth? But more importantly, could such a teaching come from the true God? One of the purposes of this article is to show the importance of using questions to expose the teachings of Islam. The selected topics used here demonstrate how this can be carried out effectively. We will now question the teachings of Islam.
TOPIC NUMBER ONE: THE FIRST MUSLIM
The Qur’an states Muhammad was the first Muslim.
Surah 6:163: “He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims.” (Hilali-Khan)
However, the Qur’an also states that Abraham who lived centuries before Muhammad was a Muslim.
Surah 3:67: Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian but he was a Muslim, true in faith. He was not one of the Pagans (who set up partners with Allah). (Farook Malik)
And the Qur’an teaches that the disciples of Jesus who lived before Muhammad were also Muslims.
Surah 5:111: And as I revealed to the Disciples (The followers of Isa “Jesus”, also called the Apostles) Saying, “Believe in Me and in My Messenger.” They said, “We believe, and bear you witness that surely we ourselves are Muslims.” (Muhammad Ghali)
In fact, the Qur’an claims that all true worshippers, from the time of Abraham to the time of Muhammad were Muslims.
Surah 22:78: Strive in the way of God with a service worthy of Him. He has chosen you and laid no hardship on you in the way of faith, the faith of your forbear Abraham. He named you Muslim earlier, and in this Qur’an. (Ahmed Ali)
Questions for Muslims
- Since the Qur’an states that Muhammad was the first Muslim, while at the same instant affirming that there were Muslims living before his time, is this not a clear proof of a contradiction in the Qur’an?
- How are you going to reconcile the claim in the Qur’an that Muhammad was the first Muslim with the statement in the Qur’an that Abraham who lived before him was also a Muslim?
- How are you going to reconcile the claim in the Qur’an that Muhammad was the first Muslim with the statement in the Qur’an that the disciples of Jesus who lived before him were also Muslims?
- Do you not agree that if Abraham was truly a Muslim as the Qur’an claims, then Muhammad cannot be the first Muslim?
- Do you not agree that if the disciples of Jesus were truly Muslims as the Qur’an claims, then Muhammad cannot be the first Muslim?
- Do you not agree that one or the other verse in the Qur’an is a lie?
- Does this not clearly prove that the Qur’an contains a false statement in it?
- Can the true Word of God contain an error/lie in it?
- Can you really trust the Qur’an as the Word of God, now that you have discovered an error in it?
- Well who was the first Muslim? Was it Muhammad? Are you sure? Or was it Moses?
In obedient submission to Allah, Moses declares that he is the first Muslim:
Surah 7:143: So when his Lord directed His light on the mountain, He blew it into bits and Moosa (Moses) fell down unconscious; then upon regaining consciousness he said, “Purity is to You! I incline towards You, and I am the first Muslim.” (Faridul Haque)
And in acknowledgement, Allah replies:
Surah 7:144: Said Allah, “O Moosa! I have chosen you from mankind by bestowing My messages and by My speech, so accept what I have bestowed upon you and be among the thankful.” (Faridul Haque)
So Muslims, according to the teachings of your Qur’an, who do you believe was the first Muslim?
TOPIC NUMBER TWO: GOD CANNOT HAVE A SON WITHOUT A WIFE
Surah 6:101: “To Him is due the primal origin of the heavens and the earth: How can He have a son when He hath no consort?” (Yusuf Ali)
Yet, the Qur’an itself records that Mary had a son without a consort.
Surah 19:20-21: She said: How can I have a son when no mortal hath touched me, neither have I been unchaste! He said: So (it will be). Thy Lord saith: It is easy for Me. And (it will be) that We may make of him a revelation for mankind and a mercy from Us, and it is a thing ordained. (Pickthall)
Questions for Muslims
- If Mary could produce a son without a husband, would it really be impossible for the Almighty Creator to produce a son without a wife?
- Why do you believe that the Almighty God is incapable of doing something that he himself empowered Mary to do?
- If Mary can beget a son without the sexual participation of a husband, why is it impossible for the Almighty God to produce a son without the sexual involvement of a wife
- If God could create the vast universe and every living being in it out of nothing, can he not produce a son for himself without a wife?
- When the Qur’an says that God cannot have a son without a consort, is it not limiting the almightiness of God?
Yet the Qur’an contradicts itself. It acknowledges that it is possible for God to have a son from among his creations? So, can God have son? Absolutely!
Surah 39:4: “If Allah had willed to choose a son, He could have chosen what He would of that which He hath created.”
Questions for Muslims
- Well, does not this Qur’anic verse prove that God can and could have a son?
- Does not this prove that God could have a son anytime he wants to?
- Does not this prove that God could simply create a son for himself?
- Is this not exactly what the Holy Bible teaches in Colossians 1:15?
TOPIC NUMBER THREE: SIMPLY IMPOSSIBLE
A contradiction to the simple laws of nature is found in the Qur’an.
Surah 37:143-144: “Had it not been that he repented and glorified God, He would certainly have remained inside the Fish till the Day of Resurrection.” (Yusuf Ali)
The above account is a narration about the Prophet Jonah. This Qur’anic verse is saying that if Jonah did not repent and glorify Allah while he was in the belly of the fish, he would have remained there until the “Day of Resurrection.” According to Islam, the Day of Resurrection or Qiyamah will occur at the time of the end.
Questions for Muslims
- Can Jonah really stay in the fish until the time of the end?
- Can this be true?
- Is it not true that for Jonah to stay in the belly of the fish until the time of the end, the fish must live until the time of the end?
- Is it not true that the life of all creatures including the fish and Jonah have their limitations?
- Is it not true that even by now – long before the time of the end – both Jonah and the fish had disintegrated into oblivion?
- Is Allah expecting that the fish to live for thousands of years until the time of the end?
- Does the food that we ate last week, still remain in our stomach till today?
- Will it remain in our stomach until Judgment Day?
- Does not Allah know about the simple natural laws of digestion and excretion?
- Would the true God inspire such illogical verses in his divine Scriptures?
This leads us to only one obvious conclusion. The above Qur’anic verses could not have been inspired by the true God. It only proves that Muhammad got carried away when narrating the account of Jonah to his contemporaries. Muslims have a choice to make here. They have to either believe that God makes silly mistakes or accept the fact that Muhammad was faking inspiration. It cannot be both ways. It just takes one lie to prove the Qur’an wrong. And we have just seen one.
TOPIC NUMBER FOUR: A FAILED PROPHECY IN THE QUR’AN
Surah 8:65: O Prophet! Rouse the Believers to the fight. If there are twenty amongst you, patient and persevering, they will vanquish two hundred: if a hundred, they will vanquish a thousand of the Unbelievers. (Yusuf Ali)
Allah prophesied in no uncertain terms that from now on – from the time the above Qur’anic prophecy was revealed – a single Muslim warrior “will vanquish” ten enemy fighters in battle. This means that Muhammad’s army of Muslim warriors “will” be able to now defeat enemies ten times more numerous than them – a ratio of 1 to 10. And Allah guarantees this stunning victory at every confrontation encountered between the Muslims and their enemies. This is truly an astounding feat. The all-knowing Allah stated very positively and confidently: “If a hundred, they WILL vanquish a thousand of the Unbelievers.” No ambiguity whatsoever in this clear prophecy of Allah. Can it be expressed any clearer than this?
However, just one verse later, Allah abolished his infallible prophecy in the Qur’an. Allah abrogated his own divine prophecy wherein he stated the exact ratio of the number of enemies that Muslim would be able to overcome in battle. Allah guaranteed this outcome to Muhammad. And Allah failed. So Allah had to replace his prophecy:
Surah 8:66: For the present, Allah hath lightened your task, for He knoweth that there is a weak spot in you: But even so, if there are a hundred of you, patient and persevering, they will vanquish two hundred, and if a thousand, they will vanquish two thousand, with the leave of Allah: for Allah is with those who patiently persevere. (Yusuf Ali)
The ratio was changed from 1:10 to 1:2. The reason for this dramatic change was because the Muslim warriors complained bitterly at the impossible odds they would have to now encounter when they engage their enemies in battles.
Ishaq: 326:
Abdullah told me that when this verse came down it was a shock to the Muslims who took it hard. They were afraid as the odds were too great. So Allah relieved them and cancelled the verse with another: ‘Now has Allah relieved you and He knows that there is a weakness among you, so if there are 100 (rather than 20) they will vanquish 200.’
Questions for Muslims
- Why did Allah’s prophecy in Surah 8:65 fail in its fulfillment?
- Does not this prove that Allah is incapable of seeing through to the fulfillment of his prophecies?
- Does not the failure of Allah to accomplish the fulfillment of his prophecies invalid his claim as God Almighty?
- Does not this prove that there is a failed prophecy in the Qur’an?
- Can a divine book contain a failed prophecy in it?
- Why did Allah abrogate his own prophecy and replace it with a contradictory prophecy?
- Does not the fact that Allah got his prophecy wrong the first time shows that he is also learning by trial and error just like any imperfect human?
- Since Allah abrogated his prophecy because of his warriors’ reluctance to fight against such odds, does not this prove that the fulfillment of Allah’s prophecy is very much dependent on the decisions of imperfect humans?
- How can the failings of humans to follow a divine direction result in the failure of Allah’s prophecy?
- Can mere humans effect changes in a divine prophecy?
- Why did not Allah know that his warriors would be unable to cope with the demand to defeat their enemies ten times their number?
- Is it not true that it is because Allah did not know the weakness of the Muslims?
- Why did not Allah know their weakness just one verse away?
- Why did Allah choose to lower the prophesied ratio from 1:10 to 1:2 instead of empowering his warriors with the needed strength and courage to measure up to task as he had predicted in his prophecy?
- Can you now trust Allah with your eternal salvation when he could not even foresee that his prophecy would end in failure?
TOPIC NUMBER FIVE: JESUS WILL RETURN TO KILL ALL THE PIGS
According to Islam, acting under the commandment of Allah, Jesus will return to kill all the pigs wherever these poor creatures may be found.
Questions for Muslims
- Did Allah create the universe and everything in it?
- Muslim: “Of course!”
- Does Allah love his creation that he has made?
- Muslim: “Seventy times more than a mother.”
- Does Allah love all his creations?
- Muslim: “Yes. Most definitely!”
- Does Allah love pigs?
- Muslim: “Hmm…”
We have included the time-proven response from Muslims to the above questions. Muslims will not answer the final simple question because it would lead to a contradiction.
TOPIC NUMBER SIX: ALLAH, ALLAH, LAMA SABACHTHANI
In order to portray Jesus as a prophet of Islam, Muslims teach that when Jesus was executed on the torture stake, he cried out to God saying: “Allah, Allah, lama sabachthani.” However, the Bible records Jesus as saying: “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani.”
Questions for Muslims
- Can you please explain why are you using this argument when you do not believe Jesus was ever nailed to the torture stake?
- Since Jesus was quoting Psalms 22:1 while crying out to God, can both the Hebrew and the Christian Greek Scriptures be wrong in using the term “Eli” which is a Hebrew word, rather than “Allah,” an Arabic word?”
The Qur’anic verse that proves Muslims wrong:
Surah 4:157: And for saying: “We killed the Christ, Jesus, son of Mary, who was an apostle of God;” but they neither killed nor crucified him, though it so appeared to them. (Ahmed Ali)
TOPIC NUMBER SEVEN: PREDESTINATION
In Islamic theology, the absolute power of Allah prevails over everything – including the freewill of humans. In other words, there is no freewill. Islam teaches that Allah has decreed all things. Both good and evil are said to come from Allah. Not only the time of death but even the outcome of a person’s salvation or condemnation is predetermined by Allah.
Surah 3:145: “Nor can a soul die except by Allah’s leave, the term being fixed as by writing.” (Yusuf Ali)
Surah 4:88: “Would you guide whom Allah has caused to err? And whom Allah has led astray cannot be guided.” (Dawood)
Surah 5:41: “He whom Allah doometh unto sin, thou (by thine efforts) wilt avail him naught against Allah. Those are they for whom the Will of Allah is that He cleanse not their hearts. Theirs in the world will be ignominy, and in the Hereafter an awful doom.” (Pickthall)
Surah 57:22: “Every misfortune that befalls the earth, or on your own person, is ordained before We bring it into being. That is easy for Allah.” (Dawood)
Surah 91:7-8: “By the soul and Who shaped it and inspired it with its sin and its piety.” (Qaribullah)
Sahih Muslim, Book 033, Number 6422:
Allah fixed the very portion of adultery which a man will indulge in. There would be no escape from it.
Questions for Muslims
- Does not the teaching of predestination essentially mean that from the very beginning of mankind’s creation, all the wicked deeds committed by every individual are actually designed, inspired and motivated by Allah?
- Is it justifiable for Allah to punish sinners for the sins that he himself destined them to commit?
- Does not this teaching make Allah the driver of your life?
- Does not this teaching reduce you to the role of a mere vehicle?
- Therefore, when a sinner is punished, is this not comparable to the giving of a summons to the vehicle instead of the driver who drove the vehicle?
- Should not Allah then receive the punishment for your sins?
- What kind of God would punish sinners for the sins that he himself inspired in them before they were even born?
- Would not such a God be both sadistic and evil in nature?
- If your final destination in the hereafter is already predestined for you by Allah, does not this in actual fact then mean that your final destination is not dependent by your response, either favorably or unfavorably, to the teachings of Allah in the Qur’an?
- Does not this then mean that in reality, there is no need for the Qur’an?
- If your final place of “eternal damnation” is already determined for you before you were even born, can you then alter your destiny by attempting to live a virtuous life after you are born?
- Is it not also true that according to the teaching of predestination you cannot even choose to live a virtuous life unless you are predestined by Allah to do so?
- Does not this then mean that you are damned no matter what you do, if you are already damned by Allah?
- Will the true God leave you without choice?
- Can Allah really then be the true God?
- Can you change your destiny?
TOPIC NUMBER EIGHT: MODESTY AND SEXUAL RESTRAINT
Muslims proudly claim that Allah advocates modesty and sexual restraint in his worshippers. However when we examine Islam, we find that the teachings of Allah belies this claim. To determine the truth, one has to only look at the incentives that Allah has in store for pious Muslim men in the hereafter. Provided below are evidences exposing the baseless claims by Muslims that Allah advocates modesty:
Surah 56:22-23: “And there will be Houris (fair females) with wide, lovely eyes as wives for the pious, Like unto preserved pearls.” (Hilali-Khan)
Surah 78:31-33: “But for the pious is prepared a place of bliss: Gardens planted with trees, and vineyards, and damsels with swelling breasts, of equal age with themselves.” (Sale)
Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith Number 3834:
Narrated by Al-Miqdam ibn Ma’dikarib: Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “The martyr receives six good things from Allah: he is forgiven at the first shedding of his blood; he is shown his abode in Paradise; he is preserved from the punishment in the grave; he is kept safe from the greatest terror; he has placed on his head the crown of honour, a ruby of which is better than the world and what it contains; he is married to seventy-two wives of the maidens with large dark eyes; and is made intercessor for seventy of his relatives.”
Under the word, “Hur,” the Shorter Encyclopedia of Islam states on page 141:
“When the believer enters Paradise he is welcomed by one of these beings; a large number of them are at his disposal; he cohabits with each of them as often as he has fasted days in Ramadan and as often as he has performed good works besides. Yet they remain always virgins.”
Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith Number 2459:
A man will have intercourse in Paradise with his wives from among al-hoor al-‘iyn (houris) and his wives from among the people of this world, if they enter Paradise with him. A man will be given the strength of a hundred men to eat, drink, feel desire and have sexual intercourse. It was narrated from Anas that the Prophet said: “The believer in Paradise will be given such and such strength for sexual intercourse.” He was asked, “O Messenger of Allah, will he really be able to do that?” He said, “He will be given the strength of one hundred (men).” [Al-Tirmidhi said it is saheeh ghareeb (authentic)].
Questions for Muslims
- If the claim that Allah advocates modesty is true, why are the pious rewarded with unlimited sexual pleasures with abundant virgins in the Islamic heaven?
- Why does Allah himself encourage and arouse voracious sexual appetite in his worshippers in hereafter?
- Is this not a contradiction to the claim of modesty?
- Does Allah have a double moral standard, one for the earth and another for Paradise?
- If a certain act is considered as sinful here on earth, would not reason dictate that by the same unchangeable standards of God, it would also be considered as sinful in any part of God’s universe?
- Would the true God use sexual incentive as a means to secure believers?
- Would the true God seduce his worshippers with promises of carnal pleasures?
- Would the true God, wherein to entice his worshippers with proposals of sexual inducements, inspire a verse saying that in heaven they will find women with swelling breasts?
- Is this not an indication of a shameful attempt to recruit believers by a spiritually bankrupt religion?
- Would the true God create a heavenly place for the pious to indulge in sexual activities all day long with multiple sexual partners?
- Is orgasm the epitome of Islam’s heaven?
- Since the pious in Allah’s Paradise will be granted seventy-two Houris solely for the purpose of sexual enjoyment, how can you reconcile your claim that Allah is against lewdness with the carnal nature of his Paradise?
- Can Allah’s reward of unlimited sex, day in and day out, really satisfy the spiritual aspiration of a truly God-fearing person?
- Rather than a holy place, is not Allah’s Paradise more of a celestial brothel where depraved men indulge themselves in lustful activities all day long without any moral restraint?
- Can you honestly say that the environment of Allah’s Paradise discourages greedy sexual appetite?
- Can you truly say that Allah advocates modesty and sexual restraint in his worshippers?
- Can the true God be the originator of a place as immoral as this?
- Is it not ironical that if such an environment exists here on earth, you would almost immediately conclude it is the place designed by Satan?
- Why are the rewards of Allah, as almost everything else in Islam, directed only to the men?
- What is the reward for women in Allah’s Paradise?
TOPIC NUMBER NINE: ISLAM IS FAIR TO WOMEN
Muslims claim that Islam is fair to women. Is this claim true? How does Islam view women?
Questions for Muslims
- If Islam is truly fair to women, what are the rewards for deserving female Muslims in Paradise according to the Qur’an?
- How can Paradise be considered as a delight for faithful Muslim wives when for all eternity they have to watch their husbands go about copulating all those dark-eyed heavenly virgins?
- If a Muslim woman was married more than once while she was living on earth, to which husband will she become a wife to in Paradise?
- If a man gets seventy-two virgins in Paradise, will he really have time for his wife?
Regarding inheritance the Qur’an states the following:
Surah 4:11: “The male shall have the equal of the portion of two females.” (Shakir)
- Does not this Qur’anic verse mathematically establish the fact that Islam is discriminatory towards women?
Regarding testimonies in court, the Qur’an states the following:
Surah 2:282: Call in two of your men as witnesses. But if two men cannot be found, then call one man and two women out of those you approve of as witnesses, so that if one of the two women should forget the other can remind her. (W. Khan)
- Once again, does not this Qur’anic verse mathematically establish the fact that Islam is discriminatory towards women?
- Why is a man’s testimony worth twice the testimony of a woman in the Islamic court?
- Since the testimony of woman is only half of that of a man, how can a Muslim woman who is raped by a Muslim man, testify against him?
Regarding the position of wives, the Qur’an states the following:
Surah 2:223: Your wives are as a tilth unto you; so approach your tilth when or how you will. (Yusuf Ali)
- How can Allah even think of comparing the rights of a husband over his wife to that of the rights of a man over a mere piece of land?
- Is this not a humiliating way to portray one’s wife?
- Is there no mutual respect for each other’s body in the marital relationship between a husband and a wife in Islam?
- By telling Muslim husbands that they can engage in sexual acts with their wives “when or how you will,” does not this Qur’anic verse shows that it does not require the husbands to obtain the consent of the wives?
- As such, is Allah not effectively permitting Muslim husbands to rape their wives?
There are many more evidences to prove that Islam is discriminatory towards women but the above examples are sufficient to prove our point.
TOPIC NUMBER TEN: ONE SINGLE WITNESS
The Qur’an is based entirely on the personal experiences of one illiterate man spanning a period of 23 years. Only one person allegedly saw the angelic messenger. Only one person allegedly heard a voice. The entire faith is limited to one book with only one person who allegedly received the revelation. There is absolutely no way to verify anything.
Questions for Muslims
- Does not this show that the only way for you to become a Muslim is to take this one man’s word for it?
- What supporting evidence is there that the angel Gabriel spoke to him?
- Are there testimonies of eyewitnesses?
This is quite a contrast to the history of the Bible. Some forty different men were used to write the Scriptures consisting of sixty-six books upon which Christianity rests. These men lived and wrote the inspired messages over a period of 1600 years and they ranged in background from fishermen to kings. Various ones were contemporaries and acquainted with one another, while others were separated by hundreds of years and sometimes hundreds of miles. In spite of these challenges, the Book they produced is a complete and harmonious volume, free from contradictions and filled with evidences of divine inspiration.
As Islamic sources themselves testify, Muhammad is the only witness to his claim that he received the messages of God through Gabriel. One witness is not acceptable in substantiating such an important claim. We cannot accept the sole testimony of Muhammad. Allah even required four male witnesses to prove rape. The Bible says such claims as the ones made by Muhammad must be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses:
Deuteronomy 19:15: “Only on the testimony of two or three witnesses shall a matter be established.”
- Does not this show that believing the sole claim of Muhammad is a violation of God’s law?
Surah 2:282: states that the testimony of two witnesses is required to confirm the truthfulness of a matter.
- Does not this invalid the lone testimony of Muhammad?
- By believing in the lone testimony of Muhammad are you not going against the teachings of the Qur’an?
TOPIC NUMBER ELEVEN: THE MUSLIM PRAYER
Prayer is respectful communication between man and God. Christians are free to pray to their God from anywhere, from any direction, in any respectable position, at any time of the day or night and they can still be assured that their beloved God would listen to them. To insist that you have to face a specific direction to talk to God is an insult to the Almightiness of God.
Psalms 4:1: “When I call, answer me, O my righteous God.”
However, whenever Muslims want to pray to Allah, they are commanded to do so at certain specific times, face a specific direction and follow a specific ritual. Islam’s Qiblah or prayer direction was originally towards Jerusalem. But when Muhammad desired to pray towards the Ka’ba in Mecca, Allah obliged and revealed the following Qur’anic verse:
Surah 2:144: “We see the turning of thy face for guidance to the heavens: now shall We turn thee to a Qibla that shall please thee. Turn then Thy face in the direction of the sacred Mosque: Wherever ye are, turn your faces in that direction.” (Yusuf Ali)
At the time when Allah revealed Surah 2:144 to authorize Muhammad to change the direction of the prayers of the Muslims towards Mecca, the Ka’ba was still a pagan shrine housing 360 pagan idols.
Questions for Muslims
- Why would Allah permit Muslims to bow towards the Ka’ba while it was still polluted with 360 pagan idols?
- Why must the prayers of the Muslims be directed towards the pagan shrine in order to reach the ears of Allah?
- Since the Blackstone was venerated by the pagans during pre-Islamic days, why are Muslims all over the world commanded to face the same pagan Blackstone whenever they pray?
- If you say it to unify Muslims, why are there hundreds of Muslim sects in Islam?
- Why are these Islamic sects, who while praying unitedly in the same direction, still fighting and killing each other, even within the same sect?
- The Sunnis and the Shias face the same direction when they pray, why are they then not united?
- Why must all the prayers recited at every mosque – even in non-Arabic countries – be in Arabic?
- Does not Allah understand other languages?
- If you say it to unify Muslims, why are these very same Muslims who while praying unitedly in Arabic, still fighting and killing each other?
- Why must Allah command Muslims to pray only at five specific times whereas Christians are free to pray whenever they would like to?
- Where is Allah during other times?
- Why cannot Muslim males and females pray together, like Christians in a family unit?
- Why are Muslim women prevented from praying when they are having their menses?
TOPIC NUMBER TWELVE: SCIENCE IN ISLAM
Muslims claim that the Qur’an is inspired by God. They also claim it contains accurate scientific information about embryology and human anatomy. Yet the Qur’an contains the following unscientific teaching:
Surah 86:6-7: He was created from a fluid, ejected, Emerging from between the backbone and the ribs. (Sahih International)
This teaching in the Qur’an echoes the erroneous theory of Hippocrates who believed that the semen originates, from the brain down the spinal chord, before passing through the kidneys and finally out of the body. (Hippocratic Writings, Penguin Classics, 1983, p. 317)
It is an established scientific fact that both sperm and male sex hormones are produced in two plum sized glands called the testes. The testes lie in a sac called the scrotum that hangs outside the body. This design helps to maintain a set temperature, slightly below body temperature, which is essential for the production of healthy sperm.
Questions for Muslims
- How is it that Allah is unaware of this simple fact about the functions of the human body?
- Why did Allah forget about the function of the testicles?
- Why did not Allah have a clue that sperm is produced from the testicles?
- Can Allah then truly be the Creator of mankind?
- Can the Qur’an truly be the Word of God when it contains such a serious scientific error?
- Does it not take one lie in the Qur’an to prove that Islam is false?
- Why do Muslims reject established modern science and blindly believe the Qur’an when it says that sperm originates from the mid-gut section of a man’s body?
TOPIC NUMBER THIRTEEN: PAGANISM IN ISLAM
Muhammad’s life began and ended up with a pagan religion with the only difference being that he repackaged it in a monotheistic framework. The fact that many of the rituals performed in the name of Allah are connected to pagan worship, shows that Islam was conceived in idolatry. Such practices are consistent with pre-Islamic pagan rituals involving the Ka’ba. Also, the striking similarities between Hinduism and Islam are too strong to be passed off as coincidences.
Surah 2:158: “Lo! (the mountains) As-Safa and Al-Marwah are among the indications of Allah. It is therefore no sin for him who is on pilgrimage to the House (of Allah) or visiteth it, to go around them (as the pagan custom is).” (Pickthall)
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 6, Book 60, Number 23:
Narrated By ‘Asim bin Sulaiman: I asked Anas bin Malik about Safa and Marwa (i.e. two mountains at Mecca). Anas replied, “We used to consider (i.e. going around) them a custom of the Pre-Islamic period of Ignorance, so when Islam came, we gave up going around them. Then Allah revealed, ‘Verily, Safa and Marwa (i.e. two mountains at Mecca) are among the Symbols of Allah. So it is not harmful of those who perform the Hajj of the House (of Allah) or perform the Umra to ambulate (Tawaf) between them.’” (Surah 2:158)
Questions for Muslims
- How can the very same two mountains that were sacred to the pagans become the “Symbols of Allah” after they came under the control of Muhammad?
- How can the very same pagan ritualistic practice of running between these two hills also become a part of the ritual of the Hajj in Islam?
- Why was the Arab pagan ritual of going around the Ka’ba also retained in Islam?
- Why are there so many striking similarities between the rites of Hinduism and Islam?
- During the Islamic ritual of Tawaf, why do Muslims circumnavigate the Ka’ba seven times in exact imitation of the Hindu worshippers of Shiva who also walk around the symbol of Shiva seven times?
- Why do both the worshippers of Shiva and the worshippers of Allah observe a rite in which they walk around their object of reverence seven times?
- How is it in both of these rituals, Hindus and Muslims alike utter religious phrases repeatedly during the circumambulation?
- Why are both Hindu and Muslim male devotees required to shave their heads during their pilgrimage?
- Why are male Muslim pilgrims required to dress in a garment consisting of two seamless sheets of white cloth in imitation of their Hindu counterparts who also dress in a type seamless garment that is known as Dhoti during their pilgrimage?
- How is it that in Islam, the Black Stone at the Ka’ba that is held sacred by Muslims is similar to the symbol of Shiva which is also a Black Stone?
- Why are the objects of reverence of both the worshippers of Shiva and Muslims Black Stones?
- Why do Muslims drink water from the Well of Zamzam during their sacred rites of the Hajj in imitation of the Hindus who also drink water from the Ganga River as part of the sacred rites in their worship of Shiva?
The Crescent moon is associated with the Hindu deity Shiva. In every Hindu portrayal of Shiva, the crescent moon is always painted across his forehead.
- Is it a coincidence that the Crescent moon is also a symbol of Islam?
In every portrayal of Shiva, there is always a depiction of a snake curled around his neck. According to Islamic sources, the Ka’ba was once guarded by a snake during pre-Islamic times. And Islamic sources state that it was Allah who sent the snake to guard the pagan treasures of the Ka’ba.
Tarikh Makka by Al-Azraqi:
From that day Allah sent a snake to guard the Ka’bah. The snake lived in the well guarding the gifts of the Ka’bah for over 500 years. Exposed to the wearing factors of nature the walls of the Ka’bah at the time of Quraish (slightly before the time Prophet received Prophethood) had become weak and part of the covering had also burnt, thus the Quraish decided to rebuild the Ka’bah. However, the snake prevented them from demolishing the Holy Ka’bah every time they tried. Finally they stood at the Place of Ibrahim and prayed, “Oh Allah if you are happy in its rebuilding then make it possible and take care of this snake.” Allah sent an eagle which took the snake towards Ajyaad. This snake is referred to in the forth opinion.”
Before the arrival of Islam, the Quraish tribe worshipped a pantheon of idol-gods. They were pagans. Yet, when these pagans prayed and entreated Allah, “Oh Allah if you are happy in its rebuilding then make it possible and take care of this snake.” Allah answered their prayers by transferring the snake. It was Allah who initially sent this snake to guard the treasures of the Ka’ba when it was still a pagan temple.
Questions for Muslims
- Why did Allah send a snake to guard the pagan treasures of the Ka’ba?
- Why is a snake associated with both Allah and Shiva?
- If you find a place of worship being guarded by a snake today, with which religion would you associate it?
- Would you associate it with the true religion or with paganism?
- Does not the fact that the pagans prayed to Allah means he was their god?
- Why did Allah answer the prayers of the pagans by transferring the snake?
At the time when the pagans wanted to rebuild the Ka’ba, it was a pagan shrine housing 360 idols.
- Why was Allah happy to see the restoration of the Ka’ba when it was a pagan temple?
- The Qur’an tells us in Surah 2:125 that the Ka’ba was first built by Allah. How did the Ka’ba that was built by Allah become a pagan temple?
- If it was a pagan temple in the first place, how did it become the sacred place of Allah?
- Does not this tell us that Allah is unmistakably a pagan deity?
- Do not the evidences show that Islam is an offshoot of paganism?
- Can Islam then be associated with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?
Christians do not practice the ritual of circumnavigation or circumambulation to please their God. Ironically, Muslims accuse Hinduism of paganism and idolatry. There are far too many similarities between Islam and Paganism for it to be a religion of the true God. Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob would never incorporate the practices of the pagan nations as part of his sacred services for his worshippers to follow. But Allah did.
No matter how hard Muslims try to justify, it does not change the fact that Islam is false. The proof is everywhere. Muhammad was afraid of questions. Of course, he welcomed the ignorant questions of the desert Bedouins, but not from those who knew their Scriptures – the Jews and the Christians. It was a common occurrence for the Jews of his time to query Muhammad with a myriad of questions. When his answers were contradictory or nonsensical as they often were, the people started to realize that he was just an ignorant man, and not a prophet of God. Thus, Muhammad came up with the injunction against asking questions.
The renowned Muslim scholar, Maududi, warns Muslims against probing too deeply into Islam:
“The Holy Prophet himself forbade people to ask questions – so do not try to probe into such things.” (Maududi, “The Meaning of the Qur’an,” Volume 3, pgs. 76-77)
In contrast, the Bible encourages Christians to “Ask,” “Seek” and “Knock.”
Matthew 7:7-8: “Ask and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives and everyone who seeks finds and to everyone who knocks it will be opened.”
Islam cannot tolerate questions, because its belief system is easily exposed as fraudulent. This is especially true when it is scrutinized closely in the light of the true Abrahamic faith. The true Abrahamic faith maintains well-documented written records that predate Islam by thousands of years. Islam knows that the result of such comparative studies would raise many troubling questions in the minds of the Muslims.
That is why Islam tries to silence all those who not only criticize it but even dare question it. Questioning the teachings of Islam is viewed the same as criticizing it. And as a final counter measure, Islam carries the death penalty for those who leave it. In contrast the Holy Bible shows that wisdom is achieved by asking:
James 1:5: “So, if any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him keep on asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching; and it will be given him.”
Unlike Allah, Jehovah does not prevent his worshippers from asking? This is the hallmark of a true Creator. As our Creator, he knows that the asking of questions is one of the attributes of the human mind. Jehovah not only welcomes our sincere questions but he also answers them. (Compare Genesis 18:20-33)
As a God of truth, Jehovah has nothing to hide. Today, he answers us through his Word, the Holy Bible. And Jesus too displayed the same mental attitude as his heavenly Father. He welcomed questions. In contrast, Muhammad became hot with anger when he was questioned. This proves that Muhammad was unworthy of his claim as a prophet of God. The duty of a prophet is to answer and enlighten those under his care. And as we can see, Islam is an information control cult that shudders at questions.
RELATED ARTICLES:
THE QUR’AN CONFIRMS THE INTEGRITY OF THE BIBLE
FAILED PROPHECIES IN THE QUR’AN
UNDENIABLE PROOF – ALLAH LIED IN THE QUR’AN
<<<<<< STEALTH TEAM MEGIDDO >>>>>>
STEALTH TEAM MEGIDDO 